History of St. Patrick's Parish 1877-2002

For one hundred twenty-five years, St. Patrick's Parish has been a viable witness to the Catholic Faith in O'Neill, Nebraska. It has a long history that is rich in faith and a tradition of commitment to preserving that faith through prayer, service and education.

 

A Pioneer Church

In the spring of 1874, General John O'Neill led his first colony of Irish immigrants to settle on the Elkhorn River in the Nebraska Territory. They built a sod house and called it "The Grand Central." It was home that winter to the entire colony which consisted of thirteen men, two women and five children. A year later, in the summer of 1875, Father Peter Bedard traveled to O'Neill from Frenchtown (Neligh) and said the first Mass at the home of John Hannegan. Father Bedard, a French-Canadian, was the only Catholic priest between West Point, Nebraska and Butte, Montana. Father Bedard came a few more times in the next two years and said Mass in the sod shanty of other early settlers, such as Thomas Cain and John Fallon. It was recorded that Thomas Hynes was the server for Father Bedard's Mass and that Joseph Ryan was the first child baptized. The early years were beset by drought, grasshoppers and prairie fires. Other settlers came, but not everyone stayed. Those who did stay were committed to build a community and a future for their families. Holt County was officially organized in 1876.

The early settlers greatly desired to have Mass said regularly and to receive the sacraments. With the encouragement of Bishop James O'Connor, and his promise to send them a resident priest, the early settlers began the ground work to establish a parish. A committee was formed, which included: John Grady, Patrick McCoy, John Cronin, James Enright, and John Kelly. They contracted with John Maybury, the only carpenter in town, to build a church. The prairie was treeless and lumber was

expensive because it had to be hauled by oxen teams from Yankton. It cost all of $535. The new church was a small frame building, measuring 18x36 feet, without pews or seats of any kind and without a bell tower. It was situated on the southeast corner of block four in the City of O'Neill, on land donated by Patrick Fahy. It is the same location that the church occupies to this day. It was completed in July, 1877, and was named in honor of St. Joseph.

Father John T. Smith, a native of Ireland, who was sent by the Bishop, said the first Mass. In his sermon, Father Smith announced that he would be appointed as the first permanent pastor of the Church in O'Neill. The parish was officially established in August of 1877. Father Smith temporarily resided at the homes of parish families until the first parish residence was built two years later in 1879.

Much land was still public domain, and with the growing number of homesteaders, Father Smith soon found his ever increasing congregation outgrew the small church. Plans were made for a new and larger church and also blocks of the Hagerty Addition were donated to be used as a cemetery. The first burial was that of Patrick Joyce who was killed in an accident.

Times were hard and it was difficult to raise the needed funds. Patrick Fahy donated a portion of the sale of his lots to the fund and a bequest from the estate of John Hughes, a bachelor who died and willed his property to the church, made it possible to begin the building of a second more traditional church structure. The first church building was moved across the street and served as the first O'Neill public school until 1884, when a larger brick public school building was built.

The second church building was completed in 1882 at a cost of $6000. It was a frame building, 40 x 100 feet, and seated four hundred. It had a brick and stone basement and was heated with a hot air furnace. The interior of the church featured a gothic arch above the altar. Funds were limited and so it had no bell tower.

In 1886, after nearly a decade of pastoral service, Father Smith was transferred. He left a parish that was out of debt and growing. The parish possessed 165 registered families, a new, larger church building, a parochial residence, a fine organ for church services, an excellent choir and a large, well-attended Sunday School.

Committed People

In July of 1886, Father Michael Francis Cassidy was appointed pastor. He was to lead and influence the parish and the O'Neill community for the next 47 years. Upon assuming charge of the parish, Father Cassidy changed the name to St. Patrick's to honor the Irish settlers. He set about to increase the seating capacity of the church to five hundred by adding ten pews, and began plans to erect a ninety-foot high bell tower surmounted by an iron cross. A bell with an iron frame weighing 4000 pounds was purchased from the McShane Foundry in Baltimore, Maryland. The bell was engraved with a cross and reads: "St. Patrick's Church, O'Neill, Nebraska, 1886." The bell tolled for the first time for early Mass on Christmas Day, 1886. It was said that the sound of the bell carried for several miles across the prairie and could be heard by the rural faithful. That same bell continues to toll today from the east tower of the current church.

By 1888, an assistant pastor was assigned to the parish and a larger two-story parochial rectory was built to accommodate the pastor and assistants and the numerous visiting clergy. The priests of St. Patrick's served mission churches at Stafford, Ewing, Clearwater, Oakdale, Spencer, and Emmet. On Christmas morning 1889, six masses were celebrated to accommodate the crowds. Also in 1889 the first young man from the parish entered the priesthood. He was Richard Dwyer, Father Isadore,

who became a Passionist Missionary and served for many years in Central America. Several times Father Isadore returned to St. Patrick's to preach a Mission Retreat.

About this time, a strong desire existed to establish a Catholic Academy for young ladies. The following Easter, contributions were solicited for that purpose. They were met with a generous and prompt response. In 1890, the cornerstone was laid and the Dominican Sisters were to staff the new Academy. On February 19, 1891, tragedy struck. Fire destroyed the newly completed building before it was ever occupied. There was no insurance. Drought and economic depression in the early 1890's dashed all hopes of rebuilding. The ruins stood there for nearly a decade.

The severe drought of 1894 brought severe hardship to many families. With the leadership and encouragement of Father Cassidy, those who were more fortunate in the parish helped to relieve the suffering of the more destitute. They donated coal and potatoes and blankets and also helped to buy seeds for the new crop of 1895.

In October of 1897, Father Cassidy recorded the census and condition of the parish as follows:

"There are residing within the parish 125 Irish families, 3 German families, and 4 Bohemian families, all of whom faithfully adhere to the Church through storm and sunshine.... The people are true-hearted, generous, loyal friends, and upright, aggressive Catholics, always ready when called upon to help a deserving friend or to contribute of their moderate means in a most liberal manner, equally as well for the upbuilding and improvements of the church as toward the support of the pastor... The people are loyal to their church and its doctrines, patriotic to a high degree, and industrious, frugal and contented in their everyday vocations of life."

In the fall of 1899, a providential meeting took place between Father Cassidy and the Sisters of St. Francis, who worked with the Jesuits on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. They were traveling through O'Neill, and Father Cassidy beseeched them to establish a school and undertake the building of St. Mary's Academy. After prayerful consideration, they agreed. The Jesuits assisted in the building design.

On June 16, 1900, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the cornerstone for the new St. Mary's Academy was laid. The grade school was co-educational and the high school was for young ladies only until 1925 when the first high school class of boys was enrolled.

Also in 1900, a project of beautifying the cemetery was undertaken. A system of water works was installed, walkways were laid out, cedar trees (some still standing) were planted and an ornate iron fence was installed. The funds for the fence and a generous gift for the school were made by Thomas Kearns, an O'Neill boy who went to Park City, Utah, became owner of the Silver King Mine and later Governor of Utah.

In the spring of 1903, the Knights of Columbus Council was organized. In 1907, the Knights built a Hall on the corner of Third and Douglas streets. It served as a parish hall and community center for many years. It was the scene of many banquets, dramatic readings and music recitals.

Once again the parish outgrew its church building and plans were made to erect a third church. The new church was to be a Romanesque style brick building with two towers on either side of the entrance. It was 52x135 feet and the entire cost was $45,177.86, complete with furnishings. It was an impressive structure, and after 92 years, it continues to serve the needs of St. Patrick's Parish.

On Wednesday, August 4, 1909, the foundation of the new church was blessed and the cornerstone was laid. The business houses were all closed and both business houses and homes were decorated with American, Irish and Vatican flags. The Bishop was present and assisted by 25 clergymen. The festivities of the day were described as follows:

"Monday's rains cleared the atmosphere, and the morning of Wednesday ushered in a day of golden sunshine and blue sky, peculiarly Nebraskan, and the people came to O'Neill from all the surrounding country and towns by rail, auto, buggy, horse, and on foot, and the city of O'Neill outstripped her former self in hospitality, color, and dress and was aglow in smiles and new clothes."

A formal procession of several hundred marchers, bearing flags and banners, paraded from the Knights of Columbus Hall through downtown O'Neill and up Douglas Street to the future church site. The old church had been moved to the rear of the lot and continued to serve the needs of the parish while the new church was being built on the original site.

Only fourteen months later the new church was completed. Father John T. Smith, the first pastor, was invited to say the final Mass in the old church that he had built 27 years ago. The Solemn Dedication Ceremonies for the new church were set for October 19, 1910. Although it was a cold and rainy day, a large crowd from all parts of the country were present. All the business houses were closed, the store windows draped and decorated, and all the citizens helped to make it a memorable day.

Also in 1910, the Sisters of St. Francis began a large addition to St. Mary's Academy to better accommodate the growing number of boarders and day students. In 1916, a new brick parish rectory was built. It continues to serve as the priest's residence today. In those few years at the start of the twentieth century, St. Patrick's parish had built an impressive statement of faith and commitment in the complex of buildings that crowned the hill overlooking the Elkhorn valley.

Nineteen twenty-seven marked the Golden Jubilee for the Parish and the election of Father Cassidy to the rank of Domestic Prelate with the title of Monsignor. The cermonies of his investiture on July 20, included the presence of three Bishops and 36 priests. The Parish Golden Jubilee was celebrated October 12, and the whole city participated in the celebration. In 1928, Monsignor celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Many paid tribute to Monsignor Cassidy for his commitment and leadership to the city and the parish.

Monsignor Cassidy passed away on December 1, 1933, after a long illness. That evening at 5:40, the bells of St. Patrick's church began to toll, and the people of O'Neill were informed of his death. The following account of his funeral reflects the high regard in which he was held:

"The love of the people in this section of Nebraska for their beloved pastor was evidenced by the crowds of people that came to O'Neill to pay their respects to this man of God. He was honored and respected by men in all walks of life and of all creeds. He was revered as one who stood for honesty, sincerity and charity for his fellow man. There were five hundred automobiles in line to the cemetery, and the church was crowded to overflowing while several hundred stood outside, unable to get inside the church doors. Monsignor Cassidy was interred at the foot of the large cross in Calvary Cemetery."

A Quiet Time in the Thirties and Forties

Father John McNamara came to O'Neill as pastor on March 9, 1934. In 1935, he was named a Monsignor. He served for fifteen years, during decades that were dominated by world events - the Great Depression of the Thirties and World War II of the Forties. Father McNamara's first years in O'Neill were years of economic depression following years of severe drought. Monsignor carried on without a complaint or any demand for money, making the best of existing conditions and making ends meet as best he could. No building or renovation projects were undertaken during those years.

Monsignor "Mac" was always very supportive of education. Every year on his birthday, he gave all the St. Mary's school children a box of cherry-covered chocolates and a holiday. The children of the parish often rang the rectory doorbell to have a medal or a rosary blessed - and then to receive a piece of candy or a stick of gum.

Monsignor McNamara passed away on the Feast of All Souls, November 2, 1949. The funeral was held at St. Patrick's church and was largely attended by the many citizens who held him in affection and esteem. Monsignor McNamara was buried in his home parish of Wisner.

Loss And New Growth

In December, 1949, Father Timothy O'Sullivan was named pastor. Father O'Sullivan was a native of County Kerry, Ireland and was possessed of a dry Irish wit. One of his first projects was to establish the Altar Society. He also undertook the repair and restoration of the church. The mural over the altar was deteriorating and darkened, and a German itinerant artist was contracted to paint the scene of the Ascension in fresco style on the curve of the half-dome.

In the fall of 1952, a dream of the parish and the community came true when a community fund drive and the commitment of the Sisters of St. Francis culminated in the dedication of St. Anthony's Hospital.

The 1950's were marked by postwar prosperity and the "Baby Boom," which placed pressure on education everywhere. By 1959, the Sisters were no longer able to meet the financial needs of St. Mary's Academy and the building and grounds were turned over to St. Patrick's parish. The parish then hired the Sisters to staff and administer the school. In that same year, Father O'Sullivan was named a Monsignor. The parishioners presented him with a generous cash gift. Monsignor in turn placed the money into a building fund for a much needed new St. Mary's High School. The Altar Society, which had been saving for a Parish Hall, also contributed their funds and would use the gym basement for their activities. By 1961, St. Mary's no longer took boarders, and the Sisters moved to a newly built convent. On January 24, 1962, Monsignor O'Sullivan laid the cornerstone for a new St. Mary's High School.

February 16, 1965, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed the grand old building of St. Mary's Academy. Flames and smoke were visible from forty miles away. Hundreds gathered in disbelief on the campus as they watched the flames consume their beloved school. Providentially, the high school was already situated in the new building, the Sisters were in the new convent, and the insurance had recently been renewed on the old building. With insurance funds of $307,000 on the building and $39,000 on the contents, immediate plans were made to build a new grade school. In the meantime, the 338 grade school students continued their education in the National Guard Armory and in room made available in the old O'Neill Public School.

In May of 1965, Monsignor O'Sullivan celebrated his Golden Jubilee to the priesthood. His health was failing, and in June he retired. Monsignor O'Sullivan passed away on April 3, 1966. His funeral was held at St. Patrick's church, and he was buried in the Calvary Cemetery Annex. In the years of his pastorate, he had established the Altar Society, the Parish Hall, refurbished the Church, built a new convent, high school and grade school, and was a gentle and loving presence in the parish.

Father John Connealy was appointed pastor when Monsignor O'Sullivan retired in 1966, and he completed the building projects in progress. An addition to the new high school building was finished in August of 1966, and the new St. Mary's Grade School opened in September of 1966. In June of 1969, Emmet Epiphany Church became a mission of O'Neill. Later, when the Emmet church was closed, the parishioners went either to Atkinson or O'Neill.

A Time of Change

The Vatican II Council in the early 1960's brought renewal and many changes to the church. The liturgy was modernized, and there was a call for more lay involvement. In the spirit of Vatican II, the parish instituted a Parish Committee and other organizations to assist the pastor. In updating the liturgy according to Vatican II, the organ and choir were moved to the front of the church. The altar was turned to face the congregation. Moving the organ pipes to the front of the church and turning the altar around necessitated a total reconstruction and dismantling of the old altar area. It was over a year before there were sufficient funds and a private donation making it possible to complete the refurbishment of the altar area.

In 1969, Father Peter Dunne was assigned as pastor of St. Patrick's. He completed the renovation of the church, with new altar furnishings and repainting of the main body of the church. A free standing altar of solid Italian marble was installed and new furnishings reflected the liturgical changes from Vatican II. Prominent over the altar was a large hand carved wooden figure of "The Risen Christ." The altar area was carpeted in red. Father Dunne organized the Legion of Mary and solicited lay members to serve as extraordinary ministers. In 1970, Bob Shoemaker and Ed Dzwiogo were installed by Archbishop Daniel Sheehan as the first extraordinary ministers.

In June of 1971, Amelia St. Joseph was made a mission of O'Neill.

In 1972, Father Martin Conley was appointed as pastor. He continued to develop the parish organizations and build support for the school. The O'Neill St. Mary's Catholic Schools Foundation was incorporated in May of 1977. The formation of the foundation resulted from a bequest of $45,000 from the estate of Michael and Katherine Higgins.

Nineteen hundred seventy-seven was the centennial year of St. Patrick's parish. In June of 1977, Father Benedict LaRocque was assigned as pastor. Plans were well underway to celebrate the Parish Centennial and Father LaRocque, the associate pastors, Father Frank Dvorak and Father Kenneth Potts and fourth-year theologian, David LaPante, along with a Centennial Committee were enthusiastically preparing to celebrate. At that time, there were fourteen Sisters of St. Francis living at the convent, and they too gave their support to the event. That summer the exterior of the church was tuck-pointed and sand-blasted and the interior body of the church was carpeted for the first time. The city of O'Neill put out the Welcome Flags and the Archbishop, 25 priests who had served here, 50 Sisters of St. Francis and hundreds of parishioners celebrated with mass, a parade and a banquet. For the celebration, a forty foot green banner of material from Ireland with a large white celtic cross made by Sister Antonella was hung from the opening in the bell tower and extended to the ground. A strong Nebraska wind took hold of it, and so it made a brief but impressive appearance before it tore and fell to the ground.

In 1979, Bob Shoemaker was ordained as a lay deacon, and he served the parish and the church faithfully until his death on July 28, 1998.

Challenge and Vision

In 1982, Father Roland Peschel became pastor at St. Patrick's. The O'Neill St. Patrick's Parish Foundation was incorporated in September, 1982. The initial gift was approximately $47,000 from the Julius D. Cronin estate. Since the school had become the financial responsibility of the parish in the late 1960's, rising costs, the declining number of sisters, and a recession in agriculture, were a constant challenge to the parish.

In 1989, Father Paul Ortmeier was appointed pastor. The few teaching sisters that remained moved to St. Anthony's Hospital Convent across the street, and the St. Mary's Convent became St. Patrick's Parish Center. In 1990, a financial crisis led to the S.O.S. (Save Our School) fund drive. The project was conceived and organized by parish members M.J. Kersenbrock and Lucille Dufek. It was successful in providing income for the next five years.

In 1994, Father Richard Reiser, a native of Butte, Nebraska, became pastor. It had been twenty-five years since the church had been painted. He undertook a "freshening" of the church interior which included refinishing the pews, plaster repair and repainting, new carpet, kneeler pads and upholstery of the altar furniture. Repairs were also made to the outside and the roof was reshingled. In 1995 it was deemed necessary to launch an endowment fund campaign as "A Vision For The Future." Once again the people committed to the needs of the parish and to Catholic education.

In the spring of 1999, one hundred years from the time the first Sisters of St. Francis came to O'Neill and met with Father Cassidy, the last Sister of St. Francis retired as principal of St. Mary's Grade School. It brought to a close one hundred years of service, which the Sisters had given to St. Patrick's Parish. The gifts of their service continue to bless and benefit the parish and the thousands of lives that they touched.

In June, 1999, Father Mark Filips was appointed pastor. An appeal for continuing endowment funds called "Challenge 2000" was initiated. In the year 2000, St. Mary's celebrated its centennial and many alumni returned for the reunion. In 2001, Father Filips established Perpetual Adoration in the renovated east chapel of St. Patrick's church. Many, young and old, enrolled for a time of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Future blessings are sure to flow from the prayers of so many in the parish.

A Snapshot of 125 Years

An invaluable resource for the history of St. Patrick's Parish was the research done in 1977 for the centennial celebration by Father Kenneth Potts. Resources include church records, the journals of Father Cassidy, the Sister's history, newspaper accounts, and oral history. It is a blessing to be a part of such a rich history of faith and commitment. The following, estimated from available records, is testament to that heritage:

~ 7,245 Baptisms

~ 4,121 First Communions

~ 4,083 Confirmations

~ 1,861 Marriages

~ 2,586 Funerals

~ 2,741 Graduates of St. Mary's

~73 Religious Vocations - 10 priests, and 63 sisters.

3 churches built - In 1877, 1882, and 1910 - the current church has served the parish for 92 years.

3 rectories built - in 1879, 1888, and 1916 - the current rectory has served the priests of the parish for 86 years.

The Bell, first installed in 1886, has been calling people to prayer for 116 years.

Missions of St. Patricks Parish

When St. Patrick's was still a frontier settlement, it served an immense territory. It is recorded that Father Smith, pastor from 1877 to 1886, attended to the spiritual needs of settlers in Holt, Knox, Boyd, Keya Paha, Madison, Pierce, Antelope, Garfield, and Wheeler counties, often making long trips in the most severe weather to attend to distant missions. Father Cassidy, pastor from 1886 to 1933, saw the growth of towns on the frontier and served missions, at Stafford, Spencer, Clearwater, Ewing, Oakdale, and Emmet. In time, each community established its own parish and was assigned a permanent pastor. The Stafford mission was discontinued in 1930. Two small rural communities that have continued a special relationship to St. Patrick's O'Neill are Emmet and Amelia.

EMMET CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY was built in 1910. From January 1911 to August 1917, Emmet was a mission attended every other Sunday by priests from O'Neill. In 1917, it was made a parish, and its first pastor was Father Byrne, who served until 1938. Father John O'Brien was the second pastor and served until 1947, with the exception of the two years, 1943-45, he served as a chaplain in the armed forces during World War II. From 1947 to 1953, Father Joseph Lane and Father Anthony Urbanski were appointed pastors. In 1953, Father Francis Price, a native of O'Neill, came to Emmet as pastor and undertook the refurbishment of the church. From 1960 to 1963, Father Ralph O'Donnel was pastor. From 1963 to 1969 Father Robert Schmitz served as the last permanent pastor. In June of 1969, Epiphany parish was made a mission of O'Neill. The church was closed in 1985 and the parishoners joined either Atkinson or O'Neill.

AMELIA ST. JOSEPH first built a chapel in 1919, and priests from the Greeley area celebrated Mass there about once a month. In 1923, Father P.J. Vanderloon was appointed their first pastor. He was succeeded in 1930 by Father William Borer. In 1933, Amelia was made a mission of Atkinson, but because of distance and bad road conditions, it was often difficult for the priests to get there. In 1938, when they had been without mass for one whole summer, Father O'Brien from Emmet began coming on the shorter back roads to hold services, and the Sisters from O'Neill came to teach catechism to the children. Succeeding pastors at Emmet continued to serve the Amelia mission until 1969, when Emmet was made a mission of O'Neill and Amelia became for a short time a mission of Atkinson. In January 1971, Amelia was made a mission of O'Neill, with weekly services by the priests of St. Patrick's. Amelia St. Joseph remains a vibrant active parish to this day.