St. Bernard Catholic Church Bell
St. Bernard Township, Nebraska
Inscribed on the Bell:
Meneely & Kimberly,
Founders,
Troy, N.Y.
1878
Weight: 710 lbs.
About 1873-1874 a few Catholic families began to settle in the vicinity of the present St. Bernard. Thus, we find John Dieter, John Melcher, Mathias Classen, Joseph Steibly, and a Mrs. Benz. The nearest Catholic Church in 1875 was St. Mary's in Stearns' or Grand Prairie, 4½ miles northwest of the present site of Humphrey.
Until the erection of a church at St. Bernard, the settlers had to attend service in a private home or at St. Mary's in Stearns' Prairie Township.
In 1878, the colonists commenced hauling lumber from Columbus, a distance of about 35 miles. Father Ambrose directed the building operations, Bro. Damian Bueschgens, O.F.M., helped in the construction and was assisted by William Duesman, John Heinrichs, Nick Thill, P. Beyer, Frank Gores (the latter from Columbus), and others.
The dedication of St. Bernard Church, School, and Sisters' residence, a combination building, erected at a cost of $6,000, took place November 21, 1878
Marker is on 33rd Avenue (U.S. 30/81) near 7th Street, on the right when traveling south.
Courtesy hmdb.org
