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Church/Catholic
Franciscans

Chapter IX

St. Mary's Church, Luxemburg Settlement

PRESENTATION B. V. M. CHURCH AT LUXEMBURG
BELLWOOD P. O., BUTLER COUNTY, 1874-1931

(Adapted from Rev. F. O. Mock's Golden Jubilee Souvenir of St. Mary's Parish).

The first Catholic settlers of Luxemburg came July 4, 1869. They were Mr. and Mrs. P. N. Meysenburg, nee Barbara Dehner, and they attracted most of the subsequent settlers, who later organized St. Mary's congregation. Mr. P. N. Meysenburg, son of Nicolaus Meysenburg, was a native of Sandweiler in the Grandduchy of Luxemburg, enclosed by France and Germany and Belgium. He was born on Dec. 11, 1838. He came during the Civil War, in the spring of 1863, via New York to Cascade, Iowa, where many of his countrymen had settled. Moved by the prevalent desire of going west, he in 1868, traveled by rail to Omaha and thence in the wagon of a Cuming county farmer to the Elkhorn river valley. Favorably impressed by what he had observed, he intended to settle at West Point, Nebraska. He returned to Cascade, married Barbara Dehner on January 19, 1869. In deference to wishes of her parents, who disliked their daughter going to the "wilderness of Nebraska", our young couple together with his father Nicholas, his brother John and sister Anna, in a covered wagon drawn by horses, traversed Missouri, Indian Territory (Oklahoma) and Kansas as far as Topeka, where they rented a farm and planted a crop. This done, P. N. Meysenburg and wife set out on March 17, 1869, from Topeka, Kansas, whose climate was distasteful, leaving the rest to gather the crop, and set out for West Point, Nebraska. Arriving on the Bluffs, which near David City overlook the fertile Platte Valley, Mr. Meysenburg resolved to settle right there. On July 3d, 1869, they reached Shinn's Ferry operated by Mr. Tennis Hookstra, and soon betook themselves to Savanna, then the county seat, to pre-empt 160 acres at $2.50 an acre. The high price, (double the one of the regular exemptions) was owing to the nearness of the railroad, though it was north of the Platte river. The canvas-covered wagon served for an initial lodging.

PIONEER CONDITIONS

The same trials awaited them that were in store for all the early pioneers of the Nebraska prairie. There was no shelter and their money was nearly gone. Fuel had to be cut and carried from the river timber three miles away. Their dog got away with the only ham in their larder. They were, moreover, much annoyed with the mosquito and the green bug pests. The water had to be carried on the rear of the wagon from a spring in the bluffs. To remedy this and to have a sufficient water supply, the first thing was to dig a well in the old fashioned way. Without the aid of a windlass, Mr. Meysenburg and his wife dug the well, the good wife usually pulling up the dirt by means of a bucket tied to a rope. A sod barn as a shelter for the animals was the next improvement.

Mr. Meysenburg then broke twenty acres and planted it, after which he returned to Topeka, Kansas, to get the remainder of the party. After burying his sister, Mr. Meysenburg brought his father and brother to the present Butler county. The mid-winter trip was a most trying one, there being no other shelter from the cold than the canvas-covered wagon.

MORE SETTLERS--
BUILDING THE FIRST HOMES

On the same day our Kansas travellers (sic) arrived at Savanna, there arrived also Mr. and Mrs. Michael Demuth and M. M. Meysenburg, who had been invited by letter to come out to look over the new settlement. Tennis Hookstra, the ferry operator, offered them a temporary shelter until they had erected their own homes. Luckily for them, Mr. Demuth was a carpenter, and each one with the help of the others, erected his own home.

Most of the Cottonwood lumber was gotten from a lumber mill on the island while the flooring and other mill work was brought from Schuyler by wagon to the river bank, unloaded, carried by hand over the ice to the open channel in the river, reloaded on the ferry, unloaded again and carried by hand to the other river bank and hauled with team and oxen to the site of the building, altogether a dangerous and toilsome task, considering the expanse of the Platte river at this point.

Before the building was finished and furnished with a safe fireplace, a typical three-day Nebraska blizzard began to blow and the side of the house had to be braced to keep it from being blown over by the wind. Though the victuals, even bread, was frozen, none of the people perished.

As soon as Mr. M. Demuth had completed his building, the next house was erected for P. N. Meysenburg. In 1870 Mr. John Meysenburg took

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up a homestead and purchased another 80 acres adjoining his brother's land. Of this latter 80 acres, he later gave two acres for a church site.

THE COLONY INCREASES

The year 1870 saw the arrival of Messrs. John Sprunk, John Marx and Bernard Schlenz; the following year, that of Peter Medinger, and Nicolaus Steiner; the year 1872, the advent of Peter Birkel, Frank Stein, Nicolaus Reisdorff and Peter Demuth. The last of the charter parishioners were Messrs. John Frieden and John Gilz. Though there were a number of Austrians, who settled in this neighborhood, still the majority near Valley were from Luxemburg itself, or from the Luxemburgs Settlements of Iowa. Hence the colony in Butler county was soon known as "Luxemburg Settlement".

RELIGIOUS PRIVATIONS FIRST MASS IN BUTLER COUNTY

Great as were the physical privations, the spiritual lack of priest, church and consolations of their holy faith were no less keenly felt. The nearest church was Columbus, where Fr. Ryan was in charge. The large number of missions attended by Fr. Ryan, however, prohibited that very busy man from having services at Columbus oftener than two Sundays a month. Fr. Frederick Uhing was one of the twelve or more priests then laboring in the Vicariate of Nebraska, and he came out from West Point to celebrate Mass on April 16, 1874, at the Michael Ebel home. It was the first Holy Day in the colony. Every member of the settlement dressed in the "pioneer's Sunday style" devotedly assisted at Mass and received Holy Communion. When Mr. M. Meysenburg heard of what Fr. Uhing had done, he lost no time in inviting him to his sod-house to read Mass, so that he and his neighbors might attend the Holy Sacrifice and receive Holy Communion. After Mass six children were baptized, one of them a Lachnit girl. Prior to this, in spring or summer, 1871, the Rev. William Kelly, the patriarch of Nebraska, said Mass at the home of Thomas Dowling. In 1872 the holy sacrifice had been offered up in the home of Joseph Saunders. Both of these houses were in Alverno, which is at present called Center. Father Francis Shulak, S. J., said the first Mass for Czechs in Nebraska at the home of Joseph Simanek, near Prague, Saunders County, in September, 1871. See Rosicky, "A History of the Czechs (Bohemians) In Nebraska," p. 293. The Luxemburgers occasionally attended services at Linwood.

BIOGRAPHY OF FATHER UHING

Rev. Frederick Uhing was born at Cleve, Germany, November, 1839, and ordained at Omaha, March 8, 1867. He was pastor of St. Anthony's church, St. Charles, near West Point from 18__ to 1877, whence he took up his residence at West Point. In 18__ he changed to St. Peter and Paul church at Bow Valley, where he died, July 20, 1892.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. MARY'S MISSION CHURCH

After Rev. Frederick Uhing, came Rev. John Heskemann Bernard, from Forest City, now Gretna. He made arrangements for the monthly service at Luxemburg settlement except during the winter months. Mass was celebrated and some of the Sacraments were administered at the John Meysenburg home.

Fr. John Bernard's first report to the Bishop of Omaha in regard to the Luxemburg settlement states: "Attached to the station are 15 families; 45 adults. No first Communions; 45 Easter Communions; no church, no improvements, no school and visited once a month."

For the next two years services were held at the John Meysenburg home by Fr. John Bernard. The congregation came from Polk county (Pilzno, Shelby, St. Andrew's) from the Austrian settlement (now St. Joseph's) from Bellwood (now St. Peter's); from the present Appleton, David City, Center, etc.

At these services, many children were baptized on a Sunday, confessions heard, marriages performed, youth instructed, sermons preached. Here finally the first business meeting of the congregation was held, which effected the organization of St. Mary's parish. A building committee was selected and plans drawn up for the first church building within a radius of many miles. This meeting took place November 21, 1874, the feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

THE SUBSCRIPTION LIST

Fr. Bernard then appointed a financial committee comprising Messrs. M. Demuth, president; N. Steiner, treasurer, and John Meysenburg, secretary. This committee received subscriptions amounting to a little more than $400.

We subjoin here the list of subscribers and the amount subscribed. P. N. Meysenburg, $50; N. Steiner, $40; B. Schlentz, $30; F. H. Steiner, $25; P. Medinger, $25; N. Reisdorf, $25; P. Birkel, $25; John Birkel, $25; John Marx, $25.75; John Pruden, $25; M. M. Meysenburg, $25; Jake Demuth, $25; John Meysenburg, $25; Peter Demuth, $10; John Kosch, $25; Reed and Resener, $2.

BUILDING COMMITTEE

The building committee was composed of

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Father John Bernard as chairman; Nicholas Steiner Sr. as honorary president; Michael Demuth, Bernard Schiens, and F. H. Steiner. The committee was empowered to draw up plans and select the site for the new church.

John Meysenburg offered two acres of land on condition that the land never be used for any other purpose than for the Catholics of the Platte Valley of Butler County. He specified that in case this agreement was broken, the land revert to the heirs of the donor. John Sprunk promised and deeded three acres for cemetery purposes. The deeds to the land were then turned over to the Rt. Rev. James O'Connor, Bishop of Omaha. The auditorium of the first church was 24x40 feet.

BUILDING OF THE FIRST ST. MARY'S CHURCH

The lumber, two carloads, was purchased at Omaha and shipped to Schuyler on December 19, 1876. The committee paid $20 for 1,000 feet dimension lumber, $18 for siding, $45 for finishing lumber, $16 for sheathing and $3.75 for cedar shingles. The crops were poor and money was difficult to loan, the interest running as high as 20-30 per cent. Hence a second collection was taken up on All Saints Day (1877) and mounted to $92.50.

DEDICATION OF PRESENTATION OF B. V. M. CHURCH

On November 25, 1878, a most memorable and joyful day in Luxemburg Settlement, the Rt. Rev. James O'Connor Vicar Apostolic of Nebraska, solemnly blessed the new church. Rev. John Bernard, who suffered greatly from rheumatism, so that at his last visit to the Valley he had to be moved on a stretcher to Schuyler, to be taken to the hospital at Omaha, had meantime joined the Franciscans at Teutopolis and was hence forth known as "Pater Alexius" O. F. M.

THE FRANCISCANS AT ST. MARY'S

When Rev. J. Bernard left in June, 1877, St. Mary's mission became attached to the Franciscan friary at Columbus. The Fathers attended once or twice a month. They were brought from Columbus and taken back per wagon when the season permitted. If the weather was very bad, the Father took the train to Schuyler and was met by a farmer at the station. Mass and instructions were usually given on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A so-called "Termin" or collection of produce, grain, potatoes, eggs, butter and meat was taken about twice a year. One of the farmers would haul the produce to Columbus. A number of parishioners also worked gratis for a week or two, when St. Bonaventure's monastery was in course of construction at Columbus.

The Franciscans also opened the church records at Luxemburg. The following Franciscan Fathers attended St. Mary's and also Immaculate Conception church at David City, and later St. Francis at Hollander Settlement (Center), Butler county:

Rev. Anselm Puetz in 1877.
Rev. Ambrose Jansen in 1877.
Rev. John Gafron in July, 1877-July, 1878.
Rev. Cyprian Banscheid in 1878.
Rev. Cyril Augustynski in 1878-1879.
Rev. Seraphin Lampe in 1879-December, 1882.
Rev. Boniface Depmann in 1882 till fall, 1883.

Rev. Rheindorff, a brother to Rev. Romuald, O. F. M., attended the mission for a few weeks in 1882, when Fr. Boniface took charge once more till fall, 1882. During the five years the Sons of St. Francis administered St. Mary's in Luxemburg, they baptized 73 children, prepared 69 candidates for confirmation, officiated at 8 marriages, and buried twelve persons, mostly children, the high infant mortality being due to pioneer hardships. Mr. John Meysenburg and Susan Reisdorff were the first couple married in the new church by Rev. Fr. Ambrose Jansen on April 4, 1877.

After Fr. F. A. Rheindorff's brief and inauspicious pastorate of David City and Luxemburg and Center, Fr. Boniface returned once more in April, 1883, to the administration of the missions in Butler county. He wrote about his predecessor as follows: "Fr. Rheindorff had charge at David City with St. Mary's church at Luxemburg and St. Francis in Center Township as missions; he built a priest's room at the church at David City, and worked hard under considerable disadvantage of a very severe winter and other difficulties till he fell sick and was laid up in the hospital at Columbus on April 6th. In the month of September, 1883, the Franciscans surrendered the parishes to the Rev. John Mueller.

"Fr. Ferdinand Mock, in the Golden Jubilee Souvenir of St. Mary's, pays the Franciscans who labored at Luxemburg 1877-1883 the following tribute: "For the next five years Franciscan Fathers had charge of the mission and merited the deep appreciation of the parishioners, who until their dying day recall the gracious days, when the early patres administered to their spiritual wants."

GROWTH OF LUXEMBURG SETTLEMENT

With the establishment of regular Divine Service by the Franciscans, many more families sought a homestead near Luxemburg Settlement or vicinity. Thus as early as 1879 we find such

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names in the records as: John Morbach, Aloys Kosch, Peter Kurt, Mattias Puetz, Frank and Nicholas Neimer, L. R. Schmitz. In 1880: Mathias Besch, Peter Demuth, P. Nicholas, O. Klein, F. Harry, John Homan, J. Reisdorff, and Nicholas Hastert; in 1882: Nicholas Demuth, Henry Hilger, Cornelius Schmit, N. Delehamer, Frank Sand, Charles Reisdorff, Hilary Schmidt, Jacob Hiller, and Fred Hengler.

LUXEMBURG IN CHARGE OF THE DIOCESAN CLERGY SINCE 1883

REV. JOHN MUELLER

Rev. John Mueller had been assigned by his Rt. Rev. Ordinary to reside at David City with Luxemburg as a mission; but weighing the situation that had borne down his predecessor and finding the people of David City reluctant to build him a residence, he almost immediately went into board at Luxemburg settlement. The parishioners in the Valley encouraged him to build a pastoral residence for himself near their church. More than five hundred dollars were subscribed and the building erected at once. Accordingly David City remained a mission of Luxemburg for the next three years. Fr. Mueller introduced the outdoor Corpus Christi Procession and labored faithfully among his flock.

FURTHER INCREASE OF THE PARISH

During the pastorate of Fr. Mueller the following names occur in the church hooks:

Frank Henry, Theodore Erpleding, John Dehner, Peter Sauser, Jacob Beringer, Peter Phillips, Matthias Sand, George Kollmann, John Schmitt, Henry Schmitt, F. Moes, Nicholas Schmitt, Peter Panny, George Hoffmann, Matth. Supenchik, Herman Markus, etc., undecipherable names, are on the list.

The plate collections at this time rarely exceeded one dollar. Strange to say, there were many and generous donations of flowers, carpets, vestments, statues and the like.

FR. HOFFMAN'S CHARACTERIZATION OF FR. MUELLER'S ACTIVITY

In 1887 Fr. Mueller was ordered to exchange place with Fr. Nicholas Stolz, of St. Libory. Fr. J. J. Hoffman in his history of the parish speaks of Fr. Mueller as follows: "During four years he labored with apostolic zeal and with splendid success in the mission. He was not only a priest of solid piety, but he was a scholar of great learning and endowed with splendid oratorical ability. Many of his really original and eloquent sermons are still vivid in the minds of his parishioners of twenty years past. Besides these more substantial characteristics, Fr. Mueller was possessed of a great deal of humor and natural wit, and many pleasant and interesting memories are recorded in the tradition of the history of Luxemburg settlement during his pastorate. Since they lose their flavor, when translated from the Luxemburg to any other language, we omit them at present. Rev. Mueller in his day, one of the foremost missionaries of the West, is now enjoying the reward of his early labors as pastor of St. Helena, one of the wealthiest parishes in the Omaha jurisdiction. He has recently been appointed Rural Dean of the Hartington district and Irremovable Rector of St. Helena. Fr. Mueller also built the first parochial residence in Luxemburg, but not to reflect on his otherwise splendid career in the ministry, we omit all comment on size and style of this building."

During the three years and seven months of his incumbency Fr. Mueller baptized 76 infants, admitted 46 children to First Communion, blessed 9 marriages and interred 10 bodies.

Fr. John Mueller, who retired from active work on account of being hard of hearing, on July 1, 1922, to St. Mary's Hospital at Columbus was a native, of Wallendorf, Kreis Bitburg, Regierungsbezirk and diocese of Treves, Rhenish Prussia, on April 14, 1854. After completing his elementary studies, he helped in the blacksmith shop and on the farm for two years. Then he took up his classical studies at Treves (1869-1876) up to Unterprima exclusively. Handicapped by lack of funds to study for the priesthood and deprived of hopes of a position on account of the Kulturkampf, he resolved to follow the example of many others and to devote his life as priest to the Catholics living under the stars and stripes. He came to Milwaukee and entered the Salesianum. a seminary founded by the famous Dr. Salzmann, then under the rector Rev. Christopher Wappelhorst, (P. Innocent, O. F. M.), author of a famous Compendium of Liturgy, ("Compendium Liturgiae Sacrae"). After completion of a four year course he was ordained by the Rt. Rev. Bishop M. Heiss, D. D., on June 27, 1880. Coming to Omaha soon after, he was appointed assistant to the late Father Jennette at Exeter. After a month he was handed his first salary by the pastor, one dollar!! Fr. Mueller kept this dollar as a souvenir to his dying day. His next assignment was to the rectorship of Immaculate Conception church at Ridgeley, Everett precinct, Scribner post office, Dodge county. As he was the first resident pastor and there was no pastoral residence, he made his home at a farm house for about six months. The church had a seating capacity of three hundred, and the parish numbered about thirty families (200 persons). After making a trip to the fatherland in 1883, he was, upon his return, sent to David City with Luxemburg as a mission. But Father

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Mueller resided at Luxemburg with David City as a mission. From spring 1887 till August, 1882, he was pastor of St. Libory. His next parish was that of Raeville, Aug. 18, 1892, where he was the first resident pastor and remained for ten years with St. Edward and later with Elgin and Petersburg as missions. He erected the first pastoral residence, built a school and introduced school Sisters and enlarged the church, founded the missions of Elgin and Petersburg. About November, 1902, he took charge of St. Helena, Cedar county, and remained until his ill health forced him to retire to St. Mary's hospital at Columbus. After his health had improved, he was asked by Most Rev. J. J. Harty to take charge of Baker, P. O. Spencer, Boyd county. On July 1, 1922, Fr. Mueller. who had become hard of hearing, retired permanently from active service. Once a month he preached in German the last few years and said Mass daily at a side altar, not being able to descend the altar steps at the high altar. During the favorable season he would then repair to St. Bonaventure's to hear Mass. In 1929 he was stricken with pneumonia, but recovered. With fond expectations he had hoped to celebrate his golden sacredotal jubilee, June 27, 1930. About the end of February, however, he took very sick and passed away on March 14, 1930.

THE SOLEMN OBSEQUIES

The solemn obsequies took place on the following Tuesday. the Rt. Rev. J. F. Rummel, Bishop of Omaha, officiated, assisted by Rev, Isidore Fosselman as archpriest, the Rev. Theodore Buelt, of Elgin, as deacon, the Rev. Hoffman, of Falls City, as subdeacon; the Rev. Paul Moser and Rev. C. L. Stratmann as deasons (sic) of honor to the bishop and Rev. N. Wegner as master of ceremonies. The priests' choir, with Rev. B. Teves of Petersburg at the organ, sang the Mass. Rev. Gleeson of Omaha sang "Jesus, Salvator mundi, exaudi preces supplicum." Rt. Rev. Monsignor F. Peitz, of West Point preached. The remains were laid to rest beside three Franciscan Fathers whose ranks Father Mueller had twice in life sought to join without getting permission from his bishop.

Some sixty priests attended the funeral of one of the last pioneers of the Omaha diocese.

Father Mueller was of a genial disposition, ever the center of attraction in gatherings of priests, gifted with a fine sense of humor, charitable towards those in need. Many a student for the priesthood found in him a patron. He was punctual in his duties, loved prayer and cherished a special devotion to St. Joseph and to the Bl. Virgin. His last sermon, early in 1930, was in honor of the Mother of Our Divine Redeemer. He left his possessions to the Sisters, who for so many years had taken care of him, and his library to the Franciscan monastery.--R. I. P.

REV. NICHOLS STOLZ,
SPRING 1887-1888

Since the first church was fast becoming too small for the growing parish, Fr. Stolz erected a

(1) Presentation B. V. M. Church, (2) St. Mary's School and High School, (2) The Ebel Farm, where Mass was said by Rev. Uhing, 1874, (4) Mr. and Mrs. Morbach, (5) Rev. Boniface Depmann, O. F. M., (6) Rev. John Gafron. O. F. M., (7) Rev. John J. Hoffman, (8) Rev. John Mueller, (9) Ven. S. Catherine, Ursuline, (10) Ven. S. Fulgentia Frisch, O. S. F.; (11) Rev. Ambrose Janssen, O. F. M., (12) Rev. Chas. Stapf, (13) St. Mary's Parsonage, (14) Rev. Seraphin Lampe.

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mission church in the Austrian settlement and named it in honor of St. Joseph. The cornerstone was laid on July 14, 1887. It was dedicated on August 15th following, without any indebtedness.

HIS SUCCESSORS

After a year and some months Fr. Stolz was succeeded by Fr. F. X. Schraffel, who remained only a short time. He retired in 1914 and returned to Radfeld, Tyrol, Austria. Fr. Schraffel started the movement for building a church in Bellwood, in the vicinity of which, by this time, not a few Catholics had settled. After Fr. Schraffel's departure the parish was temporarily administered by Rev. J. P. Bayer. After him Fr. Smith held the pastorate for one Sunday.

REV. J. H. HANSEN, FEBRUARY, 1889-JANUARY, 1892

He erected the new church in Bellwood, which was dedicated under the title of St. Peter, July, 1889, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bonacum, of Lincoln. Despite the formation of two new mission churches, the Valley church, as St. Mary's is often called, proved unable to accommodate all parishioners. Accordingly, Fr. Hansen collected subscriptions amounting to $4,130 for a new church. Work on it commenced in spring, 1890, and in January, 1891, it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Bonacum. Its dimensions were larger than the first. The auditorium, which was 24x40 feet in the old church, now measured 40x80 feet; sanctuary and sacristies were commodious; the church was adorned with stained glass windows. Although fully equipped, the church upon completion, was free of debt.

DESTRUCTION OF THE CHURCH BY FIRE

The joy that pervaded all hearts on the day of dedication was soon changed into great grief, for on February 2, 1891, the church with all its contents was completely destroyed by fire. Its origin has never been determined. Fortunately the foresight of the Bishop had insured the new building in due time and Martin Brothers, insurance agents at Omaha, paid out a sum of $4,000.

REBUILDING THE CHURCH

The present church building was erected over the ruins of the second church. The building committee, elected on April 13, consisted of John Steiner, John Morbach and Frank Steiner, to which were added, at the wish of the pastor, P. N. Meysenberg and John Frieden, trustees. The plans were approved on April 15, and Mr. O. Carpenter was awarded the entire contract. This church was dedicated on August 15, 1891.

Owing to the strain of administering, besides his parish, three missions--St. Peter's of Bellwood, St. Joseph's and St. Andrew's near Shelby--and stress of building three churches in three years, Fr. Hansen's health broke down and he had to leave the parish.

HIS SUCCESSORS

His successors were Rev. Ladislaus Bobkiewitz, February, 1892-June, 1892, who remained only four months, and Rev. Felix Bronnenkant, who had charge until August 15, 1895, and J. A. Reinhart, till November, 1895.

REV. CARL STAPF--THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

With the rapid development of the new country new problems arose. The difficulty of wresting a living from the soil and the question of transportation and profitable trading had induced the government to leave the religious and moral training of youth to private interests.

The church realizing her duty ordained in the Council of Baltimore, that wherever possible, parishes should have their own parochial schools and strictly obliged the parents to send their children to such schools wherever possible. In 1898, therefore, the zealous pastor equipped the first church as a parish school. It opened its doors in September, 1898, with about 20 children in attendance. Peter Schneider was the first teacher. After three months Estella Bohn took his place. The salary was $43.00 a month. The school was discontinued in December, 1899, when Fr. Stapf was changed and the parish was for eight months without a pastor. Difficulties had arisen about a certain assessment, which the trustees said had been paid, the payment of which the Diocesan authorities demanded a second time. It seems that no record had been made of the payment.

REV. J. J. HOFFMAN,
AUGUST 15, 1900-MAY, 1910

His work was to "restore all things in Christ". Besides laboring zealously for the spiritual welfare of his flock, he repaired and painted the buildings, completed and adorned the interior of the church, set up statues, set in new art glass windows and so on. He also installed a Hinner's pneumatic organ in church, remodelled (sic) the parsonage, laid out walks, and planted, shrubbery and trees in abundance.

REOPENING THE PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

The old church building was moved to an additional piece of land donated by Mr. John Meysenburg for a school site. After being remodelled (sic) and enlarged, it could accommodate

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40 pupils besides containing a home for the Sisters and room for a few boarders. The expenditure was $3,300. The building was dedicated by Bishop Bonacum on February 28, 1905. The Ursuline Sisters of York, Neb., opened classes with a roster of 26 pupils. Owing to their few members in Nebraska they were replaced after two terms by Franciscan Sisters from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

After nine years and nine months, during which time he baptized 71, married 20 couples and buried 31 bodies, among them many pioneers, Father Hoffman was, in May, 1910, promoted to Falls City. There he has since developed one of the finest parishes in the state of Nebraska.

SUCCESSORS

Fr. Anthony Lutz, May, 1910-February, 1912. He canonically erected the Christian Mothers Society and the Society of the Holy Childhood, with the benefits of a privileged altar and faculties of blessing rosaries. His successor, Fr. R. L. Bickert, remained only from February, 1912-May, 1913, and Rev. Dominic Dorval from May till August 10, 1913, and Rev. Joseph Fleckinger from Aug. 10-October, 1913. During the latter's administration St. Peter's, at Bellwood, was cut off and received a resident pastor who also had charge of St. Joseph's church.

DISCOURAGEMENT--
SHALL ST. MARY'S BE DISCONTINUED?

The separation of the two missions discouraged the parishioners of St. Mary's and for a time there was talk of joining the neighboring parishes. The Bishop of the diocese urged and finally enjoined the building of a new school building.

Rev. George Mayer (October, 1913-July, 1914) took up subscriptions, but retired after nine months. Rev. Albert Wagner labored zealously for the spiritual welfare of his flock and took special interest in the sick and dying.

REV. FERDINAND G. MOCK--RENEWED LIFE
(JULY, 1915-THE PRESENT DAY)

The advent of the youthful, zealous and energetic Fr. Mock, a former resident of West Point, Nebraska, just coming from the famous Pontifical College Josephinum at Columbus, Ohio, was a blessing for the parish. He clearly saw that with the loss of the missions and the reduced number of families, efforts must be concentrated within a radium of four miles, where fifty families of more than average means and with modern comfortable homes needed a good leader. A mass meeting held in January, 1916, voted for the enlargement of the budget. St. Mary's, being the first organized parish in Butler county, the mother of many missions, holding many valuable records and an excellent geographical location, was a logical and economic place for a church and school--this was the survey made by Fr. Mock. He acted accordingly, and received the support of his people.

THE NEW PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

By March, 1916, subscriptions amounting to $17,120, had been collected for the new two-story school, including a high basement with winter chapel and a manual training room. Plans drawn by Mr. Jacob M. Nachtigall, A. I. A., Omaha, were accepted and the cornerstone was laid October 16, 1916. It was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Henry Tihen, Bishop of Lincoln. So enthusiastic were the parishioners that the splendid school costing $21,395 was free of debt, when the building was dedicated. The building committee consisted of Messrs. John Meysenburg, Sr., Nicholas Schmit, J. J. Reisdorff and Frank Birkel. To afford more room for playgrounds and other conveniences, Mr. and Mrs. Hiller Smith donated an additional acre of ground. On the day school opened, October 12, the enrollment was 42 pupils, which in 1922 increased to 91 pupils. There is also a high school department with a good library, manual training department and laboratory.

THE COMMUNITY HALL AND THE NEW PASTORAL RESIDENCE

In 1918 the old school was moved and turned into a Community Hall and equipped with a stage, a kitchen, dining room and 300 chairs, the cost being about $3,000. The old priest's house, as we have seen, reflected little credit on Fr. J. Mueller except on his being content with almost anything. Work on the new parsonage was begun in spring, 1923. After it had been tastefully furnished by the Sewing Circle, the pastor and his mother, who keeps house for him, moved into the same on February 2, 1924. An electric light system had been installed as early as 1917 for use in all the buildings.

THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ST. MARY'S, LUXEMBURG

The parish was now ready to celebrate its golden jubilee. The celebration opened on October 7th, 1924, in the evening with a welcome and homecoming program. The chorus was by the choir and glee club, the music by the juvenile band and the orchestra made up of pupils of the music class. At 7 the Rt. Rev. Bishop F. J. Beckman offered Holy Mass and distributed Holy Communion and imparted a plenary indulgence on the occasion of his first visit to the parish. At ten o'clock the solemn jubilee

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High Mass was celebrated. The Rt. Rev. Bishop delivered the jubilee sermon.

After the services the ladies of the parish served dinner to the laity in the parish hall. At two o'clock p. m. the Hon. Judge George F. Corcoran gave an address on "Pioneer Days."

At 3:15 the Confirmation exercises took place at which a class of sixty children was confirmed.

In the evening a round table talk was opened by the Rev. J. J. Hoffman of Falls City, former pastor of Luxemburg.

On the 9th of October a Solemn Requiem High Mass was offered for the deceased members of the parish.

Fr. Mock also installed very artistic stations of the cross, carved in wood, and surmounted by a small painting representing the scene of the station. They were imported from Europe through the Koenig Co., of Chicago. Mr. John Morbach donated a most beautiful set of vestments with representation of Our Lady of Luxemburg and the coronation of her statue--the work of Sisters in Luxemburg. They are valued at more than $1,250. A private electric plant was replaced by connecting with the high power line. In 1930 the church was decorated by Mr. Arthur Baroffsky.

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL

St. Mary's school comprises a complete elementary and four high school grades, accredited to the State University. The purpose of the high school is to offer equal opportunities to rural children, the farm being unable to absorb all the young people. The children leaving the farm could not compete with the city children unless given secondary work. The High School opened in September, 1925. There were three graduations, two graduates received elementary school teachers certificates, three are now at St. Elizabeth's Nursing school at Lincoln; two boys attend Creighton University, one is studying medicine, the other, engineering. One graduate attends York College conducted by the Ursuline Sisters. Last but not least, one is studying for the priesthood at St. John's Seminary, Little Rock, Arkansas. Of the graduates to go forth in June, 1931, one boy intends to join the Christian Brothers, another, to attend Creighton law school; one girl will take up nursing and the other plans to leave the farm for business college. In addition to the strictly academic students, of whom a number of graduates are now on the farm, and to the pastor's satisfaction, efficient in their work and submissive at home, Fr. Mock is teaching a short course of a purely vocational nature for the farm boys, the so-called rural short course. This course received its impetus from the agricultural college at the Nebraska University Extension service. It is well attended and the school is crowded for room.

The Rt. Rev. Bishop B. Kucera has gone out of his way to compliment St. Mary's parish on its school work. It was most surprising to him, because the valley parish is without a town and urban facilities and numbers only 50 families. The pastor personally holds the record to be experimental and in the direction of strengthening the rural opportunities. During his pastorate of eleven years he has been watching the drift--and the young people leaving the parish and farm life, are simply in the drift.

Presentation B. V. M. parish numbers on January 1, 1931, 51 families, 72 pupils, taught by four Sisters of St. Francis from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Reverend Pastor. The Christian Mothers Confraternity has 42 members; this Sodality of the Children of Mary affiliated with the Prima Primaria of Rome has 76 members. Most of the men belong to the Knights of Columbus. Some years ago the parish also had a flourishing children's orchestra under the direction of the Sister teaching music.

ST. MARY'S CEMETERY

St. Mary's Cemetery is located about halfway towards BelIwood and is used by the two Catholic parishes of St. Mary's and St. Peter's conjointly. The land was donated by the late Mr. J. Sprunk and comprised three acres. It is kept in excellent condition in accordance of the filial piety of the Luxemburgers towards their beloved dead. Mr. John Morbach Sr. and Mr. Nicholas Schmit have been sextons for many years.

REV. F. G. MOCK

Rev. F. G. Mock, pastor of St. Mary's Church, was born of pioneer parents at West Point, Cuming county, Nebraska, on September 21, 1889. He made his classical, philosophical and theological studies at the Pontifical College, Josephinum, at Columbus, Ohio. On June 9, 1915, he was raised to the dignity of the priesthood and on June 21, 1915, appointed pastor of St. Mary's, Luxemburg, Bellwood P. O., Butler county, Nebraska.

RURAL WELFARE WORK

May the good Luxemburgers prosper in the future even more than in the past and preserve the precious heritage bequeathed to them by their Fathers by cooperating with their pastor in all harmony and spirit of sacrifice. May as many as possible remain on the farm to help gain a better foothold there than we Catholics have had heretofore. For, as the Rt. Rev. Bishop E. V. O'Hara, an authority on Rural Wel-

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Rev. John Mueller, First Resident Pastor at Luxemburg

fare work, says, "A city population is not prolific" and but for the constant army of recruits from rural districts and abroad would soon die out. "Large families are usually found in the country. A religious center in the country is a fountain bubbling up like the well of Jacob, a blessing for future generations. The future of religion will be with the church, which ministers to a rural population.

"The farm is the natural habitat of the family and shares with the family its claim to a central position in human affairs. The first condition of wholesome family life is unity. The forces of modern industry threaten the family with disintegration. On the farm alone among contemporary industries, economic forces work for the unity of the family. Father, mother and children are there engaged in the same profession, possess the same intellectual interests, make the same social contacts. In the city the business man is away from his family. His intellectual interests, his business and social contacts are remote from his family life. One is not surprised, therefore, to learn that divorce, the great menace of the urban civilization, is very infrequent in the country.

CHILDREN FARM ASSET

"On the farm children are an asset. In the city they are coming to be viewed economically as a liability. In the country there are many simple duties which can be performed by almost the youngest children. As a result of industrial organization, city parents have the greatest difficulty in finding suitable employment for the children out of school, though they recognize that the enforced idleness is only less harmful to the child than industrial servitude.

RURAL EDUCATION

"Much has been made of the educational disadvantages of farm children, and there is certainly vast room for improvement in rural schools. Poorly trained teachers and a course of study made to the image and likeness of the city curriculum have been handicaps of rural education; but there has persisted in the education of the country child a feature that

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more than counterbalances its disadvantages. The country child is the only child in America, who serves an apprenticeship in a great profession, and he is the only apprentice who has for his instructors his own parents.

AGRICULTURE'S DIGNITY

There are many city people who are entirely unaware of the real character of the agricultural profession and who think of the farmer as an unskilled workman. It is simply a sober statement of fact to say that to be a thoroughly-equipped scienific (sic) farmer probably requires a higher education--certainly a more complete scientific education--than any of the professions with the possible exception of medicine. To serve an apprenticeship in such a profession is a better education than can be secured merely from books and schools.

"That the farmer is self-employed is a consideration of no small importance in rating the dignity of his calling. In the city industries there are a few responsible heads and many employees. The vast majority of farmers are their own employers and consequently develop the qualities of successful employers, namely Initiative, Foresight, and Independence of Spirit. There is no other large industry in which man has equal opportunity of becoming the head of an independent business.

PRIVATE OWNERSHIP

"Of equal importance with the element of self-employment is the characteristic of farming which permits a wide distribution of private ownership of productive property as a source of security and of stability of the nation. There is no feature of American life more hopeful than the wide distribution of farm ownership.

"The rural family is basic in social life. It is the most prolific source of increase whence the city as well as the country is populated; hence, as the keeping pure of the source of the water supply is a prime concern of all citizens, so the keeping wholesome and vigorous of the physical, mental and moral standards of the rural family is a prime concern of all the civic and religious forces of the nation. Much has been said in the past of the back-to-land movement. There would seem to be little in favor of sending city people without means and without experience out into the country. Their attempts are for the most part fore-doomed to failure."--Rev. Edwin V. O'Hara at the National Catholic Rural Life Conference at St. Paul, Minn., October, 1925.

The Peter Schmit Family, Formerly in Butler County (Now at Cedar Rapids, Neb.).

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