Columbus in Platte County, Nebraska — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
St. Bernard Catholic Church Bell
St. Bernard Township, Nebraska
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
1. St. Bernard Catholic Church Bell Marker
Clinton H. Meneely
Bell Company
Troy, N.Y. U.S.A.
A. D. 1884
Weight: 1,350 lbs.
About 1873-1874 a few Catholic families began to settle in the vicinity of the present St. Bernard. Thus, we find John Dieter, John Melcher, Mathias Classen, Joseph Steibly, and a Mrs. Benz. The nearest Catholic Church in 1875 was St. Mary's in Stearns' or Grand Prairie, 4½ miles northwest of the present site of Humphrey.
Until the erection of a church at St. Bernard, the settlers had to attend service in a private home or at St. Mary's in Stearns' Prairie Township.
In 1878, the colonists commenced hauling lumber from Columbus, a distance of about 35 miles. Father Ambrose directed the building operations, Bro. Damian Bueschgens, O.F.M., helped in the construction and was assisted by William Duesman, John Heinrichs, Nick Thill, P. Beyer, Frank Gores (the latter from Columbus), and others.
The dedication of St. Bernard Church, School, and Sisters' residence, a combination building, erected at a cost of $6,000, took place November 21, 1878
Erected 1992 by Columbus Community Foundation, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, and Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
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Location. 41° 25.369′ N, 97° 22.113′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Nebraska, in Platte County. Marker is on 33rd Avenue (U.S. 30/81) near 7th Street, on the right when traveling south. Belltower is in Pawnee Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Columbus NE 68601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named St. Bernard Catholic Church Bell (here, next to this marker); Congregational Church Bell (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named St. Bernard Catholic Church Bell (here, next to this marker); Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Bell (here, next to this marker); North Branch, Oregon Trail (a few steps from this marker); United Methodist Church Bell (a few steps from this marker); St. Michael's Catholic Church Bell (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named United Methodist Church Bell (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
2. St. Bernard Catholic Church Bell
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 18, 2012
3. Columbus Quincentenary Belltower (North)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.
4. The Columbus Quincentenary Belltower
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 518 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 28, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
