Posted: 8/22/06
Event, book commemorate Catholic heritage of Hokah
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
For the second time, Carol Walcker of Hokah has compiled a history related to St, Peterís Church. The first was in 1978 to mark the centennial of the church. The second one, fresh off the press, is a tribute to 150 years of Catholic heritage in Hokah.
Although St, Peterís is the center of the Catholic community in Hokah, the Catholic tradition goes back further, to 1856, when worship services were held in the log cabin residence of Joseph Pfeffer.
The nearest church was St. Maryís in La Crosse. Pfeffer purchased a boat in 1858 so that some of the faithful could attend services there. He also donated the land for the first church, St. Josephís, which was built in 1859. It was a frame structure 18 by 36 ft.
An important feature of the latest book is the inclusion of a number of photographs. Hours of work were spent in getting people in the photographs identified. There are photos of classes from St. Peterís School from the first years of operation in 1918 through 2006. LuAnn MacKenzie, who has taught at the school since 1986, helped identify the later classes and Barb Bissen assisted with some of the earlier classes. Meghan Von Arx typed the manuscript.
All graduating classes but two are pictured. The high school closed in 1965, but the grade school is still in operation. A number of first communion pictures are included as well. The new book has a number of photos from the 1978 book, but the identities are included in the latest book.
Walcker used a variety of sourcces in compiling her latest book. She used diaries that were kept by the Langen family, archives from the church and public library, and articles from the old Hokah Chief newspapers and Times Review, a publication of the La Crosse Diocese. The process of gathering information began shortly after the St. Peterís history was published in 1978, but the most work was done between April and June of this year. Walcker said she put in about eight hours a day, every day, during that time in order to get the book ready for publication. She and her husband, Don, are donating the printing of the book and proceeds will go towards church improvements.
As to why she took on this task, Walcker said, ìI thought it was important, and Iím sort of a history buff.î
There are a number of fascinating aspects to the history of the Catholics in Hokah of which many people are unaware. For example, a beautiful stone convent and chapel was built in Hokah in 1867 on land donated by the Joseph Pfeffer family. It was a missionary station for the Sisters of Notre Dame. The purpose was to educate poor working girls. A number of students were boarders, and at one time there were up to 100 orphans. The convent was closed in 1904 and was subsequently torn down, with some of the stones being used in the foundation of the present St. Peterís Church.
Only 400 books are being printed, and they sell for $20 each.
St. Peterís will be celebrating the bookís release and the 150 years of Catholic Heritage this Sunday, August 27, with a 10 a.m. mass followed by a chicken barbeque. A silent auction will also be held.
Caledonia Argus
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