After the death of Father Gunn, Father Toomey became pastor of Immaculate Conception church, which position he still occupies. Great hopes are held out by the people of Cedar Rapids congregation for the welfare of the church interests. A new and commodious church is talked of and the hope entertained it will some day materialize. However as it is not becoming to praise the soldier while he is in the firing line, and as "Praise after death" has been my motto I must leave to the pen of the future historian to chronicle the deeds and sing the praises of the present pastor of Immaculate Conception church.
ST. WENCESLAUS PARISH
St. Wenceslaus Bohemian Catholic parish of Cedar Rapids was established in 1874. Those through whose prayer and cooperation this new and independent field of activity was called into existence were chiefly the following: Thomas Brouzek, Vaclav Charipar, Natej Charipar, Thos. Chadima, J. Hajek, Fr. Horek, Joseph Kofron, Jos. Pivouka, Vit Kuba, Fr. Kofron, Hynek Krejic, V. Lessinger, Jos. Pivouka, V. Hrebec, H. Sindelar, Jan Stolba, V. Stolba, Jos. Sefranek, Jan Tomanek, Votja Zaruba, Ignace Sindelar, Mathew Kofron, Frank Biskop, Jan Vanous, Marie Tuba, and some others from the surrounding country districts.
A lot was purchased, and in August, 1874, the foundation of the first Bohemian Catholic church in Cedar Rapids was begun. It was an eventful day for the Bohemian element in the city. In 1875 money was borrowed and collections made by parishioners, and all resources were drawn on to obtain the necessary means of perfecting the work already begun. In 1878 the balance of the debt was paid by the united effort of a poor but earnest people. In fact the donors, considering their circumstances, were generous.
In those days of difficulty and want the parish was in charge of Father Chemlar, who with all the zeal and earnestness of an apostle attended to the varied duties and needs of the scattered and needy congregation. From his limited salary of $200.00 he gave to the more needy and often donated his time and talent without any consideration whatever. God be with those days of disinterested and apostolic labors.
The old St. Wenceslaus church was a rock building 75×27 feet. It was without a tower. The bell was erected on an improvised structure in front of the church and its silvery tones seemed to more effectively accomplish its mission and reach the hearts of the people, than our costly and superior ones of today as they ring out from their costly towers or tall minarets.
To house the good father of the flock, a modest parochial residence was built by the people and in the basement of the unpretentious home, parish meetings were held and school was taught for years. It was in the days of the good Father Chemlar also that the first Catholic cemetery was secured by the people of St. Wenceslaus parish.
In 1889 Father Francis Chemlar was promoted to the charge at Norway, and he was succeeded at St. Wenceslaus by Father John Broz. Fr. Broz remained about two years in Cedar Rapids and during his short stay was by no means inactive. He added to the seating capacity of the church building and also built a tower in the church.
The next pastor was Father Kopecky. To his zealous and persistent labor is due the parish school which still remains, in which the youth of the parish receive the rudiments of knowledge in things secular and religious from the good Sisters of Mercy.
At this time the pastor's income was only $650.00, yet from this comparatively modest sum the good father found a modest means of doing material good for others and himself. He was a great school man and often spent hours in the school room, keeping at the class work. He was popular with the people and accomplished much good.