Colby St. Mary’s Church History

Transcribed by Stan Schwarze

Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 04/28/1904

Last Saturday several contractors came to Colby, Clark Co., Wis. to be present at the opening of bids for St. Kalian's new church to be erected this summer.  In the afternoon the Rev. pastor opened the seven bids received in the presence of the interested parties.  The contract was, however, not awarded until Sunday when the building committee, Messrs. Paul Umhoefer, Peter Harry, Ambrose Steinwand Sr., George Engeldinger and Rev. Reding met to consider the matter.  After due consideration all bids were rejected and new bids called for, carpenter work and material, and masonry separately.  The successful bidders were: Mr. J. G. Schneider of Arcadia, Wis., and Mr. John Moss of this city, to whom the contracts were awarded.

Work will begin as soon as the old church is removed.  St. Kalians' parish will have a church of which they may justly be proud and which will be an ornament of our city.

Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 08/11/1904

The cornerstone of St. Mary’s Catholic Church was laid last Sunday, before a large concourse of people, by Rev. John Eisen of Marshfield, Wis., Rev. P. Frierweiler of Rozellville, Rev. N. Niederpluem of Wichita, Kan., and Rev. Wm. Reding, the local pastor.  Before the ceremony the pastor celebrated high mass, after which Rev. Frierweiler delivered an eloquent sermon in German.  Rev. Reding spoke in English, reviewing briefly the history of the parish, which 16 years ago erected a church that was considered among the best in this part of the state at that time.

St. Mary’s new church will be a monument to the energy and untiring efforts of the Catholics of Colby.  It will cost, when completed, $20,000 and will be finished about Dec. 1.  The seating capacity will be 640.  The stained glass windows have been donated by members of the parish.  This will be the third church the parish will have had since its foundation.

Source: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Wis.) 05/24/1905

On a Sunday in May 1889, St. Kilian’s Church was dedicated and on last Sunday, again a Sunday in May, but sixteen years later, the new St. Mary’s Church was dedicated.  The month of history of both the old and the new edifices.  The ceremony took place at 10:00 a.m. in the presence of a large concourse of people, such as Colby had not seen before.  At an early hour they began to arrive from far and near so that the church was filled to its utmost capacity at 8 a.m., when the Rt. Rev. Bishop said mass.  The number was greatly increased when the special trains from Marshfield and Athens arrived.  Both trains were met by the Catholic Foresters of Colby and accompanied to the church by the Juvenile Bras Band of Marshfield, under the directorship of Prof. Steinmetz.  The ceremonies began at 10 o’clock at which hour a procession was formed in the parlors of the pastoral residence headed by the cross bearer and followed by the altar boys in cassock and surplus.  The procession was met at the door of the residence by Foresters of Colby, Marshfield, Athens and passed to the church while the band played a march.  The three bells, two of which have been recently bought, began to ring announcing the beginning of the ceremony.  The clergy passed around the church chanting appropriate psalms while His Grace Bishop Schwebach blessed the walls, this was repeated in the interior where the Litany of All Saints was chanted.  After the dedication all the clergy took their places in the Sanctuary and solemn high mass was begun.  The “Introit” having been recited, Rt. Rev. Bishop went to his place on the gospel side where a throne had been erected for the occasion, his deacons of honor were Rev. Ad. Miller, the former pastor, but now of Eau Gaulle, and Very Rev. John Eisen of Marshfield, who also delivered an eloquent German sermon.  Rev. P. Schmitt of Vermillion, Minn., the celebrant, was attended by Rev. Aug. Birsner of Dorchester, as deacon, and Rev. F. Joerren of Marshfield as sub-deacon.  Rev. Wm. Reding, the pastor, acted as master of ceremonies.  In the sanctuary were Revs. Schoelch of Medford, and C. Non of Boyd.  The choir of St. Mary’s, accompanied by the Union Orchestra, did credit to themselves and added considerably to the solemnity of the occasion.  After the High Mass the Rt. Rev. Bishop addressed the people in English.  His Grace congratulated the people upon the beautiful new church, which he said gave evidence of their zeal and good will, and that it surpassed his expectations in size and beauty.

After services the ladies served dinner in the old church to over 800.  At 3 p.m. the Rt. Rev. Bishop administered confirmation to a class of 135, after which he again gave a most eloquent and touching address.  Services were closed with benediction by His Grace.

At 5 p.m., the Colby Foresters gave a banquet in honor of their brother Foresters from Marshfield and Athens.  Mr. Kleinheinz acted at toastmaster.  The Rt. Rev. Bishop responded to the toast “The Forester,” the State Chief Ranger, John A. Kuypers of DePere, “The Financial Benefits and History of the Order,”  Rev. Wm. Reding, “The People of Colby,” Mr. P.J. Kraus, Chief Ranger of the Marshfield Branch, “Our Ladies.”

Music was furnished by the Union Orchestra of Colby and the Juvenile Band of Marshfield.  Several addresses had to be omitted, owing to the fact that the time for the special trains to leave had arrived.

May 21^st is a day long to be remembered in the history of Colby.

The Rt. Rev. Bishop Schwebach left on Monday, at 2 p.m., for Mosinee.

Storm Damage to the New Church