ANNALS OF THE CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY

ANNALS OF THE CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY – CASPER
1950-1960

[1] The next decade was to see an almost phenomenal growth in population in central Wyoming and especially in the city of Casper. With the population trend definitely upward the parish as, also business interests in the vicinity, realized that a new challenge was in the making. As it concerned the church both priests and people were reminded almost every Sunday that the seating capacity of St. Anthony’s Church was becoming seriously inadequate. Previous years, as noted elsewhere, had seen somewhat similar population trends due to oil exploration and development in the immediate area of Casper and the Salt Creek oil fields. Now, however, the situation was not concerned so much with local development as with the fact that Casper became the central location for exploration in all of Wyoming as well as in the neighboring states of Montana, North Dakota, and to some degree, northern Colorado and the state of Utah.

Happily, in the year 1948 the parish of St. Anthony purchased from a local businessman, Harry Yesness, for the sum of $10,000 a ten acre tract of land ideally situated with a view to possible further expansion with frontage on highway 220 immediately beyond the then corporate city limits. Shortly thereafter the buildings located on the Army Air Force Base, now Natrona County Airport, were offered for sale by the office of U. S. General Services Administration. The bid of $1,750 offered by the Church of St. Anthony corporation in August 1952 proved to be successful and immediately negotiations were begun to have the chapel moved to the northeast corner of the tract acquired from Harry Yesness where it became the first parish church of Our Lady of Fatima parish. The removal of the building, approximately eighty-one by thirty-eight feet in dimensions, aroused much public interest and the Casper Tribune-Herald described the undertaking as the largest moving operation ever to take place in this region. Midwest Movers Inc., Fred Trost, owner, realizing the added risk of coming directly to the site and because of the difficulties anticipated from overhead power and telephone lines upon reaching the city detoured by way of Raderville Route, on to highway 220 and approached the new location from the direction of what is now the Fair Grounds.

[2] The moving of a building of this size was without serious incident. Mention might be made of what temporarily seemed to be an impasse. When upon reaching the Platte River bridge just north of Thirteenth Street and advancing half way across the river bridge, the contractor to his dismay discovered that the parapet of the bridge was inches higher than anticipated. Resourceful as he was, he backed off sufficiently to release the building and with huge planks hastily brought from the lumberyards, placed across the floor of the bridge he soon had sufficient clearance to proceed on his way. Moved and finally set upon the foundation prepared by the L. D. Leisinger Construction Company the trustees and the pastor were in accord with Fred Trost, Moving Contractor, both as to the contract price of $4,500 and his performance. It is significant that the spire removed during the moving was replaced atop the structure on February 2, 1953, Feast of the Purification of Mary and the formal ceremonies of dedication placing the future parish under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima took place on March 25th following, Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with His Excellency Hubert M. Newell, D. D., bishop of the diocese officiating and delivering the dedicatory sermon. This first mass, the mass of dedication, was offered by the pastor of St. Anthony’s, Casper, Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V. G., who was celebrant of the first holy mass offered in the same building at the Air Force Base in October 1942. Since additional detail rightly pertain to the existing parish of Our Lady of Fatima these will be outlined in the historical record of that parish as contained elsewhere in this volume. The newly dedicated edifice continued as a mission of St. Anthony’s with one mass being celebrated every Sunday until the newly appointed pastor, Rev. Alphonsus H. Grannan, assumed pastoral charge on October 1, 1954.

The next most pressing need of St. Anthony’s parish at this time was a convent building to house the Sisters of Charity, B. V, M, who staff the parochial school. The number of sisters had long since outgrown the old residence, once the parish rectory at 624 So. Durbin Street. Suitable building sites in the immediate vicinity of the school were investigated before lot numbered three in block thirty-three owned by the Blackmore Company was purchased. Property values in Casper by this time had skyrocketed and the price for this lot 60’ x 140’ was $23,500. The architectural firm of John K. Monroe, Denver, Colorado was engaged to prepare plans and specifications for the new convent.

[3] In preparing the plans thought was given to the future years when the convent would be the home not only for the parochial grade school teachers but also for the faculty of the proposed new Catholic high school. Bids were opened February 1954 by the architect in the presence of Bishop Newell and Monsignor O’Reilly, pastor. The successful tender was the Brennan Construction Company, Pocatello, Idaho with the figure of $173,800 for the general and electrical contract while the plumbing firm of Edward Davidson and Son as low bidder was awarded the plumbing and heating contract for the sum of $42,856. Work began immediately upon awarding contracts and proceeded apace under the supervision of Robert Bence, Casper architect, engaged by Mr. Monroe to assure complete compliance with the specifications. The old convent, 624 South Durbin Street, an old building when first occupied by the sisters in 1927, had at this time become unsafe and totally inadequate and the joy of the sisters was unbounded when on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1955, Sister Mary William James, B.V. M., Superior, led her household across the yard to their new home completely furnished and pleasingly decorated. The sisters had followed the progress of construction since the first day of excavation and their taking up residence on the day mentioned added further rejoicing since 1954 when the convent project was undertaken had been proclaimed as the Marian Year by the saintly pontiff Pius XII, in universal observance of the centenary of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception.

With the sale of the old convent building to the Salvation Army which brought $750 and the clearing of ground whereon it stood, a small addition was made to the play ground available for the school children. The trustees had long envisioned the day when all the block on which the new convent and school stood might be acquired for still further enlargement of our school facilities either as play ground or as site for needed buildings. This ambition was partially realized with the purchase in December 1955 of the Blackmore Apartment buildings together with the residence at 615 South Wolcott Street for the sum of $l05,000. This investment proved to be financially sound and the rentals received have been applied towards the retirement of the indebtedness incurred. In the same year residential building had become accelerated in the east section of Casper and it became apparent that this area was destined for expansion. This fact did not [4] escape the attention of the ever watchful trustees, Charles a. Cullen and John H. Casey, attorney, who have served the parish as lay members of the church corporation for the past forty years and in October 1955 a tract in excess of three acres was purchased from the Theatres of Wyoming Inc., for $3,750. This property at the corner of Country Club Road and Fourth Street is suitably located for purposes of a new parish plant to serve the Catholic people of this east section of Casper which continues to develop as a choice residential area.

In an earlier chapter it was pointed out that the Catholics of Midwest oil fields were cared for spiritually by the priests of St. Anthony’s, Casper through the years following 1927. During this period mass was offered in the community hall and while this served the purpose of a church it was recognized as a temporary arrangement until such time as the community might have accumulated sufficient funds to provide a more dignified place for the Sunday mass and other devotions. Here mention must be made of the harmonious relations that always characterized the relations with the church and Stanolind Oil and Gas Company. The company continued to provide the facilities for Sunday mass-assuring heating and lighting without cost. Since some funds were now on hand in hope of a substantial gift from the Catholic Church Extension Society the question of acquiring a site for a church building was immediately taken up for consideration. Application was made to the U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management for lease of a one acre tract. The lease was issued in December 1955 and the project seemed to be assured of speedy completion. It was later discovered however, that the lease just approved encroached on land given to the U. S. Geological Survey in 1923 and forthwith an amended application was made for an adjacent tract which was considered equally suitable. It was not until August of the following year that final action was taken on this application and the church project could be pursued. Meanwhile a large frame structure owned by the Stanolind Oil and Gas Company and located at its gas plant south of Midwest was purchased for the sum of $1,000. This building measuring 72’x 32’ was moved to the newly acquired side, a distance of approximately two miles, by the Midwest Movers Inc., at a cost of $8,750.00 for both moving and excavation and construction of basement. A basement had been prepared which serves as the church meeting place and hall. The interior was entirely renovated and the altar and pews, donated by St. Stephen’s Mission, were set in place. The work continued under the direction of George Sparks, Casper contractor, and dedication ceremonies were held on December 2, 1956, with [5] His Excellency Bishop Newell officiating and preaching the sermon at the mass celebrated by Monsignor O’Reilly of Casper. A pleasant social function followed in the evening with the Catholic ladies of Midwest serving dinner in the community hall. The suggestion that a church which they might call their own had been enthusiastically received by the people of Midwest from the beginning. This fervor continued all through until the final tile was laid and serves as a tribute to all those who cooperated so faithfully and responded so promptly when called upon to lend their skills towards reducing the overall cost of construction and rehabilitating the structure for the purpose for which it was destined. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters and laborers, all employees of the local company, gave generously of their time and ability working long hours into the night in the feverish rush to complete the job in time for Christmas masses in the new church. Nor must the labor contribution of the ladies be overlooked. Not only did they give ready support to their husbands but many amongst them will recall the hours of scrubbing and cleaning and waxing, serving refreshments and in every way evidencing the love of holy church by their zealous efforts to establish a place of worship in keeping with the traditional Catholic standards of dignity and decorum. A total expenditure of $25,500 in the year 1956 has permitted the Catholics of Midwest to provide themselves with not only a chapel a bright, cheerful and neatly furnished social center where catechism classes are conducted for the children, men’s and women’s organizations meet for pleasant evenings in acceptable surroundings.

As property values in and around Casper do maintain a high market value it became increasingly difficult to acquire any sizeable tract of land that might be considered desirable as to area and location for the contemplated future central Catholic high school. Many small plots of ground were considered but always these seemed too confining for the future needs. It was in the year 1959 that a large unimproved block of ground was offered for sale by Bernard Gangel. Successful negotiations began and at the price of $22,000 the parish became owners of this twenty-two acres. At the time of writing this land remains unimproved and with an upsurge in residential building in the vicinity it is conjectured that the land then acquired will prove of inestimable advantage and a wise investment with a view to future church requirements.

[6] Many of the diocesan priests have served as assistants at St. Anthony’s during the past ten-year period and it is always heartening to hear of their progress and zeal as they advanced to other fields of labor in the diocese. Amongst those who will recall their years at St. Anthony’s at some time between 1950 and 1960 are Rev. Charles Brady, Rev, James Godley, Rev. W. J. McCorniick, Rev. Michael Scullion, Rev. Charles Taylor, Rev. Joseph E. Moroney, Rev, Michael Butler, Rev. P. J. McGovern. While serving at St. Anthony’s at this time of writing with Monsignor O’Reilly are Rev. L. Etchingham and the Rev. John F. Murray.

The sacrament of confirmation has been administered by the bishop of the diocese, His Excellency Hubert M. Newell, D. D., every year during the past decade. Classes comprised of children and adults presented for confirmation by the pastor have averaged one hundred twelve. Parish missions have been conducted in the parish at regular intervals by priests of the Paulist Congregation and by the Servite Fathers. In the ten-year period with which we treat, vocations to the priesthood and sisterhoods have shown a considerable increase over previous years. Natives of Casper now serving the diocese are Rev. Philip Colibraro and his brother Rev. Daniel Colibraro ordained in the parish church in 1956 and 1967 respectively. The twin brothers, Rev. Eugene and Rev. Gerald Sullivan were elevated to the sacred priesthood at the altar of St. Anthony’s in 1958. Another native of the parish ordained in 1955 is the Rev. James Burke, S. J., while approaching ordination in the same religious society is Rev. Donald Murphy.

Back to INDEX		ANNALS OF THE CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY – CASPER 1950-1960 [1] The next decade was to see an almost phenomenal growth in population in central Wyoming and especially in the city of Casper. With the population trend definitely upward the parish as, also business interests in the vicinity, realized that a new challenge was in the making. As it concerned the church both priests and people were reminded almost every Sunday that the seating capacity of St. Anthony’s Church was becoming seriously inadequate. Previous years, as noted elsewhere, had seen somewhat similar population trends due to oil exploration and development in the immediate area of Casper and the Salt Creek oil fields. Now, however, the situation was not concerned so much with local development as with the fact that Casper became the central location for exploration in all of Wyoming as well as in the neighboring states of Montana, North Dakota, and to some degree, northern Colorado and the state of Utah. Happily, in the year 1948 the parish of St. Anthony purchased from a local businessman, Harry Yesness, for the sum of $10,000 a ten acre tract of land ideally situated with a view to possible further expansion with frontage on highway 220 immediately beyond the then corporate city limits. Shortly thereafter the buildings located on the Army Air Force Base, now Natrona County Airport, were offered for sale by the office of U. S. General Services Administration. The bid of $1,750 offered by the Church of St. Anthony corporation in August 1952 proved to be successful and immediately negotiations were begun to have the chapel moved to the northeast corner of the tract acquired from Harry Yesness where it became the first parish church of Our Lady of Fatima parish. The removal of the building, approximately eighty-one by thirty-eight feet in dimensions, aroused much public interest and the Casper Tribune-Herald described the undertaking as the largest moving operation ever to take place in this region. Midwest Movers Inc., Fred Trost, owner, realizing the added risk of coming directly to the site and because of the difficulties anticipated from overhead power and telephone lines upon reaching the city detoured by way of Raderville Route, on to highway 220 and approached the new location from the direction of what is now the Fair Grounds. [2] The moving of a building of this size was without serious incident. Mention might be made of what temporarily seemed to be an impasse. When upon reaching the Platte River bridge just north of Thirteenth Street and advancing half way across the river bridge, the contractor to his dismay discovered that the parapet of the bridge was inches higher than anticipated. Resourceful as he was, he backed off sufficiently to release the building and with huge planks hastily brought from the lumberyards, placed across the floor of the bridge he soon had sufficient clearance to proceed on his way. Moved and finally set upon the foundation prepared by the L. D. Leisinger Construction Company the trustees and the pastor were in accord with Fred Trost, Moving Contractor, both as to the contract price of $4,500 and his performance. It is significant that the spire removed during the moving was replaced atop the structure on February 2, 1953, Feast of the Purification of Mary and the formal ceremonies of dedication placing the future parish under the patronage of Our Lady of Fatima took place on March 25th following, Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with His Excellency Hubert M. Newell, D. D., bishop of the diocese officiating and delivering the dedicatory sermon. This first mass, the mass of dedication, was offered by the pastor of St. Anthony’s, Casper, Monsignor Thomas F. O’Reilly, V. G., who was celebrant of the first holy mass offered in the same building at the Air Force Base in October 1942. Since additional detail rightly pertain to the existing parish of Our Lady of Fatima these will be outlined in the historical record of that parish as contained elsewhere in this volume. The newly dedicated edifice continued as a mission of St. Anthony’s with one mass being celebrated every Sunday until the newly appointed pastor, Rev. Alphonsus H. Grannan, assumed pastoral charge on October 1, 1954. The next most pressing need of St. Anthony’s parish at this time was a convent building to house the Sisters of Charity, B. V, M, who staff the parochial school. The number of sisters had long since outgrown the old residence, once the parish rectory at 624 So. Durbin Street. Suitable building sites in the immediate vicinity of the school were investigated before lot numbered three in block thirty-three owned by the Blackmore Company was purchased. Property values in Casper by this time had skyrocketed and the price for this lot 60’ x 140’ was $23,500. The architectural firm of John K. Monroe, Denver, Colorado was engaged to prepare plans and specifications for the new convent. [3] In preparing the plans thought was given to the future years when the convent would be the home not only for the parochial grade school teachers but also for the faculty of the proposed new Catholic high school. Bids were opened February 1954 by the architect in the presence of Bishop Newell and Monsignor O’Reilly, pastor. The successful tender was the Brennan Construction Company, Pocatello, Idaho with the figure of $173,800 for the general and electrical contract while the plumbing firm of Edward Davidson and Son as low bidder was awarded the plumbing and heating contract for the sum of $42,856. Work began immediately upon awarding contracts and proceeded apace under the supervision of Robert Bence, Casper architect, engaged by Mr. Monroe to assure complete compliance with the specifications. The old convent, 624 South Durbin Street, an old building when first occupied by the sisters in 1927, had at this time become unsafe and totally inadequate and the joy of the sisters was unbounded when on the Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 1955, Sister Mary William James, B.V. M., Superior, led her household across the yard to their new home completely furnished and pleasingly decorated. The sisters had followed the progress of construction since the first day of excavation and their taking up residence on the day mentioned added further rejoicing since 1954 when the convent project was undertaken had been proclaimed as the Marian Year by the saintly pontiff Pius XII, in universal observance of the centenary of the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. With the sale of the old convent building to the Salvation Army which brought $750 and the clearing of ground whereon it stood, a small addition was made to the play ground available for the school children. The trustees had long envisioned the day when all the block on which the new convent and school stood might be acquired for still further enlargement of our school facilities either as play ground or as site for needed buildings. This ambition was partially realized with the purchase in December 1955 of the Blackmore Apartment buildings together with the residence at 615 South Wolcott Street for the sum of $l05,000. This investment proved to be financially sound and the rentals received have been applied towards the retirement of the indebtedness incurred. In the same year residential building had become accelerated in the east section of Casper and it became apparent that this area was destined for expansion. This fact did not [4] escape the attention of the ever watchful trustees, Charles a. Cullen and John H. Casey, attorney, who have served the parish as lay members of the church corporation for the past forty years and in October 1955 a tract in excess of three acres was purchased from the Theatres of Wyoming Inc., for $3,750. This property at the corner of Country Club Road and Fourth Street is suitably located for purposes of a new parish plant to serve the Catholic people of this east section of Casper which continues to develop as a choice residential area. In an earlier chapter it was pointed out that the Catholics of Midwest oil fields were cared for spiritually by the priests of St. Anthony’s, Casper through the years following 1927. During this period mass was offered in the community hall and while this served the purpose of a church it was recognized as a temporary arrangement until such time as the community might have accumulated sufficient funds to provide a more dignified place for the Sunday mass and other devotions. Here mention must be made of the harmonious relations that always characterized the relations with the church and Stanolind Oil and Gas Company. The company continued to provide the facilities for Sunday mass-assuring heating and lighting without cost. Since some funds were now on hand in hope of a substantial gift from the Catholic Church Extension Society the question of acquiring a site for a church building was immediately taken up for consideration. Application was made to the U. S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management for lease of a one acre tract. The lease was issued in December 1955 and the project seemed to be assured of speedy completion. It was later discovered however, that the lease just approved encroached on land given to the U. S. Geological Survey in 1923 and forthwith an amended application was made for an adjacent tract which was considered equally suitable. It was not until August of the following year that final action was taken on this application and the church project could be pursued. Meanwhile a large frame structure owned by the Stanolind Oil and Gas Company and located at its gas plant south of Midwest was purchased for the sum of $1,000. This building measuring 72’x 32’ was moved to the newly acquired side, a distance of approximately two miles, by the Midwest Movers Inc., at a cost of $8,750.00 for both moving and excavation and construction of basement. A basement had been prepared which serves as the church meeting place and hall. The interior was entirely renovated and the altar and pews, donated by St. Stephen’s Mission, were set in place. The work continued under the direction of George Sparks, Casper contractor, and dedication ceremonies were held on December 2, 1956, with [5] His Excellency Bishop Newell officiating and preaching the sermon at the mass celebrated by Monsignor O’Reilly of Casper. A pleasant social function followed in the evening with the Catholic ladies of Midwest serving dinner in the community hall. The suggestion that a church which they might call their own had been enthusiastically received by the people of Midwest from the beginning. This fervor continued all through until the final tile was laid and serves as a tribute to all those who cooperated so faithfully and responded so promptly when called upon to lend their skills towards reducing the overall cost of construction and rehabilitating the structure for the purpose for which it was destined. Carpenters, plumbers, electricians, painters and laborers, all employees of the local company, gave generously of their time and ability working long hours into the night in the feverish rush to complete the job in time for Christmas masses in the new church. Nor must the labor contribution of the ladies be overlooked. Not only did they give ready support to their husbands but many amongst them will recall the hours of scrubbing and cleaning and waxing, serving refreshments and in every way evidencing the love of holy church by their zealous efforts to establish a place of worship in keeping with the traditional Catholic standards of dignity and decorum. A total expenditure of $25,500 in the year 1956 has permitted the Catholics of Midwest to provide themselves with not only a chapel a bright, cheerful and neatly furnished social center where catechism classes are conducted for the children, men’s and women’s organizations meet for pleasant evenings in acceptable surroundings. As property values in and around Casper do maintain a high market value it became increasingly difficult to acquire any sizeable tract of land that might be considered desirable as to area and location for the contemplated future central Catholic high school. Many small plots of ground were considered but always these seemed too confining for the future needs. It was in the year 1959 that a large unimproved block of ground was offered for sale by Bernard Gangel. Successful negotiations began and at the price of $22,000 the parish became owners of this twenty-two acres. At the time of writing this land remains unimproved and with an upsurge in residential building in the vicinity it is conjectured that the land then acquired will prove of inestimable advantage and a wise investment with a view to future church requirements. [6] Many of the diocesan priests have served as assistants at St. Anthony’s during the past ten-year period and it is always heartening to hear of their progress and zeal as they advanced to other fields of labor in the diocese. Amongst those who will recall their years at St. Anthony’s at some time between 1950 and 1960 are Rev. Charles Brady, Rev, James Godley, Rev. W. J. McCorniick, Rev. Michael Scullion, Rev. Charles Taylor, Rev. Joseph E. Moroney, Rev, Michael Butler, Rev. P. J. McGovern. While serving at St. Anthony’s at this time of writing with Monsignor O’Reilly are Rev. L. Etchingham and the Rev. John F. Murray. The sacrament of confirmation has been administered by the bishop of the diocese, His Excellency Hubert M. Newell, D. D., every year during the past decade. Classes comprised of children and adults presented for confirmation by the pastor have averaged one hundred twelve. Parish missions have been conducted in the parish at regular intervals by priests of the Paulist Congregation and by the Servite Fathers. In the ten-year period with which we treat, vocations to the priesthood and sisterhoods have shown a considerable increase over previous years. Natives of Casper now serving the diocese are Rev. Philip Colibraro and his brother Rev. Daniel Colibraro ordained in the parish church in 1956 and 1967 respectively. The twin brothers, Rev. Eugene and Rev. Gerald Sullivan were elevated to the sacred priesthood at the altar of St. Anthony’s in 1958. Another native of the parish ordained in 1955 is the Rev. James Burke, S. J., while approaching ordination in the same religious society is Rev. Donald Murphy. Back to Top