In October 1891, the Bishop of Dallas appointed Rev. Joseph Blum of Muenster (located west of Lindsay) to go to Lindsay and help select a new site which would be used for the property of the new St. Peter's Parish. A small elevation on the west side of town was chosen. On December 30, Judge J.M. Lindsay of Gainesville (located east of Lindsay) donated and deeded an eight-acre tract to the parish, making the deed to the Bishop of Dallas.
On January 1, 1892, the first parish meeting was held in the home of Anton Flushe. Present at the meeting were the three Flusche brothers - William, August, and Anton, Henry Sandman, Franz Dudenhoefer, Franze Peschke, J.B Hyenck, Simon Gieb, Phillip Metzler, Gottlieb Ruppanner, and Frank Popp. The Flusche brothers, who founded Lindsay, stated that the prospects for immigration were good and the colony would be a success. Therefore, it was decided to begin building a church immediately. The group also decided to put the new colony on an independent footing as a parish, so as not to be dependent on the neighboring towns of Muenster or Gainesville any longer than necessary.
Construction of the church began in February 1892. The Flusche brothers furnished the cash for the building, whose orignal size was 20'x50' and stood 14' high. It was later added on to and served its purpose until a new brick church was completed in 1903. The cost of the new church was $800. Judge Lindsay donated $300 dollars for the building, while the Flusche brothers collected the rest in Gainesville. The construction was approved by the Bishop and Rev. Hugo Bardenhewer was appointed the first pastor of St. Peter's Parish.
The first mass was held on March 25, 1892 in the home of Wilhelm Flusche. The first Mass in the new church was read on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1892. From that time on Father Bardenhewer read Mass on alternate Sundays in Lindsay and Pilot Point. He, as well as the following priests, lived in the home of Anton Flusche until the rectory was built in 1894. A rosary service was held in the home of Wilhelm Flusche or Henry Sandmann each Sunday when there was no Mass.
Construction on the Lindsay nuns' residence began in the fall of 1892. This building caused the church a debt of $800. Before the building was completed Rev. Bonaventure Binzeggar of Subiaco came to take the place of Father Bardenhewer. Father Bonaventure was determined that it was a very important and necessary requirement for the parish was a Catholic school. Therefore, he secured the Sisters of Divine Providence of Castroville to start a school in Lindsay in October 1893. The Sisters lived in the second story of the building and taught school in the rooms downstairs.
At that time, 35 families were living in the parish and they desired a residing pastor who would help to presereve the independence of the parish. On December 15, 1893, Father Weber arrived. He had the parish build a rectory which raised the debt of the church to $1,500.
Father Weber was the first pastor in the history of Lindsay to conduct class on making one's First Solemn Communion. He remained in Lindsay until March 1896, when Rev. F.X. Mielinger took his place. He became the first priest to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation in Lindsay. Also, he replaced the Sisters with a teacher who was not suited for the position. This turned out to be detrimental to him and the parish.
Father Mielinger was transfered in May 1897, making Lindsay a mission station of Gainesville. Rev. A. Heuchmer, pastor of Gainesville, allowed the Sisters to return, but his actions aroused the suspicion that he was trying to dissolve the Lindsay parish and merge it with the Gainesville parish.
He severely critized the buildings, especially the Sister's house. He also stated a debt of $1,500 was too much for such a parish and he did not see how this could ever be paid. On Palm Sunday of 1898, he announced that, with the Bishop's approval, "The parish of Lindsay has now ceased to exist and will be united to the Gainesville parish, and according to the precepts of the church, it is your duty to attend this church when there is no Mass at Lindsay."
During Holy Week, Henry Sandmann and Anton Flusche went from house to house, taking up collections to pay off or at least reduce the debt. Notes were taken, due January 1 and October 1, 1899. The farmers made their donations at the rate of 10 cents an acre. The collections brought 48 signatures, covering 7,082 acres, and a sum of $710.20. With the money on hand and the proceeds of a picnic in the summer, almost the entire debt could be paid. The debt was owed to Mrs. E. Bogie of Gainesville, who formerly lived near Lindsay. Knowing many of the Lindsay people, she nevered doubted or questioned the security of the debt.
On the Tuesday after Easter, Anton Flusche, Henry Sandmann and J.D. Boesken went to visit the Bishop of Dallas. He said he knew nothing about the fact that Lindsay should cease as a parish, and promised to send a resident priest at the first opportunity. In June 1898, Rev. F. Baumgaertner, became the pastor of Lindsay. He remained until January 6, 1899. Rev. John B. Troxler of Subiaco, Arkansas took his place on January 22.
Beginning January 1, 1900, Father John took charge of the church funds, which were previously handled by members of the parish. The first week of the Lenten season, a fire broke out in church. It was put out before much damage was done, but it resulted in a proposition for a new church.
The project began on Oct. 13, 1901 with the meeting with the architect O. Klutho of St. Louis. He suggested a brick church which could be built for about $10,000. Father John stated that about $5,000 had alrady been promised by members of the parish, and that by the end of the year a surplus of $2,000 could be expected. A building committee was appointed. Because the new church was to be built on the site of the present church, the old one was moved to be used for classrooms.
Immediately, workmen began hauling sand from Elm Creek and after just one day, there were 360 loads of sand on the place. Father John gatherd subscriptions, totaling $6,000 in notes.
Ryan and Robinson of Gainesville began the new foundation in May 1902 for $1,090, but they did not finish, claiming that their bid was not high enough. A member of the parish Joseph Galaske, offered to finish the job for $450 and began work at once. In September of that year, Father Bonaventure came to lay the cornerstone for the new church. On Sept. 20, Mr. Galaske refused to finish the work on the foundation. Then John Platte, a contractor from St. Louis, offered to finish it for $374 and build the rest of the church for $12,900. On October 11, Father John and Mr. Platte signed a contract for the complete structure which would measure 48'x110' for a total price of $12,770.
The bricks purchased in Gainesville at $7.50 per 1,000, as well as all lumber, lime and all other building material, was to be hauled to the church property by members of the parish without any cost to the contractor. On January 8, 1903, the foundation was complete and bricklaying began. On February 10, the windows were ordered from St. Louis at a cost of $322.50. They were donated by members of the parish. By March 16, the church was under roof.
Two bells for the tower arrived on May 19. The smaller bell weighed 498 pounds and was donated by John Stoek and relatives at a cost of $142. The larger one weighed 794 pounds and was paid for by donations collected by F.J. Spaeth and Joseph Block at a cost fo $220. On May 26, the main altar was donated to the parish by Father John, with permission of the Abbot.
Joseph Markowitz built 78 pews for the church at a cost of $550. The chruch was plastered and the choir section decorated in May. On May 30, it was completed. The total debt amounted to $5,800, of which $4,000 had been borrowed in St. Louis and $1,800 from the banks in Gainesville. Not all the amounts promised by members of the parish had been paid. The building of this church caused Father John much worry and many bigger disappointments. The majority of the parish stayed with him aand helped all they could. However, some took little or no interest and held back their promised support.
On June 28, 1903, the church was blessed by the Right Reverend J.E. Dunne, D.D., Bishop of Dallas. The High Mass was read by Father John at the request of the Bishop, because this date happened to be the 40th anniversary of Father John's ordination. Bishop Dunne preached the English sermon, and Reverend Augustine Stocker, O.S.B., preached in German. The church and grounds were lavishly decorated with flags, wreaths, bunting aand arches. Many people were present for this historic event in the life of St. Peter's parish. The Bishop was very much delighted with the new church and praised the pastor and parish very highly fo their efforts. A picnic held on the day of dedication netted $260.
By now, Father John was in poor health, having strained himself to see the new church completed. On June 23, 1903, Rev. John Nigg was sent from Subiaco to be his assistant. Father John’s condition was diagnosed as cancer and deemed to be incurable. He resided mostly in Muenster where Father Bonaventure Binzegger nursed him with great love and care. Father Bonaventure was transferred to Lindsay and brought Father John with him. It was Father John’s wish to spend his last days in Lindsay and die at the parish where he labored so zealously and which he loved so dearly. He died on June 22, 1904, and was buried at the entrance of the church. His funeral was attended by many and he was mourned by all who knew him. He was the right man in the right place and the entire parish was deeply indebted to him for much of its success.
In September 1905, Reverend Aloys Baumgaertner took over the parish. The crops this year were very good and side altars and a pulpit were acquired through donations. Also $1,400 was paid on the debt. In 1908, the Stations of the Cross were installed in the church at the cost of $660. They were true works of art and were solemnly blessed on March 8, 1908. An inspiring sermon on the Stations of the Cross was delivered by Fr. Abbot Ignatius Conrad of Subiaco.
During this time, each family in the parish would rent a pew to sit in at church services. "Pew rent" would be from $8 to $10, with a few choice benches going to the highest bid. Fred Mosmann administered all pew renting.
Parishioners would also rent a stall in the wagonyard to park their horses and buggies during services. One of these yards was north of the Gun Club and another was west of Lindsay Grocery.
On September 1, 1910, Rev. Bernard Zell was transferred from Muenster to Lindsay. A new canopy for procession was purchased as well as two statues of adoring angels for the tabernacle.
As the parish continued to grow, it began to support Lindsay school. Father Bernard did not feel that pupils should have to pay tuition, so an additional $2 was added to each adult parishioner’s pew rent. By January 1, 1911, a free parochial school had been established.
In the summer of 1912, lightning struck the church tower, creating damage which amounted to $125. This induced the erection of lightning rods on all buildings of the church property. A gold-plated procession cross and gold crown for the statue of the Blessed Virgin were acquired through donations. Also a hot-air heating system was installed.
In the spring, several hundred trees were set out and concrete sidewalks were laid. Further additions to the church equipment were new vestments for $350, a monstrance for $250 and a new lightning system for church and rectory. On April 17, 1913, the last debt was paid.
In 1914, the St. Benedict statue was erected and blessed, followed by a similar ceremony for the St. Boniface statue in 1916. The large and beautiful Lourdes Grotto was also built this year and solemnly blessed. The interior of the church was repainted and artistically decorated by Friederich Fuchs. In 1915, the defective places in the outer walls were repaired and waterproofed.
In 1916, the rectory was enlarged and remodeled at a cost of $1,200. Preparations were also made for a new schoolhouse. The cornerstone was laid by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Joseph Patrick Lynch, D.D., Bishop of Dallas, on March 25. The cost of the new school was estimated at about $6,000.
On May 31, 1917, exactly 14 years after its completion, the church was destroyed by a cyclone. Many of those who had worked so hard to help build this church , who were married in it, whose children were baptized here, and whose departed were buried here, could not restrain their tears at beholding the ruins of this building which held so many memories and had become so dear to them.The storm also moved the former church, which was being used as a school, about five feet from its foundation. The rectory and the Sisters’ house were damaged as well. The old frame church was immediately put back on its foundation and served as a church again until the new school was completed. Later, it was scrapped and the material sold for about $300.
After recovering from the shock, parish members quickly began to make preparations for reconstruction. An announcement was made for all parishioners to save old windmill towers which could be used for concrete reinforcement for the new church. Arrangements were made for a picnic to be held on July 4 to raise funds. With a new school and church to build, every effort was made to raise money.
All the men and boys of the parish united in clearing away the wreckage of the destroyed church. Later on, they helped perform much of the manual labor required to build the new school and church. In order to divide the work somewhat evenly, they reported to work in alphabetical order. By November 1917, the new school was completed. mass was read upstairs and the basement was used for school.
Plans for the new church, as made by architect Ludwig of Holland, had been approved and, on November 17, the contract to build the church was let to Henry Wardein of Alton, Illinois for a total of $33,750. The contract provided that the parish do all the hauling and furnish a certain amount of manual labor. All the usable bricks form the old church were to be cleaned by the parish. The courthouse in Gainesville had recently been destroyed by fire and, in order to get the premises cleaned, the parish was offered the rocks from this building with the understanding that they take them all and clean up the premises. This offer was gladly accepted. All available teams were pressed into service and, with the farmers utilizing all the time they could possibly spare, the hauling was completed in about two weeks. Sand and gravel was hauled form nearby Elm Creek and other sources.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, 1918, the cornerstone of the new church was laid by Rev. Kealy of Gainesville. The altar area and tower were used in the present church, but the front entrance was widened, tow side doors were added as well as more reinforcements for a stronger structure. The main altar, along with St. Joseph’s and the Virgin Mary’s altars, were saved and reused.
All of the surplus lumber was sold at an auction held in September as the church was nearing completion. On Sunday, Oct. 12, 1918, Bishop Lynch of Dallas dedicated the new church and also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Donations to the rebuilding of the church from parishioners varied between $10 to $700 per family, totaling $26,095.70. Lindsay organizations gave $378.93, a collection from Gainesville produced $1,157.50, the Muenster parish offered $265.55, and $11,473.04 was collected from insurance claims on the old church, yielding a total of $39,377.72.
Some of the statues and interior decorations were added later. A coincidence of timing allowed the Swiss artist, Friedolin Fuchs, to produce the beautiful decor in the new church. He had come to the United States to paint a church in St. Louis. World War I was in full force, thus prohibiting his return to Switzerland. From St. Louis, he went to Subiaco, Arkansas and then came to Lindsay. His stencil paintings were produced on the walls, ceilings and even the wooden ceiling beams of the new church.
The six painted panels, showing the lives of St. Benedict, the founder of the Benedictine Order, and St. Boniface, the patron saint of Germany, were painted on canvas by Dr. Mathias Zell, father of Rev. Bernard.
In the ceiling of the crossing tower, alternation panels have beautiful stylized portraits of Abraham, Jesse, David, and Elijah. Along the walls of the side aisles are pairs of windows, each depicting a saint, and in the transept ends are large windows made of panels in the same style.
The massive church is an imposing structure built on slightly elevated ground and is visible for miles around the countryside.