USA > Nebraska > Platte County > Past and present of Platte County, Nebraska : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 13
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effort of finely spun sentences, to please 'itching ears,' a practice far too prevalent in the sacred desks for the growth of pure religion.
"The services in the evening were conducted by the reverend gentleman. The Rev. O. C. Dake preached the sermon, a discourse of scathing rebuke of the worldly mindedness of the church, for the fashionable follies and fripperies of its members, as being more fitting for the ball room or theater. We feel in a mood to roughly criticise some of the gentleman's remarks, but are restrained by a remembrance of his text : 'Let your moderation be known by all men.'
"The exercises of the day were closed by the confirmation of six members. The address of the bishop to the confirmed was full of tenderness and sympathy, urging a zealous watchfulness against reproach of the truth, closing with a glowing tribute to the late Judge ('. H. Whaley, who had signified his determination to make a full profession of the Christian life upon the dedication of the edifice set apart this day for the worship of Almighty God.
"The building has been named Grace Church, complimentary to Grace Church of Baltimore, Bishop Clarkson having obtained a donation of $1,000 from its members. The citizens of Columbus also donated $1,000 and the church was furnished by a lady of Hart- ford, Conn. It cost $2,200, leaving a debt of $200, which indebted- ness has been promised to be paid soon.
"The contractor, J. O. Shannon, has done himself credit in its construction. The main building is 40x21 feet, the chancel 8x12 feet, the vestry room 9x10 feet, and a very neat tower awaits a bell. The architecture is strictly episcopal; constructed with open roof, the ceiling is painted blue and the cross rafters brown; eleven stained glass windows give a soft, subdued light: three chandeliers are sus- pended from the roof, containing four lights each. About one hun- dred and fifty persons can be comfortably seated.
"In June, 1866, Rev. Samuel Goodale first visited Columbus. Incessant in toil and weariness, he has borne a large share of the responsibility of the work, often amidst the dark clouds of disap- pointment and indifference has he stood alone, till by patient, humble effort to plant the cross, he has seen the fruit of his labors, and this day, aided by the labors of Mrs. Goodale, he not only has a wor- shipping congregation, but a Sabbath school of fifty scholars. Rev. Samuel Goodale, first rector of Grace Church, Columbus, Neb., though not a brilliant preacher, is a fervent, earnest pastor, and will be gratefully remembered when the structure reared through his
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incessant labors shall have given place to the surging waves of time and its founder has passed to rest."
HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY IN COLUMBUS, NEBRASKA
The First Parish Founded West of Omaha, Nebraska-A Center of Flourishing Religious Institutions-Review of Its Growth from a Religious Point of View
Among the very earliest settlers there were several Catholics. John Browner and John Haney arrived in November, 1856. Early in the following year Patrick Murray came, and a little later during the same year several Irish families settled. Missionary priests had to satisfy the religious wants of the pioneers.
In 1860 a Catholic congregation was organized. It was the first along Shell Creek, northwest of Columbus. The earliest members were: John Browner, John Haney, James Haney, Patrick Murray. Henry Carrig, Dave Carrig, James Carrig, John Dineen, Michael Dineen, Edward Hayes, Thomas Lynch, Mrs. Dunlap, James Con- way and Mrs. Brady.
The first church edifice was a little log cabin, which was later on replaced by a frame structure. The lumber for this building was hauled from Omaha by Patrick Murray free of charge.
The patron of the church was St. John. Rev. Father Fourmont was the first priest in charge of this church and for some years the only clergyman in the county. After Father Fourmont's departure, services were held by different visiting priests.
On October 6, 1866, Rev. J. S. Ryan arrived in Columbus and became its resident pastor. From that time on the baptismal and matrimonial records have been kept. Father Ryan was ordained in 1861 by the Rt. Rev. James O'Gorman, Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska. After a short stay in Omaha he was sent to St. John's a settlement near where Jackson now stands. From there he was transferred to Columbus. His field of labor extended from the Elkhorn River to Julesburg, Colo., a distance of nearly three hundred and fifty miles along the line of the Union Pacific Railroad. He had charge of all this territory for about ten years after which time his parish extended from Wood River to Schuyler, and was gradually cut down until the year 1882. Since that time it appears from the records, Father Ryan had charge of St. John's only, until the winter of 1891. The last baptism is recorded to have been on September 12th and the last wed-
ST. BONAVENTURE'S CHURCH, COLUMBUS
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ding on October Ist of that year. Being no longer able, owing to feeble health, to attend to the parish Father Ryan went to Omaha where he lived a little over two years at St. Joseph's Hospital. He died on the eve of Easter in 1893. R. I. P.
Upon Father Ryan's departure from Columbus, St. John's Church was closed, the members joining St. Bonaventure's parish. The prop- erty one-half a block on Ninth Street, was sold for $1,600. This money was turned over to St. Bonaventure's Church and used to pay part of the debt incurred by building an addition to the church in 1891.
Among the early Catholic settlers there were also some Germans and Poles. Their wants were attended to by an occasional visit of some German or Polish priests invited by Father Ryan. The num- ber of German and Polish settlers gradually increased. The Rt. Rev. James O'Connor, therefore, felt it his duty to make better provision for their care. After mature deliberation he called the Franciscan Fathers to undertake this work in Platte County and vicinity.
In January, 1877, the Fathers arrived and St. Bonaventure's parish was organized.
An old schoolhouse was bought and moved to the new church prop- erty, which extends from Ernst to Idaho streets between 15th and 16th and was donated by Mr. Gottschalk. The building was placed in the block between Idaho and Henry streets. It was remodeled so as to serve as church and temporary residence of the Fathers until the new monastery which was to be erected near Fulton Street would be ready for occupation. The brick for the monastery were made on the premises, and were the first brick manufactured here. The clay had to be hauled several miles from northwest of town.
The First Franciscan Fathers sent to Columbus were Father Ambrose, O. F. M., superior and pastor of Columbus; Father Ans- lem, O. F. M., rector of St. Mary's Church, Stearns Prairie; Father Sebastian, O. F. M., pastor of St. Anthony's Church and of all the Polish people in Platte County; Father John. O. F. M., attended churches in Butler, Polk and Madison counties.
During October, 1878, two bells were bought. They were blessed by Rt. Rev. James O'Connor, November 17, 1878.
In 1883 it was found necessary to begin building a new church. The people being poor, it was decided to build only a part at first but so that it might be enlarged when the congregation should grow larger. The sanctuary and forty-two feet of the present church were built and finished during 1883 and 1884.
The parish continued to grow until in 1891 it was found necessary
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to add forty-two feet more to the building. Finally during 1908 and 1909 another twenty-eight feet and a tower were added, thus making the building complete. It is now a solid briek structure fifty feet wide, the nave is 112 feet long and the sanctuary about twenty-eight feet wide and thirty-five feet long. The building is heated by steam and lighted by eleetrieity.
A peal of three sonorous bells in the belfry of the new tower eall the faithful to the divine services. The largest bell was donated by Peter Greisen, the next largest is a gift from George and Anton Henggeler, while the third was donated by the ladies of St. Anne's Society. The three bells cost $1,000.
The total cost of the church is in the neighborhood of $35.000.
The rectors of St. Bonaventure's during this time were: Father Ambrose Janssen, O. F. M., January, 1877, to July, 1880; Father Wendelin Graute, O. F. M., July, 1880, to July, 1881; Father Dom- inic Florian, O. F. M., July 1, 1881, to July, 1882; Father Seraphin Lampe, O. F. M., July, 1882, to January, 1887; Father Pacifieus Kohnen, O. F. M., January, 1887, to August, 1894; Father Mauriee Bankholt, O. F. M., August, 1894, to October, 1895; Father Marcel- linus Kollmeyer, O. F. M., October, 1895, to January, 1902; Father Seraphin Lampe, O. F. M., January, 1902, to September, 1903; Father Theobald Kalamaja, O. F. M., September, 1903, to April, 1906; Father Rembert Stanowski, O. F. M., April, 1906, to July, 1907: Father Mareellinus Kollmeyer, O. F. M., July, 1907, to Aug- ust, 1912; Father Cyriae Stempel, O. F. M., August 25, 1912, to November 2, 1915: Father Hilarius Kieserling from November 2, 1915, to present day.
October 4, 1913, the Polish members of St. Bonaventure's Church by request of Rt. Rev. R. Scannell separated and bought the so-called Speice property on 6th and Grover, and since then have their own church. Rev. Protase Kuberek, O. F. M., effeeted the separation and remained in charge until October, 1914, when he was sueceeded by the present pastor, Rev. Dennis Czeeh, O. F. M.
A school had been built by the Reverend Protase Kuberek in the early part of 1914. The congregation at present numbers about one hundred families.
Until 1903 the pastor of St. Bonaventure's had no regular assist- ant, although the other Fathers would help during the week whenever possible. In 1903 Father Robert, O. F. M., acted as assistant for some time. On September 9, 1904, Father Marian, O. F. M., was made
INTERIOR OF ST. BONAVENTURE'S CHURCH, COLUMBUS
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assistant to the pastor and continued in this capacity until July, 1907. He was succeeded by the following:
Father Ladislaus, O. F. M., July, 1907, to August, 1909; Father Wolfgang, O. F. M., August, 1909, to January, 1911; Father Sigis- mund, O. F. M., January, 1911, to July, 1912; Father Stanislaus Swierczynski, O. F. M., July, 1913, to January, 1914; Father Lam- bert Brinkmoeller, O. F. M., January, 1914, to July, 1914; Father Victorin Hoffman, O. F. M., 1914, to present day.
Father Ryan also had several assistant priests during his pastorate. The following appear on the records: Rev. Peter S. Lynch, Septem- ber, 1874, to February, 1875; Rev. J. M. J. Smyth, October, 1876, to May, 1877; Rev. John T. Smith, August, 1877; Rev. M. F. Cas- sidy, October, 1878, to February, 1879; Rev. John Flood, November, 1879, to February, 1880; Rev. Owen Geary, July and August, 1881.
St. John's Church had no school. When St. Bonaventure's Church was organized the Fathers also made preparations for estab- lishing a Catholic school. The building was begun in 1877, and was completed in 1878, and was dedicated on the 17th of November of that year. It was a 212 story brick building, about sixty feet long and thirty feet wide. There were two large rooms on each floor. The west rooms on the first and second floor were fitted up as class rooms. The remaining rooms were arranged for the use of the Sisters, who had charge of the school. The Sisters who taught the school for the first three years were from a community whose novitiate is at Joliet, Ill. They belonged to the Third Order of St. Francis. Classes were opened in the new school November 4, 1878. The building cost about seven thousand dollars.
In 1882 the school was entrusted to the charge of the Franciscan Sisters who have their mother house at Lafayette, Ind., and has been under their care ever since. Soon after their arrival the building was enlarged to provide room for boarders, thus laying the founda- tion for St. Francis Academy, as it is called today. Additions were made from time to time as the attendance increased, so that the build- ings now cover almost an entire block. About two-thirds of the building has been erected at the expense of the Sisters. There are ac- commodations for about one hundred boarders. The building has all modern accommodations, such as electric light, good water, sewerage connection and is heated by the Brumell Hot Vapor System. In 1878 two class rooms were sufficient, today there are seven large class rooms, all of them but one crowded to the limit. The teaching staff is composed of ten Sisters, two being music teachers. A full twelve-
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grade high-school course is taught. The school is accredited to the State University.
In 1878 Sisters of St. Francis came to Columbus and established a hospital, their second establishment in the United States. A brick- veneered frame building was erected on the half-block immedately east of the church property. This building was about sixty feet long and thirty feet wide and cost about six thousand dollars. In 1886 a wing 30x90 feet was added on the west side. This new structure is a solid brick building. About the year 1900 more room was needed. Plans were made for a new, up-to-date hospital which was begun in 1901 and was in readiness to receive patients in October, 1902. The old building erected in 1878 was dismantled and the material used to add another story to the west wing. The hospital can now take care of about one hundred patients. It is modern and up-to-date in all its equipment, and the work performed here compares favorably with the work of any hospital in the larger cities of the country, as an investigation of its records will easily demonstrate.
INDEPENDENT GERMAN EVANGELICAL PROTESTANT CONGREGATION
This society was organized in 1872 as the German Reformed Church, with twenty members, among whom are remembered Vincent Kummer, Jacob Ernst, Andrew Mathis, Michael Schram, John Stauffer and Jacob Louis. The church edifice was built in 1874 and dedicated on the first Sunday in October of that year, Rev. Ferdinand Dieckman, of Omaha, and Rev. A. S. Foster, con- ducting the services. It appears that Reverend Dieckman was the first and the organizing pastor of this congregation. He remained until 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. Abraham Schreck, His successors were as follows, namely: Rev. Frederick Huell- horst, C. S. Huellhorst, a brother; Reverend Fleisher, Reverends Schultz and De Geller, the latter from 1894 to 1899.
The church was reorganized in the summer of 1899, when it adopted the name as shown by the caption of this article. At the time, the present pastor, Rev. R. Neumarker, D. D., was called from Forsythe, Mo., and took charge. The church has a member- ship of 120 families, or about three hundred and fifty communicants. It has a Sunday school with an average attendance of ninety-five. The Ladies' Aid Society numbers eighty in membership, and a parochial school has an attendance of forty-five children. The church edifice was rebuilt in 1912 at a cost of $2,500. To the east, on the
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adjoining lot, stands a neat and comfortable residence built especially for the pastor.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
The Baptist Society was organized in Columbus in the spring of 1880, and among the early members were Hilman Baker, Mrs. Hurd, Mrs. T. B. Gerrard, L. Wood, Bertha Wood and G. Hurd. Rev. Franklin Pierce came as pastor when the church was started and remained a number of years.
For the purpose of forming a Baptist society, a meeting was held April 4, 1880, at the Presbyterian Church. Rev. J. I. W. Reed was chosen chairman of the meeting; Miss Bertha Wood, secretary. On the 30th day of August, 1884, at another called gathering of the Baptist people, Rev. C. C. Rush, acting as chairman, and J. N. Heater, secretary; I. D. Gates, W. A. Way and Mrs. T. B. Gerrard were elected trustees; J. N. Heater, clerk.
On the 19th day of July, 1885, the Baptists dedicated their house of worship. This was a remodeled frame building, the first one erected for church purposes in Platte County. The lot and original house were purchased in 1884 for $400. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Rev. J. W. Osborn, general missionary of the state. In the evening a union meeting, consisting of the Baptist, Methodist Episcopal, Congregational and Presbyterian societies, was held, and the capacity of the house was found unequal to the demand for seats. An impromptu choir was organized. C. W. Rush, of Omaha, pre- sided at the organ and furnished some excellent music. Addresses were delivered by Revs. Henrich, J. W. Osborn, J. W. Miller and O. V. Rice. The church continued its services with varying interest on the part of its adherents until within recent years, when regular services ccased. Rev. R. W. Reinhart was pastor in 1908.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The first meeting held to organize a Methodist class in Columbus was on June 15, 1867, T. B. Lemon, presiding elder of the Omaha district, in the chair. The people of this religious faith, however, were at the time weak in numbers and it was not until ten years later that the permanent organization of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Columbus was consummated. Up to that time, or rather. nine months previous thereto, the society having been left without a pastor, became greatly discouraged and disbanded. The church was
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reorganized in the fall of 1877 and Rev. J. Q. A. Flaherty was called to the pastorate, who at once took up the duties of his calling and remained till 1880.
The first house of worship was a small frame building, situated east of the Congregational Church, and with the lot, was valued at $1,000. In the latter part of May, 1886, the present church building was commenced, under the administration of Rev. J. L. St. Clair. The structure was dedicated on Sunday, October 10th, of that year, by Rev. J. W. Phelps, of Omaha, presiding elder of that district. Rev. J. W. Shank, presiding elder of Grand Island district, deliv- ered a discourse. This frame edifice, under its original design, had ground dimensions of 30 by 50 feet, with a vestibule 10 by 10 feet, which had a 24-foot ceiling. The tower reached to a height of 64 feet, and the whole cost of the property was estimated at $3,500. The building was remodeled in 1907, after its present design.
The original members of this church were Lizzie Davis, Mattie and Caroline Kennedy, Thomas Saunders and wife, William Crum- well, Francis Kerr, D. P. Bingham, J. B. Bailey, Minerva Bailey, C. W. Webster and Mrs. Mary Rickly. Pastors: J. W. Warren, 1867; S. P. Van Doozer, 1869-70; L. F. Whithead, 1871-2; C. C. McCune, 1873; Reverend King, 1874; Reverend Drahms and Rev. John Armstrong, 1875; B. S. Taylor, 1875-7; J. Q. A. Fla- harty, 1877-80; M. V. Bristol, 1881; R. B. Wilson, 1882-3: J. Q. A. Flaharty, 1884; E. J. Robinson, 1885; J. L. St. Clair, 1885-7; H. L. Powers, 1887-9'; William Worley, 1889-91; J. B. Leedom, 1891-3; F. W. Bross, 1894-5; John E. Moore, 1895-6; A. L. Mickel, 1896-9; G. W. Carey, 1899-1900; G. A. Luce, 1901-04; L. R. De Wolf, 1905-08; D. I. Roush, 1908-10; Charles W. Ray, 1910-13; D. A. Leeper, 1913-14; Harry F. Huntington, 1914.
The present membership of the church is 232 and the Sunday school has an enrollment of 300.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
As early as the month of November, 1869, Rev. Joseph M. Wil- son began holding semi-monthly meetings at the home of G. W. Brown, which finally led to the organization of a Presbyterian society in Columbus, which was partially consummated November 30, 1870. Among the original members were Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Brown, Mrs. A. M. Arnold, Mrs. Josephine Compton, Joseph Gerrard, Miss Avis Gerrard and Miss Emma Gerrard. The first meetings were
Presbyterian Church
Catholic Church Baptist Church
German Lutheran Church
Congregational Church Methodist Episcopal Church Episcopal Church German Evangelical Church
A GROUP OF COLUMBUS CHURCHES
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held in the Congregational Church, and Reverend Wilson remained as pastor until June, 1873, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. S. Foster, who remained until 1874.
On the 17th day of May, 1874, at a meeting of the Presbyterian congregation, Marshall Smith being chairman, and E. A. Gerrard, secretary, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted :
Whereas, The laws of the State of Nebraska provide that a majority of the members of any church, religious body, etc., may form themselves into a society and elect officers thereof, and that said society shall be a body corporate, having power to acquire and hold property, contract debt, sue and be sued, etc., and,
Whereas, No such society has ever been organized in this church and there is none such at present, and,
Whercas, There are now present in this meeting a majority of the members of the Presbyterian Church of Columbus, Neb., as required by law, therefore,
Resolved, That we do hereby form ourselves into a society to be called "The Presbyterian Society of Columbus, Neb."
The names appearing on the articles of incorporation, which were issued July 27, 1874, were: William Lewis, David A. Joseph, Robert Lewis, Clark Cooncey and Robert Jones.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. Robert Christiansen, in 1878, that the Presbyterians erected their first church edifice, which was dedicated in December of that year. This was a brick building, located in the north central part of the city, and with the lot the cost was about one thousand six hundred dollars. In the month of Sep- tember, 1885, the building was improved at a cost of $1,400, by increasing the size and erecting a tower, in which a bell was placed. The dedicatory services took place soon after the completion of the building.
Rev. J. A. Hood succeeded Reverend Foster, in January, 1875, and remained until 1878. He was followed by Rev. Robert Christian- sen, and in the month last mentioned, Reverend Cate accepted a call and preached to this congregation until the beginning of the year 1882, when Rev. Robert Little followed him and had a number of successors.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
In pursuance of mutual agreement and previous notice, a num- ber of the citizens of Columbus assembled in a meeting called for the
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purpose on the 2d day of September, 1865, and organized for the transaction of business, by the appointment of C. A. Speice, chair- man, and I. N. Taylor, secretary. A preamble and constitution of a religious society was then unanimously adopted and subscribed to. It was agreed that the organization should be called the Congregational Society of Columbus. The original members were: C. A. Speice, Michael Weaver, George W. Stevens, J. A. Baker, V. Kummer, C. B. Stillman and I. N. Taylor. The officers elected were: Rev. Reuben Gaylord, president; Isaac N. Taylor, clerk; George W. Stevens, Joseph A. Baker, Michael Weaver, trustees. The trustees were requested to obtain a suitable lot for a church building. Soon after this meeting, additions were made to the membership, among which were W. C. Sutton. Loretta Sutton, S. E. Taylor, C. R. Wells, J. L. Bauer, Samuel C. Smith, Clara A. Smith, Theda M. Coolidge, Mary A. Elliott, Julius A. Reed.
Rev. James B. Chase was invited to become pastor of the new congregation, but declined. Rev. E. M. Lewis was then engaged and arrived in Columbus in October, 1865. IIe had first, however, pre- vailed upon the society to agree that it would move his goods from Omaha and furnish him a house, or, as the record reads, "a log cabin."
A church edifice was erected and, on February 3, 1867, dedicated. The successors in the pulpit of Rev. E. M. Lewis were the following named clergymen: J. E. Elliott, Charles E. Starbuck, Thomas Bayne. E. L. Sherman. John Gray and others, whose names are not obtainable at this time.
The Presbyterian and Congregational churches consolidated in 1914, and since that time Rev. George F. Williams has been the pastor of both religious bodies, holding services in each church alter- nately, where Sunday schools have also been maintained. At a meet- ing of the members of the Federated Church, held after the morning worship, Sunday, January 24, 1915. it was voted to issue a call to Rev. Thomas Griffiths, of Edgar, Neb., to succeed Rev. George F. Williams, who had some time previously submitted his resignation. Reverend Griffiths is particularly well fitted to serve the people of the Federated Church as their pastor. For thirteen years he occupied the pulpit of the Congregational Church at Geneva, Neb., and for the past five years was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Edgar. Thus he has had years of experience in the service of both the denomi- nations that are combined in the Federated Church.
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