NEGenWeb Project
Church/Catholic
Franciscans

The Franciscans in Lincoln

Chapter XXVIII

St. Francis De Sales Church, Lincoln

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES CHURCH, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

July, 1886, resp. January 1, 1893-March 27, 1926.

ORGANIZING A GERMAN PARISH AT LINCOLN

The history of St. Francis de Sales parish dates back to the year 1886. On July 8th of that year, directed by Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Bonacum, the Rev. Henry M. Roth, formerly of Rulo, Nebraska, called a meeting of the German-speaking Catholics of Lincoln. About thirty came and elected Mr. F. Schweitzer secretary. After considerable discussion a committee consisting of Rev. H. M. Roth, John Krummach and Fred Schule was appointed to purchase the two lots with house thereon at the corner of 18th and J Streets. The conditions of sale were $2,000 in cash, the balance of $3,000 bearing interest at 8 per cent, payable semi-annually, was to be paid in three installments on July 3, 1890, 1892 and 1894. The cash payment of $2,000 was immediately subscribed. Mass began to be said in Fitzgerald's hall and steps were taken to erect the church. In the spring of 1889, it was dedicated to the Most High by the Rt. Rev. Thos. Bonacum, D. D., Bishop of Lincoln, in the presence of the Lincoln Catholic societies and a large concourse of the faithful. Fr. Roth's failing health compelled him, in April, 1889, to retire to his home in Pennsylvania. He died there in September of the same year at the age of only 36 years. The Bishop now sent the

REV. B. KUPPENBENDER,
MAY, 1889-APRIL, 1892

Rev. B. Kuppenbender administered the affairs of the parish already much indebted from May, 1889, till April, 1892. On January 1, 1890, Messrs. John Krummach, L. Descher, Joseph Zilles, John Strotsteffen and Andrew Bold were elected the first church committee. During Fr. Kuppenbender's administration the financial condition of the parish became hopeless.

REV. B. SPROLL,
1892-JANUARY, 1, 1893

Rev. Bernard Sproll, now of David City, Butler county, then took over the parish (May, 1892-January 1, 1893). Although $2,000 were paid off, the parish finances were still in a desperate condition. In this emergency, the Rt. Rev. Bishop in vain offered the parish to several diocesan priests and to several religious orders. He then made a strong appeal to the Franciscan Fathers, of Cincinnati, Ohio, to assume care of St. Francis' parish. The offer was finally accepted.

THE FRANCISCANS TAKE CHARGE
(SKETCH BY REV. ILDEPHONSE GAST)

The Franciscans took over the parish of St. Francis de Sales on January 1, 1892, and sent Rev. Ignatius Wilkens, O, F. M., who became the first superior and pastor. With him came Father Peter A. and Brother Arnold. The congregation numbered about forty families and two rooms below the church were used for a school. Father Wilkens found the treasury absolutely empty, there not being money enough to buy fuel, or defray other ordinary expenses. The Fathers suffered all sorts of privations on this account. Many bills had been left unpaid, and notes amounting to several thousands of dollars were due. For about twelve years the Franciscans took no salary, because the financial condition made it impossible.

When the Franciscans took charge, the parish consisted of about forty families, instead of 200 as had been supposed to belong to it. Father Ignatius remained until the summer of 1893.

The so-called "Beneplacitum Apostolicum" for the St. Francis friary and school adjoining, was obtained May 14, 1893, and the Bishop promised for himself and successors that in case of future divisions of the parish 300 families should remain with St. Francis de Sales parish. The document is dated January 5, 1894.

THE NEXT PASTOR

The Rev. Leonard Nurre, O, F. M., was the next pastor, staying from September, 1893, to September, 1900. Father Leonard worked hard to reduce the heavy indebtedness and was more or less successful, owing to strict economy and many personal sacrifices. His relatives sent various donations at different times--at one

555

time a donation of $500 to aid Father Leonard in his financial difficulties.

In 1898, he succeeded in putting up the present substantial school building, into which he invited the Franciscan Sisters from Lafayette, Indiana. In order that the school could be a possibility, the St. John the Baptist Province of Cincinnati loaned the parish $3,000 without interest for an indefinite period. This loan was paid off after twenty-five years. The people of St. Francis de Sales considered Father Leonard their savior, because they felt that through his untiring efforts the parish was saved from utter ruin and prepared for a bright future.

MISSIONS ATTENDED BY THE FRIARS

Ashland, Cortland, Elmwood, Sullivan Settlement, Walton (formerly Stevens Creek) were the missions attended by the Franciscan friars.

As the Franciscans were attaining comparative success at St. Francis de Sales, they took over, or organized several missions. Several Fathers were, at various times, assigned to the parish to care for these struggling places. The priests were Rev. Peter Welling, O, F. M., January, 1893November, 1895; Rev. Juvenal Schnorbus, O, F. M., November, 1895-November, 1896; Rev. Matthias Sasse, November, 1896-August, 1897, and Rev. Albert T. Daeger, O, F. M., now Archbishop of New Mexico, October, 1897-September, 1900.

The Franciscans organized the parish at Havelock, Nebraska, which is today a prosperous parish. The first pastor at Havelock was Father Peter Alcantara Welling, O, F. M,, 1894-1896, followed by Rev. Albert Daeger, Polycarp Van Mourick and Casimir Dietrich. Father Polycarp built the present combination church and

St. Francis de Sales Church, Lincoln

school about 1910 and Father Casimir Dietrich finished the interior about 1913. When the parish grew and was able to maintain a resident priest, the Franciscans were requested to leave Havelock, about 1915.

The parish at Sullivan Settlement, later on moved to Denton, Nebraska, was also started by the Franciscans (Rev. Peter Welling). The present parish church at Ashland, donated by Church Extension, was organized by Rev. Phillip Matuska, O, F. M., about 1924. Rev. Fathers Phillip and Egbert were the only Franciscans there.

The Fathers also had charge of the missions at Cortland, Greenwood, and Elmwood. An attempt was also made at Walton, but this mission lasted only a few years, and was later discontinued.

STEADY PROGRESS

In 1900 Father Leonard was succeeded by Rev. Albert T. Daeger, O, F. M., (1900-1902), now Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, under whose administration the thought uppermost in the minds of the pastor and the people was to liquidate the debt.

After two years of faithful service, Father Albert was called to New Mexico for missionary work among the Indians, eventually rising to his present exalted ecclesiastical position. His successor was Rev. Maurice Ripperger, O, F. M., who remained in charge from 1902 until 1907. He worked faithfully and made various improvements.

Father Casper Mats, O, F. M., took charge in 1907, and during his administration, a heating plant was installed in the church, and the debt reduced to a minimum.

The Rev. Ildephonse Gast, O, F. M., next took

556

over St. Francis de Sales' parish. In 1911, the school was attended by seventy pupils. Under Father Ildephonse, a new home for the Sisters was purchased for the sum of $5,000; a new pipe organ and a bell were installed, the city streets paved, and the buildings wired for electricity.

Father Casimir Dietrich, O, F. M., took charge in 1917, and remained until 1924, during which time the debt of the parish was liquidated and the sume (sic) of $5,000 was saved for future development,

REV. ILDEPHONSE GAST, 1924-1926
DEPARTURE OF THE FRANCISCANS

In 1924, Father Ildephonse returned to the parish, had the church frescoed and remained until March 27, 1926, when the St. John the Baptist Province for several reasons decided to recall the Franciscans from St. Francis de Sales Parish.

St. Francis de Sales was a finely-organized parish with about one hundred families and about one hundred children in school, when the Franciscans relinquished their services there. Most of the members of the parish belonged to the Third Order, and monthly reception of the Sacraments on the part of most of the members was a regular rule. There was also a fine spirit of cooperation on the part of the people, and it was with extreme regret that the Franciscan Fathers departed from the good people of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lincoln, Nebraska.

The account of the organization of St. Francis de Sales parish is taken from the True Voice, the rest from the Rev. Ildephonse Gast, in Chronicle of St. John Baptist Province, Vol. II, No. 2, p. 57 f. His Grace, the Archbishop T. Daeger of Santa Fe, New Mexico, added a few lines referring to the years 1897-1902. For three years he took care of the missions, Havelock, Denton, Sullivan's Settlement, and Walton then known as Steven's Creek.

The respective pastors were the ordinary confessors of all the religious communities in Lincoln and extraordinary for those outside of Lincoln, at least in the eastern part of the diocese. The respective assistant was extraordinary to the Sisters of Lincoln. For a time the Fathers also had charge of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, when they had no chaplain and the Penitentiary, 1893.

The Franciscans by means of innumerable privations, foregoing their salary for many years, getting donations from relatives and friends (P. Leonard Nurre) and borrowing money without interest from the Province to build, finally paid off the indebtedness and left a nice little sum for future development when they withdrew from "the finely organized parish with about a hundred families and about a hundred children in school."

DEPARTURE OF THE FRANCISCAN FATHERS

(True Voice, April 2, 1926).

The hearts of all the members of St. Francis de Sales parish and the many friends of the Franciscan Fathers in Lincoln were grieved, when on Sunday, March 21, it was announced at the cathedral that the Franciscan Fathers were leaving Lincoln some time during that week. The Franciscan Fathers have had charge of St. Francis de Sales parish since 1893. Rev. Father Ignatius being the first Franciscan Father, followed by Rev. Father Leonard, who had charge for seven years. After Father Leonard, Father Albert (Daeger), who is now Archbishop of New Mexico, had charge for two years. Rev. Fathers Maurice and Casper were next in charge. Rev. Ildephonse took charge in 1911 and remained until 1917, when he was removed

Rev. Ildephonse Gast, O, F. M., and Rev. Albert T. Daeger, O, F. M.

to Peoria, Illinois, Rev. Father Casimir taking his place at St. Francis de Sales. Fr. Casimir remained until 1924, when Father Ildephonse returned to Lincoln and has been pastor with Rev. Fr. Egbert as his assistant until the present time. On Thursday evening, March 25, 1926, a farewell reception was given Fathers Ildephonse and Egbert at St. Francis Hall, which was crowded with members of the parish and friends of the Rev. Fathers. Dr. E. G. Zimmerman opened the meeting and addressed those present telling of the sorrow felt by all in losing their beloved pastor and his assistant. Mr. Patrick Barton gave a talk dwelling on the wonderful work of the Franciscan Fathers, taking charge of St. Francis de Sales parish, when it was deeply in debt, and of their untiring efforts and self-sacrifice which has made St. Francis de Sales a prosperous and flourishing parish. The sentiment that was shown at the reception gave evidence of the

557

love and esteem which is felt for the Franciscan Fathers. Mr. Conrad Schatz in behalf of the Men's Social Club presented Fathers Ildephonse and Egbert with a purse and Miss Emma Wittman presented them with a gift from the Ladies' Social Club and the Young Ladies' Sodality also. All who were present with heartfelt sorrow bade their beloved pastor and his assistant good-bye, wishing them Godspeed in their new field of labor.

ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISH, LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

DIOCESAN PASTORS, JULY 8, 1886-JANUARY 1, 1893

1. Rev. Henry M. Roth, July 8, 1886-April, 1892. Built the church. Died in September, 1886, in Philadelphia, Penn.
2. Rev. Bernard Kuppenbender, May, 1889-April, 1892. (Died some months ago at West Point).
3. Rev. Bernard Sproll, May, 1892-January 1, 1893.

FRANCISCAN PASTORS, JANUARY 1, 1893-MARCH 27, 1926

1. Rev. Ignatius Wilkens, O, F. M., January 1, 1893-September, 1893.
2. Rev. Leonard Nurre, O, F. M., September, 1893-September, 1900.
3. Rev. Albert T. Daeger, O, F. M., September, 1900-September, 1902.
4. Rev. Maurice Rippberger, O, F. M., September, 1902-August, 1906.
S, Rev. Caspar Matx, O, F. M., August, 1906-1911.
6. Rev. Ildephonse Gast, O, F. M., 1911-August, 1917.
7. Rev. Casimir Dietrich, O, F. M., August, 1917-1924.
8. Rev. Ildephonse Gast, O, F. M., 1924-March 27, 1926.

ASSISTANT PRIESTS:

Rev. Peter Welling, O, F. M., January 1, 1893-November, 1895.
Rev. Juvenal Schnorbus, O, F. M., November, 1895-November, 1896,
Rev. Mathias Sasse, O, F. M., November, 1896-August, 1897.
Rev. Albert T. Daeger, O, F. M., October, 1897-September, 1900.
Rev. Leander Schell, O, F. M., September, 1900.
Rev. Casimir Dietrich, O, F. M., August, 1901-August, 1907.
Rev. Polycarp Van Mourick, August, 1910.
Rev. Phillip Matuska, O, F. M., 1924.
Rev. Egbert Fischer, O, F. M., 1924-1926.

THE MOST REV. ALBERT T. DAEGER, O, F. M.,
ARCHBISHOP OF SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO

The Most Rev. Albert T. Daeger, O, F. M., Archbishop of Santa Fe, New Mexico, was born at St. Anne's, Indiana, March 5th, 1872. He entered the Seraphic Order in the Cincinnatti Province of St. John the Baptist on August 15, 189--. His ordination to the priesthood took place on July 25, 1896, by the Rt. Rev. Silas Chatard, D. D., Bishop of Indianapolis, Indiana.

St. Francis Se Sales Church, Lincoln

For three years he served as assistant at St. Francis de Sales church at Lincoln, Nebraska, and for two years as its pastor, until 1902. In this year he went to New Mexico, to serve as Indian missionary. There he had ample opportunity to exercise his apostolic zeal in that strenuous field of labor. It was here, too, that his genuine piety, his charming simplicity and burning zeal for souls won him the affection and esteem not only of his confreres and charges, but also of his Most Rev. Archbishop, J. B. Pitaval, D. D., who, when he resigned his charge, ardently desired that Fr. Albert Daeger be appointed his successor in that historic see, the city of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi. On May 7, 1919, he received at the hands of this prelate the archiepiscopal consecration and the insignia of his office in the venerable cathedral of Santa Fe. The vast building was filled to its capacity almost four hours before the ceremony. The Rt. Revs. H. Tihen, of Denver; Lillis, of Kansas City; Schuler of El Paso, Texas; and Granjon, of Tucson, Arizona, with a large number of distinguished prelates and

558

priests were present. Bishop Lillis preached a powerful sermon in English, while the Spanish sermon was delivered by Rev. Father Di Paetro, of Albuquerque. On Sunday, May 11, 1919, the Archbishop received the pallium, a sacred vestment worn by archbishops as a special mark of their dignity and authority. Monsignor O'Hern, president of the American College in Rome, brought the sacred symbol from Rome to the Papal delegate at Washington, D. C. His Excellency then appointed the Rev. Joseph Rhode, O, F. M., Vice-Commissary of the Holy Land at the capital of the Union, to bear the pallium to Santa Fe, where Archbishop Pitaval conferred it and Fr. Joseph delivered the sermon.

His Grace Archbishop A. T. Daeger has been continuing his self-sacrificing labors in his poor diocese with the ardor that characterized his missionary life as a priest.

REV. ILDEPHONSE GAST, O, F. M.

The Rev. Ildephonse Gast, O, F. M., pastor of St. Boniface Church, Lafayette, Indiana, died at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Lafayette, Indiana, Tuesday, December 31, 1930. Deceased had been in ill health for more than a year, but his death came as a surprise to his friends, who are legion. Father Ildephonse was born at Louisville, Kentucky, 1881. After making his studies in the Franciscan schools, he was ordained at Oldenburg, Indiana, by the Rt. Rev. Denis Donoghue, June 20, 1908.

During the years of his priesthood he labored as chaplain at Bartonville, and the home of the Good Shepherd, Peoria, Illinois; as assistant pastor at St. Boniface parish, Lafayette, Indiana; as pastor at the following parishes: At St. Francis de Sales, Lincoln, Nebraska (1911-1917); S, Heart Church, Peoria, Illinois (1917-1924); at St. Francis de Sales, Lincoln, Nebraska, (1924-1926; at St. Louis Church, Batesville, Indiana (1926-1928); at Lafayette (1928 till his death). Fr. Ildephonse was one of the Councillors (sic) of the Provincial, 1921-1924. Ever an active priest and fervent religious Fr. Ildephonse will be missed by the friars and the faithful.

Funeral services were conducted by the Very Rev. Urban Freundt, O, F. M., Provincial of the Province of St. John Baptist. Interment was made at Louisville--See St. Anthony's Messenger, January, 1930, p. 425.

559 (partial)

© 2004 for the NEGenWeb Project by Sherri Brakenhoff, Ted & Carole Miller