USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 98
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effect. The extraordinary solemnity, grandeur, beauty and holiness of the occasion were never forgotten by the immense audience.
The German Catholics bought five lots on White street, near Fifteenth street. They were 256x100 feet, and were bought of Edward Langworthy for $2,500. Plans for a magnificent church building were prepared. It was but a short time before that the old stone church of that congregation was large enough, but now it was far outgrown in size and pretensions.
In 1863 John Deery was president of the Catholic Institute of Dubuque. About this time there were sharp attacks on the Catholic parochial schools, while the Catholics retaliated by opposing the proposed compulsory educational law. By November, 1863, Bishop Smyth's new residence. adjoining the Cathedral, was completed. In 1858, when Bishop Smyth took charge of this diocese, there were about 50 churches, 53 priests and nearly 50,000 Catholics ; by November, 1863, there were over 80 churches, 85 priests and nearly 100,000 Catholics. In December, 1863, the fair to aid the German Catholic church yielded $3.364 receipts. It was the largest event of the kind ever in Dubuque up to that time.
The death of Father Mazzuchelli at Benton, Wisconsin, on Feb- ruary 23, 1864, was appropriately observed here, where he was dearly beloved and had labored so long in early years. Bishop Smyth preached the funeral discourse. In the spring of 1864 the old residence of Bishop Smyth, near the Cathedral, was remodeled and occupied by St. Mary's Select Female School, in charge of Sister Mary Catherine.
The German Catholic church, at White and Sixteenth streets, was built in 1864 and cost $25,000. In August Bishop Smyth on one occasion administered the right of confirmation to over 100 children at Father Fendrick's church. About this time Bishop Smyth bought two fine Morgan colts of Edward Etimson for $500. He also bought for $500 the beautiful carriage that had been shown at the recent Catholic fair. He thus owned the finest "turnout" in the city.
Rev. Andrew Bennett, aged fifty-four years, pastor of St. Clem- ent's church, Bankston settlement, Dubuque County, died Decem- ber 16, 1864. He was a zealous missionary priest, much beloved by his parishioners, and had been there four years.
In 1865 the Catholic Orphan Asylum was planned. Temporarily the building on Fourteenth street, used by the Sisters of Charity, was used. Bishop Smyth, Father Donaghoe and the abbot and brothers of New Melleray gave the grounds, money, etc., for the new building on Fourteenth street. The corner stone of the Ger- man Catholic church was laid May 28, 1865, with great ceremony. A long procession passed through the streets and marched to the grounds. Rev. Father Samarius delivered the sermon.
On Bishop Smyth's lots, corner Bluff and Third streets, a brick
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structure was erected in 1865, designed to be used by Christian brothers as a training school for boys and young men.
Dubuque, August 21, 1865.
"On a recent occasion our citizens were deeply affected by the burning of my coach house, carriage, horses, etc., but it will prove a source of pleasure to them to learn that the injury then inflicted has been honorably repaired by the generosity of my many friends in Dubuque.
"During my absence in Des Moines they had the coach house, etc .. built up anew, and lest that house should remain untenanted, those same generous friends on last Saturday presented me with a beauti- ful new carriage, horses, etc., of which even European nobility might well be proud. Were this the gift of Catholics alone I should feel truly grateful, but how deep and lasting must be my gratitude for this gift, since gentlemen of every religious denomination had united and generously contributed to purchase for me this solid proof of their friendship. Dubuque may well be proud of such noble souls, such unprejudiced minds, and very justly may I feel proud of such a noble gift, well worthy of such noble bene- factors. A thousand most grateful thanks to my many kind friends. CLEMENT SMYTH, Bishop of Dubuque."
Bishop Smyth died September 23, 1865, and all Dubuque mourned. He was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1810, and finished his literary education at Trinity College, Dublin. He be- came a postulant of the Brothers of Presentation, became connected with the Abbey of Melleray, where he was leader of the choir, and founded a school connected with the Monastery. In 1848, when famine wrought havoc in all Ireland, a deputation of monks came to America, arriving in 1849. They finally located on a tract of land in Vernon Township, Dubuque County, proffered them by Bishop Loras. One of the monks thus to come here and the first prior of the order was Bishop Smyth. In 1856 he became co- adjustor of Bishop Loras and in 1858 bishop of Dubuque. His former and ordinary name was Timothy, but in the Catholic church became Clement. He was consecrated at St. Louis, May 3, 1887, by Archbishop Kenrick. Bishop Smyth was an ardent patron of the public schools and visited them regularly. Bishop Hennessey was the first in the United States to raise his voice against the public schools. He commenced on the first Sunday of Lent, 1867. He was a magnificent orator and denounced the public schools as "Godless," "breeders of infidelity" and "hot-beds of hell." The services at Bishop Smyth's obsequies were grand, solemn and won- derfully impressive. Bishop Duggan, of Chicago; Archbishop Kenrick, of St. Louis, and Bishop Henri, of Milwaukee, and
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many other church dignitaries were present. Archbishop Kenrick celebrated solemn requiem high mass, and Bishop Duggan preached the funeral sermon. While his remains lay in state in the Cathedral thousands of people who loved him for his high character and great worth looked upon his marble features for the last time with tears and murmured blessings.
In July, 1866, Rev. John Hennessy, pastor of the Catholic church at St. Joseph, Missouri, was appointed bishop of Dubuque. Rev. J. A. M. Pelamourgues supplied the congregation until the consecra- tion of Father Hennessy, September 30, 1866. The latter was a native of Ireland and had served as professor of theology at Carondelet, Missouri. The ceremony at his consecration was very impressive. Archbishop Kenrick, and Bishops Duggan, of Chicago; Henri, of Milwaukee, and O'Gorman, of Omaha, and scores of clergy were present. Rev. P. J. Ryan, of St. Louis, delivered the principal discourse. His peroration was said to be a masterpiece of eloquence. The music was specially sweet and grand.
Sister Mary Catherine ( Burns) died here in October, 1866. She was one of the four sisters to come here in 1843-4. She was greatly loved by all who knew her.
In September, 1866, the Lattnerville members of Centralia Catholic church separated from the parent congregation and estab- lished a church for themselves at Lattnerville in 1867. They were assisted by Father Meis, who was deputized by Bishop Hennessy. A church was begun and the corner stone was laid August 15, 1868, by Rev. J. B. McGowan, of Bankston. In 1869 the rock church was duly dedicated, Father Weikmann delivering the dedica- tory sermon in German. The pastors in charge of this congrega- tion have been Frauenhoffer, Stritzelberger, Oberbroekling, Heim- brucher, Heer, Nacke, Kuemper, Hemesath, Bauemler and Tier- ney. The latter made great improvements. Andrew McBreen gave five acres for the church site and the Lattner brothers two acres for a cemetery.
The dedication of St. Mary's German Catholic church occurred February 10, 1867, and the ceremony was conducted by Bishop Hennessy. At this date about $50,000 had been raised and already spent, and approximately $20,000 more would be needed, it was estimated. The new church, located at White and Sixteenth streets, was a brick structure in florid Gothic style. The bishop preached the dedication sermon.
Rev. Jesuit Fathers Smarius and Boudreaux, of Chicago, assisted by Rev. Fathers Lynch, of Cascade: Kinsella, of Garryowen; McGann, of Farley; Shields, of Cedar Rapids, and Gosher, of Independence, gave a mission in the new Catholic church at Cas- cade in November, 1867. "Nothing can surpass the holy en- thusiasm of the people in their attendance on the mission. First mass commenced at 5 o'clock in the morning, and from that hour
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till Ir o'clock at night the good fathers never ceased their labors of love, instructing, teaching, preaching and hearing confessions." The church was blessed November 15, 1867. Over 2,000 heard the services on Sunday, and over 1,000 each week day while the inis- sion continued. There was collected $1,000 for church purposes. For the lecture, "St. Patrick and His Children," there was re- ceived $475.
In February, 1868, a large festival in Snyder's hall, Cascade, netted $570 for the Catholic church there. In 1868 there was or- ganized in Dubuque the Catholic Pay and Free School Association, the object of which was to establish a system of Catholic public schools. At the Monastery in February, 1868, Bishop Hennessy confirmed 260 persons. At this time Very Rev. Father Bernard was prior of the Abbey of New Melleray. When he was made so Bishop Hennessy preached the discourse, one of the most notable and powerful ever delivered in Dubuque.
In 1871 six sisters of the Visitation, at the request of Bishop Hennessy, came to Dubuque and opened a school at Bluff and Third streets, and there remained until 1879, when they moved to General Jones' old place. In 1883 they commenced work on their academy and finished in 1891.
Rev. Father Donaghoe died here in January, 1869. His obse- quies were very elaborate and impressive. Very few Catholics in the county did not know him personally and all revered and loved him. He was the real head of the movement of the Sisters of Charity in this diocese.
In June, 1871, the Catholics of the county celebrated on a scale of great magnificence the twenty-fifth anniversary of Pope Pius IX's accession to the pontifical chair. The proceedings in the churches were of great interest. In 1871 a branch of the Academy of Visitation of St. Louis was opened by the nuns of that organiza- tion in a new building adjoining the Cathedral. These sisters were called "Nuns of the Visitation," who also established a convent of that order here. Their design was to give a general education re- gardless of other religious views. They were warmly recommended to the public by Bishop Hennessy. Sister Mary of the Visitation died in September, 1873. On Christmas day, 1873, Sister Mary Margaret died at St. Joseph's Academy. She was one of the four who came originally from Ireland to Philadelphia.
In July, 1874, Bishop Hennessy anthorized Peter Erschens and Nicholas Meyer to organize a Catholic congregation at Centralia. The former donated seven acres and more was bought of John Kisch. The building was immediately erccted and was of brick with native stone foundation. In the fall the corner stone was laid by Very Rev. R. Ryan. V. G. Rev. G. W. Heer was first pastor. The congregation was $5,000 in debt. Gradually this was paid. In 1880 Fr. Nacke became pastor, then Kuemper, who built the Sisters'
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dwelling, the parochial brick school house and paid off old and new debts. Father Rottler took charge in 1887. After him came Hernesath, Bauemler and Tierney, all of whom made important improvements, Father Hernesath frescoing the church with his own hands, beautifying the cemetery, planting trees and paying debts. Father Tierney paid the last of the church debt. The Franciscan Sisters taught the schools.
Pleasant Grove Catholic frame church, four miles south of Ep- worth, was erected in 1874. The members previously had attended the churches at Melleray, Farley, Garryowen and Cascade. Under Father Hawe's supervision the church was built. In the meantime the members met in the home of E. H. Horsefield. Late in 1874 the church was occupied. Fathers Hawe, O'Donnell, Comerford and others were pastors.
The Catholic church in Liberty Township was commenced in April, 1874, but when partly up a storm leveled it to the ground, but another was immediately commenced and soon completed. Rev. Conrad Schulte was first pastor. Later Rev. Father Hannasch took charge and under him a new and better church building was erected. Under Father Oberbroeckling a school was attached. A parsonage was built in 1899 and a residence for the Sisters of the school in 1904.
A fair held at Key West in 1875 netted about $800. This sum assisted greatly in paying the church debt. Caggie Moore was largely instrumental in making the fair a success. In October, 1875, several large granite blocks brought from Ireland by Rev. Father Burke were received here to be placed in the foundation walls of St. Patrick's church. In 1875 the Catholics who had worshiped at New Melleray divided and a portion joined the church movement at Centralia.
St. Paul's congregation at Worthington was organized in the early sixties and a small brick church was erected. The congrega- tion was at first small and was attended by Rev. Fr. Kortencamp from Dyersville. In 1875 the first resident pastor arrived, Rev. J. S. Bauman. His presence greatly stimulated the growth and an ad- dition to the church was built and pastor's house erected. He was succeeded in 1880 by Rev. G. W. Heer, who built the next fine church in 1883. Schools were started by Rev. Bauman with the Sisters of St. Francis in charge, and in 1880 a fine school building was erected. Rev. J. B. Zigrang succeeded Rev. Heer in 1889 and under him great improvements were made.
St. Raphael's tower and spire were completed in November, 1876. The corner stone of St. Patrick's church, Dubuque, was laid in April. 1877. The stones came from Dalkey, Dublin County, Ireland, one of them weighing 2,000 pounds. Bishop Hennessy officiated at the ceremonies. The church was duly dedicated in August, 1878, Bishop Hennessy preaching the sermon. All the
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Catholic churches of the county held appropriate services in memory of Pope Pius IX in February, 1878. The ascension of Leo XIII to the pontifical chair in February, 1878, was celebrated throughout the county.
St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital began operations in 1879. It was in charge of the Sisters of Mercy and had capacity for 200 patients. It filled at once a long felt want in this community.
St. Mary's Orphan Home was established in 1879, as was also St. Francis' Convent the same year. St. Francis' Industrial Home for Young Ladies is a branch of St. Francis' Convent.
In 1845 the St. Joseph Catholic church at Farley was established by Rev. C. McCurren, who was pastor of the flock for twenty years. Other pastors since then have been Fathers Brady, Cooney, Phelan and Slattery, the present priest in charge, who has been here for twenty-six years. The first church was a frame building which was used until 1862, when the present stone edifice was erected. The pastor's residence was built in 1893. This is the parent of the Bankston and Pleasant Grove parishes. At first the membership numbered about 125 families, but the formation of other parishes
from this one cut down the congregation. There are now about 400 communicants of St. Joseph's parish. In the Sisters' School adjoining are about fifty children under Mother Margaret, Superior.
During the spiritual retreat at St. Joseph's College in August, 1880, there were present a greater number of priests at one time than were ever here before. Among them were Archbishop Heiss, of Milwaukee; Bishop Hennessy, and P. J. McGrath, president of St. Joseph's College.
Upon the return of Bishop Hennessy from Europe in May, 1881, he was tendered a fine reception and presented with a beautiful team and carriage by Fathers Ryan, McGrath, Powers, Leahy, Roche, Brennan and others.
The remodeling of the Cathedral in 1886 was succeeded by its dedication in November. By this time the diocese had grown enormously and had established branches and missions all over the West. The See of Davenport had been severed from that of Dubuque, but the development continued. The congregation here had outgrown the Cathedral and the addition and remodeling was necessary. The paintings and frescoings of the interior were gennine works of art done by a Roman artist. The marble altar was a feature. Rev. Father Burke greatly assisted in the improve- ments made. By this time the parochial schools in all parts of the diocese had reached enormous proportions in the aggregate. Each of the parish churches-Cathedral, St. Patrick's, St. Mary's and Sacred Heart-had appended a large school. In addition there were St. Joseph's College, Mt. St. Joseph's Academy for lady boarders, Mt. St. Joseph's Academy for day scholars, Academy of the Visitation, St. Vincent Presentation Convent, St. Mary's Academy,
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St. Francis' Convent School and St. Malichi's School-in all twelve large educational institutions.
The ceremonies of rededication in 1886 were attended by a large assemblage of Catholics and others. Many church dignitaries were present and the music was grand and inspiring. Bishop Hennessy preached a discourse of unusual eloquence and power. In his ser- mon he recited a number of historic facts connected with the parish and the diocese. When he assumed charge of the diocese in 1866 there were about 50 priests and 45 church buildings and a number of missions. By 1888 there were about 175 churches and 200 clergymen. Then the diocese embraced the whole State of Iowa. Now it embraced less than half in the northern part.
The new Sacred Heart church, on Eagle Point avenue, was dedi- cated in July, 1888. The other was built seven years before, but now so great had been the growth of that part of the city a much larger structure was imperatively demanded. The new church seated 1,400, cost nearly $50,000 and was dedicated with imposing ceremony by Bishop Hennessy.
On March 27. 1888, Rev. Father Alberie, prior procurator and treasurer of the New Melleray community of Trappist monks, died at Mercy Hospital, Dubuque. He had become temporal head of the order in 1880 upon the death of Brother Murphy. His remains were buried at the Monastery.
The new Cathedral windows arrived from abroad early in 1889 and were detained at the custom house until Congressman Hender- son explained their uses and secured their relinquishment.
The corner stone of the new Catholic church at the Monastery was laid April 7, 1889, by Bishop Hennessy. The ceremonies were witnessed by 2,500 people, who were dined in the old church. The building was 42x100 feet.
In 1889 the Sisters of Charity bought the Stout property, in the southern part of the city, and planned to erect thereon St. Joseph's Convent. Here was to be the mother house of the order, with ac- commodations for from 1,000 to 1,500 sisters. The location was at the bend on West Locust street. There were IIO acres, which cost $15.000. The place had been called "Summer Hill." Here in 1890- 91 the large. fine brick convent was built.
In 1891 St. Francis' congregation at Balltown was organized by Rev. Joseph Kuemper. The church was erected in 1892 and was used as a school and later was remodeled. Pastors from Sherrills attend this congregation. Revs. A. J. Rubly and J. H. Schilmoeller have served as pastors.
On September 30, 1891, Bishop Hennessy's silver jubilee was celebrated by all of Dubuque and vicinity. It was the twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration. At this time there were in the Dubuque diocese 203 priests. 319 churches, 107 schools, 615 sisters and 12,257 pupils. The diocese was divided in 1881.
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Bishop Hennessy distinguished himself for his zeal in the cause of Catholic education. He was probably the foremost advocate of parochial schools in the country. During his long period of services from 1866 to 1900 here the following advances were made, largely through his effort and influence : Visitation Nuns, Sisters of Mercy, Presentation Nuns, who arrived in 1875: Sisters of St. Francis, from Germany: Franciscan Sisters, from Kentucky; Sisters of Notre Dame, Sisters of the Holy Ghost, Sisters of Humility of Mary, St. Joseph's College, Visitation Academy and Monastery, on Alta Vista: Mercy Hospital. St. Francis' Orphanage, Mt. St. Joseph's Academy, Presentation Convent, and mother house of the Sisters of Charity on Summer Hill.
In December. 1891, the residence of J. P. Farley, at Bluff and Sixth streets, was bought by the Sisters of St. Francis for $15,000. They had come here about 1880, had prospered and so expanded their good works that it was necessary now to secure much larger quarters. The building was at once transformed into school rooms and the new institution became known as St. Francis' Industrial School and Home for Young Ladies.
A notable event. was the convention here of the German Roman Catholic Central Society of North America in September, 1892, at St. Mary's School hall. About 250 Catholic benevolent organiza- tions were represented. A plan of life insurance under the Woman's and Orphans' Fund was provided. In the procession were 1,884 men. The delegates sent here represented an immense constituency.
St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital was opened early in the nineties. It cost about $25,000. St. Francis' Orphan Asylum was located near Linwood Cemetery.
In December, 1892, the Archdiocese of Dubuque was created by the authorities at St. Louis and embraced Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming. This necessitated the selection of an archbishop. The new Archdiocese of Dubuque embraced the sees of Dubuque, Daven- port, Omaha, Lincoln and Cheyenne. Bishop Hennessy was elected the first archbishop of this diocese. The pallium, the insignium of the archiepiscopal dignity, arrived from Rome in July, 1893, in the possession of Father Darcy, of Clare, Iowa, who deliv- ered it to Father Burke, of Dubuque. A pallium is made in Rome of lambs' wool by the Sisters of St. Agnes, and is a white woolen band about two inches wide worn around the shoulders and crossed in front. Thus Bishop Hennessy became the first Metropolitan of the Province of Dubuque.
The investiture of Archbishop John Hennessy with the pallium September 17, 1893, was a ceremony of great dignity and magnifi- cence. It was in many respects the most notable Catholic event that ever occurred in the United States. The array of prelates and priests. the beauty and solemn grandeur of the music and the pomp and holiness of the ceremony were impressive and soul-stirring in
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the extreme. The sermon of Archbishop Ryan was full of pathos, eloquence and religious power. The banquet at St. Joseph's College was an ever-memorable affair. Present were Mgr. Satolli, the apostolic delegate; Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishops Ryan, Ireland, Elder, Kain, Chapelle, Corrigan, Katzer, Riordan and Redwood, and Bishops Fitzgerald, Scannell, Ryan, Marti, Cosgrove, Scanlon, Chatard, Zeininger. Nugent, O'Farrell, McGovern, Burke, Cotter, O'Donnell, Ludden, Hortsman, Schwebach, Gallagher, Hennessy, Moore and Bonacum. The address, toasts and responses at this ban- quet were beautiful and eloquent beyond the powers of description.
"Your presence here has made this day a joy and happiness. You have invested it with a prestige and eclat long to be remembered by the priests and people of Dubuque. We have been honored beyond measure. We keenly feel it and can only thank you from the bot- tom of our hearts. It is a great day for our city and diocese. As far as my judgment and knowledge lead me, the sentiments of Catholics at this hour are shared by the non-Catholics of Dubuque. They recognized when this city was raised to the dignity of a Metropolitan See that it was an event of very great importance. They rejoiced that it was so and felt proud and honored. I believe the day of prejudice against Catholics is waning fast. There is hardly a trace of it to be found among the best classes of non- Catholics, and by the best I mean the most intelligent. They meet with Catholics on the common ground governing all intelligent people, recognizing the enterprise, the character and the worth of the man as a man. In the name of the Catholics and non-Catholics of our beautiful city, I bid your excellency (the apostolic delegate), your eminence (Cardinal Gibbons) and you most reverend fathers ten thousand welcomes to Dubuque."-Archbishop Hennessy's ad- dress at the banquet.
Remarks were made by Cardinal Gibbons, Monsignor Satolli, Archbishop Feehan, Archbishop Ireland, Archbishop Corrigan, Monsignor Nugent, of England, and Archbishop Redmond, of New Zealand. Monsignor Satolli spoke in Latin. He said: "It affords mne great pleasure to be with the archbishop and priests of the Arch- diocese of Dubuque today, honored as they are by the presence of so many distinguished churchmen, not only from various parts of the United States but also from Europe and Australia. The magnificent demonstration of last night, which was participated in by non-Catholics as well as Catholics, showed that the church of Dubuque has a firm hold on the affections of the people and old- time prejudice was here a thing of the past."
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