Holy Cross cookbook reprint raises funds for church upkeep

Jacky Brothers Imhof was a young girl when “Forgotten Gastronomical Delicacies” was first published by members of the Holy Cross Church of Ilasco in 1961-1962. This is her personal copy of the book, which is now being reprinted. Funds from the sale of the cookbook will be used for ongoing maintenance of the historic church building. Contributed photo/Jacky Brothers Imhof.

MARY LOU MONTGOMERY

In the early years of the 1960s, a thriving community existed to the south of Hannibal. Ilasco was originally established at the beginning of the 20th century in order to accommodate immigrants who came to America to work for the new Atlas Cement Company. The community consisted of schools and churches, thriving businesses, a jail, and modest dwellings scattered across the valley, through which a creek meandered.

The members of the Holy Cross Church, located in the heart of this bustling community, were aware of the unique blend of cultures existing within this expansive community. To celebrate this diversity, members published a cookbook in 1961-62.

Jacky Brothers Imhof, the holder of a torn-and-tattered copy of the cookbook, was a child when it was originally compiled by her mother’s contemporaries.

“Aunt Jeanne (McGeorge Zerbonia) was married at 17; she typed every one of these recipes in this book.”

The books sold for $10; this was a means for the Altar Society to earn money for the church.

Childhood memories

Imhof has fond memories of growing up in the church. Her mother, Mary Rita Zerbonia Brothers, was among the key players in keeping the community involved in the church activities.

“Ice cream socials are what I remember the most,” Imhof said. “Two ladies were in charge of the cakes, Angeline Viorel and Ruth Babyak. No one in the world could make German Chocolate cake like Ruth. Charlie Nemes and Joe Wojick were in charge of the ice cream. Sharon Epperson Arthaud and her sister, Sandy Epperson Douglas, were both checkers at grocery stores,” so they were in charge of ticket sales.

“We played Bingo and had lots and lots of fun.”

Holy Cross Church was built in 1915. The cement plant workers hired the carpenters, and all the materials were supplied by the cement plant, Imhof said. 

The original church had a bell on the roof, but ultimately, the roof wasn’t able to support the weight of the bell. “My brother, Alan Brothers, and Jim Nemes, were instrumental in making a new bell tower,” Imhof said. “When someone died, the bell rang once; if it was a child, it rang twice.”

She believes that Andy Babyak, who lived nearby, was responsible for ringing the bell.

The church closed in 1996, and remained empty for a few years. A few of the parishioners, including Mary Rita Brothers, started a chapel allocation. “A priest, under the auspicious of Holy Family, came. For about 16 years, it was Father Kennedy from Quincy, Ill.,” Imhof said.

“Then there were fewer parishioners,” Imhof said. Services were reduced to once a month, but it became too expensive to heat the building in the winter. Now mass is once a month, at 9 a.m. April through October.

The church roster lists 140 members, but many of those live out of town. “They are very loyal to ensure that there are funds to keep the building is in good repair,” Imhof said.

“They send their money in; it helps us pay for grass cutting, insurance and upkeep.”

Recently, the church building was power washed, and new landscaping is in the works.

In recent years, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Ilasco Area Preservation Society, “more people have become interested in Ilasco,” Imhof said. “We have quite a few visitors that come to the church and the monument.”

Unique scenario

There are four women who were married at Holy Cross, and who still attend mass at the church,” Imhof said.

They are Dolores Oslica Treat, Jeannie McGeorge Zerbonia, Arla Arthaud Rodenbaugh and Jacky Brothers Imhof.

“My mom (Mary Rita Brothers) was born across the creek from the church; she lived her 78 years in Ilasco.

Mary Rita was the daughter of Raffaele and Mary Cotroneo Zerbonia.

“My grandmother came to America when she was 3 with her grandparents,” Severino and Marie Carmella Florella,” Imhof said.

Legend has it that Severino went back to Italy twice in order to bring more Italians to work at the cement plant.

Copies of the “Forgotten Gastronomical Delicacies” are now available for pre-sale via the Historic Ilasco web site, https://www.ilascomo.com/

 Books are priced at $25, if picked up. An extra charge is required for mailed copies.

Through the donations of church members and friends, the historic Holy Cross Catholic Church is in pristine condition. Contributed photo/Jacky Brothers Imhof.

Holy Cross Catholic Church, during the 1930s.  Contributed photo/Jacky Brothers Imhof.

Four women who were married at Holy Cross, still attend the church. They are, from left, Jacky Brothers Imhof, Dolores Oslica Treat, Arla Arthaud Rodenbaugh and Jeannie McGeorge Zerbonia. In the center is Rev. Richard Frank. Contributed photo/Jacky Brothers Imhof.

The church roster, as published in the 1960-61 edition of “Forgotten Gastronomical Delicacies.” Contributed photo/Jacky Brothers Imhof.