A big dedication was held on Thanksgiving Day 1925 for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Parnell. The December 3rd, 1925 Parnell Review told the story:
The dedication of the new Catholic Church in Parnell added a special reason to give thanks on Thanksgiving Day for the people of that congregation. They may well be proud of the achievement and show with satisfaction the monument they have erected to their Creator.
On August 17th, 1924, services were held for the last time in the old church. This was wrecked to make way for the new church to be built on the same site. A week later, excavation for a spacious basement could be commenced and rapid progress rewarded the enthusiasm of the members who were active in hauling material and doing most of the work. Strong walls of concrete marked the foundation of the edifice, 83x40, and by November 9th of the same year, the basement was finished, so as to serve as a temporary church for services.
Early in spring of this year, March 25th, work was resumed on the superstructure of the church, which is of brick construction with cement copings. Besides the old glass stained windows, some new designs were added. The walls of the interior are coated with a foundation color of paint until they may be properly decorated in fresco, whilst the ceiling is already frescoed.
The plans were drafted by E. Gray Powell of St. Joseph. Ed Warren of Sheridan was foreman of construction, whose work has greatly pleased us all, and Chas. Baublits of Parnell has artistically executed the plans of frescoing, presented by Father Innocent, OSB.
On September 4th, Holy Mass was celebrated for the first time in the church proper on the new St. Joseph’s Altar. Folding chairs accommodated the members in the nave of the church. Soon, the furnishings could be installed, so that the beautiful Altars and Communion railing of Rigalico composition, finished in marble effect, form pleasing contrast with the pews of light oak.
The approximate cost of the church is around $25,000. The generous contributions of the members have made it possible that the edifice with its furnishings is practically free of debt.
This thriving little parish was cut off from the Dolorosa Mission at Grand River. The first fourteen families of St. Joseph Church, viz., Frank Berg, W.A. Berg, Anna Boedeker, M. Collins, A. Etcherling, F. Etcherling, J. Giesken, B. Hovenkotter, Ed. Klaas, A. Spire, and Alph. Waldeier, seceded from the mother mission in 1891.
Filled with zeal and enterprise, the little flock requested their shepherd, Rev. Berthold Jaeggle, OSB, to build a church at once. Already on June 14th, 1891, a neat little frame church, 60x20 feet, costing $2,800, was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Frowin Conrad OSB of Conception Abbey. Grounds for a cemetery were acquired in the following August.
Under the able trustees John Giesken, Andrew Spire, and Eugene Klaas, and the energetic zeal of Rev. Joseph Zuendt OSB, who took charge of the young mission on August 15th of the same year, the last cent of the $2,800 was subscribed on Palm Sunday, March 26th, 1893. Mr. Eugene Klaas was also the first organist and together with Mr. Julius Klaas and Miss Ellen Spire (now Mrs. J. Hovenkotter) formed the first choir. To the present time, Mr. Klaas has continued to be the faithful organist and Mrs. Hovenkotter is still a member of the choir.
Father Joseph attended the young mission from Conception Abbey twice a month for the first fifteen years, then every Sunday. In the last year of his pastorate, 1916, his happy flock succeeded in providing him with a $4,700 pastor’s residence. But failing health compelled the faithful shepherd to retire. Thereupon, Rev. Ildephonse Kuhn OSB became the first resident pastor in January 1917.
In 1920, the Altar Society provided the necessary means for a new sacristy and vestment case, the former being built by the members of the parish; the latter is the work of Ven. Bro. Matthew OSB of Conception Abbey.
Again, sickness with its merciless grasp robbed the parish of its happy little pastor, Father Ildephonse, and on April 21st, 1920, the newly returned Army chaplain, Rev. Lieut. Ambrose Bucher OSB, became St. Joseph’s second resident pastor. The untimely death of Father Ildephonse occurred at Springfield on February 7th, 1921 after almost a year’s labor at Verona (MO).
Under the pastorate of Father Ambrose activities continued. A surprise was tendered to the pastor in a new car and the parishioners also built a garage besides a coal shed and chicken house.
From the proceeds of a bazaar in 1921, a private electric light plant for the church and rectory was installed — the lights being turned on for the first time during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — which was soon followed by a private power water plant and cistern for fire protection.
Luckily, insurance covered all the damages from lightning striking the church in 1922. However, this was the occasion for repainting the church and erecting lightning rods and adding new front steps.
In August 1922, Father Ambrose was succeeded by Rev. Odilo Schieber OSB, during whose administration the church was built. The unselfish sacrifice and united cooperation manifested by the members in the erection of their church is greatly manifested by the pastor and may serve as an inspiration to others.
To the ladies of the parish, special credit is due for the sumptuous dinner of Thanksgiving Day and the united and unselfish sacrifice displayed in making the bazaar a grand success. May God bless them all is the wish of the pastor.
The pastor and members wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the public for having helped to make the occasion a red letter day in the history of St. Joseph’s parish and for having patronized the bazaar so generously. We extend sincere appreciation to our friends who in a financial way have continued to our church.
In another article, the paper reported that over 400 dinners were served for the Bazaar, which was held from Thanksgiving Day to the following Saturday. All the sales booths were empty. After all expenses were paid, there was a sum of $1,143.11 left.
According to the November 19th, 1925 Review, the mass dedicating the building was presided over by Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilfillan of St. Joseph. Also present were the Rt. Rev. Abbot Philip of Conception and other clergy from the surrounding parishes.
