Holy Spirit Catholic Church celebrates 50 years in Mitchell

• Church anniversary

Vince Boddicker, of Mitchell, distributes programs Sunday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Mitchell. The church celebrated its 50th anniversary on Sunday with a video of church history, followed by a worship service and dinner banquet. (Chris Mueller/Republic)

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Thankfulness, hope and excitement.

Those were the emotions felt by the Rev. Michael Schneider on Sunday as Holy Spirit Catholic Church celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Schneider, who has been pastor of the church since August 2010, said he believed the church served as another home for the community, and as “a place to worship and a place to celebrate those special moments.”

The church, located at 1401 W. Cedar Ave. in Mitchell, began its celebration by showing a video of church history.

The church and its congregation celebrated a Mass at 4 p.m., which was followed by dinner and games for children.

The church’s first worship service was held June 29, 1963, after the Rev. Thomas J. McPhillips organized the parish in 1962 by bringing together more than 400 families in western Mitchell.

McPhillips began the church as a second parish to Holy Family Catholic Church, located at 222 North Kimball St. in Mitchell.

The current Holy Spirit Catholic Church building was dedicated in 1977 and can hold up to 570 people. The church is adjoined to John Paul II Elementary.

The role of the church in the community, Schneider said, meant “sharing in that living of the faith” and being part of that “community and family.”

For the next 50 years, Schneider said the church hopes to continue to grow and involve itself in the Mitchell community.

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