St. Charles church building gets historic recognitionby Mary LeArneal The 110-year history of North Bend’s St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church building was celebrated with a day of events on Nov. 2. Now, the National Park Service is joining the celebration.
The church has officially been added to the National Register of Historic Places, which was a goal of the committee that organized the Nov. 2 celebration. They had hoped to have an announcement ready by Nov. 2, but it took a little longer. The wait is now over, and the outcome is just what the committee had hoped for. “We have always known our church building, its furnishings and art and its history are very special,” committee chair Anne Woita said. “Being on the register reminds us of the sacrifice and stewardship it took to create this place and encourages in us a renewed commitment to maintain this beautiful building and all that lies within. We hope it will long endure and be an inspiration for many generations to come.” The online registry listing says: “St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in North Bend, NE, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its stunning 1916 architecture combining Romanesque, Gothic, and Prairie styles, featuring original fixtures and beautiful Franz Mayer stained glass, with events in late 2025 celebrating its significance as a nominee and landmark.” Key details: • Architectural Style: A unique mix of Romanesque, Gothic Revival, Arts & Crafts, and Prairie School influences. • Construction: Built in 1916. • Significance: Features original statuary from Chicago and stunning stained glass from Munich. “Our congregation has worked hard over the years to keep the building and its furnishing in good repair,” Nov. 2 committee member Jan Hobza said. “Our beautiful church is basically unchanged 110 years later.” Read the full story in the print or e-edition. <<Back to the front page |
