USA > Minnesota > Renville County > The history of Renville County, Minnesota, Volume II > Part 74
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house. A substantial two-story brick schoolhouse was erected a year later. This building measured 32 by 50 feet and con- tained four large classrooms. About this time, too, the present rectory was built. During the 19 years of Father Kober's so- journ Bird Island grew into a flourishing parish, so much so that in later years he devoted his entire time to the furthering of its welfare.
Father Kober resigned on October 31. 1902, and was succeeded by the Rev. H. P. Fey, who attended the parish until August 1, 1910. Father Fey enlarged the church considerably to meet the growing wants of the parish, installed new furniture and made a number of other minor improve- ments.
The present pastor, Rev. Anthony Schol- zen, has worked hard to make the parish a center of attraction to the growing pop- ulation. Among the many improvements made by him the most important is the large new parochial school erected in 1913. The new school, a two-story brick build- ing with full basement, is modern in every respect, and by far the finest building in the village. It was erected at a cost of about $30,000.00 and contains six class- rooms 27 by 30 feet, each of which is pro- vided with an ample cloakroom. an assem- blyroom 30 by 65 feet, a library, a well equipped kitchen and a spacious dining- room for parish dinners and entertain- ments. A highschool course was added in September, 1915. About 190 pupils are in attendance. The school is very ably man- aged by the Sisters of St. Joseph, with the Ven. Mother Clare, the first Superioress, still in charge. Religious instruction is given under the direction of the pastor and the assistant pastor. the Rev. Henry Minea, who was appointed to Bird Island in June, 1915.
The following are some of the first Cath- olic settlers in the parish of Bird Island: John Wadenspanner. Bernard Feeter. Christopher Boehme, Daniel Clark, Alois Keindel, Hubert Neumann, Mathias Kir- chen, William Richter, Aloysius Ziller, Jo- seph Hufnagel, William Hannegrefs, Frank Ederer, Roderic O'Dowd, Anthony Sanger, Frank Poseley, William Keltgen, John Nilles, Angust Fernkes, Charles Glesener, Bernard Marx, Nicholas Kennedy, John Glynn, Patrick Cully, John Fewer. Thomas Commiskey, Frank Bennett, Patrick Gillen, Anthony Dorweiler, John Baier and others.
Sacred Heart Parish .- The first mass ever held in Sacred Heart was celebrated in November, 1881, at the home of Ed. O'Connor, the only Catholic family within
eight miles, by Rev. A. Kobler of Bird Island, Minn. During the next five years mass was said at this home about once in every three months. Then a church was built at Granite Falls. About five years later a church was built at Renville. Mass is now occasionally said at the ()'Connor home by Rey. Father John Ryan and Father Cashman of Renville. July 4, 1915, open door mass was celebrated on Mr. O'Connor's "Spring Farm," where the Knights of Columbus were gathered on that day. There is no church in Sacred Heart, but there are a number of Catholic families in and about the country.
Church of the Holy Redeemer, Renville. -(By Rev. William Cashman). When the lands adjacent to the present city of Ren- ville were thrown open for settlement, Catholics were early attracted thither. In 1869 the first settlers came. There was no priest nearer than New UIm, and hither Father Birkholz came occasionally to hold services. After Birch Cooley was settled the clergy from that parish attended here about once a month. But it was not until 1893 that the present church was erected. Rev. A. Kober, then pastor of Bird Island, was the organizer of the parish. He at- tended regularly until his death in 1900. The Rev. F. J. T. McEwan took charge then for a few years and built the Rec- tory; and Rev. John Kennedy became the first resident pastor. Father Kennedy died in the year 1907, and was succeeded by the Rev. T. O'Brien. Rev. John Fahey was pastor from 1910 to 1912, and was followed by the Rev. M. Staunton, who had charge for a short time. The present pastor, Rev. William Cashman, was ap- pointed in 1913.
The parish of the Holy Redeemer now has a membership of about three hundred souls of mixed nationality. This number is growing steadily. At the present rate of increase a larger church will be needed in a short time. Every facility is granted in the way of religious services. Prospect- ive settlers from the congested states of the east, desirous of better opportunities for themselves and their children, will find here an excellent climate. a good soil. good schools, and every church conveni- ence.
Church of St. Andrew, Fairfax .- In every part of the world. the Roman Catholic Church has ever been at the forefront of civilization and the good the church has accomplished for humanity in the past has been far-reaching and beneficial and the benefit that it will confer on generations yet unborn cannot be measured by the human imagination.
What has been true in other parts of the world has also been true in the Min- nesota valley and other portions of the North Star state, where Catholicism blazed the trail for the onward march of civili- zation. Churches with their cross-crowned spires pointing out the highways of mod-
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ern enlightenment to the children of men, have taken the place of the temple lodge of the barbaric Sioux, where their gro- tesque, skin-clad medicine men practiced their hideous, heathenish rites upon the credulous savages.
The first Catholic services in this vi- cinity were held at Fort Ridgley in 1864, Rev. Father Berghold of New Ulm being the pastor in charge. In 1871 the place of worship was transferred to the O'Neil school house, Camp township, where Rev. Father Brennan of Birch Cooley conducted services for three years.
Rev. Father Briody also located at Birch Cooley, conducted services at the homes of John Welsh, Cairo, and Martin Welsh, Wellington, at irregular intervals during this period.
St. Andrew's parish became a distinctly local institution in 1875, at which time the Grange flall was purchased and removed from Fort Ridgley to Fairfax, and located on the plat of ground just north of the village. now used as the cemetery. The site at this time was owned by the Min- neapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company, and ox teams were used to move this structure across the country. Services were held in this building for a period of several years and were in charge of the Rev. Father Fagen, resident priest at Birch Cooley.
It was during the pastorate of the Rev. John Andre, of Birch Cooley, that the first church proper was erected in 1883. The hall formerly used for a church finally found a resting place on the O'Neil farm in Camp township. At the time the church was erected it was the largest structure used for religious purposes in this part of the country and was thought to be large enough for the needs of the congregation for all time, yet in a quarter of a century it was forced to give way for a larger and more modern place of worship. Rev. Father Andre is at present pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Minneapolis.
The Church of St. Andrew was incor- porated by Archbishop John Ireland, Vicar General Augustin Ravoux, Rev. Father Andre, with M. D. Brown, secretary, and Walter Caven, treasurer. Rev. Father E. (. Smith was the first resident priest. He had charge of the parish from 1883 to 1886.
Tbe tract now used for church purposes is the gift of John Welsh, the father of Fairfax, and is one of the most desirable in the entire village, comprising an entire block in the center of the village.
The first parsonage was formerly used for hotel purposes and stood where the Windsor hotel now stands, but was re- moved to the church lots, just east of the church. Later on it was again moved and now stands just east of the residence of Philip Kipp and is owned by Herman Hin- dermann.
Rev. Peter Rosen assumed charge of St. Andrew's Church in November, 1890, Dur-
ing his pastorate the present handsome and commodious priest's residence was erected at a cost of $6,000, and the church was enlarged and the grounds improved.
Father Rosen also established the St. Andrew's parochial school in 1893, the same being conducted in the church build- ing Rev. Rosen concluded his pastorate. in Fairfax in November, 1893. Rev. Father Ellshorst succeeded Father Rosen, but ill health compelled him to give up the work in 1895: during his pastorate be was as- sisted a goodly portion of his time by Rev. John Rohlinger.
Rev. F. X. Bajec, the next spiritual ad- visor of the congregation, began his labors in 1895. In 1898 be erected St. Andrew's Hall, and installed therein a library. This building was used for public purposes for a number of years until the present vil- lage hall was erected.
At the close of 1902. Rev. Bajec was called to the pastorate of the large St. Francis' Church, St. Paul, where he is now located.
The Rev. John J. Georgen, present par- ish priest, assumed his duties in January, 1903. The history of his labors bas been one of progress and upbuilding. The first tangible results of the business capacity of Father Georgen was the establishment of a convent of the Sisters of St. Benedict, in 1905, following the completion of the handsome and thoroughly modern Sisters' Home erected at a cost of $6,000.00. This convent is known as St. Cecelia's convent and is presided over by a Sister Superior and five assistants. Sister Catherine is the Sister Superior in charge and she is also the presiding genius of the very suc- cessful St. Andrew's school, which is now comfortably housed in the hall building which has been remodeled for school pur- poses.
Soon after Father Georgen's arrival he realized the need of a larger and more convenient place of worship, but he bided his time until the financial affairs of the parish and congregation were in suitable shape to erect a structure of the kind he had in mind.
Three years ago he had Architect E. J. Donahue of St. Paul prepare plans for the structure he had in mind and the latter part of that year, with the building com- mittee as an advisory board, he com- menced the erection of the new church. The building was completed in 1910, at a cost of approximately $40,000, and was dedicated with imposing ceremonies on June 23, 1910.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fair- fax .- (By Rev. J. A. Rinkel.) The history of the Methodist Episcopal church in Ren- ville county began with the arrival of George Rieke and his brother Victor in the early spring of 1859. These two men were members of the German Methodist
1
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Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, where they lived previous to their coming to Renville county, They took up claims according to the pre-emption laws of that time near Rush Lake, now called Mud Lake. All- other party, John Buehro, or as it is some- times written, Buehrer, had settled near this lake shortly before the Riekes came. Together these constituted the first set- tlers in this part of the county.
The village of New Ulm, some eighteen miles distant, was the nearest trading point for these people. It was while the Riekes were trading in New Ulm that they became acquainted with the Rev. Henry Singenstrue, who was the first Methodist minister to visit New Ulm, and the earli- est minister in this entire section. Imme- diately, upon learning that the Riekes were members of the Methodist Church, Rev. Singenstrue sought out their place of habitation. While the number of people was too small for him to hold regular preaching services, he, nevertheless, ealled on them several times each month and conducted a Bible study with them and the Buehros.
In May, 1860, the parents and other members of the Rieke family settled in this same community. With their arrival Rev. Singenstrue commenced regular preaching services. The first meeting was held in May, 1860, in a sod ox-stable which George Rieke had erected the summer be- fore and which was used to house the elder Rieke family. Those present at this service were: Frederich Rieke, Sr., and his wife Gertrude, nee Burke, George Rieke, Vietor Rieke, Adam Rieke, Henry Rieke, August Rieke, Mary Rieke (later Mrs. Charles Fenske), Lizzetta Rieke (later Mrs. Antoue), Herman Rieke, Fred- rich Rieke, Jr., and wife Wilhelmine, nee Lammers, Wilhelm Lammers, Fredericke Lammers (later Mrs. Fredrieb Strate). Fredrich Lammers, John Buchro and wife Agatha, nee Depolder.
All except John Buehro and wife had their membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Ohio, and were soon transferred to the New UIm congregation of the same church. Mr. and Mrs. John Buehro joined on probation at this time.
Until 1878 this congregation was served by ministers from New Ulm. They were: Henry Singenstrue, 1858 to 1860; Henry Snitker, 1860 to 1862; John Haas, 1862 to 1863: Charles Thalenhorst, 1863 to 1864; Henry Singenstrue served a second time from 1864 to 1867: John G. Bauer, 1867 to 1870; Gottlieb Dosdall served as assistant pastor to Rev. J. G. Bauer, 1869 to 1870; F. Unland. 1870 to 1873: J. M. Nippold. 1873 to 1876; August Biebighaeuser, 1876 to 1878.
In the fall of 1878 the congregation was placed under the supervision of the pas- tor of the Sleepy Eye congregation and was served from here until 1888. The
ministers during these ten years were: F. Wellemeyer, 1878 to 1879: 11. E. Young, 1879 to 1880; A. Il. Koerner, 1880 to 1881; G. Raihle, 1881 to 1883; F. J. Preine, 1883 10 1885; W. F. Fritze, 1885 to 1888.
In 1887 the first church edifice was erected by Rev. W. F. Fritze on a plot of ground presented by George Rieke. A cemetery was planted near the church, which is intact today. Many of the pio- neers are buried there.
Until this time all the preaching was done in the German language. But in the fall of 1887 Rev. W. W. Brown, an English Methodist minister, came over from Lone Tree, in Brown county, and preached in the Mount Hope school house about four miles south of Fairfax. The village of Fairfax had not been visited by a ininister of the Gospel up to this time. Sunday was used as a gala-day. Horse races and other sports were the order of the day. Rev. Brown had the desire to bring them the Gospel. He visited that place in com- pany with (. H. Hopkins, personally invited the people to come to the meeting. and held the first service in the village school house in the fall of 1887. So well were these services attended that Rev. Brown was pleased to return to them and preach every two weeks.
Many interesting stories have come down from that early date portraying to us the experiences of the pioneer minis- ters. C. H. Hopkins generally used his team in transporting Rev. Brown from place to place. It happened one evening, that, while they were returning from Fair- fax to the Hopkins farm, the sleigh in which they were riding skidded off the road and upset. The reverend gentleman was a fat person and rolled over and over when he was thrown out into the snow. Mr. Hopkins jestingly remarked, "That is what I call spreading the Gospel." Rev. Brown, being an Englishman, did not catch the joke at once and seemed quite shocked at such sacrilege. He took it gracefully, however, and, after righting their sleigh again, continued the journey.
On another occasion, Rev. Brown was making calls with Mr. Hopkins. They stopped at the home of Hon. Edmond O'Hara, a little ways east of Fairfax. While these two gentlemen. in company with Mr. O'Hara, were out viewing his farm and stock, a storm came up. As was often the case in those days, it did not take long for the wind to rise to a great velocity. Mr. O'Hara and Mr. Hop- kins took refuge in the house. Rev. Brown, however, did not want to trust the little shanty in such a storm and took ref- uge behind a haystack. While the two gentlemen in the house were watching the storm through the window, they saw the wind upset the haystack upon the
preacher, entirely burying him. Both men rushed to his assistance, and, after they had pitched hay as fast as they could for
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some minutes, rescued the minister in the nick of time.
Other stories come from Rev. J. G. Bauer, who preached in the Rieke settle- ment from 1867 to 1870. He writes as fol- lows:
"From the Eight Mile Creek I often trav- eled to the Rieke settlement. Here I found the father of the Riekes and spent many a night with them. Mother Rieke was a very pious womau. Often they would fill my buggy with necessities of life. When I left this field of labor it caused me much pain to separate from these good people. "From the Rieke settlement I went west to Birch Cooley. Here I found a number of families living near the old battle ground of the 1862 outbreak. There were still many heaps of horses' bones to desig- nate the place of the battle. Mr. Buerry often related the story to me of how they had been warned by a friendly Indian to flee for their lives. He immediately hitched up his horses, while his wife gath- ered some bedding, some eatables and the Bible into the wagon, and they fled to Fort Ridgely, where they were safe. But he said many of his neighbors did not heed the warning and were massacred.
"One day while I was traveling over the prairies of this section, I was overtaken by a big snow storm. Blinded by the storm. I found difficulty in keeping my di- rections. After driving for some time 1 concluded that I must be near the Buerry home. Halting my horse, I proceeded on foot to find the house. Suddenly I felt heat coming into my face. Upon investi- gation 1 found that the snow had drifted over the Buerry house, which was built into the side-hill, and i was standing over the chimney. 1 made my way around to the door and found a welcome with these good people. The storm continued for three days and nights and I was compelled to remain here during that period, The fam- ily was large and the house was very small. The only place they had for me to sleep was in a small hole which they had dug into the hill and used for a store room. It was cold and damp in here. But I was thankful even for that. After the sun came out again 1 started for my home in New Ulm. I had a large strong horse, but the snow was so deep and the buggy pulled so hard that when night was ap- proaching I found myself only about five miles from my starting point.
"My horse and myself, tired and hungry, arrived at a small one-roomed house in which two Norwegian families were liv- ing. They could not understand a word 1 said, nor could I understand them. But with signs and gestures I made them un- derstand that I wanted to remain there thru the night. They, in turn. tried to make ine understand that there was no room. Finally I pointed under the table and to myself and they consented to let me stay there. I scratched some straw
under the table, as there was only a dirt floor in the house, and proceeded to wrap up in my horse blankets. 1 soon fell asleep, but in the night I was awakened by something gnawing on my hair. Reach- ing for the object, I found it to be a large rat. Conquering him, 1 fell asleep again, only to be awakened by another such ro- dent. So I spent the night sleeping and fighting rats in turn.
"From Birch Cooley I later made my way westward to Beaver Falls and Big Stone Lake. The first time I crossed this coun- try a prairie fire had burned the stakes away which the settlers had driven in as guideposts. But I found my way to sev- eral families who had moved into these parts, and I preached to them.
"The first man who joined our church in this neighborhood was Brother Kuck .. Soon after, a family by the name of Stein- kamp and two families by the name of Schaefer came into this community and we had a good congregation. A few years later other families of the Evangelical As- sociation moved in and were ministered to by Rev. Hielscher of that church. 1 then ceased visiting this community and turned to places where no other minister came."
In the spring of 1888 Rev. W. F. Fritze, in company with (. H. Hopkins, began collecting funds for the erection of a church in Fairfax. They visited every family in the community and solicited from them. When they came to a Ger- man family Rev. Fritze would broach the subject and when they came to an Ameri- can family Mr. Hopkins would do the talk- ing. So they gathered enough to erect a small church that same year. The first trustees of this church were E. F. Sell, Gustav Sell, Charles Lammers, Henry Hauser and F. Chambard. The edifice cost $1,400.
In this church edifice the Germau and English Methodists met and were minis- tered to by their respective pastors. Nat- urally such close affiliation grew into strong friendship. For many years each congregation gave way to the other for the holding of services in their own lan- guage, the other members attending also. The result was that the German people learned to worship in the English language and the English people learned the Ger- man.
During the months of January and Feb- ruary, 1889, Rev. W. F. Fritze and Rev. D. L. Matson conducted a very successful series of revival meetings. During this time more than fifty people were con- verted and united with the church. With this good beginning the church continued to grow and the feeling between the two congregations became strong for union. The following ministers served the church: German: W. F. Fritze, 1888 to 1889; E. P. Christ, 1889 to 1892; F. E. Meierbachtol, 1892 to 1894: C. A. Borchardt, 1894 to 1898; W. H. Miller, 1898 to 1901; F. E. Meier-
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bachtol, 1901 to 1906: W. H. Miller, 1906 to 1907.
English: D. L. Matson, 1888 to 1889; 1. N. Goodell, 1889 to 1891; J. E. Joscelyn, 1891 to 1892; J. V. Hawk, June, 1892, to October. 1892; W. M. Wigham. 1892 to 1893; G. A. Cowden. 1893 to 1894; J. J. Lutz, April, 1894, to October, 1894; W. G. Scott. 1894 to 1895; J. P. Okey, 1895 to 1896; George Ried, 1896 to 1899; S. H. Browne, 1899 to 1900; W. H. Miller, 1900 to 1901; William Woolley. 1901 to 1903; J. A. Orrock, 1903 to 1906; N. L. Hotch- kiss, 1906 to 1907.
In the fall of 1907 it was agreed upon by the two congregations that they would unite their forces and be served by one minister. The Germans, being in major- ity, were given precedence. The English gave up their pastor and joined the Ger- man church. United, they instructed the pastor, Rev. W. H. Miller, to begin col- lecting funds for a new and larger church. The result was that in 1908 a beautiful brick edifice 43 by 58 feet was erected at a cost of more than $13,000.00. On the day of dedication, in October, 1908. all the money was raised and the church was dedicated free from debt. Following the dedication exercises the Northern German Conference held its session in the church. The members entertained the ministers of the conference in their homes for lodg- ing and breakfast and served dinner and supper in the parlors of the church. Bishop John L. Nuelsen, once a member of this conference, presided. The trustees of the new church were: G. A. Rieke, Charles Groslags. E. F. Sell. Frank Hopkins. J. A. Whitmer, Charles Lammers, Otto Reinke, Carl Bossenecker and J. A. Sell.
With the new accommodations and thru concentrated effort the congregation grew rapidly. A Sunday School has been main- tained since the organization of the church in 1888. Now the school was thoroughly organized according to the latest methods and much good was done in this line in in- teresting people in the work of the church.
On February 22, 1914. fire broke out in the basement of the church. It was a very cold day and a strong gale was blowing from the northeast. This impaired the waterworks to such an extent that the fire could not be checked and the church was completely destroyed excepting the tower and brick walls. Having sacrificed to the extent which was necessary to erect this beautiful church only a little over five years before. it was a sad day for the con- gregation. But they soon rallied and de- termined to reconstruct the building larger and better than it was. Rev. J. A. Rinkel, the pastor, was sent out with a committee to gather funds. They worked enthusias- tically and soon secured all that was nec- essary for the completion of the newer church. Through the courtesy of the members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church, services were held in their edi-
fice while the Methodist Church was in the course of construction. It was com- pleted about the first of January, 1915, and was dedicated on the tenthi of that month. A program which was to cover a whole week was arranged for this occa- sion, but only the Sunday dedicatory sery- ices were held on account of the death of E. F. Sell, which occurred on the eve of dedication. He had been the chairman of the building committee and had worked hard and untiringly for the completion of . the church. His death cast a great gloom over the entire congregation and commu- nity.
The present building is 43 by 76 feet; has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 300, an Epworth League room with a capacity of 100, a dining room where over 100 people can be served, and ten separate class rooms for the Sunday School, besides a kitchen and a boiler room. It is steam heated and electric lighted.
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