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Church/Catholic
Franciscans
FR. BREITKOPF IS REPLACED BY
FR. WM. J. JUNGELS, JULY, 1884
Into the happy circle suddenly came the news like a flash of lightning from a clear sky: "Father Breitkopf is going to leave us; he is going to Atkinson." In summer, 1884, His Lordship complained to the Rev. Anastase Czech, O. F. M., that he had no suitable priest for the unfortunate Atkinson. The territory of that parish was large and, besides there were attached missions in Boyd, Rock, Antelope and Holt counties with a polyglot population of Bohemians, Germans, Poles, French, Belgians and Irishmen. Owing to very strenuous work and insufficient means of support, several priests there had lost courage, health and, in some instances, their vocation. One of them became a helpless nervous wreck for a number of years. This then was the place for which the Bishop sought a pastor. Fr. Anastase Czech replied: "Sand Fr. Breitkopf."-"Will he go?" queried the Bishop. -- "Your Lordship must not hesitate to ask him," observed the friar.
And His Excellency did ask Fr. Breitkopf. He sent his secretary, Rev. M. A. Colaneri with instructions to induce the priest to accept the new position. The secretary diplomatically described the new place being one of more healthful surroundings, with a two-story residence, where he would not have to live in a school house; a good place for riding on horseback (Fr. Breitkopf was known at Omaha as "the Priest on horseback"). There was a river nearby, in which there were plenty of fish, while the hills abounded in game-When all this did not appeal to the person addressed, the secretary remarked: "The Bishop needs you there more than here". This settled the matter and Fr. Breitkopf accepted with the words of St. Martin of Tours: "If I am necessary to thy people, I do not refuse the labor." One motive back of this change seems to have been the trouble with the deed of St. Joseph's property.
Another trouble also came up towards the end of Fr. Breitkopf's administration at Omaha. The heirs of Mr. Hartman who had owned the church property claimed a strip of sixteen feet as belonging to them. The Bishop consulted the best legal talent and these considered the case hopeless. But Fr. Breitkopf, at his own personal risk, as the Bishop warned him, fought the case and won out, when already in Atkinson. He did not deed over this land to the Diocese until the people who had lent him the necessary money to contest the case, were reimbursed out of the church treasury.
Meanwhile the people were very much excited at Fr. Breitkopf's removal; they appealed to the Rt. Rev. Bishop; in vain; another appeal went to the Papal Delegate at Washington, to no purpose; largely, because Fr. Breitkopf was in his heart willing to obey his Bishop.
REV. J. WM. JUNGELS, PASTOR,
JULY, 1894-NOVEMBER 1, 1895
When the Bishop sent Fr. Jungels to Omaha, he instructed him to attend to the spiritual needs and leave the fight about the deed to Rt. Rev. Ordinary. For a time matters became worse and St. Paul's church was rent by dissenting factions and a shepherd without canonical standing was called in until the church finally was consumed by flames. Father Jungels, after consulting with the Vicar General and Fr. J. Jeanette and others during the Bishop's absence, finally concluded that the best solution of the difficulties and the surest way to reestablish harmony would be to entrust St. Joseph's to a religious order, say the Franciscans of Platte county, or to some other religious order. At first the Rt. Rev. Bishop seemed unwilling to entrust more parishes to the friars. But after mature consideration, he gave his consent and invited the Franciscans to take over St. Joseph's congregation including the care of the Poles, the good portion of which, after the burning of St. Paul's, had returned to St. Joseph's. Only there was not enough room in the school for the Polish children.
THE FRANCISCAN FATHERS TAKE CHARGE OF ST. JOSEPH'S CONGREGATION
Father Anselm Mueller, rector of Quincy College, had been deputed to arrange matters with the Rt. Rev. Bishop early in 1895. His Lordship's offer was accepted by the Council of the Provincial, who was no other than the Very Rev. Michael Richardt. The first community destined for St. Joseph's consisted of: Rev. Mauritius Baukholt, of Columbus, Nebraska; Rev. Ladislaus Czech, assistant and pastor for the Poles,, Brother Anthony Mueller and Bro. Zosimus Orlic. They remained a few days at St. Joseph's Hospital until Fr. Jungels was ready to take his leave on October 31, 1895.
REV. MAURITIUS BAUKHOLT, PASTOR,
NOVEMBER, 1895-DECEMBER, 1899
The new pastor began at once to visit his people and to take up a census, which showed a list of about 200 families belonging to St. Joseph's parish. Working up the parish was pushed energetically. Already on the last Sunday of November, 1895, a parish meeting was called. Very Rev. Michael Richardt, O. F. M., Provincial of the Sacred Heart Province, presided, Rev. Mauritius (probably also Fr. Ladis-
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laus) and Ven. Bro. Adrian Wewer, O. F. M., architect of the province, were present. It was suggested to the parish to build a new and larger church, but to erect for the present only the basement, to serve as a temporary place of worship; the Franciscans offered to erect the friary and pastoral residence at their own expense. The plans were discussed, approved of and the votes were in favor of beginning the construction of the basement church as soon as possible.
In March, 1896, the Rev. Adolph Rockel arrived to recuperate his health and to assist somewhat in that parish. On the first Sunday in July, the Rev. Pamphilus Stahl, O. F. M., sang his first High Mass in St. Joseph's church.
ERECTION OF THE BASEMENT CHURCH AND FRIARY
In March or April, 1896, excavations for the new basement church began and on April 8th, 1896, the first brick was laid. Brother Damian Bueschgens arrived and with the assistance of Brother Leonard Darscheidt cut out the wooden arch frames to be used. Work progressed so rapidly that the new house of God could be dedicated August 23, 1896. On account of the illness of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Scannell, the Very Rev. Wm. Choka, Vicar General, officiated. The Very Rev. Provincial Michael Richardt, O. F. M., a famous popular pulpit orator, delivered the German sermon, while the Rev. C. J. Lagae, S. J., preached the English one. The solemn High Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Panlinus Tolksdorf, O. F. M., assisted by the pastor and his assistant. Very Rev. M. A. Colaneri acted as master of ceremonies, the Franciscan Brothers Leonard and Pamphilus as candle-bearers and Brother Damian as accolyte. The dean of Omaha, Very Rev. J. Jennette, and Rev. George Glauber, the founder of St. Joseph's congregation, were in the sanctuary. All the Catholic societies of Omaha took part in the celebration of the joyful day. The celebration was a great success in every way.
The basement church did service for twenty years.
THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS
The feast of St. Francis of Assissi (sic), occurring October 4th, was duly commemorated by a solemn High Mass in presence of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Scannell. The Rev. Peters, S. J., was the celebrant, assisted by two other Jesuit priests as deacon and subdeacon. The Bishop had heard so many favorable comments on the new church that he came to inspect personally. He expressed his great satisfaction at the progress made in so short a time.
On this day the Young Ladies' Society, organized six years before, was canonically erected as a Sodality.
About this time His Excellency also offered the Franciscans the care of St. Patrick's, which offer they declined, because of lack of priests.
The new friary which was ready for occupancy about the middle of October, 1896, was blessed by the Rev. Florence Kurzer, of St. Bernard about November 17, 1896.
FURNISHING THE NEW CHURCH
On December 29, the Stations of the Cross were canonically erected by the Rev, pastor Mauritius. The statue of the Sacred Heart ($75) was presented by Miss Eve Bugger; the Pieta, by Misses Magdalen Presel and Eve Bugger; the statue of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, patroness of the Third Order of St. Francis, by Miss Magdalen Presel, and that of the Sacred Heart of Mary, by Miss Anastasia Rieve. The Christmas crib, too, was a donation.
REV. PACIFIC KOHNEN, O. F. M.,
DECEMBER, 1900-1917
On July 1, 1900, Rev. Louis Doering, O. F. M., brother to Sr. Ludovica, O. S. F., at St. Joseph's Hospital, said his first Mass at St. Joseph's church. As Fr. Mauritius disliked being superior and preferred to labor as an inferior and work very hard at that, His wish was finally realized in December, 1900, when Father Pacific arrived to take over the friary and the parish. He entered upon his duties with the greatest zeal and enthusiasm. As he ever took great interest in education and found the buildings at St. Joseph's school inadequate, he, in the year 1901, erected a brick addition intended for a school, but serving at first as a Sisters' residence.
The corner stone was laid May 12, 1901, and the dedication occurred in fall of the same year. Since 1887 the school had been in charge of the Ven. Sisters of the Most Precious Blood, of O'Fallon, Missouri. At this time it was attended by 400 pupils. In 1906 another teaching Sister was added and in 1907, two more teachers, bringing the staff up to nine Sisters.
In 1906 the Omaha Gas Company wanted to erect another gas tank. The people of St. Joseph's, backed by the South Side Improvement Club, protested and worked energetically against the project, but with only temporary success.
The Franciscans, who from the beginning had charge of the Polish Catholics and had erected first the Immaculate Conception church in Sheely and in 1898 also St. Francis church in South Omaha, as will be related in another chapter, relinquished the church of St. Francis in South Omaha in the year 1910.
In 1909 a small hall was added to the ori-
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ginal church and school building, to serve for social purposes.
THE TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF ST. JOSEPH'S
In 1912 the parish passed the twenty-fifth milestone of its existence and on September 15, the silver jubilee of the opening of the church and school was commemorated. The parade, in which the whole parish participated, commenced at the school, on Seventeenth Street, and covered several city blocks. High Mass followed. It was celebrated by Father Pacific assisted by Rev. Benno Franzen, O. F. M., and Rev. Father Thoennessen. The pastor delivered an eloquent sermon, as he had done twenty-five years before, when the frame church was dedicated.
A HOLY MISSION
A Holy Mission was preached at St. Joseph's church from May 4, to May 18, 1913, by the Franciscan missionaries Francis Haase and John Joseph Brogger.--On June 29, 1913, the Rev. John Nepomuc Turek, O. F. M., celebrated his first Mass at St. Wenceslaus church, Omaha. The Catholic societies of St. Wenceslaus accompanied by a brass band, escorted the Rev. neopresbyter from St. Joseph's church to St. Wenceslaus' church. Fathers Pacific, Theobald and Rev. Vranek assisted. The latter also delivered the festive sermon.
COMPLETING ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, A. D. 1915
Developments again called for enlarging the parish complex of buildings. It was time to complete the church and also to erect a new up-to-date school. After deliberation Fr. Pacific concluded first to finish the church. November 30, 1913, Brother Loenard Darscheidt, O. F. M., arrived from Hermann, Missouri, to make the preliminary arrangements and left again in December. In March, 1915, Brother Leonard returned with the plans, and after consultation with Mr. Jacob M. Nachtigall, a prominent architect and parishioner, modified and completed them. The plans and specifications were submitted to six contractors on April 17, 1915. On May 3rd, the corporation of St. Joseph's met and voted to erect the upper church according to the plans of Ven. Brother Leonard, which had been approved by the Rt. Rev. Bishop. The contract was awarded to Mr. O. E. Nelson, the builder of St. Patrick's church and of the new school on 15th and Bancroft. Work on the church was started on May 5, 1915.
The cornerstone was laid amid solemn ceremonies on June 16, 1915, by his Excellency, Bishop R. Scannell; Rev. Peter Gannon preached in English and Rev. Pacific in German. A large concourse of Bohemian and Polish Catholics of Omaha took part.
The fine church was to receive two steeples, but the construction was postponed because of the high cost.
The first Divine Service was held in the new building on January 30, 1916, in presence of an overflow congregation at both the eight and ten thirty o'clock High Mass. In the afternoon the children held their belated Christmas procession, carrying the statue of the Infant Jesus, followed by the blessing of the little ones presented by their parents.
Rev. Titus Hugger, O. F. M., and Rev. Ronoratus Bonzelet, O. F. M., preached a successful mission, May 14 to 21, 1916. It had been well advertised and was attended by Catholics from all over Omaha and from outside of the city.
The new sounding board for the pulpit was installed early in 1916 and by the end of August, the firm of Emil Frey, St. Louis, Missouri, completed the new art windows.
DEDICATION OF THE NEW CHURCH
The Rt. Rev. Administrator of the diocese, M. A. Colaneri, dedicated St. Joseph's church on October 22, 1916. The members of all parish societies in full regalia, with a brass band, met the Rt. Rev, prelate at Pierce street. He was conducted to the new church which was solemnly dedicated to the service of the Most High. At the Pontifical High Mass following, Fathers Pacific and Theobald and Mark assisted, the Rev. J. Stenson, of St. Philomena's, acting as master of ceremonies. The church was magnificently decorated with palms and flowers.
THE WORLD WAR PERIOD
The part, which St. Joseph's congregation played in the time of the World War, is one of which the parishioners may well be proud. Following is the list of the contributions to the various war time funds:
Liberty Bonds, $24,000; War Saving and Thrift Stamps, $4,105.00; Knights of Columbus Fund, $1,009.00; Armenian-Syrian Relief Fund, $123.22; Second Red Cross War Fund, $207.66. There were 310 Red Cross members. The school children, too, were enrolled as a school auxiliary of the Omaha Red Cross chapter. The ladies of the congregation, moreover, every afternoon, knitted for the Red Cross.
THE SERVICE FLAG
The service flag, containing 36 stars, was raised at St. Joseph's school on Sunday, May 26, 1918, amid proper ceremonies. The Boy Scout Troop of the parish escorted the speak-
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St. Joseph's Parish, Omaha
The Church-Exterior and Interior, 1916. The New School, 1928.
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er, Judge J. W. Woodrough; Mr. J. C. Kennedy acted as the chairman. The Creighton Band enlivened the program and Robert Nachtigall unveiled the Service Flag. Judge Woodrough talked on "Prussian Militarism and Americanism."
The parish Service Flag contained the name of every young man, who was at that time in the ranks of Uncle Sam's army:
L. Weiss, J. Schinker, J. Ecker, J. Nachtigall, J. Zimmermann, H. Velasco, H. English, F. Wolfbauer, F. Lang, G. Maier, F. Scherff, M. Trautner, G. Mueller, F. Gruber, H. Kessler, A. Riedmann, J. Pfeffer, E. Schinker, J. Wachtler, L. Wolz, J. EngI, F. Mueller, M. Kriegler, C. Bloemer, A. Neumann, C. Kauth.
IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY:
W. Nachtigall, A. Gerhard, H. Bloemer, F. Nachtigall, M. Wieger, F. Zimmermann, H. Boesen, A. Wieger, F. Meidlinger.
DEPARTURE OF REV. PACIFIC KOHNEN,
REV. SIMON SCHWARZ, PASTOR 1918-1924
After laboring very successfully at St. Joseph's for about eighteen years, failing health compelled Fr. Pacific to resign. His resignation was accepted and he was sent to Joliet, Illinois. Rev. Simon Schwarz succeeded him, and continued the good work of his predecessor. During his pastorate, Fr. Simon purchased and installed a beautiful high altar and pipe organ. Four new side altars were also installed.
REV. TIMOTHY MAGNIEN, O. F. M.,
SINCE 1924 THE NEW ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL
St. Joseph's School was opened September 5, 1887, with three teachers and 190 pupils. The priests in charge of the school during the years have been: Reverends Glauber, 1887-1890; C. Breitkopf, 1890-1894; Wm. Jungels, 1894-1895; P. Mauritius, 1895-1900; P. Pacificus, 1900-1918; P. Simon, 1918-1924; P. Timothy, 1924 to the present time.
The first teaching staff consisted of Ven. Sisters Constantia, Dionysia and Hildegard, of the Most Precious Blood, from the Motherhouse in O'Fallon, Missouri. In 1892 Father Breitkopf opened a school room in the sacristy for the fourth class. In March, 1899, Father Mauritius opened the Kindergarten with 95 little tots. The room for the Kindergarten was arranged on the first floor in the frame building. In September of the same year, Father Mauritius opened a fifth classroom for the 5th, 6th and 7th grades. The Kindergarten was moved to the priest's room. There were then three classrooms on the first floor and two on the second. The enrollment then was 325 pupils. In 1901 the building was enlarged towards Seventeenth street. Two classrooms were added, one on each floor. A hall was also arranged on the second floor of the old building. In September, 1906, a sixth room was added. The pupils then numbered 379. In the following year the school hall was turned into the seventh and eighth classrooms. In 1909 a hall and new kindergarten was built as an annex The pupils numbered well over 400. The present beautiful new school was built in 1928. A two-year commercial course was then added.
A larger, more practical, modern, fire-proof school had long been a desideratum, but its erection had been postponed, when Fr. Pacific, after due deliberation, decided to build the new church first. The cancelling of the indebtedness thus incurred required a number of years. In the early part of 1928, a meeting of the parish finally decided upon carrying out the plan for a new school. The building fund and a canvassing of the parish yielded subscriptions to the amount of $35,000. Plans and specifications were drawn up by the architect, Mr. Jacob Nachtigall, and the contract was let to the John L. Sonderberg Construction Company.
LAYING OF THE CORNERSTONE
Work progressed so rapidly that the cornerstone could be laid May 13, 1928, by the Rt. Rev. Apostolic Administrator F. J. Beckmann, D. D., Bishop of Lincoln. A necessary addition to the Sisters' residence was erected at the same time. The expenditure thus entailed amounted to $135,000.
DEDICATION
The first public function of the recently installed Rt. Rev. Joseph F. Rummel, Bishop of Omaha, was the dedication of the fine new St. Joseph's school. This ceremony occurred September 2, 1929. The speakers on this occasion were: the pastor, Fr. Timothy; the Honorable Mayor J. Dahlmann; Rev. Joseph C. Meyer, O. F. M.; and his Excellency, Bishop J. F. Rummel. This new school may be aptly styled a fitting climax to the many labors and sacrifices made by the good people of St. Joseph's, who, for the most part, do not belong to the wealthy class.
As the term of Rev. Timothy as superior was up in July, 1930, Rev. Walter Magnicn (sic), the assistant, was appointed superior. Bro. Leonard Darscheid acts as doorkeeper and sacristan.
LIST OF TEACHERS AT ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL.
Sister M. Constantia, 1887-1891, Superior; Sister M. Dionysia, 1887-1889; Sister M. Hilde-
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Rev. Pacific Kohnen and School Children St. Joseph's, Omaha.
Golden Religious Jubilee of Rev. Pacific Kohnen at Sioux City, Iowa: (1) Rev. Frs. Francis de Sales Wehrhand, Herman Joseph Faster,-; Paschal Foerster, Simon Schwarz, Rembert Stanowski, Thaddaeus Molazyk, Theobald Kalamaja and Desiderius von Frentz; Second Row: (left to right): Rev. Frs. Hyacinth Schroeder, Alphonse Bergener, Very Rev. Provincial Martin Strub, Rev. Pacific Kohnen (Jubilarian), Rev. Caspar Thoennessen, Rev. Dennis Czech.
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gard, 1887-1889; Sister M. Fidelis, 1889-1891; Sister M. Margaret, 1889-1898, Superior; Sister M. Caecilia, 1891-1896; Sister M. Aloysia, 1898-1901; Sister M. Josepha, 1895-1902; Sister M. Candida, 1896-1905; Sister M. Cordula, 1899-1906; Sister M. Natalia, 1901-1908, 1921-1922; Sister M. Walburga, 1906-1909; Sister M. Bernadette, 1910-1916, 1922-1926; Sister M. Agatha, 1909-1917; Sister M. Amanda, 1909-1911; Sister M. Johanna, 1909-1915; Sister M. Angelica, 1908-1916; Sister M. Olga, 19051919; Sister M. Eusebia, 1901-1919; Sister M. Illuminata, 1902-1918, died at Omaha, 1918; Sister M. Flavia, 1892-1912, Sup. 1899-1912; Sister M. Pia, 1912-1923; Sister M. Eudoxia, 1912-1917, 1919-1925, 1928-now; Sister M. Cyrilla, 1916-1920; Sister M. Blanche, 1918-1928, Sup. 1925-1928; Sr. M. LucilIa, 1918-1927; Sister M. Antoinette, 1919-1921: Sister M. Wencesla, 1919-1921; Sister M. Comeha, 1920-1924, 1927-1928; Sister M. Tarcissia, 1921-1923; Sister M. Augustine, 1923-1930; Sister M. Andrea, 19231930; Sister M. Valeria, 1924 to the present time; Sister M. Agnella, 1925-1927; Sister M. Venantia, 1928 to the present time; Sister M. Consolata, 1928 to the present time.
The teaching staff comprises the following: Ven. Sisters M. Eudoxia, superior; Venantia, Valeria, Charitas, Pia, Baptista, Bernardine, Vincent, Laurita, Consolata, Agnella, Pancratia (music teacher), and Justina, (cook).
St. Joseph's School, Omaha, is one of the most flourishing schools in Omaha and perhaps in all Nebraska. Eleven Sisters of the Most Precious Blood are the teachers in charge. These Sisters came in September, 1887. Ven. Sr. M. Eudoxia has been the directress for many years. Since the opening of the new school a two year high school course and a kindergarten department have been added.
The German language is still taught at St. Joseph's, but as a selective branch. Many German Americans of Omaha learned at St. Joseph's school to read, write and speak German correctly. The German hymns sung by the children were the special joy of the older parishioners. It is a pity that the younger generation does not realize of what a treasure they deprive their offspring by not permitting them to learn German.
St. Joseph's school owns a rich collection of German books donated two years ago by the "Vereinsverband of Omaha."
St. Joseph's parish is one of the most flourishing parishes of Nebraska, and parishioners show a fine Catholic spirit, as is attested among other signs by frequent Communion and the number of priestly and religious vocations.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF THE PASTORS OF ST. JOSEPH'S
REV. MAURICE BAUKHOLT, O. F. M.
Bernard Baukholt was born on a farm near Kirchhellen, diocese of Muenster, Germany, on December 9, 1857, the son of Anthony and Antonette (Pelster) Baukholt. He made his studies at Dorsten up to the "Obersecunda", inclusive. On November 5, 1872, he took the habit in Warendorf and pronounced his simple vows on November 7, 1873. After finishing the humanities at Wiedenbrueck, he began his course of philosophy at Duesseldorf under the renowned Fr. Hyacinth Deimel, O. F. M. Frater Mauritius came to America with his exiled brethren in 1875, finishing his philosophical studies at Quincy, Ill., and then was advanced to theology in St. Louis, Missouri. Here, after making his solemn vows on December 22, 1876, he was raised to the priesthood on June 18, 1878, by the Rt. Rev. Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis, Patrick Ryan, D. D.
The young priest remained in St. Louis until 1880, attending, during this while, the missions of Harrisonville, Illinois, and Creve Coeur, Missouri, on alternate Sundays, and during the week, visiting the sick at the County Farm. In 1880, he was appointed lector of philosophy in the Quincy Monastery, which position he held for 14 years. From 1885 on he also acted as chaplain and catechist at St. Mary's Academy. Besides these two charges he assisted in the confessional and pulpit at St. Francis Parish, frequently, for some time even giving regular instructions in the schools, etc., in fine, doing the work of an assistant until the Provincial could find a Father to fill the place.
From August, 1894, until the middle of October, 1895, he was superior and pastor of St. Bonaventure's, Columbus, Nebraska. Obedience then summoned him to Omaha, to found a new residence at St. Joseph's Church, and take care of the parish which, until then, had been in the charge of Rev. Fr. Win. Jungels. Fr. Maurice built the monastery there and the basement-church and worked zealously until December, 1900. He was then called to St. Peter's Church, Chicago, to act as assistant to Fr. Cyprian Banscheid. When the latter was elected Provincial in 1906, Fr.' Maurice was appointed pastor and superior at St. Peter's. He labored devotedly all this time, and also had charge of the German Branch of the Third Order. At the Chapter -of December 28, 1910, he was elected guardian of the St. Louis friary. Twice he also held the office of Definitor of the Province. Fr. Maurice remained in St. Louis as guardian until 1914, save six months spent as pastor of St.
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