| This information on the 75th anniversary of the town of Palmer was sent to me by Lee Himan. It was published as a supplement to the local newspapers in 1975. |
St Joseph Catholic Church, Palmer |
| Catholics of Palmer erected St. Josephs Catholic Church in 1910, purchasing land for the church site from Nels Sanquist. During the time of construction, Mass was held in the public school building. Dedication of the new edifice took place in June of 1910, on which date it was raining heavily, according to recollection of a pioneer member, Mrs: Lillian Harrold. Father Edward Neppel was first pastor and it is said that he did not feel the church afforded quite enough room so gave a $500 donation to build a sacristy. |
| The first Mass was sung by Father Martin Murray. Will and Ed Lampe served as acolytes. |
| Erection of the church had been encouraged by Father McAuliffe when Palmer Catholics were driving to Pomeroy to attend Mass. At this time the Pomeroy parish was a mission from Manson where Father McAuliffe lived. He was to leave Manson and Father Neppel was being sent to become resident pastor at Pomeroy, therefore Father McAuliffe suggested to the Palmer people that they make an endeavor to get a church in Palmer to be served as a mission from Pomeroy, and this was accomplished. |
| Father Neppel made the trip to Palmer from Pomeroy by horse and buggy and sometimes arrived late, it is told. The lateness of his arrival was readily accepted by the parishioners who then enjoyed a visit in the church basement. |
Cemetery |
| The northeast corner of the church property was used as a cemetery until some land was later bought from Henry Lampe and the bodies of Pat Reiter and son, Elizabeth Byrnes and Rufina McCurnin, who had been buried in the original cemetery, were moved to the present St. Joseph Cemetery. |
First Records |
| Jerry Booge was the first baby baptized in the new church and the first funeral held was that of Barney Neihaus, father of Mrs. John Pierick, Sr. The first marriage was that of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Harrold on September 10. 1910. |
| Father Neppel was transferred to Ashton in July 1923 and his brother, Father Joseph Neppel came from Schaller to be the second pastor. He remained until February 15, 1934, when Richard Graft was named pastor. In 1938 Father Graft was succeeded by Father James Kane. |
Organize Sodality |
| The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin was organized December 10, 1938, under guidance of two seniors from Trinity College, Sioux City. Officers were: Father Kane, director; Bernice Harrold, president; Cletus Keleher, vice president; Patricia Lampe, secretary; Herbert O'Brien, treasurer; Miss Kernan, chairman of spiritual committee; Miss Sherwood, chairman of Catholic Action committee: Cletus Keleher, chairman of Catholic literature and publicity; Alice Kirby, chairman of social committee. |
| The newly organized choir sang Christmas hymns before the 8:00 a.m. High Mass on Christmas Day in 1938. |
| The church also had a St. Joseph's Altar Society throughout the years and Mrs. Bill Flaherty currently serves as president. |
Other Pastors |
| In 1944 Father Norbert Boes succeeded Father Kane as pastor. Others serving since have been; Father Raymond Calkins, Father Louis Greiving, Father Thomas Lawles; Father Gabriel O'Rourke; Father L. J. Eisenbacher; Father Alfred McCoy; Father Charles Yetmar; Father Lawrence McCarty and Father William Winggert. Father Wingert assumed his duties on June 25, 1974. |
Diocese Has Priest |
| The Diocese of Sioux City is
being served by one of St.
Joseph's former parishioners,
Monsignor Cletus L. Keleher
now of Sheldon. Monsigner
Keleher, son of the late Mr. and
Mrs. Leo (Theresa) Keleher, was
ordained to the Catholic priesthood on April 4, 1948, by the
Most Rev. Edmond Heelan at
Sioux City. He celebrated his first
solemn Mass in St. Joseph's
Church at Palmer on Wednesday,
April 7, 1948
Last updated: 16 Sep 2020 |
