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St. Joseph Catholic Church

Oak And North Streets

St Joseph Parish History

Father Emmanuel Hartiz, OSB, said the first Catholic Mass in the Greenwood area in March of 1865 at the house of Dennis Dowd. This mass marks the beginning roots of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Greenwood.

In 1871, the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was building westward. Many of the rail workers were Catholic and thus missions were established along the railway. Father William Kelly from Lincoln made stops in Greenwood to say mass. Other priests came from Council Bluffs, IA and Plattsmouth, NE to say mass in the home of Dennis Dowd or in a schoolhouse.

In 1881, a railroad contractor, John Fitzgerald, obtained the lots on which the church now stands. By 1883, $1,018.00 was collected and plans were made to build a church. In 1884, the first load of rock was hauled from Plattsmouth, NE for the foundation of the wooden church. This same building is still being used today.

Throughout its history, St. Joseph was also served by priests from Davey, Manley, Havelock and Lincoln. The church was completely renovated inside and out between 1948 and 1950. In July 1950, St Joseph Greenwood and St. Mary Ashland were served by the same priest, who resided in Ashland. In June, 1966, St Joseph was separated from Ashland and had its own pastor. Since 1979 St Joseph has again shared the same pastor with St. Mary.

In 1990 a wood framed Hall with kitchen and bathrooms was added. The Church interior was again renovated in 2000, a large portion of the work being completed by parishioners. In the fall of 2004, the Monument to the Unborn was erected and dedicated in front of the church.


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