|
Now attention turned quickly to building a parish school, fundraising was started but World War II
intervened. Monsignor Lambe volunteered to serve as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. While on active duty his position and privileges as Pastor would remain in place. Priests who cared for the parish were given the title of administrator and kept in touch with Msgr. Lambe as much as possible. After the war Msgr. Lambe returned to St. Joan of Arc and continued to serve as pastor until 1950.
In 1944, Father Donald Carmody, parish administrator, was instructed to purchase the entire block of land between Bridger and Lewis Avenues & Thirteen and Fourteenth streets for the location of the parish school. Attention now was centered on raising funds to build the school as soon as possible after the war would end. During the war, restrictions to help the war effort made all other building projects almost impossible. The atmosphere of the war years appeared to be one of great optimism that the Allies would be victorious and the war would end soon. Prayers were definitely offered for our soldiers and their families. The Las Vegas area was impacted in a variety of ways by the war effort and military personnel. Over all, the general atmosphere of optimism continued. War related industries brought about the town of Henderson and a new parish named in honor of St. Peter the Apostle was established in 1943.
This view of the Ed Von Tobel Lumber Company at 217 South First Street was taken on February 14, 1949. In the background you can make out the bell tower of Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church, which at that time was the highest structure in the Las Vegas valley. Mrs. Ed Von Tobel, Sr. was a long time parishioner and supporter of Saint Joan, along with her children Jake, Ed Jr., George, and Elizabeth Von Tobel.
|
