Jeffrey Thompson

Essays: The Faith of Rich Fountain

The people of Rich Fountain, Missouri, believe. Since the German-Catholic township was settled in the hills of Osage County in 1838, the residents have been actively practicing their faith. Today, nearly all of the town's 200 residents attend mass at Sacred Heart Church at least once a week, and local children start their day with prayer at the Catholic grade school. Yet, it's outside the doors of the church and the classroom where this faith thrives. Most people in this community will tell you they live a simple life, but the convictions they hold are anything but simple.

The history of Rich Fountain is deeply rooted in the Catholic faith and this faith is evident in all aspects of life in the community. Sacred Heart pastor, Father Michael Murphy, said during a mass, "Christ is the way, the truth... his life is embedded deep in our hearts."
   
Greg Fick leads a prayer before sharing a meal with his family in the same dining room he ate in as a child. Greg and his wife, Bert, raise six children on their cattle farm, and despite hectic schedules demanding workloads, the family normally gathers together at mealtime.
   
Community volunteers assemble one of two altars used during the annual Corpus Christi procession.
     
  
Johnny Dresel keeps his friendsí cups full during morning coffee at Mebruers Service Station. Clarence Mebruer closed the only garage in town several years ago, but has opened the doors for "business" every morning since.
  
Art Fick washes the remnants of a mud ball fight off his cousin Logan Siegler before dinner at the Fick house.
   
Members of Sacred Heart parish are led by Father Michael Murphy during the Corpus Christi procession. "The great strength of this community is their cohesiveness, their willingness to live and worship together," Father Murphy said.
     
  
Sacred Heart second-graders review their instructions before entering the church for First Communion mass.
  
The fifth grade class works on an Easter mural during Holy Week at Sacred Heart School. Religion studies anchor the curriculum at the Sacred Heart, and most residents agree that, without the school, the community would not survive.
  
Keith Neier gathers sweet corn from his garden to give to friends in Rich Fountain. "A lot folks in town can't get around so well any more and I like to do this for them."
     
  
Logan Siegler, left, walks to his house with his cousin Art Fick to catch a ride to baseball practice.
  
Greg Fick receives plenty of help from his family and the community when his hay needs bailing. His son John, 8, normally drives the truck because he is too small to lift the bales.
  
Butchering is a family affair for the Fick family, and Dennis has been lending a hand for the bi-annual job since his brother, Greg, took over the family farm.
     
  
With Art Fick watching his father and uncle intently, Greg and Dennis finish butchering the second carcass of the day. "I'm not going to be around forever," Greg said. "Art's day is coming."
   
An early morning breakfast fuels the Fickís for a long day at the Osage County Fair.
  
Although he closed his service station a few years ago, Clarence Mebruer still provides fuel for residents, and a gathering place to remember the past.
     
  
Newly installed pastor Father William Peckman is welcomed to Rich Fountain after moving into the rectory at Sacred Heart. Having had several pastors commute from out of town in the last few years, parish members were thrilled to have Father Peckman settle in their community.
  
With his mother, Bert, and sister, Claire, encouraging him, John Fick leaves the fate of his loose tooth in the hands of his father Greg.
  
After her husband, Booby, died, Delores Eisterhold was left to run the country store on her own. "I often think about leaving and going out west, but I canít," Dolores said. "These people are like my family, and this community needs me."
     
  
After a long day of trucking, Tubby Mebruer waits to purchase his weekly staples at Eisterhold Country Store.
  
Helen Rudroff prays alone in silence during 24-hour adoration at Sacred Heart Church. Adoration is one of many traditional rituals Sacred Heart members practice, and Father Murphy said of these traditions, "They keep us connected to our rich past and help us stay active with our faith."
   
Sacred Heart Church has been a lasting landmark in a community that has seen many changes during the last century, including the closing of several businesses and a significant population decrease.
     
  
Becky Weckenberg assists her mother, Evelyn Neuner, with a last minute touchup before being escorted down the isle of Sacred Heart Church. Although Becky no longer lives in Rich Fountain, she grew up in the parish and knew she always wanted to come back to get married.
  
Clem and Leoba Mengwesserís 50th wedding anniversary is milestone held in high regard and celebrated by the entire community.
   
Following a full day in the field bailing hay, John Fick unwinds in the bed of his fatherís pickup while his family and friends finish the chore in the last light of the day.