| Back to INDEX | History of Douglas Parish [Archives Conventual Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Consolation, Mount Saint Francis, Indiana 47146] [p1]In August 1941, Father Gerald Biwer was transferred to San Jose Mexican Missions, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Father Henry Bethiaum came to Wyoming to assume Fr. Biwer’s duties in the St. James Convent, Douglas, Wyoming. Father Lawrence Martin, superior and pastor, was transferred to Waupum, Wisconsin, to serve as chaplain at the state prison in July, 1942. Father Andrew Maas was appointed superior and pastor of St. James Church, Convent and missions and took the office August 13,1942, on which date he was duly approved and installed by the Most Rev. Patrick A. McGovern. Father[s] Roderic Oriams and Brenden Weishear came From Carlsbad, New Mexico, to fill the vacancies created by the transferrals of Fathers Lawrence Martin and Henry Berthiaume in July, 1942. On March 6, 1943, Fr. Othmar Miller, who was in charge of St. Patrick’s Church, Wheatland, Wyoming, was moved to Lusk, Wyo., to take charge of St. Leo’s Church. Fr. Brendan Weishaer was given charge of Wheatland, Wyoming. On March 13, 1943, Father Marcel Lell was sent by Very Rev. Anthony Hodapp, Provincial, to Douglas, Wyo. He replaced Fr. Roderic Oraiam, who was moved to another field of labor. On his arrival Father Marcel Lell was given St. Louis Mission of Glenrock and St. John Mission of Glendo to attend From Douglas. On May 22, 1943, Fr. Brenden Weishaer was moved and Fr. Norbert Risley was sent to Douglas temporarily, by the Provincial and during his stay in Wyoming took care of the needs of Glenrock and Glendo missions, while Fr. Marcel Lell took care of Wheatland and missions. On July 26, 1943, Fr. Ferdinand Gruss, formerly a professor in the Seminary at Mt. St. Francis, Indiana, was sent to Douglas. He was given charge of Wheatland and missions and Fr. Risley returned to his position at the same seminary. Early in 1944 plans were being formulated to build a church at the mission of Hartville-Sunrise which at the time was being cared for out of Wheatland. After securing permission From the Most Rev. P. A. McGovern, work on the new church in Hartville was begun in April, 1944. On June 9, 1944, Fr. Charles Zengel was sent to Douglas Convent, From Lansing, Michigan, by the Very Rev. Anthony Hodapp, Provincial. When the mission church at Hartville was in the process of completion, Fr. Charles Zengel was given charge of the mission. He became the first resident priest of Hartville. Under the Pastorship of Rev. Andrew Maas, one Father was stationed to head each main Mission. This was done that more spiritual care could be given to the respective missions. Accordingly, in Nov. 1944, the position of the Fathers in Douglas Convent was as follows: Very Rev. Andrew Maas, Pastor of St. James Church and Mission and
Superior of St. James Convent, Douglas, Wyo. On October 22, 1944, Father Andrew Maas said Mass at the Prisoner of War Camp at Douglas and continued to say Mass there until such time that a German-speaking priest came to the Camp. Ear1y in 1943, $615.00 was paid to clean up the balance of the debt
on the St. Louis Mission Church of G1enrock. Early in the year 1947, word was received from the Most Rev. Bishop directing that Fr. Charles Zengel attend Glendo mission from Hartville, Wyo. Fr. Charles Zengel assumed charge of Glendo Mission, Easter Sunday, April 6, 1947. On July 11,1947, Father Marce1 Lel1 was moved to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, Carey, Ohio, and the vacancy created was filled by Fr. Conrad Schweibo1d, newly-ordained priest who had arrived on June 21. On August 5, 1947, the parish at Lusk was removed from the Friars Minor Conventuals and was taken over by the Diocese. However, the Most Rev. Bishop left Fr. Miller OFM Conv. on as temporary administrator of St. Leo’s until a diocesan priest was available to replace him. The year drew to a close with all the missions in Wyoming which are under the care of the Franciscan, having a mission for their people, conducted by the Missionary Fathers from Chicago, Ill. After the Franciscan Provincial election in 1948, many changes were made in the West. Every Father, except Fr. Charles Zengel, was moved to other fields of labor. First to be transferred was Rev. Andrew Maas, who left Douglas to assume a pastorate in Angola, Indiana, on Sept. 12, 1948. Fr. Andrew made notable progress during his administration. His efficient service und civic interests made his departure regrettable to the entire community, Catholic and Protestant alike. He left a building fund which helped realize the building program for his successor. Fr. Andrew was replaced by the Very Rev. Bernadin Singleton, who came from Pismo Beach, Calif. He took over his pastoral duties in Douglas on Sept. 15, 1948. On Oct. l7, Fr. Conrad was moved to Pismo, Calif., and was replaced by Father Boniface Bianco, from the Mexican missions of Carlsbad, New Mexico. In February l949, Fr. Bernarlin Singleton drew up plans with Clinton Baker, architect, which were approved by the Most Rev. Bishop P.A. McGovern, D.D., and the Very Rev. Wenceslaus Hertvick, Provincial, for an addition to the rectory which would provide a hall for the parish and additional living quarters in the rectory. [p3] At the same time plans were approved for a practical remodeling of the rectory when, after proper investigation, it was deemed inopportune to build a new rectory. At that time, plans were drawn up by the same architect to build a four-room apartment to the rear of St. Louis Mission Church, Glenrock, which was approved. Work on both places got under way on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. The pastor himself, with donated and paid labor, went to work on the addition and remodeling, completing the project in October. The hall was complete with rest rooms, stove, sink and other equipment. The rectory was papered, painted and a bathroom installed on the second floor. With a hall for the parish, many new activities are possible. The rectory is now adequate and comfortable. The hall was dedicated and blessed by the Most Rev. Bishop H. Newell, D.D., co-adjutor, October 19, 1949, on the occasion of Confirmation. Early in 1949 Father Bernadin Singleton organized and started two church societies --The Altar and Rosary Society and the Holy Name Society. That same Fall, he recruited the youngsters of the parish (grade school children) and initiated the Don Bosco Club. In May of 1949 the Militia of Mary Immaculate, a Franciscan confraternity was begun, starting off with 52 members. The first Sunday of the month was designated as Holy Communion Day for all the societies. In December the sanctuary of St. James Church in Douglas was completely renovated. A new $500.00 liturgical tabernacle was donated by a friend. The old altar was made conspicuous for its absence of bric-a-brac, new flooring was laid, a large altar crucifix was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Slonaker in memory of James Brady and new carpeting was donated for the sanctuary floor. In July 1950 the windows of the church were repaired. They were releaded, broken panes replaced and braces put in. In October storm windows and doors were put on the rectory. A Christmas gift of $5,000.00 was given to the church by Mrs. S.E. Morton; it was a generous and much appreciated gift. On August 4, 1949 on the Feast of St. Dominic, open-house was held in Glenrock on the occasion of Fr. Boniface having completed the apartment. Practically the entire structure was put up by the attending priest. The apartment is estimated at $4000.00, but it cost the parish $1200.00 for materials. With the new living quarters the priest now often says mass on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, affording the parishioners the opportunity to practice their faith more fully. During the year the entire sanctuary in the St. Louis Mission Church was completed and remodeled. The sanctuary was painted and all the gingerbread cut away from the Altar. New velvet drapes were given for the entire church by Mrs. Cal Chapman, in memory of her father, Mr. James Corsello. A three-foot altar crucifix, hand-painted, was donated by Mrs. Elizabeth Kimball, in memory of her father, Mr. James Kimball. A liturgical tabernacle was donated by Mrs. Myron Spencer. As a Christmas present to the church, a friend donated storm windows for all the windows. [4] Spiritual progress has kept space with the material in
Douglas and Glenrock and the number approaching the sacraments has
increased
about 400 percent in the past ten years. The children of the parish
are instructed weekly by the Fathers with the assistance of two lay
teachers. During the summer months, a two week’s vocational school
is provided. Statistics for the past ten years for Douglas parish are
as follows: |
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