Rev. G. W. Knapstein (1855-1932)

KNAPSTEIN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/27/2014 at 07:32:32

Bellevue Herald, October 13, 1931

CELEBRATES FIFTY YEARS AS PASTOR

The Rev. Wm. Knapstein, so well known in this locality, has been the faithful pastor of SS Peter and Paul's Catholic Church at Springbrook for half a century, and the anniversary of his first mass read in that edifice was celebrated Sunday, October 4th.

In the passing of the fifty years in the vineyard of the Master, Father Knapstein has stood beside the bier and blessed his mortal remains of the man he baptised as a child.

During his pastorate he has seen his parish grow from a few families until now it numbers 125 families. His first work was the building of the beautiful rock school in 1883, where there are now one hundred or more pupils enrolled.

Then the little rock church built by pioneer Catholic families in 1866 was too small and in 1890 the church was remodeled and enlarged and this edifice was redecorated in 1929. The parochial residence was erected in 1901.

M. P. Scheckel, in speaking of Father Knapstein and his endearment to the people of Springbrook, states that as a boy he served mass for the young priest, received religious instructions from him and received his first holy communion from his hands. Mr. and Mrs. Scheckel were married by Father Knapstein, who has also baptised all of their children. And thus many more can look back to the important events of their lives where Father Knapstein presided.

Rev. G. W. Knapstein grave
 

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