History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 49

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011

USA > Nebraska > Hall County > History of Hall County, Nebraska > Part 49

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

But before the dedication of this structure it was entirely demolished by a windstorm, and not until 1877 was this congregation able to put up another church. In 1876 the congregation numbered thirty persons and

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Father Ryan was still its pastor. On Decem- ber 23, 1876, a meeting was held to consider the question of building a new Catholic church in Grand Island. Joseph Jeneman presided, with James Cleary, secretary, and P. Dunphy, treasurer. Those three parishoners with Messrs. Kraft, Windolph, McCarty and Dober- stein, were appointed a building committe. The cornerstone of this building, a frame structure with a good brick foundation, on the site of the public library, was laid on May 7, 1877, and on July 7, of that year the building was completed and dedicated by Vicar-General R. Shaffel, representing the Bishop. F. S. O'Callaghan preached the sermon. The cere- monies were participated in by Revs. Wolf, Davos of Spalding, Daxacher of Omaha, Walsh of Lexington, Lynch of Wood River, Mueller of St. Libory, Stuer of Cognice, and Horek of Kearney.

In 1876, the work of building a Catholic church in Howard County near the line of Hall County, on the St. Paul road, was be- gun.

GRAND ISLAND PARISH

The first resident priest for the new St. Mary's parish was Father Erlach, who came in 1877. In 1879 a parochial residence was built. Rev. Richard Phelan, on July 4, 1880, took charge of St. Mary's Parish at Grand Island. He found at that time fifty-two families belonging to the congregation, while at St. Mary's near Wood River were seventy- two families. Father Phelan served until his death from a stroke of paralysis, on March 10, 1884. Father P. Lynch then took charge of the work here, which had been handled in the interim by Father Smith of O'Connor. Father Lynch remained with the Grand Island parish until October 6, 1886, when he was transfered to the Wood River congregation, which had until then been a mission attached to Grand Island.

It was then understood that the church was too small for the congregation and Rev. Father W. Wolf was sent by Bishop O'Con- nor with orders to make arrangements for building a new church.

Bishop O'Connor laid the corner stone of

this church, a brick building with a stone foundation and a basement, on August 15, 1888, and it was dedicated on July 7, 1889. For practically thirty years Father Wolf led this parish, and its history is wrapped up with his service, until in 1914 he retired from his active pastorate, and Father A. W. Heimes took charge of St. Mary's parish.

FATHER W. WOLF

The community was never more deeply touched than upon July 5, 1918, when Father Wolf passed away. The tribute to Father Wolf, with the record of his service to his people and this county, published in the Grand Island Independent, July 5, 1918, most appro- priately touches upon his life and service :

"God's finger touched him and he slept" In few cases is the touching sentence more applicable than it was at an early hour this morning, when the Very Rev. Father W. Wolf passed away. There was called to his reward a beloved man who had given his life in the services of others. There was taken from his circle of friends and co-laborers one who had been particularly unselfish, kindly, and ministering in both a spiritual and ma- terial way throughout a life time. Many a one, even outside the circle of his own church, will experience keen regret when hearing of the passing away of this well known divine. Connected with St. Mary's Church of this city since October, 1886, over thirty years ago, his was a record of duty well and faithfully done. May he rest in peace.

Very Rev. W. Wolf was born in West- phalia, Germany, February 22, 1854. He re- ceived his education in the college of Pader- born, which institution he attended for nine years. In 1876 he emigrated to the United States and landed in New York on November 1 of that year. He at once entered St. Fran- cis' Theological Seminary of Milwaukee, where he completed his full course of theo- logical studies and was ordained on June 27, 1880, for the vicariate of Nebraska. He was appointed assistant to Father Smith of O'Con- nor, Greeley County, Nebraska, for a year ; and then spent five years as pastor of the Missions of Crete and Friend, now in the diocese of Lincoln. On October 9, 1886, he entered upon his duties as pastor of St. Mary's, Grand Island, where he discharged his ministerial labors since that time with dis- tinguished ability. He was appointed dean of Digitized by Google

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ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH AND SCHOOL ST. STEPHEN'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL

FIRST METHODIST INTERIOR ST. STEPHEN'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL

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Grand Island deanery on March 1, 1887; it being the largest deanery in respect to terri- tory in the world.

When Father Wolf was appointed to St. Mary's parish he found there a small wooden church much too small for the congregation. He at once began arrangements to build a new church. Success crowned his efforts and on August 15, 1888, Right Rev. Bishop O'Con- nor laid the cornerstone of the present struc- ture. On July 7, 1889, the completed new building was dedicated by Vicar General Shaffel, the Bishop's representative.

Father Wolf saw that his next greatest need was a parochial school. In 1893 the

day morning at St. Mary's Catholic church, when requiem high mass will be celebrated.

The present pastor of this church is Father A. W. Heimes, who came to Grand Island from the pastorate at St. Libory. The work of this parish has increased to such propor- tions that Father Heimes has been given an assistant a number of times. His firct assistant was Father Giblin.

WOOD RIVER PARISH

The earliest Catholic services in the log

CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, WOOD RIVER

property on which St. Mary's school now stands was purchased and the new school was opened to the pupils of the parish in Septem- ber of that year. After having secured a beautiful church and a good parochial school, Father Wolf finally built the present parochial residence in 1907. Thus the people of St. Mary's parish have as fine a piece of church property as can be found in Nebraska, all due to the untiring zeal of Father Wolf.

Owing to failing health, Father Wolf re- signed as pastor of St. Mary's church and be- came chaplain of St. Francis' hospital. He has made the hospital his home ever since, ceasing all active duties in June, 1917. How- ever, he has been a welcome caller on the sick during this year, making his way about the hospital in his invalid chair.

Father Wolf's demise occurred at 1:30 o'- clock this morning at the St. Francis hos- pital. The funeral will take place on Tues-

house of Anthony Moore have already been noted. The travelling missionaries, Fathers Smith, Furman, Kelley and Erlach, have been mentioned. The first Catholic church was built in 1868, of logs, near the present site of the Catholic cemetery. Father Ryan, followed by Father Phelan, and he in turn by Father Hayes, were pastors in charge. The old log church remained for many years in evidence in the farm yard of Squire Nelson. Father Smith conducted services in the old church some five or six months, until in June, 1885, Father P. Lynch, then of Grand Island, took charge of the church, and on November 10, 1886, established his residence in Wood River and for thirty-three years has continued his pastorate at Wood River. Immediately after

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his removal to Wood River to reside he com- menced the erection and pushed to comple- tion the present beautiful Catholic church of Wood River, which was dedicated as St. Mary's Catholic church by Bishop O'Connor in November, 1886. The church property con- sists of a block of land, and the entire tract has been set out to beautiful trees and shrubs. It is needless to say that Father Lynch takes great pride in the trees, set out and nurtured by his own hands and care. The church prop- erty, free from emcumberance, is valued at more than $10,000. The first trustees of St. Mary's church were Patrick Moore, Michael McNamara, John O'Connor, Patrick Neville and Patrick Brett.

OTHER CATHOLIC PARISHES

While it is located in Howard County, the parish at St. Libory has formed the place of worship and center of religious activities for a large portion of the Catholic population of northwestern Hall County.

The churches at Doniphan and Kearney be- longed to St. Mary's parish for a good many years.

GRAND ISLAND DIOCESE

In 1887 the name of Grand Island was se- lected to give to the most western deanery of the diocese comprising the counties of Hall, Buffalo, Lincoln, Keith, Cheyenne, Sherman, Howard, Valley, and Custer, and in 1897 St. Mary's church was with five other churches in the Omaha diocese raised by Bishop Scannell to the distinction of permanent pastorship.

On April 17, 1917, the see for Western Ne- braska was changed from Kearney to Grand Island, but the actual transfer was made in July, 1917, when Bishop James A. Duffy came to Grand Island. Since his installation here he has carried on the management and direc- tion of this important diocese from Grand Is- land.

With the headquarters of the diocese governing so much territory located here, Grand Island becomes an important center in Catholic affairs in Nebraska. When Father Wolf's funeral was held a great many priests from different parts of Nebraska came to

Grand Island to show their respect to their departed brother-worker. A roster of these visiting priests shows many names familiar as being leading priests of this diocese, and are given herewith :

M. M. Merkel, Assumption, A. F. Albel, Seneca, F. F. Suesser, Ord, Thomas Cullen, York, L. L. Manderville, Hastings, M. A. Feeney, Greeley, Michael A. Shine, Platts- mouth, James F. Gilroy, Heartwell, Jaul Weise, Choynice, T. P. Moloney, Lexington, W. J. Borer, Omaha, P. Grobbel, St. Charles, Jos. Wolf, St. Benedict, Iowa; B. H. Teves, Petersburg, V. End, Fordyce, Chas. Kauf- mann, St. Libory, B. Sinne, Omaha, W. Kearns, Wayne, P. J. Colleran, David City, J. F. Hayes, O'Connor, Joseph Bosheck, Crofton, L. A. Dunphy, Sutton, Jos. Kolaska, Elyria, John A. Hayes, York, John J. Sulli- van,Fremont, John S. Palubicki, Fullerton, W. O'Connor, Central City, J. J. Crowley, Albion, Paul S. Moser, Crawford, Joseph Augustyn, Elba, Thos. F. Minogue, Anselmo, C. Strat- mann, St. Helena, A. Birnbach, Bow Valley, Very Rev, Mecourek, Ravenna, W. Win- dolph, Creighton, H. Loecker, Atkinson, Bernard Sproll, Seward, T. D. Sullivan, Elm Creek, T. Walsh, Battle Creek, B. H. Lorde- mann, Randolph, H. Muenstermann, Kearney, Adolph M. Mosler, Crete, Chas. Becker. Lawrence, Very Rev. Jas. Ahrene, Omaha, M. F. Cassidy, O'Neill, Ferd. Schuttgen, Hart- ington, F. J. Keller, Chappell, Anton Link, Sidney, I. Jarka, Loup City, P. E. Lynch, Wood River, P. Moynihan, Eddyville, Peter Mclaughlin, Sargent, F. J. Serbeeger, Grand Island, Ferd. S. Mock, Bellwood, E. Boll, Ex- eter, Gerard Boll, David City, B. F. Galvin. Spalding, P. J. Healy, Grafton, J. Gleeson. Grand Island.

EPISCOPAL CHURCH

The work of the Protestant Episcopal church in Hall County has been carried on for the last forty-eight years by the parish of St. Stephen's church.

This parish was organized in 1871, and the first church building was dedicated on Sep- tember 3, 1871, by Bishop Clarkson.

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R. C. Jordon was the senior warden; Geo. T. Jamieson was junior warden; C. W. Thomas, George E. Wilson and Frank In- gram, vestrymen. By July, 1876, the member- ship had grown to sixty-five, from ten in 1871. In 1888 the project of erecting a new church was favorably considered. Work was entered upon and the building was com- pleted in July, 1889. The material is red colored sandstone with gray Kansas stone in foundation. The rectorage is located north of the church, at Second and Cedar streets.

The rectors who suceeded Father John Lyon were Rev. A. J. Graham, in charge as deacon, Rev. John Greenwood, Revs. Ful- forth, Schwab, Henry, Wells, Warren, J. Nel- son Jones, and Franklin Adams. A. G. Pink- ham served from the summer of 1892 until the summer of 1897; Austin F. Morgan came in October, 1897, and remained until April, 1899. His successor was Rev. A. A. Gilman, from the summer of 1899 for a short time. Rev. Gilman has since served as president of Boone University, WuChang, China, and Rev. L. A. Arthur, present pastor, arrived about Easter, 1900. Rev. Arthur had served as rector of St. Joseph's parish in Detroit and had come to Nebraska to assist Bishop Graves and was sent to Grand Island.

The early history of St. Stephens, as well as some other early incidents in the history of the community, were recounted in two interesting letters furnished to Rev. A. G. Pinkham, upon the occasion of the silver anniversary of the parish, in September, 1896:

Grand Island, Sept. 1st, 1896. Rev. A. G. Pinkham,

Rector, St. Stephens,

Grand Island, Neb.

Rev. and Dear Sir :

Complying with your re- quest for some reminiscences of St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Grand Island, Nebraska. for the Silver anniversary to be celebrated Sunday, September 6th, 1896. The recollec- tions that we have are during the last seven- teen years and familiar to many of the pres- ent active members of the parish.

The spring of 1879 we came West and located at Grand Island, a city then claiming 1,600 to 1,800 population. We were very

much pleased to find within its borders such a well organized parish with such able and efficient men at its head as R. C. Jordon, C. W. Thomas, T. J. Hurford and others. . Rev. A. J. Graham was in charge as Deacon, he was a general favorite, a good organizer and much loved by the people. He took great pride in the appearance of the church yard and fre- quently painted and varnished the church seats to keep them bright and clean. He re- tained his place in the hearts of the people so that in 1892 when the church was con- secrated he was the one chosen to preach the consecration sermon. Rev. Graham was suc- ceeded by Rev. John Greenwood a model clergyman in every respect.

The suceeding rectors were Revs. Fulforth, Schwab, Henry, Wells, Warren, Jones and Adams. Each were men of ability and left an impress of their individuality upon the parish.

Time had begun to show its effect upon the wooden structure so that the chilling blasts of winter found ready access through many cracks and crevices, and what was once the pride of a young parish on the western prairies was now becoming very uncomfortable to wor- ship in.

It was then decided to either repair the old church building or build a new one. For many years the writer was honored by the position of vestryman and a part of the time as its secertary, so that his experience has been largely with its finances and during one of the most critical periods in the history of the parish.

When Rev. Jones was in charge as rector, one bright morning we found the church ele- vated on jack screws and soon moved to the side of the lot where the new rectory now stands. A new brick foundation was put un- der it and as usual the Ladies Guild paid the expense. The old church continued to be oc- cupied until the new one was completed when it was torn down. the lumber sold to a resi- dent and he transformed it into a dwelling in the south-eastern part of the city where it now stands. The first service in the new church building was held by Rt. Rev. Geo. Worth- ington.

When Rev. Franklin Adams took charge (the spring of 1890) there was an indebted- ness on the parish of $9,378.86. That year we had to raise $2.139.65 to pay current expense and interest on borrowed money. Rev. Adams accomplished good work in spite of the adverse circumstances. The people all loved him and it was with regret that they were compelled to accept his resignation Sept. 1891 on ac-

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count of his ill health. December 1st, 1891 found the parish in debt to the amount of $9,985.91. On account of a deficit in the pay- ment of interest past due The Central Loan & Trust Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, commenced foreclosure proceedings. The members of the vestry at this critical time were: Richard J. Sharp, Senior Warden; Henry S. Ferrar, Junior Warden; Geo. H. Thummel, H. H. Glover, W. B. Dingman, Wm. M. Geddes, H. C. Miller, John Allan and Henry D. Boyden.

The vestry were ably assisted by Rt. Rev. Anson R. Graves, Bishop of the Platte; C. W. Thomas of Detroit, Michigan; The Ladies Guild ; St. Agnes Guild, and each in- dividual member of the parish. A mighty effort was made and the entire debt was paid in full Tuesday evening May 24th, 1892. St. Stephens Episcopal Church was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Anson R. Graves, our Bishop. It was a glorious day in the history of St. Stephens - one ever to be remembered. Four years ago Rev. A. G. Pinkham was called and took charge as rector. This last four years marks one of the most prosperous periods in the history of the church in all its departments.

The influence of the church has been ex- tended and many new communicants received into the church confirmation. The vested choir of thirty-five voices has added greatly to the church services. In the way of church improvements, the basement has been finished, improvements made in the church, a new rec- tory built and the grounds beautified.

While we rejoice at what has been accom- plished may we hope the good work may con- tinue and may we live to celebrate the half century.

Yours very truly, Henry D. Boyden

Omaha Nebr., August 24, 1896 Rev. A. G. Pinkham,

Rev. and Dear Sir:

I am glad of the opportunity of com- plying with your request to furnish such items as I may remember them in regard to the early history of St. Stephens Church.

On the sixth day of July 1876 I arrived in Grand Island, accompanied by my wife and two daughters. The town at that date con- tained less than 400 people, and the few persons living here at the present day will well remember how Sunday was observed. The stores and business places were open and in full blast, and religious services were held irregularly in a small Roman Catholic Church situated on the south side of the street and

on the block southeast of the present resi- dence of Hon. Geo. H. Thummel. This church was destroyed the next day after I arrived by a wind storm, rather cyclonic in its appear- ance. The Baptists built a church in the Au- tumn of 1870. These were the only church buildings in the town at that time. There was a small log school house used occasionally by the Methodist people situated on the block south of Bartenbach's opera house. Tradition states that in this school house was held the only Episcopal church service ever held in town prior to our arrival and that the Reverend Samuel Goodale of Columbus held the service. The year was, I should think, 1869.

As we had been somewhat actively en- gaged in church work in our former home, Sunday and the surroundings as we found them proved to be a somewhat lonesome day. After enduring it for four or five Sundays my wife could endure it no longer and de- termined to open a Sunday school in our house. During the week word was passed around that the next Sunday a Sunday school would be opened in our house, and it re- sulted in bringing together about thirty chil- dren. This was the beginning of a Sunday school that continued without interruption to the present day.

During the winter and spring of 1871 the building of a church was decided upon, much encouragment having been given by the citi- zens to the enterprise in the way of liberal subscriptions. In organizing the church it was the intention to name it Calvary Church, but Bishop Clarkson of dearest memory, who was at the time Bishop of the Diocese made known the fact that a lady at Providence, Rhode Is- land, and a member of St. Stephen's parish of that place had placed in his hands $500 to be given to the building of a new church, but with the stipulation that the church must be called St. Stephen's after the church in Provi- dence. The change was made and that is the way it came by its name of St. Stephen's church, Grand Island. The name of the donor was Miss Shaw, and she died about twenty years ago.

The church was built during the summer of 1871 and was ready for service by the first of September of that year.

Sunday morning, September 3, 1871, finally dawned and proved to be a bright and beauti- ful day for the opening of the new church. A new organ had been purchased at a cost of $700.00, the same one in use today, and a choir of singers of experience formed, which rend- ered the music of the church, Jackson's Te

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Deum being one of the pieces. The sermon was by the Bishop and the services were to the congregation, a truly red letter day.

In the evening the rite of confirmation was administered for the first time in Grand Is- land, the candidates being Claude W. Thomas, Carrie C. Jordon, now Mrs. Sears, and Frank Ingram.

The Sunday following the opening Bishop Morris from Oregon, who was on his way to the general convention, at the request of Bishop Clarkson spent the day with us, which were all the services held in the church until the coming of Rev John Lyon in December.

The church bell was donated by the All Saints Church of Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1873, that being the home of Mrs. Jordon. The trees around the church were first set out by Mr. Platt, father of Judge Platt, Hon O. A. Abbott and Alexander F. Jamieson. To the late Col. Eddy, of Omaha, who was at the time at the head of the town site department of the Union Pacific, are we indebted for the lots on which the church is located. Application was made to him for two lots for the purpose of building an Episcopal Church upon, and the request was cheerfully granted. The plans of the church were furnished by a Mr. Holmes, of Omaha, an Architect of ability, and with- out cost, as he and the writer had been active co-workers in St. Barnabas Church of Omaha.

For the first two years the music for church service was furnished largely by my own family, my daughter Maria, now Mrs. Shel- ton, being the first organist.

The first baptismal ceremony held in the parish was that of some children of Wm. Powell; also the first celebration of the holy communion was held in Masonic hall at that time, situated on Front street, and before the church was built.

The first marriage ceremony held in the church was that of the late Ernest Blunk and wife, the latter I am informed is now a teacher in your public schools.

The first burial service performed in the church was over the body of a Presbyterian clergyman, whose name I have forgotten, but no doubt a reference to the files of the news- paper of that time will give you the name. He was sent to Grand Island by the authorities of that church to establish a Mission, but was taken sick and died within two weeks after he arrived and was buried from our church as the Presbyterians had no congregation at that time.

After the arrival of Rev. Mr. Lyon, and for a long time after, we had the only regular church service in the town and nearly every

person attended, and among the early sup- porters of the Church who were not communi- cants I recall Hon. O. A. Abbott, Hon. George H. Thummel, H. P. Makely, Jay E. White, and others.

The licensed Lay Readers were - during the period in which I was an active worker in the parish : Robert C. Jordon, David T. Jame- son and Thomas J. Hurford.

I wish to mention one name only, as de- serving special praise - and if the person knew it I know he would forbid it - claim- ing that he was only doing his duty, that name is, Claude W. Thomas. All will bear witness to his noble and generous nature. There were times when the parish got into what busi- ness men call a tight place. On such oc- casions it was only necessary to call on Mr. Thomas and the aid was forth-coming. May God bless and prosper him is the earnest prayer of the writer, and I have no doubt is the prayer of all the parish.

I cannot close this letter without a word of praise for the good Sisters of the Guild. There has been from the beginning of the parish a band of noble women, willing workers, pre- sistent in accomplishing what they undertook. To them in a large measure is due the success of St. Stephen's parish. May God bless every one of them who remain in the church mili- tant. Theirs has been a work of unselfish de- votion to duty for the good of others. May you have a happy celebration of the 25th An- niversary is the wish of

Robert C. Jordon.

METHODIST CHURCHES

FIRST CHURCH AT GRAND ISLAND

Of the numerous churches in the county, established by the members of the Methodist Episcopal church, the oldest is the First church at Grand Island. The following very concise and comprehensive history of this church has been prepared by Ira T. Paine, Sr., who has resided in Grand Island since January, 1873:

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History of Hall County, Nebraska, Part 49

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor Publication date: 1920 Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co. Number of Pages: 1011

Author: Buechler, A. F. (August F.), 1869- editor
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Lincoln, Neb., Western Pub. and Engraving Co.
Number of Pages: 1011