Lake Lenore, St. James Parish

The history of St. James written in 1958 gives these facts: Math Haensgen, Albert Buettner, Charles and Otto Schreiner agreed that the idea of a parish was a good one. Henry Stein was asked to call and chair a meeting at Norwegian Grove school on Nov. 6, 1932, to discuss the matter. Many present thought it was hopeless. The determination of those pioneers was not easily destroyed.

After a trip to Muenster and a visit with Abbot Severin Gertken, they were told to see Fr. Chrysostom Hoffmann at Naicam if he would be willing to come. Fr. Chrysostom agreed to start the parish.

Later in the winter Abbot Severin decided that Fr. Rudolph Palm of Lake Lenore would found and be pastor of the new parish. Math Haensgen, Albert Buettner, Henry Stein, Charles and Otto Schreiner were the first trustees. One can only imagine the excitement in the community of having their own church.

George Voelk's granary was the choice made. Each family was to donate $1.00 to buy paper to cover the walls of the granary, a stove and planks to sit on.

On Saturday, March 15, 1933, the first mass of the new parish was offered by Fr. Rudolph Palm, OSB, in the granary on George Voelk's farm, one mile west of the present St. James Church.

The ladies and the men knew that the granary was only a temporary place of worship, so they began to plan for a church. In October a carload of lumber was hauled to the site chosen, donated by Jake Scheiber. In spite of snow storms and bad weather the first service was held in the "new" church on Nov. 19, 1933. A choir was formed in 1935 by Miss Ida Fetter, a teacher at Leavenworth School. Ida became Mrs. Art Melin and played the organ until she left St. James.

Since the church was very simple and quite small, much talk of a larger building went on. Finally in 1950 the church was sold to St. Martin's for $1,200, the original cost of the building. The present church was built on the same site with a full basement. Mass was held in the parish hall during construction. On Sept. 6, 1951, the first solemn high mass was held. Abbot Severin confirmed 36 boys and girls. A picnic with two hot meals served by the ladies completed that joyous day. A better organ was bought in 1957. Other improvements to the church included a propane stove, cupboards and sinks in the basement to make the ladies' work easier.

In 1960, Fr. Francis was transferred to Humboldt and Fr. Aloysius Heniges became pastor of St. James and Lake Lenore. Fr. Aloysius served the parish until 1971 when he went to Watson and Fr. Joseph Ackerman became the pastor.

On June 25, 1995, Abbot Peter Novecosky offered the last mass at St. James. The church was filled to capacity with former parishioners and the present congregation of 18 families, approximately 48 members. It is noteworthy that Mrs. Melin, who was the first organist, was present for the last service and after the service, played several hymns. A barbecue followed.