Archdiocese of Omaha history

By that time, the area had become too unwieldy and at the request of the Vicar Apostolic, the Vicariate was separated into the Vicariates of Nebraska and Kansas in 1857.

It originally started as a diocese in 1859 (Bishop James M. O'Gorman first served). See our leadership for more information.

William Kelly, the first priest ordained in Nebraska, historically styled “The Patriarch Priest of Nebraska.” By 1861, there were eight priests, two parishes with another twelve regular missions and roughly 7,000 Catholics.

In 1867, the first railroads began to crisscross the territory.

In 1868, for a cost of less than $40,000, St Philomena Cathedral was consecrated and St Mary’s was converted to a parochial school.

In 1874, upon the death of Bishop O’Gorman, there were 19 priests, 20 parishes, nearly 60 missions, several convents, a Catholic hospital and nearly 12,000 Catholics.

John Ireland † (12 Feb 1875 Appointed - 28 Jul 1875 Appointed, Coadjutor Bishop of Saint Paul, Minnesota)

With the arrival of German Franciscans in 1877, the spread of the faith north and west began.

Originally opened to serve the Irish railroad workers and their families who lived in the area, it doubled in size by 1880.

1881: The first building used for the church was converted into Holy Family’s schoolhouse.

The Sisters of Mercy run the school and more than 150 students were enrolled.1882: The Cleves brothers were hired as architects to design today’s Holy Family church.

Holy Family Church was finished in 1883 at 915 North 18th Street.

On 2 October 1885, Bishop O’Connor was named the first bishop of the Diocese of Omaha, at this time still composed of all of Nebraska and Wyoming.

In 1887, the diocese was split in three, with all land south of the Platte River becoming the Diocese of Lincoln and all land west of Nebraska becoming the Diocese of Cheyenne.

Bishop O’Gorman died in 1890.

Richard Scannell, Bishop of Concordia, KS, was named to succeed Bishop O’Connor and was installed in 1891.

A priest from Holy Family was assigned to serve the Omaha’s Czech immigrant community in 1915.

By 1916, the Diocese of Omaha had its final shape.

In 1945, Bishop Ryan was named the first Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Omaha.

Holy Family School closed in 1961.

When he came to the church in 1967, Holy Family quickly became a devoted urban ministry open to parishioners from across the city.

“Behind peace witness, a prophetic, transforming priest” by Joshua J. McElwee in the National Catholic Reporter on Mar 25, 2011

2020: The diocese announces the merger of the parish and the permanent closure of the church building.