Title
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH's CHURCH
Creator
Fr. Edwin Volk
Coverage
TOWNSHIP 139N RANGE 96W
Text
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH's CHURCH
By Fr. Edwin Volk, Pastor
With the increase of the German settlers at the beginning of this century it was found necessary, at the request of the German-speaking people to build St. Joseph's Church. On April the sixth, 1902, Bishop J. Shanley, encouraged by repeated requests on the part of the German Catholics of the south side, personally came to Dickinson to investigate the situation. On the same day the bishop gave to the future parish its Patron Saint. He also appointed Adam Ehmantraut and Joseph Friedt as trustees, and John Hutmacher and Joseph Kupper as advisors to the pastor.
On Sunday, Nov. 19, the cornerstone was laid and blessed. Many people attended this ceremony.
On Oct. 20, 1903 Bishop J. Shanley consecrated the bells, and the following day he dedicated the church. This brought to fulfillment the great desire of the German-speaking people.
In 1905 the sisters of St. Benedict were appointed to conduct St. Joseph's School. At the beginning classrooms were set up in the church basement, convent and a third building. In 1923 because of the growth in enrollment it was found necessary to erect a new school. This building was ready for occupancy on the first of February, 1925. This brought much joy to the teachers and pupils.
On April 28, 1950 ground was broken for the building of the present rectory. It was ready for occupancy in January 1951.
The former rectory was attached to the south side of the church. Plans to enlarge the church necessitated the removal of the old rectory.
Late in the fall of 1950 the footings and foundation were poured for the addition to the church. This addition demanded the renovation of the interior as well.
With the growth of the population in the city of Dickinson it also increased the membership of the parish. This demanded more classroom space. At a meeting on Jan. 3, 1954 Monsignor George P. Aberle told the parishioners that an addition to the present school would have to be built or a new building would have to be provided.
When school started in September, 1954 the parish found the one school building very crowded. On Jan. 2, 1955 the parish decided to build a new building. On May 23, 1955 the ground breaking ceremony took place for the new St. Joseph's School Building. The building was ready for classes beginning the school year 1957.
At a meeting March 14, 1957 the subject of landsite for a future Catholic High School was discussed. After searching and discussing the future site it was agreed that the property west of the Rocky Butte Park would be most suitable. After several consultations with Mrs. Anna Gauer 20 acres were purchased for $20,000. The original plot of Mrs. Anna Gauer was 25 acres. She had sold five acres to Dr. Edward F. Keller, Dr. Keller heard that the three parishes, St. Joseph's, St. Patrick's, and St. Wenceslaus had purchased Mrs. Gauer's plot, and offered his five acres, on which he intended to build his future home, to the parishes, for the Trinity High School site.
The building of Trinity High School was begun in 1960. Classes enrolled on a yearly basis as the building progressed and classrooms became available.
Aug. 1 of 1968 brought an era at St. Joseph's Parish to an end. Monsignor George P. Aberle resigned after 51 years as pastor of the parish. His long stay in the parish witnessed years of hardship and blessings. Through it all he did what was necessary for the spiritual welfare of the people.
Since his leave, the parish has witnessed a steady growth in membership. With the new home-building that is going on at the present time within the city limits the parish could be experiencing a rapid growth in the future.
St. Joseph's will continually foster the spiritual and moral fiber necessary for the good of society. Our good people have supported this end well in the past, and we hope to look for greater things in the future.
By Fr. Edwin Volk, Pastor
With the increase of the German settlers at the beginning of this century it was found necessary, at the request of the German-speaking people to build St. Joseph's Church. On April the sixth, 1902, Bishop J. Shanley, encouraged by repeated requests on the part of the German Catholics of the south side, personally came to Dickinson to investigate the situation. On the same day the bishop gave to the future parish its Patron Saint. He also appointed Adam Ehmantraut and Joseph Friedt as trustees, and John Hutmacher and Joseph Kupper as advisors to the pastor.
On Sunday, Nov. 19, the cornerstone was laid and blessed. Many people attended this ceremony.
On Oct. 20, 1903 Bishop J. Shanley consecrated the bells, and the following day he dedicated the church. This brought to fulfillment the great desire of the German-speaking people.
In 1905 the sisters of St. Benedict were appointed to conduct St. Joseph's School. At the beginning classrooms were set up in the church basement, convent and a third building. In 1923 because of the growth in enrollment it was found necessary to erect a new school. This building was ready for occupancy on the first of February, 1925. This brought much joy to the teachers and pupils.
On April 28, 1950 ground was broken for the building of the present rectory. It was ready for occupancy in January 1951.
The former rectory was attached to the south side of the church. Plans to enlarge the church necessitated the removal of the old rectory.
Late in the fall of 1950 the footings and foundation were poured for the addition to the church. This addition demanded the renovation of the interior as well.
With the growth of the population in the city of Dickinson it also increased the membership of the parish. This demanded more classroom space. At a meeting on Jan. 3, 1954 Monsignor George P. Aberle told the parishioners that an addition to the present school would have to be built or a new building would have to be provided.
When school started in September, 1954 the parish found the one school building very crowded. On Jan. 2, 1955 the parish decided to build a new building. On May 23, 1955 the ground breaking ceremony took place for the new St. Joseph's School Building. The building was ready for classes beginning the school year 1957.
At a meeting March 14, 1957 the subject of landsite for a future Catholic High School was discussed. After searching and discussing the future site it was agreed that the property west of the Rocky Butte Park would be most suitable. After several consultations with Mrs. Anna Gauer 20 acres were purchased for $20,000. The original plot of Mrs. Anna Gauer was 25 acres. She had sold five acres to Dr. Edward F. Keller, Dr. Keller heard that the three parishes, St. Joseph's, St. Patrick's, and St. Wenceslaus had purchased Mrs. Gauer's plot, and offered his five acres, on which he intended to build his future home, to the parishes, for the Trinity High School site.
The building of Trinity High School was begun in 1960. Classes enrolled on a yearly basis as the building progressed and classrooms became available.
Aug. 1 of 1968 brought an era at St. Joseph's Parish to an end. Monsignor George P. Aberle resigned after 51 years as pastor of the parish. His long stay in the parish witnessed years of hardship and blessings. Through it all he did what was necessary for the spiritual welfare of the people.
Since his leave, the parish has witnessed a steady growth in membership. With the new home-building that is going on at the present time within the city limits the parish could be experiencing a rapid growth in the future.
St. Joseph's will continually foster the spiritual and moral fiber necessary for the good of society. Our good people have supported this end well in the past, and we hope to look for greater things in the future.