George J. Mehok Research Notes on Fargo Catholicism
Collection
Identifier: Mss 26
Scope and Contents
Father George Mehok, parish priest at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at Wahpeton, North Dakota, researched the two main Fargo newspapers, Argus and Fargo Forum, covering the period of 1880 to 1935 for articles related to Catholicism. The early period (1880-1900) appears very thoroughly covered and contains a wealth of information on various topics. The collection is organized by subject as developed by Father Mehok.
The collection has been broken into four series: Diocese of Fargo, St. Anthony's Church, St. Mary's Church, and Catholic related institutions in Fargo. Therein there are subject files arranged chronologically. Among the largest files are Bishops James O'Reilly and John Shanley, priests, social life, St. Mary's Parish, religious services, Knights of Columbus, Sacred Heart Academy, St. John's Hospital and St. John's Orphanage. These research notes include, in many cases, transcribed portions from the original texts with complete citations. This index makes available historical material found in un-indexed and voluminous newspapers. Abbreviations used are FFR for Fargo Forum and Daily Republican, and DA for Daily Argus.
Dates
- 1880-1935
Creator
- Mehok, George J., 1912-1994. (Person)
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
The Institute does not hold the copyright to this collection.
Biography
Father George John Mehok Jr. was born on April 16, 1912 in Dresden, North Dakota to Teresa and George Mehok. His parents were born in Czechoslovakia and immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. Father Mehok was the oldest of three sons, all of whom went into the ministry. His brothers, William and Charles, became members of the Jesuit order.
Father Mehok attended school in Dresden and Langdon North Dakota and graduated from high school in 1931 from Nazareth Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduation, he attended St. Paul Seminary from 1931 to 1937 and later pursued an advanced degree in history at Notre Dame and Columbia University in New York. On May 22, 1937, Father Mehok was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo, N.D., by Aloisius Cardinal Muench. The next day he offered his first mass in his hometown of Dresden, N.D. Following ordination, Father Mehok served at the St. Anthony of Padua, Fargo congregation from 1937 to 1938 and St. Mary’s Cathedral from 1938 to 1941. While serving the two Fargo congregations, he also taught courses at the Sacred Heart Academy (now known as Shanley High School). From 1941 to 1948 he served as pastor for St. Agatha’s Church in Hope, N.D., and Sacred Heart, the mission church in Aneta, N.D. Father Mehok ended his career at St. John’s in Wahpeton, N.D. where he served for 39 years (1948-1987). In addition to his pastoral appointments, Reverend Mehok was Assistant Editor for The Catholic Action News from 1938 to 1951. After his retirement in 1987 he moved to Fargo, N.D. George Mehok died on May 28, 1994 in Fargo.
Father Mehok attended school in Dresden and Langdon North Dakota and graduated from high school in 1931 from Nazareth Hall in St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduation, he attended St. Paul Seminary from 1931 to 1937 and later pursued an advanced degree in history at Notre Dame and Columbia University in New York. On May 22, 1937, Father Mehok was ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Fargo, N.D., by Aloisius Cardinal Muench. The next day he offered his first mass in his hometown of Dresden, N.D. Following ordination, Father Mehok served at the St. Anthony of Padua, Fargo congregation from 1937 to 1938 and St. Mary’s Cathedral from 1938 to 1941. While serving the two Fargo congregations, he also taught courses at the Sacred Heart Academy (now known as Shanley High School). From 1941 to 1948 he served as pastor for St. Agatha’s Church in Hope, N.D., and Sacred Heart, the mission church in Aneta, N.D. Father Mehok ended his career at St. John’s in Wahpeton, N.D. where he served for 39 years (1948-1987). In addition to his pastoral appointments, Reverend Mehok was Assistant Editor for The Catholic Action News from 1938 to 1951. After his retirement in 1987 he moved to Fargo, N.D. George Mehok died on May 28, 1994 in Fargo.
Extent
0.5 Linear Feet (0.5 linear feet)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Bibliographic citations and research notes compiled by Father George J. Mehok regarding Catholicism in Fargo, N.D.
Provenance
Donated by Father George Mehok, (Acc. 1844)
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
- Bazaars (Charities) -- North Dakota.
- Catholic Church -- : North Dakota.
- Catholic Church -- : Societies and clubs. -- : North Dakota
- Catholic Church. Diocese of Fargo (N.D.)
- Cemeteries -- North Dakota.
- Choirs (Music) -- North Dakota.
- Church schools -- North Dakota -- Fargo.
- Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary.
- Court of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
- Daily argus (Fargo, N.D.)
- Daughters of Isabella.
- Fargo Region (N.D.) -- Church history.
- Fargo forum (Fargo, N.D. : Newspaper)
- Fasts and feasts -- Catholic Church -- North Dakota -- Fargo.
- Knights of Columbus. -- : North Dakota.
- Marty, Martin, 1834-1896.
- Newman clubs -- North Dakota -- Fargo.
- O'Reilly, James, 1856-1934.
- Orphanages -- North Dakota -- Fargo.
- Sacred Heart Academy (Fargo, N.D.)
- Shanley, John, 1852-1909.
- St. Anthony of Padua (Fargo, N.D.)
- St. John's Hospital (Fargo, N.D.)
- St. John's Orphanage (Fargo, N.D.)
- St. Mary's Cathedral (Fargo, N.D.)
- St. Mary's Society.
Creator
- Mehok, George J., 1912-1994. (Person)
- Title
- Finding Aid to the George J. Mehok Research Notes on Fargo Catholicism
- Description rules
- Appm
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu