USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 58
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The Zion Evangelical church came into being February, 1880, through the work of Rev. Ilion. The Rev. J. E. Stauffacher was the first regular pastor. They have had nine pastors and have now 175 members. Their church was built in 1905 and is valued at $23,000.00.
The German Lutheran church was organized August 24, 1884, with twenty charter members. Revs. Studt from Luzerne and Aron from Atkins, Iowa, preached for nearly one year on alternate Sundays when the Rev. J. Denckmann, its present pastor, became the first regular pastor. They have a membership of 350 and a church property valued at $10,000.00.
The Swedish Lutheran church was organized November 8, 1885, and its first pastor was the Rev. C. E. Cesander. They have had six pastors and have now fifty-four communicants. The present church was built in 1891 and they have property valued at $10,000.00.
St. Patrick's church was organized April 18, 1886, with twety-eight members. The Rev. T. F. Richardson was the first pastor. This church has had but three pastors. Its present church was erected in 1892 and the value of their property is $50,000.00. They report at present 1,000 members.
In the decade 1886-1896 the first church organization was that of Trinity Methodist Episcopal in 1887, with the Rev. Frank P. Shaffer as first pastor. The present church was built in 1890, and the value of all property held by this so- ciety is estimated at $20,000.00. They have 450 members and have been served by seven pastors.
Sinclair Memorial Presbyterian church was a growth out of a Sunday school fostered by Mr. T. M. Sinclair. Its organization was effected October 14, 1887, and its first pastor was the Rev. Alfred K. Bates. They have had four pastors and now enroll 215 members. Their present church was built in 1902, the gift of Mrs. T. M. Sinclair, and is valued at $30,000.00.
The Bohemian Presbyterian church was organized in 1889. Its first and only pastor was and is the Rev. V. Hlavaty. They have now 257 members. Their church was built in 1889 and is valned at $5,000.00.
The Calvary Baptist church was organized on September 5, 1890, and its first pastor was the Rev. E. F. Perry. It has been served by four pastors, and has a membership now of 165. The present church was erected in 1891 and is valued at $5,000.00.
The John Hus Methodist Episcopal church was organized May 15, 1892, and its first pastor was the Rev. John Tauchen. The church has had three pastors and
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
has now seventy members. They have property valued at $7,000.00 and their present church was built in 1897.
The Bethany Congregation church came into being in 1893 and its first pastor was the Rev. E. M. Vittum. They now enroll 106 members and have had six pastors. Their present church is valued at $3,000.00.
The Central Park Presbyterian church was organized May 4, 1893. Its first pastor was the Rev. R. A. Van der Las. They have now 205 members and have had three ministers. Their present church was built in 1904 and is valued at $20,000.00.
The Danish Lutheran church was organized in 1893. They have forty-eight members, have had six pastors and have property valued at $4,000.00.
The Danish Baptist church was organized April 1, 1895, and its first pastor was the Rev. A. Charlsen. They have had six pastors and have now 17 members. Their church was built in 1899 and is valued at $700.00.
The first church organized in the last decade was the Second Christian church which grew out of a Bible school organized in 1901 and has a membership of 125 and has been served by three pastors. They have property valued at $5,000.00.
The Olivet Presbyterian church came into existence on May 15, 1904. Its first and only pastor is the Rev. C. F. Ensign. They have today 160 members, a church property erected in 1904, and valued at $8,000.00.
The Dunker church has been in existence for several years, but was not formerly organized until 1905 under the present pastor, Dr. S. B. Miller. They have been served by five pastors, have a church property valued at $4,000.00 and have thirty members.
The Reformed church came into formal existence March 29, 1906. The pas- tor is the Rev. Frank S. Bromer. Services were held for about a year before this organization by the Rev. Rohrbach. They have now twenty-nine members and are building a new church. The present value of their property is estimated to be $2.900.00. At the completion of this new church their property will be worth $6,300.00.
Fifty years ago this town had about 1,500 people. Of these 386 were mem- bers of the six churches, one in four. Today, with a population of 30,000, the thirty-three churches report 10,286 members. With five and one-half times as many churches and five times as many ministers we have twenty-seven times as many members.
The city has twenty times its former population, and the churches have twenty-seven times their former membership.
The total value of the church property today, exclusive of schools and outside property, is above $750,000.
All of this goes to show that the churches are very much alive and are among the most progressive institutions in the city.
Two hundred and forty ministers have served these churches since the be- ginning of their history.
RECAPITULATION
Members
Members
The Catholics report today.
3,700
Congregationalists 466
Presbyterians
1,814
United Brethren
260
Methodists
1,315
United Presbyterian 225
Lutherans
820
Universalist
100
Baptists
547
Dunkers
30
Episcopalians
505
Reformed
29
Christians
475
Total 10,286
FATHER LOWRY
CHAPTER XXXVIII Catholicism in Linn County
BY REV. P. J. FLYNN
All honor to those pioneer clerics and laity for the work they accomplished under trying and difficult circumstances. In the pioneer days no musical sound of silvery bell, from lofty steeple or tall minaret called them on the Sabbath morn, no swelling peal of organ or trained choir entertained or invited the wor- shipers in those early days, there were no Godly ministers to bury the old and instruct the young, no books, or papers to read and to gather wisdom from their pages, to strengthen the weak and enlighten the dull. No need to be seandalized if in some instances, we find men grow weak under such trying circumstances. No wonder that pioneer conditions among miners and others, were such as to indicate little fear of God or little regard for men. Little do we know, in this age of ease and facility, of the difficulties and dangers, offered in those days to priest and people.
The effort of the writer of the following pages will be to chronicle facts, well established and authentic, relative to the church in Linn county, rather than to draw on imagination or to give color to his assertions from a rhetorical view- point. It is the scope of history to chronicle events relating to the past, for present and future use. There is no assertion made in these pages that has not been investigated and truthfully established, in most cases by those who were eve and ear witnesses to the events referred to.
In order to understand how difficult it is to obtain correct information about the early days in a new country it is both educational and interesting to engage in such research. One would not imagine that information concerning things and conditions of less than fifty years ago would be so difficult to obtain. Yet the fact remains, and this fact is in itself a strong argument in favor of works like the present.
It is hardly credible that the early settlers could accomplish what they did under circumstances as they were in those days. What strength of character and determination of purpose these early settlers showed in the face of difficulty and danger is truly admirable. What noble ideals they had, and how earnestly and well they strove for their attainment. The present prosperity is dne in no small degree to their untiring efforts in laying the foundation of present ad- vantages. Posterity may well hold their names in benediction, and the heart may with pride and reverence swell with admiration for the hardy pioneer whose heritage is now enjoyed. The present moral standards of the people, the numer- ons schools and churches and the general intelligence have been builded on the foundations laid by our ancestors and are monuments and tributes to their char- acter, influence and enthusiasm. When Linn county was but a mission district from Iowa City, meetings were held whenever and wherever the priest found it convenient for the best results or for the convenience of the greatest number of sonls. Sometimes service was held in a log cabin, sometimes in a district school house. When the missionary contemplated a visit his intention was announced through the district; the date and place of meeting were made known and thither the scattered settlers gathered on foot or on horseback or in wagons. They were happy in their inconvenience at being allowed even in such circumstances to make their peace with God and receive the consolations of religion.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Such were the conditions in Linn county half a century since. How little we realize the advantages we enjoy in this day.
Few and far between, however, were the visits of the shepherd to the seatterd hamlets of the early settlers. Missionary men went about, preaching and teach- ing and their lives were an example to all with whom they came in contact. Of such men and their life work, we have now to treat.
The first reeord we have of the interests of Linn county in things Catholic was in 1853, when Father Emmons of lowa City with apostohe spirit and Christ- like zeal journeyed through the trackless wastes to cater to the needs of the children of the faith.
In those days, fifty-seven years ago, it is needless to say Cedar Rapids was not known as the Parlor City. Its pretensions were very modest. It consisted of only a few small residences with a few stores to supply the needs of the people.
THE CHURCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS
The chief business industries in those days were the lumber mills of Mr. J. J. Snouffer, Sr. The wild and trackless wastes were being gradually cleared, and the logs were being fitted for the formation of rough log cabins to shelter man and beast. Rough fords or bridges were thrown across the irregular and mean- dering streams which flowed in undisturbed tranquillity on their way towards the Father of Waters. It was nothing unusual frequently to find that the tempor- ary bridges were carried away over night and the log dweller found himself in the morning isolated and compelled patiently to wait the subsiding of the waters to furnish himself with the necessaries of life.
In these days the missionary priest passed along giving his blessing to the work as he went, and in log cabins or improvised chapels fed the bread of life to the hungering sheep of the fold.
The first record there is, and that in the memory of those who were present, of mass being offered in Cedar Rapids was in 1853, when Father Emmons of lowa City, celebrated the holy sacrifice for the first time in the old Dubuque Honse in B avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. It is a regretable faet that the location has since been turned to uses less holy. During his visits afterwards from his home town to Cedar Rapids he always stayed, and officiated at the Snonffer home on Second street, which in those days occupied the site on which now stands the Denecke store.
In those days the Catholic settlers came for miles around to Cedar Rapids, and assisted at divine service whenever the goodly priest found it possible to come among them. In wagons drawn by oxen they wended their way from the western part of the county, from Fairfax, and along to the Benton county border line, and even beyond. Often their journey meant days of delay owing to im- passable ways and washed ont bridges. All honor to those pioneer Catholies who so prized their religion and their faith. No wonder that seed sown under such trying circumstances brought forth fruit which abides. Among the early settlers who gave such proof of their worth and dared difficulties for their re- ligious opinions we find the names of Murray, Keenan, Cook, Hayden, Lilly, Kehoe, Meehan, Flaherty. Cahill, Langan, Christopher, Villeen, Harrington, Hager, and others.
Another pioneer of those days was Father Smith who occasionally visited the itinerary of Father Emmons when the latter was unable to do so. Fr. Harmon, also of Iowa City, came a few times into this territory and assisted in sowing the seed and nurturing it in its tender years.
After Fr. Harmon's departure the duty again rested upon the shoulders of Father Emmons until Father Gillespie was sent by Bishop Smith to form a new parish in Cedar Rapids, along in the early sixties.
403
CATHOLICISM IN LINN COUNTY
The first effort that was made to establish a church in Cedar Rapids was when a piece of property was secured on Sixth avenue and Sixth street, near the present residence of Dr. Skinner. Those who were leaders in this laudable undertaking were J. J. Snouffer, Sr., Alexander Hager, and Francis Lilly. Objection was made to the selection of the site on Sixth avenue and Sixth street from more sources than one, and attention was next directed towards the present site on Third avenue and Seventh street. Through the efforts of the above mentioned men three lots were seeured, and operations were begun and a little church con- structed large enough for the needs of the time. The lumber was obtained at Snouffer's mill, the workmanship was contracted for by Alex. Hager, who was a carpenter, and the means were supplied by Mr. Lilly, Mr. Thos. Murray, An- drew Stark, John Mechan, Flaherty, and others. After Father Gillespie came Father Enlinbrook, who retained the charge only a short time. After his de- parture Fr. Shields eame occasionally in missionary work.
In 1865 Fr. Cannon assumed charge and remained about two years.
In the fall of 1867 Father P. V. McLoughlin came and remained about six months.
One would naturally expect that by this time the congregation should have grown considerably, but the faet is that on the first Sunday of October, 1866, rosary Sunday, the congregation consisted of between 20 and 30 souls and they were from the surrounding country as much as from Cedar Rapids.
In 1870 Fr. Lowry (who was a convert to Catholicity) took charge of Cedar Rapids and from that date we have a continued resident priest and a regular history. Soon after his arrival he set to work to build a church more in keeping with the needs of the place, since at this time many settlers had come from Illinois and things began to look more encouraging for our religion.
Though his resources were limited, yet he had confidence that while the purses of the people were light, their hearts and their hands were generous. Nothing daunted, he put his hand to the plow and the result was the front part of the present Immaculate Conception church. The foundation in rock work was the gift of Mrs. J. J. Snouffer, Sr., who was ever willing and generous to aid both the priest and the people, though she was not of the household of the faith. I venture to predict that her generosity and true christian charity is on record in the "Liber Scriptus" and that it will not go unrewarded by the Just Judge.
To aid in the completion of this great work Fr. Lowry engaged both men and women, old and young. Among those who contributed materially in money and cooperation in every way we find the names of Mrs. J. J. Snouffer, Sr., Mrs. F. Lilly, Mrs. James Cook, the O'Hara family, Hayden, Hager, Kehoe, Harrington, O'Keefe, Foley. Cook, Mullally, Keenan, Murray, Meehan, Langan, Cahill, Fla- herty, MeVann, Brecht, Peter Flynn, Killen, Thos. Murray. By the generous and combined efforts of these and many others the desired end was attained and God's house was a reality in Cedar Rapids.
Ilaving secured the church the next ambition of the good and zealous Father Lowry was to secure a parish school, wherein the foundation would be laid and the seeds sown in future church members and pillars. The first and only parish school up to this time was a modest and unpretentious institution in which a young lady named Caroline Hager taught the children of the parish, who numbered about fifteen.
In 1874 under the direction of Father Lowry the following men were chief among those who built the school: James McNamara, John O'Hara, Charles O'Hara, Peter Flynn, Mr. Springer, Alexander Brecht, John and Charles Mur- ray, the Cannons, Mullally, O'Briens, MeVann, McDonalds.
The first Catholic cemetery was the present Bohemian Catholic cemetery purchased by John O'Hara, Peter Flynn, John Foley, John O'Keefe, and James Barrett. The first Catholie buried in this cemetery was Mr. Flaherty, father of
404
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Pat. Flaherty of the west side. The second funeral held there was that of Mrs. Martin Sheehan, about the year 1865.
In 1878 or thereabouts Fr. Lowry seeured through Mr. Mullally the ground for the present cemetery at Kenwood for a consideration of about $100.00. Then the old cemetery became the exclusive property of the Bohemian Catholies of Cedar Rapids. This transfer was effected through Father Franeis Chemlar for a consideration of $900.00. Of this amount $300.00 were contributed by E. R. and W. II. O'Hara. In 1880 Fr. Lowry was transferred to Burlington and was succeeded by Father T. F. Gunn, of blessed memory. At this time many settlers had located around Cedar Rapids and it began to be an important town. Soon the church had to be enlarged. In order to do so, the old parochial residence which was to the rear of the church edifiee had to be removed and a new residence constructed. When this was accomplished, an addition was built to the church, giving it its present shape and dimensions. In the construction of this addition and all the incidental work that such changes entail as well as in the erection of a parochial house Father Gunn found plenty to do during his declining years in Cedar Rapids. He was not a man given to material building, as much as to the upbuilding of spiritual conditions in the hearts of his people. Hle was active and energetic even to his dying day. He was in sympathy with his charge and lived in the heart of his congregation, not above them. Ile was a thorough ehristian gentleman, and a man of honor. He believed in "being" and not "appearing," in doing and not in saying. He was the servant of his people, not their lord. Ile was a faithful follower of Him who forgot Himself in His eare for others. No man ever held a warmer place in the hearts of the people of Cedar Rapids than Father Gunn. Even today his name is in benediction and his praises sung by non-Catholic and Catholie alike.
The Rev. Thos. F. Gunn was born at Strokestown, Roscommon county, Ireland, December 3, 1840. He studied the elassies in Ireland and philosophy and theol- ogy at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained priest at Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1867. Ilis first appointment was to Cedar Falls, lowa. At the time there was only one priest west of him, at Fort Dodge. While stationed at Cedar Falls Father Gunn had under his charge thirteen stations in Blackhawk, Grundy, Butler, and Bremer counties. During these times a seventy-mile drive in a springless wagon was a common experience.
In 1870 Father Gunn was transferred to Sioux City. His charge was St. Mary's parish which then consisted of a modest frame structure on West Seventh street, across Perry creek. At that time the priest's house consisted of a one room structure. Father Gunn after a short time in Sioux City was transferred to Dubuque Cathedral, where he remained three and one-half years and went thenee to Burlington, where he remained till 1880, when he came to Cedar Rap- ids to succeed Father Lowry.
At his advent to Cedar Rapids the condition was much different from what it today presents. It was but an outpost of the onward march of civilization and no one dreamt that the coming years would bring about so great a transform- ation as is today in evidence. Father Gunn was twenty-six years in Cedar Rap- ids at the time of his death. Shortly before his death he delivered his last publie address at the opening of the semi-centennial celebration held on June 10, 1906, in which he forcibly manifested his liberal views and referred to the transforma- tion which had taken place within his memory in the city.
Father Gunn died on June 24, 1906, and his funeral was one of the largest and most representative ever held in Cedar Rapids. His eulogy was delivered by Dr. J. J. Fitzpatrick, of Marshalltown, and the speaker paid a becoming and merited tribute to the beloved and popular elergyman. Ilis remains lie buried in Kenwood cemetery and the citizens of Cedar Rapids have erected a suitable monument to perpetuate his memory and hold his name in benediction.
.......
BOHEMIAN ST. WENCESLAUS CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS
ST. WENCESLAUS SCHOOL, CEDAR RAPIDS
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CATHOLICISM IN LINN COUNTY
After the death of Father Gunn, Father Toomey became pastor of Immacu- late Conception church, which position he still occupies. Great hopes are held out by the people of Cedar Rapids congregation for the welfare of the church interests. A new and commodious church is talked of and the hope entertained it will some day materialize. Ilowever as it is not becoming to praise the soldier while he is in the firing line, and as "Praise after death" has been my motto I must leave to the pen of the future historian to chronicle the deeds and sing the praises of the present pastor of Immaculate Conception church.
ST. WENCESLAUS PARISH
St. Wenceslaus Bohemian Catholic parish of Cedar Rapids was established in 1874. Those through whose prayer and cooperation this new and independent field of activity was called into existence were chiefly the following: Thomas Brouzek, Vaclav Charipar, Natej Charipar, Thos. Chadima, J. Hajek, Fr. Horek, Joseph Kofron, Jos. Pivonka, Vit Kuba, Fr. Kofron, Hynek Krejic, V. Lessinger, Jos. Pivouka, V. Hrebec, H. Sindelar, Jan Stolba, V. Stolba, Jos. Sefranek, Jan Tomanek, Votja Zaruba, Ignace Sindelar, Mathew Kofron, Frank Biskop, JJan Vanous, Marie Tuba, and some others from the surrounding country districts.
A lot was purchased, and in August, 1874, the foundation of the first Bohemian Catholic church in Cedar Rapids was begun. It was an eventful day for the Bohemian element in the city. In 1875 money was borrowed and collections made by parishioners, and all resources were drawn on to obtain the necessary means of perfecting the work already begun. In 1878 the balance of the debt was paid by the united effort of a poor but earnest people. In faet the donors, considering their circumstances, were generous.
In those days of difficulty and want the parish was in charge of Father Chemlar, who with all the zeal and earnestness of an apostle attended to the varied duties and needs of the scattered and needy congregation. From his li mited salary of $200.00 he gave to the more needy and often donated his time and talent without any consideration whatever. God be with those days of disinterested and apostolie labors.
The old St. Wenceslaus church was a rock building 75x27 feet. It was without a tower. The bell was erected on an improvised structure in front of the church and its silvery tones seemed to more effectively accomplish its mission and reach the hearts of the people, than our costly and superior ones of today as they ring out from their costly towers or tall minarets.
To house the good father of the flock, a modest parochial residence was built by the people and in the basement of the unpretentious home, parish meetings were held and school was taught for years. It was in the days of the good Father Chemlar also that the first Catholic cemetery was secured by the people of St. Wenceslaus parish.
In 1889 Father Francis Chemlar was promoted to the charge at Norway, and he was succeeded at St. Wenceslaus by Father John Broz. Fr. Broz remained about two years in Cedar Rapids and during his short stay was by no means in- active. He added to the seating capacity of the church building and also built a tower in the church.
The next pastor was Father Kopecky. To his zealous and persistent labor is due the parish school which still remains, in which the youth of the parish receive the rudiments of knowledge in things secular and religions from the good Sisters of Mercy.
At this time the pastor's income was only $650.00, yet from this comparatively modest sun the good father found a modest means of doing material good for others and himself. Ile was a great school man and often spent hours in the
406
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
school room, keeping at the class work. He was popular with the people and accomplished much good.
Following Father Kopecky came Fr. Vrba who remained only a short time and was transferred to Protovin.
In 1900 the present incumbent, Rev. Florian Svrdhik, was installed pastor of St. Wenceslaus. Soon after his advent a new church was spoken of and being a man of action as much as of word, he began to feel the pulse of the parish on the matter. Seeing the interest and earnest manner in which the new pastor took hold the people flocked to his aid and in a short time the work assumed practical shape. Fr. Svrdlik is not a man who builds a church on paper years before he has his brick and mortar on the ground. He builds first and then talks of a reality and not of a dream. With the unanimous aid of the people, he organized a fair, and from this realized about $4,000.00.
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