JONESBORO — Writing books has become a habit for Sister Henrietta Hockle, OSB.
The Jonesboro native and former prioress of Holy Angels Convent recently finished her latest book, “Parish on the Ridge,” which tells the story of Catholicism in Jonesboro from its beginnings to 2005.
“It was a labor of joy,” said Sister Henrietta, who has also written books on the history of Holy Angels Convent and St. Bernards Medical Center, in addition to editing a textbook on the history of Catholicism in Arkansas for elementary students.
“It was kind of a double blessing for me to dig in and learn more about my own parish, where I grew up, and one that was very much a part of the fabric of this area. I’m happy that God allowed me to do it.”
Sister Henrietta started the project about two years ago.
The railroad was instrumental in the beginnings of Catholicism in Jonesboro. Irish railroad workers asked Father Eugene Weibel to travel from Pocahontas to Jonesboro to celebrate Mass. The first Mass was celebrated in Jonesboro in 1883 at the home of Frank Roach, the railroad roadmaster, with 18 people present. Father Weibel continued to make the journey to Jonesboro twice a month with the use of a free pass, courtesy of the railroad.
A parish was formed in Jonesboro in 1885, although its beginnings didn’t come in an ordinary variety.
“Father Weibel was going to Little Rock to resign because of (poor) health, and by mistake he took the wrong train and got off at Jonesboro,” Sister Henrietta said. “The people begged him to stay. They said they’d take care of him while he was recuperating.”
Father Weibel got permission from the bishop to build a church during his recuperation period.
“The bishop was very reluctant because he didn’t think there was much future here in the wilderness,” Sister Henrietta said. “He didn’t give Father Weibel permission to build a very large building. He did build it a little bigger than the bishop approved, though.”
The new church was dedicated on May 31, 1885, and named St. Roman Parish.
“St. Roman was a monk who befriended St. Benedict … when he was out in the cave, and brought him food and helped him,” Sister Henrietta said. “It was also the name of Father Weibel’s brother, who died. He thought he would name it after his brother.”
According to Sister Henrietta, the parish was vibrant and growing when a tragedy occurred at the church on May 15, 1896.
“Lightning struck the bell tower and the whole complex went up in flames,” Sister Henrietta said. “There was a combination school and sisters’ house, a parish and a rectory — and it all went up in flames.
“They had sisters here by that time, and they tried to carry out school books and things to salvage whatever they could.”
Although the fire was devastating to the young parish, it did help to heal any misgivings that were held between Catholics and Protestants in the city.
“There was a rumor that Catholics had cannons and all kinds of explosives in the basement of the church,” Sister Henrietta said. “On a certain given day, at the order of the pope, they were going to blow up the Protestants.
“It turned out to be a blessing in a way, because Protestants — neighbors and good friends — came up and tried to help put the fire out. When the men were putting it out, someone mentioned, ’Watch out, those explosives might go off.’ Then they got tickled. It broke down a lot of prejudices. They realized it was just a bunch of rumors.”
The parish community regrouped from the fire and built a combination hall, which was used for both church and school activities. It was dedicated in April 25, 1897.
After the hospital was established in 1900, and an additional hospital building was built in 1905, the sisters also built a convent chapel. The parish community, without a proper church because of the 1897 fire, rented the sisters’ chapel for Mass and other church activities for $35 a month from 1907 to 1933.
Construction on a parish church building started in 1931. It was dedicated on Oct. 17, 1933, and the building is still in use today.
The name of the parish also changed at its 1933 dedication.
“Bishop (John) Morris asked the people up here what they wanted to name their church,” Sister Henrietta said. “They wrote down three suggestions and sent them to the bishop. One of them was Sacred Heart and another was Blessed Sacrament.
“The bishop chose Blessed Sacrament because we had no church in Arkansas named after the Blessed Sacrament at that time.”
Sister Henrietta hopes that the parish history will give people an insight to those earlier times as well as “ignite some interest from other areas to write their own history.”
“I think people will find it interesting when they see how dedicated this parish has been throughout its 120 years,” Sister Henrietta said. “It tells the story of a people striving, good pastors who have led them and a good spirit of cooperation.
“There’s always ups and downs. There’s going to be challenges, struggles and misunderstandings, but through it all, God’s grace comes out.”
“Parish on the Ridge” can be ordered through Blessed Sacrament Church for $17 if ordered before Jan. 31 and $20 if ordered after Jan. 31. Add $3 per book for shipping. Mail checks made out to Blessed Sacrament Church to 614 South Church Street, Jonesboro, AR 72401. Proceeds go to the Blessed Sacrament Church Building Fund.
