Brune, Very Rev. Frederick J., 1856-1928

BRUNE, WESTENDORF

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/3/2012 at 10:17:33

[Rev. Brune was a fixture in Alton for many years, and his activities, both within his parish and in the community, are frequently reported in the Alton Democrat. The article below, although it begins and ends as his obituary, morphs into a history of the parish during his pastorate.]

VETERAN ALTON PRIEST CALLED TO HIS REWARD--ALTON PASTOR 34 YEARS
Very Rev. F. J. Brune Born In Germany--Ordained In Year 1884

"Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
--Matt. XXV, 21.

These words may well be applied to the noble and highly esteemed pastor, Very Rev. F. J. Brune, of St. Mary's Parish, Alton, Iowa, whom death claimed on Sunday, November 11th, 1928, after an illness of six months. Early this summer his strenuous years of labor began to tell. He bore his severe sufferings bravely, even cheerfully. It must have been a great affliction for this active and energetic priest, who had ever been an untiring worker, to be compelled to cease his labors. Yet no one ever heard him utter a word of complaint.

Very Rev. F. J. Brune was born in Neuenkirchen, Oldenburg, Germany, December 9, 1856, his parents being Frederick and Gertrude Brune. In his native country he attended the parish school until he was thirteen years of age, when he came to America, making his home with his uncle, Joseph Westendorf, at Luxemburg, Iowa. Later he studied at St. Joseph's college, now Columbia college, in Dubuque, Ia., and in St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee, however, completing his education in Sulpician Seminary at Montreal, Canada. In 1884 he received the degree of Bachelor of Theology and was ordained to the holy priesthood in St. Raphael's cathedral at Dubuque, Iowa, by the late Archbishop John Hennessy, on July 14. His first Holy Mass was celebrated on the feast of Our Lady of Carmel, July 16 in the Holy Trinity church at Luxemburg, Iowa.

Haverhill was his first parish and in connection with this he had charge of missions, State Center, Ames, Gilbert Station, Rhodes, Jewel Junction and several others in that locality. His sick-calls then often took him long distances, frequently to the territory near Eagle Grove.

In the fall of 1894 Father Brune was assigned to duty at Alton and on October 4th, the feast of St. Francis, took charge of St. Mary's Parish. During his thirty-four years' pastorate in Alton he gave his time and untiring zeal whole-heartedly to the souls entrusted to his care. His pastorate has been one long line of improvements and achievements for God and society. Conditions in the days of early settlement were so vastly different from today that only those who experienced it, can realize the hardships and trials that confronted the good pastor when he entered upon his duties here. In the fall of 1896 the old landmark known as "the prairie church" was taken down and the material used during the following summer in remodeling and enlarging Saint Mary's Church, giving a seating capacity of 800, and making it the largest church in the county for the time being. The church was completely furnished with stained glass windows, beautiful altars, statues, banners, pipe organ, and furnace heat. Soon after a beautiful set of stations, imported from Germany, was erected in that church.

In the meantime the school, which had been remodeled by his predecessor, Father Luehrsman, had again proved too small. In 1899 a larger addition was built, making the extreme dimensions of the entire school 58 by 82 feet, with basement, two stories, and nicely furnished attic, containing six large class-rooms, an extra class-room, dormitories, a spacious chapel, and a fine collection of curiosities, the so-called "museum." In 1900 a full high school course was added to the curriculum. The attendance was about 225 pupils.

In 1902 the cemetery was enlarged, the parsonage remodeled, a gas plant installed which for years brilliantly lighted the church, school, and parsonage. After more years, the need of a larger church became a reality. In August, 1907, ground was broken for a magnificent new church. During the fall the foundation was made and during the winter the material hauled. On May 8, 1908, the cornerstone was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Garrigan of Sioux City. The new church was dedicated on July 14, 1909. It is built in perfect Roman architecture with clerestory, center nave 43 feet, 6 inches high, ceiling of sanctuary of same height as main nave. Beautiful windows and simple fresco give the interior a most pleasing effect. A fine clock with eight dials, striking the hour on three bells gives the church its completeness. The edifice itself stands as a monument to Father Brune's genius and energy as a builder, and to his zeal for God's honor and glory. The old church was taken apart and the addition of 1899 was remodeled into a comfortable home for the Sisters, while the original building of 1883 was changed into a parish hall. Since 1911 the Sisters have enjoyed the comforts of this domicile.

Every year since he was in charge St. Mary's parish has shown improvements of buildings and grounds, the last being the neat addition to the school this past summer. The parish has been clear of indebtedness for years and the value of the church property, including the fine church, large parish hall, modern equipped school, parsonage, Sisters' residence and inviting grounds, is estimated at more than $200,000 and the present flourishing condition of the parish is due to Father Brune's splendid zeal and economy of management. The parish consists of 175 families.

The career of Father Brune was one of endless activity, for his interests were universal. Being of a sturdy constitution and possessing a very brilliant mind, he threw himself into every noble project he undertook with the whole vigor of mind and body. Although he was a ceaseless worker in his own parish, he always found time for social and civic movements, to which he lent his best efforts and help. At different times he held various offices in social and educational organizations and under his direction these societies flourished and progressed. It was his greatest concern and pleasure to aid Catholic education in general, and no one but God knows what he sacrificed to make his own parochial school the institution it is today. By his death the school has lost its greatest benefactor and patron. Every year Father Brune donated a generous sum to the school for diverse purposes. Possessing a high scholarship and a deep love for profound learning, he especially urged and aided the development of St. Mary's Library, which now contains some five thousand volumes. Devotedness to children was an outstanding mark of his character, and his school was his first interest and solicitude, and in its behalf all else had to give way. In June, before he went to Carroll, Iowa, for treatment, his last address was to the parents, pleading with them to guard and protect the children, to aid him in the work of saving sould. Again, on the opening day of the school term in September, even then already very weak and poorly, he stepped before the assembly of children, and in his fatherly way urged them to be good and to study diligently in order to profit by school.

Only once in the forty-four years of his sacred ministry did he leave the parish for an extended vacation. This was in 1900 when he made a trip to Europe. But even then in his letters home, his first solicitude was about the children in his charge.

Through the death of Father Brune the Diocese is deprived of one of its foremost and most zealous priests. Among his brother priests he stood as a scholar to whom all could go for sound advice and guidance. For years he held the position as Dean and also Examiner of the Clergy. Society, but especially the home community, has lost its best friend, protector, and spiritual father. Father Brune was a strong advocate of the Catholic press, and often from pulpit or platform, he pleaded for the cause of Catholic reading. In him the poor and oppressed found a true father and protector: born and reared in poverty and privation, he could feel for those with whom life dealt hard, and never did he cease to help with a lavish hand those in need or distress. He was a defender of the weak, a fighter for justice and righteousness, for he was fearless and outspoken whenever there was question of right or justice. Sincerity was a marked quality in his energetic moral makeup. His large sympathy and gentle kindness made him the dearest friend of the sick and dying; he forgot self entirely in seeking to bring help and comfort to the suffering. No matter at what hour or in what kind of weather the call came, Father Brune hurried to answer the summons generously and cheerfully. And the sick always longed for his frequent visits to them.

Those who survive Father Brune are an only brother, Herman Brune of Salem, S.D., who was constantly at his bedside the last few weeks; a number of nephews and nieces, and many other relatives, among whom six are Religious, members of the Order of St. Francis, Dubuque, Iowa, namely: Sister M. Luella Friedmann, Sister M. Emelia Pottebaum, Sister M. Virginette Pottebaum, Sister M. Assisi Friedmann, Sister M. Rosalita Friedmann, Sister M. Edward Pottebaum. Two of these Religious, Sisters Mary Virginette and Rosalita, have been engaged in teaching in St. Mary's Academy, Alton, for some time.

The death of Father Brune has occasioned mourning and grief not only to his parisioners, but to all who have known and loved him. He had many friends, regardless of creed or nationality. May all, who have known him, sacredly cherish his memory and be ever mindful of him in their prayers.--Requiescat In Pace!

Source: Alton Democrat, November 16, 1928.
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The obituary includes a photograph (the photo caption gives his full first name). A photo of Rev. Brune in the prime of life appears in the Alton Democrat, May 2, 1908.

Articles covering details of his funeral appear in the Alton Democrat, November 16 and 23, 1928.

His death certificate gives his parents as Fredrich Brune and Westendorf (no forename), and his cause of death as carcinoma of caecum, confirmed by X-ray.