The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-08-21
Gives History
Of Catholic
es@z
Church Here

REV. EDMOND c. HANNA {
FIRST RESIDENT PASTOR ,
Beginning next Sunday, the Cath
olics of Montana will begin weeks
celebration concentrating the CEN
tenary of the first Catholic service
in Montana and the work OF the
church during the hundred years
that have followed. The Register,
Catholic publication, has issued
special Centenary edition IN which
are given articles concerning most
of the Catholic churches of the state.
A very interesting article is pub
ished concerning St. Joseph's
church of Libby. It Is reprinted IN
full below:
Libby est. Joseph's Parish =
In the northwest corner Of the Do
cese Of Helena il located ST. JOS
eph's parish, Libby, comprising the
western and southern partitions OF /
Lincoln county.
Here the history Of Catholicity
goes back to 1874 In that year the !
Rev. H. J. Van De Ven wae appcint- |
ed first pastor Of St Makthew's par
ish, Kalispell. His territory incMd-
ed all OF Flathe4d county, which. 1t
that time, extended west to ftte
Idaho line. Father Xan de Ven viz
tied Libby July "a, 1oD4, WHEN Mass
was celebrated. The 4rst time, how
ever. that the holy sacrifice was Of
fered within the boundaries OF the
parish was in the previous year,
1898. Father Purcell, pastor Of St.
Thomas church, Occur d'Alene,
Ida, visited in Troy that year, was
the luest 81 Mr.. Whiting, and spent
the night a his home, where on the
following morning he celebrated
Mass.
Tvs Baptized In 1884
On the occasion OF the first visit
OF FAts1er Var de Ven in 1894 the
fnaAnwinx were baptized: Thomas
Hy Enrich and Francis Russell
l3OpnaA 81
1<.I515uber, 1854, tne Rev. r.
Van. C1arenbeck succeeded Father
Van de Ven and in the months OF
his pastorate Mass was celebrated
on q few occasions to give the few
Catholics then in Libby an oppor-
tunity to practice their religion and
to have their children baptized. The
first marriage, that of Michael KEEL
ly and Mollie Mulcrone, was wit
messed by Father Van Clarenbeck
on Nov 10, 1896.
In April, 1897, Father Van Claren-
beck was succeeded by the Rev P
r. Gallagher and he and his sue
cessor, the Rev Henry Arts, who
were in charge until 1905, visited
Libby frequently to celebrate Mass
in a hall or in the old school build
ing.
Sunday School is Organized
In these years when it was not
possible to have regular services
the spiritual life of the young peo-
pie was not neglected. The first
Sunday school was organized by
Mrs. John p. Wall in a hall at the
corner of First street and Cali
fornia avenue In the beginning
Sunday school was held about once
month, but later it was held ever,
Sunday either in hall or in The
school building. Part of the time
was devoted to prayer and the re
mainder to religious instruction.
The first organization OF WomeI
was called Ladies of the Catholi.
Sunday School" This group tool
care of the religious instruction 0
the children and also gave socials
the proceeds of which were PLACED
in fund Tor the building of a nev
church.
With the coming of the Dawson
Lumber Co to Libby in April, 1906
the present lumber mill was buil1
At this time many Catholic fami
lies selected Libby as their futur
home
Mass Is Said Every Month
The Rev. P. D. Ryan, who, i
the previous January, was appoint
ed pastor of the newly erected par
ish Of St. Richards, Columbia Fall
attended Libby as one of his mis-
sions. Mass was celebrated ever
month sometimes on Sunday and {
other times on Saturday. His SUI
cessor, the Rev. Charles McGlynl
continued this schedule until n
death in August, 1909.
AT the time, steps were taken
secure lots for the building of
new church. Three lots were pul
chased from the Libby Townsite c
for the sum of SITS, but at tt
suggestion of the Most Rev. job
p. Carroll these lots were turne
hnrk fl tha ihhu TNuncifn On ar
with liberal donation from L.
Faust the present block of land w;
secured. The Rev. ]. M. Venus, the
pastor of St. Charles parish, Whit
fish, with Libby as one of his mi
sions, urged the people to build
church. From the Western Ney
of Libby March "a, 1910, the folio,
ing is taken:
Father Venus, while in town Il
first of the week, made arrang