The Age of Main Street Banking

In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, nearly all Nebraska communities had at least one bank. It was a necessity in an era much less mobile than our own. In order to convince the public of their stability and trustworthiness, these financial institutions turned to architecture to convey this notion. The result: substantial, well-built, ornate structures. While the Depression and rural demographic shifts brought an end to many of these banks, the buildings themselves often remain a downtown fixture; a reminder of the age of main street banking.

Chapman, Nebraska
Unidentified Bank

The Rural Churches of Cuming County

I mentioned several months ago that I would be leading a tour of Cuming County's rural churches that was sponsored by Northeast Community College. It was very successful and the college has shown interest in offering this course or a similar one this fall. I'll keep you posted! The Norfolk Daily News published an article on the tour that I thought may be of interest. If you click on the photo, it will be enlarged for easier reading. Enjoy!

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Center, NE

The early German Catholics of the Butler County area were served by the Franciscans of Columbus, Nebraska intermittently from about 1877 to 1883. Construction of a permanent church in Center, Nebraska (rural David City) began in the summer of 1879 and St. Francis was chosen as the parish patron. As the parish grew, plans were made for larger, brick church which was dedicated in 1900. Only five years later, a fire of unknown origin destroyed this church on April 16, 1905. The present church, designed by H.W. Brinkman of Emporia, Kansas was dedicated in 1916. It's worth noting that this church bears much resemblance to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Colon, Nebraska. Colon was dedicated in 1919 and is much larger, but given the many similarities in design, it's likely the same architect was utilized.

(Photo Source)

The interior of this Romanesque Revival church has undergone many renovations throughout its 94-year history. The photo above was taken in approximately 1931 and depicts the interior as it likely appeared near the time of its dedication in 1916. All of the furnishings are in place, but no decorative painting yet.

Around 2004, plans were drawn up to renovate the interior of the church in order to recapture many of the architectural and artistic features that had faded or disappeared over time. A sketch of the proposed interior....

... and as it was actually executed. A new mural of the Ascension was commissioned for the apse to replace a fading 1952 mural of Christ the Priest.

The sanctuary as it appeared cira-1940. Note especially the stunning painting in the apse. Painted in the Beuronese style, the mural is replete with imagery; angels hold symbols of six Sacraments, with Christ himself as the seventh Sacrament of the Eucharist. There are also images of the Trinity, the Vine and Branches, and the feeding of the sheep. This mural was covered in 1952 with an image of Christ the Priest.

By contrast, the sanctuary as it currently appears.

(Photo Source)

The nave in approximately 1965. Much of the interior decoration in this photo can be traced to the renovation of 1952. Note the mural of Christ the Priest as well as the simplified paint scheme.

Again, contrasted with the present interior.

The interior underwent further renovations in approximately 1978 and again in the mid-1990s. The ornate altars have been removed and the paint scheme further simplified. Depicted above is the interior in 2000.

The interior finally reached its present state in about 2004. This renovation effectively renewed the color and design of the space, while completely respecting its architectural integrity.

The barrel vaulted ceiling is a distinctive design element of St. Francis.

Christ sacrificed, ascended, and dwelling among us.

A side devotional area featuring statues of Our Lady of Grace, the church's patron St. Francis of Assisi, and the Baptismal Font.

The stations of the cross harmonize well with the church's architectural elements. Note especially the detail of the pilaster featuring the head of a cherub.

An original confessional graces the rear of the church, near the entry. The all-seeing eye of God watches over the main doors.

Two different stained glass window designs are found within the nave. The parish's patron, St. Francis is a full figural representation...

...while his sister, St. Claire is depicted in a portrait-like fashion.

The windows in the façade date from 1944 and replaced clear glass windows.

Then the devil took him up to a very high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, and he said to him, "All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me." At this, Jesus said to him, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'" (Matthew 4:8-10)

Behind the church lies the parish's neatly-kept cemetery.

A small, peaceful shrine to Mary occupies a corner of the cemetery grounds.

The names of many early German settlers can be found on the older headstones. This particular one reads:

We cannot tell who next may fall
Beneath thy chastening rod,
One must be first but let us all
Prepare to meet our God

St. Francis of Assisi church and rectory as viewed from the back corner of the cemetery.

The parish hall, which also serves as the township hall, was constructed in 1930. Several scenes from the 1992 made-for-TV movie "O Pioneers!" were filmed at this hall.

St. Luke United Methodist Church, David City, NE

The early Methodist settlers of the Butler County area were ministered to by traveling ministers as early as 1871. The first Methodist church in David City was constructed in 1874. The current St. Luke Methodist Church was dedicated on May 7, 1911. A more detailed history of the congregation is available at the church's website.

The exterior of the Neoclassical style church building has changed very little since it was constructed in 1910. It's not often you see a church in Nebraska with such a sizable dome, so I was quite excited to see the interior!

The church has a great sense of verticality, despite having a flat roof.

The front portico with its massive columns and ionic capitals grace the main entry.

The first thing that struck me about the interior was the conspicuous lack of a dome! I was told by church members that it had been covered over with a false ceiling sometime in the 1960s in order to conserve energy. What I wouldn't give to explore the attic of this church!

Despite the obvious lack of a dome, the church interior is quite pleasant. The contemporary banners and altar covering are a nice touch. I'm told that the pipe organ is no longer in working order.

The true treasure of St. Luke's is the trio of stained glass windows on the west wall of the nave. Depicted from left to right: the allegory of Hope, the Ascension, and the Angel at the empty tomb. These windows were recently restored.

The other windows in the church are much more subdued and are executed in various shades of amber glass.

The Age of Main Street Banking

In the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, nearly all Nebraska communities had at least one bank. It was a necessity in an era much less mobile than our own. In order to convince the public of their stability and trustworthiness, these financial institutions turned to architecture to convey this notion. The result: substantial, well-built, ornate structures. While the Depression and rural demographic shifts brought an end to many of these banks, the buildings themselves often remain a downtown fixture; a reminder of the age of main street banking.

Bruno, Nebraska
Unidentified Bank



The remains of the bank vault can be seen through the façade.

St. Michael Catholic Church, Central City, NE

St. Michael Catholic Church in Central City is a wonderfully angular, Mid-Century church that was constructed in 1966.

A vivid stained glass window of the church's patron resides above the main entrance.

Words of welcome above the doors leading into the nave.

Despite the light color of the interior walls and ceiling, the church is quite dark. The windows are large, but note how they are angled to give the congregation a full view.

The dominant element of the church interior is a large crucifix suspended above the altar. The sanctuary also features a very simple, but elegant marble altar.

Tabernacle in a reposition area in the sanctuary.

View toward the main entrance. The randomly placed upper windows are a fantastic Mid-Century touch!

The first station, Jesus Condemned to Death. I would imagine that these stations were from a previous church building.

The real treasures of St. Michael's Church are the large and colorful stained glass windows. Pictured here is St. Isidore, patron of farmers.

A delightful trio of windows in the choir area, near the sanctuary.