St Bernard's Catholic Church Dedicated May 4, 1915

Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark County, Wis) 5/13/1915

The new St. Bernard's Catholic Church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. James Schwebach, Bishop of Lac Crosse, on Tuesday, May 4, 1915, assisted by the following priests: Deacons of Honor, Very Rev. Untraut of Eau Claire, who delivered the German Sermon, and Father Dorrenbach of Menomonie, the English Sermon, Assistant priest to the Bishop, Rev. Heidman of Chippewa Falls. Solemn High Mass was sung by Rev. Haycinth, O. S. M. of Ladysmith, assisted by Deascon Rev. Peter Emer of Stanley, sub-deacon, Rev. Joseph Colling of Cadott, and Master of Ceremonies, Rev. H. Artman of Colby. Present in the Sanctuary were Rev. Brummenschenkel of Abbotsford and Rev. John Neises, pastor of St. Bernard's congregation. After the service Bishop Schwebach confirmed a class of 99 confimants. In the afternoon the children of St. Bernard's parochial school gave a very pleasant reception and welcome to His Lordship. The ladies of the congregation served an elaborate dinner in the basement of the new structure to over 600 persons, and they express sincere thanks to all patrons.

The St. Bernard's Catholic Congregation of Thorp decided in the year of Our Lord 1913 to erect a new church and the following officers were elected: Building Committee: Wm. Poppe, Math. Greisch and Anton Micke; Assessment Committee: John Schmidt, Anton Baldeswiler, Math. Kass, Mike Wiltgen and Fred Fischer; Financial Committee: Louis Walsdorf, Sec. And John Verkuilen, Treasurer.

Dimensions of the building are: 117 feet long, 48 feet wide in the nave and 64 feet in the transept. The total cost of the complete building is about twenty-five thousand dollars.

The building was stated in May 1914, the cornerstone for the church was laid on July 28, 1914 by Very Rev. Untraut, Dean of Eau Claire, the first pastor of this congregation. The first service took place on Christmas night in the basement, the first service in the church was celebrated on Easter Sunday 1915.

The handsome stained glass windows were donated by the following societies and persons: Christian Mothers, Sacred Heart, Nic Benzschawel and family, Mrs. George Emei?, Foresters, Catholic Family Protective Association and Rev. Neises, Anton Micke and family, Mr. and Mrs. John McGrogan, Mrs. M. Denny, Anna Wink, Heirs of John and Ellen Burke, Mr. and Mrs. F. Wilde and the choir.

The edifice is built of solid brick, steam heated and electric lighted and has a seating capacity of over 500 persons.