Nacaim, St. George's Parish

The history of St. George's Parish goes back to May 10, 1925, the day on which Fr. Chrysostom Hoffmann, OSB, celebrated the first mass in the community hall of Naicam. A choir had been formed and hymns were sung at this first mass. Fr. Chrysostom had previously visited places as far North as Lac Vert and Pleasantdale and East to Paswegin, Wadena and Kuroki.

After the mass a meeting was held and a church building committee was formed. In his book of announcements, Fr. Chrysostom noted: "Tomorrow, Sunday (after Christmas) at 10:00, services and the annual meeting. The cost of the church is below the figure set by the parish last spring . . . much to the credit of the building committee composed of D.J. Granda, S.H. Sunstrum, Harvey Lepine, Chas Schumacher, M.W. Olds." On Jan. 6, 1927, he noted: "At the annual meeting last Sunday, Henry Wendling of Lac Vert was elected to the board of directors in place of Maynard W. Olds, whose term of office had expired."

After the meeting on May 10 it was decided that: "The new parish will be incorporated as the Catholic Parish of St. George" (Prairie Messenger, May 21, 1925). An educated guess as to why it was named after St. George was that Fr. Chrysostom's baptismal name was George. In this way his memory lives on in this parish which he established.

On Dec. 13, 1925, a collection was taken up to buy a site for the new church and to purchase an organ. At a meeting of the parish on Jan. 31, 1926, committees were appointed to canvas the district and to collect for the building fund. Six acres of land were purchased on the northwest corner of the town. Fr. Chrysostom reported that $10,000 would be required to erect a suitable church and rectory on the property. At a box social on Jan. 19, the sum of $119 had been realized for the building fund.

Near the end of June 1926, the erection of the church began with Mr. Ruest and Sons contractors. By the end of August it was practically completed. The first divine service held in the new church was a high mass by Fr. Chrysostom on Christmas night. Another high mass was offered at 10:00 o'clock in the morning and again on the following day, which was a Sunday.

Fr. Chrysostom was so well pleased with Naicam that he decided to leave the solitude of Beauchamp and take up residence here. Two weeks before Christmas in 1926 he began to move his personal belongings.

St. George's Church was solemnly dedicated by Abbot Severin Gertken, OSB, on June 15, 1927. Before this blessing, he blessed and laid the cornerstone. In his sermon he explained the significance of these ceremonies saying that Christ is the cornerstone of every Catholic parish. Present for the occasion, besides Abbot Severin and Fr. Chrysostom, were Frs. Rudolph, Marcellus and Theodore. The Englefeld choir, with director and organist John Schwinghammer, sang for the solemn occasion.

It was indeed a great day for all the people of Naicam, including non Catholics, who had cooperated so well with Fr.Chrysostom, that by the time the church was blessed half of the debt was paid. On July 28, 1929, at a parish meeting it was decided to build a frame rectory, to cost $3,000. David Ruest, a member of the parish and contractor was given the contract to build the house. By the end of September 1929 the house was completed.

On June 14, 1932, St. George's Church was struck by lightning. Mr. M. Knudson, noticing smoke rising from the southeast corner of the building, gave the alarm and with the help of others quickly extinguished the blaze. The damage did not exceed $100.

During the 1970s the original church underwent some major changes. The high church steeple was removed and a new entrance built. The basement was equipped with a small kitchen and washrooms. The bell was mounted on a modern design tower. The bell was fitted with a motor so that it could be rung electronically. This was the fruit of the genius of Carl Draude.

Priests who served our parish were: Fr. Chrysostom Hoffmann, who founded the parish and served it till his retirement in 1953. He died Dec. 3, 1967, at the age of 92.

Fr. Matthew Michel, OSB, took over in 1953 and stayed till 1966. He retired to St. Peter's Abbey in Muenster. He died Jan. 22, 1994, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Humboldt. He lived to be 97 years old.

Fr. Paul took over from Fr. Matthew in 1966. In 1970 Fr. Alphonse Ludwig took over from Fr. Paul Kuehne. He came here from Englefeld. In 1980 his health began to fail and he received help from Frs. George Brodner and Damian Yaskowich. He remained resident in Naicam until the fall of 1982. Then he retired to the parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Carmel, Sask.

Fr. George Brodner moved to Naicam in September 1982.

A parish meeting was called June 12 to discuss the building of a new parish house or the renovation of the old one. After much discussion it was decided to proceed with the new building. The vote was 46 in favor and two opposed. When the new house was completed it cost a total of $60,000.

When the house was completed the parish had money left over. All this was possible because of the generosity of the parishioners who gave so well during the year.

At a parish council meeting on Sept. 28, 1987, one of the topics brought up for discussion was: "Should we build a new church or renovate and enlarge the old one?" The reason given for doing something was lack of space, both for Sunday services and for religious instruction. It was decided to seek advice regarding the condition of the old church foundation.

The expanded church can seat between 375 to 400 people in comfort. The expansion was done on the north end of the church. Two wings were built on, extending 16 feet beyond the east and west walls of the church and also 16 feet to the north.

This gave us space for religion classrooms which has to be taught in church on Sundays there is no religion taught in school. We have three classrooms in the basement and three upstairs. The furnace room was also moved and put under the addition. The stairs leading up the choir loft were changed and the choir loft expanded.

The very latest improvement was putting a gable roof on the overhang at the steps to the church entrance. All this building was done without going into debt.

The additions and improvements to the church were blessed by Abbot Jerome Weber, OSB, on June 18, 1989. The ladies prepared a chicken dinner and after the blessing everyone went to the basement to celebrate the occasion.