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Franciscans

Chapter XIII

St. Anthony's Church, Burrows Township

ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, BURROWS TP.,
PLATTE COUNTY, NEBRASKA, 1877-1930

PIONEER SETTLERS

Teh (sic) pioneer settlers in this vicinity were John and Joseph Burrows. The first Catholic settler in the limits of St. Anthony's was Peter Ripp. He arrived in Platte county in 1869 and settled in Burrows Twp. about 1871, and was followed the next year (1872) by Christian Greisen, Peter Parr, Wm. Labenz, Michael Regan, James Cooney; in 1873, by Gerard Gronenthal, Joseph Krings, Peter Jaixen, Patrick Fahey; in 1874, by Frank Fuger, Mathias Schneider, John Kohlmann, Anthony Kramer, Phillip Kramer, John Kramer, Joseph Brausen; in 1875, by Jacob Labenz; in 1876, by Frank Krings.

ST. PATRICK'S, THE SECOND CATHOLIC CHURCH IN PLATTE COUNTY
FATHER FRED UHING, REV. JOHN BERNARD, REV. J. M. J. SMYTH

From 1871-1873, the Rev. Fr. Fred Uhing, of St. Charles (near West Point) administered to the spiritual wants of the settlers about once a month. About 1873, these Germans helped build St. Patrick's Church (about 4 1/2 miles southeast of Platte Center), in what is now St. Patrick's cemetery, in Shell Creek valley. There Rev. Father Uhing held services for both the Irish and the Germans.

Rev. John Bernard was the first resident pastor of St. Patrick's congregation about 1875-1877. He built the first parsonage.

Rev. J. M. J. Smyth succeeded him in 1877. As he was not conversant with the German language, the German Catholics considered it advisable to begin a new congregation. For a short time they attended St. Mary's in Steam's (now Grand Prairie) Twp., though many of them declined joining that parish permanently. St. Mary's church had been built A. D. 1875; but the Antonians did not become active members of that congregation. Some went to Columbus or attended St. Patrick's church.

THE FRANCISCANS ORGANIZE ST. ANTHONY'S PARISH

Probably in 1877, Fr. Anselm Puetz, O. F. M., at that time pastor of St. Mary's church, invited all Catholic Germans living in or near Shell Creek valley to a meeting, which was to be held in St. Mary's church. They were to decide whether they would become members of St. Mary's congregation or whether they intended to form a new congregation and build a church of their own.

At that meeting all but one were in favor of the latter alternative, and accordingly, in fall, 1877, a meeting was held at the house of Christian Greisen (the house has since been torn down), for the purpose of organizing a parish, Rev. Ambrose Janssen, O. F. M., presided at the meeting. There were present twenty-four German, three English and fourteen Polish Catholic landholders. A new congregation under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua was organized and all but three of those present pledged themselves to become members of the new parish. Frank Krings and Peter Ripp were appointed church trustees. Peter Ripp offered the congregation a tract of land (40 acres), which he had contracted for with the Union Pacific railroad, payable in ten annual installment on condition, however, that the parish make a yearly payment of twenty dollars for nine (9) years which condition was accepted.

ERECTION OF ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH, A. D. 1878

"Early in spring," so Fr. Bartholomew Feldmann, O. F. M., writes, "the people began to erect a church building, 24x32 feet, to which was added on the west side a sacristy and a room for the priest. Ferdinand Ripp put up the building. To defray the necessary expenses, the parishioners contributed about $25 each. A few weeks later the Rev. Sebastian Cebulla, O. F. M., was appointed the first pastor of the mixed parish, consisting of Germans and Poles."

Up to this time services had been held at the Christian Greisen home, where, heretofore, the priest had boarded and lodged. After Sunday service, Mr. Ripp seems often to have entertained the worshippers at dinner.

In 1878, John Fuchs and Mr. John Knapp joined the congregation; in 1881, Mathias and Henry Schumacher; in 1882, John Rudischer; and in 188--, B. Kuhlen.

THE POLISH FAMILIES ORGANIZE A PARISH OF THEIR OWN

If it is always hard in congregations of mixed nationalities to keep harmony, it certainly proved to be the case here. Among other things contributing to disaffection, was that, one time, when the sermon was to be in Polish, the German farmer, who was to get the priest from Columbus, failed to put in his appearance and

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when the people had assembled for Mass, there was no priest to celebrate. Moreover, some of the Germans made fun of the Polish language. Being incensed by such and other things, the Polish people resolved to begin a church of their own at the present Tarnov. A small church was hastily put up without a foundation.

FR. RUDOLPH HORSTMAN, PASTOR, AUGUST, 1882-AUGUST, 1883--
A WINDSTORM DESTROYS ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH

To this soon came another disaster. A severe windstorm, probably 1883, utterly destroyed the

Rev. Innocent Schlueter, O. F. M., St. Anthony's, Burrow's Twp.

church of St. Anthony. A few days later, among the debris, there was found a picture of St. Anthony of Padua, with frame and glass absolutely uninjured. It seemed to indicate that the Patron Saint did not wish the church to be abandoned, as had been seriously proposed.

REV. MAXMILIAN KLEIN, O. F. M., AUGUST, 1883-JANUARY, 1884--
REBUILDS ST. ANTHONY5 CHURCH

The late Fr. Maxmilian Klein, the next pastor, resided at St. Bernard. He rebuilt the church, as he wrote to the author. Frank Brockhaus did the work. It was a building of the same size as the old one. Until the church was finished, services for the members of St. Anthony's parish, were held at St. Michael's church at Tarnov. In 1888 an addition (18x24) and a steeple (10x10 feet and 69 feet high) were put up by the Rev. Godfrey Hoelters, O. F. M., it would seem. The steeple with its fine proportions was the pride of the congregation for many years. Mr. Lambert Gier, of Columbus, was the successful (sic) architect and builder.

PROMOTING GREGORIAN CHANT

Old parishioners well remember what special interest Fr. Godfrey showed in the church choir and the Gregorian Chant. New members were constantly added to the choir which practiced regularly twice a week. As the parish had neither organ or piano in those days, Fr. Godfrey pounded the table with his fist to keep time. Despite these difficulties the choir soon progressed wonderfully. Not only were various Masses and Sunday Vespers sung in this ideal style of Church music but at every High Mass all the proper parts and the sequence, if there was any, were sung from tart to finish.

Tiny St. Anthony's became widly (sic) known for having a choir able to sing the Gregorian with precision and understanding. Among priests the parish was called "The Stronghold of Gregorian Chant in Platte County." Year after year, St. Anthony's choir sang the Gregorian exclusively at all the church services and up to 1927 the Masses sung were Gregorian Chant.

PASTORAL DUTIES

While devoting much time and energy to the choir, Fr. Godfrey did not neglect his other duties as pastor. He was indefatigable in instructing the school children and getting the parents to train them in the practice of religion. His sermons were rather long and at times severe, but always to the point. The pastor, more

Rev. Desiderius von Frenz, O. F. M., St. Anthony's, Burrow's Twp.

over, found it necessary to raise the financial standard. He held a number of meetings with the men, explained his position, told in detail of his experiences, and then, without arousing dissatisfaction among the parishioners, placed the parish on a sound financial basis.

THE GENIAL PASTOR

In his ordinary dealings with the people Fr. Godfrey is remembered in St. Anthony's as a priest of extraordinary good nature and geniality. He smiled and talked to everybody, men and women, boys and girls. He was an excellent conversationalist and dearly loved to tell humorous stories. Especially after choir practice,

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lasting one hour and more, he would open the flood-gates of his wit and humor and tell the stories he had read. Fritz Reuter, the low German writer, was one of his unfailing stand-bys; but Fr. Godfrey was possessed of the gift of making everything he said in social intercourse interesting and even laughable. Thus the time passed with lightning rapidity and once it was one o'clock a. m. The first time this happened, there was consternation. Both pastor and choir members vowed not to repeat the offense. But before long the interesting story teller had again forgotten the lateness of the hours and drastic means were needed to make the genial pastor remember his promise, for he, too, soon relapsed into his fault. Scolding at home of the belated singers helped temporarily; then the old story was repeated till the pastor realized that a certain hour must be finally set for going home.

REV. TITUS HUGGER, O. F. M.,
REV. MARCELLINE KOLLMEYER, O. F. M.,
JULY, 1892-SEPTEMBER, 1894

Fr. Titus' pastorate was of short duration. His successor was Rev. Marcelline Kollmeyer, O. F. M., July, 1892-September, 1894. If Fr. Hilarion was correctly informed, it was at this time (we believe it was about 1883), that St. Anthony's church was to be closed. Fr. Hilarion, in an article published in the Humphrey Democrat, describes the following dramatic incident:

It was during the second Provincialate of Very Rev. Michael Richardt, O. F. M. (1894-1897), when it was decreed that St. Anthony's church should be given up. The parishioners were dumbfounded when they learned of this. A meeting was called immediately and four delegates were selected to go to St. Louis, to plead with the Provincial: The church should not be closed, because the Tarnov parish was Polish, that at Platte Center, English, besides being too far for the children to attend school. The pastor counselled (sic) to inquire first at St. Louis whether the Provincial was at home, since his duties often took him all over the extensive territory of the Sacred Heart Province. The dispatch came: "Remain where you are. Letter follows." The letter read: "I shall soon be in Nebraska, anyway, where the delegation can speak to me and I shall explain all."

A few weeks later notice was received at St. Anthony's that the Very Rev. Provincial was at Columbus and was willing to meet the delegates. Great was the surprise of the Provincial, when, instead of the four delegates, he met practically the whole parish. The Provincial was kind, but brief and determined: The church was to be discontinued. When the people of St. Anthony's heard this decision, they fell on their knees before the Provincial, kept on pleading, many weeping bitterly. The superior could no longer bear this. With the words: "Gehet nach Hause und bauet Eure Kirche; Gott segne Euch!" ("Go home; build your church and God bless you."), he dismissed the petitioners with tears in his eyes, turned and disappeared behind the enclosure door.

This is the story as told by one of the eye-witnesses, who does not, however, remember the year.

Fr. Marcelline tore down the old addition to the sacristy and the priest's room and had a new building (16x36 feet) put up containing the sanctuary, sacristy and three rooms for the priest, two of them being upstairs.

FR. JEROME HELLHAKE, O. F. M.,
SEPTEMBER, 1894-AUGUST, 1897

The next pastor had the land drained by digging a canal and thus saved ten acres of the forty for cultivation. One of the farmers humorously remarked when finished, that this was a greater undertaking than Lessep's Panama canal.

Fr. Jerome also planted the trees around the church and liked the place well. As he took great interest in political affairs, many political meetings were held at St. Anthony's. Fr. Jerome had the honor of being one time appointed by His Excellency, the governor of Nebraska. as delegate to a convention of Charities.

REV. BARTHOLOMEW FELDMANN, O. F. M.

Rev. Bartholomew Feldmann, O. F. M., had charge, like his two predecessors, of St. Leonard's, Madison, and of St. Anthony's on alternate Sundays. He took interest in St. Anthony's and arranged the celebration of the Silver Jubilee of St. Anthony's parish.

THE SILVER JUBILEE OF ST. ANTHONY'S PARISH

The twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the parish was commemorated on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, August 19, 20 and 21, 1902. The whole parish, about 95 persons, received the Sacraments on Tuesday morning. There were Masses at seven, eight, and a Solemn High Mass at nine o'clock. Rev. Thomas Wilgenbusch, O. F. M., just appointed pastor, was celebrant, assisted by Rev. Fr. Bartholomew as deacon, F. Hyacinth Schroeder as subdeacon and R. Lullus Seeboth as master of ceremonies. The sermon was preached by Fr. Jerome Hellhake. Sacramental benediction was imparted in the evening. On Wednesday Masses were at seven, eight, nine, and at ten a Solemn High Mass sung by Fr. Jerome, of Superior, Wisconsin, with Rev. F. Schnuettgen, D. D., of Howells, and Fr. Florentius Kurzer assisting. Fr. Benignus Schuetz, O. F. M., of St. Augustine's

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church, Chicago, delivered the German sermon. In the afternoon a picnic was held on the church grounds. Dinner and supper were served in the schoolhouse. The fire works display planned for the evening had to be called off, because the firework did not arrive in time.

On Thursday morning a Solemn Requiem was celebrated for all deceased parishioners by Rev. Bartholomew, O. F. M. The sermon in the cemetery was preached by the Rev. Ladislaus Czech, O. F. M.

The uneventful pastorate of Fr. Thomas Wilgenbusch (August, 1902-September, 1903), was followed by that of Rev. Desiderius von Frenz, O. F. M.

REV. DESIDERIUS VON FRENZ, O. F. M.,
SEPTEMBER, 1903-JUNE, 1913

Fr. Desiderius ('Desi") von Frenz, member of a noble family on the Rhine, has the distinction of having remained in this little parish longer than any other Father. He gave the parish

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service every Sunday beginning with January, 1904. His residence was at first at Humphrey; since November, 1905, he was a member of the Columbus community.

Fr. Desiderius replaced the secular teachers, among whom were Mr. A. Janssen and John Weber, both of Illinois, by the Sisters of Lafayette. A Sisters' house was put up at a cost of $2,000. Most of the work was done by the people themeselves (sic) with the pastor working right with them.

Fr. Desiderius had hoped that the parish and school would grow, but there was no increase in the number of pupils to call for a second teacher. Hence the Sisters wanted to leave already after one year. Fr. Desiderius begged them to stay, assuring them that the school would grow. Mother M. Bernarda came and promised to let the Sisters stay until the school would increase. But it never did. Usually two sickly house Sisters were stationed at St. Anthony's beside the one teacher. A number of these Sisters found the place too lonesome and did not care to stay.

Fr. Desiderius also put in the stained glass windows, donated by individual parishioners, costing about $110. He also bought an expensive chalice and a fine monstrance. Fr. "Desi" often walked all the way to Columbus on foot or made it on his bicycle.

FR. MAURUS EBEHLE, O. F. M.,
JUNE, 1913-AUGUST, 1916

He collected the money to pay for the expensive chalice, had the hole in front of the church entrance filled in and most of the concrete sidewalks laid down.

His successors were in quick succession:

Fr. Eusebius Helle, O. F. M., August 25, 1916-July, 1917; Fr. Vitus Braun, O. F. M., July, 1917-September, 1917; Rev. Simeon Freitag, O. F. M., September, 1917-August, 1918; Servatius Rasche, a retired missionary, who stayed only from August, 1918, to January, 1919, when he returned to Chicago and passed away after acute suffering on October 24, 1919, in the 68th year of his age, the 46th year of his profession and the 20th of his priesthood.

Rev. Innocent Schlueter, O. F. M. (January, 1919-July, 1921), started a church building fund, but getting disgusted by conditions, asked for a change. After him came Fr. Humilis Zwiesler, O. F. M., who, after about one year, received a successor in the energetic Rev. Fr. Hilarion Duerk, O. F. M.

REV. FR. HILARION DUERK, O. F. M.,
SEPTEMBER, 1922-AUGUST 26, 1927

After the First National Tertiary Convention in Chicago was over and the report published, Fr. Hilarion Duerk, who had been its guiding spirit, was sent to Humphrey, Nebraska, to take care of St. Anthony's parish near Platte Center. He found things dilapidated and neglected, because there seemed to be a tacit understanding that the parish would soon be closed down. The classes in school, however, were kept in good order, Sr. Michaelis, the teacher, being much interested in St. Anthony's. After some months the Provincial told Fr. Hilarion that as long as the pastor and people are satisfied and continue to pay the pastor's salary, so long the parish will not be discontinued.

THE NEW CHURCH AND BUILDING FUND

Fr. Hilarion found a church building fund of $3,000 collected by Fr. Innocent Schlueter, O. F. M. From 1922 to 1927 the fund increased to $21,500. Of course, Fr. Hilarion got quite a bit of help from outsiders. But of the people all who could afford it did their share. Mr. Wurdeman, a Columbus architect, carefully estimated the cost of a vaulted brick church with basement and 2 rooms in the rear of the church and bed room upstairs at $21,000. Messrs. L'Meara, Hills and Krajewski, architects, then sketched a plan which was rejected by the Definitorium with the note to "build plenty large and well or not build at all." Fr. Provincial then suggested that Brother Leonard, O. F. M., make the plans for the church. The rear, under the organ loft, was to be closed off with glass, thus giving the church the right size for ordinary use and affording mothers with crying babies a place to stay. Very large and spacious rooms were added to, the rear of the church for sacristy, library, meeting rooms, priest's office and bedroom. Bro. Leonard took great interest and re-drew the plans. Under the church a spacious basement was planned. The tower was to be rather high and imposing. The bid by Wurdeman was $28,000.

ST. ANTHONY'S CEMETERY

In the absence of the priest, some Polish children were wrapped in a plain winding sheet, hauled in a wheelbarrow to the cemetery and interred. Owing to the early haphazard method of interment there is no possibility of checking up on the graves. The digging of new graves frequently disclosed the fact that one, two, and in one case, even three bodies had been interred there before. Fr. Hilarion found the cemetery overgrown with high weeds. Owing to his exhortations and scoldings, an "anti-cow fence" was put around the burying ground and Russian olive trees were planted on the north and south side.

THE SISTERS DEPART

When the Nebraska state law barred the re-

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St. Anthony of Padua Church, Burrows Twp.: (1) Raising the church, 1928; (2) Interior on Golden Jubilee Day;

(2-4) People Present at The Golden Jubilee, June, 1928.

ligious garb from the public schools, the pastor dispensed with the services of the Franciscan Sisters and the district employed Miss Carrig to teach the school. Fr. Hilarion also began to remodel and decorate the former Sisters' residence into a rectory, installed running water and decorated the rooms. One class room was fitted up as a winter chapel and tastefully frescoed with the aid of the Kohle boys, Hubert and Emmeric. The Kohle family furnished the meals for the pastor free of charge with unswerving fidelity even in a near blizzard. They also regularly furnished the servers for the priest, when others would not come.

The Greisens merit special mention among the financial benefactors. Last but not least, Mr. John Jaixen, says Fr. Hilarion, "was the man of the parish in support, helpfulness and interest, who gratis did at least a thousand dollars worth of work for the parish and paid his assessments besides, taking an interest as if the parish work were his own." Other parishioners also did their share and many, no doubt, made donations, at various times, of which there is no record. The names of the donors of the windows are inscribed on them.

Instead of the various societies Fr. Hilarion fostered the Third Order. After spending some of the happiest years of his life at St. Anthony's, which he changed into a beauty spot, with many bird houses, a shrine of the B. V. M. and a birds' drinking fountain, etc., Fr. Hilarion was transferred to St. Louis, Missouri, his native place, in August, 1927. He is also remembered at Humphrey, where for several years he preached the Lenten sermons.

REV. BEHARD ZEHNLE, O. F. M.

Fr. Berard came from Indianapolis to replace Fr. Hilarion. Being under the impression that the parish would soon be closed, he began to dispose of the furniture, when he was called to Quincy, Illinois, by the death of his brother, Francis, and remained nearly three months. During his absence Fr. Eugene took care of St. Anthony's. As it was suggested that lowering the steeple and putting a furnace below the church was all that was needed, Fr. Berard, after a meeting held in presence of the Very Rev. Provincial Vincent Schrempp, set to work to remodel the church. The late Jacob Greisen had left a sum of $1,000 to the church on condition that the parish be continued. This money was accepted and a new automobile purchased for the use of the pastor.

REMODELLING ST. ANTHONY'S

In March, 1928, Ben Heckendorf, of Norfolk, raised the church three and one-half feet within four and a half days. The cost was $239.65. The parishioners now dug out the basement, in order to have room for a furnace. Damian Zuerlein, of Humphrey, laid the brick foundation. Almost all joists and sills were in a good

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state of preservation. The north and south sides of the building were extended ten feet each and a vestibule 10x10 feet was added on the west. A partition divided the sacristy into the priest's and the boys' sacristies. Matthew Boesch, of Humphrey, did all the carpenter work, including the bracing in the basement, laying a new floor in the church and building the lockers. The top-heavy tower was lowered and a solid dome surmounted by a copper cross, six by five feet, was put up. Two small stained glass windows for the sanctuary were imported from Germany. They represent "Christ the King" and "Our Lady, Queen of Angels." A steel tabernacle and some statues of angels holding candelabra were also procured. A beautiful gold-colored chasuble was imported from Grieg and Schwarzer, Mayence, Germany. Father Berard also installed an electric lighting plant.

ST. ANTHONY'S GOLDEN JUBILEE,
JUNE 17, 1928

Finally, the improvements, costing about $9,000, were finished and the celebration for the golden jubilee was set for June 17, 1928. On this day Solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Vincent Schrempp, O. F. M., Provincial, assisted by the Rev. Thaddeus Woloszyk, O. F. M., as deacon and Rev. Eugene Hagedorn, O. F. M., as subdeacon, and Rev. Dennis Czech, O. F. M., as master of ceremonies. Rev. John Mueller and Methodius Kielar, O. F. M., were also present. Mass over, Fr. Thaddeus delivered the festive sermon in front of the church, which could not contain the large concourse of people present. After this, Mr. Anthony Schaecher, of Humphrey, took several pictures to perpetuate the celebration.

Thereupon, the bazaar opened and dinner and supper were served by the ladies of the parish. From far and near the people came to celebrate with the people of St. Anthony. The new electric lighting plant gave abundant light and enabled the people to keep up the celebration until about 10 o'clock. The bazaar netted about $686.

As no new brick church was erected, Fr. Berard, the pastor, had paid back the parishioners their subscription to the building fund plus the interest. Almost all, however, donated some statue or vestments or other articles for the church. Mr. Frank Fugger in his own name and that of his sisters on this occasion, turned over to the Very Rev. Provincial Vincent Schrempp, O. F. M., a check of about $530, his contribution to the new church. It was to be used for the erection of a chapel in China to be dedicated either to St. Francis of Assisi or to St. Anthony of Padua.

Fr. Berard also installed a new confessional.

THE FRANCISCANS TURN OVER ST. ANTHONY'S TO THE DIOCESE

On August 4, 1930, the Franciscans also turned over St. Anthony's parish, consisting of about 17 families, to the diocese. Rev. Leo Mainzer, of Platte Center, was given charge, also of St. Anthony's. Fr. Berard, however, still attends St. Anthony's until the Rt. Rev. Bishop is able to appoint a priest to take care of the little parish. The parish has 40 acres of land, $7,000 on interest and a fine pastoral residence. The Third Order of St. Francis, the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, and the Holy Name Society are the only societies existing in the parish.

G. Gerard Gronenthal Family St. Anthony's, Burrows Twp.

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