STOCKING PRECINCT

First United Methodist Church, Wahoo, Nebr.

settlers. Rev. Alexander died June 4th, 1874 and was the first white person to be buried in the old Indian cemetery on the north edge of Wahoo. Rev. Alexander was a close relative of the Mauck family who have been prominent in the history of the county.

   In 1869 there was a flourishing mission embracing all of Saunders County, except Ashland, that was known as the South Platte Mission. Rev. C.W. Comstock was the circuit rider and he traveled the county, establishing Sunday Schools and looking for Methodist families. At the close of his year he reported having found 45 Methodists and two local preachers. He established Sunday Schools with 6 teachers and 25 pupils. The salary of Rev. Comstock was to have been $450.00 but he reports only receiving $174.30.

   Rev. M.M. Smith was appointed to take up the work in 1870 but shortly after he arrived it was found that there would be no missionary money that year. He was forced to give up his plans and leave the county without any Methodist leader.

   Early in 1871, a young man, Rev. Richard Pearson and his wife, came from England to serve as a Methodist Minister in the fast developing West. His first appointment from the Nebraska Conference was to serve the "Gregory Mission" in the north half of Saunders County. At this time there was no regular preaching station at Wahoo. After Rev. Pearson arrived in the county, he made a trip to Wahoo, and in his report said, "I went soon after I arrived on the charge to Wahoo to see what the outlook was there. I found that there was in the town only one store, one saloon, a school house, and one or two other small buildings. I arranged to preach there every two weeks in the morning." Due to small numbers in his congregation, Sunday services were soon discontinued for other places where the attendance was larger. In the spring of 1872, Dayton Andrus and others in Wahoo petitioned Rev. Pearson for a Sunday service. As a result, a Methodist class was organized with 16 charter members.

   The name was changed to "Eldred Mission," and, in 1873, Rev. Daniel Davis was appointed. He was a very active worker, and, as a result, six new classes were organized: Union (Yutan), Estina, Colon, Platteville (Leshara), Cottonwood (Malmo), and Harndens (3 miles east of Wahoo). A class known as the Hadsall Class, organized in 1871 by A. Blackwell, in the Weston area, was united with the class at Wahoo. Brother Davis reported 187 members and 82 probationary members.

   In 1874, the name was changed to Wahoo Mission and Jacob Adriance was placed in charge with a junior minister, William Peck, as his assistant. The work was growing rapidly, and, in 1875, it became necessary for the Conference to divide the area, making Sand Creek the dividing line. All east of Sand Creek was called Platteville Circuit, and the balance west of Sand Creek was called Wahoo Circuit. Rev. Davis was returned to the county and placed in charge of the Platteville Circuit, and Peter Van Fleet, having just entered the ministry, was sent on trial to Wahoo. His labours strengthened the Methodist work in the territory and his reports indicated a very good year.

   Rev. William Peck was returned in full charge of the work at Wahoo. During his ministry a parsonage was built at 257 North Linden at a cost of $600.00.

   In 1879, Rev. E. Wilkinson was appointed and up to this time there was no regular place of worship except the school house. On lots deeded by Carrie Anderson and husband on August 26, 1880, a church was built on the same site now occupied by the present church at 7th and Beech. This building was torn down in 1923. At the opening of its cornerstone the following persons were recorded as having been present at the laying of the first cornerstone: E. Wilkinson, Pastor, R.H. Doddes, Eunice M. Mengle, Anne Young, John Steen, J. Darah, Catherine Bell, Helen A. Ellsworth, Mary M. Allen, Sarah E. Alexander, May Wilkinson, Robert O. Bell.

   Rev. W.E. Davis was appointed in 1881 and organized the John Andrews Post of the G.A.R., and was its first commander. He died while serving Wahoo and was followed by Rev. A. Ware who was more interested in the real estate business than the church; consequently interest lagged and the church suffered.

   The parsonage at 257 North Linden had been sold to pay off the church debt. A new parsonage was built on the lot east of the church at a cost of $840.00, the money being borrowed from Charles Sanford at 10% interest, payable semi-annually in advance. By 1887 all accrued interest had been paid and the debt reduced by $300.00.

   Orin W. Fifer, who served as pastor in 1894, was a contributing writer for the Christian Advocate, and later became its editor. The decade of the '90's saw the organization of the young peoples' work in the Epworth League, the church beginning its fight against the liquor traffic and the open saloon. A united effort of all the young people's societies in the city helped to establish a city library. The decade closed with great revival efforts featuring Rev. Savage of Omaha and the Beck family singers.

   The first decade of the new century saw many building improvements such as an addition to both the church and the parsonage and new church furniture.

   Rev. J.M. McDonald, appointed in 1910, also served as a teacher in the rural schools of the county. The Sunday evening services under Rev. McDonald were very popular, and, on many occasions, the church was crowded to capacity.

   It was Rev. E.L. Barch, appointed in 1914, who sought out and brought into the work of the church, a young man by the name of Ernest Schiefelbein. The loyalty and service of Mr. Schiefelbein grew throughout the years. He served as a teacher in the church school, president of the board of trustees, and was a member of the choir and board of stewards, and was chairman of the building committee during the building of the new church. In 1924 the Nebraska Conference elected him as a lay delegate to the General Conference.

   Rev. Thomas Bithel was appointed in 1916 and served for four years. He was a strong platform speaker, and, at the outbreak of the war, became at once one of the Four Minute Men. His voluntary services took him into almost every section of the county as a speaker for Liberty Loan drives, War Saving Stamps, Red Cross and Y.M.C.A. promotional organization. Being of Welsh descent his natural sympathy for the English side in the war was pronounced.

   In the fall of 1920, a new minister was sent to Wahoo in the person of Rev. E.L. Hobbs. Things began to happen at once. He was a young man with plenty of enthusiasm and drive. He started off with a determined program of advance and a goal of 10% gain in membership for the first year. In 1921 the church began to talk about the possibility of having a new church. On May 11, 1922 at a Quarterly Conference the building committee was given authority to proceed with construction. On May 10, 1923, the cornerstone of the new building was laid, construction was completed, and it was dedicated on December 23, 1923. A family in the church, who was very athletic-minded, was instrumental in having a gymnasium built under the sanctuary. It was considered one of the finest gyms in the community for some time. The generous gifts of Dr. F.E. Way, coupled with the splendid cooperation of a hard working finance committee, of which he was chairman, made possible this long-cherished dream of a new and larger church.

   Rev. Harold Bryant was appointed in 1929 and, under his leadership, the church launched a very ambitious 6-year membership goal of 10% increase per year. The membership grew from 150 in 1929 to 252 in 1935.

   In 1935 a pipe organ was purchased from Trinity Methodist Church in Lincoln and installed and dedicated to the mothers of the Wahoo church. This organ was replaced in the fall of 1955 by a new Baldwin electric organ.

   Thirty-five members served in the armed forces of their country during World War II. The plaque in the church records three Gold Stars. Two former pastors, Harold W. Bryant and Laurance R. Davis, served as Chaplains in the United States Army.

   A new brick parsonage was constructed in 1950. The old one was sold and moved to 650 N. Elm Street.

   Rev. Ralph Rasmussen, appointed in 1953, served the church for 13 years. This was by far the longest pastorate in the Wahoo Church up to the present time. In the spring of 1956, the gymnasium, which was no longer used, was filled with sand to facilitate converting the area into more usable space as a dining room and fellowship hall. It was through the leadership of Rev. Rasmussen that air-conditioning was installed in the sanctuary in 1963 making it the first church in the county to offer such modern comfort.

   Rev. Ivan Richardson was appointed in 1970, and on April 23, 1972, the church observed its centennial. At that time the membership rolls listed 459 members. The church conducted a lay witness mission in April of 1975. This proved to be a great, spiritually-enriching experience and many lives were uplifted by it.

   Rev. Edwin G. Morrison Jr. was appointed in 1976. Under his leadership a 22'x71' addition was added to the east side of the building. This included 2 class rooms, rest rooms, offices for the pastor and secretary on the first floor, and a kitchen and storage space in the basement. Considerable interior remodeling and carpeting was also done at that time. In the summer of 1981 the lot across the street west of the church came up for sale. At a specially-called church conference it was voted to purchase it for a parking lot. The paving was completed before the onset of winter. Rev. Morrison left in April of 1983 to become a chaplain in the United States Air Force. Mrs. Esther Hay served as interim pastor until Rev. Armin Vogt was appointed at conference time in June of that year.

   The Wahoo church is proud to have had two people enter the ministry in recent years. They are Lyle Schoen and Gerald Swarz who were both ordained during annual conference on June 3, 1983.

Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wahoo, Nebr.

   Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church congregation met for the first time on September 8, 1963, in the Luther College gymnasium with 70 people present. The congregation was organized with the adoption of its constitution on July 28, 1964.

   On April 4, 1965, the dedication of the church building at 1245 N. Locust Street was held. The church building had been moved from Fremont

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where it had been used by Good Shepherd Lutheran congregation. While being moved from Fremont to Wahoo, a strong wind came up and blew the church partway over off its rack.

   Our Redeemer presently has a membership of 181 and is served by the Rev. Ralph A. Sackschewsky. It currently has members from the following communities: Wahoo, Mead, Ceresco, Colon, Valparaiso, Prague, Ithaca, Yutan, Lincoln, and Fremont. Our Redeemer is affiliated with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and is one of only two LCMS congregations in Saunders County. Its current officers are: Chairman: Mr. Arthur Gottsch; Vice-Chairman: Mr. H. Joe Weyand; Secretary: Mr. Alfred Pruess; Treasurer: Mr. Michael Graf; Elders: Mr. Elmer Knapp and Mr. Lyle Christensen.

   It is interesting to note that Mrs. Alfred Pruess has served as organist for the congregation for its entire history. Twenty-one of the original fifty-eight chartered members are still members of Our Redeemer.

   Our Redeemer is dedicated to the task of preaching and teaching the Word of God in an intimate family setting and reaching out into the community to serve our fellowman in a Christ-like manner.

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church

   St. Wenceslaus Parish began with the arrival of a group of Czech immigrants from Moravia on August 15, 1874. They were the Simodynes, Novotny, Zimola, Konecky, and Noha families.

   The building of the first church began in July, 1878, and was completed the latter part of the same year. The church was located in the southwest part of Wahoo. This church served as the place of worship for several years. As the congregation grew, a need for a new church arose. In the spring of 1891 work began on the building of a new church on Linden Street. The new church was completed in Dec., 1891. As the congregation grew there was again a need for a larger church. In 1916, plans were made for a larger church.

   The church is a brick structure of the Gothic style of architecture. On Sept. 28, 1923, Rt. Rev. Duffy, in the presence of about 50 visiting priests, dedicated the new church. The membership of the parish was about 160 families. In 1940, the interior of the church was redecorated, and a new organ and a new heating system were also added.

   In May, 1950, St. Wenceslaus Church was recognized by the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben for outstanding public service and good neighbor spirit.

   On November 21, 1954, construction of the new rectory began on the site of the old one. The two-story brick structure was completed in June, 1955.

   On June 1, 1973, work was begun on further redecorating. Some statues were removed to the parish school; others were restored for the church. The white Gothic altars were also removed. During the redecoration period Masses were held in the Neumann High School gymnasium. Open house was held June 23, 1974.

   Parish organizations include the Parish Council, St. Ludmilla's Guild, Rosary Society, St. Theresa's Study Club, and the Parish Council of Catholic Women. We have a perpetual adoration program, established in 1960 in which the Blessed Sacrament is adored continuously 168 hours a week, year-round. There is a Senior Choir and a Folk Choir.

   The parish grade school, 2nd and Beech, opened Sept. 18, 1911, being staffed by Benedictine Sisters until 1923 when the Notre Dame Sisters replaced them. In recent years Marian Sisters and lay teachers have joined the staff.

   In 1978, our parish celebrated its Centennial Year.

   Serving our parish were the following: Reverends Bobal, Bor, Klein, Hanicek, Kolar, Mroczkowski, and Kelly. Rt. Rev. Msgrs. Nemec, and Cooper; assistants, Fathers Ekhaml, Leiblinger, Livanec, Beranek, Flicek, Sherman, Derwinski, Sladky, Schnoebelin, V. Kelly, Smith, Neal, Murphy, Pucelik, York, Tvrdy, Oborny, Cooney, and Au. Presently our pastor is Rev. John McCabe and the assistant is Rev. Douglas Fuller.

   From the small group that first came to this area our parish has grown to about 1454 Catholics.

St. Francis Cemetery

   St. Francis Cemetery is located one-half mile east from the southeast edge of Wahoo, and is adjacent to the Sunrise Cemetery. The land for this cemetery was purchased for the price of $250 in 1892. The deed was not recorded until Sept. 18, 1899. The first burial was that of Margaret Rezac on July 23, 1892.

   St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery is located one and one-half miles northwest of Wahoo. The land for this cemetery was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. James Virgil for the sum of one dollar. The parcel of land was one acre. The purchase was made Febr. 8, 1886. The first recorded burial is that of Antonie Lanik on Nov. 16, 1879.

St. Ludmilla's Guild

   In the winter of March 4, 1915 a few ladies met at the home of Mrs. Mary Fisher to organize a Czech Guild. They chose the name of St. Ludmilla because she was the grandmother of St. Wenceslaus, the patron saint of the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. The St. Ludmilla Guild came into being with Mrs. Mary Polak, first president, Mrs. Antonia Bor, vice-president, and Mrs. Mary Ficenec, secretary-treasurer. Other charter members were Josephine Safranek, Edith Machovec, Anna Pallat, Katherine Fejt, Katherine Kavan, Mary Vybiral, and Mary Fisher.

   These ladies hold their meetings in their homes and paid 10 cents dues. They met in this manner for quite a few years, braving the bitter cold of winter and the heat of summer, but they enjoyed their monthly get-together, speaking their native Czech language.

   When the new church was built in 1923, the ladies were provided with a meeting place in the church basement.

   In January, 1959, Fr. Kolar asked that the Czech language be dropped and replaced with the English language since so many of the younger women could no longer speak Czech.

   The Guild continues to serve for weddings, funerals, and various organizations just as they did in the past. The funds are donated to the parish for special needs.

   In 1965, the Guild celebrated their 50-year anniversary. Officers in 1982 are: President, Frances Wotipka; Vice President, Margaret Meysenburg; Treasurer, Ann Simodynes; and Secretary, Rosalie Wotipka. Presently there are 66 active members, 7 Mass members, and 7 honorary members.

   "The following ladies are now honorary members of the St. Ludmilla's Guild: Mrs. Ann Hruby, Mrs. Frances Malm, Mrs. Agnes Sabatka, Mrs. Agnes Vanek, Mrs. Josephine Bartek, Mrs. Frances Hajek, Mrs. Rose Swoboda."

   Prior to 1937, information about the St. Wenceslaus Choir, Wahoo was unavailable. It is known that Flora Koudele, Mary Krautil, Mayme Lanik and George Bartek were some of the organists in the early years.

   The present Senior Choir was organized in 1937 by Fr. Otto Ekhaml. Members were Hilda Simodynes, organist, Theodore, Francis, Jenny, and Josie Divis, Antoinette Bratrovsky, Joe Kudrna, Matt and Angeline Havelka, Ann Bartek, and Mary Sudik. Theodore Divis and Ann Bartek are still members today. Mrs. Ray (Hilda) Simodynes has been the organist for 45 years. Other longstanding members no longer with the choir were Albert Meduna, Milo Svoboda, Bernard Chapek, and Marie Bartek, all deceased, and Ida Bartek and Wilma Wotipka.

   The directors through the years were Rev. Frank Leiblinger, Rev. Wenceslaus Beranek, Rev. Adrian Herbek, Katherine Pohl, Shirley Divis, John Garner, George Volkmer, and Sue Redlin. When the old pump organ refused to play another note, an orgatron was purchased in 1940. In 1963, Msgr. Cooper had the present organ installed.

   The choir spends many hours in rehearsal for special occasions. Most memorable of these special occasions were Msgr. Nemec's 25th and 50th Anniversaries of his Ordination; the 25th Anniversaries of Msgr. Cooper and Fr. Joe Mroczkowski; the Ordination and First Mass of Fr. Ray Roh; and the First Masses offered by Fathers John Ludvik, Richard Sladky, and Frank Machovec. Special music is always sung at Christmas and Easter.

   Present choir members are Theodore, Rose and Carol Divis, Adrian Bartek, Rosalie Vculek, Catherine Nemecek, Helen Ludvik, Clayre Sabatka, Mildred Asmussen, Ann Bartek, Margaret Meysenburg, Dale and David Kavan, and Dave Leander. Gladys Cajka is the director and Hilda Simodynes is the organist.

   The St. Theresa's Study Club was organized in 1932 with 25 members. It was affiliated with the National Council of Catholic Women in 1933. For many years it was the only organization in the parish affiliated with the National Council. Among the organizers and charter members were Mary St. Martin and Edith Lauvetz. Each of these women, a few years later, became President of the Lincoln

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