Harper Tabernacle volunteers, 1925. Mr. Harper in center.

With the coming of the railroad, the town also had visiting evanglists. Among those who set up a revival in Casper was A. K. Harper, a lay businessman evanglist.

Harper Tabernacle volunteers, 1925. Mr. Harper in center at lectern.

Alphonso King Harper (1878-1970) was the president and founder of the Harper Brush Works in Fairfield, Iowa. Mr. Harper several times crossed the United States and Canada with the Fairfield Gospel Team delivering his message good Christian Citizenship. The Brush Works originally engaged in the direct sale of brooms and brushes by college students. As of 2012, the Brush Works is still in business.

St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, Phhoto by Thomas G. Carrigen

St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is the patron saint of lost things. He was a follower of St. Francis. The growth of Casper is reflected in the growth of its churches. The original growth of St. Anthony's Church was from an influx of Irish attracted by the wool indusry. Others were moved to Casper during the Oil boom. As a result the original wooden church on Center Street was physically moved to the corner of Wolcott and 7th and used temporarially while the present church on the corner of 7th and Center was constructed. The corner stone was laid in 1918 and the Church dedicated in 1920.

St Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church, 2013, Photo by Geoff Dobson

With World War II, growth of the Church continued. . For the most part there were were no Catholic Chaplins assigned by the Army Air Corp to Casper Army Air Corps field. During most of the time the base was active, Three masses were given on Sunday's, one each evening on weekdays, a Perpetual Help Novena on Wednesday evenings and a Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings. Local priests from St. Anthony's filled the need. The base had a a chapel used by the various denomination.

Army Air Corps Base Chapel, undated prior to 1953.

The Chapel, however, was inadequate to meet the needs of the airmen. Three non-demoninational Protestant services were given every Sunday, a Jewish Service was given every Friday evening and the Servicemen's Christian League met every Wednesday. Some of the services were therefore given in the Field Hospital Auditorium or the Chapel Annex. Following the deactivation of Casper Field on March 7, 1945, the Chapel sat forelorn and abandoned until 1953. That year, the Catholic Church acquired the structure which was then physically moved to C Y Avenue. This required that the building be taken over the old Ft. Caspar Bridge. In order to clear the railing, the Church had to be jacked up. At its new site, the building was renovated and became Our Lady of Fatima Church.

Our Lady of Fatima Church, Casper, 1958.

Our Lady of Fatima Church, Casper.

The expansion by the addition of Our Lady of Fatima did not keep up with the growth of Casper and in 1955 St. Patrick's was organized. An additional Episcopal Chuch, St. Stephen's was also organized. The Presbyterian Church also grew and Temple Beth-El was constructed in 1957.

First Presbyterian Church, Casper, Photo by Thomas G. Carrigen.

Music this page:

Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus
Lyrics: George Duffield, Jr., 1818-1888
Music: George J. Webb, 1803-1887

1.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory
his army shall he lead,
till every foe is vanquished,
and Christ is Lord indeed.

2.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict,
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger,
and strength to strength oppose.

3.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armour,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.

4.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next the victor's song.
To those who vanquish evil
a crown of life shall be;
they with the King of Glory
shall reign eternally.

Casper Photos continued on next page.