USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 22
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The year 1843 bears witness to the visit of the first Catholic bishop to Peoria. Bishop Peter Kenrick of St. Louis came and celebrated Mass in Stillman's Row and also in the old courthouse. ITis visit was quite an event bringing Catholics from Galena, La Salle, Black Partridge and Kickapoo. He confirmed twenty- seven and remained for some days delivering addresses for three consecutive evenings to mixed audiences in the courthouse.
It was this visit which brought about the purchase of the ground which later became the site of old St. Mary's church-so many years the pro-cathedral of the diocese of Peoria. To-day the church building has passed but the grounds , remain ornamented by a new and up-to-date parochial school which is the prop- erty of the parish and retains the name of St. Mary's.
From Bishop Kenrick's visit to 1851 and 1852 when the first St. Mary's church was built, services were held in various places about the city chiefly in a little brick building on the alley between Madison and Jefferson streets. For many years afterward this same spot was the site of the first parochial school in Peoria. St. Mary's church, whose opening under Father Montuori, July 4, 1852, we are all privileged to chronicle was dedicated some months later, April 17, 1853, by Bishop Van de Velde-the second bishop of Chicago. From the opening of St. Mary's church in 1852 its abandonment May, 1889, in favor of the cathedral which now stands a thing of imposing beauty, sixteen pastors pre-
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sided over its destinies. Among the best known were Father Abraham J. Ryan, later known as "The Poet Priest of the South" and Fathers M. J. Hurley and Benjamin J. Spalding, whose early death was bemoaned but who left in the new St. Mary's, corner Madison and Green streets, an enduring monument to his memory and an evidence that his ten years of pastorate were busy and fruitful years.
The Diocese of Peoria VI
The setting apart, into a diocese bearing the name of our county seat, of a certain territory stretching across the entire width of central Illinois gives a new and significant prominence to the Catholic church story of Peoria county.
The diocese of Peoria was erected by Papal Brief, February 12, 1875, and its first Bishop Rt. Rev. John L. Spalding was consecrated in New York city by Cardinal McClosky, May 1, 1877. Twenty-two days later he came to Peoria and for more than thirty years or to be exact until November, 1908, when his resigna- tion handed in two months previous, was accepted by Rome, he directed the destiny of the Catholic church in Peoria with rare administrative power ; with wisdom, catholic in the broadest sense; with universal sympathy and with a gift of eloquence that would have marked him in any age or country ; with a pen unfailing and chaste. All this lifted the diocese of Peoria to a place not explained by numbers or distinctive early history, however interesting. Doubtless in last analysis the historian in explanation, finds himself saying as Sir Arthur Helps said of Cardinal Ximines, "He is like a city on the margin of deep waters such as Genoa, where no receding tide reveals anything that is mean, squalid or unbecoming."
When Bishop Spalding took up his residence in Peoria, May, 1877, there were' besides St. Mary's, St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's parislies. The year 1855 bears witness to the erection of St. Joseph's church. It was in every way unpretentious, a frame building fifty by thirty-two. Its first pastor and builder was Father Gipperich-formerly of Black Partridge-who remained until 1857. Among the well known and more prominent pastors of this church are Fathers Boers, Dieters, Baak, Rotter and Greve, who yet remains. The distinction of building the present permanent church dedicated in 1880 belongs to Father Baak, who began his pastorate in 1872.
St. Patrick's, the largest of the Catholic parishes of the city of Peoria, began its particular history in 1862. Father Coyle, rector of St. Mary's, built a small frame church there for the wants of the growing population in "The Lower End." It was attended from St. Mary's, and became strong enough to stand alone, May 1, 1868, when Father Hurley resigned the pastorate of St. Mary's to become the first and much loved pastor of St. Patrick's. He built the present permanent church, which was tried as by fire, but which arose again and was dedicated November 27, 1881. Father Hurley died December 11, 1892, and was succeeded by its present rector Rt. Rev. Bishop Peter J. O'Reilly.
The parish of the Sacred Heart, whose proximity to the city hall makes the visitor know the church is in town and suggests possibly the balance of civil and religious government-this church was the first of the new parishes which fol- lowed in fairly rapid succession under the stimulus of the first bishop of Peoria. Begun in 1880 it was for more than a decade cared for by the Capuchin Fathers, who in 1892 were succeeded by the Sons of St. Francis of Assissi. They have changed all the temporary buildings into permanent structures of approved architectural beauty.
The year 1881 finds the population of "The Lower End" demanding nearer church accommodations and in this demand arose St. Boniface's parish. Its first rector and organizer was the Rev. F. Von Schwedler, who built a frame church and school and brick parochial residence. He was succeeded, 1892, by the Fran-
RESIDENCE OF ARCHBISHOP JOHN L. SPALDING, PEORIA
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ciscan Fathers, who later erected the permanent church and school. The parish remains under their charge and shows yearly gains in membership and religious vitality.
St. John's parish took birth July, 1890. It found reason for its existence in the growth covered up by that somewhat mystic but comprehensive phrase "The Lower End." It was most fortunate in its first rector, who like the first rector of St. Boniface, came from Gilman, Illinois.
The Rev. John P. Quinn had youth, vigor, industry, enthusiasm and eloquence. They were assets that counted. January, 1911, he was advanced to the Deanery of Ottawa, Illinois. His twenty years of residence in St. John's left a void in many hearts; they also left four permanent buildings in which to carry on the parochial life. lle was succeeded by the Rev. T. E. Madden, of Arlington, Illinois.
St. Mark's parish made a beginning July, 1891. Its first rector and organizer was Rev. Francis J. O'Reilly, who came from Utica, Illinois, to do the work. He remained in charge until June, 1897, when he was advanced to the rectorship of St. Mary's cathedral and made chancellor of the diocese of Peoria. His six years of living on the West Bluff witnessed-after a year of temporary organiza- tion-the completion of the present permanent church and rectory.
He was succeeded by Rev. James Shannon, who in December, 1910, was succeeded by Rev. John II. Burke, of Bloomington, Illinois. Father Burke, its third rector still cares for the spiritual needs of the growing parish.
St. Bernard's, the newest of the congregations of the city of Peoria proper, was born of the spiritual needs of the people of the Catholic faith who sought homes in what is locally called the East Bluff. The parish was created and the church built in 1904 by Father F. J. O'Reilly, while rector of the cathedral. Its first resident rector was appointed on the day of dedication, October, 1904. He remains and reigns successfully in the person of Rev. M. P. Sammon, who has since added to the parish equipment a parochial residence and school, both of permanent character and architectural beauty.
St. Peter's, Averyville, came into existence humbly enough toward the end of December, 1897. In August, 1898, the present church was dedicated and later a parochial residence was acquired. These things were done by Rev. F. J. O'Reilly while rector of St. Mary's Cathedral. The priests of the cathedral answered all its spiritual demands until August, 1911, when its first and present rector came in the person of Rev. Enos Barnes.
Extra-Urban Territory
Brimfield, Dunlap, Princeville, Elmwood, Edelstein, and Chillicothe all have churches and four of them are administered by resident priests.
Brimfield claimed its first resident priest in 1867 and the honor fell to Rev. J. Murphy who has had twelve successors-among them Rev. Max Albrecht, Canon J. Moyinhan, Very Rev. James Shannon, present Vicar General of the Diocese of Peoria and the Rev. A. Mainville, rector since 1899.
Elmwood for several years attended from Brimfield, secured a resident rector in 1892. Rev. D. A. Kelley to whom that distinction came was succeeded after a few months by Rev. J. W. Callias, who in turn was followed by Rev. N. Dempsey, the present incumbent.
Chillicothe after being an out-mission of Henry for some years, became a distinct parish entity in 1904, when the Rev. E. M. Hayden arrived as its first rec- tor. The present church building was erected by Rev. Edward Kniery, while coming now and then, as rector of St. Joseph's, Henry. The parochial residence is due to Father Hayden, who remained until autumn, 1911. He was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Roach.
Catholicity came to Princeville with the early Irish and German settlers. At that time there was no church nearer than Kickapoo or Peoria to which
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places they were accustomed to drive. While the present Peoria diocese was part of the archdiocese of Chicago, the Catholic people of Princeville township were ministered to by priests from Peoria city. On September 7, 1867, the Rev. J. Murphy was appointed first rector of Princeville and his successors in turn have been, Rev. Max Albright, Rev. Chas. Wenserski, Rev. Father Moore, Very Rev. J. Canon Moyninhan, Rev. H. Schreiber, Rev. P. A. McGair, Rev. C. A. Hausser and Rev. C. P. O'Neill.
It was in Father Murphy's time that the old Presbyterian meeting house was purchased and made into a Roman Catholic church, the first in Princeville. Father Albrecht built the first rectory. The handsome new church was the work of Father MeGair, while the present fine new rectory, together with the Christ chapel and the fittings for the church are the results of the labor of Father O'Neill, the present rector.
Attached to the mother church in Princeville are two missions, one at Dun- lap and the other at Edelstein. At the former place is a strong parish composed of many of the leading citizens. The first church was built in 1879 by Father Moyninhan on ground given by Alva Dunlap. This church known as St. Rose's served the congregation till the November of 1909 when it was destroyed by lightning. It has been replaced by a handsome new brick and stone structure in the English Gothic style and is now known as St. Clement's.
St. Matthew's in Edelstein was the result of a gift by Matthew McDonnell, one of the carly settlers of Hallock township and a staunch Catholic. It was built in 1901 and although the parish is small the members make up in enthusiasm what they lack in numbers.
VII Roman Catholic Institutions
Apart from distinct parochial organization and equipment, which is similar to that found elsewhere, the Bishop of Peoria was eager and persistent in the establishment of parish schools. It is noteworthy therefore, that in the city of Peoria each parish has its own school. Most of the buildings are new and models in equipment and efficiency. Five sisterhoods direct their progress.
Higher education is represented by the Academy of Our Lady of The Sacred Heart, corner Bryan and Madison, and by the Spalding Institute, corner Madison and Jackson streets. The former began in 1863 and has gradually added to its material endowment so that it is stronger to-day than at any time during the past half century. It has continued under the management of the founders and their successors in the same sisterhood-Sisters of St. Joseph's, Carondelet, Mo. Many of the women of the leading families of Peoria and surrounding counties lovingly call it Alma Mater.
Spalding Institute, which in 1901 opened its doors for young men seeking a higher education classical, commercial and scientific other than that obtainable in the ordinary graded school, is the personal gift of Bishop Spalding. Born of his brain and pocket book, it continues as it began, under the direction of the Brothers of Mary of Dayton, Ohio, to send forth its yearly quota of young men equipped in things of the mind for the more serious and strenuous problems of modern life. The building itself is one of the architectural triumphs of the city of Peoria.
From the educational institutions we pass to the charitable and philanthropic, which have found material expression in the St. Francis Hospital. Home of the Good Shepherd and St. Joseph's Home for the Aged.
St. Francis' Hospital began in 1876. Four of the Bismark-exiled sisters were brought to Peoria by the Rev. B. Baak, rector of St. Joseph's church. They rented the Bradley home place on Adams street and remained there until the autumn of 1877, when Bishop Spalding secured for them the site on Glen Oak avenue, which they still occupy. They have not only annexed neighboring
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lots for the needs of newer and up-to-date buildings and equipment at home ; but they have gone abroad and almost annexed surrounding states. To a modern and highly efficient hospital and Mother House in Peoria, they have added ten new hospitals in Illinois, Michigan and Iowa. The acorn is now the oak.
The Home of the Good Shepherd threw open its doors July, 1891. The impelling power was Bishop Spalding, who called on the various parishes of the diocese to lend the helping hand. The Catholics of the city of Peoria and many non-Catholics as well have continued their interest in and appreciation of the great sacrifices made by the sisters for the fallen and dangerously-near of our race.
The local chronicler finds himself dwelling upon the bond which ties Peoria in its Catholic history to St. Louis. The first bishop to visit Peoria was Bishop Kenrick of St. Louis, the first priest to say Mass here after the discoverer and the explorer had passed was sent by Bishop Rosati of St. Louis. The Sisters of St. Joseph's who opened the first Catholic school of learning here came from St. Louis. The Brothers of Mary who direct the Spalding Institute now look to St. Louis as their Mother House and headquarters. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd came from St. Louis and as their home here grows they turn to St. Louis for other "Angels of Buena Vista" to continue the work. Though tried by fire they have prospered and are to-day more flourishing than ever. Not Peoria county alone nor many counties of Illinois but neighboring states are indebted to their zeal for relieving them of many of the cares and burdens of charity.
St. Joseph's Home for the Aged is a home-grown charity. It was given its first impulse by Rev. C. Rotter, rector of St. Joseph's church. December, 1902. found it beginning in a humble way on Smith street. The present modern buildings twice added to are an index of the need for such an institution and of the ability to make things go which stands back of it in the humble garb of Mother Pacifica. It has since sought other fields and conquered them. Nine schools and homes look to it for supply and guidance. Just now a new building to be used for training sisters as a mother house is lifting itself skyward on the West Bluff.
VIII
We interrupted the story special to St. Mary's parish when we noted the pass- ing of old St. Mary's church, May 14, 1889, corner Jefferson and Bryan streets, in the cathedral, corner Madison and Green, which since May 15, 1889, has been not only the center of the parochial life for the people of St. Mary's but-being the Bishop's church and seat-of the directive Catholic life of Peoria and sur- rounding counties as well. The day of the opening of the new cathedral was also the day of its dedication. Archbishops Fechan and Ireland, Bishops Ryan of Alton, Janssens of Bellville, Cosgrove of Davenport and Hennessy of Dubuque were prelates present. The Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Feehan and the sermon delivered by Bishop Hennessy. The next event which in the story of the parish had a wider than parochial interest was the consecration of Rt. Rev. P. J. O'Reilly as Bishop Auxiliary to Bishop Spalding. This event took place Septem- ber, 1900, and brought to Peoria many visiting Bishops. The consecrator was the apostolic delegate later known as Cardinal Martinelli.
Far and away the most important and most imposing event in the history of St. Mary's gathers itself around the silver jubilee of Bishop Spalding who, May I, 1902, celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration. There were present Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore; Archbishop Ireland of St. Paul; Arch- bishop Keane of Dubuque; Archbishop Kain of St. Louis; Archbishop Riordan, of San Francisco. Bishops Gabriels of Ogdensburg, N. Y., McQuaid of Roches- ter, N. Y .; Byrne, of Nashville; Foley, of Detroit; Messmer, of Green Bay : Shanley, of Fargo, North Dakota; Cotter, of Winona, Minnesota; Scannell, of Omaha; Burke, of St. Joe, Missouri; Dunne, of Dallas, Texas; Cosgrove, of Davenport ; Glennon, of Kansas City; Muldoon, of Chicago; Ryan, of Alton ;
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Janssens, of Belleville, Illinois ; Moeller, of Columbus, Ohio; and Conaty, Rector Catholic University, Washington, D. C.
Since the dedication of St. Mary's cathedral it has had four rectors: Rev. C. F. H. O'Neill, Rev. Martin O'Conner, Rev. F. J. O'Reilly and Rev. James Shan- non, present incumbent. The two former-after a pastoral direction of six years passed to their reward. The Rev. F. J. O'Reilly, succeeding to the rectorship, June, 1897, and with the distinction of serving longest in point of years, was transferred to Danville, Illinois, December 8, 1911. The Very Rev. James Shan- non, who now directs its spiritual and temporal interests is also Vicar General of the Diocese of Peoria.
January 6, 1905, Bishop Spalding was suddenly stricken with paralysis, which, while not fatal nor wholly incapacitating him for the work here recounted and of which he had been so large a part that the narrator must thrust him forward and hang around his virile and constantly growing personality the story of more than thirty years of the Catholic life of Peoria county-the affliction so handicapped him that in September, 1908, he voluntarily laid down the burden.
That diocesan work did not locally confine him or take up all his energies cannot better be told than in the words of a cosmopolitan newspaper which chronicling his resignation September, 1908, said "when John Lancaster Spalding became the Roman Catholic Bishop of Peoria, in 1877, he was an ardent young churchman, and his missionary labors were fruitful. He was not then, as now internationally famous as scholar, writer, orator and sociologist, but the thirty odd years of his episcopacy brought this and more.
"Illinois has claimed as sons some great idealists. Foremost among them stands John Lancaster Spalding, a gentle, saintly prelate in his church relation- ships and a lion in strength as educator, sociologist and humanitarian. An ideal American bishop was Spalding, for his teachings were American. He was a natural leader in the group of progressive churchmen including Gibbons, Ireland and Keane, who have helped to make American Catholicism what it is to-day."
September 1, 1909, witnessed at the cathedral of Chicago the consecration of Rt. Rev. Edmund M. Dunne. Eight days later the newly consecrated came to Peoria and was installed as successor to Rt. Rev. John L. Spalding. The second bishop of Peoria has youth, vigor and sympathy-one to the manor born, and a cosmopolitan grasp-the result of many years' study abroad. He is a linguist, eloquent of speech in his own tongue and the first native of Illinois to be advanced to an episcopal see in illinois.
PRESBYTERIANISM AND PRESBYTERIANS IN PEORIA COUNTY
The identity of a church may be established or distinguished by, or discovered from its form of government or its system of doctrine. The Presbyterian church has both marks and takes its name from the governmental conception of the church as outlined in the New Testament and exemplified in Jewish worship maintained in the synagogue services. Presbuteros or elder is the "office" that gives the name to the church. Presbyterians have a definite scriptural creed and a constitutionally defined and equitable form of government and a consistent history. Denominationally considered, a Presbyterian church is defined as a church constructed on the Presbyterian polity or form of government whose creed is in harmony with the consensus of the Reform church. That consensus lies in the confessional agreement in five fundamental features: First, the supremacy of the Holy Scriptures as the only rule of faith, doctrine and duty ; second, election by free grace ; third, atonement by the blood of Christ : fourth, justification of faith alone; and fifth, the doctrine of the sacraments.
The polity of the Presbyterian church is defined by a written constitution, by the terms of which the government of the church is administered by chosen representatives of the people. This polity clearly distinguishes three great prin-
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ARCHBISHOP JOIN LANCASTER SPALDING
ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL EPISCOPAL RESIDENCE, NORTH MADISON AVENUE, THE HOME OF BISHOP DUNNE, PEORIA DIOCESE
THE NOW WORK PUBAC IRTAPY
NA
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ciples : First, the parity of official equality of the clergy ; second, representative government by the people; and third, the unity of the body of Christ.
The soul requirement for admission to membership in this church is an open, honest confession of allegiance to Jesus Christ as Lord and Master. No creedal test or obligation is met at the door of the Presbyterian church by one who would enter. That door of entrance is as wide as the gate of Heaven and as narrow as Jesus' declaration makes it, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me."
The Presbyterian church stands today, as of yore, for important Christian principles essential to the formation of sturdy character, vital to Christian citizen- ship-two things for which the world has real need. It is also a church most catholic, most fraternal in its spirit, most cordial and courteous in its attitude toward and treatment of other communions of the Lord's people. It cultivates an irenic spirit and temper and extends to the Christian world the right hand of fellowship by reason of its ecumenic creed, and with confident hope prays for and seeks to anticipate the reunion of Christendom.
Having been reared in this faith, early settlers coming from the south or east and across the seas brought with them to this region their religious habits and fond desires to enjoy after their wont divine services and to rear their children in the Presbyterian faith. Accordingly, they founded churches in every community where they found any considerable number of people of like religious training with themselves. This favored generation has small appreciation of what it owes to the early settlers, who as Christians maintained their integrity, worshiped God, planted churches, created and left over and handed down to their descendants a rich religious legacy for which they endured privations and made sacrifices in this, then new country, in order that they might provide houses of worship, estated ministry, and gospel privileges for themselves, their neighbors and their children.
In the following sketch it is purposed to trace the early history and later developments of what may be called the pioneer churches and to give a brief statement concerning the organization and growth of the later churches estab- lished in Peoria county. Some of these early churches answer perfectly to that description of the patriarchs who "served their generation and fell on sleep," for a changing and complex population. Removals by death and immigration have depleted to exhaustion some churches that early in their history flourished and gave religious tone and moral vitality to the communities in which they were planted.
The task of one who essays to write of the early churches of Peoria county is made difficult by reason of the fact that the early records kept of the organiza- tion of the churches and their subsequent transactions were very few and scant in the first place, and many of them through lapse of time have been lost or destroyed. It is a great pity that they were not made more complete or had been better preserved and that resort for data need not be made to such civil records as may be found for incidental reference, in order to present a historical narration. The attempt is here made to describe the main items of interest and importance connected with each congregation.
The earliest Presbyterian church planted in the county of Peoria, whose history remains unbroken from its beginning till now, is the Princess Grove, or Princeville church, founded August 16, 1834. At the organization of this church under the leadership of the Rev. Robert Stewart and Theron Baldwin, we find such names enrolled as White, Morrow, Garrison, Peet, Miller, as charter mem- bers: indicating that they were of English and Scotch blood. We see them living through the dangers of the Black Hawk war of the two years before, guarding their flocks and herds from coyotes, wolves, lynxes and wild cats, while building their huts of logs cut from the grove, and then having raised small crops of wheat or corn, hauling it to Chicago and on their return trip bringing back with their ox team, shingles and finishing lumber for their church house, for we are told that they built the first house of worship from stone gathered near by and
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