Knegtel, Reverend Theodore

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5704
• Religious Vows: Bef 1872
• Ordained: 25 May 1872, , , , Netherlands
• Stationed at: Between 1882 and 1890, Preble, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; Pastor
• Immigration: Abt 1882
• Residence: 1889, Preble, Brown, Wisconsin, USA; Knegtel, Rev Theodore listed in Preble
• Stationed at: Between Jan 1890 and 1915, St. John Catholic Church, Little Chute, Wisconsin, USA; Pastor
• News Mention: 12 Apr 1907; Kaukauna Times
• Biography: 1911; History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin Page 1047
• Prayer Card: Aft 15 Jun 1915; Knegtel, Reverend Theodore Prayer Card

Notes:

URL:
http://hermsenfamily.blogspot.com/2009/02/tilburg-little-chutes-sister-city.html

News Mention:
NO DANCING IN LITTLE CHUTE?
A movement has been started in Little Chute that promises to develop into quite a sensational affair before it closes between the local priest and the young people and the dance hall owners. Some time ago Joseph VanCamp, who has a dance hall on Main Street, gave out notices that he was going to start up evening dancing parties at his place. This was his decision as the young people felt that Little Chute should be entitled to maintain social dances in the evening as well as other towns. It is claimed that Little Chute is the only place in the state where young people were thus restricted. Hearing of the proposal John Hammen, proprietor of the Hotel Hammen, also announced his intention to follow suit and both had engaged music for their opening parties. It came to the attention of Father Knegtel, pastor of St. John's church. St. John Church has never allowed dancing in the parish since it was organized by Father T. J. Vandenbroek in 1831. Father Knegtel has announced that he will resign before he will allow the rules of the church so long established to be broken and has served such notice on the owners of the two dance halls.

Biography:
REV. THEODORE KNEGTEL, pastor of the Roman Catholic Church at Little Chute, Wisconsin, took charge of this parish in 1890, having had numerous priestly predecessors as this is one of the old established churches of Outagamie county. Away back in 1833 it was founded by Father Theo. Van den Broek, a pioneer of the faith in a section that must have been little less than a wilderness at that time. In 1847 he went to Holland and left the church for one year in charge of Father Mannes d'Arco, but returned in 1848, again took charge of the parish and continued until his death in 1851. Father William De Jong took charge from 1851 until 1854; Rev. Edward Daems from 1854 until 1855; Rev. William Verhoet from 1855 until 1856; Rev. A. Monclerc from 1856 until 1857; Rev. W. Peiffert from 1857 until 1860; Rev. Egbert Spierings from 1860 until 1865; Rev. Anton Verberk from 1865 until 1869; Rev. Elzear De Wilt from 1869 until 1874; Rev. A. Wubbels from 1874 until 1879; Rev. C. De Louw from 1879 until 1881; Rev. Anton Verberk from 1881 until 1890, when Rev. Theodore Knegtel assumed charge and has remained. He has shown himself a faithful director of the spiritual affairs of a parish that includes some 1,800 souls and has also wisely looked after the welfare of the people in a material way. He has inaugurated reforms and has improved the church property, in 1894 building the large addition to the church and adding equipments to the school, which building was put up on the church grounds in 1883 and with its eight rooms is able to accommodate a large number of pupils.

From the date he arrived in Little Chute -- Jan. 21, 1890 -- he left his mark. Under his direction, new stained glass windows were installed and a large clock and bells were added to the church steeple.