Browsing the 2015 archive of Parish History Blog

1908: Then and Now, Parishioners Work Together to Finish the New Church

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/25/15

Parishioners of St. Patrick parish were no doubt very happy to move into the basement of their new church, even though the upper floors would not be ready for some time. Mrs. Margaret (Aylward) Curran told of her grandfather, Patrick Malone, and other men like him who would go ... Read More »

1908: Building Committee is Formed

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/18/15

It was not long before the parishioners of St. Patrick’s made plans for their new church. A building committee was selected: Fr. Polycarp von Mourik, Robert McDevitt, Michael Shirk, and Michael Moran. In early September of 1908, the general contract was awarded to W.J. Assenmacher and Co., and the ... Read More »

1908: In Ecclesia Temporanea

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/11/15

As upsetting as it must have been for St. Patrick’s parishioners to lose their church, another kind of turmoil came along when they had to find practical venues for funerals, baptisms, and marriages. It would appear that some funerals at least were held at St. Francis de Sales church ... Read More »

1908: What to Do Without a Church?

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

What must have been the emotions that Father Polycarp experienced as he witnessed the fiery destruction of his parish church on that Friday morning of April 10, 1908? Once the immediate disaster had made itself felt, he must have wondered where his parishioners would hear Mass that Sunday. How ... Read More »

1908: The Fire

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

Having a church in which to worship and to celebrate the sacraments was such a blessing to the first members of St. Patrick's parish. Fourteen years before, there had been no church building at all, but by 1908, life had surely settled down into a familiar routine. Unfortunately, that ... Read More »

1908: Going Back in Time

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

Wouldn't it be interesting to travel back in time to the year 1908, for example. St. Patrick's parishioners would have enjoyed their small wooden church by that time for 14 years. Parish families numbered 60 in 1893, so that number likely would have grown by 1908. Their pastor, Father ... Read More »

1893: "Church" Street in Havelock

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

1893 was a big year for the small town of Havelock, Nebraska. Havelock was incorporated as a city that year, and two churches were built catty-cornered from each other at the intersection of 61st and Howard Street (now Morrill Avenue): United Methodist on the southwest corner and St. Patrick's ... Read More »

April 10, 1908: The Church is Destroyed by Fire

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

This segment continues the history of St. Patrick parish that was found in the 1908 Time Capsule. It is reprinted here exactly as it was written in that account.

Fr. Polycarp had the misfortune of witnessing the sad scene of destruction that come over the beautiful little church just ... Read More »

1893-1907: Succession of Pastors of St. Patrick Parish

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

The following is a continued segment of the history of St. Patrick parish found in the 1908 Time Capsule. It is reprinted here exactly as it was written there [except for the note that follows]

Father Peter Alcantara Welling remained as pastor till November 8th 1895. The second pastor ... Read More »

1893: First Baptism, Wedding, and Funeral

Posted by Site Administrator on 10/04/15

The following is a continuing excerpt from the history of St. Patrick's parish history found in the 1908 Time Capsule. It is reprinted exactly as it was written.

"The first child baptized in the church was Anna Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harrison. It was baptized Sept. ... Read More »