Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

A desire to bring cohesion and unity was the driving force behind the recent renovation of St. Bernard Church in Julian.

Bishop James Conley celebrated Mass at the church on Aug. 25 and consecrated the new altar.

“We needed new paint and carpet,” former pastor Father Stephen Graeve recalled. Soon, the discussion about renovating the interior of the church grew, and the project became a collaboration with all parishioners. It had been more than 50 years since any substantial renovation had been done to St. Bernard Church.

More than a year ago, as discussions with parishioners continued, it was decided to completely renovate the church. The highlight of the renovation is a newly commissioned altar built by Jean Kriz of Lincoln. Jean and his wife Char have assisted a number of parishes in conceptual design and construction during renovation projects. The new altar is now the centerpiece of St. Bernard Church.

“Due largely to financial considerations, the (previous) liturgical furniture in the church was piecemeal and mismatched,” Father Graeve explained. “The parish simply did not have the money to buy new furnishings. So, over several decades, we got by with used items, usually donated from other churches.”

The altar of sacrifice, ambo, and altar of repose did not match. The ambo was cracked, and the altar was from the 1970s – more than a half-century old.

As plans for the renovation developed, parishioners decided to commission a new altar of sacrifice. Ultimately, plans included an altar of repose and an ambo as well. A Communion rail was then donated to the parish; it had been constructed for a different church that ultimately did not use it but fit perfectly in St. Bernard Church.

The pews were re-stained by Deacon Stephen Kuchar of St. Patrick Parish in Lincoln, who also refurbished sacristy cabinets, altar chairs, and cry room seating to match the new liturgical furnishings. The parish also had its statues of Ss. Mary and Joseph repaired and repainted.

In time, parishioners hope to purchase two new larger adoring angels to place near the tabernacle and stain the interior doors of the church.

Thus, what started as a small project evolved into a full-fledged renovation.

“The parishioners really took charge,” Father Graeve said. “This renovation project has instilled a sense of dignity and sanctity to worship in this parish and has given St. Bernard parishioners a sense of participation,” he said. “The Holy Spirit was operative, and it was clearly God’s will.”

Current pastor Father Ronald Homes – appointed to St. Bernard in June when Father Graeve was appointed to St Peter Parish in Bellwood – echoed Father Graeve’s view on the project.

“In the end, this project reflects the universal Church’s quest for good, beautiful, and true,” Father Homes said.

“I believe parishioners did a great job creating a new worship space,” he added. “It all goes together; there is a great sense of majesty – this is a sacred place.”

St Bernard Church in northern Nemaha County was first dedicated by Bishop Louis Kucera in 1951; it replaced an earlier structure built in Julian village in 1881.

“The town was named after Julien Bahuaud, first settler of French origin in this area,” Father Graeve explained.“Since few could pronounce Bahuaud correctly," he added,"the town adopted Julian instead."

Today St Bernard Parish is part of St Joseph's mission at Paul.

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