St. Edward Parish and School.
In 1888, Lillian Greene, the youngest daughter of Charles W. Greene, one of the city's founders, broke a bottle of champagne on a rock at the ford of the Pecos River and christened the town Eddy. The town was named in honor of Charles B. Eddy of New York, foreman of the local ranch owned by the Bissel Cattle Company. Mr. Eddy had come to this area around 1881. Irrigation transformed the desert into rich farm land, on which fruit trees were planted, and later sugar beets, alfalfa and cotton. With the completion of the railroad in the late 1890's, settlers came from the east and south in large numbers. Included were immigrants from Italy, Switzerland and Mexico, who came to work on the farms, ranches and railroad. By this time, Eddy could boast of more than 1,000 inhabitants.
In those early years, Carmelite priests from Stanton, Texas visited Eddy. However, since the area was under the jurisdiction of the Vicariate of Tucson, Arizona, the Vicar Apostolic of Tucson requested the Jesuits from San Elizario, Texas to send a priest to administer to the Catholics in Eddy. Father E.A. Antoine, SJ, came in 1890 but his attempts to erect a church were not successful. Mr. Eddy, as president of the Pecos Irrigation and Investment Company, had reserved property for churches of all denominations. Two fifty foot lots were reserved for the Catholic church on the corner of Guadalupe and Shaw Streets. The foundation was begun on June 22, 1891, but before it was completed, the money ran out and the project was abandoned. During his stay, Fr. Antoine celebrated Mass in the home of Juan Martinez in the Chihuahua settlement, located on the east side of the river. Unable to maintain a decent livelihood, Fr. Antoine returned to San Elizario. It was not until September 1892 that a priest from San Elizario again visited Eddy. During his stay, the priest celebrated Mass in Phoenix, a new settlement south of town which had been established when Chihuahua was vacated.
In October 1892, a newspaperman and his family arrived in Eddy from Ogallalla, Nebraska. William H. Mullane urged the erection of a Catholic church in the columns of his newspaper, THE CURRENT. The Mullanes were devout Irish Catholics. When Mrs. Mullane became seriously ill in December 1892, Father Charles Pinto, SJ, came to administer the sacraments. During his stay he celebrated Mass in the Mullane residence in the rear of the newspaper office. The editor no doubt spoke to the priest of the need of a church building in Eddy. Through Mr. Mullane's support and encouragement, the Carmelite priests of Stanton visited Eddy again, and accepted the Bishop of Tucson's invitation to hold regular services.
In early 1893, Father Simon Weeg, OCC, visited once a month, celebrating Mass in the old adobe school building which stood on the corner of Canyon and Greene Streets. Mr. Mullane and others continued to work for a church building, determined to continue their efforts until their dreams of a church were realized.
On September 23, 1893, Fr. Simon arranged for the erection of a church building. A sufficient sum was collected to complete the building, and on November 3, the contracts were signed. The cost of the stone walls, roof, doors and windows would be $1,200. The work began immediately, and Fr. Simon was notified to come at once to conduct the ceremony of laying the cornerstone. Remembering the failure to build a church three years earlier, he was surprised upon arriving in late November to find the wall already more than six feet high. We can see the cornerstone today at this unusual height in the old church. The cornerstone was blessed and laid on November 26, 1893. By Christmas Eve, the walls and roof were completed, and the church was dedicated to St. Edward the Confessor, the name being suggested by the name of the town. Fr. Simon celebrated Mass that day, using an old packing case for an altar. Parishioners knelt on the sand floor and sat on planks laid across sawhorses. A fire of mesquite wood was built on the ground in a corner of the church to take off the chill of winter, while the nearest window was opened to let the smoke escape. All the funds collected had been exhausted in paying for the building. There was no money left for completing the interior, or for furnishings.
In January 1894, Father Telesphorus Hardt, OCC succeeded Fr. Simon, and began at once to complete the interior. A wooden floor was donated by a non-Catholic friend of Mr. Mullane's.
Coming to Eddy in January, 1896, Father Herman Kempker became the first resident priest at St. Edward's. In May he received an organ, and started a choir under the direction of Professor Murphy. The first High Mass was celebrated at that time. On August 22, 1897, he celebrated Mass for the first time in Otis, New Mexico, at the Meyer home. From that date, Mass was said every alternate Sunday at Eddy and Otis. Fr. Kempker learned to speak Spanish, and labored zealously on behalf of the people living south of town in Phoenix. He bought a ten acre tract of land, the present Old San Jose, encouraging people to move from Phoenix, the little settlement that had five saloons with all the gambling and vice that goes with it.
Fr. Kempker's poor health forced him to leave Eddy temporarily. In his absence the Carmelite priests came back to St. Edward's.
In March 1898, the Most Reverend Bishop Bourgade of Tucson visited Eddy, confirming 125 people. On this occasion the bishop remarked, "Despite the past years of depression, the town of Eddy has grown and prospered. Its future
growth is assured. I am happy to find here a substantial church built and paid for, and I expect to see it grow with the growth of the country."
Returning to Eddy in poor health, Fr. Kempker passed away in May, 1899. That same month, the citizens of Eddy voted to change the name of their town to Carlsbad. The change was suggested by the presence of mineral springs north of town. The springs
inspired hope of the town becoming a health resort similar to the world famous spa in Karlsbad, Bohemia.
In October 1899, Father Patrick Cooney came to St. Edward's, also in poor health, living only a few months.
From 1899 until June 1903, the Carmelite Fathers again came to Carlsbad, visiting once a month. For brief periods, the parish was also attended by secular priests. A mission was started in Loving, New Mexico, with the first Mass being celebrated there by Father Albert Wagner on March 27, 1900. The last priest attending to the spiritual needs of the parish, prior to the coming of the Brown Franciscan Friars (OFM), was the well known Texas missionary, Reverend Joseph Hoban, who at the time lived in Pecos, Texas. In the spring of 1902, work was commenced on the adobe chapel at San Jose, completing the building except for the floor and tower. This building was destroyed by flood waters in 1941.
Until the coming of the Franciscans on June 14, 1903, the parish of St. Edward's had little stability. In the beginning, the priests came from Roswell. Father Eligius Kunkel, OFM, was the first Brown Franciscan who had charge of Carlsbad. He increased the services from one to two a month. Under his direction the chapel at San Jose was completed, and the first Mass celebrated in the new church in December 1903.
In Carlsbad only a year, Fr. Kunkel was succeeded by Father Juvenal Schnorbus, OFM. He was instrumental in getting the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of Ruma, Illinois, to come to Carlsbad. Arriving on August 21, 1905, from Wichita, Kansas, were Mother Clementine and Sister Rose. They opened St. Francis Academy, a day school which they conducted until the fall of 1910. A roomy frame building near the railroad tracks was purchased and moved to Guadalupe Street. At one time the building had served as the depot for the Pecos Valley Railroad. The block of land on Guadalupe Street was donated to the Sisters by Joseph Stevens, who stipulated that the property be used "for religious, educational or charitable purposes."
The cross on the church steeple was blessed on December 27, 1909. Father Arbogast Reisler, OFM, was pastor at that time. Succeeding him was Father Florian Briede, OFM, followed by Father Gilbert Schulte, OFM, in July 1913. Fr. Gilbert remained pastor until the coming of the Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual in August 1929.
The rectory at St. Edward's was erected just south of the stone church. Upon its completion in September 1905, the priests established their residence in Carlsbad. Before that time they had lived in the small sacristy of the church on their visits.
Beginning in August 1906, Father Robert Kalt, OFM, was in charge at St. Edward's for three years. During that time the old altar in the church, which had been built by J. Hoose, was replaced by a fine "regalico" one donated by Joe James. It was blessed in July 1908, and is today the Blessed Sacrament altar in the west addition of the church.
With the establishment of the Diocese of El Paso in 1914, Carlsbad came under the jurisdiction of the Most Reverend Anthony J. Schuler, SJ.
In the fall of 1915 the people of St. Edward's petitioned for permission to build a parochial school. The newly appointed bishop gladly gave his consent. The work began on December 10, 1915. Today the site is the location of the Knights of Columbus Hall. By the end of January 1916, the children entered the school for the first time with their teacher, Miss Johanna Hudiburgh, who also organized the children's choir.
In April 1916, Bishop Schuler made his first visit to Carlsbad, administering the sacrament of Confirmation to large classes.
In June 1916, the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood returned to Carlsbad. With the closing of their academy six years earlier, they had returned to Wichita. Their building had been rented by Mrs. J.B. Allen and used as a sanatorium for tubercular patients. After years of struggle, the buildings were left vacant. A committee headed by Mr. Walterscheid was sent to Wichita, urging the Sisters to return and continue Mrs. Allen's work. In the summer of 1917, the Sisters remodeled their buildings for general hospital purposes as well as for tubercular cases.
The first of the Sisters to return on July 16, 1916, to teach in St. Edward's School was Sister Osmunda Veik. A dedicated teacher, she fell victim to the Spanish influenza in October 1918. The churches were closed by order of the Board of Health from October 7 to November 10, so no public funeral could be held.
The epidemic filled the hospital to capacity, bringing more Sisters from Kansas to assist with the nursing. Hitting Carlsbad hard, the epidemic frustrated all plans which St. Edward's Parish had been making for their Silver Jubilee celebration. Their festivities were postponed, with the Jubilee Mass finally held on Christmas Day, 1918. Of all the early pioneers, W.H. Mullane was the only surviving member in attendance.
A parcel of land southwest of town was purchased for a Catholic cemetery on March 23, 1917. Improvements were made on the cemetery by Fr. Gilbert, but the flood waters of 1941 swept over it, destroying the fences and grave markers. The cemetery was abandoned in 1952 and 24 bodies were removed, most to Carlsbad Cemetery.
In 1918, Fr. Gilbert and his parishioners were able to raise enough money to pay off the church debt on the rectory. The church trustees that year were: W.H. Mullane, W.M. Walterscheid, W.C. Bindel and Arthur Hoose. They worked hard preparing for the Silver Jubilee, and through their efforts a new bell was purchased for the church. On Armistice Day, 1918, the large new church bell was joyfully rung for the first time. It was known as the "Liberty Bell." It was blessed on Thanksgiving Day 1918, and set on the ground near the sacristy where it was rung not only on Sundays to call the faithful to Mass, but every day at Angelus time to remind people of God and prayer. It was placed in the tower of the new church in 1936 where it remains today. The days of the epidemic had been strenuous for the Sisters. Their charity and devotion had won them many new friends. In 1920, they decided to build a new, up to date hospital. The work was begun in the fall of 1921, with the cost exceeding $100,000. It was ready for occupancy in February 1923, and was dedicated by Bishop Schuler on March 13, 1923. Fr. Gilbert Schulte remained pastor of St. Edward Parish from 1913 to 1929, when the Superiors of the Franciscan Fathers at Cincinnati I decided to take their priests away from Carlsbad. Recorded in the first Friary Chronicle of St. Edward Friary: "The Provincial of St. John the Baptist Province, OFM Friars, from Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Provincial of Our Lady of Consolation Province, OFM Conv. Conventual Friars from Mt. St. Francis, Indiana, met on a train on their way to a Franciscan Conference in Cincinnati. In their conversation, the OFM Friars had decided to transfer the Friars in Carlsbad to the northern Pueblo Missions. Fr. Aloys Fish, the 2nd Provincial of the Conventual Franciscans was seeking new areas of ministry for the newly formed province ... Carlsbad was his choice." The Brown Franciscans served this area faithfully from 1903 to 1929. With the coming of the Conventual Friars in August 1929, all Catholic churches and missions in Eddy and Lea counties have been under the charge of this order of priests. With this change, we begin the history of the Conventual Franciscan Friars serving St. Edward Parish.
Following is a list of significant dates and items of interest that brings us to the present:
1929 - Three priests were appointed to begin duties on August 28. Fr. Celestine Zeitler, began his successful administration of ten years at St. Edward's. He helped organize the Carlsbad Council of the Knights of Columbus in October, as well as supervising the formation of several groups including the Third Order of St. Francis. Fr. Constant Klein was at San Jose and Fr. Fabian Keenan in Artesia. There were 60 children enrolled at St. Edward Parochial School.
1936 - A committee of twelve men headed by Fr. Celestine formulated plans for a new church building. An architect and contractor from Amarillo, Texas, were chosen. The new stone church was erected at the corner of Guadalupe and Stevens Streets at a cost of $14,794.46. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Schuler on June 14, and the church dedicated on October 20. The last Mass in the old church was celebrated August 20, with the first Mass in the new church, which seated 238, celebrated on Sunday, September 7.
1939 - Parish families totaled about 120.
1942 - An air base was established in Carlsbad, and due to the presence of the military personnel and their families, four services on Sunday were required. The number of patients in St. Francis Hospital grew from 241 in 1923 to nearly 2,000 during 1942. The parish celebrates its Golden Jubilee.
1943 - Murals on the church walls were painted by Sr. Regina Buckholz, ASC.
1945 - Court Carlsbad #1380, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, was chartered. Leona Brockman was the first Grant Regent.
1948 - The parochial school enrollment was now 194. The new St. Edward's Parochial School, with six classrooms, was completed on February 14. Sr. Leona, principal.
1949 - Knights of Columbus host State Convention. Highlight of the occasion was the Mass celebrated in the lunch room of the Carlsbad Caverns.
1952 - Air conditioning installed in the church.
1953 - Property was purchased on Guadalupe Street, across from the school for $3,000. A convent for the Sisters was built at a cost of $34,990. It was blessed by Bishop Sidney M. Metzger on August 30. Parish continued to grow. Four Masses on Sunday were increased to five, with an evening Mass celebrated for the first time.
1956 - A large four story addition was completed on St. Francis Hospital. It brought the original 40 bed capacity to 108 capacity. Also the "Greater St. Edward's Educational Committee" was formed to discuss plans for a junior high school. Land (8.8 acres) was purchased from W.E. Carter for $44,000. It was located at the corner of Church and Walter Streets.
1957 - Bids opened for the new school building. Proposed costs would be around $208,000. School enrollment now at 396 students.
1958 - St. Edward's Junior High opened in the fall with fifth through eighth grades.
1963 - Parish families registered were over 500.
1964 - The church built in 1936 was now too small, even with five Sunday services. A committee, appointed by Fr. Clement, decided to build an addition to the church on the west. A low bid of $27,420 by John D. Carr, was accepted. Work began in August and was completed before Christmas. The addition provided seating space for 430.
1964 - A new convent was built to house the Sisters serving St. Francis Hospital. It was located on the northwest corner of the block of hospital property.
1968 - The parish celebrates its Diamond Jubilee. A new rectory was built west of the church at 610 W. Stevens Street.
1969 - St. Francis Hospital and Carlsbad Memorial Hospital merged, forming Carlsbad Regional Medical Center. The Sisters continued their work there.
1973 - A larger, better equipped organ was placed in the choir loft through the sponsorship of the Walterscheid families.
1976 - October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, was a memorable event for the Conventual Friars who served the parish and in the area. The Custody of Our Lady of Guadalupe was established in which the Friars had made a permanent commitment to serve the people in the southwest.
1977 – Carlsbad Regional Medical Center closes. Guadalupe Medical Center opens. Bishop Metzger retires, Bishop Florez appointed the new Ordinary of El Paso.
1979 - The Most Reverend Patrick Florez concelebrated Mass with twenty three Franciscan Friars in thanksgiving for the 50 years they have served in Carlsbad. During those years, churches were built in Hobbs, Malaga, Loving, Artesia, Jal, Lovington, Eunice and Tatum. Churches were replaced by new and larger buildings in : St. Edward in Carlsbad, 1936; St. Cecelia's in Jal, 1956; Our Lady of Grace in Loving, 1948; St. Helena's in Hobbs, 1960; St. Thomas' in Lovington, 1962 and Our Lady of Grace in Artesia, 1967.
1980 - Bishop Raymond Pena was the new Bishop of El Paso, Texas. Bishop Florez was appointed Archbishop of San Antonio. Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ held their 75th Jubilee in Carlsbad. Many Sisters who served here in the past came by chartered bus from Wichita, Kansas.
1982 - The parish came under the jurisdiction of a new diocese. The Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico was established. The new bishop, Most Rev. Ricardo Ramirez, CSV, made his first visit to Carlsbad. Richard Stattelman became the first lay principal of St. Edward's School since its beginning in 1916.
1983 - Statues of St. Francis and St. Anthony were placed in church, symbolizing Franciscan service to parish.
1987 - St. Edward School now consisted of grades kindergarten through fourth grades, located in the elementary school building. The last group of eighth grade students received diplomas on May 23.
1988 - St. Edward School moved all classes to the junior high building, with a fifth grade added. The "little school" on Guadalupe Street was now used for CCD classes. Parish offices moved from friary to the old rectory on Guadalupe Street. The tabernacle was moved to the original altar during Holy Week. Cans collected for Thanksgiving by St. Edward students were taken to the parish office. Joyce Summers and Orlando Garcia began distributing the food to the needy. This was the beginning of St. Edward Food Pantry. Parish offices moved from friary to the old rectory on Guadalupe Street.
1989 - Edward Food Pantry outgrew the parish office and was moved to the old school library. Volunteers began working in the Food Pantry.
1990 - The need to distribute clothes to the poor was recognized. A classroom in the old school building was transformed into St. Edward's Clothes Bank. A washer and dryer were purchased to ensure recipients receive clean clothing. Feeding the hungry and clothing the naked through the St. Edward Food Pantry and Clothes Bank was now a parish mission.
1991 - St. Edward School held its 75th Reunion. The Marian Hall (original stone church) was remodeled and used for Children's Church, held during Sunday Masses. The Food Pantry and Clothes Bank was renamed Jonah's House. Workers now included volunteers from other churches. Area residents responded generously with their time and contributions. From its humble beginnings, it now, in one year, distributed 47.8 tons of food, fed 2,731 families, had 34,718 pounds of food donated and spent $18,701 on food.
1992 - The 10th Anniversary of the Diocese of Las Cruces was celebrated. Sr. Lucida Temaat is the only member of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood still serving at Guadalupe Medical Center. She celebrates her 60th Jubilee this year.
1993 - Sr. Mary Kiely, OSF, replaces Sr. Josefa Dwyer as the new principal of St. Edward's School. Sr. Anastasia Gilg, ASC, remains librarian of the school. Parish families now number over 500. St. Edward's Parish celebrates its Centennial Year. Parish dinners are held monthly honoring pioneer families. Commemorative pewter medals depicting the old and new church, as well as Christmas and Easter cards with interior photos of the present church are made available to parishioners. A Mass celebrated by Bishop Ramirez, followed by a parish dinner on November 27 culminates the parish observance of its 100th Anniversary.
1996 - The air conditioning in the church received a significant update.
The material growth of St. Edward Parish provides a glorious tribute to the sacrificial spirit manifested by its parishioners in order that they might have a fitting house in which to worship God and the structures needed for the Christian education of their youth. We can measure to some extent the material progress, but God alone knows the spiritual blessings that the parishioners have obtained as a result of their work, prayers and sacrifices. It would be impossible to count the myriad of blessings imparted in the Church as a result of the reception of the various sacraments, attendance at Mass, and visits to the Blessed Sacrament. God is not outdone in generosity, and those who show Him the love of service and sacrifice are most amply blessed in return.