NEGenWeb Project
Church/Catholic
Franciscans

Chapter XIX

St. Francis of Assissi (sic) Church, Humphrey, 1883-1931

I. PASTOR--REV. THEODORE ARENTZ, O. F. M.,
1882-JULY, 1888

St. Francis Parish dates back to 1883. Before that year it formed a part of St. Mary's, (Grand Prairie Township), the mother parish of all the German speaking parishes in Platte County, having been organized in 1874, and having built its first church in 1875. When St. Bernard's colony was widely advertised by Father Ambrose Janssen, O. F. M., and Bernard Schroeder, many settlers took up land between the two parishes near the present site of Humphrey. In 1879, the branch line of the Union Pacific Railroad was built from Duncan to Sioux City, Iowa, and among other towns, Humphrey began its existence: Messrs. William Eimers and Thomas Ottis were among the early Catholic settlers. Soon the number of Catholics increased and as time went on, they found the trip to St. Mary's rather troublesome, especially during bad weather and with equally bad roads. Besides, the Humphreyites realized what an asset to a town a church is, and in 1881, when the Bishop passed through Humphrey on his way to St. Bernard, some Catholics approached him with the request to have a church of their own. As St. Mary's was just then building a parochial school, the Bishop turned down the petition, for the time being, lest St. Mary's should suffer, too much financially by the loss of many of her parishioners.

THE AGITATION INCREASES

When, however, the large number of children in and around Humphrey made an addition to the school necessary to board the pupils at St. Mary's, the people of Humphrey laid the matter of a separate congregation before the Very Rev. Ubald Webersinke, O. F. M., Visitor General. Mr. Thomas Ottis offered to donate ten acres of his land (purchased from W. Tieskoetter) for church purposes. At this same time Father Meinolph was replaced at St. Mary's by Father Theodore Arentz. Father Ubald instructed the pastor of St. Mary's to make a thorough canvass of the situation at Humphrey and to report to the chapter which was soon to be held. Father Arentz turned in a favorable report, which was' in its turn accepted by Father Ubald and Bishop O'Connell. The Very Rev. Provincial Vincent Halbfas came in person to Humphrey to examine the conditions. In due time permission was granted to organize the new parish and to build a church under the following conditions: That the parishes of St. Mary's and St. Bernard's must not suffer great detriment, that the legal deeds be turned over before the building commences, that the people who wish to join the new parish first pay their dues to the other parishes to which they belonged, that the building proceed only so far as the cash on hand permitted. To these directions Father Provincial added some oral directions at Omaha, where Father Theodore was just then a patient, principally about the plans of the edifice and the limits of the congregation.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. FRANCIS' CONGREGATION

At divine services, Sunday, October 1, 1882, Father Theodore officially announced that the permission to build a new church at Humphrey had been granted by the Right Reverend Ordinary and by the Very Rev. Provincial. The nature of the condition under which the church could be built was also given. The same announcement was made the following Sunday, and on the three days after the second reading, Father Theodore visited the families up to halfway to St. Bernard and St. Mary's, to ascertain whether they wished to join the new church and whether they were willing to abide by the terms required by the ecclesiastical superiors. The following Sunday, Father Theodore announced that so far the people had agreed to comply with the wishes of the superiors, and that things were progressing nicely. On October 15th, the Provincial expressed his satisfaction at the choice of the patron of the new church-St. Francis of Assisi and the consent of the Bishop himself was not long in coming.

A FINANCIAL COMMITTEE IS FORMED

On October 22, 1882, a Financial Committee was formed, consisting of the same gentlemen who had served as a building committee on a previous occasion. The committee consisted of Messrs. Hy Lohaus, Thomas Ottis, Nicholaus Thille and Adolf Schmid. Up to this time $758.45 had been collected. Messrs. Hy Lohaus, Gerard Brockhaus, Richard Olmer, Ger. Biedinger, Michael Fischer and Leonard Widhalm were chosen to collect subscriptions still in arrears. By November 5, 1882, a sum of $1,400 had been collected. Meanwhile Thomas Ottis and William Tieskoetter had delivered the deeds for church and school, as well as for the cemetery, in accordance with their promise to donate the deeds. While these things were going on, Ven. Brother Adrian Werner, O. F. M., the

444

provincial architect, had completed his plans for the new church. It was to be frame, 32 by 64 feet; 16 feet high, with a steeple 64 feet high. The plans also called for an annex, 20 by 20 feet, to serve as a sanctuary and sacristy with a room over the sacristy for the priest. The designs of the Brother were readily accepted, and the committee also announced that as much work as possible should be done by the parishioners, so that the church could be completed with a great saving in money.

Lumber was brought from Omaha; stone, sand, and other material was purchased. The Union Pacific Railroad hauled the material for the church for a 50 per cent reduced rate, and for several years afterwards the road carried coal at this accommodatIon rate.

WORK ON THE NEW CHURCH

After an agreement had been reached as to the site of the new church, a number of men specially selected for the purpose, began the excavation and the laying of the foundation. This was done on December 9, 1882, a day with considerable snow and little sunshine. The next day, at 3 o'clock, the cornerstone for the new house of God was laid by the Rev. Seraphin Lampe, superior of the Columbus friary, by virtue of special faculties granted him by the Rt. Rev. Bishop. The Rev. Theodore Arentz, pastor of the new congregation, Rev. Pancratius Schulte, of St. Bernard, and Rev. Boniface Depmann, pastor of the David City parish, all Franciscan Fathers, assisted in the ceremony. The pastor of St. Bernard delivered the German address, while Rev. Boniface preached the English sermon. A large concourse of people, both Catholic and Protestant of the vicinity, had gathered. The following document was enclosed in the cornerstone:

"Anno reparative salutes 1882, die X. Decembris, SS. Domino Leone Papa XIII gloriose feliciterque regnante universam Ecclesiam Catholicam, Reverendissimo Autem Domino Jacobo

Vicariatum Apostolicum Nebracensem, cum Reverendissimus Pater Bernardinus a Portu Romatino esset Minister Generalis totius Ordinis Fratrum Minorum S. P. N. Francisci Recollectorum, sub Praeside Statum Foederatorum Americae Septentrionalis Chester Arthur, Gubernatore Status Nebrascensis Albino Nance, in honorem Dei Omnipotentis, sub invocatione S. P. N. Francisci, benedictus et positus eat hic lapis primarius Ecclesiae ad S. P. N. Franciscum in oppido vulgo dicto Humphrey, ab Adm. P. Seraphino Lampe, Praeaide Residentiae Columbianae, adatantibus sacerdotibus infrascriptis magnaque populi multitudine.

Fr. Seraphinus Lampe, O. S. F.
Fr. Theodorus Arentz, O. S. F.
Fr. Pancratius Schulte, O. S. F.
Fr. Bonifatius Depmann, O. S. F.

445

BUILDING THE CHURCH

The amount collected at the cornerstone laying was $68.91. A supper prepared by the ladies of the parish and served in the Steffes Hotel, a new place not yet opened to the public, netted $95. Some time later a celebration, which included meals served at the same hotel, brought the parish several hundred dollars. The weather remaining favorable for many days, the frame work was soon put up. Frank Brockhaus was placed in charge of construction. As suggested, the parishioners did much of the rough work gratis. People who were unable to contribute financially did their equal share by laboring longer at the construction of the edifice. The building went on all through the winter, stopping only for a few days at a time on account of the inclemency of the weather. It was necessary during the winter to continue collecting the money promised, as many did not pay their subscriptions until their crops were sold. Owing to the commendable spirit of the people and the harmony existing among them, the new church was ready for occupancy the following summer.

DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH

The Bishop had intended to dedicate the church personally, but unexpected events prevented his leaving Omaha. Accordingly, he commissioned the Rev. Seraphin Lampe, O. F. M., of Columbus, to perform the dedicatory ceremonies on July 10, 1883. These services over, Father Lampe celebrated a solemn High Mass. Some Humphrey men formed the choir while Fathers Theodore Arentz, Rudolph Horstmann, of St. Bernard, and Anastase Czech, of Columbus, took part in the solemnity. It was in this way that Humphrey started its separate existence as a parish.

A HAIL STORM
THE FIRST PASTOR, 1883-1888

Scarcely had the dedication been performed, when an awful hailstorm took its toll of the crops throughout the parish. The hail came on July 12th and left terrible destruction in its wake. The corn crop was severely damaged and the year was a slim one for many farmers.

Meanwhile, Father Theodore was still in charge of St. Mary's parish; hence the first two Sundays, July 15th and 22nd, only a low mass was read at Humphrey. The first regular service at Humphrey began on August 5th, 1883, when Father Servatius Rasche, O. F. M., was appointed assistant to Father Theodore. The two alternated between St. Mary's and Humphrey, until Father Servatius eventually became pastor of St Mary's

FIRST BAPTISM, MARRIAGE, ETC.,
AT HUMPHREY

The first baptism in the new church was that of Thomas Werner, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ignatz Werner, on July 15, 1883. He died in 1930. Mr. Wm. Duesman and Miss A. M. Knipping were the first couple to pledge their troth in the new house of God, on August 27, 1883, while the first person to be interred in the cemetery was Richard Dunn, on November 3, 1883.

DONATIONS FOR FURNISHING THE NEW CHURCH

Many articles needed for furnishing the new church were donated by the parishioners: the high altar by William Duesman, the crucifixion group on the high altar, now placed in the cemetery, by Thomas Ottis, E. D. Murphy and William Eimers, the Sacred Heart statue by H. Gebeke, the St. Francis statue by Mr. John Creighton, the bells by William Eimers, F. Klebba, William Eschelbacher and Joseph Braun, the monstrance by Nicholas Thille and the vestments by William Eimers. St. Joseph's statue was donated by several persons. The Stations of the Cross were the gift of Gerard Brockhaus, and were blessed by Father Theodore August 15, 1883.

LIST OF CHARTER MEMBERS OF ST. FRANCIS' PARISH

Following is the list of the first families, numbering eighty, who were charter members of St.
Francis Parish:

446

THE FIRST CONFIRMATION

The sacrament of Confirmation was administered for the first time at St. Francis Church by the Rt. Rev. Richard Scannel, D. D., Bishop of Omaha, on June 30, 1884. In the afternoon of the same day His Lordship also blessed the bell for the church. The Rt. Rev. Bishop gladly bore witness to the progress made both spiritually and financially, not only in Humphrey, but in all parts of this section of the State. He also voiced the high expectations he harbored for the future. A holy Mission was held about this time, being conducted by the Franciscan Fathers Symphorian Forstmann and Augustine McClory.

ST. FRANCIS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL

A parish without a parochial school is but half equipped, and the system of Catholic instruction demands such a school, if its parishioners wish a thriving congregation. The German-speaking Catholics and the Franciscan priests in particular have always been great

First Mass of Rev. Theodore Wemhoff, O. F. M.

promoters of parochial schools wherever feasible. In a meeting held October 10, 1883, it was decided to erect a parochial school as soon as possible. Permission had already been granted by the Rt. Rev. Ordinary and by the Provincial to collect subscriptions for that purpose. By the end of 1883, $2,000 had been collected. The excavations were begun on December 17th. Frank Brockhaus was awarded the contract for the carpenter work. The building was a two story brick-veneered structure and arranged to serve as a Sisters' residence as well. It was dedicated Sunday, November 2nd, 1884, and occupied at once.

ERECTION OF THE FRIARY

As the parish was now well equipped with church and school, and the number of families had swelled to 120, and was giving promise of still greater growth, many prominent parishioners thought the time ripe for establishing a Franciscan residence at Humphrey, to insure the benefits of daily service and the permanent residence of a priest in their midst. Heretofore the pastor had been living in Columbus. Various remarks and actions of both the Bishop and the Provincial would indicate that a friary at Humphrey had been intended from the beginning. Thomas Ottis, in May, 1885, wrote to the Very Rev. Provincial regarding this matter. The reply was to the following effect: A residence at Humphrey had been contemplated from the very beginning, providing matters would develop satisfactorily. The Provincial alone, however, could not decide the matter, but would bring it before the Chapter to be held the coming July. He suggested that, in the meanwhile,

447

the people commence taking up subscriptions. Accordingly, six men were appointed on the committee. They were Thomas Ottis, William Eimers, Nicolaus Thille, Wendelin Eschelbacher, Joseph Braun and William Weber. The subscriptions soon totalled (sic) $2,000. The status of the parish and an explanatory letter were sent by Father Theodore to the Chapter held at St. Louis, July 10, 1885. Father Mauritius was chosen Provincial at that time, and the decision was favorable to Humphrey. Certain conditions were enumerated however:

CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE RESIDENCE COULD BE BUILT:

1. The people shall really donate what they promised towards the erection of a residence.

2. A committee already appointed, or still to be appointed, shall collect the money for the building without the pastor having to take upon himself the trouble.

3. Of the ordinary receipts nothing is to be used for the building of the monastery.

4. The building shall proceed only as far as the paid subscriptions permit.

5. The arrival of a resident priest must be patiently awaited till next spring or summer, provided that by that time the residence has been completed.

6. The cost of the structure is estimated at about $2,000. The religious superiors will determine how and in which place the building shall be erected.

7. The recommendation is made to the people to arrange the payment of the subscriptions so that the work on the new residence can be begun this fall.

Brother Damian Bueschgens, O. F. M., a good carpenter, was sent by the Very Rev. Provincial to direct the work and to help with it. On October 21st the excavation of the cellar and for the foundation was begun. Parishioners did this work gratis, as they did other work later on. Construction of the friary was continued as long into the winter as the weather permitted. By Sunday, July 4, 1886, the new friary was completed and occupied.

INSTITUTION OF CHURCH SOCIETIES

In 1885 The Society of the Holy Childhood was introduced at the church of St. Francis. The Sunday after Easter of the same year, an attempt was made to organize the Catholic Knights of America, but the movement proved abortive. St. Joseph's Men's Society was formed August 30th by adopting a constitution and electing officers as follows: President, G. H. Brockhaus; Vice President, Wm. Weber; Secretary, Nicolaus Fleischer; and Treasurer, Jacob Fischer. On September 13th St. Aloysius' Young Men's Society adopted its first set of rules and selected the following officers: President, Conrad Heltig; Vice President, Joseph Bauman; Secretary, Phillip Eiche, and Treasurer, Joseph Brockhaus. There were only twelve members in the society dedicated to St. Aloysius when first formed. St. Anne Married Ladies' Society existed as such until December 12, 1882, when, with the consent of its members and the request of the pastor, the society was changed into The Christian Mothers' Society (Confraternity). It was canonically erected, November 1, 1886. The officers at this time were: President, Mrs. Wm. Eimers; Vice President, Mrs. Anton Osterhoff; Secretary, Mrs. Albert Wilde; Treasurer, Mrs. Thos. Ottis. In September of the same year The Confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the Conversion of Sinners was established by the Rt. Rev. Bishop James O'Connor. On August 15th an attempt was made to organize the young ladies, but it failed. On September 12th, however, the movement was successful.

CANONICAL ESTABLISHMENT OF ST. FRANCIS' RESIDENCE

At the intermediate chapter, held at St. Louis, July 7, 1886, Rev. Theodore Arentz was instituted as the first Praeses (Superior) at Humphrey by letters of obedience dated July 10, 1886, and signed by the Very Rev. Mauritius Klostermann. Rev. Servatius was the second Father there, being assigned to take care of St. Mary's. On August 2nd, Portiuncula was celebrated for the first time at Humphrey. The school children, the St. Joseph's Men's Society and The St. Aloysius Young Men's Society were in attendance, wearing their badges.

Brother Damian Bueschgens, O. F. M., remained at Humphrey until April 15th, when he was transferred to Ashland, Wisconsin. On August 19, 1886, Brother Vincent came from Columbus to Humphrey in order to take charge of the kitchen. Up to that time the priests had taken their meals first at Mrs. Thomas Ottis and later at the school house, being served by the community of Sisters there. Late in the fall the Tertiary Brother Landelin Rockel arrived and remained until March, 1888, when he was transferred to Teutopolis, Ill. He was replaced by Brother Eusebius Bender. During this time a tailor Brother came for a time to repair the habits, etc. Father Anthony Moll replaced Father Servatius Rasche in December, 1887, as pastor of St. Mary's, with residence at Humphrey. The latter was sent to Teutopolis.

ENLARGING THE SCHOOL FACILITIES

The parochial school was put up in 1884, and Franciscan Sisters of Lafayette, Indiana, took charge.

448

At a parish meeting held February 26, 1888, the topic under discussion was the enlargement of the school. Since the accommodations were inadequate for the constantly increasing number of pupils, the meeting decided to double the size of the school building. The erection of the addition was such as to make both the old and the new parts appear as one edifice. In the second story a room was reserved as a society meeting place, and that, with an adjoining class room, could be used as a parish hall when the occasion offered. More room was, moreover, intended for the Sisters' quarters.

Subscriptions were taken up. The plans proved entirely satisfactory, and the new wing was commenced in the spring of 1888 and completed by the beginning of August.

FATHER THEODORE CALLED TO CLEVELAND

At the Provincial Chapter, held at St. Louis, July 25, 1888, the Very Rev. Ferdinand Bergmeyer, O. F. M., was elected Provincial, and during the same Father Theodore Arentz, the first pastor of Humphrey, was appointed guardian of St. Joseph's Monastery, at Cleveland, Ohio, as well as pastor of the parish annexed to it. As soon as the news was made known to the parishioners, they gathered at the home of Father Theodore to bid their good pastor godspeed. Thos. Ottis read an address in the name of the people and presented it to Father Theodore. Father James Nolte, who had been appointed his successor, arrived that same evening, and the reception and farewell was warm indeed.

So far the sketch of St. Francis Parish has been based on an invaluable manuscript written by Father Theodore Arentz himself, who compiled his write-up from former notes, old manuscripts, and his own varied experiences. Father Theodore was induced to write his reminiscences by Father Florence Kurzer. To his own labors Father Theodore adds the following remark: "If little is said about the labors of Rev. Theodore, we must not conclude that they were few and trifling. That the people responded faithfully may be inferred from the above. I cannot conclude without expressing to St. Francis' Parish my warmest appreciation, my best thanks and my heartfelt 'God reward you' for the spirit of sacrifice, the zeal, the harmony, and the loyal support they offered their pastors, which they have ever manifested. May God bless them for ever and ever."

II. Pastor--Rev. James Nolte, O. F. M.
July, 1888-March 9, 1892

A MORE COMMODIOUS CHURCH A NECESSITY

Father James Nolte served St. Francis' Parish from August, 1888, to March, 1892. During his rectorship a second mission was preached, November 22-29, by the Rev. Victor Artker. While in charge there Father James advocated a new church, arguing that the congregation now numbered 180 families and the church proved inadequate to hold the number of worshippers. It was soon decided to push forward with the building. In October, 1891, Father James had collected subscriptions amounting to $1,645. In the following year, he received $1,975. Providence, however, did not allow him to complete this laborious' undertaking. A cold contracted while on a difficult sick call so incapacitated him for further work in the Middle West that he was forced to seek relief in California.

III. Pastor--Rev. Rudolph Horstmann, O. F. M.
(1892-1896)

The vacancy at Humphrey was filled by Rev. Rudolph Horstmann, O. F. M., who coming from Jordan, Minnesota, served St. Francis from March, 1892, to July, 1896. The former Prussian soldier and teacher set to work in the year 1893 to carry out the plans drawn up by Ven. Adrian Wewer, O. F. M. By January 1st of that year the church collection netted $7,341 and the pastor decided to start building. Ven. Brother Ildephonse Lethert, O. F. M., directed the construction. As the new church was to occupy the site of the old one, the frame church building was moved a few hundred feet to the west; in order to use it for divine services while the new edifice was going up. The cornerstone of the new church was solemnly laid on June 19, 1893. At the same time, a building connecting the church and monastery was put up. As soon as the new edifice was under roof, divine services were held in the basement and the old structure was torn down.

THE DRY YEAR OF 1894

During the year when St. Francis' new church was completed, the crop about Humphrey was a total failure. Hot winds and drought ruined the season's work entirely. Instead of selling hay and grain to help pay for the erection of their fine new church building, the farmers had to import grain in order to keep their stock alive through the winter. Despite that, however, the building was finished.

DEDICATION OF THE CHURCH

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Richard Scannell dedicated the church of St. Francis on September 20, 1894, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The high mass on this occasion was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. Mauritius Baukholt, O. F. M., of Omaha. assisted by the Patres

449

Florentius Kurzer, of St. Bernard, and by Marcelline Kollmeyer. The German sermon was delivered by the Very Rev. Provincial Michael Richardt, O. F. M., a famous popular preacher, while the English sermon was preached by the Very Rev. Dean Wunibald Wolf, of Grand Island, Nebraska.

1st row--St. Francis' School, 1880; Ven. Sr. M. Leocadia, O. S. F.;
2nd row--St. Francis' School Children; the Old Public School, Humphrey;
3rd row--St. Francis' School Children; a Class of St. Francis' School;
4th row--St. Francis School, 1006; Rev. Peter Pfeifer, O. F. M.; Ven. Bro. Solano Pfeifer, O. F. M.; Rev. Benedict Pfeifer, O. F. M.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING

The shell structure, exclusive of interior furnishings, was erected at a cost of $32,116. Many labors, especially the hauling, were done gratis by parishioners. When the church was finished, the indebtedness was $16,045, a creditable showing for those hard times. The church is built in Romanesque style, its dimensions being 64 feet by 172 feet, with the steeple 172 feet high. For the basement fine cut stone was used and for the upper structure fine pressed brick from Omaha. The seating capacity is 800. Before the scaffolding was removed, the walls and ceiling were finely decorated by William Kloer, of St. Louis, for the sum of $1,000.

SOME BENEFACTORS

The whole interior furnishings, with the exception of the pews, which cost $1,600, were donated by parishioners. The high altar is the gift of Thos. Ottis and cost $1,200. The side altars were donated by the St. Joseph's Men's Society at a cost of $300 each. The communion railing, costing $225, is the gift of the Young Men's Society. All three altars and the railing were made by Gier Brothers of Chillecothe, Mo. The stations of the Cross are a memorial of the late Gerard Brockhaus, and cost $670. The stained glass window with the representation of St. Francis of Assissi (sic) is the gift of the Third Order of St. Francis, while that containing the figure of St. Anthony of Padua is a gift of Messrs. A. Pelle, A. Eisemenger, A. Osterhoff, A. Weibel, A. Simon and A. Fangmann, and that with the figure of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a gift of Daniel O'Sullivan. Each of these three windows cost $150. The windows in the auditorium were furnished by Geo. Misch, of Chicago, Ill., and cost $55 each. A third bell, weighing 1,300 pounds and cost $190, was paid for by St. Joseph's Men's Society. The fine green carpet in the sanctuary was given by the Christian Mothers' Society at a cost of $275. The school Sisters were not to be outdone. They gathered home talent, gave an entertainment, and the proceeds thereof, together with collections, presented $1,100 to the parish towards paying for the organ. A second monstrance ($150), and s fine chalice ($72), are memorials of Nich. Thille. The Pieta is a donation by Mrs. Mary Pfeifer, deceased. The pews cost $1,600.

On Sunday, September 23rd, 1894, Very Rev. Michael Richardt, O. F. M., canonically erected the relief stations of the Cross, furnished by A. Kaletta of St. Louis, Mo. Upon its completion Rt. Rev. Bishop Scannell pronounced St. Francis' Church at Humphrey the finest in the Omaha diocese, yea, the most beautiful in all Nebraska.

IV. Pastor--Rev. Angelus Bill, O. F. M.
(1896-Jan., 1899)

Soon after the completion of the fine new church, Rev. Rudolph was transferred to Minnesota, and another pastor was sent to enjoy the improvements and to pay off the indebtedness. It was Rev. Angelus Bill, O. F. M., who came from Petosky, Michigan, to replace his predecessor. During the two winter seasons of 1896-'97 divine services were held even on Sundays in the basement, because the church had not yet received a steam heating plant. Father Angelus, therefore, took up a house to house collection in 1897 for the purpose of raising money for the

450

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