NEGenWeb Project
On June 18, 1918, the church caught fire and burned to the ground. On October 31, 1918, work began on the present church, which cost about $30,000. Stained glass windows were donated at a cost of $90. The windows were recently releaded at a cost of $4,000 each. The new church was dedicated June 29, 1920.
The rural Czech community and SS Peter and Paul congregation felt all of the historic happenings of every rural community in the area. Although many youths served their country in wars, Victor Brousek, a faithful altar boy and active youth at SS Peter and Paul, was only 21 years old when he was killed in action in Korea.
The basement of the church was planned to house a small chapel for daily Mass and for classrooms, in order to decrease heating costs. Eventually the area became part of the kitchens where 800 to 1,000 people were and are often served during the annual dinner in mid-October.