Immaculate Conception celebrates 100 years
Stephen Lars Kalmon
Catholic Herald Correspondent
BUTTERNUT — “You are a living community of faith. At this kind of celebration we ask, ‘Where do we go from here?’ I would say look at your past. Very likely your future will be predicted by your past,” Bishop Peter Christensen said in his homily to parishioners of Immaculate Conception, Butternut, at the 100-year celebration of their parish.
The first Mass was held in Immaculate Conception parish by happenstance. A Franciscan priest, Fr. Casimir Vogt, was headed to Ashland on the train. That particular day it went only as far as Butternut, and he had to stay there overnight. When he learned there was a small settlement of Catholics west of town, he walked there through the woods to the home of Berthold Fischer, now the farm of John Bablick, Jr. Word spread fast, and the next morning people arrived on foot, horses, horse and buggy, and wagon to attend the Mass.
The Butternut community began in 1876 by a group primarily of Bavarian descent. Many were mill workers, wood craftsmen, lumberjacks and farmers. Franciscans from Ashland tended to the needs of the faithful until 1890. The community began building the first church in 1885, a 30-by-50 structure that soon was outgrown by the needs and numbers of the faithful. In 1910, the new church of the Immaculate Conception was begun.
In this church, 100 years later to the day after its cornerstone was laid, the parishioners gathered to celebrate. Bishop Christensen and concelebrants were surrounded by the sanctuary’s blue, white, red and dove gray colors. The color scheme, enhanced by candlelight, radiated purity, a fitting place for Mass to be celebrated.
In his homily, Bishop Christensen cited the relationship between the German and later, the Polish people. “You welcomed the Polish people,” he said, “Since then you have celebrated Mass side by side in peace and harmony. You have a lot to be grateful for, and a rich history.”
In 1909, Poles from the Chicago area bought land and settled in Agenda near Butternut. In 1914, they established their own mission church, St. Stanislaus. Some time later, Fr. Wenceslaus Kolman, pastor 1916-1923, persuaded them to join Immaculate Conception.
“As we go into the future, we ask the Lord to use us for his purposes, but the future is unknown,” Bishop Christensen said. “We must go forward as the Apostles did. In the Gospel of Mark 6:7, Jesus sent them two by two into unknown situations to teach the nations. They too, were going into the unknown, and they did it with confidence in the Lord. They did not take money or even two tunics, they trusted in the Lord. Just as the Apostles could look to their past for guidance in the future, members of this church can do the same. Look to your past and go with God into the future; trust in the Lord, and meet the unknowns with confidence.”
In the past, the parishioners of Immaculate Conception have experienced hardship, and some of it figures into the name. In the Centennial Church History booklet, Mrs. Nicholas Bauer told of her family’s passage from Bavaria. They traveled in the hold of the ship, and it was a dangerous voyage. They had with them a painting of Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception.
“In their fear these immigrants often huddled about the painting and implored the Holy Mother’s protection,” the book said. “Their prayers were heard, and they arrived safely in America.” After hearing the story, the parishioners hung the picture in the church and named their church Immaculate Conception.
The new church seating capacity is 400; with its high domed construction, it is remarkable in such a small community. Its spire is 110 feet high. The entire village population in 1910 was 1,972 people, and not all were Catholic. The church cost just over $14,500. Some of the church furnishings, which include the communion rail, additional pews and the missal stand, were handmade by Joseph Koran. Other items were purchased by the Ladies Altar Society. The windows were donated by families and parish societies.
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