The cemetery was established in 1876, one year after the first
settlers of the Czech club
"Slovania" arrived in the Warsaw vicinity. The plot
was donated by Martin Slobodny. Initially,
Sunday worship was held around a large wooden cross in the cemetery.
In 1877 the community
built their first church across the road, a small wooden building
combining the sanctuary and the
rectory.
Inspiration to build a larger church began during the tenure
of Rev. John Stephen Broz (1890-
94), who initiated many Czech customs into the community. The
bell in the cemetery was
acquired during his time. Construction of a brick church began
in 1895. It was built by
parishioner C. V. Svoboda and Andrew Gruber, proprietors of the
St. Paul brickyard. It was
blessed on the feast of St. Wenceslaus, September 28, 1895.
St. Wenceslaus of Warsaw was the first Catholic church in Howard
County. The last mass
offered was on December 21, 1949, and the church was demolished
in 1964. Only the names on
the monuments remind passersby of the Czech pioneers whose struggle
made a future for their
descendants.
St. Wenceslaus Cemetery Association of Warsaw
Nebraska State Historical Society
St. Wenceslaus Cemetery
1 mile south, 3/4 mile west, Jct. Nebr. 11 and 92
Howard County
Marker 402