ST. JAMES CHURCH Douglas 1950-1959

ST. JAMES CHURCH
DOUGLAS
1950-1959

[p.1] [Archives of the Conventual Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Consolation]

10 year History 1 Jan. 1950 - 31 Dec 1959

1950

The decade opened with the Rev. Bernardin Singleton, O.F.M. Conv., being Pastor, having been appointed in August, 1948. An elaborate polished bronze tabernacle costing $500.00 was donated to the Church by the late Mrs. Gene Payne.

1951

A new roof was installed on the Church, Hall and Rectory and definite plans were formulated for purchasing a new organ for the Church, finally installed in the following year at the cost of $1,265.00 paid for by individual contributions of the parishioners.

1952

A Catechist fund was started to make way for a Catechist Center here as soon as possible. Contacts were made to acquire the services of Sisters for this work. The block rosary was initiated in the parish with the rosary being recited in homes, one in north and another in the south side of town -- on Monday nights. Later this was changed to have the rosary in the parish church every Monday instead of in the homes of individual parishioners. During September a Mission was held in the parish for the spiritual good of all the parishioners. 1953

Confirmation was administered in the Parish on May 1st with 28 boys and girls along with 10 adults in the class. From the Catechist Fund -- in that year of l953 the lot north of the Church was purchased for $2,500.00 for a Catechist center in the future. The lot had one small house and another building in the rear and the lot was 60’ X 140’.

1952/1954

During the year a grotto, very devotional and beautiful, in Honor of the Blessed Mother was built out of native rock and located between the Church and rectory.

[p.2]

1954

In August 1954 the Rev. Martin Collet, O.F.M. Conv., arrived as the new Pastor of Douglas. Continued efforts were made to secure Catechist Sisters but due to the shortage of their members, Douglas was compelled to wait until more Sisters were available. The Fund being almost depleted by the purchase of the property in 1952 slowly increasing being deposited in a savings account in the local bank.

1955

The Bishop’s Fund Campaign, conducted in all the parishes of the Diocese brought in quite an extra income. These extra funds and the present amount of the Catechist Fund were now invested in the Guaranty Federal Savings & Loan Assn. of Casper at 3 ½% for use on a future Catechist Center or school.

By agreement between the Most Rev. Bishop of the Diocese and the Minister Provincial of the Franciscans, Hartville and Glendo, Missions of Douglas since 1910 was made a Parish of Hartville under a Diocesan Pastor. A Mission conducted by the Rev. Mark Mindrup, O.F.M. Conv., during September of that year.

1956

On April 23, 1956, the Most Rev. Hubert Newell, D.D., administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 34 children and 11 adults of the parish. The religious vacation school this year was conducted by the Franciscan Sisters from Aspirant School at Alliance, Nebraska.

1957

On May 21, 1957, the present pastor, the Rev. Martin Collet, O.F.M. Conv., celebrated the Silver Jubilee of ordination. Due to the limited space in the parish church, the Solemn Mass was celebrated in the auditorium of the north side grade school. A large reception and dinner took place in the spacious Veterans Building. The Most Rev. Bishop along with scores of priests, both Diocesan and Franciscan graced the occasion with their presence. Parishioners not only from Douglas but [p.3] also from Lusk, Glendo, Hartville, Wheatland, Chugwater and other local communities were in attendance. A downpour of much needed rain dampened the day but filled all with a spirit of thankfulness and of hope for the future – after a long period of dryness.

1958

The Flynn property, west of and facing the Church and rectory was purchased for $12,OOO.OO. Consisting of two lots with a total space of 120’ x 140’ this property seemed more appropriate for the Catechist Center than the one lot previously purchased. For the present, the main house is being rented.

1959

Glenrock, a Mission of Douglas since 1910 was erected into a parish and a Diocesan priest was appointed its first Pastor. Confirmation by the Most Rev. Bishop of the diocese was administered to 30 children and 9 adults of Douglas along with 2 adults and 4 children from Glenrock. With the gracious permission of the Most Reverend Bishop evening Mass on both Sundays and Holydays was inaugurated as a help toward regular Mass attendance making it possible for those obligated to work during the regular morning hours to attend Mass -- also affording more opportunities for recreation on weekends.

Back to INDEX		ST. JAMES CHURCH DOUGLAS 1950-1959 [p.1] [Archives of the Conventual Franciscan Friars Province of Our Lady of Consolation] 10 year History 1 Jan. 1950 - 31 Dec 1959 1950 The decade opened with the Rev. Bernardin Singleton, O.F.M. Conv., being Pastor, having been appointed in August, 1948. An elaborate polished bronze tabernacle costing $500.00 was donated to the Church by the late Mrs. Gene Payne. 1951 A new roof was installed on the Church, Hall and Rectory and definite plans were formulated for purchasing a new organ for the Church, finally installed in the following year at the cost of $1,265.00 paid for by individual contributions of the parishioners. 1952 A Catechist fund was started to make way for a Catechist Center here as soon as possible. Contacts were made to acquire the services of Sisters for this work. The block rosary was initiated in the parish with the rosary being recited in homes, one in north and another in the south side of town -- on Monday nights. Later this was changed to have the rosary in the parish church every Monday instead of in the homes of individual parishioners. During September a Mission was held in the parish for the spiritual good of all the parishioners. 1953 Confirmation was administered in the Parish on May 1st with 28 boys and girls along with 10 adults in the class. From the Catechist Fund -- in that year of l953 the lot north of the Church was purchased for $2,500.00 for a Catechist center in the future. The lot had one small house and another building in the rear and the lot was 60’ X 140’. 1952/1954 During the year a grotto, very devotional and beautiful, in Honor of the Blessed Mother was built out of native rock and located between the Church and rectory. [p.2] 1954 In August 1954 the Rev. Martin Collet, O.F.M. Conv., arrived as the new Pastor of Douglas. Continued efforts were made to secure Catechist Sisters but due to the shortage of their members, Douglas was compelled to wait until more Sisters were available. The Fund being almost depleted by the purchase of the property in 1952 slowly increasing being deposited in a savings account in the local bank. 1955 The Bishop’s Fund Campaign, conducted in all the parishes of the Diocese brought in quite an extra income. These extra funds and the present amount of the Catechist Fund were now invested in the Guaranty Federal Savings & Loan Assn. of Casper at 3 ½% for use on a future Catechist Center or school. By agreement between the Most Rev. Bishop of the Diocese and the Minister Provincial of the Franciscans, Hartville and Glendo, Missions of Douglas since 1910 was made a Parish of Hartville under a Diocesan Pastor. A Mission conducted by the Rev. Mark Mindrup, O.F.M. Conv., during September of that year. 1956 On April 23, 1956, the Most Rev. Hubert Newell, D.D., administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to 34 children and 11 adults of the parish. The religious vacation school this year was conducted by the Franciscan Sisters from Aspirant School at Alliance, Nebraska. 1957 On May 21, 1957, the present pastor, the Rev. Martin Collet, O.F.M. Conv., celebrated the Silver Jubilee of ordination. Due to the limited space in the parish church, the Solemn Mass was celebrated in the auditorium of the north side grade school. A large reception and dinner took place in the spacious Veterans Building. The Most Rev. Bishop along with scores of priests, both Diocesan and Franciscan graced the occasion with their presence. Parishioners not only from Douglas but [p.3] also from Lusk, Glendo, Hartville, Wheatland, Chugwater and other local communities were in attendance. A downpour of much needed rain dampened the day but filled all with a spirit of thankfulness and of hope for the future – after a long period of dryness. 1958 The Flynn property, west of and facing the Church and rectory was purchased for $12,OOO.OO. Consisting of two lots with a total space of 120’ x 140’ this property seemed more appropriate for the Catechist Center than the one lot previously purchased. For the present, the main house is being rented. 1959 Glenrock, a Mission of Douglas since 1910 was erected into a parish and a Diocesan priest was appointed its first Pastor. Confirmation by the Most Rev. Bishop of the diocese was administered to 30 children and 9 adults of Douglas along with 2 adults and 4 children from Glenrock. With the gracious permission of the Most Reverend Bishop evening Mass on both Sundays and Holydays was inaugurated as a help toward regular Mass attendance making it possible for those obligated to work during the regular morning hours to attend Mass -- also affording more opportunities for recreation on weekends. Back to Top