HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH CHEYENNE, 1950-1960

HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH
CHEYENNE
1950-1960

On October 10, 1952, it was announced by His Excellency, Bishop Hubert M. Newell, that a new community of teaching Sisters, The Missionary Sisters of Victory Noll, were to take up residence in the Diocese with their headquarters in St. Joseph’s Parish.
On the following Sunday, the pastor, Rev. Jerome Denk, announced plans for a new catechetical center so that the new community could teach religion to the children attending public schools. The firm of architects, Kellogg and Kellogg were engaged to draw up plans for the new center and on Sunday, November 2, 1952, ground was broken for the new building by Bishop Newell. The contract for the new center was awarded to Jacob Weber, Cheyenne Contractor, who submitted the low bid of $34,500.00. The building consists of two standard size classrooms, a principal’s office, lavatories and a heating plant in the basement. It is the first unit of what eventually will become a grade school, capable of accommodating eight grades. On September 13, 1953, the new structure was dedicated by Bishop Newell.
The coming of the Sisters to the parish necessitated a convent but owing to the excessive building costs, a suitable convent was not feasible at that time. Father Denk had his rectory converted into a temporary convent and purchased a residence in the same block for a rectory for the sum of $13,000.00.
The new structures left the parish in deep debt but in the Spring of 1955, the Bishop’s Fund Campaign helped considerably to defray this debt. More than $20,000.00 was collected in St. Joseph’s Parish from that campaign.
In the Spring of 1956, Father Denk was forced, because of ill health, to take a leave of absence during which time the Rev. Michael Scullion administered the affairs of the parish. He continued in this capacity until May, 1957. During his tenure as administrator of the parish, the property on East 6th Street was landscaped and new sidewalks were installed.
In May of 1957, the Rev. Jerome Denk was advised by his doctors that he would be unable to return as pastor at which time he submitted his resignation to Bishop Newell.
On June 18, 1957, the Rev. James Ruddy, J.C.D., was appointed pastor. Due to the great zeal and work of the Sisters, as well as to the natural growth of the parish, a third Mass was added but even this was not sufficient to take care of the ever increasing attendance of the Catholics at Sunday Mass.
In the Fall of 1958, Bishop Newell decided that the time had come when the needs of the parish demanded the services of another priest and the Rev. James O’Neill was appointed as its first assistant. Two more Masses were added but even this did not seem to be sufficient to take care of the ever-increasing population. In the Fall of 1959, the Rev. James O’Neill was transferred to Newcastle and the Rev. Daniel Colibraro replaced him as assistant.
In the Spring of 1960, the Rev. James Ruddy, J.C.D., having consulted with the Bishop and the trustees of the parish decided that the time had come when the present church was no longer capable of taking care of the needs of the parish and the firm of Kellogg and Kellogg were again consulted as to the feasibility of enlarging the present church. In August, 1960, the contract for two additional wings to the church was let to Garton and Garton, Cheyenne contractors, for the sum of $60,300.00. Cruciform in design, the completed structure has now a seating capacity for approximately 500 people. In addition to the new wings, new sacristies, a new baptistery and toilet facilities were added. A new fixed altar, of Carrara marble, was installed and the entire church was redecorated. The total cost of the renovation of the present church exceeds $70,000.00.
On February 7, 1961, Bishop Newell blessed the new structure.

Back to INDEX		HISTORY OF THE PARISH OF ST. JOSEPH CHEYENNE 1950-1960 On October 10, 1952, it was announced by His Excellency, Bishop Hubert M. Newell, that a new community of teaching Sisters, The Missionary Sisters of Victory Noll, were to take up residence in the Diocese with their headquarters in St. Joseph’s Parish. On the following Sunday, the pastor, Rev. Jerome Denk, announced plans for a new catechetical center so that the new community could teach religion to the children attending public schools. The firm of architects, Kellogg and Kellogg were engaged to draw up plans for the new center and on Sunday, November 2, 1952, ground was broken for the new building by Bishop Newell. The contract for the new center was awarded to Jacob Weber, Cheyenne Contractor, who submitted the low bid of $34,500.00. The building consists of two standard size classrooms, a principal’s office, lavatories and a heating plant in the basement. It is the first unit of what eventually will become a grade school, capable of accommodating eight grades. On September 13, 1953, the new structure was dedicated by Bishop Newell. The coming of the Sisters to the parish necessitated a convent but owing to the excessive building costs, a suitable convent was not feasible at that time. Father Denk had his rectory converted into a temporary convent and purchased a residence in the same block for a rectory for the sum of $13,000.00. The new structures left the parish in deep debt but in the Spring of 1955, the Bishop’s Fund Campaign helped considerably to defray this debt. More than $20,000.00 was collected in St. Joseph’s Parish from that campaign. In the Spring of 1956, Father Denk was forced, because of ill health, to take a leave of absence during which time the Rev. Michael Scullion administered the affairs of the parish. He continued in this capacity until May, 1957. During his tenure as administrator of the parish, the property on East 6th Street was landscaped and new sidewalks were installed. In May of 1957, the Rev. Jerome Denk was advised by his doctors that he would be unable to return as pastor at which time he submitted his resignation to Bishop Newell. On June 18, 1957, the Rev. James Ruddy, J.C.D., was appointed pastor. Due to the great zeal and work of the Sisters, as well as to the natural growth of the parish, a third Mass was added but even this was not sufficient to take care of the ever increasing attendance of the Catholics at Sunday Mass. In the Fall of 1958, Bishop Newell decided that the time had come when the needs of the parish demanded the services of another priest and the Rev. James O’Neill was appointed as its first assistant. Two more Masses were added but even this did not seem to be sufficient to take care of the ever-increasing population. In the Fall of 1959, the Rev. James O’Neill was transferred to Newcastle and the Rev. Daniel Colibraro replaced him as assistant. In the Spring of 1960, the Rev. James Ruddy, J.C.D., having consulted with the Bishop and the trustees of the parish decided that the time had come when the present church was no longer capable of taking care of the needs of the parish and the firm of Kellogg and Kellogg were again consulted as to the feasibility of enlarging the present church. In August, 1960, the contract for two additional wings to the church was let to Garton and Garton, Cheyenne contractors, for the sum of $60,300.00. Cruciform in design, the completed structure has now a seating capacity for approximately 500 people. In addition to the new wings, new sacristies, a new baptistery and toilet facilities were added. A new fixed altar, of Carrara marble, was installed and the entire church was redecorated. The total cost of the renovation of the present church exceeds $70,000.00. On February 7, 1961, Bishop Newell blessed the new structure. Back to Top