Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-06-16
HISTORY OF EAGLE RIVER
A Short Account Of Some Of the Most
Important Events in Its Life and
II Brief Mention of Some of Its Lead
Ing Business Men. Both Past
and Present. by
Rev. Father Goepfert.
CONTINUED from last week.


We have stated previously that Eagle
River possesses three religious denom-
nations; Catholic, Congregational,
and Lutheran. Each has it's own neat
and comfortable church. There is be-
sides, as in most cities, class of indif-
ferent, independent people who recog-
nized God and religion in their youth,
who frequent no church, still hear the
voice eff reproaeh of their conscience,
and may turn to their Creator at the
hour of death, if He gives them time
and grants them mercy. Alas! many
disappear from the scene OF this werll
either by sudden or unprovided deaths
or by accidents, and appear Before
their Judge empty handed, to face an
eternity of woe. Whilst there is time
yet, such people should reflect seriously
and repent and amend.
The first religious services held in
Eagle River were celebrated, as early
as 1888, by the Rev. John Seubert, Pas.
tor of c .intonville, in Mr.. John O'Con-
nor's log house across the river, then
by the priests Of Amigo and Rhinelan-
der. On the arrival of Father Goepfert
on September 10th 1894, Eagle River
was organized as regular parish. ST.
Peters Church was built in 1890 under
administration of Rev. Nicholas July
then Pastor of ,,Rhinelander.
In 1894 the Catholics purchased two
spacious lots and comfortable building
which they fitted up and furnished as a
comfortable parochial residence. The
priest spared no pains travelling through
the camps, and soliciting in the city,
to pay off the debts, and todecorate the
house of God, in a manner that makes
it the pride of the faithful and an or
nament in our city. Affairs, statues,
stations, bell, etc. were secured in a
short time, thanks to the generosity of
all, in and out of the city, aiding their
pastor in the good work.
From July 18th 1896 to January 2Sth
1897, Rev. f. L. Ruessmann conducted
the pastorate of Eagle River, when
Rev. Father Goepfert returned from
Arkansas and took up once more the
rectorship.
Father Goepfert secured ST. Peters
Church bell by a popular subscription
among all creeds, chiefly in the city.
Before being placed in position it was
selemnly blessed, on Oct. 10th 1895, at
the time of Confirmation. and the
Bishops visitation, the occasion being
made one of marked interest by the
presence of His Lordship Mgr. Mess
mer who delivered several most instruc-
tive discourses, among which one most
learned lecture on the sanctity of the
christian family circle" None can
speak on the Christian family circle
without condemning the infamous
Divorce Laws, and the so-called con-
sequent legal marriages, which are
no marriages, but scandalous licenses
for wickedness that bring curse, shame
and misery on any country where
such laws are enacted, and the Divine
commands officially violated.
Our St. Peters Bell enjoys the singu-
lar privilege of being the only one in
the diocese of Green Bay that bears the
name of Mgr. Messmer sSEBAsTIANUs'
The Inscription on the bell reads as
follows:
SEBASTIANUS, G. MESSENGER d. d. Fps.
PROSPER A. GoEPFERT, G. S SIP. Paris.
Honor sit Sanguini Jesu!
Sancti Petri Ecclesia,
Apud Aquilae, Flumen, 1895.
The affairs planned by Father Coop