Augustine Parish Brief History
1878-2012
Fall of 1877 our Catholic School was established with thirty students attending and Miss Elizabeth Linderman as the school teacher. November 3, 1878 Father Kleiser held first mass in 60’x35’ church on 3 acres of ground donated by John Blattel
August 28, 1890, the feast of St. Augustine, the new 120’ x 45’church was dedicated by Reverend Vicar General Brady
. September 1948 the church was remodeled
June 27, 1979 the church was restored with a few modern changes
February 1, 1980 the church was re-dedicated
In 1996 the former convent was named Ruma Center in honor of the Sisters of the
Most Prescious Blood from Ruma, Illinois in thanksgiving of their service
In 1998 the 135’ steeple was repaired
Boiler System for the Church completed in October 2006
Ceramic Tile, New Toilet in Teacher’s Lounge, Gravel Rear Parking Lot, June 2007
Roof, Air Conditioner, Ruma Center, 2007; Rectory Basement Bathroom, 2008
Awning School Front Door, 2008
August 2009- February 2010 – New floor and renovated the inside of church
June, July 2010 – New Roof, Tuck pointing, Painting, Window Covering Replaced
Summer, 2011—Moved Parish Office to St. Augustine Center; Ruma Center was remodeled to accommodate the Early Learning Center, Playground and Fence added in front of the Ruma Center. AUGUSTINE PARISH SINCE IT’S FOUNDING IN 1878:
Reverend Sosthenes Kleiser November, 1878-August, 1882
Reverend Frederick A. Kleinschnittger (Klein) August, 1882-March, 1910
Reverend Joseph P. Fitzkam February, 1910-September, 1910
Reverend John H. Muehlsiepen October 1910-1940
Reverend Frederic Eckhoff 1924 – assistant
Reverend Martin Weissmueller 1925-1926 assistant
Monsignor Joseph F. Keusenkothen 1926-1976
Reverend Robert A. Landewe 1965-1966 - assistant
Reverend Philip Bucher 1966-68 - assistant
Reverend James Sullivan 1968-1969 - assistant
Reverend Justin Brauner 1969-1971 - assistant
Reverend Michael V. McDevitt 1972-1975-assistant
Reverend Normand G. Varone 1975-1976-assistant
Reverend Monsignor Raymond V. Orf August 1976 to August 1990
Reverend Camillus Tuan Nguyen February 1983 to May 1983, deacon
Reverend Monsignor John H. Westhues September 1990 to September 1994. Oliver Clavin October 1994 to July 2016
Reverend Joseph Weidenbenner July, 2016-July, 2018
Reverend Michael Casteel July, 2018 to July, 2022
Reverend Tomasz Piotr Wilk OSPPE July 2022 - present
