Named for the Ogalala Band of Dakota Sioux that once roamed the western prairies, Ogallala became known as the end of the trail. Cattlemen from Texas drove their herds over the open range on the Chisholm Trail, across the South Platte River, to the Union Pacific railroad at Ogallala. Corralling their herds on Bosler Hill just west of the town, the drovers would go into town to wash down the trail dust at the local saloons and gambling halls.
The Oregon Trail also crossed the South Platte River at Ogallala, at the foot of Bosler Hill. This is the route that Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet S.J., a Jesuit priest from Florissant, Missouri, traveled when he stopped at the south river crossing to instruct and baptize 263 Ogalala Indians in 1859. In an era of gambling, free-flowing liquor, and bar room brawls, Father DeSmet began to turn the hearts and minds of men to God. It is presumed that since Father DeSmet stayed at Ogallala long enough to instruct and baptize the Indians that he also offered Masses. Father DeSmet was the first to offer Mass in the Diocese of Grand Island.
Mass was offered at the west end of town in the early days of Ogallala and priests stayed overnight at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Girmann. The first church was built as a mission attended to from Sidney in 1887.
The rectory was built in 1913 when Ogallala received the status of parish and its own resident priest, Father Edward Hynes. Between 1922 and 1924 the parish had grown to the point that an addition was needed, so the church was extended to the north, east, and south. Later, during the pastorate of Father James McMahon, the basement of the church was extended to the west. In 1949 the final addition was made to the old church when Father F.J. Keller added a new front and extended the balcony. This church served the Ogallala Catholic community for the next eleven years.
The School
Saint Luke’s school was dedicated in 1953, staffed by Dominican Sisters from St. Catherine, Kentucky until 1970; the school provided eight grades of spiritual and academic education for the students of the Ogallala parish and community. The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, Kentucky came in 1972, and the school changed to K through 5 in the early 1980s. Sister Mary Foley served the school and parish for 23 years. Sister Shirley Ann Simmons served as school principal for 25 years and continued to serve the school and parish as Pastoral Minister. Sister Loretta Krajewski, an alumna of St. Luke’s School, served as principal from 2005. A School Endowment Trust was begun in 1985 to assist the school in its operational costs.
The Present Church
Early in 1960, construction of a new $250,000 parish church began under the direction of Monsignor Peter Kenny. On November 29, 1960, Bishop John L. Paschang dedicated and blessed the beautiful new parish church. A new rectory was then completed and the old rectory was sold and moved to its current location on East O Street in Ogallala. A major renovation of the church was completed in 1993.
The first baptism on record in the parish was that of John Beal, a convert, baptized on November 19, 1913. His is also the first wedding on record; he contracted marriage with Elizabeth Elda Waters on November 20, 1913. Both ceremonies were performed by Father Edward Hynes. Father Hynes also presided over the first funeral on record, that of Frank J. Sobetskai, held on July 9, 1914, with burial in Paxton.
Some of the pioneer members of St. Luke’s Parish were: Mr. and Mrs. Peter Girmann, Mr. and Mrs. George McGinley, Mr. and Mrs. Micheal O’Brien, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Martin.
Our Pastors
Priests who have served as pastors of Saint Luke’s parish include Rev. Edward Hynes; Rev. Timothy P. Maloney; Rev. John Gleeson; Rev. Patrick Sloan; Rev. Cornelius McLaughlin; Rev. McGuinness; Rev. James McMahon; Rev. M.L. Daly; Rev. H.L. Hermann; Rev. Francis Keller; Msgr. Peter Kenny, 1950–1966; Msgr. Thomas Siudowski and Rev. Walter Phelan, 1966–1970; Rev. James Whalen, 1970–1990; Rev. Thomas Mullowney, 1990–1993; Rev. Jack Schlaf, 1993–2005. Rev. Stephen Deaver, Rev. Tom Ryan, and Rev. Michael Murphy served as assistant pastors under Msgr. Peter Kenny. Rev. Bryan Ernest; and Rev. Suresh Bandha, who now presides over both Saint Luke’s parish of Ogallala and Saint Patrick’s parish of Paxton.
Vocations
St. Luke’s parish has been blessed with several vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life. Priests and sisters from Ogallala include Rev. Arthur Faesser, Rev. Thomas Reimers, Rev. Todd Philipsen, Rev. Matt Koperski, Sister Anne Matthias Beckius, Sister Loretta Krajewski, and Sister Pat Eichner.