Showing posts with label Nebraska Churches. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nebraska Churches. Show all posts

Friday, October 21, 2016

First United Methodist Church, Long Pine, NE

The Methodist Church in Long Pine, Nebraska was established in late 1881 or early 1882, shortly after the townsite was platted.  From the very beginning, the wider community has contributed to the wellbeing of the congregation.  For about four years, the Methodists and Congregationalists shared a temporary worship space on Sunday mornings in Skinner Hall, a meeting room located on the second floor of the Charles Clift Cafe.  The Methodists held services in the mornings, while the Congregationalists used the space in the afternoons.  During this time, a Community Ladies Aid group was formed for the purpose of raising funds for permanent homes for both congregations.  The revenue from their various fundraisers was split equally between both churches.

Thanks to the generosity of this group and others, the 87-member strong Methodist Church proudly dedicated its first church building on July 18, 1886.  Almost 21 years later, on July 6, 1907 this structure was destroyed by a tornado.  Undaunted, church members purchased a new site and quickly began building the present structure, which was dedicated in 1908.  This new church was given the formal and somewhat unwieldy name of "The Melvin W. Eighmy Memorial Church" in honor of the late son of the minister at the time, Rev. Philip Eighmy.  Today, the church building is simply known as the "First United Methodist Church."

Long Pine's First Methodist Church shortly after its construction.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of writing about these churches is the opportunity to dig deeply into the history of a place.  Every now and then, you find a real gem.  That's exactly what I found when I stumbled upon an incredibly obscure biography published in 1940 entitled, The Life and Works of Mrs. Mary Bradstreet Helmershausen by Adella Helmershausen.  Among other things, this book contains the text of many letters written to Mrs. Helmershausen.  Apparently, Mary was a cousin of Rev. Philip Eighmy, the minister who built the 1908 church.  His letters published in this volume offer an incredibly valuable and interesting glance into his life and the life of the Methodist Church in Long Pine.  Here, he describes the church building just days after its dedication:

Long Pine, Nebraska, 
Sept 12, 1908 

Dear Cousin Mary:
     We received your letter and the book for which please accept our thanks.  We dedicated our new church last Sunday, Sept. 6, 1908.  It cost six thousand dollars.  We raised the sum of one thousand dollars which clears our indebtedness.
     We have a beautiful church.  The window at the right as you enter is your window.  It is fine.  All of the windows were sold and are memorials.  Yours to your godly parents "Daniel M. and Clarissa Bradstreet."
     The audience room is raised, floor seated with opera chairs, and is very pretty and comfortable.  We have a fine pulpit and three pulpit chairs.  The house is beautifully lighted. I send you a card with the picture of our church.  On the right is the parsonage.  The marble slab over the main entrance is inscribed: "Memorial Melvin W. Eighmy Memorial Church, 1908."  It is in memory of our only son now deceased.
     Hoping to hear from you again, we are 


Your loving cousins,
Phillip H. and Dorinda C. Eighmy

A postcard of the First Methodist Church in Long Pine, dating from shortly after its dedication in 1908.  This is likely the image referenced in the above letter.

Writing about two years later, Rev. Eighmy reflects on growing up without a mother, the goodness of God, and his own accomplishments.  He also speaks of his upcoming retirement and move to San Diego, California.

The Long Pine First United Methodist Church as is presently appears.

Long Pine, Nebraska, 
June 4, 1910 

Dear Cousin Mary:
     Referring to my mother, I never saw her to know her.  She died May 22, 1839, your Aunt Affa; I was bom April 9, 1839 and have never known what a mother was.  But God has been good to me and I love Him.  His goodness is great.  For thirty years I have been in His ministry, six years of that time a presiding elder.  I was two years in the Nebraska Legislature ; and served one year as Chaplain of the Grand Army of the Republic of the state of Nebraska.  In 1904, I was elected a delegate to the General Conference held at Los Angeles, California.  I have tried to do what has been committed unto me, faithfully, and God's hand has led me, motherless, step by step, onward.  I am old now, Mary, but answer calls to preach, to fill vacancies, and funerals; am class-leader in our home church, pay on the salary and benevolences, and cherish a hope to meet that lost mother, sometime, somewhere.
      On the 16th of November we started for the Pacific coast, and spent two months visiting at Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.  We bought a home in San Diego before leaving; returned home April 15th, expecting to go back this fall.  We remain, Always, 


Sincerely your cousins, 
P. H. and D. C. Eighmy

The interior of the church has changed little since its construction.

Aside from being a highly accomplished and deeply spiritual man, Rev. Eighmy was also apparently very prosperous financially:

Long Pine, Nebraska, 
Sept. 20, 1910

Dear Cousin:
     We hasten to write to you before we leave for the Pacific coast permanently.  We are selling out our effects here; have sold five of our six houses.  We do not expect to sell the land this fall before we go.  The lease will hold five years' cash rent, subject to sale.  Our ranch of eight hundred acres is southeast of Long Pine.
     Our golden wedding will be April 8, 1911, if we live so long.  I am seventy-one and Dorinda will be seventy on Aug. 17, 1911.  We came to Iowa in 1867; bought land; came to Nebraska in 1893; sold the Iowa land at a good profit; and bought Nebraska Land.
     Now, dear cousin Mary, we have had a little farewell visit with you on paper, and gone over the past.
     We expect to leave Long Pine on the 11th of October.  The parting from friends makes us sad, as does the leaving of our home and church.  Our address is 805 Irving Ave., San Diego, Cal.  With prayers for you and your family God bless and preserve you all.  I hope to hear from you often.  We remain, Always,


Sincerely your cousins, 
P. H. and D. C. Eighmy

A minister with six houses and an 800 acre ranch!  I wonder what the locals thought of that!  Whatever the case may have been, the Rev. Philip Eighmy was an important figure for the Methodists of Long Pine who shepherded his congregation through a significant natural disaster and the building of a new church: a legacy enjoyed even now by current congregation members

The wide but lofty nave of the church brings worshippers close to the altar and pulpit.  

Following the construction of the church, a parsonage was constructed in 1910 to the east and a community hall was completed in 1924.  Both of these structures were sold in 1974 and 1941, respectively.  The membership of the church has declined over the years, along with the rest of the community.  Long Pine's economy had long depended largely upon the significant rail-yard that existed there from 1881 until the late 1950s, when passenger rail service was discontinued.  Shortly afterwards, the roundhouse, shop, and stockyards were demolished, eliminating many jobs.

The sanctuary of the Long Pine United Methodist Church.  The three pulpit chairs are original to the building.

Thanks to the assistance of various United Methodist aid groups, major repairs have been undertaken over the past several decades and the building remains in relatively good repair given its small congregation.  Long Pine's First United Methodist Church stands as the quintessential small-town Protestant church: white clapboard exterior with a corner steeple, windows and bell tower vaguely inspired by gothic architecture.  The interior is marked by utmost simplicity, but with a stateliness that comes from high degree of craftsmanship.

One of the three large stained glass windows that dominate the church building.

This church holds a special place in my my memory and identity.  My grandmother, Mary Jensen was assigned as pastor here from 1997 until her retirement in 2008.  I remember being warmly welcomed into worship by this small but joyful congregation of about a dozen people.  Since grandma's retirement in 2008, the congregation has been without an assigned pastor.  The congregation has since enlisted the assistance of a very part time minister who travels 135 miles one way to lead Sunday worship during the warmer months of the year.

Bibliography

Adele Helmershausen, The Life and Works of Mrs. Mary Bradstreet Helmershausen.  Chicago, IL: Manz Engraving Corp., 1940.

Materials from the Long Pine Heritage Society & Heritage House Museum

Virtual Nebraska: Long Pine
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Friday, June 24, 2016

St. Mary Catholic Church, Wymore, NE

The beginning of Saint Mary Catholic Church in Wymore, Nebraska is intimately bound up with the history of Wymore itself, which was platted on May 21, 1881.  Shortly thereafter, Wymore found itself at the junction of the Burlington and Missouri River Railroads, resulting in the rapid growth of the community.

Father A.C. Rausch of Table Rock paid a visit to the community in 1881 and was clearly impressed.  He requested to transfer his residence from Table Rock to the booming new community of Wymore.  Masses were celebrated in the homes of various parishioners until 1882, when the number of Catholics made such an arrangement unfeasible.  Even though the town was growing, Father Rausch acknowledged that these pioneer families were struggling to become established, so in 1882 he purchased 3 lots and constructed a combination church and rectory using his own funds.  At this time, the parish became known as Saint Mary's.

The exterior of the 1892 Saint Mary Church, Wymore as is appeared shortly after completion.
In 1885, the parish outgrew this small chapel and began construction on a larger, wood frame church which was completed in the fall of 1886.  Again, the parish continued to grow and new lots were purchased in 1891 for a new brick church which was dedicated on December 18, 1892.  

The exterior of 1892 Saint Mary's, circa 1940s.  The tower was likely shortened in the 1939 renovation.
The 1892 brick church would see many renovations over the years, particularly in 1939 and again in 1954.  Later, on June 15, 1957, a severe hail storm tore through the community, resulting in the complete destruction of many of the church's stained glass windows.  

The Holy Thursday Altar of Repose in the 1892 Saint Mary's Church.  Photo taken circa 1940s.
A new parish hall was completed and blessed on September 15, 1974.  By this time, the brick church had developed significant structural issues and was demolished on April 4, 1978.  The parish hall served as a temporary church until the parish's fourth and present church was completed.


Construction of the present church, designed by architect John Forman, began on October 24, 1980 and was dedicated by Bishop Glennon Flavin on July 26, 1981.  The steel, rectangular bell tower housing the bell from the previous church is reminiscent of the many grain elevator legs that dot the area landscape.


The interior of the present church building is very successful in its integration of old and new elements.  The slender gothic windows and plaster statuary of the previous church find a natural fit amongst the simple, clean lines of the interior.


Another outstanding feature of Saint Mary Church is its use of light.  A large clearstory floods the sanctuary with light, while the low-slung nave area dark and contemplative.  This feature gives visual prominence to the altar and an interior mood that changes dramatically depending on the weather and the time of year.

Perhaps the most notable thing about Saint Mary's is the feeling that the church simply belongs in the place where it's at.  It's not particularly ornate; its beauty comes from its subtlety, much like the landscape of the area.  The bricks of the interior echo the large clay deposits found to the west near Endicott and the wood is reminiscent of the cottonwood groves lining the Big Blue River just east of town.  It's a space that is at once holy and homey.  The fact that the interior has endured for 35 years without any significant alterations is significant.

The familiar faces of elaborately-clad stained glass saints stand as a proud and tangible connection to a past that continues to inspire new generators of parishioners.  The Apostles Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Peter stand on the right side of the sanctuary.

Christ the Good Shepherd and Saint Margaret of Antioch watch over the left side of the sanctuary.


Bibliography

Sister Loretta Gosen, S.PP.S,  History of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska 1887-1987.  Marceline, MO: Walsworth Publishing Company, 1986.


Wymore, Nebraska Diamond Jubilee Historical Album 1881-1956, p. 15-16


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Friday, January 30, 2015

Former St. Mary Catholic Church, Rockville, NE


The early Polish Catholic pioneers who settled south of the Middle Loup River near Rockville, Nebraska found it difficult to practice their faith with no church nearby.  On Saturday evenings, Catholic families would board the train at Rockville and ride to Loup City, where they would attend Mass on Sunday morning, and return home in the afternoon.  Occasionally priests from Grand Island would also visit the area to celebrate the sacraments.


This haphazard arrangement could not last, and the early settlers decided to send one of their strongest leaders, Joseph Roszczynialski(!) to plead their cause to the priests in Grand Island.  Their request for a permanent church was forwarded to Bishop Richard Scannell of Omaha, and the bishop granted permission shortly thereafter.  

Roszczynialski himself served as the architect and chief builder of the new 300-seat St. Mary of the Holy Rosary Church and also designed and built its high altar.  It's likely that Roszczynialski served as the architect for several other Polish Catholic churches in the area as well.  Construction of the 40 x 92 foot Rockville church began in the spring of 1908 and progressed rapidly.  The cornerstone was blessed on May 9, 1909 and by October 20th of the same year, the church was dedicated by Bishop Scanell.

At various times from 1910 to 1918, the parish found itself as a mission of either Grand Island, Loup City, Farwell, or Paplin.  Desperate for a more consistent life of worship, parishioners built a rectory in 1911, but seven more years passed before Rockville received its first resident pastor.  Even with a new rectory, Rockville only managed to secure a resident pastor for eight years, and in 1926 Rockville again became a mission of Farwell.  St. Mary remained a mission of several different area parishes throughout the rest of its history.

Various modifications were made to the church building over the years, including the addition of electricity in the early 1920s, a lowered ceiling and sanctuary renovation in the 1950s, and another sanctuary remodeling in the 1970s.  In 1978, the bell tower was struck by lightning and repaired by simply capping the tower at the roofline.  The former church's bell now resides at the nearby St.Mary Cemetery.

In many ways, the present day situation for Rockville Catholics is not so different than that of their forebears.  In 2006, St. Mary was clustered with five other area parishes, leaving Rockville with Mass only four times per year along with the occasional wedding or funeral.  Parishioners dispersed to various surrounding communities for the regular celebration of the sacraments and religious education.  The parish held it's final Mass on August 24, 2014 and the church building and its remaining contents were sold at auction on October 11, 2014.

In an unfortunate twist of fate, a radical traditionalist group calling themselves the "The Religious Congregation of Mary Immaculate Queen (CMRI)" purchased the building for $16,000.  This non-Catholic group has no affiliation whatsoever with the Catholic Church and believes that there hasn't been a legitimate pope since 1958.  For more information about this group, this article features the insights of nuns formerly associated with them.


Bibliography

Jim Graves, “The Return to Rome, Five Years Later,” The Catholic World Report, 19 October 2012, accessed 29 January 2014.

Janis Lewandowski, "Rockville church remembered as 'little parish that could,'" West Nebraska Register, 10 October 2014.

Mary Parlin and Colleen Gallion, comps. 100 Years of Faith: The History of the Diocese of Grand Island. Grand Island, NE: West Nebraska Register, 2012.

Lauren Sedam, "Saying final goodbyes to St. Mary’s," The Grand Island Independent, 10 October 2014.


Thursday, January 22, 2015

St. Luke Catholic Church, Ogallala, NE

In the midst of the rolling western Nebraska Sandhills stands an expressive, angular Mid-Century Modern church designed by one of Nebraska's most prolific church architects.  Today, St. Luke Catholic Church in Ogallala stands as one of the largest and boldest Mid-Century churches in rural Nebraska.


(Photo source)
Early records indicate that in 1859, Jesuit Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet instructed and baptized 263 members of the Oglala Tribe near the Platte River, south of present-day city of Ogallala.  It's likely that Father DeSmet also offered the first Masses in the area.  Priests from Sidney and North Platte would later make sporadic visits to the area to administer the sacraments.  By 1887, area Catholics constructed a permanent church (pictured above).  Priests from St. Patrick Parish in Sidney (72 miles away!) served the Ogallala community from 1887 until 1913, when St. Luke received its first resident pastor.


(Photo source)
By 1922, the growing parish saw the need to expand its original church building.  This was accomplished by the addition of transcepts and a new sanctuary.  The exterior of the building was also coated in grey stucco.  The church's capacity was expanded yet again in 1949 with the extension of the choir loft and an addition to the front of the building.  St. Luke Parish continued to grow, along with the general population of the city and by 1953, a convent and elementary school were constructed. 


St. Luke reached a new milestone with the dedication of its new $250,000 church on November 29, 1960.  The work of prominent Nebraska church architect James E. Loftus, this structure represents his first known attempt at designing a truly modern church building.  And what an eye-catching success it is!  Unfortunately, the sleek exterior lines of the building have been compromised by the addition of a sloped steel roof and air-handling equipment.  Otherwise, both the exterior and interior of the church retain a high degree of architectural integrity. 


The spacious, unencumbered volume of the interior evokes a sense of lightness, while the almost Art Deco-like marble reredos naturally focuses one's attention towards the crucifix and altar area.


Large clearstory windows create a bright environment, while the much lower ambulatory humanizes the scale of the space.  The cream colored brick of the clearstory walls and the wood paneled sanctuary find complementary contrast with the white plaster ceiling and ambulatory walls.

The sanctuary features some wonderful Mid-Century detailing, including the light fixtures and woodwork.  The furnishings are simple, but substantial, and of noble materials.  The hidden lancet windows illuminate the reredos and crucifix in a wonderfully mysterious fashion.  


By the 1950s, the ideas of the Liturgical Movement had come to greatly influence church design.  One of these primary ideas was that only one altar should be visible from the main body of the church, since the altar is the primary symbol of Christ.  This principal is clearly illustrated at St. Luke, where, neatly tucked away beneath two low-ceiling transcepts, are the traditional side altars dedicated to Mary and Joseph.


Some may find it initially jarring to come across such a thoroughly modern church in a small western Nebraska community.  However, I think it's fair to say that the Lincoln Highway had a huge influence on the architecture of the communities it passed through.  As the modern concept of long-range vehicular transportation became the norm, modern structures flourished along the Lincoln Highway to reflect this new era of American life.


Today, St. Luke Church should be appreciated as an innovative and exciting structure that reflects the enthusiasm of the 1950s and 60s, while still hearkening to solid liturgical principals that hold true even today.


Bibliography

History of Saint Luke’s Catholic Church of Ogallala, Nebraska

Parlin, Mary, and Colleen Gallion, comps. 100 Years of Faith: The History of the Diocese of Grand Island. Grand Island, NE: West Nebraska Register, 2012.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Year of Faith Pilgrimage Sites in Nebraska



In October of 2012, Pope Benedict XVI inaugurated a "Year of Faith" as an opportunity for Catholics and indeed all Christians to dedicate themselves to deepening their understanding of the gift of faith.

The Year of Faith is an opportunity to experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter into a deeper relationship with him.  The pope has described this conversion as opening the “door of faith.”  The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but during this year we are called to open it again, walk through it, and rediscover and renew our relationship with Christ.

As a part of this Year of Faith, dioceses throughout the world have designated places of pilgrimage and prayer to aide in this process of rediscovery.  In addition to the spiritual benefits of visiting these sites, a pilgrimage is also an excellent opportunity to discover the rich artistic and cultural heritage of a given area.  The Year of Faith comes to a close on 24 November 2013.

Below are a list and map of designated pilgrimage sites within the state of Nebraska:

Diocese of Grand Island
Grand Island, Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Diocese of Lincoln
Agnew,  Carmel Chapel of Jesus, Mary, Joseph
Arapahoe, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine
Crete, Cor Mariae Schoenstatt Center
Lincoln, The Cathedral of the Risen Christ 
Lincoln, Eucharistic Shrine and Adoration Chapel of Christ the King
Loma, St. Luke Czech Catholic Shrine

Archdiocese of Omaha
Boys Town, Immaculate Conception
Columbus, St. Bonaventure
Gretna, Holy Family Shrine
Jackson, St. Patrick
Madison, St. Leonard
O'Neill, St. Patrick
Omaha, St. Cecilia Cathedral
Omaha, Our Lady of Lourdes
Omaha, St. Margaret Mary
Omaha, St. Vincent de Paul
Randolph, St. Jane Frances de Chantal
West Point, St. Mary
Winnebago, St. Augustine 


View Year of Faith Pilgrimage Sites in Nebraska in a larger map

If one wishes to obtain a plenary indulgence at a pilgrimage site, the pilgrim must be in the state of grace and have the intention of gaining the indulgence either for oneself or for a soul in Purgatory.  The pilgrim then must take part in some sacred function at the place or else pause for a few moments of prayer, concluding with the recitation of the Our Father and a Profession of Faith (Apostles’ Creed) and a request for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin or the patron saint of the location.  One also must say a prayer for the intentions of the Pope and receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist within eight days before, during, or after the pilgrimage.

In addition to the above mentioned pilgrimage sites, a pilgrim may visit the baptistery or other place where one was baptized and, while there, renew one's baptismal promises.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Lecture: Designing a Cathedral in a Time of Liturgical Transition


Next Thursday, January 31, 2013 I will be presenting a lecture on the first cathedral in the United States to be dedicated following the promulgation of the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy at the Second Vatican Council.  This lecture will be presented as a part of the ongoing Thursday Forum series hosted by the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University. The presentation will begin at 4:15 p.m. in Room 264 of the Quad building at Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota.  I warmly invite any local readers to attend.

The abstract for this lecture is available below:

Liturgical space is formative of our faith experience. This project will examine the art and architectural design of the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, Nebraska as a manifestation of the liturgical and theological changes wrought by the constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium and the spirit of the Second Vatican Council.

The process of planning the new Cathedral began in approximately 1958 and culminated with its dedication on August 18, 1965. This time span represents an era of incredible change in the Roman Catholic liturgy. This project seeks to understand the evolution in the design of the Cathedral and its interplay with the activity of the Second Vatican Council in the area of liturgy.

This study will involve an examination of the evolution of the cathedral's design and placement of the liturgical furnishings as well as the development and execution of its artistic schema. I hope to further investigate Bishop James V. Casey's role in the design as he participated in the deliberations of the Second Vatican Council.

Even today, this Cathedral still stands as a witness and embodies the principles firmly held by the Second Vatican Council, particularly in the areas of liturgy, art, and architecture. By a thorough examination of the cathedral's planning and design, I hope to bring forward the value of Conciliar-era art and architecture as a commentary on liturgical life and worship in the Church today, so that these spaces may continue to be a formative element within our faith experience.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

St. Gall Catholic Church, Lisco, NE

Across town from the humble Lisco Presbyterian Church stands the equally humble St. Gall Catholic Church. 

The completion of the Union Pacific railroad saw the arrival of numerous Catholics in the Lisco area.  So much so that in 1916 the present church was constructed under the supervision of Fr. T.J. O'Byrne of Scottsbluff (64 miles northwest of Lisco), who was ministering to Catholics in the Platte Valley.  St. Gall eventually became a mission of Oshkosh and today is a mission of St. Joseph in Chappell.

This church holds the distinction of being the only church in Nebraska named in honor of St. Gall, a 7th Century Irish monastic.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Lisco Presbyterian Church, Lisco, NE

In the small community of Lisco, Nebraska (population: 64) stands the equally small, though nevertheless delightful Lisco Presbyterian Church.  I've been unable to locate any history on this building or its congregation, however a large boulder in the church's front yard proclaims "Established 1909."


The church building is very well maintained, both inside and out.  Obviously this church is a point of pride for both congregants and the wider community.  The interior has a pleasant simplicity about it, which seems entirely appropriate to Presbyterian spirituality.  The nave windows, light fixture glass, and wallpaper are all of a yellowish-tan color, which creates a certain warmness and also certain photographic challenges.  


The chancel area contains simple liturgical furnishings, likely dating from the 1950s.  According to statistical data available from the Presbyterian Church, this congregation currently has 32 members (literally half the town!) and averages 25 worshippers each week.


The main artistic focal point of the chancel is a large Celtic cross, a nod to the Scottish origins of Presbyterianism.  The cross framed by two contemporary Dalle de Verre (thick, faceted slabs of colored glass set into epoxy) stained glass windows.