Guardian Angel

Parish History

Guardian Angel Parish was founded in 1893 by German Catholic families who had moved southwest and west from New Hamburg, Missouri in search of more farmland. Beginning in 1892, the Charleston pastor traveled 20 miles one-way on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain, and Southern Railroad to celebrate a monthly Mass in the Crenshaw Warehouse in Oran. The parish's first church-and-school building, a two-story wooden structure, was dedicated in 1894. The present brick church was built in 1917 in the Romanesque basilica style and was hailed as the most beautiful Catholic church between St. Louis and Memphis. The parish marked its 100th anniversary in 1993, and a centenary history was published (held in the FamilySearch Library collection: 'History of Guardian Angel Parish, Oran, Missouri 1893–1993').

Buildings & Architecture

The current church is a brick building constructed in 1917 in the style of a Romanesque basilica. According to the parish's own history, the design was influenced by the Italian Renaissance churches the pastor, Father Michael Helmbacher, saw during a trip to Rome. The church interior has been renovated twice over the parish's history; the most recent scheme restored much of the character of the original furnishings. The original 1893 wooden church-school still stood on the property and was used as a school until 1957, when the current school building was constructed next door at 514 Church Street.

Guardian Angel Catholic School

Guardian Angel Catholic School is a parish-sponsored PK–8 school at 514 Church Street, immediately next door to the church. The school has been in continuous operation since the parish's first wooden church-school was built in 1893–94. The Benedictine Sisters of Jonesboro, Arkansas taught at the school in 1899–1900, and the Sister Adorers of the Precious Blood of Ruma, Illinois staffed it from 1901 to 1999. Today the principal is Katrina Kluesner, and the school deliberately integrates faith life with academics: weekly school Masses, monthly Fruits of the Holy Spirit awards, Eucharistic Processions, classroom blessings, and a 'For the Glory of God' character-formation program.

• Address: PO Box 188, 514 Church St., Oran, MO 63771-0188
• Principal: Katrina Kluesner
• Phone: (573) 262-3583
• Website: guardianangel.eduk12.net
• Grades: PK–8
• Pastoral staff: Fr. Joseph Kelly celebrates weekly school Mass

Faith Formation & Religious Education

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) is taught by Fr. Joseph Kelly himself on Tuesday nights from August through May in the Knights of Columbus Hall in Oran. The parish also publishes a Parish School of Religion (PSR) program for children, with teachers like Mrs. Pat Moore preparing students for First Communion. First Communion is typically celebrated in the spring (e.g., April 14, 2024 for the 2023–24 cohort). For adults and the wider region, Fr. Kelly runs Summer Catechesis Classes in the St. Ambrose school gym in Chaffee on Wednesday nights, with past series on 'Exorcism and Demonology' and 'Mariology' drawing an average of 200 attendees.

• RCIA – Tuesday nights, August–May, Knights of Columbus Hall, Oran (taught by Fr. Kelly)
• Parish School of Religion (PSR) – for parish children
• First Communion – typically 2nd grade
• Summer Catechesis Classes – Wednesday nights, St. Ambrose School gym, Chaffee

Parish Life & Groups

Guardian Angel has an active parish life centered on small groups, devotion to the Eucharist, and music. The Saturday morning Men's Faith Group meets at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Oran; the typical routine is gathering and prayer, a shared breakfast, and faith formation and catechesis. The group has grown to the point that men from Cape Girardeau and Jackson drive down on Saturday mornings to share in fellowship and prayer. The Father Kelly Band, a parish band of local Catholics, plays classic country, rock, bluegrass, and faith-themed music at parish events across the region. The parish also hosts 40-Hour Eucharistic Adoration periodically, with a closing potluck meal in the school gym.

• Saturday Men's Faith Group – Knights of Columbus Hall, Oran
• Father Kelly Band – parish band (members include Rodney Eftink, Steven LeGrand, Geri LeGrand, John Litzfelner, Laura Higgerson, Tiff Brey, Danny Tetley, Kurt Rendleman, Fr. Kelly)
• 40-Hour Eucharistic Adoration – annual, with potluck closing
• Knights of Columbus Council – Oran

Sacraments

Guardian Angel Parish prepares and celebrates the seven Catholic sacraments. Baptisms, weddings, funerals, and Anointing of the Sick are arranged through the parish office. First Communion is typically celebrated in 2nd grade through Guardian Angel School and the PSR program, and Confirmation is coordinated through the parish and the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau. The parish also keeps sacramental records going back to its founding: marriage records, for example, extend back to October 8, 1893.

• Baptism – by arrangement
• First Holy Communion – 2nd grade
• Confirmation – via parish and diocese
• Matrimony – by arrangement
• Anointing of the Sick – by arrangement
• Funerals – by arrangement

Staff & Office

The parish office is staffed by Fr. Joseph Kelly (Pastor), Ernestine Bueter (Administrative Assistant), and Laura Higgerson (Bookkeeper). The parish maintains a mailing address of PO Box 158, Oran, MO 63771-0158, and the building itself is at 604 Church Street. The parish invites inquiries by phone at (573) 262-3210 or email at [email protected].

• Pastor: Fr. Joseph Kelly
• Administrative Assistant: Ernestine Bueter
• Bookkeeper: Laura Higgerson
• Phone: (573) 262-3210
• Email: [email protected]