VGI Updates

Staerkel, George

George Staerkel was originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. George played his first professional gig at age 10 as an organist with the Esquire Trio, giving him more than 5 decades of professional experience. After attending Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in the early 70’s, he spent many years on the road, most notably serving as lead vocalist, keyboardist and instrumentalist with the world famous “Tokens” (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) from 1980 – 1985. He made Arizona his home in the year 2000 where he has been thrilling audiences ever since.

Stor(c)k (Rothammel)

Matthias Stork, son of Christian & Anna Maria Stork, was born 26 February 1740, and baptized 27 February 1740, in Lampertheim (near Worms). On 25 January 1766 Matthias Stork married Margaretha (surname unclear) in Lampertheim.

They were recruited by Precourt to immigrate to Russia and arrived from Lübeck at the port of Oranienbaum on 16 August 1766 aboard a snow-brig named Neptunus (Neptune) under the command of Skipper Johann Graap.

St. Stephan's German Reformed Church - Newark

St. Stephan's German Reformed Church was the home of many Volga German families that settled in Newark. St. Stephen's Church is an Ironbound landmark. Built in 1874 for a German-speaking congregation, which it remained until the 1930s, the church is still Lutheran but uses Spanish and Portuguese in its services. The architect was George Staehlin and the interior has some of the most ornate woodwork in Newark.

This congregation is now called St. Stephan's Grace Community Church, affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

Dei, Richard

Father Dei served St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas.

Kausler, Emmeram

Father Emmeram (born Johann) Kausler was born 21 May 1851 in Kirchenpingarten, Bavaria (Germany) to Paul Kausler & Rosina Barth. He attended the St. Fidelis Seminary in Pennsylvania and was ordained in 1890 into the Capuchin Order. His younger brother Aloysius was also a Capuchin friar and two of his sisters were nuns with the Sisters of Divine Providence.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Cordia

Sacred Heart Catholic Church was founded by members of the Liebenthal parish. The church property consisted of five acres donated by Adam Jacobs. Sacred Heart Church was completed on 1 October 1921, and the first service was held there on 15 October 1921. The new edifice was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Aug. J. Schwertner, Bishop of Wichita, on 15 November 1921. A rectory was built in 1922.

Trinity Lutheran Church - Bender Hill

Trinity Lutheran Church was located 9 miles south of Russell.

St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Church - Ransom

Location:

107 N. Vermont Ave.
PO Box 96
Ransom, KS 67572-0096
785.731.2497

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church - Ness City

On 18 July 1950, sixteen Charter members signed the constitution at the organizational meeting of Our Redeemer. Their present building is a renovated school building which was moved to its present location and dedicated in 1951.

Location:

510 E. Cedar St.
Ness CIty, NE 67560
785.798.2825

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church - Bazine

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church was located one-half mile south of where the St. John the Baptist Cemetery is currently located. Construction of the church was begun in 1913 with the first Mass being said in 1914. In 1927, a rectory was also constructed. The parish was closed in 1960.

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