Fourth Bishop, McGovern

By Bishop McGovern

The Most Rev. Patrick A. McGovern, DD., present bishop of Cheyenne, was born in Omaha, in what was formerly the cathedral parish of St. Philomena, Oct. 14, 1872. His education began with the Sisters of Mercy, but his college course was received at Creighton University in his native city, where he finished with the first class graduating from that institution, in 1891. His theological course was made at Mt. St. Mary’s seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, and he was ordained by Bishop Scannell, of Omaha, Aug. 18, 1895, in the same church in which he had been baptized. The first sixteen months of his priesthood were spent as assistant at Jackson, Nebr., from which place he attended South Sioux City as a. mission. Thence he was sent as pastor to Kearney, a very poor parish, having attached to it several widely scattered outlying towns and rural communities. After two years of [16] earnest endeavor to build up religion in that district, he was placed in charge of the cathedral in Omaha. During the nine years spent in this parish he succeeded in paying off the debt that had pressed upon the people for many years and abolished tuition fees in the parochial school. In the meantime business kept encroaching on the neighborhood until the section of the city about the cathedral was so given up to wholesale warehouses that a change of location became imperative. The site of the church and school was sold for one hundred thousand dollars and the buildings were demolished. It is worthy of note that the venerable Father Kelly, the first resident pastor of Cheyenne, lived with Father McGovern throughout his pastorate at St. Philomena’s.

Before the erection of a new house of worship, the future bishop was transferred (Nov., 1907) to the adjoining parish of St. Peter which was heavily encumbered with debt. This was paid off in three years, and as the congregation was increasing so rapidly that the people could no longer be accommodated even with five Sunday Masses, a fund was started for the purpose of providing a larger and better church. It was while occupied with these plans that the call came summoning him to a broader held of labor, and by papal bull dated Jan. 19, 1912, he was named bishop of Cheyenne. His consecration took place Apr. 11^th, [17] in the Jesuit church adjoining his alma mater, the officiating prelate being Archbishop Keane, his predecessor in the see of Cheyenne, assisted by Bishops Scannell of Omaha and Garrigan of Sioux City. Before the new bishop departed for the West, a public reception, attended by several thousand of his fellow citizens, was held in the city auditorium; and the Catholics of Omaha, in token of their esteem, presented him with a purse of $8,000.00

Apart from four months spent in a hospital, due to a stomach ailment that necessitated an operation, Bishop McGovern’s first year in his new office was occupied with routine episcopal work and in taking stock of the diocese. He found the latter to be still definitely in the pioneer stage; the churches and parochial residences (where the latter existed) were very poor, but fortunately the debts were few and not heavy. Besides the Indian mission in charge of the Jesuits, there was a total of fourteen parishes, manned by two religious and fourteen diocesan priests. Seven of the latter were externs who did not belong to the diocese, and who consequently could leave at any time. The bishop resolved to secure a body of clergy ordained for Wyoming, and to this end proceeded to adopt a sufficient number of ecclesiastical students to supply his growing flock with priests. A synod, the first in the history of the diocese, was held Apr. 17, [18] 1913, to provide for the orderly government of clergy and people; diocesan officials were named, and salutary decrees, conducive to the upbuilding of religion, were promulgated.

One question that perturbed the mind of the bishop during the early years of his regime was the care of dependent children. Frequently when a father or mother or both parents passed away, he was asked to provide institutional care for the offspring. Finally he made a survey of the situation and found that in the neighboring city of Denver three Catholic orphanages were sheltering seventy-seven Wyoming children, of whom twenty-six were non-Catholics. It was clear that the total number of Wyoming children in institutions in Colorado and adjoining States was not less than one hundred. He determined to establish a home for dependent children, and with this end in view formed a legal corporation consisting of himself, his vicar general, V. Rev. John T. Nicholson, his chancellor, Rev. James A. Hartmann, Mr. John T. McDonald, of Torrington, and Mr. Joseph R. Sullivan, of Laramie. This was at the close of 1923.

An irrigated farm of ninety-three acres, adjacent to Torrington, was purchased from the Lincoln Land Company for $3,500.00, a price so small that it was practically a donation. A campaign for funds, to which the clergy, laity and many non-Catholics contributed [19] liberally, was launched and netted $131,673.00.> The campaign was held in all the parishes except Casper and SS. Cyril and Methodius, Rock Springs.> As the payment of pledges had been extended over several years, it was not until 1929 that the members of the corporation deemed it opportune to commence building operations. The drawing of plans was committed to Mr. William Dubois, a well known Cheyenne architect, the contract was let, and by the close of summer, 1930, the work was completed. The main building, comprising three stories and a high basement, has accommodations for the personnel and for eighty-five children; it is modern, practical, and fireproof. Some distance away is the laundry and heating plant. These two buildings cost $138,532.00, and the furnishings an additional $18,791.00. Under the patronage of St. Joseph, Bishop J. Henry Tihen, of Denver, dedicated the orphanage on Labor Lay (Sept. 1, 1930), the principal address being given by Bishop McGovern. An audience of several hundred was present from various parts of Wyoming, and Bishops Cantwell, of Los Angeles, Mitty, of Salt Lake, and Finnegan, of Helena, came to lend added distinction to the ceremony. Bishop McGovern expressed his gratitude to almighty God and to those who had made possible the establishment of the orphanage, and declared that it had been founded on the broad principle of Christian [20] charity to care for homeless children without regard to creed or color. On the day of its dedication St. Joseph’s orphanage was out of debt.

Rev. John Henry, still happily in charge, was appointed superintendent of the new institution, and it became his duty to purchase laundry machinery, provide a good barn and equipment for the farm, erect a substantial iron fence in front of the property, and have a landscape gardener lay out the grounds and plant trees and shrubbery. The administration of the orphanage and the management of the farm required all of Fr. Henry’s time; so it was soon necessary to give him an assistant who would collect donations throughout the diocese for the support of the institution. Assigned to this position in 1931 was the Rev. Albert Knier. From the beginning the Franciscan Sisters were placed in charge of the domestic arrangements.

The improvements mentioned in the preceding paragraph involved a considerable expenditure; however, divine Providence favored the work and it prospered. Various legacies were bequeathed to the institution, with the result that 1935 found it out of debt and a respectable reserve fund in the treasury. It was decided that the time had come to supply two crying needs – a chapel and an auditorium. Thus far, in lieu of the former, Mass and other religious functions [21] were celebrated in a room intended as a dormitory. Accordingly, the members of the St. Joseph Orphanage corporation authorized Maginnis and Walsh, nationally known ecclesiastical architects of Boston, to prepare plans for a Romanesque chapel with a capacity of 320. They produced a beautiful design which made provision for a canopied liturgical altar at the east end of the building. A high basement was to provide an auditorium, with stage and dressing rooms. Work began in midsummer, and the handsome brick structure was completed the following year at a cost of $87,880.00. The dedication took place with much éclat, as befitted the occasion. Present at the ceremony were Catholics from far and near, the townspeople of Torrington, State officials, and the following members of the hierarchy: Most Revs. Edmond Heelan of Sioux City, Henry P. Rohlman of Davenport, James H. Ryan of Omaha, Stanislaus Bona of Grand Island, Urban J. Vehr of Denver, and Gerald T. Bergan of Des Moines. Practically all the clergy of the diocese participated in the function and Bishop McGovern delivered the sermon.

To date, $273,000.00 has been spent at St. Joseph’s orphanage for land, buildings and equipment, and this has been done without incurring too much debt. It may be asked: How was it possible to accomplish so much within so brief a period? As mentioned [22] above, this was due to the Providence of God, and to the legacies of charitable benefactors, whose names are here gratefully recorded: Mary Walters, Saratoga, John Koshir, Rock Springs, Charles Olbrich, Powell, Louis F. Oedekoven and his mother Agnes, Gillette, John Murray, Green River, Sarah Aman, Cheyenne, Elizabeth Seaman, Basin, and Joseph Fisher, Elk Mountain.

The efficient work of Father Henry as superintendent of the orphanage was recognized by his superior who, in February, 1935, appointed him vicar general of the diocese.

Every new office and dignity while it brings added honor to the recipient, likewise creates new obligations; and especially is this true of ecclesiastical dignities. When Bishop McGovern was appointed to rule the diocese of Cheyenne, he was not unmindful that it entailed duties not only to those of the household of the faith but also to all his fellow citizens of varied and diverse opinions. As he had done in Omaha, so in his new held he took his place in civic life and became active in the social and charitable work of the community. Repeatedly called upon to serve on committees and to address clubs of men and women, he never excused himself on the plea of business or inconvenience. Although he sought only the common weal in whatever he did along these lines, nevertheless he deeply appreciated receiving from the [23] Kiwanis Club of Casper the 1940 medal “for outstanding service to the community.” In conferring the medal the speaker made special reference to the establishment of St. Joseph’s orphanage and reminded the bishop that the award was made by the vote of all Kiwanians throughout Wyoming.

Never robust in health Bishop McGovern suffered a nervous breakdown following the dedication of the orphanage chapel, and was compelled to seek hospitalization for ten weeks. On returning home he found life at the cathedral rectory very trying on his nerves, and longed for a quiet life in a house by himself. Accordingly the diocesan corporation, out of funds in the treasury, built the beautiful episcopal residence at the corner of Pershing boulevard and Carey avenue, where the bishop took up his abode in April, 1940.

To mention two other outstanding events in the bishop’s career: on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Creighton University (1928), at which he gave the principal address, Bishop McGovern received from his alma mater the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. When he had rounded out twenty-five years in the episcopate, although he would permit no formal celebration, this important milestone was marked by congratulatory messages from the Holy Father, Cardinal Hayes, the Apostolic Delegate, and other members of the hierarchy; and Pope Plus XI named him Assistant [24] at the Pontifical Throne, with the title of Count of the Apostolic Palace.

Here it will be in order to refer briefly to the Knights of Columbus, who have always proven themselves a strong arm of the bishop, and have considered it a privilege to carry out his wishes. Both in the parishes in which there are councils and throughout the diocese, they have rendered helpful service in many ways. Thus in 1925 they secured a plot of ground on the site of the first Mass celebrated in Wyoming, and erected thereon a monument in the form of an altar, in honor of the Rev. Peter John De Smet, S.J. Mass is celebrated there every year on the fourth of July. Again in 1940 (on July 4th because it was a legal holiday and people could attend) the program to commemorate the centenary of the first Mass was arranged and carried out under their auspices. To guard against inclement weather they had previously built a stone canopy above the altar. Bishop McGovern officiated at Pontifical Mass, and an appropriate discourse was delivered by the Most Rev. Duane G. Hunt, D.D., bishop of Salt Lake City. The solemn ceremony was attended by the governor of Wyoming, several State officials, United States Senator O’Mahoney, twenty priests, and about 1200 of the laity.

This brief general history of the diocese now draws to a close. A comparison of statistics when [25] Bishop McGovern came to Wyoming and the present time will show the growth that has taken place.

[1912 / 1940]

Parishes 14 / 24

Diocesan priests 14 / 34

Priests of religious orders 4 / 9

Infant baptisms 490 / 838

Deaths 139 / 291

Churches 32 / 61

Schools 2 /4

Bearing in mind the lower birth rate of today, and remembering that the parishes have grown not only in number but in membership, it will be readily seen that there has been an increase of 100% in the period mentioned. The latest available figures for Wyoming (1939) give a total of 5082 births and 2280 deaths. A comparison of the births and deaths listed above for the same year will give the Catholic population for Wyoming according to births as 41,790, and according to deaths as 31,343.

Within this same period parochial schools have been opened in Sheridan and Casper; rectories have been built or acquired in Cheyenne (two), Pine Bluffs, Rawlins, Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston, Torrington, Riverton, Lander, Greybull, Powell, Gillette, and Buffalo; substantial brick churches have been [26] erected in Cheyenne, Casper, Rawlins, Powell, Evanston, Laramie, Greybull, and two at Rock Springs. Besides this, in many of the smaller towns and hamlets, through the generous and never failing aid of the Catholic Church Extension Society, chapels have been provided for scattered groups of the faithful who would have lacked priestly ministrations but for this providential help.

Strange to relate, no parochial boundaries had ever been defined until 1925 when the ordinary, after consulting the pastors, established precise lines.

If Bishop McGovern were asked to state what was the best work accomplished during his episcopate, he would answer that it was the building up of a zealous and exemplary corps of diocesan clergy; for this was what he had proposed to himself at the beginning of his regime as the most effective means of strengthening and extending God’s kingdom within his jurisdiction – qualis rex, talis grex. When the primitive conditions confronting the clergy in those earlier days are taken into account – scant population, long trips over bad roads, lack of a place they could call home, the infrequent meeting with a brother priest, lack of sympathy on the part of their flock – it will be readily understood that it was no easy task to recruit a body of men fashioned in the heroic mold that was necessary.