St Joseph in Lyons Church History

1884-1887 – D.W. Moriarity & Ch. Climent
1887 - J. C. Freeman, Asst. Pastor
1887 - Peter Eagan
1887 - J. Barry, Asst. Pastor
1887-1890 - J. Barry. (Pastor 1890-1893)
1887-1891 - J.R. McGrath
1893-1895 - M. St. Lawrence.
1895-1896 - P.J. Grant.
1896-1905 - J.J. Crowley
1905-1918 - Michael O'Donoghue
1918-1920 - Hugh Gately
1919-1920 - H.H.. Forkenbrock
1920-1923 - John O'Flynn
1920-1935 - M.A. Quinn
1923 - Dennis Teahan at Lyons
1935-1936 - Robert Bums
1936-1942 - E.G. Graham
1942-1947 - Frederick Irschik & L. Morganschwiess, (Administrator)
1947-1954 - Albert Krejci
1954-1981 - Leo WolPert
1981-1986 - Msgr. Roman Ulrich & Bob Irwin, (Administrator)
1987-1990 - Paul Peter
1990-1995 - Michael Kelly
1995-2001 - David La Plante
2001-2007 - Leo Rigatuso
2007- Paul Ortmeier
 

The early permanent settlers of Burt County included, among their friends, two Catholic missionary priests who laid the foundation for St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lyons, NE. In 1874, Father Uhling and Father Freeman were riding through the territory, offering Mass in homes and conferring the Sacraments of the church.
Pat Gleason's home, south of Lyons, was often selected as the home for the services. Michael Doran's home, east of Lyons, was also often utilized. The Doran home was a dugout, with steps leading to a sod house at the top. In this sod house, Mass was held for those pioneers who came from many miles away—some walking, some on horseback, and some as families riding in farm wagons with extra boards placed across the wagon for seats. A seat in one of these wagons was an enviable one. The pioneers were known to walk to Mass carrying their shoes and stockings to save the wear and tear on them. They would put them on when they reached their destination. The trip home was handled in the same way.
Under the direction of Father Nicholas Horn, the first pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church in West Point, NE, a church was erected at the present location in the town of Lyons. The church was dedicated in 1884 and became known as St. Joseph's Catholic Church. The building of the church was accomplished through the earnest efforts of the sturdy men and women of that era. Material was hauled for many miles. The following known pioneer families were active in the building and the furnishing of the church: Peter Dolan, John Conlin, Tom Colligan, Robert Evans, John Ruddy, Jim Hammel, Andrew Doran, Frank Thibault, George White, Eugene Grenier, Peter Coil, John Lewis, Patrick Gleason, James Grenier, Charles Goodell, Johns Reardon, J. Peterson, Andrew Renard, Tim Calnon, and John, Peter, Jim, and Ellen O'Connor. Many other families have helped greatly in the continued improvement of the church. Among these families are the families of: Mr. And Mrs.  Edward O'Connor, Sylvester Grenier, William Neary, David Garvis, and Jim Welsh.
The first resident priest was Father Moriarity who was beloved by all. His many duties in the mission made it necessary to hold only monthly meetings for several years.  The towns of Bancroft, Wayne, Decatur, Tekamah, Emerson, Pender, and Hubbard were all part of this mission. Father Moriarity recorded the first baptism in the church on August 17, 1884, when he baptized the son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dolan.
The first recorded wedding was on January 27, 1884, when Andrew Renard and Miss Agnes Evans of Oakland were united in marriage.
As the population increased, parishes were established in the various communities. Eventually, St. Joseph's Church in Lyons and Holy Cross Church in Bancroft were served by one pastor.
From 1884 until 1917, the pastors who served St. Joseph's parish resided in Bancroft. 'These pastors were Father Moriarity, Father J.R. McGrath, Father M. St. Lawrence, Father P.J. Grant, Father J.J. Crowley, and Father M. O'Donaghue.
In 1907, while Father O'Donaghue was serving the parish, the original church proved to be inadequate for the congregation and the size of the church was doubled with an addition created by moving the sacristy back.
In 1917, Father Gately took up residence in Lyons. During his pastorate, a beautiful rectory was built at a cost of $10,000.00. Father John O'Flynn, Father Teahan, and Father P.R. Kelly followed Father Gately in serving the congregation. Due to the untiring efforts of Father Kelly and his parishioners, the church property was debt free by 1934.
The rapid growth of the Catholic population in Nebraska in the late 1920s demanded the withdrawal of the priest from Lyons so that he could serve other areas. In 1929, Msgr. Michael Quinn was asked to assume the care of the Lyons parish. Following Msgr. Quinn, Msgr. Bums, Msgr. Graham, Father Irschek, Father Krejci, and Father Wolpert served the parish.
While Msgr. Graham was pastor of St. Joseph's, the church was completely renovated. Everything in the sanctuary was replaced. A new open-table altar with a golden tabernacle was added. The candlesticks and the large crucifix, with its Celtic cross, were hand carved. The altar, communion rail, and other appointments were made from bleached oak trimmed with black walnut.
Another sizeable increase in the number of parishioners occurred in the late 1940s. The church could no longer contain the faithful served at Sunday services. Father Krejci then began to offer Holy Mass twice on Sunday in Lyons, in addition to saying a Mass at Bancroft.
The decision to again locate the pastor in Lyons occurred in 1952 and led to the remodeling of the rectory and also a gradual improvement in the church edifice. A noteworthy improvement was the purchase of a new electric organ to replace the old organ that had been played for many years by Mrs. Dr. Robbins and Mrs. Nell Eckleen.
It was under the guidance and direction of Father Wolpert that the present spacious church was built. This required arduous labor by the parishioners.  The church was completed in 1965 and dedicated on June 26, 1966.
In 1958, a beautiful outdoor shrine featuring a life-size statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was erected.
 The parish is very proud of two of our parishioners who were ordained to the priesthood: Robert   Eimers on May 21, 1960, and Michael Grewe on June 2, 1979.
Msgr. Ulrich came to serve St. Joseph's following Father Wolpert. During Msgr. Ulrich's tenure (1981-1986) many renovations were completed. The kitchen in the rectory was remodeled and a two-car garage was built behind the rectory. The parking lot to the west of the church was paved. Air conditioning was put into the church. The floor in the basement of the church was tiled and the room dividers for CCD class separations were added. The EME program was also promoted by Msgr. Ulrich and continued to grow in strength over the following years.
Father Paul Peter served St. Joseph's parish from 1987 until 1990.  The beautiful doors in the south entryway were added to the church, improving the appearance and accessibility of the church.
Father Michael Kelly was in Lyons from 1990 until 1995. The windows in the church were changed from plain glass windows to stained glass windows improving the ambiance of the church. A new organ was purchased for the enjoyment of all churchgoers.
Father David La Plante served the parish from 1995 until 2001. While Father David was at St. Joseph's, a garden was planted west of the parking lot and many trees were planted.
Father Leo Rigatuso joined our parish family from 2001 until 2006. He was instrumental in helping form the Knights of Columbus. St. Joseph's marquee was erected on the southeast corner of the church property.
Presently, Father Paul Ortmeier is serving St. Joseph's parish. He came to Lyons in 2007. In the short time he has been in Lyons, he has orchestrated the addition of an elevator in the back of the church. This has permitted our elderly, sick, and handicapped parishioners to join in the fellowship that takes place in the basement of our church. The Moses Monument that displays the Ten Commandments and the Eight Beatitudes for the community to enjoy was placed by the marquee in front of the rectory.