HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPHS

The previous St. Ludmila Church, shortly after its construction in 1926.

The previous St. Ludmila Church. This was taken in October 1999, about nine months before it was taken down to make room for the new worship space.

The cornerstone of St. Ludmila Church. This cornerstone was removed from the previous church building prior to demolition and was reinstalled in the new building.

The Sanctuary of the previous St. Ludmila Church as it appeared in the mid 1950s.

The Sanctuary of the previous St. Ludmila Church at Christmas.

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PARISH HISTORY

The earliest records of our parish date back to 1906 when five acres of land were purchased by Father Florian Svrdlik and John Viktor. The main reason was to establish a Bohemian Home for the aged and for establishing a school. The Notre Dame sisters agreed to staff the school, and it opened in October 1914.

The Very Rev. Father Florian Svrdlik. He's regarded as the founder of Saint Ludmila's Parish.

St. Ludmila was officially incorporated as a new parish on December 22, 1915, with the first mass said in the chapel of the school being said on February 13, 1916. St. Ludmila's remained a mission of St. Wenceslaus parish until November 1922.

On October 6, 1922, Msgr. Francis Hruby was appointed the first pastor of St. Ludmila's. The previous church building was built in 1926 at a cost of $29,197.62.

The Sanctuary of the previous St. Ludmila Church as it appeared after the 1970 renovation.

The Frolic Club bought the bell for the church for $394.34. In 1929 the pipe organ was installed at an expense of $2756.93. The stained glass windows were added in 1932. The original church building served the community well for 75 years.

By the last decade of the 20th century, the previous building was in need of major repairs and renovation. The Archdiocese also expressed the need to move from four weekend masses to three because of the shortage of priests and also to provide for dramatic population growth in Linn, Benton, and Johnson counties.

On July 17, 1995, under the leadership of the Pastor, Rev. Harry Koelker, an Ad Hoc Committee of the Parish Council was commissioned to help plan for the future of the parish. After careful consideration, it was determined that the original building would not be adequate for the future needs of the parish.

After careful study, the parish council declared on September 18, 1999 that the intent of the parish was to build a new church. The process of change and building calls a parish community to grow into a stronger People of God. The parish raised $1.2 million, and the archdiocese financed the $3 million project.

In June and July of 2000 the previous church and rectory were taken down to make room for the new church building, and on July 23, 2000 the Blessing of the Site took place. At each step of the way the Holy Spirit chose individuals and groups to use their God-given gifts.

The bell, organ, and stained glass windows were removed from the old church, and today they each have homes in the new building.

The current church, built in 2001.

On September 1, 2001, Archbishop Jerome Hanus dedicated the new church. The people of the Church of St. Ludmila entered their new home.

This new church building is a testimony to our believe in Jesus the Risen Christ.

Pastors:
The following pastors have served the people of St. Ludmila Church:

Vocations from St. Ludmila Chruch:
The following are the men and women from St. Ludmila's who have answered the vocation of religious life: