Rev. J. Henry Bekkers This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Church of Our Lady History - Chapter Five

   www.ourladychurch.net/history/ - [Cached]

   Published on: 11/13/2007   Last Visited: 11/13/2007

   Rev. John H. Bekkers
   
   Rev. J. H. Bekkers (photo right) was pastor at Our Lady's from August, 1861 until February 1863. Webb records that John Henry Bekkers was born April 22, 1821, in Druten, Holland. He studied theology at the Seminary of Hoeven, near Breda, and was there ordained priest in 1844. In 1853, he offered his services to Right Rev. J. Spalding, Bishop of Louisville, who was visiting Holland at the time with the view of securing missionary priests for his diocese. He reached Kentucky, in advance of Bishop Spalding, in May, 1853.
   
   Although he had little knowledge of English when he came to this country, in less than three months he mastered it well enough to be able to give sermons and catechetical instruction at the Cathedral of the Assumption where he was stationed. Fr. Bekkers was appointed spiritual director of the society of St. Vincent de Paul, and labored most zealously in this capacity. He was chancellor of the diocese for eight years.
   
   In 1861 he was appointed pastor of Our Lady's. From the Minute Book:
   
   In August of the year 1861, I, J. H. Bekkers, have taken the charge of the congregation of Notre Dame du Port, in Portland. In September of the same year we have fitted up at the expense of upwards of $100 the second story of the schoolhouse for girls, who previous to that time were taught in the lower story and which is now occupied by the boys.
   
   The Rectory
   
   At a meeting of the trustees, in August 15, 1861, it was proposed by Rev. J. H. Bekkers, and accepted by the trustees, that instead of collections and pew-rents, the pastor of said congregation shall receive the fixed salary of $250 and that of the collections and pew-rents a fund be created to defray the current expenses of the church.
   ...
   A note in the Minute Book written by Fr. Bekkers reads:
   ...
   Fr. Bekkers was the spiritual director of the St. Vincent de Paul society while he was stationed at the Cathedral of the Assumption, and so it is not surprising to see this note in the Minute Book:
   ...
   Fr. Bekkers saw his parish divided during the troubled days of the civil war, when the sympathy of Kentuckians was divided between the north and the south.
   ...
   Ill health cut short the pastorate of Fr. Bekkers. From the Minute Book:
   
   About the beginning of the Lent of this year, 1863, Rev. J. H. Bekkers was taken ill of pneumonia. He had a very serious attack, and only recovered with the most skillful medical attention. He had been subject to similar attacks for two or three years successively. This time his health was so much impaired that his position decided that it would be necessary for him to make a voyage to Europe in order to try the effect of his native air in Holland. Accordingly he set out from Louisville on Easter Monday, and set sail from New York on the 23rd day of April.
   
   From the beginning of Rev. Bekker's illness, Rev. David Russell had been sent from the Cathedral of the Assumption on Sundays and other festival days to keep church at Portland; and on Easter Sunday, he began to reside here as pastor pro tem.
   
   On his return from Europe, Fr. Bekkers applied to the Bishop for permission to join the ranks of the clergy in the diocese of Covington. His request was granted, and soon after he was installed as pastor of St. Peter's church in Lexington. There he labored until 1876, until ill health caused him to relinquish his duties. He was taken to Saints Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville in October, and about a month later, September 12, passed into his eternal reward. Fr. Bekkers' remains were buried at the entrance of his church in Lexington.