USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 1 > Part 70
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There are now over 265 families in the parislı, and 250 chlidren attending the parochial school,
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART, SPRINGFIELD
SS. PETER AND PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH AND PAROCHIAL SCHOOL, SPRINGFIELD
SACRED HEART ACADEMY, SPRINGFIELD
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
which is conducted by the Dominican Sisters from the Sacred Heart Couvent on West Moll- roe Street. There is no more thrifty or flourish- ing congregation in the city that that of St. Agnes.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH located on Cedar and Laurel Streets, was built in 1906. The cost, in- cluding furniture and glass windows, was $10,- 037.11. The pews, in addition to tbis cost about $900, and the beautiful altar donated by Miss Louisa Moran cost $1,000. This church was built to accommodate the Catholics living in that neighborhood, who were too far away from the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Therc were then about oue hundred families. The church when built, was considered too far soutb, and too far east, but the city has grown so rapidly in that direction that now the church is too far north for the majority of the congre- gation aud not far enough east.
Tbis church was under the supervision of Father Hickey until the present pastor, Rev. Thomas Fumessy was placed in charge. Fatber Fumessy has built a very fine parochial residence and beautified the lots around it. He has also just started a parochial school, located at Eigh- teenth and South Grand Avenue, which will accommodate about two hundred pupils. He expects to open it next September with 80 chll- dren. This school will be conducted by tbe Do- minican Sisters. St. Patrick's church is very substantially built, and is so arranged that with little expense sixty or seventy feet can be added to it. If this should happen, it will be larger than the Church of the Immaculate Conception, and larger than any other Catholic church in the city.
ST. VINCENT'S CHURCH was built for the ac- commodation of the Lithuanians. It was fin- lished on March 4, 1908. The building aloue cost $13,000, aud is very handsomely furnished.
Ten or twelve years ago, Lithuanians began coming to Springfield. They are mostly miners, and are good Catholics. After many difficulties, lasting seven or eight years, the present ground was finally bought and the church was built. There was a great deal of misunderstanding be- tween the former pastor and the people, and this somewhat retarded the progress of the parish. The present pastor. Father Macheitis, who was appointed about eighteen months ago, and the congregation, are pulling well together, and peace and harmony prevail. The Lithuanians are ill-
creasing very rapidly. Last Easter 1,200 cele- brated their Easter Communion iu St. Vincent's, and its future prospects are very bright indeed.
NEW BERLIN CHURCH .- Second only to St. Ber- nard's at Sugar Creek, of the parishes in Sanga- mon County outside the city of Springfield, stauds New Berlin.
Some years before the Civil War Catholic farmers began settling ou the rich prairie near that thriving village. These Catholic settlers were of both Geriuan aud Irish nationalities, and to this day the congregation is made up of both of these races in uearly equal proportions.
As early as 1858 mass was celebrated in a private house in the village, and tbe parislı record shows the first recorded baptism to bave taken place on January 14, 1859. The Rev. Father J. Janssen, then pastor of the newly formed German congregation in Springfield, now Bisbop of Belleville, was the first priest to offi- ciate at New Berlin, and might be termed the founder of the congregation.
Mass continued to be celebrated in a private house till 1860, when a small frame church was built, and was attended from Saints Peter aud Paul's of Springfield by Father Jansseu as long as he remained pastor there, and after that by Rev. Father Busch, who succeeded him at Saints Peter and Paul's in the Spring of 1863.
On February 1, 1866, Rev. Gustav Wittinger was appointed the first resident pastor. He was succeeded about July, 1867, by Fatber F. Schrie- ber, who continued in charge of the parish till February -1, 1873. During Father Schrieber's pastorate the erection of the present brick church was begun, the corner stone being laid on May 14, 1871.
On February 1, 1873, Very Rev. Dean Mohr succeeded Father Schrieber, and continued in charge till his death on April 16, 1908. Father Weigand, tbe present pastor, was appointed by Bisbop Ryan on July 1, 1908. Rev. Father Schneider attended the parisb during the interim between the death of Fatber Mohr and the ap- pointment of Father Weigand.
The New Berlin congregation is comprised mostly of farmers, but includes quite a few busi- ness men. Almost all of the parishioners are well to do, and it is, perhaps, one of the richest Catholic congregations in the county.
Besides New Berlin village and townsbip, the parish includes Island Grove, Loami, Maxwell and parts of Cartwright and Curran Townships.
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
embracing a large area of the richest and best agricultural land in the world. Franklin and Alexander in Morgan County, which formerly belonged to New Berlin, are now organized Into thriving independent congregations. There are about 135 families in the parish. For the past fifteen years they have maintained an efficient parochial school, its present enrollment being about 80.
ILLIOPOLIS CHURCH .- Few Catholics settled in or near Illiopolis until after the Civil War, but many Catholle families came then. Mass was first celebrated in the village in the spring of 1866, at the home of Dr. Bernard Stuvé, by Father Voght. Later the home of Patrick Murphy was used, and In the autumn of 1866 the first church building was completed, a small frame structure but sufficient for the needs of the congregation. Father Voght attended to the wants of the congregation most of the time for several years, coming from Macon station, and occasionally priests from Springfield and De- catur came.
In 1877, while the parish was in charge of the Rev. Father Manasses Kane, an addition to the church was built. As the original building was low and squatty, the addition was made to cor- respond with it, the improved building was far from artistic.
In December, 1877, Father Charles Manuel was assigned to Illiopolis, and remained there for 24 years until his death in 1901. His remains lle in the Catholic cemetery about a mile south of the village.
During his incumbency Father Manuel organ- ized congregations and built churches at Buffalo, Riverton and Niantic. He bullt a very commo- dious two-story frame parsonage adjoining the church, and secured some additional lots to the west, with a view to the erection of a new church building thereon when the congregation felt able to hear the expense. In 1895 the work was undertaken and a fine brick building, with a towering belfry and steeple was begun and completed. The old church building has since heen removed and a fine new residence has been erected on the corner where It stood.
Father Pachelhofer succeeded Father Manuel and remained nearly two years. In October, 1902, present pastor, Rev. J. C. Daw, took charge and has since administered the parish. In 1892 the parish was divided, a new church having been erected and a new parish organized at Niantic
less than five miles away. There are about 60 families in the Illlopolis parish, nearly all of them farmers and most of them land owners.
AUBURN .- For a long time the Catholics of Auburn were compelled to travel to the Sugar Creek church near Glenarm to attend mass. As their numbers increased they began to long for a church In their own thriving village, and soon this longing took definite form.
To Captain James Irwin, now deceased, be- longs the credit of organizing the first Catholic congregation in Auburn. As was characteristie of him, he was indefatigable once he got the no- tion in his head. He agitated, discussed, and urged continually, and finally secured enough funds to purchase the old Baptist church build- ing on the cast side of the town in the year 1871.
This building served the congregation until 1904 when, during the pastorate of Father Jo- seph O'Connor, formerly assistant to Vicar Gen- eral Hickey of Springfield, the present splendid edifice was erected. It might be mentioned in this connection, that when a young priest just out of college, Father Hickey attended and had charge of the Sugar Creek mission, which, as stated, included Auburn.
Rev. D. J. Ryan, formeriy of St. Joseph's, in Springfield, was the first resident pastor at Auburn, and during his administration a fairly commodious residence was bought for him a few blocks distant from the church. The present pastor, having exactly the same name, Father D. J. Ryan, is a young man of great zeal and ability and is doing excellent work of a mis- sionary character. There are about 75 families in the congregation.
PAWNEE CHURCH .- This parish was organized April 23, 1899, but had no church building till the Spring of 1902. On September 10, 1901, the contract was let for the erection of a building and on the 17th of March, 1902, the first mass was celebrated in it hy Father Joseph O'Connor, of Auburn, who was the first pastor of the par- ish. Pawnee being a mission of the Auburn parish.
On June 26, 1902, the church, which is a very handsome and commodious one, was dedicated by the Very Rev. T. Hickey, Vicar General, as- sisted by Fathers Joseph and Michael O'Connor and Fathers Lyons, Howard, Hussey and O'Rourke. Vicar Generai Hickey delivered the dedication sermon.
Rev. D. J. Ryan succeeded Father O'Connor
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
in 1904 aud continued pastor tili 1905, when the territory was divided by Bishop Ryan and Pawnee made a separate parish, with Soutil Fork as a mission attached. The Rev. J. A. Wiison was appointed the first resident pastor on March 25, 1905. Father Wiison at once set about building a fine commodious residence, witich was completed the same year.
This parish had in it some of time oldest and wealthiest Catholic residents in Sangamon coun- ty, among them Matt Kavanaugh, Gerrard Young, and Patrick Howard, the latter still living and quite active at the ripe age of 92. The present pastor, Rev. John Lupton, succeeded Father Wli- son on February 15, 1909.
There are about 80 Catholic famliles in the parish. The population is snhject to some fluc- tuation, as work in the coal mine varies, that he -. ing the only industry hesides farming.
ST. FRANCIS' CHURCH, CANTRALL .- This church was huilt in the fall of 1897, at a cost, when compieted, of $1998.90. The ground cost $300. At that time there were ouly a few Catholic farmers in the nelghborhood. The coal mine had just heen started, and many Catholic miners were working there. The church was built es- pecially for the convenience of the miners, so they could attend churcil whenever they wished without coming to Springfield.
The outlook for the coal miners was poor, as it was feared if any deht was Incurred it would never be paid ; hence the church was huilt with- out any ornament and the cost kept down to the lowest figure possible. However, the congre- gation is now in a very prosperous condition, and the church is completely out of deht, with a smali sum of money in the treasury.
Father Hickey, of Springfield, started the buliding of the church, and It was under his supervision until the present pastor, Father Moore, was appointed to have charge of botli tils church and the church in Athens. There are about 30 familles in the parish.
DIVERNON CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART .- In response to an earnest appeal by some resident Catholics at Divernon, Father J. O. Connor, then at Auhurn, went to Divernon, and said mass in Weils' Hall in July, 1903, this being the firs mass celebrated in the village. Later Father Ryan, the present pastor, took charge aud ob- taining exclusive possession of this hali by lease, it continued in use for several years. In 1910 steps were inaugurated for the erection of a
church edifice under the name of the "Church of the Sacred Heart." Grond was secured, a concrete foundation was laid, and on Sunday, May 11. 1911, the corner-stone was laid, Rev. Father Davis, of Bethany, officiating and Father Driscoli of Jerseyville preaching. The exercises were attended by delegations from Springfield and neighboring villages. It was expected that the hillding would he completed within the next few montiis. There are about 60 Catholic fam- liles in Divernon and vicinity.
RIVERTON .- The early history of the Catholic Citurch at Riverton Is associated with the mauy zealous priests of the Immaculate Conception church of Springfield. Located eight miles east of the iatter city on the Wahash and Interurban railroads, it was visited hy priests as early as the year 1865, when mass was said In the school honse and in private houses. On the 8th day of December. 1877, Bishop Baites appointed as the first resident pastor Rev. Charles Manuel, who erected a frame structure which was ready for mass in March, 1878, with ahout 70 families, Irisii. German and Bohemian. Father Mauuei remained with the parish for a number of years, heing succeeded hy Rev. John Higgins in 1888, and he by Rev. Father O'Keefe, in May, 1890. Others who have since served have been Rev. J. Sweeney in 1892; Rev. C. A. Snyder in 1894; Rev. Thomas O'Reilly from December, 1895; Rev. Joseph O'Boyle in 1896; Rev. John J. Cor- coran in 1897, and Rev. John J. Clancy; who took charge of the parish on September 1, 1899, and stili continues.
Since that time the parish has increased con- siderably, as the community is made up iargely of coal miners from various towns in the vicinity of Riverton. As the old church was too smail to meet the wants of the Catholic people, a heau- tiful new church was erected in 1906 whichi fur- nishes them ampie accommodation.
At present the parish has no parociniai school, hut contemplates huilding one in the near fu- ture. There are over 250 families in the par- ish; 40 Irish, 20 German, 12 Bohemian, 115 Italian, 40 Lithuanian, 18 Siovak, 7 Pollslı and 9 Greck families. Persons of each nationality are attended every year during the Easter time hy priests who speak the language of the people. so that they have every opportunity to receive thịe sacraments.
BUFFALO .- For many years the people of Buf- faio went to Iillopolis to attend services at the
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY ·
Catholic church there. It was necessary for them to do so because there were but few Cath- oiics in and around Buffalo. On the 25th of November, 1882, Bishop Baites of the Diocese of Aiton appointed Father Manuei to take charge of the new mission at Buffalo, and iook after the construction of a church. He entered upon his work with great zeal, and the church was erected and dedicated to St. Joseph on the 25th of April, 1883. Father Manuel had charge of the parish up to August 1, 1892, when Bishop Ryan put it in charge of the priest at Riverton who, at that time, was the Rev. C. A. Snyder, but is now attended by the Rev. John J. Ciancy. The con- gregation is composed mainiy of farmers. There are in ali 24 Irish and 10 German families.
The Inmates of the County Poor Farm, two miies east of Buffalo, have mass once a month, and are weli cared for spiritually by Father Ciancy. For the past ten years not a month has passed without mass in that institution. The sick and dying are promptly attended and every opportunity afforded them to receive the sacra- ments and the last rites of the church.
CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART. (By Rev. Carl Krekenberg.)
The history of Catholic churches In Spring- field, being given quite fuily in the preceding pages of this chapter, contributed by the Hon. James M. Graham, it is found necessary to iimit the following articie, based upon data furnished by Rev. Cari Krekenberg, to a concise history of the German Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart, of which he has been pastor for the last thirty years.
This church originated chiefly from a branch of the SS. Peter and Paul's congregation, con- sisting of German speaking Catholics located in the southeastern portion of the parish and at a distance from the centrai church and school. The first steps were taken on February 16, 1884, when Bishop Baltes established a new parish embracing from 85 to 100 familles, selecting Father Krekenberg, then chaplain of SS. Peter and Paul's, to take charge of the parish. In- corporation was effected Aprii 29th following, with Cari Grouch and Anton Dirksen as first Trustees and Phliip Kohlbecker and Phillip Mischler, Sr., Directors. Ground was purchased on Lawrence Avenue, between Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets, at a cost of $4,100, and a
two-story brick building, 37x75 feet, erected thereon, costing $5,000, the upper floor to be de- voted to church purposes and the lower floor for schooi purposes, until more ampie accommoda- tions could be provided. The corner-stone was laid June 22, 1884, by the Rev. P. M. Kloster- man, O. F. M., of St. Louis, Rev. Father Brunan, of St. Boniface Church, Quincy, delivering the oration In German and Rev. P. Brady, of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Spring- field, that in English. By September 8th foi- iowing, the building was completed and on that date formaiiy dedicated by Rev. F. Reinhard, Chapiain of St. John's Hospital, Springfield, the school being opened the next day with Joseph Heiiing and Joseph Winkeimann as first teach- ers, a choir for divine worship being organized · at the same time. Of those participating in the dedicatory ceremonies Jacob and Adam Layen- decker, Cari Groesch, Sr., and F. X. Groesch survive and are still prominent and active mem- bers of the congregation.
In 1886 the parish house, a two-story brick residence, was built at an outlay of $3,500. Ten years later, the number of families in the parish having been nearly doubled, it became evident that the chapel and schooirooms were too lim- ited, and measures were taken for the erectlon of a new church edifice. In 1895, the present Church was erected at a cost of about $30,000. This structure is of brick, Gothic In its archi- tecture, 130x50 feet in size, and has a spire 155 feet in height. The seating capacity is 600. The corner-stone was laid on May 12th, by Very Rev. Dean John F. Mohr-Rev. A. J. Pennartz and Rev. P. H. Hoof, O. F. M., delivering the discourses. On December 8, 1895, Bishop Ryan visited the parish to perform the rites of con- secration, Rev. Joseph Merkel and Rev. D. J. Ryan preaching appropriate sermons. The mem- bership at this time consisted of about 160 families.
In 1898 a convent building was erected for the school Sisters at a cost of $3,500. The congre- gation inciudes about 230 familles and.230 chii- dren are taught by five Sisters of St. Francis. Numerous valuable donations had been made to the new church from time to time-such as stained glass windows, chandeliers, artificial fiowers, candiestlcks, a sanctuary, three altars, a communion railing, confessional, baptismal font, chalice, remonstrance, tower clock, cross for the spire, sanctuary lamp, statuary, a chime
Frank Thank
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
of four belis, church vestments, etc. In the spring of 1908 a new hot-water heating plant was installed in the parochiai residence and other mechanical Improvements were introduced, necessitating an expenditure of about $1,500. Electric lights were aiso provided for the church, as well as two manual pipe organs. The parish buildings are ali of substantial and dur- able construction, and the church possessions represent a value of $50,000. The school is under the direction of the faithful Franciscan Sisters. It is attended by about 260 children, who are instructed by five Sisters of that order. More than 250 families are now included In the parish.
As indicated by the church records, during the period reaching from its origin to the date of its silver jubilee in commemoration of its twenty-fifth anulversary, in October, 1909, 1172 children and 38 converts had been baptized, 800 children enrolled as pupils in the parish school, of whom 622 received their first communion ; and 658 persons were connected with the congrega- tion. The burials had been 400 in number, and 246 couples had been united in marriage. At the present time (1911) Cari Groesch, Sr., and Philipp Mischler are the church trustees, and Mathias Kramp, August Etteibush and Peter Lofy are serving as Directors.
The sliver jubilee anniversary of the church was appropriately observed, as before men- tloned, on Sunday, October 3, 1909. It was a memorabie occasiou for those who had iabored long and zeaiously for the upbuilding of its in- terests, and especially for Father Krekenberg, who opened the ceremonies by celebrating Sol- emn High Mass. Rev. P. Philipp, O. F. M., of Quincy, Iii., preached the commemorative ser- mon, and Rev. P. Edward of St. Francis Coi- iege, Quincy, Rev. August Hohl, Rev. Dean L. Riesen of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Rev. L. Hufker, Rev. L. Kipping, and Rev. Father Hickey, Vlcar Generai of the dlocese, partlci- pated in the subsequent rites.
REV. CARL KREKENBERG, Who has been for thirty years the beioved, faithfui and efficient pastor of Sacred Heart Church-its first and only prlest-was born in the province of West- phalla, Germany, September 2, 1859, hls birth- place being the town of Warendorf. There, when a youth he attended the gymnasium, and iater pursued courses In philosophy and theology in
an American Seminary, and In the University of Lowen, Beiglum. Thus he spent four years in preparing himseif for missionary work in America. On May 19, 1883, he was ordained for the diocese of Alton, Ill., and embarking on the 8th of September next following, ianded iu New York, on the 20th of that month, reaching his destination in Alton on September 22nd. Father Krekenberg was first assigned as assist- ant priest to Rev. Michaei Weiss, pastor of SS. Peter and Paul's church, Springfield, Iii., by his reverence, Bishop Baites. On the division of that congregation and the organization of a por- tion as the Church of the Sacred Heart, he was designated by the Bishop to take charge of the new parish.
Father Krekenberg is a man of deep piety, gentle and sympathetic disposition, thorough cuiture and superior administrative capacity. He has accomplished a great work in his pres- ent important sphere of endeavor. The annais of Sacred Heart Parish constitute the history of his active life. Patientiy and unceasingiy has he labored to fuifil the task allotted him, and after confronting and overcoming the difficuities and obstacles of many years, he has succeeded in building up, from small beginnings, one of the most vigorous and influential churches lui Central Illinois. His reward is manifest in the unreserved respect and affection of his parish- ioners, the warm esteem of his brother ciergy, and constant approbation from the diocesan head, whose confidence imposed upon him so ar- duous a task and responsibilities so solemn.
CONVENTS AND SCHOOLS. (By Hon. James M. Graham.)
ST. JOSEPH'S URSULINE CONVENT .- The earil- est nuns to reach North America were the Ursu- iines. They came from France by way of New Orieans in 1726, and then founded the Ursu- Ilne convent still existing there.
The Springfield Ursulines are, however, of different origin. In 1834, the Bishop of Charies- ton, S. C., Rt. Rev. John England, brought from the Ursuilne Convent in Cork, Ireland, three professed nuns, who were soon established in a home in his dlocesan city. On May 19, 1835, Miss Harriet Woulfe was admitted as a novice in the order, being the first one admitted in their new American home. The address made by Blshop England on the occasion of Miss
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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY
Woulfe's religious profession, in the presence of a large assembly of Catholics and non-Catholics, was a very notable one, and would of itself have established his reputation as a great orator.
On April 11th, 1842, Bishop England died, and his successor, Bishop Reynolds, preferring the Sisters of Mercy, as having a wider field for their activities than the Ursuilnes, asked the latter to vacate the convent. Unfortunately, although they had brought a large snm of money from their Irish convent home, and had invested it, and also their private iucome In the Charles- ton property, they had not à scrap of writing to show the fact; and, as the new Bishop claimed the property as belonging to the diocese, they quletly bowed to his decision, and declining to accept what he offered as a substitute, they sought a new field for their endeavors.
As a result, these sisters who had come as nuns from Ireland, returned to their old home, and those who had joined the order in Amer- ica found a new home in Cincinnati, Ohio, with Sister Mary Joseph Woulfe, as Mother Superior. She was then thirty-two years old, highly edu- cated, had traveled much, and was a very accom- pllshed musiclan, but up to this time was entirely without business experience. The com- munity remained several years In Clucinnati, and in an adjacent community known as the "Brown County Convent," at St. Martin's about forty miles from Cincinnati.
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