USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Pilot > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 4
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Irwin > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 4
USA > Illinois > Kankakee County > Goodrich > History of SS. Peter and Paul's Church, Pilot, Illinois : with an historical sketch of Sacred Heart Church, Goodrich, Illinois, and St. James Church, Irwin, Illinois, at one time forming one parish; prefaced by a general local history. > Part 4
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In 1871 Alsace was made a German principality and since 1918 it again belongs to France. Attempts were of- ten made to assimilate the German and French element but without success until the French Revolution, 1792, which ended the age of feudalism and amalgamated the two dif- ferent elements by the common ideal of democracy. Yet the French element soon seemed to predominate the dif- ferent classes and after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 the German government tried in vain to win back the ma- jority of the people to German influences. There was a great number of French "irreconcilables." More than 150,000 expressed their adhesion to France and of this num- ber nearly 50,000 left their native country.
The Alsatian is a perfect type of the Celtic, as a rule well built, industrious and thrifty, possessed by a sense of humor and joviality, again of an earnest disposition. He is not a friend of luxury or vanity but rather of simplicity and frugality. Truth, honesty, open mindness, sincerity are some of his characteristics. He is also possessed of a certain love (homesickness) for the past without being sen- timental, he is a great lover of music, song and legend.
"Tell me what you sing and I will tell you what is in your heart"-is an old proverb of his. To an observer he may appear of a somewhat rude and blunt disposition but on closer acquaintance he will soon discover under his rough exterior, lovely and sympathetic sentiments. The real Alsatian is not profuse in his compliments, his remarks and answers are always direct and just. In some localities
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the customs, homes and costumes are somewhat peculiar and quaint but the last have considerably changed by the influence of the more modern style of apparel.
The population numbers about 1,200,000. The langu- age of the Alsatian is a specific alemannic (German) dia- lect or patois, mixed here and there with some French words but the pure French predominates in the higher classes.
The soil is in some parts very rich. The land is divid- ed in small holdings. Wheat, rye, barley, oats, potatoes, sugarbeets, hay, hops and tobacco are the chief products, besides wine growing on the lovely hillsides of the Vosges. About the house and within doors a little garden patch is noticeable. Among the manufacturing industries cotton weaving is considered the most important especially in the town of Mulhouse, Upper Alsace. The production of wool- ens, yarns, linen and textiles is very extensively developed, the last is yet in some sections a house industry.
The country if Alsace is divided into Lower with Stras- bourg and Upper Alsace with Colmar as the main cities. In fact Alsace has scarcely ever been under its own govern- ment but has always rather been exploited, it has always been the battlefield of recent and pasts wars. And because of this many thousands have emigrated to other countries in search of more favorable living conditions. Truly Al- sace may be called the Martyrland of Europe.
Religiously speaking about two thirds of the population are Catholics, the balance either are adherents to the Prote- stant or Jewish faith. The visitor at Strasbourg, the capi- tal of Alsace, stands spellbound before its magnificent cat- hedral whose foundations were laid in the year 1015. The edifice is a witness to the architectural achievements of the Middle Ages. Inside is the world famous clock. On the crest of one of the mountain elevations in Lower Alsace is the shrine of St. Ottilia, Patron Saint of the Alsatians and the favorite shrine of their pilgrimages.
"No matter where you go there is only one Alsace here below." Quel beau jardin! What a beautiful garden! ex- claimed the French King Louis XIV when he visited Alsace
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for the first time and this appreciation is fully justified. Beautiful mountains, fertile valleys, rich plains, old ruins on the mountain tops dating back to the time of Julius Caesar and the Feudal Ages. Such is the picturesque panorama of Alsace. Yet many of the Alsatians left their dear coun- try on account of political disturbances as stated above, and also on account of over population especially in the moun- tain districts. Those who chose to emigrate to the United States have to a large measure benefitted their new coun- try of adoption by their industry and undaunted efforts to succeed.
Farm Life in Days of Bettered Conditions.
Farmlife in earlier days was connected with greater hardships than now-a-days, but it was not altogether un- pleasant. Many an old man will in his reflective mood go back to those days and recall the happy years on the farm and if true to himself will thank God for having been brought up and raised on the farm. He often will think of that happy carefree life, even at the risk and cost of being termed a sentimental foggy and dreamer, a boaster of old fashioned days, he will readily let himself be carried away from smoke, dust, and noise to green fields and clear skies, away from that which is so artificial, he will listen to the songs of the birds, the humming of the bees, he will again see in his vision that home with a horizon all the way around, with no snorting automobile on the road, no noisy flying ship in the air.
Truly the advantages of country life are incomparable. The farmer lives a king's life, he lives with God's nature. In the morning the roosters call up to sun, the birds sing praises to God for the new day. The skies are rich at dawn and the sunsets glowing with unspeakable glory. The children play in healthful mud, paddle in clean water, they live with flowers and butterflies ,they experience the thrill of going barefoot, of being out in the rain without rubber coat and buckskin overshoes. They hear the lisp- ing and clapping of the breezes, the whirl through the air. In the evening at sunset the sound of cowbells is heard in the distance. The horses peacefully eat their oats, men tramp about doing their work. From the kitchen comes the appetizing smell of the supper in preparation and from the woodshed the sound of an axe is heard busily working so as to supply the stove on which supper is cooked. When the low sighing wind has put all flowers to sleep, the fire-
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flies trim their lamps and then it is evening on the farm when all things enjoy a healthful rest.
In early days as now yet, Autumn is the season of the glorious fruitage of Spring planting and Summer time, the harvest of the year. The so-called Indian Summer when it comes is a season in itself, dreamy, hazy ,the weather is soft and colorful, just a few wonderful, golden days in Autumn. The trees and shrubberies are colorful in differ- ent shades and tints, a most beautiful art gallery. The gossamers are flying in the air. Gazing over the fields there is a indistinct purple seam in the distant horizon. But now some serious work is to be done, corn husking which means many a lame back and worn fingers before the last load is drawn to the crib, it means to rise early, to scoop the last load by lantern light. The regular bang can be heard for more than a mile around. On the side of the wagon box the tar, to paint the finger cods may be noticed. Now the time has come when the garden products are tak- en in and stored away in the cellar, which is banked and made secure against freezing. The red-winged black- birds are chattering away, organizing their flight for the south and already we notice the long harrow-shaped files of wild geese. A few more days and the hired man reports some ice in the horse trough and the thoughts of the long winter are haunting the farmers mind.
Even the Winter season in those better days was not without its charm, was not so dreary, gloomy as we in our more modern times may only too readily imagine. Who has not read about sirup (sorghum, molasses) making from sugar maple and sugar cane. The scene is familiar. The maple tree with the wooden spile near the ground which conducts the sap into the bucket. The sap is collect- ed each day and boiled as soon as possible in the kettle over a fire in the open air on snow and frozen ground (February and March). The boilings show a dark colored sugar with an aromatic taste.
About Thanksgiving all the corn is in the crib and the few lonely turkeys who have been kept over for the next year come to conclusion that the roost on the trees must
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soon be exchanged for a safer shelter under the sheds. Everything perishable is gathered in, covered up, all the cracks in the house battened up and the wood piled high. The bees have securely stored away their sweet treasure in the hives in the rear along the orchard fence and so has the squirrel stored away its granaries in the hollow of an old tree, the birds have retired to their winter quarters. Old Winter may now celebrate his coming with a three day's blizzard, which will pile up the snow high above the fence boards. All nature lies dormant under the cover of the white, immaculate snow, truly a time of relaxation for the busy farmer, whom we find now sitting near a blazing fire, leisurely enjoying the smoking of his pipe. Small wonder that he does not worry, the cellar shows bursting bins of potatoes, receptacles of cider, barrels of apples, a good supply of preserves, fruits of all kinds, sacks of walnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts, hazelnuts, and last but not least, well cured hams, endless links of spicy home made sau- sages. With such a supply he can well afford to dispence himself with the grocery store and butcher shop "around the corner."
Now is the time for hunting, especially when tracking is good after a fresh snowfall, trapping, skating, snow ball battles. Whenever the weather permits a moonlight ride over the crisp silvery snow track to the neighbor takes place. The horses are in fine mood, jingling with strings of bells, puffing out like a steam engine the warm breath in the frosty air, swiftly pulling a bouncing bobsled loaded with merry occupants sitting on a thick layer of straw. On Sun- day the whole family will come to church in this same ve- hicle, which needs no shockabsorbers.
Not far distant from the farm is the little school house, one room concern, designated by number or named after
- the owner of the nearest farm, who ordinarily is one of the directors for many years. School mams, or men teachers have charge of the school. To study is the least of the scholars troubles and often the ruler and hickory stick has to wake up the indifferent and lazy pupil. Good old school days, happy days gone by.
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From time to time a country dance takes place. Nat- urally the fiddler in those days is the prominent feature of the affair and how he can fiddle! In all his life he never has taken a lesson, it is natural to him and he is the wonder of the whole neighborhood, an extraordinary musical tal- ent. He takes the violin to his chin, his ear close down to the sounding board and after a few preliminary scratches and a serious dreamy look to the crowd he begins to set the whole assembly into motion. The caller with his "salute your partner," "all promenade," etc., must not be overlooked here, because he too is of vital importance. These gatherings took place without a great outlay or dif- ficulty as there was no danger of spoiling, injuring a costly carpet or expensive furniture. In those days an open demo- cratic, frank, sincere sociability was valued more than money, when one guest was considered as welcome as the other, surely no need of "shows" and "movies."
The evenings are spent in the family. Over the center of the dining table a brass lamp with crystal pendants. In the stove a blazing fire, crackling away its fragrant, clean and living warmth. Mother is knitting, father reads, the children are preparing their school lesson for tomorrow, a thing which is quickly disposed of. Now the roasting of popcorn takes place, the cracking of nuts on the flat iron for a layer cake, or the time is spent in recreative and amusing games. At bed time after the night-prayer the smaller chil- dren are wrapped in a blanket and carried up stairs in a room with cold natural air. Through a protruding nail from the outside the frost would penetrate with a noise of a gunshot, but a healthy sleep was enjoyed just the same, and in the morning it will not take much to make the ban- ister for a warm fire at the breakfast call.
Religious Activities.
Religion is an essential need to the human soul. The craving for truth is as strong as the bodily cravings for food. There is a natural instinct anterior to all reasoning, which is satisfied only by acts of religious worship. Man is constrained by the force of evidence to recognize the ex- istence of a Supreme Being-invisible Power. Man is in- quisittive by his very nature, he must know the purpose of his existence, the object of his end, hence the necessity of religious instruction and religious training.
First Services.
Our first settlers looked for a place of worship, but on account of their poor limited circumstances could not think of erecting a house of worship. Missionary priests came to tend to their spiritual wants. The holy sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated in private homes or even in a school house, once a month in the following homes: Peter Geiger's Place, Philip Karcher's, Fridelin Ruder's, Ed. Daylor's. In order to make their Easter Duty and attend church some also went to Cabery, in those days called Paradeis, named after a settler from Luxembourg (1867). From miles the scattered settlers gathered and joy filled their hearts, when they could have an opportunity to receive the sacraments, to be strengthened by the spiritual comfort which religion could give. No distance was too great to walk, no obstacle too difficult, as they realized what their religion was to them.
In either 1862 or 1863 the first Church about 20'x30' was erected on the site of the present old Lehigh near the northwest corner of the intersection of the New York Cen- tral R. R. and the road running north and south. Worship- pers of different nationalities, French, German, Irish, flock- ed to that humble place of religious gathering. The first
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marriage in this Church took place between Fridolin Ruder and Seraphina Studer by Father Cote of Kankakee, in April 1864. Service was held every first Monday in the month.
In 1872 or 1873 the Church was moved 212 miles south on Timothy Fortin's place, an addition of the same size was built to it, also a sacristy (12'x16') and a parsonage was erected. This was done under the supervision of Fath- er Paradis of Kankakee.
First Church Built by the Members of SS. Peter and Paul's.
On November 24, 1867 the German Catholics held a meeting at Peter Geiger's Place for the purpose of organ- izing a Church Building Society (Kirchenbauverein). Officers: President, Carl Ruder, Vice President, Matthias Clodi, Secretary, Philip Karcher, Treasurer, Peter Geiger. Committee on Financial Reports: Fridolin Ruder and Ed. Finger. Society dues 50c. At this meeting it was de- cided to apply to the Prior of the Benedictin Convent in Chicago for a priest who would say Mass on the 13th or 14th of the following January at Philip Karcher's Place. The entrance and monthly fees collected amounted to $19.00.
On January 8th, 1868 the following officers were elect- ed: George Schosser, Erhard Ruder, Wendelin Ruder, Maurice Studer, Martin Geiger, Michael Clodi, Vincent Boner, Chryst Knittel.
On April 19th of the same year a Sunday School was organized. The first catechetical instruction was given in the home of Peter Geiger, who with George Peter, Frank Studer, Nicolaus Weiler were elected as first teachers. On June 21st a Building Committee was elected with the fol- lowing officers: Philip Karcher, Fridolin Ruder and Frank Studer. The first outlay for Mass requisitee was $55.25. At a meeting of Sept. 20th of the same year is was decided to erect a Church 24'x46'x14' and on January 3, 1869 a mo- tion was carried (17 votes against 2) that a Church be built on Peter Geiger's land. The building was erected by John and Lambert Paulissen of Kankakee and dedicated to the Apostles Peter and Paul October 4, 1869. The
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Church was blessed by Father Kuchenbuch of Chebanse to the great rejoicing of the small congregation. In this hum- ble house of worship the members moved by deep faith and religious sentiments, gathered on "priestless" Sundays, whenever a missionary priest could not come, sometimes for one, two or three months to recite the rosary and other prayers, because they loved their God and their Church, built at the cost of so many sacrifices. Sometimes they at- tended divine service in the old Church of the French-Irish congregation at Lehigh and also when it had been moved two and one half miles south.
They well remembered the words written in St. Matt- hew 21, 13:
"My house shall be called a house of prayer."
Subscription for the Church Building Fund 1868.
First Subscription
Second Subscription
Carl Ruder
$150.00
Matthias Clodi
55.00
45.00
Philip Karcher
75.00
70.00
Peter Geiger
50.00
60.00
George Peter
50.00
30.00
Franz Emling
50.00
40.00
Michael Frueh
50.00
10.00
John Heimburger
50.00
25.00
Ed. Finger
25.00
25.00
Chryst Knittel
50.00
10.00
Frank Studer
50.00
50.00
Michael Clodi
30.00
25.00
Joseph Clodi
15.00
15.00
Ignace Knittel
50.00
Paul Meyer
50.00
25.00
Nicolaus Weiler
50.00
60.00
Philip Saffer
50.00
35.00
John Pratt
50.00
Adam Fritz
50.00
50.00
Moritz Studer
20.00
Henry Saffer
10.00
John Knittel
25.00
Martin Geiger
16.00
Missionaries. - Pioneer and Subsequent Pastors.
Before the German colony had segregated itself from the French-Irish congregation, missionary priests, mostly from Chicago, came to attend to the spiritual wants of the small parish, namely: Rev. Father Hahn, Rev. Carl and Michael Rosenbauer, Redemptorist priests of St. Michael's Church, Chicago, and Rev. William Kuchenbuch. They also attended another station, Cabery, then called Paradeis. After SS. Peter and Paul's Church was built in 1869, Father Kuchenbuch came from Chebanse to say mass once a month before that mass was said and catechism taught in Peter Geiger's home. Mass was also said for the people on Mon- day mornings before returning to Chebanse, when again the whole congregation attended. He had charge of this Out- Mission from about 1869, until 1873, when Rev. Bruno Riess, a Benedictine priest from St. Joseph's Church, Chi- cago appears on the scene as a missionary. He came every three weeks from Kankakee, where he made his stopping place, with the Pastor of the French-German-Irish congre- gation, or in private homes until St. Mary's Church, or Im- maculate Conception B. V. M. (organized, April 2, 1865, canonically erected 1873 under the Rt. Rev. Thomas Foley Bishop of Chicago) was built, when he made the sacristy the home of his short stay. With the then poor but faith- ful people, the priest meant everything, he was the king of their hearts, and they always deeply regretted his change, whereas in congregations where wealth and luxury have weakened the faith, the priest is looked upon as a "salaried officer," and we often hear the cold, short remark "Father- so-and-so left and Father- so-and-so took his place."
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Residing Pastors.
In Sept. 1874 Rev. Gelasius Kuba was appointed as first resident pastor of St. Mary's REV. GELASIUS KUBA 1874-1876 Church, Kankakee. He was of Bohemian extraction, but could also master besides his mother tongue the English and German language. Every third Sunday in the month he attended the small congre- gation of SS. Peter and Paul's. During his pastorate a very successful mission was given by the well known Jesuit missionary Father Weninger. It was well attended by the small out-mission of Pilot, some walked the distance of ten and more miles. Father Kuba died on his way to Chicago in August 1876.
Rev. Francis Allgayer took charge of St. Mary's, Kan- kakee in November,
REV. FRANCIS ALLGAYER 1876. Some misunder- 1876-1877 standing had occurred between him and his flock and he left the Parish in October 1877. Services were held in the out-mission once a month.
Rev. Clemens Duerr was appointed as new Pastor October 1877. In 1880 he REV. CLEMENS DUERR 1877-1882 erected a sanctuary 16'x18' with two stained glass win- dows in the out-mission Church. The work was done by John Sr., Theodore and John Jr. Paulissen at a cost of about $400.00. Father Duerr was, after a rather stormy pastorate, appointed Pas- tor of Spring Grove, Illinois where he retired later on lead- ing an idyllic life after having experienced during so many years the falsity and vanity of the world. Father Duerr was born November 22, 1837 at Fulgenstadt, Diocese of Rottenburg, Germany and ordained a priest in 1866. Came to this country in 1869. Died in 1920 and was buried in Benton Harbor, Michigan.
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Rev. J. H. Kruell succeeded Father Duerr in August 1882, but remained only until REV. J. H. KRUELL 1882 December of the same year leav- ing a rather dark page in the his- tory of the Immaculate Concep- iton Parish and the out-mission. According to all appear- ances he was not a canonically appointed pastor. He was born in Hannover, Germany.
Rev. H. Bangen ministered to the out-mission only for a short period of six months, January REV. H. BANGEN 1883 1883 to July 15, 1883, when he was appointed Pastor of the Annuncia- tion Church, Busch (Big Woods), near Aurora. He was born February 22, 1849 at Waren- dorf, Westphalia, Germany, studied at Hatternand, Muen- ster and was ordained May 12, 1878 at Osnabrueck, Han- over, Germany. His first appointment was as assistant at St. Boniface Church, Chicago, October 1878 to 1883 when he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Kankakee. He serv- ed in the Franco-Prussian War 1870. Died at the Alexian Hospital, Chicago, May 27, 1921.
Rev. H. Mehring now appears on the scene as Pastor of the out-mission, coming from St. REV. H. MEHRING 1883-1884 Louis Diocese. He was very popu- lar and by his inspiring and force- ful sermons and other effective pas- toral work put new life and vigor into the congregation Under his supervision a priesthouse and school house 18'x22' was erected in 1884. The parsonage was never oc- cupied except by some teachers with their parents and rela- tives. In 1907 it was sold. Father Mehring was appointed pastor of St. John's Church, Johnsburg, Illinois, December 1884. In 1905 he resigned and he died June 25, 1911 in the St. Scholastica Academy, Rogers Park, Illinois, where he had been chaplain. He was born at Rammeldingen (Lux- emburg), September 2, 1832. Ordained August 24, 1858, in Trier, Rhenish Prussia. .
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A most worthy and zealous priest, Father Halbmaier took charge of SS. Peter REV. PAUL HALBMAIER 1884-1887 and Paul's in 1884. In 1887 he was appointed pastor at Menominee, Illi- nois and later at St. Benedict's, Blue Island. Upon his re- quest he was relieved from parish duties and appointed chaplain to the Angel Guardian Orphanage in Chicago. Father Halbmaier is a native of Illinois born at Bingham- ton, February 28, 1855 and ordained in Chicago June 28, 1878.
Father Beineke was a very conscientious pastor and well liked. During his absence of REV. J. BEINEKE 1887-1891 a few months in Germany, his na- tive land, he was replaced by an ex- Franciscan, the Rev. Jos. Rhode, who after the return of the Pastor, was appointed as Pastor at Elgin, where he is buried in the Church he built. Father Beineke was in later years afflicted with shortsightedness and hard hearing. Owing to these ailments he met with an accident being struck by a railroad engine, which caused his death. He was born in Germany and ordained in Pad- erborn, same country, about 1860.
In July 1891 Rev. Albert Evers, up to that time Assist- ant Priest at St. Nicholas', Aurora, Ill. REV. A. EVERS 1891-1895 was appointed as pastor. He was known for his untiring zeal. He at- tended the out-mission every third Sunday in the month and bought a reed organ and bell, do- nated by Adam Fritz. The inscription of the bell reads as follows: FEHY STUCKSTEDE B. F. Co. St. Louis, Mo. 1891. S. Maria, Zum Andenken an Maria Fritz. In 1895 Father Evers was transferred to St. Boniface, Chicago where he built a magnificent parochial school, a beautiful Church (Roman style) and a commodious parsonage. In 1916 he resigned on account of impaired health and after one year of rest he was appointed Pastor of S. Peter's at Niles Center, Ill. His health failing him entirely he went to Denver, Colorado, where he died October 14, 1920. His
MISSIONARY PRIESTS AND PASTORS OF SS. PETER AND PAUL'S, PILOT
REV. HAHN, C.SS.R.
REV. MICH. ROSEN- BAUER, C.SS.R.
REV. CHAS. ROSEN- BAUER, C.SS.R.
REV. BRUNO RIESS O.S.B.
REV. GELASIUS KUBA
REV. WILLIAM KUCHENBUCH
REV. FRANK ALLGAYER
REV. CLEMENS DUERR
REV. J. H. KRUELL
REV. H. BANGEN
REV. H. MEHRING
REV. PAUL HALB- MAIER
REV. JOSEPH BEINECKE
REV. ALBERT EVERS
REV. FRANCIS SIXT
SS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL, PILOT.
INTERIOR OF SS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH.
PARISHIONERS OF SS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH
Sacristy Confessional
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