PARISH HISTORY 1950 to 1960 St. Mary's Cathedral Cheyenne, Wyoming

PARISH HISTORY
1950 to 1960
St. Mary’s Cathedral
Cheyenne, Wyoming

1950

On August 14 a contract for the new St. Mary’s Grade School was let to Jacob Weber and P.S. Cook. The contract was let at the bid of $428,871.00.

1952

During March of 1952 the last remaining vestiges of the old Holy Child Convent were dismantled and removed to make way for the new St. Mary’s School.

On May 11 the Rt. Rev. James A. Hartmann was invested as a Domestic Prelate by Bishop Newell in St. Mary s Cathedral. This colorful occasion also marked the fortieth anniversary of Monsignor Hartmann’s ordination to the priesthood.

Bishop Newell officiated at the dedication ceremonies of the new St. Mary’s School on August 31st. With the completion of the new edifice the facilities of St. Mary’s School were extended to accommodate a thousand pupils in high school and grade school.

1953

On April 26th Bishop Newell confirmed a class of 251 in St. Mary’s Cathedral.

The Cathedral Burse for the education of Seminarians was inaugurated. This became the first parish burse in the Diocese.

On May 13th the Bishop’s Guild was organized with Miss Eileen Crowley as President.

The Order of St. Christopher, an organization of railroad men, was established on June 26th. Mr. Henry Rice was elected as the first President of the organization.

With the opening of the new school term in September it was found that a thousand pupils had been enrolled on St. Mary’s Schools.

A campaign to reduce the indebtedness on St. Mary’s school was launched on October 4th. The goal of the drive was $100,000.00.

1954

Because of the crowded condition in St. Mary’s School it was necessary to open two class rooms in Cathedral Hall to accommodate the increase in enrollment.

1955

The first Cana Conference in Wyoming was conducted in St. Mary’s parish by the Rev. John J. Regan of Denver.

1956

Spiritual growth kept pace with the material progress of the parish which was indicated by the fact that there were on an average one thousand Communions distributed each week.

To provide for future parish expansion, the M.A. Klein property was purchased for the sum of $21,112.00. This property is located adjacent to St. Mary’s School on Warren Avenue.

Construction was started on the St. Mary’s High School Annex which would provide eight additional classrooms. The contract for the new building was let to the Weber Construction Company for the sum of $239,397.00.

On May 26th the Rev. Lawrence Etchingham, son of Mrs. R.E. Etchingham of St. Mary’s parish, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Newell in St. Mary’s Cathedral.

A parish Mission was conducted by the Reverends Hugh and James O’Connell, C.SS.R., from October 7 to 28. One week of the Mission was devoted to the Spanish-speaking people of the parish.

1957

February 10th was the occasion for the dedication by Bishop Newell of the new St. Mary’s High School Annex. With the completion of this wing the parish school plant was valued at nearly two million dollars.

The Rev. L.F. Cervantes, S.J., of Denver conducted a Cana Conference on March 24th.

A three day Retreat for the women of the parish was held September 5,6,7 under the direction of Rev. Paul Edward, O.F.M. of Quincy College, Quincy, Illinois.

1958:

Another popular Cana Conference was held in St. Mary’s parish on June 8th with Rev. Francis Bakewell, S.J., as speaker.

A distinguished honor came to St. Mary’s High School when Linda Wallace, a Senior of St. Mary’s High School, received a Science Award from the Science Talent Institute. Miss Wallace was picked from more than 25,000 contestants.

Sister Mary Paulinus, Instructor in the science department of St. Mary’s High School, was awarded a grant of $2,300,00 from the National Institute of Health.

1959

With the view of acquiring property in Block 139 for future parish expansion, the property of H. Sankot, 214 E. 24th, was purchased for the sum of $22,750.00. The purchase was executed on March 27.1959.

Because of failing health, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. James A. Hartmann submitted his resignation as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 15,1959.

On May 22, 1959 Bishop Newell announced the appointment of Very Rev. F.J. Kimmett as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral to succeed Monsignor Hartmann.

Hundreds of parishioners and friends gathered in St. Mary’s Cathedral on the afternoon of June 14th to pay a well deserved tribute to Monsignor James A. Hartmann who had served as the devoted pastor of the parish for forty-four years. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas O’Reilly paid an eloquent tribute to Monsignor Hartmann and his accomplishments.

Bishop Newell officiated at the formal installation of Very Rev. F.J. Kimmett as Rector of the Cathedral on September 13th.

The Rev. William Restivo, a native son of St. Mary’s parish, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Newell on September 26th in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Following his ordination Father Restivo left to serve the African Mission in the Diocese of Kenya [sic].

Back to INDEX		PARISH HISTORY 1950 to 1960 St. Mary’s Cathedral Cheyenne, Wyoming 1950 On August 14 a contract for the new St. Mary’s Grade School was let to Jacob Weber and P.S. Cook. The contract was let at the bid of $428,871.00. 1952 During March of 1952 the last remaining vestiges of the old Holy Child Convent were dismantled and removed to make way for the new St. Mary’s School. On May 11 the Rt. Rev. James A. Hartmann was invested as a Domestic Prelate by Bishop Newell in St. Mary s Cathedral. This colorful occasion also marked the fortieth anniversary of Monsignor Hartmann’s ordination to the priesthood. Bishop Newell officiated at the dedication ceremonies of the new St. Mary’s School on August 31st. With the completion of the new edifice the facilities of St. Mary’s School were extended to accommodate a thousand pupils in high school and grade school. 1953 On April 26th Bishop Newell confirmed a class of 251 in St. Mary’s Cathedral. The Cathedral Burse for the education of Seminarians was inaugurated. This became the first parish burse in the Diocese. On May 13th the Bishop’s Guild was organized with Miss Eileen Crowley as President. The Order of St. Christopher, an organization of railroad men, was established on June 26th. Mr. Henry Rice was elected as the first President of the organization. With the opening of the new school term in September it was found that a thousand pupils had been enrolled on St. Mary’s Schools. A campaign to reduce the indebtedness on St. Mary’s school was launched on October 4th. The goal of the drive was $100,000.00. 1954 Because of the crowded condition in St. Mary’s School it was necessary to open two class rooms in Cathedral Hall to accommodate the increase in enrollment. 1955 The first Cana Conference in Wyoming was conducted in St. Mary’s parish by the Rev. John J. Regan of Denver. 1956 Spiritual growth kept pace with the material progress of the parish which was indicated by the fact that there were on an average one thousand Communions distributed each week. To provide for future parish expansion, the M.A. Klein property was purchased for the sum of $21,112.00. This property is located adjacent to St. Mary’s School on Warren Avenue. Construction was started on the St. Mary’s High School Annex which would provide eight additional classrooms. The contract for the new building was let to the Weber Construction Company for the sum of $239,397.00. On May 26th the Rev. Lawrence Etchingham, son of Mrs. R.E. Etchingham of St. Mary’s parish, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Newell in St. Mary’s Cathedral. A parish Mission was conducted by the Reverends Hugh and James O’Connell, C.SS.R., from October 7 to 28. One week of the Mission was devoted to the Spanish-speaking people of the parish. 1957 February 10th was the occasion for the dedication by Bishop Newell of the new St. Mary’s High School Annex. With the completion of this wing the parish school plant was valued at nearly two million dollars. The Rev. L.F. Cervantes, S.J., of Denver conducted a Cana Conference on March 24th. A three day Retreat for the women of the parish was held September 5,6,7 under the direction of Rev. Paul Edward, O.F.M. of Quincy College, Quincy, Illinois. 1958: Another popular Cana Conference was held in St. Mary’s parish on June 8th with Rev. Francis Bakewell, S.J., as speaker. A distinguished honor came to St. Mary’s High School when Linda Wallace, a Senior of St. Mary’s High School, received a Science Award from the Science Talent Institute. Miss Wallace was picked from more than 25,000 contestants. Sister Mary Paulinus, Instructor in the science department of St. Mary’s High School, was awarded a grant of $2,300,00 from the National Institute of Health. 1959 With the view of acquiring property in Block 139 for future parish expansion, the property of H. Sankot, 214 E. 24th, was purchased for the sum of $22,750.00. The purchase was executed on March 27.1959. Because of failing health, the Rt. Rev. Msgr. James A. Hartmann submitted his resignation as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 15,1959. On May 22, 1959 Bishop Newell announced the appointment of Very Rev. F.J. Kimmett as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral to succeed Monsignor Hartmann. Hundreds of parishioners and friends gathered in St. Mary’s Cathedral on the afternoon of June 14th to pay a well deserved tribute to Monsignor James A. Hartmann who had served as the devoted pastor of the parish for forty-four years. The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas O’Reilly paid an eloquent tribute to Monsignor Hartmann and his accomplishments. Bishop Newell officiated at the formal installation of Very Rev. F.J. Kimmett as Rector of the Cathedral on September 13th. The Rev. William Restivo, a native son of St. Mary’s parish, was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Newell on September 26th in St. Mary’s Cathedral. Following his ordination Father Restivo left to serve the African Mission in the Diocese of Kenya [sic]. Back to Top