The Catholic bulletin., 1922-07-22
SKETCH OF ST. PATRICk'S PAR.
ISH.
Billings, Mont.

The Rev. Peter Barcelo, S. j., was
the first priest to oficiate in Billings.
The Father had been stationed in Hell
ena since 1880, and was directed by
his superiors to visit the Grow Indians,
located on their large reservation
south of the Yellowstone. Father
Barcelo made frequent visits to the
Indians and spent considerable time
among them; he also said the first
Mass in Billings and performed the
first baptism in 1888.
In September, 1883, Right Reverend
J. B. Brondek, Bishop of Victoria and
the newly appointed administrator OF
the Vicariate Apostolic of Montana,
made his first visitation to Billings.
He was accompanied by Rev. Father
Joseph Cataldo, S. j., Superior of the
Rocky Mountain Missions, and Rev.
Father P. Barcelo, s. J., the visiting
missionary of the district.
Father Barcelo died in the Sisters
Hospital of Spokane, November 1,
1888. Another priest, the Rev. J. B.
Halton, stationed short time at Liv-
ingston, also visited Billings from Sep
tember, 1885, to December, 1886, and
he died at Preston, Mimi, December
8, 1887.
In April, 1886, church building
committee was formed and work was
commenced to collect funds for a
church. The church was dedicated in
honor of st. Joachim by Bishop Bron-
del on August 27, 1887 On December
80, 1888, the first High Mass and Yes
pers were celebrated in the new
church.
The following year, the first Mission
was preached by the Rev. J. M. Nc
Laughlin, Redemptorist from st.
Louis. During the summer of 1897,
Rev. F. Clarenbeck was assigned as
first resident priest of Billings.
In May, 1904, the diocese of Helena
was divided, and new diocese Great
ed, comprising all of eastern Montana,
with the see in Great Falls. Right
Rev. Bishop Brondel had gone to his
reward on November 2, 1903, and the
Right Rev. Matthias c.. Lenihan, D. D.,
Dean Of Marshalltown, Iowa, was
made the first Bishop of the new dio-
cese. He was enthroned in his pro-
Cathedral at Great Falls on October
4, 1904, by Archbishop Christie of
Portland, Oregon.
On November 10, 1905, Bishop M. C..
Lenihan of Great Falls broke the
ground for the new church which was
made necessary because of the rapid
increase in population in Billings. The
cornerstone was laid by Bishop Leni-
han on Sunday, August II, 1906 On
Sunday, March 1, 1908, the new church
was dedicated in honor of st. Patrick
by Right Rev. Matthias C. Lenihan, D.
d., Bishop of Great Falls.
AS the congregation increased and
the work multiplied in the parish, the
need was felt of an assistant priest,
and this want was supplied by the
Right Rev. Bishop sending Rev. C.
Truemper. Father Truemper arrived
in Billings in April and the following
year was assigned as First Rector of
the new Mission at LAUREL Rev. w.
P. Phelan succeeded him as assistant
to st. Patricks in the fall of 1908.
On February 10, 1910, Rev. C. Pau
welyn was changed from Glendive to
st. Patrick's parish, with the title of
administrator, or temporary rector.
In January, 1921, Rev. G. Pauwelyn
rendered his resignation because of
ill health and was succeeded by the
Rev. John A. Petit. Father Petit
took possession of his new charge in
Billings on February 3, 1921, and is
still in charge.