Payette County ID Archives Church Records.....St. Aloysius Church-New Plymouth, Idaho ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/idfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Patty Theurer seymour784@yahoo.com October 11, 2005, 1:53 am St. Aloysius Church New Plymouth, Idaho 1904-1984 THE HISTORY AND STORIES OF ST. ALOYSIUS CHURCH June 29, 1984 1903-The People of New Plymouth and the surrounding countryside became interested in establishing a Catholic Church. They were encouraged by a lumber dealer in the area who wished to supply them with the lumber for their new church. The first mass was celebrated at the home of Mr. John Ackerman. Ten families attended. Early that fall the first mass in the city limits of New Plymouth was held at Creasey Hall. Father L. C. Godschalx, pastor of Weiser, celebrated the mass. Joe Church remembers that his father, James, served the mass. 1904-Spring Mr. Brainard, mayor of New Plymouth, donated a half acre lot to the church. May 12, Gravel for the new church was brought in. Walter Burke and his team helped excavate the foundation. August 14, The first services were held. September 16, High mass was celebrated for the first time. Father Howelke celebrated the mass. November 4, The new alter, a gift from Mr. Williams, contractor, was first used. Father Godschalx served the parish as a mission priest from Weiser. Lambert Godschalx was born in Berlicum, Holland, on January 16, 1874. His parents were Henry and Henrica Antonia Godschalx. He was ordained in Louvain on July 15, 1900. After serving faithfully for many years in the diocese of Boise he retired to Holland where he died on March 27, 1923. Louis Meechan made a few trips back and forth to Weiser with his team of horses and buggy to get Father Godschalx to say mass here. 1905-Spring-An addition was made to the church. June 18, First communion was given to 11 members. November 22, The first Nuptial mass was held joining Albert Ackerman and Elizabeth Marnoch. November 30, The church was blessed by Bishop Glorieux. Twenty-two people were confirmed at that time. 1909-There was an addition made to the church. It appears to be the porch since this was not on the original church. Bernard Campo remembers that his family moved to the area this year. His cousin was then pastor at Ontario and he encouraged the family to come to work for Father Godschalx. Father Godschalx owned some land in Payette at this time. It is presently owned by a relative, Bill Godschalx. 1910-John Driscoll and his contemporaries received their Catholic education in a railroad car known as a chapel car, which was sent by the Extension Society. The railroads carried these cars free of charge and they went around the country stopping at different locations for several weeks at a time to teach children. 1913-Father Vandenbergh administered the parish from Payette. We have no biography on him and would welcome any information. 1914-The rectory was built and the first resident priest moved in. This was Father John Nolan. He was born in County Kerry, Ireland on June 22, 1863. He studied theology in Italy and was ordained by Bishop Magnasso in Genoa on August 12, 1888. He came to Boise on March 14, 1902 and served as pastor at various parishes. He left the diocese in 1923. 1919-April Father Godschalx returned as pastor. 1921- March Father Fintan Becker joined the growing list of pastors. It is believed he came from Genese, Idaho. He had a German accent and wore a beard. He raised a number of boys and once remarked to Mary Shurts that he didn’t get one vocation from his boys. The boy he had with him at the time of his stay was George Skelton. Joe Pritzl remembers that when people drove buggies to church the Fruitland parishioners went to Ontario because it was closer. When they started to get automobiles they joined the New Plymouth Church. An addition was built to the rectory. 192?-The first raffle for a box full of gifts was held. It was the beginning of what is now known as the hope chest raffle. The raffle was held at one of the many picnics held by the church at the time. The picnics were held at the Henggeler home or at a swimming pool owned by Mr. Wilcox at Gayway Junction. It is believed that Clara Carpenter and Mrs. Criss initiated putting the gifts in the hope chest for the raffle. Also, a new organization called the Young Womens’ Altar Society held its first meeting. This group later became the Catholic Womens’ League. 1925-The first Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass celebrated in St. Aloysius Church in July honored Charles Thomas and Sarah Crosbie Meecham. The mass was celebrated by Father F. A. Becker, assisted by Father P. Z. Stack of Ontario. Altar boys were grandsons, Vincent (Pat) and Robert Driscoll. All thirteen of their children were present at the mass. One grandson, John Driscoll and one daughter, Viola Burt, are members of this parish. Mary Davis, Granddaughter, resides in Fruitland. 1927-May The anthracite regions of Pennsylvania have given priests in generous numbers to many sections of the United States. Idaho, too, was favored, when Joseph P. O’Toole pledged his word to Bishop Gorman that he would be honored to help build his portion of the missionary diocese of Boise. He came from Shenendoah, Pennsylvania, where he had been born on July 15, 1896. He was ordained by Archbishop Curley on June 12, 1924. He was very active as the principal of St. Joseph’s Boys School. He administered St. Aloyisius from Boise while he continued as chancellor and secretary under Bishop Kelly until he was promoted to the rectorship of the Cathedral. In recognition of his unstinted service, Father O’Toole was made Protonotary Apostolic with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor, November 1, 1939. 1929-May Father Michael Keyes was at St. Aloyisius Church only about a year. He was born in Errill, Leix, Ireland on August 17, 1895. He was ordained June 12, 1924 at Mt. St. Mary’s, Emmetsburg, Maryland. He went back to Ireland to celebrate his first solemn mass in his native parish church. He retired on July 12, 1968 and passed away on November 29, 1972. 1930-July Father William Gallahue took Father Keyes’ place when he returned to his studies. Father Gallahue was born August 14, 1870 in GallyBally, Tipperary, Ireland, and was ordained by Bishop Shanley for the diocese of Fargo, N. D. He came to the diocese of Boise on July 30, 1918. 1931-September Another priest in a little over a year. Father Oswald Mogg was born in Roselush, Michigan on October 18, 1892. In the course of this youth, the family migrated to Idaho. When ready for ordination, Bishop Gorman performed the ceremony in the presence of his relatives in St. Thomas Church, Coeur d’Alene, on Sunday, June 12, 1921. He served various parishes in Idaho until February 12, 1939, when he left the diocese indefinitely. He died May 17, 1966. 193?- The church was remodeled. The lathe and plaster was removed and wall board was put in. Pioneer Hall was rented and mass was said there while the church building was under repair. 1935-October Father Gallahue returned a second time to the parish. 1941-Cemetary Contract. 1943-January Father Nicholas Walsh administered the parish from Boise. Though born at Burnsville, Minnesota, Father Walsh was ordained for the diocese of Boise. The ceremony took place in the Cathedral of St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 6, 1942. He arrived in Boise June 30, 1942 and was put in charge of the parish with his residence in Boise. He served many Idaho parishes, including St. Aloysius twice. He also did missionary work in Bogota, Columbia for three years. He was appointed Bishop of Yakima, Washington October 28, 1974. 1944-May The next Irish priest was Father Thomas C. Halpin. He was born January 5, 1917 in Durrow, Waterford, Ireland to John and Margaret Halpin. He was ordained June 7, 1942 at St. Kieran’s College, Kilkenny, Ireland, by the Most Reverend Patrick Collier, D. D., Bishop of Ossory. He served this parish and many others outstandingly until he received the permission to retire January 13, 1982. The confessional was added to the church. 1948-December Father Nicholas Walsh was welcomed back to our parish for another two years. The part of the basement that houses the furnace was dug. A coal furnace was put in. 1949-Mrs. Wessler donated a turkey to be auctioned off to started funds for the cemetery. 1950-The main part of the basement was dug and St. Aloysius had a parish hall. November Ireland supplied us with another priest. James F. Shinnick was born in South Gregg, County Cork, Ireland, on June 28, 1912 to Michael and Margaret Shinnick. His secondary studies were made at St. Coleman’s Fernoy. He studied both Philosophy and Theology at St. John’s Seminary, Waterford, where he was ordained for Boise by Bishop Kinane on June 18, 1939. New Plymouth was the fourth of his many parishes. He retired with permission on June 7, 1983. 1951-November Just one year later Father Michael McGowan joined the parish. He was born of Myles and Bridget McGowan at Gartlettra, Ireland, on June 14, 1893. He studies Philosophy at St. Kieran’s Seminary, Kilkenny. He was ordained by Bishop Owen Corigan, the Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore on June 15, 1919. 1952-The ladies of the Catholic Womens’ League remodeled the kitchen. New pews of ash were installed in the church. What a wonderful relief to have padded kneelers! 1953-October The first turkey dinner took place. This was a rund-raising event. The ladies charged $1.50 per plate for adults, $.75 for children, and preschoolers were free. 1954-January Father Carey temporarily administered the parish for a few months. We need information about him. April A new stove was purchased for the kitchen. October Father Halpin returned for a six-year stay. New garage doors were installed. 1960-September The next pastor, Father Francis McGlinchey, was born in Buncrana, Donegal, Ireland, on March 30, 1907. His father was Francis and his mother was Caroline. He studied Philosophy and Theology at St. Kiernan’s College, Kilkenny. He was ordained a priest on June 13, 1937. New Plymouth was his ninth parish. He retired May 19, 1970, and passed away April 9, 1981. Shorty Wood, husband of parishoner Liz Wood, put the paneling on the alter. 1961-The Sodalities of Our Lady was established at St. Aloysius. 1963-Ohio supplied the next pastor. Richard Charles Bauman was born September 3, 1910, in Kelly’s Island, Ohio. He took his studies at St. Joseph’s College, St. Gregory Seminary, and Mt. St. Mary’s of the West. On May 1, 1936 he was ordained at Cleveland, Ohio by the Most Reverend Joseph Schermbs. He served the parish for two years this time. 1965-The only priest to come to us from Canada was Father Dionel Buote. He was born in Rustico, Canada, on September 17, 1902. He was ordained on May 15, 1927 for the diocese of Boise. He served from one end of the state to the other. He retired May 22, 1972 and passed away September 12, 1973. 1967-A memorial fund was started at the time of Art Meyers’ death by a donation of $50 from a non-Catholic for the purpose of erecting a grotto in the Catholic section of the cemetery. The coal furnace was taken out; a new oil furnace was installed. 1968-This was the last year for the turkey dinner. 1972-Father Richard Bauman returning to the parish. This was his last church before retiring and returning to Ohio. 1976-Ireland gave us eight priests. The last one from the “Old Sod” was Thomas Aquinas Heeran, who was born at Clone Mohill, Leitrim, Ireland, on December 12, 1915. He studied in Ireland and also Oregon and Washington. The Most Reverend Edward J. Kelly, Bishop of Boise, ordained him June 3, 1943 at St. John’s Cathedral. He helped to establish the parish council during his stay. He retired with permission June 17, 1982. October 20 The first Parish Council meeting was held. 1977-The parishoners of New Plymouth were allowed to receive communion in the hand for the first time. Father Heeran had to do a lot of instructing to get the people ready for that event. The rectory was insulated in the first step to improving the priest’s house. The sound system was installed in the church. 1978-Our beloved Father John T. McGoldrick joined the parish. He was born June 26, 1912 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to James and Elizabeth Durkin McGoldrick. He was ordained on June 9, 1938 in Washington, D. C. Father came to us from Southern California and has been in the Boise Diocese twelve years- six in Parma and six in New Plymouth. New carpeting and drapes were put into the rectory. Loren Fritz organized the alter boys, rewarding them for their service with prizes and a picnic. 1979-The door to the basement from inside the church was installed. The first auction was held in the fall. 1980-The first Parish Dance was held. It was to be a social event for the parishoners first and a money-making project second. JoAnn and Kenny Nyce, chairpersons, have made it a success in both areas. 1981-The new garage was built. The Traveling Lady of Fatima Statue was obtained by Mrs. Elizabeth Carl and introduced to the church. 1983-New countertops, sink, dishwasher and water heater were installed in the kitchen. Sidewalk and curbing repaired in front of the church. 1984-The pews and the floor were refinished. The church members, lead by president of the Parish Council, Pete McCabe, did the work themselves. The people of St. Aloysius have been very generous. The following is a list of furnishings etc. donated to our church: Tabernacle-In memory of Frances Henggeler by Joseph Henggeler family. Organ-In memory of Frances Henggeler by Joseph Henggeler family. Baptismal Font-In memory of Charles and Sarah Meechan by Viola Meechan Burt. Holy Water Fonts-In memory of James and Phoebe Lynch by Lynch family. Votive light stand-In memory of Martha Henggeler. Pulpit (Podium)-In memory of Martha Henggeler by family and friends. 2 Prie Dieu (Kneelers on Alter)-In memory of Irene Carpenter. 2 Flag Standards-In memory of Louis Wessler. 1 Chair for Alter-by Stella Fitzsimons. 1 Chalice-In memory of Susan Collinsworth by family and friends. Brick Fencing-Tony Genggeler family. Pews-Paid for by some families-Tony Henggeler paid a substantial balance. Furnace-Tony Henggeler paid a good portion of that. 16 card tables-by Mr. and Mrs. James (Pete) Bradley. Sanctuary Light-Viola Burt. Memorial Plaque-Driscoll family. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/id/payette/churches/staloysi2gbb.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/idfiles/ File size: 15.1 Kb