St. Francis of Assisi Guitage – Private Press Catholic Folk Vinyl LP Record

$

27

St. Francis of Assisi Guitage – Private Press Folk LP Record

1970s Catholic Youth Group Folk Mass Music from St. Louis

St. Francis of Assisi Guitage is a private press folk album recorded by the youth guitar group ("Guitage") of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Released on RRR Custom Records and produced by Bernie Wagner, this album captures a beautiful snapshot of 1970s progressive Catholic folk music during the era when guitar masses and contemporary Christian music were transforming Catholic worship in America. The album features young vocalists and instrumentalists from the church's folk group performing a mix of contemporary Christian songs, traditional hymns arranged in folk style, and inspirational pop songs adapted for religious services.

The recording showcases the talents of the church's youth group including lead vocalists Kathy McCauley, Nancy Zeller, Joan Hartman, Carol Haar, and others, accompanied by guitars (Mary Fink, Lisa Fink), lead guitar (Dick Lucas), bass (Rick Horst), drums (Bud Mertz), and tambourines (Joan Hartman). The repertoire includes popular folk mass songs like "Day By Day" from the musical Godspell, "One Tin Soldier" (the anti-war anthem from Billy Jack), "Get Together" (the Youngbloods' peace anthem), traditional hymns like "Just A Closer Walk With Thee," and original arrangements of prayers including "Our Father" and "Peace Prayer" (based on the Prayer of St. Francis). The liner notes mention that the group had been performing for weddings, social functions, and emotional gatherings for approximately 2.5 years before recording this album.
This album was made possible through sponsorship by Rich & Charlie's Trattoria and Pasta House, a St. Louis restaurant chain with multiple locations. The packaging features photographs of the church building, the youth performers, and individual portraits of group members, along with complete personnel credits. Private press religious albums like this were common during the 1970s when local churches recorded their folk groups, often in small quantities for congregation members and as fundraising tools. These albums have since become collectible artifacts documenting the folk mass movement that swept through American Catholic churches following Vatican II reforms.

1. SIDE ONE
   1. I Believe In Music Kathy McCauley (Solo)
   2. I Am The Resurrection Kathy McCauley (Solo)
   3. Get Together Nancy Zeller (Solo)
   4. I Believe In The Sun Joan Hartman (Solo)
   5. Our Father Kathy McCauley (Solo)
   6. We've Been To The Mountain Anne Raaf, Joan Hartman, Cindy Nordman (Solos)
2. SIDE TWO
   1. Just A Closer Walk With Thee Kathy McCauley (Solo)
   2. Day By Day Kathy McCauley (Solo)
   3. I Believe Kathy McCauley (Solo)
   4. One Tin Soldier Carol Haar, Lisa Fink, Cindy Nordman (Solos)
   5. Peace Prayer Kathy McCauley (Solo)

Why This Album Matters:

Private press religious albums like St. Francis of Assisi Guitage document an important cultural and religious shift in American Catholicism during the 1970s. Following the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Catholic Church embraced vernacular language and contemporary musical styles in worship, leading to the folk mass movement that incorporated guitars, drums, and popular song structures into liturgical settings. Youth groups across America formed guitar ensembles (often called "folk groups" or "guitar choirs") that performed at masses, weddings, and church events, creating a uniquely American expression of Catholic worship that blended traditional faith with contemporary musical sensibilities. Albums like this capture the sincerity and enthusiasm of young Catholics expressing their faith through the musical language of their generation. The inclusion of songs like "Get Together" and "One Tin Soldier" alongside traditional hymns reflects the era's optimism about bridging sacred and secular, combining messages of peace, love, and faith in a seamless folk rock package. For collectors of private press vinyl, Christian folk music, or 1970s Americana, these local church recordings represent genuine grassroots cultural artifacts that were typically pressed in quantities of 100-500 copies and distributed primarily within the congregation.

Complete Your Collection:

Expand your collection of private press folk and Christian music with this authentic slice of 1970s Catholic youth culture. Fans who enjoy folk mass music, Jesus music, and the Christian folk movement will appreciate this sincere expression of faith through contemporary musical styles. This album pairs well with other progressive Catholic recordings from the era and represents the folk rock sounds that defined church youth groups across America during the 1970s. For collectors of St. Louis music history or Missouri regional recordings, this album documents local musical talent and provides a window into suburban Catholic life during a transformative period in American religious culture. The packaging with photographs and complete credits makes this an appealing artifact of 1970s church life and youth group culture.