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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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.  

(Photo source)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

St. Paul Lutheran Church (ELCA), Soap Creek (Rural De Witt), NE

Saint Paul Lutheran Church (ELCA) at Soap Creek (Rural De Witt), Nebraska can track its roots back to December of 1883, when a meeting was held to call the congregation's first pastor.  At this time, services were held in a public schoolhouse near Soap Creek.  The congregation was officially established in the spring of 1884.

According to the congregation's website:

In 1891 a committee was elected to plan a larger church. This building was to be 32’ X 56’ X 18’ with a 10’ X 14’ hall and a 70’ tower. In the summer of 1896 this church was struck by lighting and burned to the ground. Later that year the building was replaced with another of similar dimensions. In 1923 the church was raised three feet and a basement was dug for a schoolroom and furnace. They also added a room to each side of the tower. In 1924 the chancel was carpeted. Electric lights were installed in 1926. In 1930 a twelve-foot addition was added to the west end to make room for the installation of a new Hinners pipe organ. By ballot vote in 1942, they chose to dig out the whole basement and purchase a new furnace. The inside of the church was redecorated in 1943-1944.

By 1952, the congregation had outgrown its former house of worship and the decision was made to construct a new church.  The cornerstone of the present church building was laid on November 20, 1955 with dedication being held on November 4, 1956.

The present church is full of fantastic Mid-Century details and has changed very little since the time of its construction.  The angular bell tower houses both the original church's bell and a typically 1950s electronic bell system.

The original narthex doors feature wonderfully detailed pulls.  The reflection of a brass sculpture of the Trinity can be seen as well.

In the narthex, an ornate statue of the Risen Christ from the original church building stands in sharp contrast to the sleek Mid-Century features of the overall space.

The interior of St. Paul's is characterized by a sweeping, uplifting feeling - largely due to the intensely vertical nature of the structure.  One does not readily apprehend this verticality from the church's exterior.

As with the rest of the building, the church proper is replete with Mid-Century details including the fantastic light fixtures, exposed wood trusses, and bare brick and concrete block walls.  It really is somewhat of a rarity to find such a well-preserved Mid-Century church.

The simple altar table is covered with a stunning needlepoint altar cloth featuring stalks of wheat and a Greek Cross.

A wonderfully angular pulpit stands to the right of the sanctuary.  Note the matching needlepoint parament. 

The baptismal font is probably the church's most interesting piece of liturgical furniture.  The simple base joins together to create a cross on each of the four sides that holds aloft an elegant cylindrical basin.

The church's nave windows are of colored plate glass, ranging from deep, rich colors nearest the chancel and fading to lighter pastels toward the back to the church.

Crammed into the corner of the choir loft is a 1930 Hinners pipe organ, transplanted from the congregation's original church building.  Further details on this organ are available from the OHS Database. 

Fire Destroys Friend United Methodist Church

Some very sad news from the community of Friend, Nebraska today.  Neighbors reported smelling smoke as early as 6:00 this morning, however the heavy fog made it difficult to pinpoint the source.  By the time firefighters arrived at the Friend United Methodist Church at 9:00, fire had engulfed the church building.

From what I've heard, it's believed that the fire started in the sanctuary area and could have been smoldering since the night before.  The cause remains unknown.  Unfortunately, the building is likely a total loss.  As you can see from the photo, it's unlikely that much can be salvaged from the building.  I do hope that what little remains of the stained glass will be saved for potential reuse.

Please keep this congregation in your prayers.  I’m sure that the following weeks and months will be marked by an intense time of discernment about how to move forward from this disaster.  For more on this story, including videos, visit 10-11 News.

St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS), Hooper, NE

Lutheran services were first held in rural areas north of Hooper as early as 1868.  By 1871, St. John's had constructed its first church building northeast of the present community of Hooper, Nebraska.  The present church building was constructed in 1911.  In 1955 it was moved into the city limits of Hooper and expanded.  It would be interesting to know exactly how the church building was moved, as the journey would have included crossing the Elkhorn River over a very narrow bridge.  St. John's Cemetery still stands near the original location of the church.

It's with sadness that I learned that St. John's had closed in June of 2012.  The congregation had dwindled to a hand full of people and the decision was made to disband.  By the time I was able to photograph the church interior, the furnishings had been removed and donated to a new LCMS church in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

The interior of the church is quite plain, though it's probably unfair to make such a judgment in a building devoid of furnishings.  It's likely that renovations in the 1950s and 1970s brought the interior to its present state.

A view from the former chancel area towards the balcony and narthex.  A few scattered mementos of the church's past line the walls of the nave.

A glance into the attic area above the narthex reveals the German heritage of this congregation.  A board, which likely hung above the church's entrance, bears the remnants of its formal German name.

A Wangerin-Weickhardt pipe organ stands guard at the right of the chancel.  The instrument is in playable condition, but does not appear to have been maintained.  More information is available on this instrument from the OHS Database.

The blue-dominated nave windows feature etched glass medallions depicting various Christian symbols.  These windows likely date from the 1970s.

Two windows in the narthex present local agricultural and religious themes.

An article on the closing of St. John Lutheran Church (LCMS) in Hooper is available at the Fremont Tribune.  The church building, lots, and remaining contents (pipe organ, stained glass windows, bell, and fixtures) are scheduled to be auctioned as one lot on December 1, 2012.

I encourage readers to send me your memories of St. John's and any photos you may have to be posted here.