|
In 1880, St. Michael's, the first Polish Catholic Parish
still operating, was established, with a rude church and a cemetery.
The bell from the church is now in the Bell Tower in Pawnee Park
in Columbus, Nebraska.
The land on which the complex stands was donated by Frank
and Sophia Paprocki, immigrants from Tarnov, Poland.
In December of 1899, Father A. Czech, O.F.M. realized the parish had to have a larger church. A meeting was held and with the $1800 Father had saved, a new church was planned. Excavating began on the next day. It was built in the Gothic Revival architecture, designed by Brother Leonard Dorschied, O.F.M.. The church was started in 1900 and completed in 1901 at a cost of $17,000. The rectory, school-convent, and chicken house were built in 1910 to 1911.
The Gothic theme is carried throughout the church and school.
A characteristic of Gothic design is the pointed arches and spires.
The cost was held down because of the unskilled labor furnished
by the people of the parish at no charge. Used brick and lumber
was bought from the Omaha Trans-Mississippi Exposition which
had just closed. It was transported by rail to Tarnov. Farmers
transported sand from the Loup River, which is 20 miles to the
south, for mortar and also fill sand with horses and wagons.
The church has a 24" thick limestone rock foundation
set on a cement footing which is in a trench dug deep enough
to enable placement on solid ground. The cut limestone was transported
from a quarry near Florence, Kansas. The unfinished basement
is 10' deep and lies under the west half of the church.
 Memorial Grotto
of Our Lady of Lourdes
For many years, Fr. Knute had the idea to erect a grotto in
honor of the ex-soldiers of World War I. The Tarnov area sent
16 of her sons to war. Andrew Matya paid the supreme sacrifice
for his country. Andrew Jarosz, who served overseas, visited
the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes and was impressed by it. Upon
his return, he and Fr. Knute decided to build the Grotto. The
ex-soldiers collected the money and helped build it.
The Grotto was built in a scaled down size to portray the
location where the Blessed Virgin appeared at Lourdes, France
in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Our front is a fish pond with a fountain spray in the center.
A lamp atop a rock column completes the peaceful setting. Services
are held on special occasions. Many come to pray and ask for
favors to be granted.
State of Significance
The pride of the Catholic parishioners is reflected in the
way the complex has been well preserved. The building and structures
range from seventy to one hundred years old. One would not believe
they are this old, but being of excellent construction and being
well maintained, they appear the same today as when first built.
Because of the agricultural background of the majority of
the parishioners, the landscape of the rural complex is significant
in the beauty of its grounds. Being situated in a rural area
made it necessary to be self-supporting. The church made religion
available, the school-convent provided education and a place
for educators to live. The rectory provided the pastor of the
church with a domestic residence. The Ave Maria Grotto and St.Michael
statue reflect an outward sign of their religious devotion. The
chicken house provided self-supporting means for the residents
of the complex.
Due to the numerous amount of school children and a lack of
great water supply, an outhouse was built. A large wooden wheel
windmill provided the complex with a water supply in the earlier
years. A large cistern held the water supply. There was a rain
water cistern to hold water in case of fire. The water supply
is now furnished by an electric sump pump. Electricity was supplied
by a gas engine generator with storage batteries.
The cemetery is the burial place four our departed parishioners.
All of these buildings and structures complement each other because
they are essential to one another's needs.
After establishing the first church in 1880, the town of Tarnov
was plotted because the railroad needed a place to put a depot
in this area. The town soon grew in size. After the closing of
he school, some businesses followed because of lack of people
coming into town to get their school children. One can see the
effect this complex has on the growth of the community.
The complex, in its rural spacious area, sits on top of a
hill with a commanding view of the rolling hill countryside.
Fields on three sides and a small country village on the east
side makes the setting complete. The spacious landscape is well
maintained. Many scotch pine trees were planted, and the fruit
trees are still producing even though the were planted around
1920. Large peony flower beds are near the rectory. Brick walkways
connect the school, cemetery, rectory, and grotto.
On October 5, 1990, the Nebraska Historical Society Committee
viewed and listened to a presentation by Mrs. Jodi Guilderson
on St. Michael's Complex. They voted to accept our nomination
and forwarded it to the Department of the Interior for acceptance
into the National Register. On November 28, 1990, the Complex
was placed in the National Register of Historical Places worthy
of preservation.
St. Michael's Historical
Society
St. Michael's Historical Society has been organized into a
non-profit, tax-free corporation, for the preservation and upkeep
of this historical complex in Tarnov. That is why we are asking
for your help. The upkeep of the buildings and grounds has become
a large task for our small parish. We would appreciate any contribution
you may give. All money will stay in the Historical Society Repair
Fund. It will be spent wisely.
You can also join the Historical Society. The dues are $5
per year, starting July 1 to July 1. You can come to the meetings
if you wish, however, it is not mandatory. Please state that
it is for membership. You will be notified as to time and place
of meetings.
St. Michael's Historical Society
Rt. 1 Box 255
Tarnov, NE 68642-9712
|