USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 53
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Such is a brief sketch of the early life of the man appointed first bishop of Davenport. A profound scholar, an eloquent preacher and an ardent church- man, when he took charge of the new diocese he threw himself into the work of building up the church in the promising field to which he had been assigned, with the ardor of an enthusiast. On the 30th day of July, 1881, Bishop Mc- Mullen arrived in Davenport, and received a royal welcome not only from the people of his own church, but from citizens of Davenport generally. After the ceremonies incident to his installation he took up his abode with Father Cos-
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grove, who for twenty-five years had been the pastor of St. Marguerite's church, and after a few days' rest began a visitation of his diocese in order to become acquainted with its condition. He speedily placed himself en rapport, not only with the clergy but with the congregations of his diocese, and all became devotedly attached to the good man under whose guidance and through whose well directed efforts the interests of the church were rapidly advanced. The priests of the diocese purchased and presented to him as an episcopal house the beautiful home of Antoine LeClaire, situated on a historic bluff overlooking the three cities of Davenport, Moline and Rock Island, and numerous other testimonials of their regard came to him from time to time. In five months he visited almost every point in the diocese and confirmed more than six thousand people. The labors which he undertook were too arduous, however, to be long endured, and in the first year of his administratorship his health broke down, and after a long con- tinued illness he passed away, on the 4th of July, 1883, mourned by the church and the general public of his diocese, as well as by thousands of Catholics in Chicago and elsewhere, where he was known. When Bishop McMullen began his labors in Davenport he had selected St. Marguerite's as the cathedral church, and Rev. Henry Cosgrove, D.D., pastor of that church, as vicar-general of the diocese. Becoming thus the bishop's chief executive in looking after the affairs of the diocese, a large measure of responsibility for its welfare devolved at once upon Father Cosgrove. He had a more extensive acquaintance throughout the diocese than any other priest, and a more intimate knowledge than any of them of the condition of the various parishes, of the opportunities for church exten- sion and of the educational and charitable work to be looked after.
In his capacity as vicar-general he was called upon, when Bishop McMullen was stricken with the illness which ended his life, to take charge in great measure of diocesan affairs, and while the good bishop, up to the last hour of his life never lost interest in these affairs, it was Father Cosgrove who received his instruc- tions and executed his plans. Brought thus into a most intimate relationship to the diocese as a whole, and having demonstrated his fitness for the high office of a bishop of the church, by actual performance of many of the duties incident thereto, it was natural that there should have been on the part of the clergy of the diocese a desire that the Rev. Dr. Cosgrove should become successor to Bishop McMullen. A petition to this effect, signed by nearly all the priests of the dio- cese, was sent to Rome, this being, it is said, the first instance in the history of the church in the United States in which the priests of a diocese petitioned for the appointment of one of their number as bishop. It received the favorable consideration of the cabinet of cardinals and Father Cosgrove became second bishop of Davenport.
A native of the United States, Bishop Cosgrove was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1834. His father. John Cosgrove, was a native of Ireland, who emigrated to this country with his young wife and settled in Penn- sylvania in 1830. In 1845 the family removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and it was here that Bishop Henry Cosgrove received his early education. As a boy he was one of the acolytes in the old cathedral of Dubuque, when Bishop Loras was at the head of the diocese, and his early inclinations were toward the priesthood. When he was fifteen years of age he began the course of study which was to fit
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him for holy orders under the tutelage of Rev. Joseph Cretin, then vicar-general of the diocese of Dubuque, and later first bishop of the diocese of St. Paul. Af- ter the course of study with Father Cretin he went to St. Mary's seminary in Missouri, where he completed a three years' classical course and then entered the noted seminary at Carondelet, Missouri, where he took a full course in the- ology. Returning to Dubuque when he had completed his studies, he was or- dained priest by Bishop Smyth, coadjutor of Bishop Loras, on the 27th of Au- gust, 1857, and a few days later he became assistant pastor of St. Marguerite's church in Davenport. Rev. A. Trevis, who at that time held the pastorate of St. Marguerite's, resigned for a long absence in Europe, and at the end of a few years Father Cosgrove succeeded to the full pastorate, which he held up to the time of his appointment as bishop. During the twenty-five years of his pastoral connection with this church, he shrank from no responsibility, neglected no duty and overlooked no opportunity to advance the cause to which he had consecrated himself. The church and its schools flourished, large and handsome buildings were erected for their accommodation under his supervision and in many ways the pastor of St. Marguerite's demonstrated that he was a man of superior ex- ecutive ability, as well as an able preacher. His relations with the non-Catholic population of Davenport were of a most friendly character, and his appointment to the vacant bishopric was hailed with delight by Catholics and Protestants alike. When his commission as bishop had been received and duly presented to Arch- bishop Kendrick at St. Louis, Bishop Cosgrove returned to his home to be greeted by churchmen of his own faith, city officials of Davenport, representatives of various social and business organizations and the public generally, with an en- thusiasm which evidenced a remarkable attachment to him in the city with which he had been identified for a quarter of a century. The solemn and impressive ceremony of consecration took place in St. Marguerite's cathedral on the 14th of September, 1884, and clothed with the full powers of a bishop, Rev. Dr. Cosgrove went forth to carry forward the work of which he had in reality had charge for many months previous to that time. His faithful and efficient labors during his administration are evidenced by the fact that the membership of the Catholic church in this diocese increased from 40,000 to 56,000.
ST. ANTHONY'S.
The beginning of St. Anthony's is coincident with that of Davenport. Its site is an interesting landmark in the history of this locality. Its location is desig- nated in the old original city plat as the "church square." The first brick manufac- tured in Davenport was used in its construction, and that old brick edifice still stands and is now used as a school building. The congregation of St. Anthony's was founded by S. Mazzuchelli, dedicated by Bishop Loras and developed under Father Pelamourgues. Through the enterprise of the Very Rev. Samuel Maz- zuchelli of Dubuque, who had for a number of years paid frequent visits to Dav- enport and Stephenson, now Rock Island, the original church was built, and the congregation first established. Ground was broken for the church on April 27, 1838. At this time Henry Cosgrove, later such an important factor in the
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development of the church in this diocese, and its second bishop, was then but a child of four years of age, living with his parents at Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
In the spring of 1839 the church was dedicated by Mathias Loras, the first bishop of the diocese of Dubuque, and in response to the petition of the new con- gregation for a pastor he sent to them in August J. A. M. Pelamourgues, one of the band of clerics whose zeal Bishop Loras had won for the west while in France the year before.
St. Anthony's at once began to flourish and the people of the congregation and of Davenport as well were prosperous. Father Pelamourgues never failed his people in any hardships that were to be endured and stood by them in their every trial. It was under his personal guidance that the first school was estab- lished ever built in Davenport, and in 1853 he commenced the building of he present stone church. When Father Pelamourgues came to Davenport there were no public schools established. A simple, self-denying man, he himself de- voted his time to teaching the children of his congregation and opened a school in the old brick church built by Father Mazzuchelli, which building still stands on the church lot. This building answered for church, school and pastoral resi- dence. Father Pelamourgues' apartments were partitioned off by rough boards in a corner of the gallery. The choir was composed at one time of Antoine Le- Claire, Judge Mitchell, Joseph Motie, Joseph Clark, Miss Rosa Clark, Mrs. Lou Hebert and Mary Finch, who were rehearsed in their singing by the noted divine. There being no organ, the accompanying music was composed of a violin, clari- onet, flute and 'cello, which made up a very acceptable orchestra. The school was taught by Father Pelamourgues under a gallery in the body of the church. The space taken up by the children was separated from the sanctuary by a curtain. Judge John F. Dillon was a pupil of this school under Father Pelamourgues.
The present stone church, the building of which was started by Father Pela- mourgues, was continued in its construction by Rev. G. H. Planthe, who was ap- pointed to succeed Father Pelamourgues when the latter was called to France. But in July, 1853, Father Pelamourgues returned and completed the building at the close of the year.
This priest was very effective in gaining means and teachers for his school. In 1846, under his irresistible persuasion, he induced the Sisters of Charity of Dubuque to establish the Sisters' Parochial school in Davenport and opened the Academy of the Immaculate Conception which has since reached high fame as an institution for young ladies.
While ministering to the immediate needs of his own congregation Father Pelamourgues attended other places as out-missions, particularly Muscatine. Iowa City, Burlington, Columbus Junction, DeWitt and Lyons.
In 1850, as a reward for his zeal and great labors for the church, he was offered the dignity of the bishopric of St. Paul, tendered him by Pope Pius IX, which he declined. It was while he was visiting his native place, Rodez, France. in 1868, that he was prevented by untoward circumstances, over which he had no control, from returning, and died there in 1875. At the time of his departure from Davenport, Rev. Maurice Flavin was appointed to succeed him May 10, 1868. Rev. Flavin remained until 1872 and was followed by Rev. P. A. McCabe. who had attended the church from September, 1853, until January, 1854, during a
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visit of Father Pelamourgues to France. He had celebrated the first mass in the stone church on Christmas, 1853. Father McCabe remained at St. Anthony's until 1876, when he was transferred to St. Mary's church.
Rev. Thomas O'Reilly, now of Keokuk, was pastor of St. Anthony's from January to April, 1876, and the short interval, from April 25th to December 29th, made up the pastorate of Father J. J. Swift at the old church. Early in 1877 Rev. L. Roche, now of Cascade, became pastor of St. Anthony's and under his administration the parochial residence was built. He remained until August, 1880, when he was succeeded by Father P. J. Burke, who closed his pastorate there in March, 1882. when the present pastor, Rev. D. J. Flannery, took charge of the parish under the direction and appointment of Bishop McMullen.
Father Flannery was ordained to the priesthood December 22, 1872. He laid out the Mason City parish or territory which was then sparsely settled, and made of it a successful and flourishing mission, with several parishes. He also labored in the same capacity in Clinton and Washington, and came to St. Anthony's ripe in wisdom and experience. He has increased the size of the old stone church to meet the growing needs of his congregation. At the present time the congrega- tion numbers about 175 families, and the school is in a very flourishing condition. It numbers about 125 pupils, is a free institution and is conducted by the Sisters of Charity.
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL.
The mother church in the city of Davenport was the historic St. Anthony's, succeeded by the existing stone church. This stone church was opened to divine worship on Christmas day, 1853. In the fourteen years prior to that time the brick building now used as a school house was the church. In June, 1856, St. Kunegunda's church was opened for German Catholics, and on June 29, 1856, the first stone of St. Marguerite's church, the predecessor of Sacred Heart ca- thedral, was blessed by Bishop Loras of Dubuque in the presence of a large as- semblage, the sermon on the occasion being preached by Rev. John P. Donelan. On the third Sunday of the following October the church was dedicated by the venerable Father Pelamourgues of St. Anthony's church. The corner stone of St. Mary's church was laid on July 21. 1867. No parishes were created until a few years ago. Holy Family church was established, making five in all up to that time, in the city of Davenport. The square upon which St. Marguerite's church was erected was the donation of Antoine LeClaire, Davenport's famous Catholic citizen and benefactor, and his generosity exceeded the donation of the site. Bishop Loras had appointed Rev. Andrew Trevis the first pastor of the new parish, and for his use a frame residence was erected, which was later moved north of the church, and in 1859 converted into a school. This frame structure was again enlarged later on so as to furnish schoolrooms and living rooms for the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who were placed in charge in 1861. In 1859 a brick pastoral residence was erected; the place between it and the church was filled in 1866 by a building forming the left wing of the origi- nal church structure. The materials for this addition were partly bought and partly donated, the work manifesting the good results of the first mission ever
ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH
SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL
1.
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preached in Davenport by the noted Jesuit missionary. Father Damen, who made many converts at that time and greatly stimulated religious interest by his power- ful exhortations. In the summer of 1861 Antoine LeClaire added to his long list of benefactions by presenting to St. Marguerite's parish twenty acres of land lying north of the city of Davenport, which since then have been used and known as St. Marguerite's cemetery, thus perpetuating the original name of the congre- gation. In September. 1861, Mr. LeClaire died, mourned by all the Catholics of the city and non-Catholics as well. The memory of his charities and benefac- tions will ever be cherished in this city and his good works no doubt were power- ful advocates for him at the bar of divine justice.
In November, 1861, Rev. A. Trevis, suffering from a severe throat trouble, was obliged to seek relief in another climate, and therefore left Davenport, leav- ing St. Marguerite's church in charge of his young assistant, Rev. Henry Cos- grove, who had been with him. since 1857. Under the direction of this zealous and able young priest the prosperity of the flock advanced steadily and in 1865 the foundations were laid for a large addition to the church which was completed in 1866, greatly enlarging the edifice. Father Pelamourgues and Father Lau- rent, assisted at the dedicatory ceremonies at the completion of the addi- tion. In 1870 and 1871 the brick schoolhouse was built at the northwest corner of the church square, which is in use today, with the large addition erected in re- cent years, accommodating now nearly five hundred pupils. Originally the cen- ter room of the ground floor was used as an assembly hall and parish library room, but the constant increase in the number of pupils gradually required the turning over of this room to the use of the scholars of the parish. So great had been the progress and development of St. Marguerite's that when, in 1881, Davenport was erected into an Episcopal see, it was chosen by the first bishop, Right Rev. John McMullen, D. D., for the cathedral of the new Iowa diocese.
THE DIOCESE OF DAVENPORT.
The new era in the history of Davenport thus inaugurated was first made known by a cablegram from Rome. That was the beginning of the diocese of Davenport. Thus 1906 marked the golden anniversary of St. Marguerite's parish and the silver one of the diocese.
Bishop McMullen came to Davenport after his consecration and was given an enthusiastic reception. He took up his home with Rev. Henry Cosgrove, whom he honored with appointment as first vicar general of the new diocese. Bishop McMullen soon decided to establish a diocesan seminary and to aid the project Vicar General Cosgrove gave him the use of two rooms in the parochial school, where the college was opened in the fall of 1882, with Rev. A. J. Schulte and Mr. J. E. Halligan constituting the first faculty of the institution. From that humble beginning has grown the great establishment of the present St. Ambrose college. Bishop McMullen died on July 4, 1883, so that the upbuilding of the college fell to the lot of his successor, Bishop Cosgrove, under whose fostering care it grew rapidly under the able presidencies of Rev. A. J. Schulte, now of Iowa City, and of his successor, Rev. J. T. A. Flannagan.
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VERY REV. A. TREVIS, V. G.
Upon his promotion to the episcopal dignity. Bishop Cosgrove went to live in the former Antoine LeClaire residence on East Seventh street, which had been presented by the priests of the Davenport diocese to his predecessor, Right Rev. John McMullen, D. D. He chose as his successor in the pastorate of the cathe- dral the first pastor of old St. Marguerite's, Very Rev. A. Trevis, whom he also appointed as vicar general. Father Trevis, who was the first permanent pastor of St. Marguerite's parish, and who thus again became pastor, was ordained in 1850. He was appointed president of the diocesan seminary and assistant at the cathedral, Dubuque. It was during his presidency that the bishop received most of his classical education. When in 1854 the church square was donated for church purposes by Antoine and Marguerite LeClaire, Bishop Loras sent Father Trevis to organize the new parish. Giving up his charge on account of throat trouble, he went to the old world, 1861, remaining there about a score of years, when he returned to Davenport, where he was stationed as chaplain at Mercy hos- pital. He remained as pastor of St. Marguerite's a second time for about five years, resigning on account of his advanced age in 1889, when the great work of building a new cathedral was inaugurated by Bishop Cosgrove, the work re- quiring a younger and more active pastor. Father Trevis continued to exercise the functions of his office as vicar general until his death, which occurred at Mercy hospital, November 3, 1895, having passed his seventieth year, he having been born in a village of the Cevennes mountains, called St. Privat du Dragon, in the Chateau of Alleret, July 31, 1825. He was educated in the seminary of LePuy, France, and it was while on a visit there that Bishop Loras adopted him for the diocese of Dubuque. On August 15, 1850, Father Trevis was ordained in Dubuque and when Bishop Loras started the seminary called Mt. St. Bernard, he put Father Trevis in charge, where he remained until 1856, when he was sent to take charge of St. Marguerite's parish, Davenport.
BISHOP DAVIS.
James Davis, bishop of Davenport, was the third permanent pastor of Sacred Heart cathedral. He was born in November, 1852, near the village of Knock- topher, County Kilkenny, Ireland. He received his first religious instruction under the direction of Very Rev. P. Fogarty, P. P., at Donemargin. His boyhood days were spent in the college of St. Carmel at Knocktopher, where he began his studies for the church under the direction of the Carmelite fathers. After studying the classics there he entered St. Patrick's Ecclesiastical college, Carlow, where he completed his theological course and was ordained by Right Rev. Bish- op Walsh of the diocese of Kildare and Loughlin, on June 21, 1878. Shortly after his ordination he left his native land to enter on his duties in the diocese of Dubuque, into which he had been adopted by the then Bishop Hennessy. After a short stay at St. Raphael's cathedral, he was assigned to St. Peter's congre- gation, Windham, Johnson county, Iowa. About two years later he was sent to St. Mary's parish, Oxford. It was during his four years' pastorate at Oxford that the see of Davenport was erected, Oxford being in the new
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diocese ; and also that the death of Bishop McMullen occurred. In 1884 Bishop Cosgrove assigned Father Davis to St. Michael's congregation at Holbrook. In this large and extensive parish Father Davis labored until November, 1889, when he was called by Bishop Cosgrove to be rector of St. Marguerite's cathedral, to succeed Very Rev. A. Trevis, resigned. He arrived in Davenport on Novem- ber 12th and was introduced by Bishop Cosgrove to the congregation on Novem- ber 17th as the successor of Father Trevis.
Father Davis at once set to work on the completion of the cathedral project, and when that great work was accomplished others followed. The $100,000 structure was completed and dedicated on November 15, 1891 and under his di- rection the parish grew and prospered wonderfully. He remained in charge even after he was made coadjutor bishop and the Sacred Heart Cathedral parish, as it has been known since the building of the new cathedral, is today among the greatest parishes in the whole state of Iowa. His high merit and worth finally received the climax of appreciation, for on October 19, 1905, upon the recom- mendation of the archbishop and bishops of the province of Dubuque, and the priests of the Davenport diocese, Vicar General Davis was raised by the Holy See to the rank of Bishop of Milopotamus and Coadjutor Bishop of Daven- port. His consecration on November 30, 1905, was the occasion of a notable gathering of prelates and clergy, and was an occasion of great rejoicing among the cathedral parishioners, the priests and the people of Davenport and the dio- cese in general; and tokens of esteem from the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the several church societies. The occasion of his re- turn from his visit to Rome in the fall of that year was marked by another warm greeting from his congregation.
ST. MARY'S.
St. Mary's church and parish trace their origin back to the year of 1867. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid July 21st of that year by Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque. The building, since remodeled, stands on the original site at the corner of Sixth and Fillmore streets. Father Pelamourgues was its first pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. Maurice Flavin, May 10, 1868, who contin- ued there until July, 1871. Father Flavin died at Los Angeles, June 10, 1872, where he had gone for the benefit of his health. Rev. Michael Flavin then took up the work at St. Mary's and remained there thirteen years. He was followed by Rt. Rev. Mgr. Ryan who came from St. Marguerite's cathedral, of this city. He is still the pastor. In his manifold duties he is aided by an assistant. In 1909, Father Ryan was invested with the title of Monsignior at a public ceremonial of great beauty and impressiveness.
ST. JOSEPH'S.
In 1855, there being a large German population in the west end of town, which was quite remote from the other Catholic churches, a German Catholic church was decided upon and Judge C. G. R. Mitchell donated grounds for the proposed church and the stone building still standing, which is now used as a
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school, was erected. It was quite a pretentious building in its day. The church was dedicated May 25, 1856; Father Flammang conducted the services in the German language. He was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. John Baumgarten. He stayed but one year and then the church was left without a pastor for six months. Rt. Rev. Mgr. Niermann became pastor April 2, 1859. On September 16, 1883. under the patronage of St. Joseph's, the new church was dedicated. In 1900 an as- sistant, Rev. Frank Kottenstette, became assistant to the aged pastor and re- mained two years. He was succeeded by Revs. Albers P. Stahl, P. Herbst, J. Snyder, and B. Kueppenbender. In 1905, Rev. N. J. Peiffer, immediately after his ordination, came to the charge and is still here.
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