St. Anthony Church, Cody, Wyoming 1970-1980

St. Anthony Church
Cody
1970-1980

Since the present parish facilities were built prior to 1970 -- the Church in 1954, the Rectory in 1960, and the Catechetical Center in 1969 -- the decade of the 1970’s saw no further additions made and no real estate was acquired. At a corporation meeting of St. Anthony’s Parish officers on January 17, 1974, Msgr. Francis T. Penny informed the trustees and others present that the debt on the Catechetical Center had been completely retired with a final payment of $15,000. The trustees on that date were Fred W. Felsheim and Ed Krasovich, Sr. A balance in the church funds at that time was $12,167.61.

The 1970’s saw the continuation of the normal or routine parish activities with a special emphasis on the religious education of all Catholic youth in grades 1 - 12 under the direction of the Victory Noll Sisters who resided in Powell, Wyoming. In March 1976, a contract was let to the Althoff Construction Co., Cody, to enlarge and pave the parking lot between the Church and the Center, and later in May 1976, the lawns were planted and the present driveways around the rectory were built. In January 1977, plans to install stain glass windows in the church were discussed based on a proposal from the Cody Council Knights of Columbus, the latter being responsible for the cost of the windows with the parish carrying the installation expense. Immediately the L. & R. Studio, Chicago, was contacted and these plans materialized in September 1979, when a beautiful set of stained glass windows were installed, each one depicting a Beatitude. Parishioners had been invited to participate in the costs of these windows by selecting a window as a memorial to a relative or friend. The approximate cost was $20,000.

In May 1977, Msgr. Francis T. Penny announced his retirement from active duty as pastor after 34 years at St. Anthony’s in Cody. Rev. Charles Brady, then pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Casper, was appointed to succeed Msgr. Penny. In April 1978, a new Rogers organ was purchased from the Les Parsons Music Store, Casper, for $15,000 (plus trade-in of the old organ), and this addition was made possible by a very generous donation from the Paul Stock Foundation, Cody, of $10,000.

Since Cody is a tourist town possessing a very attractive museum and being near to the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the summer months prove to be most busy in the parish of St. Anthony’s. On a given weekend between mid-June and Labor Day, thirteen Masses are offered at various locations in and around Yellowstone Park including the Cody parish. Assistance in this effort came from the Jesuit Fathers in New York and St. Louis. During Msgr. Penny’s time much personnel assistance came from the Benedictine priests in St. Meinrad’s, Indiana and Atchison, Kansas.

On July 14 & 15, 1979, our parish was happily surprised by a visit from His Grace Most Rev. Jean Jadot, D.D., Apostolic Delegate to the United States. He was the main celebrant at a Concelebrated Mass on Saturday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m. with Most Rev. Joseph H. Hart, D.D., Bishop of Cheyenne, and Father Charles Brady. That night he journeyed into the Park with Bishop Hart and offered Mass at Old Faithful on the following day for the tourists. He spent two days travelling through Yellowstone Park and continued into Teton National Park.

In May 1979, the first Parish Council was formed in St. Anthony’s. Six members were elected at Mass. These members were: John Paisley (president), Lawrence Meister, William Hurr, Marie Manorgan, Dennis Applehans and Richard Miller. The parish is very active, having a very well attended Knights of Columbus Council, Altar & Rosary Society, and a growing Catholic Youth Organization. The 1980’s will undoubtedly prove to be most interesting with the main emphasis on the strengthening of Catholic Family Life.

Back to INDEX		St. Anthony Church Cody 1970-1980 Since the present parish facilities were built prior to 1970 -- the Church in 1954, the Rectory in 1960, and the Catechetical Center in 1969 -- the decade of the 1970’s saw no further additions made and no real estate was acquired. At a corporation meeting of St. Anthony’s Parish officers on January 17, 1974, Msgr. Francis T. Penny informed the trustees and others present that the debt on the Catechetical Center had been completely retired with a final payment of $15,000. The trustees on that date were Fred W. Felsheim and Ed Krasovich, Sr. A balance in the church funds at that time was $12,167.61. The 1970’s saw the continuation of the normal or routine parish activities with a special emphasis on the religious education of all Catholic youth in grades 1 - 12 under the direction of the Victory Noll Sisters who resided in Powell, Wyoming. In March 1976, a contract was let to the Althoff Construction Co., Cody, to enlarge and pave the parking lot between the Church and the Center, and later in May 1976, the lawns were planted and the present driveways around the rectory were built. In January 1977, plans to install stain glass windows in the church were discussed based on a proposal from the Cody Council Knights of Columbus, the latter being responsible for the cost of the windows with the parish carrying the installation expense. Immediately the L. & R. Studio, Chicago, was contacted and these plans materialized in September 1979, when a beautiful set of stained glass windows were installed, each one depicting a Beatitude. Parishioners had been invited to participate in the costs of these windows by selecting a window as a memorial to a relative or friend. The approximate cost was $20,000. In May 1977, Msgr. Francis T. Penny announced his retirement from active duty as pastor after 34 years at St. Anthony’s in Cody. Rev. Charles Brady, then pastor of St. Anthony’s Church in Casper, was appointed to succeed Msgr. Penny. In April 1978, a new Rogers organ was purchased from the Les Parsons Music Store, Casper, for $15,000 (plus trade-in of the old organ), and this addition was made possible by a very generous donation from the Paul Stock Foundation, Cody, of $10,000. Since Cody is a tourist town possessing a very attractive museum and being near to the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the summer months prove to be most busy in the parish of St. Anthony’s. On a given weekend between mid-June and Labor Day, thirteen Masses are offered at various locations in and around Yellowstone Park including the Cody parish. Assistance in this effort came from the Jesuit Fathers in New York and St. Louis. During Msgr. Penny’s time much personnel assistance came from the Benedictine priests in St. Meinrad’s, Indiana and Atchison, Kansas. On July 14 & 15, 1979, our parish was happily surprised by a visit from His Grace Most Rev. Jean Jadot, D.D., Apostolic Delegate to the United States. He was the main celebrant at a Concelebrated Mass on Saturday, July 14, at 7:00 p.m. with Most Rev. Joseph H. Hart, D.D., Bishop of Cheyenne, and Father Charles Brady. That night he journeyed into the Park with Bishop Hart and offered Mass at Old Faithful on the following day for the tourists. He spent two days travelling through Yellowstone Park and continued into Teton National Park. In May 1979, the first Parish Council was formed in St. Anthony’s. Six members were elected at Mass. These members were: John Paisley (president), Lawrence Meister, William Hurr, Marie Manorgan, Dennis Applehans and Richard Miller. The parish is very active, having a very well attended Knights of Columbus Council, Altar & Rosary Society, and a growing Catholic Youth Organization. The 1980’s will undoubtedly prove to be most interesting with the main emphasis on the strengthening of Catholic Family Life. Back to Top