Foreword

Bishop McGovern

[1] When the editor of these historical sketches came to the diocese of Cheyenne in 1912, one of his first thoughts was to secure what facts he could of early ecclesiastical events in Wyoming while a goodly number of the pioneers was still living. Consequently as early as 1915 he sent a request to the pastors to gather pertinent data. Since that time twice have similar letters been sent to those in charge of parishes and religious institutes in order to bring the information up to date. In the meantime so many erroneous statements concerning the history of the Church in Wyoming have appeared in books and newspapers that he determined to furnish an authentic record by committing the story to print.

It was his privilege to know all his predecessors in the see of Cheyenne, as well as the earliest pioneer priests. Moreover, most of the events herein recorded have occurred during his regime, which, in the dispensation of divine Providence, already covers a period more than half that of the existence of the diocese. The facts related are taken from the official records, and in many instances are related by the actors thereof; for the account of each parish has come from the individual pastors. It was the editor’s pleasant task to check over these accounts and put them in order; where a religious [2] community of women was concerned, he consulted the archives of the motherhouse. There are three chapters, however, which he wrote in full, namely, the general history of the diocese, and the history of the Cheyenne and Laramie parishes. It is hoped that the present volume may prove a valuable source of information concerning the Catholic Church in Wyoming for the period of which it treats.

All that need be added is to express the deepest gratitude to The Catholic Church Extension Society for its generous help in building chapels, subsidizing priests in poor missions, and assisting the diocese in the education of students for the priesthood. Likewise the liberal contributions of The American Mission Board to new religious undertakings is acknowledged with heartfelt appreciation.