Father J. C. Ernst, rector of the church at St. Thomas, Cole Co., Mo., was born in Cologne, Prussia, February 16, 1849, and was ordained March 16, 1872, in Cologne. He remained in his native country until 1884, and then sailed for America, landing in New York the same year. His first charge of a church in America was at Wardsville, Cole Co., Mo., but in November of 1888 he took charge of the church at St. Thomas, and is its present rector. Father Ernst is a son of John Ernst, who was also a native of Cologne, Prussia, and a jeweler by trade. The elder Ernst was the father of four children: Fred, Robert (deceased), J. C. and Mary. The last named came to America in 1884, and makes her home with Father Ernst. Fred still remains in Prussia, and is engaged in the insurance business. Father Ernst has no desire to return to the old country to live, as he thinks American institutions and laws are more liberal, consequently pleasanter to live under. He has charge of the St. Thomas Church, which was erected about 1884, is gothic in its design, and is one of the handsomest in the county. The congregation is one of the largest in the county, consisting of about 110 families. The first rector of St. Thomas' Church was Father Meyer, who came here in 1869.

Transcribed from:
History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage Counties, Missouri, Goodspeed Publishing Company (1889).