Westphalia

The settlement of the village of Westphalia and Westphalia Township is unique due to one simple fact - its first white inhabitants were almost entirely German immigrants, many of whom came to the United States from the same region, the province of Westphalia.

First to arrive in the township were John Hanses, Anthony Cordes, William Theilman, and Joseph Platte who in 1836 purchased land in and around Section 5 - the present site of the village of Westphalia.

The one person who was most instrumental in the establishment and ultimate success of Westphalia was not a farmer - the Rev. Fr. Anton Kopp was named as the first parish priest of what became St. Mary's Catholic Church.

In addition to being the first pastor, Fr. Kopp served as the first school teacher, first township supervisor, and was a leader in the organization of municipal government.

With the help of Fr. Kopp, letters were transmitted back to family and friends in Germany, who followed the path to Westphalia in 1837 through the 1840s. Trade and the start of new business followed the settlers. By 1860 the village had several stores, a wagon shop, taverns, grist-mill, brewery, hardware and blacksmith.

Many of the same types of businesses remain to this day - linking the community's past with its present and pointing to the importance of the church within the community setting that has been a constant part of Westphalia.

A focal point of Westphalia, St. Mary's was originally called St. Peter's. That frame church building that served the first settlers was crowded to capacity by the 1860s, giving way to the construction of a new brick church that was competed in 1869 - and the name changed to St. Mary's.

One of the darkest days in the history of Westphalia was April 20, 1959 when Old St. Mary's with a seating capacity of 800 parishioners burned to the ground. The present day church was finished in 1962, and remains as a center of community activities and events – like the St. Mary’s Fourth of July Festival.

Businesses continue to prosper in and around downtown Westphalia, including the Westphalia Telephone Company – still independent and proud to be so – Huhn’s Food Center, Simon’s Flower Shoppe and others.

Historical information taken from the 1980 Clinton County History.