A special thank you to St. Joseph Church for allowing me to use the information published in their centennial book: Century of Blessings, St. Joseph Centennial, Platte Center, Nebraska (1884-1984).
St. Patrick Shell Creek (1863 - 1884)In March, 1857, the first Catholic settlers along Lower Shell Creek were a group of Irish people, who formed the nucleus of the first township. Thomas Lynch, Patrick Gleason, John Dineen and Michael Kelly led the way for others. Pat Murray came in the spring of 1857, but settled near Columbus. They were followed in 1858 by Michael Dineen and James Conway; in August, 1859; by Edward Hayes, Henry Carrig, James Carrig, Dave Carrig, Michael Doody and Patrick Burke arrived.
Arriving in 1868 were Thos. Flynn, John Slevin, John Shaughnessy, John Regan Sr., Dennis and Michael Duggan, Patrick Duggan and Edmund Roberts; in 1869, Henry Ripp, Joseph Jordan, Christian Greisen, Joseph Liebig, Chas. Mehrberger. These were Germans as the names indicate.
Joining the settlers in 1870 were Michael Hogan, John Sackey, Patrick and Dennis Regan, Thos. Shea; in 1871, Dennis Sullivan, Thos. Sullivan, Patrick Murphy, Michael Upton, Patrick Carey. In 1872, Wm. O'Callaghan, Thos. Dean, and Michael Cronin came to settle in the parish.
From 1857 until about 1861 the Catholic settlers as a rule had to travel to Omaha with ox teams to have their children baptized, to receive the sacraments, etc. The first church was a little log structure and Fr. Fourmont, for several years, was the only resident clergyman in Platte County. In August 1863 Fr. Wm. Kelly came. At the end of 1863, Fr. Smith came up from Columbus from time to time. Fr. Erlach, in 1865, also came up from Columbus occasionally. After this no service was held for many years as Fr. Ryan obliged the Catholics to attend St. John Church in Columbus.
In 1870, Fr. Frederick Uhing of West Point, Nebraska, was invited by the Catholic Germans to minister to their spiritual wants. During this time the church was built by Ferdinand Ripp, near the Pat Gleason home in the year 1873. Before the 24x30 ft. frame building was exteriorly completed, Mass was said in the house of Henry Ripp.
Before Fr. Smyth's time (1880-1884), no church records were kept as St. Patrick, entries being made at St. John, Columbus, and much of the valuable history of the early Catholic settlement was lost. The parish later became part of St. Joseph Parish, Platte Center.
The Founding of St. Joseph Church, Platte Center, 1884
Mr. Patrick Murphy donated two acres and two adjoining acres to the south were a gift of Mr. Edmond Roberts. The new two-story structure was completed on November 15, 1884. The first Mass was celebrated on Christmas Day, 1884. In 1898, Rev. Jerome began making plans for a new and more spacious church. The cornerstone of the new church was laid August 17, 1899 and the new church, built by Mr. Liss of Tarnov, was dedicated October 12, 1899.
In 1917, an indebtedness of $3,000 was wiped out, and $600 deposited on interest for a new church. The razing of the old church commenced the first week in May 1924. The cornerstone was laid on the last day of May 1924. Dedication was celebrated on November 28, 1924. Members of the choir were Max Bruckner, Francis Bruckner, Charles Kaipust, and Mark Schilz; Mrs. Frank Bruckner, L. A. Lachnit and A. J. Glodowski; Miss Madeline Gleason, Anna Kaipust, Bernice Szostak, Cecilia Burke, Alice and Leona Heeg and Sister M. Rosella, O.S.F., as organist.