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Wilmettes 75th Anniversary 1872-1947WILMEITE LIFESt. Josephs Church Firstfto Observe CentennialOriginal Building WasSmall Log Cabin; PastorAssigned in 1845St. Josephs parish, which cele-brated its centennial in 1943, wasthe first known North Shore institu-tion to mark its 100th anniversary.In 1843, a few German Catholic im-migrants gathered in the Gross |Point area on the fourth Sundayafter Epiphany to hear the Rev.FMraasnscis Joseph Fischer say the first. Today the parish consists ofover 600 families and 2,800 commu-nicants and owns building and realestate valued at over $1,000,000.In the year 1843, a small group ofimmigrants from the district ofTrier on the Rhine and Moselle riv-ers near Alsace and Luxembourgmade their way across the sea toAmerica. They came, fleeing theoppressive taxes, militarism, famine,IN SHARP CONTRAST to earlier St. Joseph churches is the presentand religious persecution of theiredifice pictured above. Of Modern Romanesque architecture, thehomeland. They felt that they couldbuilding was completed in 1939 and dedicated September 24 of thatbest find freedom in the moreyear.sparsely settled land pushed west-PASTOR The Very Rev. Msgr.ward until they settled in the GrossJohn A. Neumann has been pas-St. Henrys in Chicago. In 1914,Pointtor of St. Josephs church for 24 area of Illinois.yearshe went to St. Maurices church. He* * *a succeeded the lateRevin Chicago where he served as. Willim Netstreater in 1923.Somepastor until he came to Wilmette of these people hadnin 1923.Wamilmese ttethat are still found inary 14, 1850 and baptized April 30. There were names* * of that year.such as Hoffman, Lauermann,The modern Romanesque churchBalmesIn 1855, the Rev. Anthony Kopp,, Wagner, Selzer, Bleser,in which parishioners now worshipSchaefervicar-general of the diocese, took, Schaefgen, Schneider,was begun in 1936, and was dedi-Steffenover for five years. From the times and others.of his work here until 1864, therecated September 24, 1939, by the *were regular pastors stationed here. Ilate George Cardinal Mundelein.When they first arrived their onlyThe Rev. Peter Hartlaub served theBesides the church the parish alsocontact with the organized Catholicparish in 1860 and 1861 and the Rev.has a modern school building onchurch came when they were visitedFranz Blaesinger was the residentLake avenue just east of Ridgeby circuit riders from the diocesepastor from 1861 to 1864. Redemp-road which accommodates 500 pupilsof Vincennes, Ind. Their first churchtionists from St. Michaels church infrom the first through the eighthwas a 24 by 30 foot log cabin builtChicago served the parish fromgrades. Like the church itself, thejust south of the present St. Joseph1864 to 1865. In 1865 the Rev. Ber-school also grew with the villagecemetery in 1843 or 1844, and innard Heskemann came to St. Jo-throughout the years. The firstDecember, 1845 they were formallyseph and served there until 1872teacher on record was Franz Josephrecognized as a parish and receivedwHoffman who taught five children intheir first resident pastor, the Rev.Whiellnia he was replaced by the Rev.m Netstraeter.the homes of the parishoners be-Gerhard H. Plathe of Boston.fore a school building was erected. * *During the early years of its his-In 1877, the School Sisters of St.It was under the supervisiontory the parish, which served as amissionaroFrancis took over teaching at thef Father Netstraeter that they group for surroundingbrickschool, which was erected as a church, a 50 by 120 footterritory, was often without a perma-buildingframe building in 1873. The school costing $20,000, wasnent pastor. Father Plathe was suc-erectedwas remodeled later when the. Regarding this build-ceeded by the Rev. Johann N.frame portion was raised and aing John August Hoffman wroteFortmann in 1847, and it was underbrick foundation was added. Thein a letter in the year 1868, "Thehis direction that the first framepresent school was constructed infarmers have been hauling stonechurch, a 30 by 90 foot structure,waand1934. Sister Mary Calestine is the sand from Chicago for twos completed in 1849, at the north-weeksprincipal. so everything will be ineast corner of Lake and Ridge.Aftereadiness for May 1".The parish also built a newrST. JOSEPHS Roman Catho- Father Fortmann left in 1852. rectory in 1939, which houses the * *the Rev. J. B. U. Jacomet servedthe parish for two months and ther.Thpastolic church pictured about 1880.r and his assistants, the Rev.e new church was opened inHerbertTo the left is the school and con- Boesen and the Rev. Leo J.for a period of several years there1869, and stood until 1936, when itwas no permanent pastor.waDiebold.vent and on the right, the parishs razed in order to build thepresen* * house. Built in 1868 and remod-t edifice. It was remodeled *Mosin 1881, and two additions wereTheeled in 1915, this structure was active sodalities of St.t of the records of theadded during the years of its use.Josephthe third church in St. Josephs at the present time in-early church are lost and areDuring the years of Father Net-clude the Holy Name society,history. Their first edifice wasbelieved to have been burned instraeters guidance the parish grewSt. Marys Altar society, and St.a log cabin, followed by a framethe great Chicago fire in 1871.Onin size and strength. In 1923, heJoseph Mothers club. Anotherbuilding in 1848.e early record which is stillturned over the parish to the thenchurch group which was activeavailable is the "Liber Baptism-Rev. John A. Neumann, who is stillfor many years was the Saintorum," baptismal record ofpastor of St. Josephs.Joseph society founded in 1884,Members of this group helped carePlathe. * as a benefit society and libraryfor the sick and needy as well as for * *Fatheassociation. Before the days ofthe needs of the altar and sanctuaryr Neumann was raisedAccordinthe public library they accumu-gof the church. to the earliest data theto the position of monsignor infirst baptism was of Richard Daldne,Aprilated a number of volumes andl 1939, for his work with theson of Edward and Mary Daldne.newcirculatedThe Holy Name society, a rela- them among the church, which was erectedDecembememberstively new group, was founded in of the parish. With ther 7, 1845. The first recordedin 1939, and the school and rec-marriagcomingNovember, 1938, with Nicholas Mil- of modern entertain-e was of Michael Steffenstory. Father Neumann studiedmentsler as temporary chairman. The first this group died out andand Cunigunda Heinz on Novemberfor 12 years at the Pontifical3, 1845, and the first death was ofCollegwaselection of officers was held in officially disbanded in 1937.e Josephnum, Worthing-January, 1939, and Mr. Miller was14-day old Ignatius Feldmann whoton, Ohio, and was ordained in* * +chosen as president of the group.died February 13, 1846. The firstColumbus in 1906. He served forSt. Marys Altar society was es-Some of the activities of this grouptwins baptized, according to theone year at St. Josephs churchtablished in 1862, and is outstandinginclude a bowling league, boxinghistorical files, were John Jacobin Waukegan and from 1907 tobecause it has been in continuousshows, and the sponsoring of MassesHolzer and John Holzer born Febru-1914, was assistant pastor atoperation throughout the years.for servicemen during World War II.