St. Leo's Catholic Church Lusk 1940-1950

St. Leo s Catholic Church
LUSK
1940-1950

The spiritual care of Lusk was confided to the Order of Minor Conventuals after they established their convent in Douglas y in 1911. St. Leo’s Church in Lusk therefore remained in their charge until June15, 1949 when Father Terence McGovern, a Diocesan priest, took spiritual charge of it.

Fr. Ignatius Berna, O.M.C., erected a frame church building in Lusk in 1912. This building w-s dedicated under the patronage of St. Leo by Most Rev. Patrick A. McGovern, D.D., Bishop of Cheyenne, May 30th, 1913. To this day this same building with some necessary repairs has served the faithful of Lusk and surrounding districts as their principal place of worship.

Up until 1942 St. Leo’s church Lusk w-s attended on weekends by one of the Franciscan Fathers from Douglas. At that time owing to difficulties of travel brought about by war restrictions permission was granted to have one of the Fathers from Douglas take up residence in Lusk. Fr. Roderick Oriens was the first resident priest, and he remained in Lusk till March 6th 1943 when he was succeeded by Fr. Othmar Miller. Fr. Miller rented a small three room house on the east side of town for almost three years. At that time the present rectory and property was bought from Miss Doris Kinney for approximately $l800.00. After some very much needed repairs to the house Fr. Miller took possession of the rectory in 1946. This rectory is across the street from the church, though inadequate for the purpose it was the best that could be bought at the time.

With the approval of the Very Rev. Provincial O.M.C., on August the 5th, 1947, His Excellency, the bishop, created a new parish at Lusk embracing Niobrara County. Fr. Miller who had been in charge was appointed administrator and pastor pro tempore of the newly established parish.

Poor health forced Fr. Miller in 1948 to seek a milder climate and lower altitude. He was replaced in Lusk by Fr. Walter Steiner, O.M.C., October 7th, 1948.

Fr. Walter Steiner found it difficult to adjust himself to conditions in the West and consequently asked to be changed. He was succeeded by Fr. Elmer Mulcahy, O.M.C., January 7th, 1949. Fr. Mulcahy remained in charge until June 15th, 1949, when Fr. McGovern was appointed pastor by his Excellency the bishop.

On arrival Fr. McGovern found a small but- very devoted flock who showed an eagerness to cooperate with their new pastor. In compliance with diocesan statutes Fr. McGovern was formally installed pastor. June 26, 1949 by Very Rev. Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G.

Fr. McGovern feels there is much to be done in organizing this new parish. Both church and rectory are very inadequate in this growing community and hence it devolves upon the new pastor to build a suitable church and priest’s home in keeping with the demands of the community. Already a small start has been made to raise the necessary funds.

On October 13th, 1949, His Excellency Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell, D.D., coadjutor bishop of Cheyenne, administered the Sacrament of confirmation to 31 children and 6 adults. This was the largest class of pupils in the history of Lusk. The following February 26th Bishop Newell kindly consented to come to Lusk and dedicate a new Wurlitzer organ in St. Leo’s Church. For that occasion Fr. McGovern invited a young but very promising organist Robert Cavarra from Denver, who delighted all present with his beautiful rendition of sacred music. To add to the success of that day Very Rev. Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G., kindly consented to take St. Anthony’s church choir under the direction of Wilbur L. Stearns, to Lusk for a sacred concert.

Since 1938 Mass has been celebrated very Sunday in St. Leo’s Church Lusk. Prior to that Mass was celebrated every second Sunday.

The missions and stations attached to St. Leo’s Church have never been very extensive. With the discovery of oil in Lance Creek 35 miles northwest of Lusk during the early 1920s, it was found necessary to give the Catholic population of this field the opportunity of attending Mass. Therefore, after much deliberation a church was built at Manville which then promised to be an active community. However, this was a false alarm and Manville did not long retain its prosperity. St. Mary’s Church, Manville, was closed, and in 1943 it was sold to Marion Houchin, Ogalala, Nebraska for the sum of $500.00. The same fate befell the community of Van Tassel which at one time claimed 100 families. This town was a market center for the surrounding ranchers but with the depression of the 1930s it has almost disappeared. The church at Van Tassell 9Holy Name of Jesus) was moved to Lance Greek in 1946, and for the first time Sunday Mass was given the people of this oil field. Mass is celebrated twice a month on the first and third Sundays.

From the earliest missionary days in this area Mass has been celebrated in the home of Kenneth Hughes, Flattop, on the Second Saturday of the month. This gives an opportunity of assisting at Mass to about 8 people, who otherwise would find it difficult to make the 30-odd miles into Lusk on Sunday. Mass is also celebrated at Hat Greek in the home of Henry Wasserberger. This station is 35 miles north of Lusk and is attended on the fourth Saturday of the month. The average attendance at Mass here is about 10 people.

Terence McGovern

Back to INDEX		St. Leo s Catholic Church LUSK 1940-1950 The spiritual care of Lusk was confided to the Order of Minor Conventuals after they established their convent in Douglas y in 1911. St. Leo’s Church in Lusk therefore remained in their charge until June15, 1949 when Father Terence McGovern, a Diocesan priest, took spiritual charge of it. Fr. Ignatius Berna, O.M.C., erected a frame church building in Lusk in 1912. This building w-s dedicated under the patronage of St. Leo by Most Rev. Patrick A. McGovern, D.D., Bishop of Cheyenne, May 30th, 1913. To this day this same building with some necessary repairs has served the faithful of Lusk and surrounding districts as their principal place of worship. Up until 1942 St. Leo’s church Lusk w-s attended on weekends by one of the Franciscan Fathers from Douglas. At that time owing to difficulties of travel brought about by war restrictions permission was granted to have one of the Fathers from Douglas take up residence in Lusk. Fr. Roderick Oriens was the first resident priest, and he remained in Lusk till March 6th 1943 when he was succeeded by Fr. Othmar Miller. Fr. Miller rented a small three room house on the east side of town for almost three years. At that time the present rectory and property was bought from Miss Doris Kinney for approximately $l800.00. After some very much needed repairs to the house Fr. Miller took possession of the rectory in 1946. This rectory is across the street from the church, though inadequate for the purpose it was the best that could be bought at the time. With the approval of the Very Rev. Provincial O.M.C., on August the 5th, 1947, His Excellency, the bishop, created a new parish at Lusk embracing Niobrara County. Fr. Miller who had been in charge was appointed administrator and pastor pro tempore of the newly established parish. Poor health forced Fr. Miller in 1948 to seek a milder climate and lower altitude. He was replaced in Lusk by Fr. Walter Steiner, O.M.C., October 7th, 1948. Fr. Walter Steiner found it difficult to adjust himself to conditions in the West and consequently asked to be changed. He was succeeded by Fr. Elmer Mulcahy, O.M.C., January 7th, 1949. Fr. Mulcahy remained in charge until June 15th, 1949, when Fr. McGovern was appointed pastor by his Excellency the bishop. On arrival Fr. McGovern found a small but- very devoted flock who showed an eagerness to cooperate with their new pastor. In compliance with diocesan statutes Fr. McGovern was formally installed pastor. June 26, 1949 by Very Rev. Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G. Fr. McGovern feels there is much to be done in organizing this new parish. Both church and rectory are very inadequate in this growing community and hence it devolves upon the new pastor to build a suitable church and priest’s home in keeping with the demands of the community. Already a small start has been made to raise the necessary funds. On October 13th, 1949, His Excellency Most Rev. Hubert M. Newell, D.D., coadjutor bishop of Cheyenne, administered the Sacrament of confirmation to 31 children and 6 adults. This was the largest class of pupils in the history of Lusk. The following February 26th Bishop Newell kindly consented to come to Lusk and dedicate a new Wurlitzer organ in St. Leo’s Church. For that occasion Fr. McGovern invited a young but very promising organist Robert Cavarra from Denver, who delighted all present with his beautiful rendition of sacred music. To add to the success of that day Very Rev. Thomas F. O’Reilly, V.G., kindly consented to take St. Anthony’s church choir under the direction of Wilbur L. Stearns, to Lusk for a sacred concert. Since 1938 Mass has been celebrated very Sunday in St. Leo’s Church Lusk. Prior to that Mass was celebrated every second Sunday. The missions and stations attached to St. Leo’s Church have never been very extensive. With the discovery of oil in Lance Creek 35 miles northwest of Lusk during the early 1920s, it was found necessary to give the Catholic population of this field the opportunity of attending Mass. Therefore, after much deliberation a church was built at Manville which then promised to be an active community. However, this was a false alarm and Manville did not long retain its prosperity. St. Mary’s Church, Manville, was closed, and in 1943 it was sold to Marion Houchin, Ogalala, Nebraska for the sum of $500.00. The same fate befell the community of Van Tassel which at one time claimed 100 families. This town was a market center for the surrounding ranchers but with the depression of the 1930s it has almost disappeared. The church at Van Tassell 9Holy Name of Jesus) was moved to Lance Greek in 1946, and for the first time Sunday Mass was given the people of this oil field. Mass is celebrated twice a month on the first and third Sundays. From the earliest missionary days in this area Mass has been celebrated in the home of Kenneth Hughes, Flattop, on the Second Saturday of the month. This gives an opportunity of assisting at Mass to about 8 people, who otherwise would find it difficult to make the 30-odd miles into Lusk on Sunday. Mass is also celebrated at Hat Greek in the home of Henry Wasserberger. This station is 35 miles north of Lusk and is attended on the fourth Saturday of the month. The average attendance at Mass here is about 10 people. Terence McGovern Back to Top