St. Mary's Church
437 Main Street
New England, Hettinger County, North Dakota 58647
437 Main Street
New England, Hettinger County, North Dakota 58647
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The Hepper Olson Church Plate Collection
St. Mary's Church
New England, North Dakota
Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new fireproof St. Mary's Church were held in July of 1955, and the cornerstone was laid by our bishop, The most Reverend Lambert A. Hoch, D. D. on March 20, 1956. Dedication Day was May 30, 1956, with Bishop Hoch blessing the new church and offering a Pontifical High Mass at 4:00 p.m. W. J. Seifert Associates were the architects. Joseph Mackley was the contractor and Daprato Studios designed the interior furnishings. The Good Parishioners of St. Mary's and St. Helena's paid for one third of the total cost during the eleven months of construction, architect, furnishings and pews as of Dedication Day were $217,000. The Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Info from - back of St. Mary's Church plate.
New England, North Dakota
Ground-breaking ceremonies for the new fireproof St. Mary's Church were held in July of 1955, and the cornerstone was laid by our bishop, The most Reverend Lambert A. Hoch, D. D. on March 20, 1956. Dedication Day was May 30, 1956, with Bishop Hoch blessing the new church and offering a Pontifical High Mass at 4:00 p.m. W. J. Seifert Associates were the architects. Joseph Mackley was the contractor and Daprato Studios designed the interior furnishings. The Good Parishioners of St. Mary's and St. Helena's paid for one third of the total cost during the eleven months of construction, architect, furnishings and pews as of Dedication Day were $217,000. The Church is dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Info from - back of St. Mary's Church plate.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
It was not until 1910 that a resident priest came to New England to establish a parish. Before this, Father John Dignan of Dickinson and missionary Abbot, Vincent Wehrle, would come periodically to say mass at farm homes and tend to other spiritual needs.
Father Herman Regensberger was the first resident priest. A frame church was built, and sermons were preached in English and German as most of the first Catholics in the area came from Hungary and Russia. Father Regensberger served Kennedy, Midway, Havelock and Amidon.
SS Peter and Paul Church at Amidon was dedicated in 1917. The choir and many members from New England were in attendance. Father Regensberger had few comforts but was a tireless worker. During the flu epidemic in 1918 he was on sick calls to the point of exhaustion. He suffered a cut on his hand from cranking his car, which he ignored until blood poisoning set in. (Editor's note: It is said that the doctors wished to amputate, but the thought of not being able to say mass for lack of his hand made him decline this treatment.) Father died November 18, 1918, and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in New England.
Father M. Webber was here for two years. During this time, he organized the Holy Name Society. His successor was Father Joseph Poettgens. Father Poettgens was a firm believer in religious education, and when W.C. McKenzie sold his large department store and hotel, the parish purchased the store building for $8,000. The School Sisters of Notre Dame from Our Lady of Good Counsel provincial house in Mankato, MN, came to establish the school.
The frame church was enlarged during Father Poettgens' time, with the work of the parishioners. Two side altars and a shrine were added through the artistic efforts of Sister Mary Catherine Becker, the principal and superior of the community of Sisters. One of the altars was of rose quartz and the other of blue quartz from · South Dakota; the shrine was of local stone, much of it petrified wood. Sister Catherine and Joe Schwartzbauer also built several outdoor altars of native stone. These altars were used for special processions, particularly Corpus Christi and Rogation days. Father Poettgens established the St. Joseph's Verein. Women of the parish formed a Ladies' Aid, and a number of men were members of the Knights of Columbus.
Father Charles Schneider came to St. Mary's in 1936, and the parish grew from 160 families in 1930 to twice that number by 1950. Father Schneider purchased a pipe organ and started a building fund.
Father Aloysius Galowitsch became pastor in 1950. The need for a new high school building was evident. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Zartler from Chicago, an uncle of Father Galowitsch, came to New England. "Uncle Joe" was a building contractor and he supervised parishioners and others who worked in the construction of the school. The parish and the school continued to grow.
During Father Eugene LaMeres' pastorate, which began in 1953, the Ladies' Aid was reorganized into the 12 groups that function today. Some adult study groups had started during Father Galowitsch's time, but Father LaMeres was even more active in directing adult education. In 1956, a large new brick church was completed and was dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on May 30 by Most Reverend Bishop Lambert Hoch of Bismarck. The building, which accommodates 600 and is connected to the school, was designed by Seifert of Fargo. An unusual feature of the edifice is an artistic crucifix and mosaic behind the altar. The parish has continued to have Perpetual Help devotions each Wednesday to honor their patroness and ask her blessing on themselves and their St. Mary's pastors also served priests. Expansion and direction at the school was tremendous during the 20 years that Father LaMeres served in New England. The annual St. Mary's Church Fair during this time became a larger event featuring three meals and fun and games. Parishioners have worked smoothly and diligently to make each year's event a social as well as financial success.
St. Helen' s Mission at Kennedy, but this was discontinued during the 1970s. Amidon had a resident priest until 1975 and is now a mission of St. Mary's. Father James Tuxbury, who had served as an associate pastor at St. Mary's, was the last pastor at SS Peter and Paul, Amidon.
Father Casimir Paluck served as pastor from 1973-1983. As the "old McKenzie building" needed more and more repairs, a new grade school, a boys' dorm and a music department were added to the school complex. The heating system for the parish was changed from natural gas to coal, and a new rectory was built next to the church. St. Mary's parish and school buildings are now all on one' site for the first time in its history.
Father Eugene Bova came to St. Mary's in 1983 from St. Vincent's at Mott. He had served as an assistant under Father La Meres from 1957-1960 and is well acquainted with the parish. He is an experienced administrator, educator and pastor for St. Mary's and SS Peter and Paul parishes. St. Mary's presently has 289 families.
The parish has been outstanding in providing religious vocations for the church. Father Thomas Chambers was the first priest to be ordained from New England. Rev. Chambers was born in Miles City, MT, on April 20, 1913. His father was an engineer on the Milwaukee Railroad and the family moved to New England, living on a farm on the banks of the Cannon Ball River a short distance south of town. The entire family - Thomas, Edward, William, Jack, Robert, Mary Catherine, Margaret and Patricia - attended St. Mary's School. Father Tom then attended Assumption Abbey at Richardton, after which he went to St. Paul Seminary at St. Paul, MN, and was ordained in Bismarck on June 1, 1940, by Bishop Vincent J. Ryan.
That first ordination was followed by ordination of Charles Heidt, George Dukart, Marvin Klemmer, Eugene Wehner, Edwin Wehner, Bruce Krebs and Roger Dobitz. All are serving in the Bismarck Diocese, with the exception of Father Dobitz. He has a special ministry to the deaf and serves in the Sioux Falls Diocese in South Dakota. Other graduates of St. Mary's School who are now priests serving in South Dakota are Father Daniel Juelfs and Father Kerry Prendiville, both of Ralph, SD; Father Arnie Kary from Bison, SD; and Father Ignatius Candrian, from Regent, ND. Two who entered the priesthood from St. Pius parish were Father Stanley Sticka, OSB, who died in 1985, and Father Michael Krank.
Many vocations to the religious communities of women have been the result of the dedication and devotion and inspiration of the pastors and Sisters who have served at St. Mary's and St. Pius at Schefield.
Entering the SSND community from New England were Sisters Eleanore Zeren, 1932; Flora Krauter, 1933; Ruth Sattler, 1935; Patience Hora, 1936; Mary label Kathrein, 1941; M. Rosaleen Krebs, 1954; Rose Marie Krebs, 1956; M. Rose Anthony Krebs, 1958; Gladys Reisenauer, 1958: Lavonne Krebs, 1972: Annette Dobitz, 1975; Diana Marie Dobitz, 1976; and Danita Sticka, 1978.
Also entering the Notre Dame community but from St. Pius parish were Sisters Martina Stroh, 1921-1975; Leopold Selinger, 1921-1973; Lidwina Frank, 1923; Bertranda Dukart, 1924; Adele Olheiser, 1925-1981; Lioba Brinster, 1925; Albina Olheiser, 1926; Winifred Selinger, 1927; Piona Frank, 1927; Nerina Brittner, 1929-1976; Mary Schoch, 1931; M. Stanisia Sticka, 1931; Madeleva Krank, 1942; Mary Eugene Braun, 1945; Ann Schoch, 1958; and Ivo Schoch, 1960. Other graduates from St. Mary's School who became Notre Dames are Sister Agnes Marie Manning of Hettinger, 1932, and Sister Del Rey Richard of Belfield, 1956.
Young women entering other religious Communities include Sister Mary Margaret (Otillia Sticka) OCD, and Sister Catherine Jacobs, OCD, now at Carmelite Convent in Wahpeton, ND. Sister Pauline Sticka, a Maryknoll missionary, served in China for several years before the Communist takeover and has been in Taiwan for many years providing training for young Chinese girls. Others joining the Benedictine Sisters were Sister Vivian Kovar from Amidon and Sister Hildegarde Urlacher from Kennedy. Graduates of St. Mary's School are Sisters Rachel and Rebecca Mayer from Regent. Joining the Benedictine Sacred Heart Priory in Richardton are Sister Lucille Heidt, who is stationed at the Priory, and Sister Dolores Heidt, now a parish minister at Lemmon, SD. Sr. Dorothy Zeller, SSND, of Ralph, SD.
Info from - New England Centennial 1886-1986: Century of Change (pages 49 thru 51)
It was not until 1910 that a resident priest came to New England to establish a parish. Before this, Father John Dignan of Dickinson and missionary Abbot, Vincent Wehrle, would come periodically to say mass at farm homes and tend to other spiritual needs.
Father Herman Regensberger was the first resident priest. A frame church was built, and sermons were preached in English and German as most of the first Catholics in the area came from Hungary and Russia. Father Regensberger served Kennedy, Midway, Havelock and Amidon.
SS Peter and Paul Church at Amidon was dedicated in 1917. The choir and many members from New England were in attendance. Father Regensberger had few comforts but was a tireless worker. During the flu epidemic in 1918 he was on sick calls to the point of exhaustion. He suffered a cut on his hand from cranking his car, which he ignored until blood poisoning set in. (Editor's note: It is said that the doctors wished to amputate, but the thought of not being able to say mass for lack of his hand made him decline this treatment.) Father died November 18, 1918, and is buried in St. Mary's Cemetery in New England.
Father M. Webber was here for two years. During this time, he organized the Holy Name Society. His successor was Father Joseph Poettgens. Father Poettgens was a firm believer in religious education, and when W.C. McKenzie sold his large department store and hotel, the parish purchased the store building for $8,000. The School Sisters of Notre Dame from Our Lady of Good Counsel provincial house in Mankato, MN, came to establish the school.
The frame church was enlarged during Father Poettgens' time, with the work of the parishioners. Two side altars and a shrine were added through the artistic efforts of Sister Mary Catherine Becker, the principal and superior of the community of Sisters. One of the altars was of rose quartz and the other of blue quartz from · South Dakota; the shrine was of local stone, much of it petrified wood. Sister Catherine and Joe Schwartzbauer also built several outdoor altars of native stone. These altars were used for special processions, particularly Corpus Christi and Rogation days. Father Poettgens established the St. Joseph's Verein. Women of the parish formed a Ladies' Aid, and a number of men were members of the Knights of Columbus.
Father Charles Schneider came to St. Mary's in 1936, and the parish grew from 160 families in 1930 to twice that number by 1950. Father Schneider purchased a pipe organ and started a building fund.
Father Aloysius Galowitsch became pastor in 1950. The need for a new high school building was evident. Mr. and Mrs. Joe Zartler from Chicago, an uncle of Father Galowitsch, came to New England. "Uncle Joe" was a building contractor and he supervised parishioners and others who worked in the construction of the school. The parish and the school continued to grow.
During Father Eugene LaMeres' pastorate, which began in 1953, the Ladies' Aid was reorganized into the 12 groups that function today. Some adult study groups had started during Father Galowitsch's time, but Father LaMeres was even more active in directing adult education. In 1956, a large new brick church was completed and was dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help on May 30 by Most Reverend Bishop Lambert Hoch of Bismarck. The building, which accommodates 600 and is connected to the school, was designed by Seifert of Fargo. An unusual feature of the edifice is an artistic crucifix and mosaic behind the altar. The parish has continued to have Perpetual Help devotions each Wednesday to honor their patroness and ask her blessing on themselves and their St. Mary's pastors also served priests. Expansion and direction at the school was tremendous during the 20 years that Father LaMeres served in New England. The annual St. Mary's Church Fair during this time became a larger event featuring three meals and fun and games. Parishioners have worked smoothly and diligently to make each year's event a social as well as financial success.
St. Helen' s Mission at Kennedy, but this was discontinued during the 1970s. Amidon had a resident priest until 1975 and is now a mission of St. Mary's. Father James Tuxbury, who had served as an associate pastor at St. Mary's, was the last pastor at SS Peter and Paul, Amidon.
Father Casimir Paluck served as pastor from 1973-1983. As the "old McKenzie building" needed more and more repairs, a new grade school, a boys' dorm and a music department were added to the school complex. The heating system for the parish was changed from natural gas to coal, and a new rectory was built next to the church. St. Mary's parish and school buildings are now all on one' site for the first time in its history.
Father Eugene Bova came to St. Mary's in 1983 from St. Vincent's at Mott. He had served as an assistant under Father La Meres from 1957-1960 and is well acquainted with the parish. He is an experienced administrator, educator and pastor for St. Mary's and SS Peter and Paul parishes. St. Mary's presently has 289 families.
The parish has been outstanding in providing religious vocations for the church. Father Thomas Chambers was the first priest to be ordained from New England. Rev. Chambers was born in Miles City, MT, on April 20, 1913. His father was an engineer on the Milwaukee Railroad and the family moved to New England, living on a farm on the banks of the Cannon Ball River a short distance south of town. The entire family - Thomas, Edward, William, Jack, Robert, Mary Catherine, Margaret and Patricia - attended St. Mary's School. Father Tom then attended Assumption Abbey at Richardton, after which he went to St. Paul Seminary at St. Paul, MN, and was ordained in Bismarck on June 1, 1940, by Bishop Vincent J. Ryan.
That first ordination was followed by ordination of Charles Heidt, George Dukart, Marvin Klemmer, Eugene Wehner, Edwin Wehner, Bruce Krebs and Roger Dobitz. All are serving in the Bismarck Diocese, with the exception of Father Dobitz. He has a special ministry to the deaf and serves in the Sioux Falls Diocese in South Dakota. Other graduates of St. Mary's School who are now priests serving in South Dakota are Father Daniel Juelfs and Father Kerry Prendiville, both of Ralph, SD; Father Arnie Kary from Bison, SD; and Father Ignatius Candrian, from Regent, ND. Two who entered the priesthood from St. Pius parish were Father Stanley Sticka, OSB, who died in 1985, and Father Michael Krank.
Many vocations to the religious communities of women have been the result of the dedication and devotion and inspiration of the pastors and Sisters who have served at St. Mary's and St. Pius at Schefield.
Entering the SSND community from New England were Sisters Eleanore Zeren, 1932; Flora Krauter, 1933; Ruth Sattler, 1935; Patience Hora, 1936; Mary label Kathrein, 1941; M. Rosaleen Krebs, 1954; Rose Marie Krebs, 1956; M. Rose Anthony Krebs, 1958; Gladys Reisenauer, 1958: Lavonne Krebs, 1972: Annette Dobitz, 1975; Diana Marie Dobitz, 1976; and Danita Sticka, 1978.
Also entering the Notre Dame community but from St. Pius parish were Sisters Martina Stroh, 1921-1975; Leopold Selinger, 1921-1973; Lidwina Frank, 1923; Bertranda Dukart, 1924; Adele Olheiser, 1925-1981; Lioba Brinster, 1925; Albina Olheiser, 1926; Winifred Selinger, 1927; Piona Frank, 1927; Nerina Brittner, 1929-1976; Mary Schoch, 1931; M. Stanisia Sticka, 1931; Madeleva Krank, 1942; Mary Eugene Braun, 1945; Ann Schoch, 1958; and Ivo Schoch, 1960. Other graduates from St. Mary's School who became Notre Dames are Sister Agnes Marie Manning of Hettinger, 1932, and Sister Del Rey Richard of Belfield, 1956.
Young women entering other religious Communities include Sister Mary Margaret (Otillia Sticka) OCD, and Sister Catherine Jacobs, OCD, now at Carmelite Convent in Wahpeton, ND. Sister Pauline Sticka, a Maryknoll missionary, served in China for several years before the Communist takeover and has been in Taiwan for many years providing training for young Chinese girls. Others joining the Benedictine Sisters were Sister Vivian Kovar from Amidon and Sister Hildegarde Urlacher from Kennedy. Graduates of St. Mary's School are Sisters Rachel and Rebecca Mayer from Regent. Joining the Benedictine Sacred Heart Priory in Richardton are Sister Lucille Heidt, who is stationed at the Priory, and Sister Dolores Heidt, now a parish minister at Lemmon, SD. Sr. Dorothy Zeller, SSND, of Ralph, SD.
Info from - New England Centennial 1886-1986: Century of Change (pages 49 thru 51)