St. Patrick's Bratfest - YOU ARE INVITED

Next Saturday, October 25, from 5-8 p.m., the St. Patrick's BratFest will be held at the Knights of Columbus lodge on Huntington Street in Wabash. You are all urged and invited to attend. Tickets are $6 for adults, and kids under ten are free! What a great way to experience authentic German food AND help out a good cause!

I have been a Friend of St. Patrick's since 2000. It is a wonderful, but very small, organization. We are lucky to have twelve mighty members at any given time, but we have accomplished so much since our formation. We are a non-denominationl group of people and our ONLY focus is to maintain and restore Historic St. Patrick's Church in Lagro, Indiana. The church was built in 1873. It was the third Catholic church in this little town, the first having been erected in the 1830's, during the height of the construction of the Erie Canal.

When the church was dedicated by Bishop Dwenger in 1873, there were 300 active Parish families. By 1999, the congregation of St. Patrick's had declined to the point that the Diocese of Ft Wayne-South Bend decommissioned the church from its Parish status to that of Oratory (House of Prayer). The church was in danger of becoming just another old building, until FOSP member and long-time St. Patrick's parishoner Ann Driscoll, worked tirelessly to establish the church as part of the National Registry.

• The small top picture shows the rear of the church, with the organ and circular staircase.
• The Main Altar (first picture) showcases St. Patrick of Ireland in the stained glass window.
• The Side Altars are of St. Mary and St. Joseph.

The organ has great historic value and has been written about in many regional periodicals. Built in the 1840's by Henry Erben, a New York City organ builder,the organ had not been used since the early 1940's when the pipes had fallen prey to thieves looking for scrap metal.

In the spring of 2004,Hal Gober, a Canadian restorationist, came to Lagro, disassembled the organ and carted it back to his workshop for a full restoration. The restoration was over $60,000....all of it raised by Friends of St. Patrick's through fund-raisers, donations from the community and others who love the old church. The Organ was dedicated in 2005 and in the summer of 2007, St. Patrick's hosted the American Historical Organ Society for a day in June. The organ was the main focus and a wonderful recital was given. Over 200 organ enthusiasts joined us for the concert and dinner afterwards.

St. Patrick's biggest problem is that of money. Of course, we know we are not alone. There are many worthy causes wanting some of our donated dollars. We feel, however, that the church has so much historical significance.....most importantly, Mother Church of the Wabash River Valley and, we believe, the Crown Jewel of the little town of Lagro, Indiana.....which takes us back to Bratfest '08.

The food is just wonderful! German Brats (beer marinated!), authentic warm German potato salad, calico beans, Black Forest Cake, and many other side salads and drinks. This year, we have added grilled hamburgers to the menu. Polka music, bar available for beer and wine, and great company!!! Please join us! If you are unable to attend but would like to help us keep St. Pat's on the historic road map, email me. I have suggestions for you!!!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!! SAT. 10-25....5-8 PM....BRING YOUR APPETITE & $6.00!!!