SECTION 2-PAGE 2-PLAINDEALER-WEDNESDAY-AUGUST 13, 1975 Richmond Church In Fiftieth Anniversary rv FATHER THOMAS NEVILLE The Catholic community at Richmond, observing its 50th year, was in the early days a part of St. Patrick's parish, McHenry. In 1858, Father Andrew Eustace, the pastor at McHenry, was living for a time in Richmond, and he built a small church which served the congregation for forty years. In observance of the oc casion, Mass will be con- celebrated Saturday, Aug. 16, with Bishop Arthur O'Neill at 5:30 p.m. A dinner-dance will follow at La Salette hall . Twin Lakes, Wis. On Sunday, Aug. 17, there will be a parish picnic starting at 1:30 at Genoa City park. In 1899, a legacy left by the Walsh family enabled the building of a new church, located across the road from the present parish cemetery. This church was dedicated Nov. 26, 1899, and placed under the patronage of St. Joseph and a mission of St. Patrick's, whose priests, lastly Father M.J. McEvoy, tended to the needs of the congregation until i ts first resident pastor was appointed in 1925. During this period the Catholic population sold the old church, sti l l standing as a farm building, and purchased a former non- Catholic church in Richmond proper, the sight of the present school building. Mass was said once or twice a month by priests coming on the morning train from McHenry, often dining with the Howden family, and returning on the evening train. Horses and bobsleds were used in storms. About thirty families com prised the mission parish and some of the last names recorded in the mother parish in McHenry are Hilary Heck, buried on March 2, 1925, the Frank Strains, married June 1, 1925, and James Tamblyn, baptized June 21, 1925. In August, 1925, Bishop Edward Hoban appointed Father Karl Ostenkoetter pastor and raised the mission to a parish in i ts own right. The rectory, which served the first three pastors, was at the junction of Highways 12 and 173. Father Karl put additions on the church and was a guiding force in establishing Richmond's first l ibrary. He is well remembered for his carrying of books and papers to both Catholic and non-Catholic homes in the area. Earliest names on record show the baptism of John Heelein March 28, 1926, the marriage of Carol Vincent Danner and Ruby Ann Bailey August 19, 1931. Father Ostenkoetter, having retired in 1930, returning to the scene of his hardships and sacrifices in 1968 for burial in St. Joseph's cemetery, was succeeded by Father John Crottv, pastor from 1930 to 1934 In the deepest depression years, the parish and its properties slowly developed. In 1939 Father John Blake became pastor and Bishop Hoban attached Hebron township, formerly part of Hartland, to the Richmond parish With this growth in l>oundaries and membership Father Blake acquired ad ditional land, built a rectory, and by 1948 had funds and plans cftawn to build a new church. The rectory moved back, the church foundation poured. Father Blake was tragically killed in an automobile ac cident July 29, 1948. Father Francis Miller, a classmate of Father Blake, was appointed by Bishop Boylan on Aug. 1, 1948, to continue the work begun by Father Blake. A plaque in the church com memorates their joint efforts. By Christmas the new parish hall was available for Midnight. Mass, and the solemn' dedication by Bishop Boylan took place during Confirmation May 30, 1949. The church cost approximately $180,000, and the $75,000 remaining debt was liquidated in 1955, about seventy families now com prising the parish, whose boundaries extended from the Ill inois-Wisconsin state line, south to Ringwood, east to Solon Mills, and west through Hebron township The dedication and cooperation of the parishioners in the annual festival sponsored by the Holy Name and Altar and Rosary societies was an inspiration and invitation to residents and visitors, and the building of a parish school became Father Miller 's dream and reality. In February, 1955, the old church, which stil l stood to the rear of the new church, was razed and school construction begun. 1 Monsignor Charles blessed the cornerstone May 5, 1955, and the four-classroom school, with expectation of four additional rooms and attached convent, opened in the Fall . Father Francis Miller and his assistant. Father Joseph Kaiser, with three lay teachers, taught the first year and three School Sisters of St. Francis, Milwaukee, and Matt Freund staffed the school in 1956. The first class to attend for eight years graduated in 1963, various devoted Franciscan Sisters, housed in a suitable nearby home, including a private chapel, having ably taught them. Father Salvatore Guigliardo, as a successor to Father Kaiser, also aided in their spiritual formation. The families now numbered about 150. One vocation. Sister Mary Regis, O.P. developed from the parish, although young men and women made initial starts. In the intervening years St. Aug. 15 Deadline For Display Of Some Licenses Michael ' J. Howlett , Secretary of State, has issued a final reminder that midnight Friday, Aug. 15, is the deadline for displaying current 1975 fiscal year license plates on second division vehicles. Howlett said that 1976 fiscal plates may be purchased over- the-counter at three Chicago facili t ies and the Centennial building and Dirksen parkway facili ty in Springfield. Chicago facili t ies are at 5301 W. Lexington street, 5401 N. Elston avenue and 9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King drive. The deadline applies to Joseph joined with the other McHenry county parishes to build and patronize Marian Central Catholic high school, Woodstock. Father Miller was assisted by Sacred Heart Fathers from Geneva and Resurrectionist Fathers from Ridgewood, as well as by active Holy Name and Altar and Rosary societies, in the service of the parish until his death April 22, 1965. Father William Clausen came from Harvard to help in the parish on occasions of Father 's i l lness, and is fondly remembered. Father Edward Lehman came from Spring Grove as pastor, and redecorated and up-dated the church and pur chased and surfaced a playground-parking area, and visited throughout the parish, shepherding the flock. Retiring to Florida with eye problems Oct. 24, 1967, Father Lehman was succeeded by Father Clement Caine Oct. 25. Father renovated the rectory, cleaned the cemetery, and struggled to maintain the school on a limited budget, the revenue from parish social and festivals no longer coming in. Father Harry Riley and Sacred Heart Fathers helped out until Father Caine's retirement in 1969. Father Willis Bradley suc ceeded in stabilizing the fiscal- financial problems during his pastorate until January, 1970, when he transferred to St. Thomas More, Elgin. Father Thomas Neville, present pastor since January, 1970, regretfully conceded to the closing of the school. Both nuns had left , none were available and registration was declining. Since September of that year, full t ime religious education coordinators have supervised the CCD program. The convent was sold, another adjoining house purchased, new organ, and chimes pur chased, the cemetery shrine memorialized, church and hall painted. Parish socials were restored and a parish council established. Lavern wanted to know more about his fob. So he went to our"college" Lavern Danley isn't your typical college man. For one thing, he's 27, married, with two children. And he's been out in the world working for 10 years. But since he's been working for Commonwealth Edison, he's developed a new interest in higher education. Lavern recently attended Common wealth Edison's after-hours school. It's our own little college, where more than 700 employees are enrolled in nearly 50 courses, from shorthand to nuclear power fundamentals/ All at a nice price--free to any employee interested. Lavern took courses on transform ers, math, and mechanics. And what he learned in the classroom, he puts to work on the job. Example: After studying transform ers at night, Lavern works on them during the day, down beneath the sidewalks of the Loop. By knowing what to look for, he can fix a small problem before it becomes a large one. "There's no doubt about it. What I learned at school helps me do a better job," says Lavern. "And the way I see it, when the work gets done better and faster, that keeps costs down for the company. Which helps keep the rates down, too. Which is good for everybody." Commonwealth Edison Working for you. League Plans For Bike Hike The Luther League or youth group at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church. 404 North Green street. McHenry. has trucks, trailers, farm trucks and trailers, permanently mounted equipment, auxiliary axles, buses and all other vehicles with a June 30 deadline, except mileage tax trucks and trailers. HO'wlett said recreational vehicles are being licensed for a six-month period, with • a minimum fee of $6. Effective Jan. 1, 1976, recreational vehicles will be changed to a calendar year registration. The change af fects camper shells, vehicles and trailers. planned a bike hike at the Kettle Morain forest near Ottawa Lake, Wis.. Sunday. Aug. 10. The group will truck their bikes to the forest preserve and then spend some time riding on the well outlined bicycle trails. In addition to bike riding, there will be swimming and hiking on the various nature trails. All members of the league and their friends will leave from the church at 10:15 a.m. Each person participating is asked to bring a can of food to be placed in a mulligan stew for lunch The evening meal will be a picnic provided by the Luther League treasury. Luther Leaguers do not have to bring a bicycle if they wish to only participate in the nature hikes and swimming. The officers for the Luther League include Brian Cunat, Pictured are several members of the Luther League at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church, 404 North Green.street, discussing a future bike hike. Standing, left to right, are Ann Neuman, Cassie York, Duane Cedergren, Parish Worker Kristin Stuhr and Laura Jackson. president; Nancy Harper, vice- president; Lynn Ann Haddick, secretary, and Rondi Cunat. treasurer. The sponsors for the youth group include Charles and Gail Schmaus, Harold and Shirley Kivley, Earl and Lynette Trier, Kim Hagen, Parish worker Kristin .Stuhr, and Pastor Roger Schneider. Save On Foam-Backed Fiberglass Draperies In Your Choice of These Lovely Decorator Colors 2 48x63" Reg. $6.99 JLkpairs 11 or 5.77 pr. 48x84", Reg. $7.99 now 6.44 or 2 pairs for $12 These fabulous fiberglass draperies are foam-backed to insulate your home the year 'round. They block the heat of summer sun, keep your home pleasantly cool even at high noon! 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