We, the members of Saint Joseph’s Parish in Pierce, Nebraska, recognizing our membership through Baptism in the Mystical Body of Christ, willingly accept an active part in the mission of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The lived experience of this mission calls us to be a praying community worshipping our loving Father in Heaven, to be a preaching community spreading the word of our Lord’s Gospel by our witness and by our word, and to be a sharing community with real feelings of charity towards those in our community and world who have real spiritual and material needs.
Parish History:
St. Joseph’s began as a mission parish in the latter part of 1800s. On May 4, 1871 the settlement of Pierce was founded. Missionary priests came to the area to serve the spiritual needs of the people. Masses were said in homes with a host family that would make rounds by horseback to notify other Catholic families that a priest was there. Under the guidance of Father John Vranek in May of 1890, the old Pierce Public School was bought for $200 and moved onto lots that were later purchased from Henry J. Billerbeck. This building was used as the first mission church until spring of 1903. Mass was held regularly on the fourth Sunday of the month. Under the leadership of Father Joseph Macourek, the mission parish continued to grow and he began collecting funds for a new church. The new church started construction in May of 1902 and was finished in the spring of 1903. It was dedicated on July 9, 1903 to St. Joseph. In April of 1905 a letter was sent to Biship Scannell from the local parishioners stating their desire for a permanent priest.
On November 30, 1905, St. Joseph’s was honored by being raised from its status as a mission to a parish, with Father Theodore Mester appointed as the first pastor. He assumed his duties on Sunday, December 3, 1905. In 1907 a sanctuary and two sacristies were added to the church, giving much needed room for a growing parish. Along with this addition, a contract was let to wire the church for electric lights. The parish was incorporated on August 17, 1931. In 1953, plans were made to enlarge the church and later in the year work began. The old church was cut in half. The sanctuary and sacristy section, which was added in 1907, was cut from the original part and moved about thirty feet south. This would allow for additional room for seating. A new confessional and two side altars were built, and a new heating system installed. Father John Mines was instrumental in the success of the building project, having designed and planned the improvements at a cost of $30,000. In June of 1955, Archbishop Gerald T. Bergan blessed the newly remodeled church and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to fifty adults and children.
In 1959, Father Peter Dunne introduced the first of many changes when the Vatican II was implemented. In 1962, the Tridentine Mass was transformed to the Mass of the New Rite. The English language would begin to replace Latin during the liturgy, enabling the congregation to become more involved. In 1965, St. Joseph’s followed Vatican II guidelines by creating a large “table-like” altar in the sanctuary where Mass was offered with the priest facing the people. From Summer of 1965 to the spring of 1966, work to modernize the sanctuary continued. A new altar, which replaced the “old table”, was built under the direction of Monsignor B. J. Leahy. New side altars were installed on both sides of the sanctuary. Most of the statues were removed and replaced by modern wall hangings. The tabernacle was moved to the right side altar, the communion railing along with the large white altar which had adorned the sanctuary were removed. The sanctuary was carpeted and a pulpit, lectern, and chairs were added. The final cost of these changes totaled $2,355.
The winter and spring of 1980 brought a face-lift for the east and north entrances of the church. New smoke colored glass doors replaced the white wood doors. Cracked steps on the north side were replaced. In September 1980 St. Joseph’s celebrated their 75th Anniversary. It was a moving experience. Parishioners spent nearly two months preparing for this celebration. It was a remembrance and a salute to the early pioneers. There were songs of praise and joy, and messages of hope.
In February 1983 began discussion to look into steel siding for the church. After much research it was presented to the parish council to steel side the entire church with a bid of $16,800 from Northeast Nebraska Siding and was unanimously accepted, the motion passed. By May of 1983, the project was complete. In 1989, the inside of the church was redecorated that included cleaning and repainting the ceiling, cleaning and varnishing the wood paneling, along with some redecoration of the main and side altars. Padded pews were installed in February of 1994, the old wood pews were made available for parishioners to purchase for $75 each.
In 1992 the main entrance was extended and remodeled. Two rest rooms were added, the north entrance with steps were removed and moved to the east side where they are currently. The Choir loft was remodeled in 1996 by Mike Pentico. The pews were raised and rearranged to face the sanctuary and it allowed for a new digital piano donated by Eugene Ronspies in memory of Marilyn, his wife, who was organist for many years. The loft was rewired, and new carpet installed.
In 2004 Father Jerry Connealy was contacted by Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss to discuss expansion of his duties. This included serving as pastor for a sister parish, St. Paul’s Parish in Plainview. Parish Leaders from both parishes met with Father Jerry to find the best working schedule.
In 2005 St. Joseph’s celebrated their 100 years of faith. A centennial committee was implemented to make the event special. A theme and centennial logo was adopted. “100 years in God’s Hands” was submitted by Marilyn Blunck and her niece, Stacy Zimmer drew the logo picture that was used throughout the centennial celebration. A cookbook was complied with recipes submitted from parish members. T-shirts were made and available to the parish members. A commemorative plate was also designed with a picture of the church in 1905, what it looked like in 2005 and a brief history of the church printed on the back. A history book committee was established to research the parish history.
From 2015 to 2019 St. Joseph’s went through some updating. New sound system, lighting and a bit remodeling in some areas to modernize the look of St. Joseph’s. The west addition was donated and built in Memory of Gerald Pint. It replaced the old handicap entrance and created a gathering space also. It was blessed by Father Marc Lim on August 18, 2018.
In 2019 Archbishop George Lucas introduced a new Pastoral Plan. They needed to create a plan that would take in consideration the shortages of priests while also being able to serve the faithful. By July of 2019 St. Joseph’s joined with St. Mary’s in Osmond and St. Jane Frances De Chantel in Randolph under one Pastor, Father Tim Forgét. St. Paul’s in Plainview joined to the parishes in Creighton, Brunswick, Verdigre, Niobrara and Bloomfield. In 2022 there was more discussion on pastoral planning and St. Joseph’s was placed in a unique position from July 2022 to July 2023. St. Joseph’s was without a pastor during that time. Father Kevin Vogel was appointed administrator for the three parishes in Pierce, Osmond and Randolph. The plan for St. Joseph’s was to join the Heart of Jesus Catholic Parishes which included Norfolk, Stanton, Madison and Battle Creek. On July 2, 2023 Father Pat McLaughlin was installed as pastor for St. Joseph’s at a special 2pm Mass with Father Scott Hastings presiding.