NEGenWeb Project
Church/Catholic
Franciscans

various activities of socials, bazaars, etc., making little or much as the case might be. Agnes Murphy could give details. You could easily find a picture of the Sodality. I have one in case you want it.

"My mother often went with me to Mass and after that went on to the Presbyterian church, which she and my sister had recently joined. The contrast was marked; here she saw ceremonies carefully carried out, there no ceremonies; here dogma carefully explained and insisted upon. It was the perfect performance of the wonderful ceremonies that compelled her admiration, even when she understood little or nothing of their meaning. She said she went here for the Service; there to hear a man talk. Then a mission was preached, I think it was the first, we looked forward with eager anticipation. We were not disappointed for it was what is called a successful Mission--for our family, a decisive one. Father Augustine M' Glory and Father Victor Aertker. The former was, I believe, one of the very few Irish Franciscans, tall, with white hair, a fine speaker, the other German, younger, also a good speaker. My mother saw both several times and at the end was ready to make her abjuration and come into the Church. My sister was of the same mind. They were received into the Church Nov. 6, 1891. I remember that Sister had asked that the school children be allowed to be present. Some years after my father, who was very ill asked to receive baptism that he might die a Catholic. He said he had never belonged to any other church. My sister married a Catholic and the family are all devout members. So have we not a right to remember the Franciscans in Columbus with deepest gratitude?"

--Sr. M. Paula Wells.

To the above words of Ven. Sr. Paula Wells we may add that the Fathers labored zealously by instructing, preaching, hearing confessions, etc., in order to preserve the faith among the people, many of whom had grown indifferent ("stale", as the Fathers express it), and were already partly attending non-Catholic services. Divine Service was celebrated with all possible splendor and many were the solemn High Masses and other splendid services on feasts when the Fathers were home from their missions. At first the sermons were almost exclusively in German and Polish, but gradually English sermons and instructions followed as a number of Irish and other people attended St. Bonaventure's. Polish sermons were preached at first probably once a month, later every two weeks mostly after Mass. Later the Poles had their own Mass and sermons at stated times and since P. Theobald's time, 1903, every Sunday. On some holydays such as Portiuncula, St. Francis, etc., there were not only two but three sermons in as many languages until the Polish parishioners in 1913 formed their own parish in Columbus.

THE GUARDIAN ANGEL SOCIETY

"The Guardian Angel Society" was founded for the children probably in 1884. An attempt to organize a Sodality for the Young Ladies seems to have been made several years earlier, but only during 1890, when Fr. Pacific Kohnen was in charge, did he succeed. The same pastor also organized the "Young Men's Society", in 1890. "St. Ann's Altar Society" later changed into "The Christian Mothers' Society," was organized in the fall of 1877. As there is practically no chronicle until 1903, when 1 1/2 pages record the events from 1903-1927, besides the notes of P. Charles (1919-1927) and as two publication books are missing, we were unable to ascertain certain things.

THE TEMPORARY ST. BONAVENTURE'S CHURCH

The entrance seems to have been from the north side, the steeple (still existing as a chicken-coop in the yard of Mr. Edward Schober), was on the south side. When the brick monastery was ready to receive the friars about winter 1877-1878, the church was remodelled (sic). Two small bells, still used and now hanging in the small turret rising above the friary, were blessed the day the Bishop dedicated the friary, school and church, on November 17, 1878.

But the church was a rather poor one. The floor was such that one day it gave way, luckily without any people being seriously hurt. The plastering was loose and, as the income was very meagre, "the thirty Polish families with three or four exceptions being very poor, and sixteen of the German families doing nothing and unable to do anything", little could be expected.* Brother Titus on one occasion, placed a burning candle in the stove to make the Sisters believe that the fire was burning. Still the Fathers celebrated Divine Service with all splendor and gradually purchased various articles. Thus a Benediction veil, a cope, an organ (harmonium), a baptismal fountain (see illustration), a pulpit, a banner for the children, etc., were acquired. As soon as the means allowed, a fine high altar was installed in the brick church. It came from the Schenk workshop at Quincy, Illinois.

'"The roof was leaky and the organist had to move the harmonium repeatedly to find a dry spot. The organ was put in a big coal box to keep it from freezing."--Sr. M. A. B.

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MISSIONARY ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF COLUMBUS

The Fathers had been called especially for the Germans though they did what they could and were permitted for the Irish, the Poles and later also for the Bohemians. Rev. Father Ambrose arrived at Columbus in the beginning of February, 1877. Already on Ash-Wednesday, February 14, we find him at St. Mary's in Stearns Prairie. Soon (1877), St. Anthony's in Burrows township, was founded. Then Luxemburger Settlement and Center, David City and Austrian Settlement (Pepperville) in Butler county were visited, also Madison county (Battle Creek and vicinity). Fr. Ambrose also said mass at St. Bernard, of which parish he and Mr. Schroeder are the founders. Two Austrian Settlements in Polk county, St. Andrew's and Cyclone (Arcade), the present Shelby, too, were visited at regular intervals. Tekamah in Burt county was also in their charge. (Cath. Dir. A. D. 1878 and 1879).

St. Bonaventure's Church. Completed. 1909

When Fr. Cyril Augustinsky replaced Fr. Sebastian Cebulla, he also looked after the Bohemians (Czechs) in Colfax county at Maple Creek (Heun) and Dry Creek (Wilson?) and later at Cedar Hill in Saunders County. An Irish Settlement near Center and Linwood was also visited occasionally. St. Michael's at Burrows, now Tarnov, was founded in 1880, and the Duncan parish in 1882, Humphrey was organized in 1882, (the church opened July, 1883), St. Bernard's about 1878. In the beginning of 1884 also St. Patrick's on Shell Creek and St. John's Nepomucene (Middle Shell Creek or Joliet Tp.) were turned over to the Franciscans and when Father J. M. Ryan was retired in the winter of 1891, the Friars had the care of all Platte county; besides the Madison and Schoolcraft missions with Albion, St. Edward (founded by Fr. Anastase in 1886), and Raeville (1884) were entrusted to the sons of St. Francis. Lindsay (1895) attended from St. Bernard and Cornlea (1908) attended at first from Humphrey, and St. Anthony's church of Columbus were the latest parishes organized by the Sons of St. Francis.

St. Francis at Schoolcraft, Madison county, dates back to 1887.

The Pilzno, Cracow and Silver Creek congregations were also founded by the Franciscans.

Besides Tekamah, Burt county and other places were attended temporarily by the Franciscans: Genoa (Indian School), Fullerton and Grand Island. At first the Fathers often went to Omaha, probably to help out at St. Mary Magdalene's (Germans and Poles), St. Joseph's Hospital, probably hearing confessions and giving conferences and still later they, once a month, visited the Hospital at Grand Island for the same purpose. Leigh in Colfax county, according to Rev. J. Wm. Jungels, must have been attended for a short time from Humphrey. Fr. Anastase Czech, O. F. M., also was instrumental in organizing the Ewing parish and the same Father visited the Poles in various places as far as Colorado and Wyoming, to look after their spiritual welfare. In the beginning of 1883 the care of Graf ton and Turkey Creek missions, of Exeter in Fillmore

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county, was offered them and recommended to P. Provincial by P. Superior Seraphin. Father Boniface attended them for some months.

PIONEER HARDSHIPS

As there were few railroads at first and the winters were often very severe and the roads frequently impassable and long stage coach rides very tiresome, followed as they were by hours of rides across the prairie with hardly any roads and this in farm wagons with a chair for a seat, with a mantle or blanket for protection from storms, in many cases,--we may imagine that the hardships of the early priests. Not only those of Father Ryan and others who preceded the Friars and bore the worst blunt of pioneer days, but even those of the Franciscans were great enough, though they have left us no record, except Fr. Anselm, and even he says comparatively little about them. Thus P. Cyprian once froze stiff and tumbled off the farm wagon and had not the driver, Joseph Janssen, noticed it after some time and returned at once, he would have frozen to death. As it was, he was taken to the post office near by, where the priest was taken care of and recovered without serious injury. See Trips of P. Anselm to Battle Creek.

Father Ambrose's immediate successors were:

REV. WENDELIN GRAUTE, O. F. M.,
JULY, 1880-JULY, 1881

Rev. Wendelin Graute, O. F. M., came from Jordan, Minnesota, where he had been in charge of the Chaska mission and had done excellent work. His stay at Columbus was of only short duration. He had optioned for the old Mother Province, when the separation of the Sacred Heart Province took place in 1879 and was now recalled to Europe.

REV. DOMINIC FLORIAN, O. F. M.,
JULY, 1881-AUGUST, 1882

Father Dominic was the next pastor at St. Bonaventure's. During his administration occurred the small pox epidemic at the Hospital and the church was closed and he was removed for not observing the quarantine regulations, as it would seem.

REV. SERAPHIN LAMPE,
JULY, 1882-JANUARY, 1887

The next pastor was Rev. Fr. Seraphin Lampe who, heretofore had charge of the several missions in Butler county.

PLANNING ST. BONAVENTURE'S BRICK CHURCH

Owing to the dilapidated condition of the temporary church and its small size, it was now, in the winter of 1882, considered opportune to build the brick edifice already planned in 1877, but delayed by bad weather setting in too early and presumably also for lack of sufficient funds. Father Seraphin now took up the matter with his superiors.

In a letter dated February 16, 1883, he writes to the Provincial:

"Here in Columbus enthusiasm now prevails for the construction of the church respectively the sanctuary. The plan for the sanctuary, which Brother Adrian Wewer, O. F. M., had already made on a former occasion, when the house was being built, is still here. According to his plan the sanctuary will be 40 feet long and 32 feet wide. If about 12 feet be figured for the sanctuary proper, this would still leave 28 feet outside the sanctuary. In this space 8 pews could be put up on each side, each pew 12 feet long. This would offer a seating capacity for 128 persons. The present sacristy might remain as sacristy temporarily, and in the corridor, at the side of the sacristy, a partition might be made with an enclosure lock leaving the sacristy outside the enclosure. At the end of the corridor another door would be opened leading to the sanctuary. The present chapel might be retained. In the wall between the chapel and the sanctuary a kind of double door might be made and in this way the school children and the Sisters might occupy it on Sunday. On week days in winter the chapel could be used as now. All that would have to be done on Sunday would be to carry the Blessed Sacrament into the church and open the double door. In this manner, I believe, and so do the other Fathers, the present needs would be provided for."--Glossary by the Provincial. "Yes; but first the money."

HOW TO GET THE FUNDS

"For the construction of the sanctuary there are good prospects and well-founded hope in my opinion that the necessary expenses can be pretty well collected. The people are pressing me to found a Building Society, of which all can become members, men and women, young men and young ladies and the children too. Every member is then to contribute 25c per month. This would, indeed, not pile up a big sum of money, but it would arouse a participation in the good cause and enthusiasm for it. Moreover, we would have a good chance to raffle off on this occasion the three lots--we have now the deeds of all three--which lie on the other side of the town. The opinion is that $1,000 to $1,500 could thereby be made. Then we could also take up a good collection both in Columbus and perhaps in some other places, too, whereby we might obtain about $2,000. Yesterday, in Omaha, I spoke to Mr.

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John Creighton about this matter. He seems to take interest in it and I hope that he will again show himself generous. Of course, I have talked over this matter with the Fathers and reflected on it. They also are of the opinion that the plan is a suitable one and that the necessary means can be gotten together. I, therefore, ask that you answer us in writing what you think about it, whether the attempt shall be made, whether the necessary funds can be procured. If you grant permission for this, please write us what you think about organizing a Building Society; also regarding the raffling of the lots and in case you are of the opinion of raffling them, whether perhaps we shall immediately make preparations for this.

"It will perhaps be best, provided the means are on hand, that the foundation be laid in May or June."

On March 4th the pastor appointed Messrs. John Dischner, Wm. Schilz, Joseph Schmitz and Bernard Delsman as a building committee.

The subscriptions for the new church including $125.50 from Luxemburg and $15 from David City and the Hollanders, was about $4,000.50. On the day of laying the cornerstone a sum of $209 was collected.

THE CORNERSTONE FOR THE NEW BRICK ST. BONAVENTURE'S CHURCH

The cornerstone for the new brick St. Bonaventure's Church was laid by the Rt. Rev. Bishop J. O'Connor on July 8, 1883. After a solemn High Mass in the old church the procession wended its way to the site of the new Church, where the solemn ceremony was performed. Mr. Bushnell had the mason work, $2,123, and Mr. Lambert Gier and company, the carpenter work. A furnace was installed in the new church at a cost of $425, plus bricks, masonry, etc. The windows were provided with wire screens ($80). The lumber and mill work cost $1,151.10, the window panes $122.50. The total expense till February 1, 1885, was $8,008.25 with an indebtedness of $4,000. With the exception of $713.70 from the church treasury, the rest came by subscription and collections.

DEDICATION OF THE NEW CHURCH

Dedication of the new church took place on November 1. 1884, i. e. on the feast of All Saints. The Rt. Rev. Bishop arrived the day before and on the day itself the first Mass was at 8 o'clock in the old church. His Excellency was escorted in solemn procession to the new church, which the Bishop dedicated; a solemn High Mass was then celebrated and followed by the Rt. Rev. Ordinary administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to a class.

The new church contained 44 new pews with a seating capacity of 198 compared to 98 seats in the old frame church. There were 22 pews in the middle aisle with five seats each, and the 22 pews in the side aisles with four seats each, affording ample room for the small parish.

PLATTE CENTER AND ALBION ARE ENTRUSTED TO THE FRIARS

In the beginning of Jan., 1884, the Rt. Rev. Bishop turned over to the Friars St. Patrick's congregations near Platte Center and St. Michael's at Albion, "until the congregation there be strong enough alone to support a pastor." Father Flood once a month had attended Albion; Upper Shell Creek on a Saturday and Fullerton on a week day and on two Sundays he remained at Shell Creek (St. Patrick's). This work was now taken over by the Franciscans.

SALE OF TEMPORARY CHURCH ADDITION TO SCHOOL

Fr. Seraphin put up the brick church (42x 50 feet) north of the monastery in 1883-1884 at a cost of $8,008 and sold the old frame church to Mr. Edward Schober for about $130. Mr. Schober removed the church to the lot south of the corner of Fifteenth Street and Twentieth Avenue remodeling it into a two-story residence, turning, however, the front to the east and cutting off part of the building.

Fr. Seraphin, in 1883 also added a new wing to the school which was opened as a boarding school in January, 1884. His idea was to give young people, many of them fourteen to nineteen years old without having made their first confession and Communion, and who were growing up without instructions, a chance to learn their religion while boarding at the Columbus school. The 1886 addition to the school cost $3,384.35. Bushell & Fauble did the brickwork; Ed Schober, Fritz Blaser, Nicholaus, etc., the carpenter work.

REV. PACIFIC KOHNEN,
JANUARY, 1887-AUGUST, 1894

When Fr. Seraphin was appointed guardian and pastor at Teutopolis in 1887, his place was filled at Columbus by the Rev. Pacific Kohnen, a youthful and energetic man. He labored zealously and effectively both financially and spiritually. He organized the Young Ladies' Sodality with twelve members and also the Young Men Society. In 1888 the Haxtun Steam Heat Company installed steam heat at a cost of $1,170.

ENLARGING ST. BONAVENTURE'S
A. D. 1891

As the church was too small especially now that St. John's was to be united to St. Bonaventure's, Fr. Pacific began work about April,

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1891. G. H. Davis furnished the rock; Zuerlein Bros. did the masonry work; Thos. Flynn and Mr. P. F. Kaul furnished the brick; Mr. A. Derr of West Point did the brick work; Messrs. F. Gores, A. Gier and Lohr, J. Trempi, Glur, J. Derr, E. Schober, John Straub, Will Roht, E. Clark, P. Lakoma seem to have been the carpenters. Fr. Pacific added 42 feet to the church. Ad. Schaad did the painting and in July and August, H. Barton and S. Allen and F. Allen did the plastering. Brother Ildephonse Lethert, who was a good carpenter, and who helped erect the monastery, seems to have helped, or superintended the work of construction.

DECORATING THE CHURCH WINTER CHAPEL

In 1894 the church was decorated by Mr. Wm. Kloer, of St. Louis, Missouri, (cost $621 including $31 for scaffolding). E. D. Fitzpatrick, J. P. Abts gave $50; Abts and Calto $100; J. B. Delsman, Peter Greisen and M. Vogel $25 each. In all 122 men contributed. The winter chapel was erected in 1894. The cost was $2,085.91. "The basement has a foundation that is 3 feet wide and 18 inches high; then follows a wall 21 inches thick and 5 feet high and on top of that a wall 17 inches thick and 6 feet high. This proves that if necessary, another story can safely be built on the basement". P. Pacific.

ST. JOHN'S PARISH IS ANNEXED TO ST. BONAVENTURE'S

Meanwhile Fr. J. Ryan, the veteran pastor of St. John's, who had so long done fine missionary work in such a large district, was getting feeble as a result of age and his strenuous career. His little parish at Columbus, which, as far as we could ascertain, probably never numbered more than thirty-six, possibly forty families, had dwindled more and more, since a number of parishioners already attended St. Bonaventure's church. Moreover, travelling (sic) missionaries are seldom very successful resident pastors. Already in 1883 Fr. Ryan had spoken of retiring. But he remained at his post till the end of 1891. The Rt. Rev. Bishop had advised Father Ryan to retire. The latter refused to do so and for a time resided in his home near the Pacific Hotel at Columbus. Friends of Fr. Ryan assure us that the pioneer priest went to St. Joseph's Hospital, Omaha, not in October, 1891, but only a few months before his death.

PETITION TO SELL ST. JOHN'S CHURCH AND LOTS

Officially St. John's seems to have been discontinued about the end of 1891. As a result of this incorporation of St. John's parish, St. Bonaventure's church had to be enlarged by Fr. Pacific Kohnen. To help defray the expenses, the former parishioners made up a petition and presented it to the Rt. Rev. Ordinary requesting permission to sell the former property to Mr. Albert Stenger for the sum of $1,600. The following is the text of this petition:

"Copy of the Petition sent to the Rt. Rev. Richard Scannell, D. D., Bishop of Omaha, asking for permission to sell the St. John's Parish Property at Columbus, Nebraska, for the benefit of St. Bonaventure's Church."

Columbus, Platte County, Nebraska,
February 10, 1893.
Rt. Rev. Sir:

We, the undersigned Irish Catholics of the City of Columbus and vicinity, in the county of Platte and the state of Nebraska, do here petition your Lordship to sell and deed over to Fred Stenger for the sum of $1,600 all of block 133 with the old Irish Catholic St John's Church-building and house in the city of Columbus. Moreover, we humbly petition that said $1,600 be given to Rev. Pacificus Kohnen, O. S. F., to pay part of the debts of St. Bonaventure's Church, which is now our Parish Church. Finally, we hereby solemnly declare that we are perfectly free and in no way influenced by any person whatsoever: Bill O'Brien, Thomas Keating, Dan Sheedy, Thomas Flynn, P. S. Griffin, M. Burke, J. Keating, E. D. Fitzgerald, J. T. Cosc, jr., J. T. Cosc, sr., Michael Wagan, Michael Nolan, James Nolan, Sarah Dunlap, widow, P. McDonald, Th. McTaggert, Miles Ryan, V. A. Macken, P. J. Macken, Joseph Schaefer (for my wife who is Irish), John B. Gietzen (for my wife who is Irish). Mary Reagan, R. Swords, Mrs. Ellen Sheehan, widow (and my three children), M. C. Calto (for my wife who is Irish), J. M. Honoher, Michael Savage, John Powers, J. R. McAllister, John Conley, John C. McMahon, John Ryan, Thos. Wade, John O'Melia, Thomas Blandford, Wm. Gentleman, Mrs. E. O. Wells, Michael Killoran, D. C. Kavanaugh, John Haney, Anne Campbell, R. D. Rossiter, Patrick Cassin, Johanna Reagan, Thomas Johnson, J. W. Byrnes, John F. Flynn, James O'Brien, John Griffin, John McCormick, Jerry Carroll, J. F. Belford, Martin Hayes, Owen McGann, Michael Sheedy, J. M. Curry, Jos. Flynn, Lawrence Byrnes, J. C. Byrnes, Owen Quinn, John Browner, Jerry O'Connor, P. Murray, J. P. Dolan and daughter, James Haney, John A. Haney, Thomas Lyons.

This is to certify that this is a true copy of the petition and signatures that was sent to Rt. Rev. Richard Scannell.

Rev. Pacificus Kohnen
Praeses Mpp.

N.B. Evidently some names are misspelled.

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REV. MAURITUUS BAUKHOLT, O. F. M.
AUGUST,1894-END OF OCTOBER, 1895.

When Fr. Pacific Kohnen was sent to St. Peter's, Chicago, Illinois, his place at Columbus was filled by the able and zealous Mauritius Baukholt, who had been teaching philosophy at Quincy for many years and helping in parish work and teaching religion in the local academy. His pastorate at Columbus was destined, however, to be of short duration, because the Province had accepted St. Joseph's parish at Omaha, and Fr. Mauritius was sent thither as the first Franciscan pastor and superior. His successor at Columbus was the

REV. MARCELLINE KOLLMEYER, O. F. M.
NOVEMBER 1, 1895-JANUARY, 1902

Fr. Marcelline Kollmeyer, O. F. M. had been in charge of several missions before this and was not a stranger in Platte County.

REV. SERAPHIN LAMPE, O. F. M.
JANUARY, 1902-SEPTEMBER, 1903.

Fr. Seraphin, who had labored successfully at Columbus before, was sent back. But he did not seem to feel at home any longer and was soon transferred. Before his departure he celebrated his sacerdotal jubilee at Columbus on Thursday, June 25, 1903. The affair was planned as a surprise by the members of his congregation and the festivities were kept up all day. Fr. Haley of Wayne, preached the English sermon and Fr. Florence Kurzer of Humphrey, the German one. A number of priests and other outside visitors were present. Fr. Seraphin was presented with a silver wreath, a gold ciborium, by the men of St. Bonaventure's, and over $125 in cash, as a testimonial of affection from his parishioners.

DECORATION DAY AT COLUMBUS,
MAY 30, 1902

"Ten years ago a powerful secret society, one that was strong here in Columbus, openly charged that the Roman Catholic church was behind a movement for the overthrow of our government. Members of that society were led by their leaders to believe that under every Catholic church and Catholic school were secret walls, wherein were stored munitions of war, and that the day was near at hand, when the Catholics all over the land would arise and attempt to wipe all the Protestants off the face of the earth. Many good men were led by prejudice into that oathbound society. Many friendships were broken by its teachings. Today it is only a reminiscence. It entered into politics, and in some parts of the state, no man could be elected to office unless he became a member of that society. Last Sunday a thousand people, many of them Protestants, and perhaps some of them members at one time of that anti-Catholic society, assembled in the Columbus Catholic church to listen to a memorial service in honor of our nation's soldier dead. In that vast audience I saw not one, Catholic, Protestant, Mohamedan (sic), or Jew, who appeared to fear an explosion from the secret vaults underneath that holy place. On every pew, entwined about every pillar, aye, almost touching the sacred altar, the eye beheld a profusion of the stars and stripes, the ensign of our country. And the good old priest (perhaps P. Raynerius Dickneite) spoke unstinted praise for the living, and offered prayer for the soldier dead. Times and men are changing, and always for the better; bigotry is giving place to liberality, and in God's own time the nations are being led to higher and holier ends and aims, and charity is nurtured now in hearts, where in other days intolerance reigned supreme."--Columbus Telegram.

REV. THEOBALD KALAMAJA, O. F. M.
SEPT., 1903-April, 1906

The kindly and energetic Fr. Theobald was now made pastor and superior at Columbus. The Polish people had from 1874 formed an integral part of  St. Bonaventure's and had indeed had a priest who spoke their language, but this priest (or priests) had always had also other parishes to look after, so that the Poles had a sermon at first once a month and on a week day, later every Sunday. To satisfy them, Fr. Theobald, who spoke three languages: English, Polish and German, fluently, had been appointed pastor at Columbus.

The incorporation of St. Bonaventure's occurred on March 1, 1906, and was filed on March 20, 1906. Messrs. Patrick J. Hart and Matthew C. Calto were the lay trustees.

In 1906 Fr. Theobald was sent to St. Stanislaus in Cleveland, where a schismatic priest had given trouble for years, and assumed charge of this immense parish in April, 1906.

REV. REMBERT STANOWSKI, O. F. M.,
APRIL, 1906-JULY, 1907

Rev. Rembert Stanowski, pastor of Tarnov and for many years at Duncan (including Silver Creek and Pilzno), was the next rector of St. Bonaventure's at Columbus.

During his incumbency the Rt. Rev. Bishop, who was wont to come annually for one of the two priests' conferences, by mistake came one day too soon and meeting no Father at the depot, walked to the monastery. Seeing that it was a considerable distance, he asked whether any Catholics lived south of the tracks. On being told that a good many Catholics, mostly

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Polish people, resided in that district, the Bishop directed the pastor to write to Very Rev. Fr. Provincial, to see that a church be built for them in a suitable location. The answer was that at present the matter was premature and would only be very detrimental to St. Bonaventure's.

Soon after Fr. Rembert was transferred to Omaha and Fr. Marcelline returned once more to his former charge at Columbus.

FR. MARCELLINE KOLLMEYER,
JULY, 1907-AUGUST, 1912

In 1907 a new boiler for steam heating (vapor system) was installed at an expenditure of $1,225.60. New sidewalks were also laid and a building fund begun. As the seating capacity of the church was only 394, with the parish ever growing, the time was now considered ripe for the completion of the church in accordance with former plans. In 1908 and 1909 another twenty-eight feet and tower were added, making the whole brick structure's dimensions 50x150 feet (plus tower) and the steeple -- feet high. The auditorium is 50x112 feet and the sanctuary 28x35 ft. The total cost of the church was about $35,000.

LAST ADDITION TO ST. BONAVENTURE'S CHURCH (INCLUDING STEEPLE)

A. D. 1909-1910

ESTIMATED BY MR. WURDEMAN:

The addition to the church, including the steeple, was made 1908-1909, with a total seating capacity of 490.

Fr. Marcelline also erected the wall around the south side of the monastery. The value of the church property was given at $65,000; that of the academy at $30,000; of the hospital, $50,000. The new bells in 1909 cost $972.20. The largest is a gift of Peter Greisen, the next largest of George and Anton Hengeller (sic), while the third bell is a donation of St. Anne's Society. In 1909 the new building fund was brought up to $4,233.45. The church and monastery are lighted with electric light and heated by steam.

For the cathedral assessment $500 more were paid on December 26th, totaling $1,350. In October, John Kyle was paid $203 for improvements. A bazaar given by St. Anne's Society, December 23rd, netted $2,014, the October festival, $2,014.94.

FR. CYRIAC STEMPEL, O. F. M.,
AUGUST, 1912-NOVEMBER 2, 1915

Rev. Cyriac Stempel came in 1914 to take over the pastoral care. At his arrival there was an indebtedness resting on the parish, which he paid off in a few years. He also bought an organ for $3,000 from the Wick Organ Company in Highland, Illinois. He, moreover, took the first census. As fire had damaged the Academy, he had it repaired at an expenditure of about $8,000. The roof of the church and friary were painted. When Fr. Cyriac left there was on hand a sum of $1,200 which was intended for the purchase of more land to add to the Cemetery.

THE POLES SEPARATE AND FORM
ST. ANTHONY'S PARISH, A. D., 1913

The wish of the Poles to have a church of their own was realized in the year 1912, when Fr. Protase Kuberek arrived to organize the new parish. They bought the Speice property then owned by Mr. John Dischner. By order of Bishop R. Scannell the separation took effect on October 4, 1913.

About January, 1914, and for a number of years, the parish paid the Sisters $66.66 per month for salary; the rest of the teachers were paid by the Academy. At this time the Corpus Christi procession was again held in the open. A

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band played for the occasion. A lunch and supper about December 17, 1914, brought in $206.81. In January the "Kolenda" netted $55.75. The Easter collection amounted to $351.60. The last instalment (sic) of the Ladenburger legacy was paid ($500). Very Rev. Edward Blecke, O. F. M., held the canonical visitation on June 15, 1915.

REV. HILARY KIESERLING, O. F. M.,
NOVEMBER 2, 1915-JULY, 1917

When Fr. Cyriac was appointed pastor and superior at St. Bernard's, Platte county, after the demise of Rev. Clement Moorman, he was succeeded at Columbus by Rev. Hilary Kieserling. After a brief period the latter was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, to act as guardian.

REV. GRATIAN GEHRIG, O. F. M.,
JULY, 1917-JULY, 1919

Rev. Gratian Gehrig, O. F. M., was the next pastor of St. Bonaventure's. It was the war time and the time of the Spanish flu. Fr. Gratian, on foot, visited on one day as many as some twenty patients. Induced by this the people, headed by the Knights of Columbus, took up a collection and bought their pastor a car that he might, with less difficulty, visit his people. It was an Anderson, six cylinder car, which cost $1,345. A garage was thereupon erected in the monastery grounds.

REV. CHARLES SCHLUETER, O. F. M.,
JULY 19, 1919-AUGUST, 1927

The paving and curbing in the spring of 1920 of blocks 9, 10, 11 and including the cemetery property cost approximately $14,000. Of this sum the monastery paid, with permission of the Provincial, $5,700, while the church paid $8,300. This amount covers paving and curbing of block 11 from 16th to 15th street on 16th avenue; thence from 16th avenue to 18th avenue on 15th street; thence north on 18th avenue as far as the cement walk leading to side (E) entrance of the St. Francis Academy. In Sep-

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tember the garage was completed ($193.60). In October, 1920, about 200 loads of ground were hauled to the front premises of the monastery and church and covered with five carloads of gravel ($567), to get a parking place for the automobiles of the parishioners. At the same time a cement walk was put in leading across the front premises to the academy and an extension along 15th street to 18th avenue. The chapel property which had at first been only rented from Mr. B. Efting, who had bought the former Presbyterian church, one block west of the Courthouse, and corner of 14th street and 28th avenue, was purchased from the owner for the sum of $3,250. The frontage is 66 feet. The property extends as far north only as the resil dence. (sic)

OPENING OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHAPEL

On November 27, 1920, the former Presbyterian Church, after having been remodelled (sic), was dedicated to St. Joseph. Soon after, the old winter chaped (sic) adjoining St. Bonaventure's on the north, was converted into a parish hall for society meetings.

In January, 1921, a small ciborium was purchased for St. Joseph's Chapel and a new chalice and lunula for the church ($47.50). The new Communion rail in St. Bonaventure's Church ($485), was put up in February, 1920. Mr. Abts donated about $200 toward the same. Two adoring angels with seven electric lights were installed (cost, including pedestals and fixtures, $320). In July new window shades were put up in school. Statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of St. Joseph were ordered for the chapel. One of them (cost $70) is the gift of Dr. F. H. Morrow. In December of 1921 a small crib was ordered for the chapel. In March a set of vestments of various colors (one green, one purple, one red and two white) for the chapel was procured ($330.50). Mrs. Julia Fallon presented one white vestment ($80).

PURCHASING PROPERTY FOR A FUTURE SCHOOL, AND CHURCH

In October, 1922, Fr. Charles purchased five lots on the west side, corner 17th street and 32nd avenue, from Mr. and Mrs. McGrath and Mr. and Mrs. Elias. The consideration was $5,750, less the sale of the house (which netted $641.61) or $5,145.39.

In May 100 folding chairs were purchased for the church basement hall ($159.50). A gas stove, also a sink, etc., and water connections, and later six large tables were installed (1924). In November, 1923, the Brother Janitor's room was remodeled into a parlor; the remodeling, painting and furnishing of the parlors cost $316.08. Carpet runners were purchased for the sanctuary and along the communion rail. In April the pastor purchased some fine vestments. In June, 1924, an electric fan was installed in the organ loft. In July, 1924, a metal (gilded) tabernacle and at the end of the year a new furnace were put in the chapel of St. Joseph. In October, 1924, St. Bonaventure's parish furnished "St. Bonaventure's Room" in St. Mary's Hospital ($300). In November, 1924, the "New Hudson Coach" replaced the old automobile for $1,345.

ST. FRANCIS ACADEMY BUILDINGS SOLD TO THE PARISH AND CONVERTED INTO
ST. BONAVENTURE'S PAROCHIAL SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

The year 1925 will ever remain a memorable one in the history of St. Bonaventure's congregation, because in July of this year Fr. Charles, for the consideration of $20,000, purchased the buildings (two-thirds of the complex), which the Lafayette Sisters had erected on parish ground at their expense and in which they had, since January, 1884, conducted St. Francis' Academy. This purchase excluded the actual contents of the chapel proper. A sum of $5,000 was to be paid annually and, in case of deferred payment, at 3% interest. "Henceforth the school will simply be known as St. Bonaventure's School. It will be a free school with eight elementary grades and four years of High School and with a Commercial course. The Normal course was dropped, because useless. Any diligent student who graduates from our school can pass the examination for a Teacher's Certificate. After six years of worry the wish of my heart is now fulfilled. We now have our own school for our own children."--Fr. Charles.

"The land had always belonged to the Franciscans and later to the church, but the Sisters had erected and kept up these buildings (coal, light, janitor's salary, etc.), at their own expense. For a number of years St. Bonaventure's had paid only $66.66 per month for two teachers, later $1,000 per year, the Sisters, instead of paying a rental, compromising on a small salary. "But the times and prices have changed. The Sisters who have served the parish faithfully since 1882 will remain in charge of the school and their salary will henceforth be paid by the parish."

"The change was not forced on the Sisters. But, as the privilege of conferring special Teachers Certificates was taken away by the State, the number of pupils decreased, since they could obtain the same honors in their home high schools." Father Charles then continues: "Personally I realized these strained unnatural conditions" (i. e., not having complete control of the parochial school). A parish without a

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