St Mary's Orthodox Mission (Desloge, MO)

📢Hello everyone! I'm reaching out with a heartfelt plea from our little community at St. Mary’s. We’re in the midst of an urgent mission to renovate and restore our beloved church, not just for today but for generations to come. 🙏

An Introduction:

St. Mary's is a Western Rite Orthodox Mission Under the Antiochian Archdiocese and the Antiochian Western Rite Vicariate. We are overseen by the Metropolitan of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, Saba Isper and Vicar-Bishop John Abdalah, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Worcester and New England of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Vicar-Bishop of the Western Rite Vicariate, the Vicariate that our Chapel is under. St Mary's is a registered 501(c)3 organization. 

A brief history of our building:

The Beginning:

Orthodox Christianity first made it's way to the Mineral Area at the turn of the 20th century. Immigrants came from Galicia (Poland and Ukraine) to work in the mines throughout our area. These Christians built a permanent church building in Desloge, MO which is still standing to this day. Unfortunately, many of the members moved or passed away which caused the church to cease services. The last service was conducted in 2018.

The Interim Years:

The church community in Desloge closed, but Orthodox Christians remained in the Mineral Area. We were faced with two options- drive to St. Louis/Cape Girardeau to attend Church, or stay home. A Chapel was created to re-establish Orthodox services again, so those who live within the area may have a local option for church. During that season, they met at Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington.

The group began under the name the “Orthodox Christian Fellowship of Farmington” in December of 2022. After a period of growth, we have been raised to the status of an official Mission within the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, on June 4, 2024. As such, we have been granted a new name, St. Mary’s Orthodox Mission.

The Present:

Our Mission was granted access to use the historic Orthodox Church building for services. We currently are meeting to worship here in our new home as a Church. 

Our Struggle:

It all started when we discovered that the basement wall had developed a significant crack—a warning sign of more serious issues lurking beneath the surface. The cost to fix it? A hefty sum that felt like an insurmountable challenge at first glance. But here’s where you come in...

You see, St. Mary’s isn’t just bricks and mortar; it's a spiritual home to so many of us. It shelters our congregation, hosts countless community events, and is the backdrop for countless memories—from baptisms to weddings, funerals, and joyous celebrations alike. The safety and integrity of this place matter deeply.

So we’re not just fixing a crack; we're making strategic investments in our future! 😊 We need your help to:

🛠️ Fix the basement wall with a French drain system - This is crucial for long-term stability, keeping our space safe and dry.

🔥 Complete a full renovation of the basement area, including kitchen appliances & floors - A fresh start that breathes new life into this vital community hub!

🖌️ Refinish or paint the cement floors and walls throughout - Bringing new light to our historic sanctuary with minimal budget but big impact.

👷 Repair broken floorboards in the nave and refinish the wood floor, repaint the walls, install replacement windows, redo the iconostasis that is falling , refinish dome.

💨 Purchase and setup of an AC and Heating System. We have been worshipping in this brick building with no AC or heating throughout the winter and summer months. 

🪑 Purchase and replace broken furniture and new furniture as needed

🏠 Various renovations to the Rectory (The house attached to the church for clergy)

🖼️ Purchase of additional iconography to adorn the Church walls.

With your help, we will continue the mission of Orthodox Christianity; to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge of God far and wide starting from our community here in Desloge. This building has been around since 1908, It's 117 years old, and with your help, it will be around for centuries to come!

Our goal is a modest yet significant $80,000. It feels like a big number, one that might be hard to crack since we live in a low income area. However, considering what’s at stake—literally the heart of our community—it’s a small price to pay for peace of mind and continuity in faith.

I believe that when we work together, great things can happen! 💪 We’ve already received some generous donations from within our parish family, but this campaign is about opening up the doors wider—to friends near and far who share a love for Orthodoxy and who wish to continue and accelerate the explosion of interest in Orthodoxy here in the US. And where better to do that then right here, smack dab in the middle of it.

Will you join us in safeguarding St. Mary's? Your donation could be instrumental in making these necessary renovations happen. Even $5 or $10 can add up to make big changes!

Together, we can ensure that our church remains a beacon of hope and unity for many years to come. Please consider giving whatever you can—every bit helps! 🙏

Thank you from the bottom of my heart if you’ve made it this far. Your support means more than words can express as together, we build towards a brighter future at St. Mary's Church. ☦️