Timeline of St. Benignus

1854
Fr. John O'Donoghue celebrates 1st Mass in Greenfield at Owen McCormick's home.

1856
St. Benignus Parish established by Archdiocese.
Fr. John O'Donoghue named pastor.
Ground purchased south of railroad tracks for building new St. Benignus Church.

1857
September 13 - Cornerstone laid for new church by Fr. John O'Donoghue.

1858
December 25 - St. Benignus Church dedicated by Archbishop Purcell.

1861
Fr. Michael O'Donoghue named pastor.

1880
Fr. Michael Hayes named pastor.

1883
November 27 - Property at 2nd and Spring Streets purchased for $800 and St. Joseph Cemetary established.

1886
Fr. Lawrence Sullivan named pastor.

1891
Fr. William Miggeel named pastor.

1893
Fr. Matthew O'Brian served as pastor for 1 year.
Fr. Thomas Walsh named pastor.

1899
Fr. Bernard Feeney named pastor of St. Benignus and also named pastor of mission parishes of St. Michael, New Vienna, St. Mariae in Waverly, and St. Joseph in Frankfort.
St. Benignus designated as a seperate parish from St. Mary's in Hillsboro.

1900
Fr. Adolf Sourd named pastor.

1904
Fr. John Cogan named pastor.
St. Benignus purchases former Methodist Church building at 2nd & Mirabeau Streets for $5,000 from Mr. Edward Lee McClain.
Cottage at 5th & Lyndon purchased for rectory, office for the parish, and home of pastory.
December 11 - First Mass offered in new church building by Archbishop Henry Moeller.

1905
June 11 - Blessing and dedication of St. Benignus Church by Archbishop Henry Moeller.

1907
Fr. John Sailer named pastor.

1908
Fr. Joseph Michalowski named pastor.
Parish Rectory built next to church building on Second St.

1918
Fr. Francis Sieve named pastor.

1921
Fr. Henry Gramann named pastor.

1925
New parish rectory built to replace the one built in 1908 for $8168.70.

1928
Fr Eugene Gerlach is pastor for 8 months.
Fr. Urban Koehl named pastor.

1930
October 19 - 25th Anniversary celebration of Church Building dedication.

1932
Fr. Alphonse Schumacher named pastor.

1937
Fr. Aloysius Leon named pastor.

1939
February 27 - First Ladies Auxiliary meeting.

1945
Fr. Edwin Dittman named pastor.
Fr Leo Herlihy named pastor.

1948
Outside of church building painted.

1949
Ladies Auxiliary purchases new organ.

1954
Fr. John Antony named pastor.

1956
Fr. Edward Lawler named pastor.

1958
St. Benignus interior renovated in anticipation of Centennial celebration. Installed gas furnace, restroom, and public address system.
June 15 - Archbishop Karl J. Alter celebrates Mass of Thanksgiving to mark the Centennial of first Mass Celebration at McClain High School. A parish dinner followed.

1962
Fr. Francis Lay named pastor.
St. Benignus church basement excavated and breezeway between church and rectory built.

1965
Fr. Edwin Francis named pastor.

1969
Fr. Harold Bernard named pastor.

1970
August 1 - Mirabeau Street property purchased giving the parish a "backyard."

1982
Fr. Thomas Gavin named pastor.

1983
November 6 - 125th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving.

1984
December 10 - First parish council meeting.

1985
Fr. John Minic named pastor.
Communion rail removed.

1987
Fr. James Brichetto, SJ named pastor.

1989
Archbishop Elko celebrates 50th Anniversary of Ladies Auxiliary with Mass of Thanksgiving. Parish dinner follows.

1990
St. Benignus Church renovation.

1991
Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults(RCIA) begins being offered.

1993
Fr. Ronald Cooper named pastor.

1994
New electronic keyboard installed.

1995
March 19-21 - Parish Mission offered by Fr. Rick Neiberding, CPPS "People Need the Lord".
June 11 - 90th Anniversary of Dedication of Church celebrated.
Outside of church painted.

1996
March 17 - 140th Anniversary Parish Dinner celebrated at Snow Hill Country Club.
June 9 - 140th Anniversary Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Carl Moeddel.
St. Benignus Church basement renovated.
September - Parish Council Constitution revised and updated.

1998
March 8-11 - Parish Mission offered by Fr. bill Reichel, OFM "We Are Many Parts".
June 28 - Ground breaking of St. Benignus Religious Education Center.
St. Micheal's donates $10,000 toward new building.

1999
January 2 - Blessing and Dedication of Religous Educatin Center.
March 14-17 - Parish Mission offered by Fr. Joe Rayes, OFM, "We Have Been Told".
August 22 - Joint parish picnic to celebrate "100 Years of Sharing".
December 25 - Blessing and Dedication of new altar and use of new candle sticks.