History
Highlights from 100 years St. Augustine Indian Mission and School
1888:
Bishop James O’ Connor, of the Omaha Diocese, dreams of a mission to serve the Winnebago people. He is the spiritual advisor of Katharine Drexel who also shares in that dream. She will go on to enter religious life, establish the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament and dedicate herself to serving Native children and other people.
1890:
Bishop O’Connor dies, never realizing his vision for the Winnebago people.
1891:
The Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament Order is founded by Katharine Drexel to serve Native and other minority people.
1907:
The town of Winnebago, Nebraska, is platted; a railroad line through the reservation is completed.
1908:
Bishop O’Connor’s dream is revived by a group of Winnebago and Omaha Catholic elders who ask Harry Keefe, a
Walthill, Nebraska attorney, to write a letter seeking support for a school at Winnebago. The elders include Joseph LaMere and
possibly Prosper Armell.
1908:
Father John Griese, a German missionary, arrives at Winnebago and attempts to secure abandoned government buildings for a school but is unsuccessful. Father Griese continues serving on the reservation for next thirty-seven years.
1908:
Joseph LaMere successfully negotiates with the Winnebago Town Company for 15 acres of land at the north end of community. It will be the site of a Mission and School.
1909:
Mother Katharine Drexel arrives at Winnebago on March 13 for the first of three visits that year. She and her Sisters will finance and oversee planning and construction of the Mission and School.
1909:
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament arrive at Winnebago in the fall to staff the mission and school. Mother Katharine visits the homes of every Native family in the community.
1909:
St. Augustine Indian Mission School welcomes its first students on November 8.
1909:
St. Augustine Church and School are dedicated on
Thanksgiving Day, November 25. The Mission is named for St.
Augustine of Hippo at the request of Mr. Tack, a benefactor
associated with the Marquette League of New York City.
1910:
St. Augustine’s boarding facility opens for girls of the
Winnebago and Omaha Reservations. The large wooden structure provides housing for girls during the next 40 years. Boys are enrolled as day students until a boarding facility opens
for them years later.
1911:
The first commencement is held on June 8. Students Grace LaMere, Marie Linkswiler and John Goergon earn the highest examination scores in Thurston County.
1911:
Annual plays, involving students, parents and community members, are established as a popular part of the St. Augustine school year.
1914-1918:
World War I increases demand for agricultural
production on the Winnebago Reservation.
1920:
Father Griese works to secure additional land for
agricultural use with the goal of providing food and possibly
revenue for the Mission. He plants thousands of fruit trees and
field crops.
1929:
The Great Depression combines with drought to begin a period of extreme hardship. Father Griese’s agricultural skills and dedication fight hunger. He is credited with literally feeding the people.
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Mission Road 1 South, Winnebago, NE 68071 (402) 878-2402