USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 55
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
the church the first year of his ministry. He was compelled to resign by his failing health, and was succeeded by Rev. C. W. Palmer, who served only one year. After the close of his pastorate, nearly two years elapsed before another Pastor was settled, the church being served occasionally by supplies. The Sunday school and covenant meeting were sustained during this interregnum. Rev. S. B. Gilbert accepted the unanimous call of the church given him Octo- ber 1, 1871, and served the church until May 1, 1874, leaving the church in an efficient condition, but with a membership of only about 100. During the summer of that year, the chapel was enlarged, painted and frescoed, at an expense of $1,200, and was opened again for worship, September 1, at which time Rev. W. H. Dorward commenced his pastoral work. The church was greatly prospered for one year, receiving about fifty members by baptism and letter, with bright anticipations for the future. But these bright prospects were darkened by the partial destruction of their chapel by fire, Sunday morning, December 26, 1875. Almost paralyzed by this calamity, by seeing their beau- tiful house in flames, they soon recovered from their despondency, and at a meeting held that same evening, at the house of J. M. Bailey, it was resolved to build a suitable church edifice. A committee was appointed to secure plans and to solicit subscriptions. The work of erection began in the following June. The house was so far completed that in the following November the basement was ready for occupancy. While the church was engaged in building, the con- gregation worshiped in the lecture room of the First Presbyterian Church, which was generously offered for that purpose. Mr. Dorward closed his pastor- ate July 1, 1878. He was succeeded, November 15, of the same year, by Rev. D. H. Cooley, D. D. Soon after his settlement, the work of completing the main audience room was begun under the efficient leadership of Robert Scho- field, one of the constituent members of the church, and brother of its first Pastor. Mr. Schofield had removed his membership many years before, and was largely instrumental in organizing and sustaining the Harlem and Florence Baptist Church, which at one time numbered seventy members. That church having disbanded and many of its members having united with the church at Freeport, after his removal to this city the importance of finishing the house of worship and removing its indebtedness, led him to offer a large personal subscription and his services in raising the amount required. The church and friends, inspired by his example and spirit, were willing to make great sacrifices to accomplish these desirable objects. The church edifice was dedicated June 29, 1879. Sermons were preached by Rev. G. Anderson, D. D., President of the University of Chicago, and Rev. G. W. Northrup, D. D., President of the Union Theological Seminary at Morgan Park. Pastors of neighboring churches were present, and assisted in the services. The church property is valued at $18,000, and free from debt. The present membership is about 200. An efficient Sunday school is maintained, with over 260 on the roll-call and an average attendance of 150. Rev. D. H. Cooley, D. D., is Pastor, and the church is prospering under his ministry. Trustees, Thomas French, J. M. Bailey, A. H. Wise, E. B. Winger and A. W. Ford. Robert C. Schofield, Treasurer. J. H. Stearns, Assistant Treasurer.
Zion Episcopal Church-Located at the corner of Cherry and Stephenson streets, was erected in 1852, and consecrated on the 16th of February, 1853, by Bishop Whitehouse, assisted by the Revs. Messrs. Mckeown, of Elgin, Ben- edict, of Galena, and Bentley, the Pastor.
ยท From general rumor, it is believed that the church edifice was blown down and totally destroyed in a perfect tornado, which occurred on the 18th of July,
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
1861, entailing serious loss, and necessitating the procuration of an audience- room for worship until the damage inflicted could be repaired.
The church was rebuilt in time, and has since been occupied as a sanctu- ary, where the Episcopal congregation of Freeport and vicinity worship weekly.
The present congregation numbers seventy-three communicants, under the pastorate of the Rev. R. F. Sweet, B. D. The value of church property, as also other data in connection with the association, could not be obtained.
The early records of this congregation being missing, and the Pastor being unable to furnish any information regarding its growth and labors, the same are not submitted.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church .- The Rev. John Cavanagh was Pas- tor of the Catholic Church at New Dublin in 1848. In that year his brother- in-law, Thomas Eagan, and his brother, Edward Cavanagh, with their families, settled in Freeport. Other Catholics soon gathered around them ; and Father Cavanagh visited them occasionally.
Mr. Eagan purchased for $125 the lot upon which the Hon. E. L. Cron- krite's store now stands, and built on it a two-story brick dwelling. In that house mass was celebrated for the first time in Freeport. Mrs. Eagan felt very happy in being able to accommodate her worthy Rev. brother when making zealous efforts to promote the spiritual welfare of the few Catholics then in Freeport. A room on the second floor of her house was set apart as a chapel, wherein he gathered around him, at reasonable intervals, for more than two years, the growing elements of the congregation soon afterward known as St. Mary's. After the rising congregation had become too numerous to assemble with comfort, or even with safety, in the chapel so cheerfully and so generously kept open for their benefit, the use of a public hall was procured to serve as a church. The name of J. K. Brewster is favorably and gratefully mentioned in this connection ; for, although not a Catholic, yet, as the proprietor of a hall, he proved himself liberal and benevolent to the little Catholic community of those days.
Father Cavanagh was a man of great natural talents, which he had well developed in acquiring deep and thorough learning pertaining to his profession. The many calls which he had to answer, from the various parts of his extensive mission, did not prevent him from paying due attention to the promising little congregation at Freeport. In his zeal for its advancement he lost no oppor- tunity afforded him for promoting its welfare. While using the Brewster hall as a church, he purchased as a site for a future church the lot upon which St. Mary's now stands, and proceeded, without unnecessary delay, to erect on it a frame building to serve as a temporary church. Among the Catholics who then zealously and liberally seconded his persevering efforts in the good cause, were, besides his brother and brother-in-law, William and Thomas Barron, Robert Bellew, Lawrence Frain, John Tophy and brother, and Thomas and John O'Connell.
Among the non-Catholics then in Freeport, Robert and Thomas McGee distinguished themselves by donating the sills for the new church. Others con- tributed shingles, nails, glass, putty, etc. Thus they not only aided materially in the erection of the building, but set forth an example of liberality and gener- osity which has been since frequently and extensively imitated by large num- bers of the worthy heirs and successors of those very benevolent men.
Father Cavanagh, in 1852, with the approbation of his Bishop, changed his residence from New Dublin to Freeport. At that time, St. Mary's congre- gation had become considerable. Several families of German Catholics had
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
arrived and become attached to it. Freeport mission then included Savannah, Warren, what is now called Durand, a large portion, if not the whole, of Ogle County, and all the intervening country. His time was very much occupied in traveling throughout the mission, filling his regular appointments and satisfying the numerous sick calls made on him from its various parts. The labors of his successors in our days seem very light when compared with those which he was obliged to perform. Some may undertake to describe what he had to endure, but only those who have experienced the like can realize its wear and tear on the human system. He continued in the discharge of his laborious duties at Freeport until the summer of 1854, when, at the command of his legitimate superiors, he took charge of St. George's Church at Joliet, Ill. Four years later, he was found at his post in the city of New Orleans, where he died a mar- tyr to charity in the discharge of his ministerial duties among the yellow-fever patients of that unfortunate city. Soon after his death, Mrs. Eagan, who still enjoys vigorous health in Freeport, received from a pastor and from the Arch- bishop of that city kind and sympathetic letters, in which Father Cavanagh's great zeal and devotion to duty in the midst of the plague, and his edifying death, were vividly described.
When Father Cavanagh was called to Joliet, the Bishop considered it proper to give Freeport a pastor who could speak the German language. Accordingly, Rev. Ferdinand Kalvelage, now pastor of the Church of St. Fran- cis of Assisium, Chicago, was appointed pastor of St. Mary's. During his administration, the present brick church was erected. The new edifice was a decided improvement on the original frame, but its low roof and dark wooden gables greatly detracted from what its external appearance ought to be. The stonework supporting the brick and the floor was built too high for a mere foun- dation, but left at least four feet too low to admit of a serviceable basement. The pastor and the German portion of the congregation had indisputable control in planning and erecting the building, but the Irish portion willingly contributed at least their proportionate share of the whole cost. A school was kept in con- nection with the church, but it was intended chiefly for the German portion of the congregation. The two nationalities seldom go on smoothly together in church affairs for any considerable time. In Freeport they proved no excep- tion to the general rule. But whatever misunderstandings occurred from time to time had not the effect of dividing the congregation under Father Kalvelage, for he understood and guided one nationality, and the other, seldom aggressive in church affairs, duly respected him as the pastor of St. Mary's. In the sum- mer of 1859, he was called away to another field of labor, and was succeeded at Freeport by Rev. Thomas O'Gara.
The new pastor took early and effective steps to have the old frame church converted into a pastoral residence. He enlarged it, raised it a second story, and soon occupied it as a dwelling. It stood by the north side of the church, fronting on Union street. He continued to occupy it during his stay in Free- port. He earnestly exerted himself in collecting funds to secure to the congre- gation the piece of land since known as St. Mary's Cemetery. He was always zealous, prompt and diligent in the discharge of his ministerial duties. Although he could not speak German, yet those of his congregation who under- stood only that language were not neglected. He had to assist him from time to time German priests, either appointed by the Bishop or specially invited by himself. Among those may be named the Rev. B. Herderer, Rev. John Mehl- man, Rev. John G. Uhlana, Rev. Peter Fischer and Rev. John Westkamp. The German portion of the congregation were dissatisfied. Some of them gave
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him considerable trouble. They desired to have things their own way. They sometimes made complaints to the Bishop. They would not be satisfied without a German pastor. They wished to be separated from the Irish portion of the congregation. After due consideration, the proper authorities permitted and even recommended the desired separation.
After due deliberation, it was agreed that the Irish portion should own the church, subject to all its indebtedness, but that they should deliver the church organ to the Germans, and pay them a certain specified amount in cash. In virtue of that contract, Father O'Gara was relieved of the care of the Germans, who were soon afterward placed in charge of a Pastor of their own nationality.
Father O'Gara had to fill the void made by the removal of the church organ. It is stated he procured the fine pipe organ which has since rendered very satisfactory service in St. Mary's. He was very successful in collect- ing means to pay the entire indebtedness of the church, as well as to defray the expenses necessary for keeping it in a respectable condition. He was witty and very amiable. He was kind and considerate with his people, who still remem- ber him with sentiments of very high esteem. No priest had a larger number of friends among the clergy than he. To know him was to esteem him. He was transferred to Bloomington, Ill., in April, 1866, where he soon erected a magnificent church, which a cyclone demolished almost as soon as the roof was completed.
Rev. Thomas Kennedy was the next Pastor of St. Mary's. He never liked the position. His wish to leave Freeport was gratified by his removal in November of the same year, when Rev. George Rigby succeeded him. Like his predecessor, Father Rigby remained only a few months. He left the fol- lowing spring.
Rev. Michael J. Hanly became the Pastor of St. Mary's in 1867. He was a man of great energy and perseverance. He condemned the old frame residence. It was sold and taken off the premises. The lot in rear of the church, but fronting on Madison street, was purchased for the site of a new pastoral residence, and upon it was speedily erected a good two-story building to serve the end in view. Substantial fences were built, trees were planted, and other important improvements made on the property. The zealous Pastor was ambitious of having everything done in a respectable and creditable man- ner. He deviated from his settled practice in that respect, only when his own comfort was in question, and thus proved that his disinterestedness was stronger than his very laudable ambition. When planning and building the pastoral residence, he deliberately excluded a kitchen and other necessary apartments, that the rest might be properly accomplished and his people not too heavily taxed. Such Pastors are sometimes unaccountably misunderstood ; their zeal is often regarded as selfishness. Their only consolation comes from above. It has happened, on the other hand, that Pastors with little zeal for the true wel- fare of their flocks, but with very large quotas of self-love, obtained, for a time, the confidence, the plaudits and most generous gifts of the people, and thus received their rewards. Father Hanly accomplished much in a short time. What he omitted when building the pastoral residence has not been supplied by any of his successors.
Rev. P. L. Henderiekx became pastor of St. Mary's in September, 1869, in February, 1870, he was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Murtaugh.
The new Pastor was very zealous and active in the discharge of his duties. He was very desirous of having a parish school attached to St. Mary's, and he was willing to make any reasonable sacrifice in order to establish and sustain
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one. A fine two-story brick school house, capable of accommodating two hun- dred pupils, stood on a lot almost in front of the pastoral residence, and it was advertised for sale. Father Murtaugh set his heart on purchasing it for St. Mary's. The lot on which it stood was small, but he knew that lots adjoining it were for sale. His zealous efforts proved successful. The property was pur- chased and secured for St. Mary's. He had the exterior of the church painted. He continued to prove his devotedness to duty, in various ways, until June, 1871, when Rev. Maurice Stack succeeded him.
Father Stack soon realized the state of things at St. Mary's. After hav- ing duly attended to several other particulars, he set himself to work in behalf of the school. The building needed repairs and furniture. With great zeal and devotion he submitted the case to the consideration of his people, and appealed to them for means to enable him to make proper use of the school building. Their response proved satisfactory. The school was repaired and duly furnished. He applied to the Dominican Sisters at Sinsinawa Mound, Wis., for teachers to conduct the school. Their very high reputation for learn- ing and for success in conducting parish schools, was then well known in several cities of the neighboring States, to say nothing of Chicago and some other cities within the diocese. His application proved successful. The sisters arrived in August, 1873, and in a few days afterward opened St. Mary's School. But the zealous pastor had made a sacrifice. He had vacated his own furnished residence to accommodate the sisters, nor did he again occupy it until he had built and duly furnished for the sisters, in behalf of the school, a better house than the pastoral residence. In the mean time he lodged in one house and took his meals in another. He purchased two lots adjoining the school property ; the convent now stands upon one of them; the other is included in the school yard. In view of the fewness of his people and of the limited means at their command, his success was remarkable. But, in justice and in gratitude to the non-Catholics of Freeport and vicinity, it must be stated that they very generously patronized the fairs and festivals held for the benefit of the church. The late Charles McCoy was known to be exceedingly gener- ous in his donations to the church, as well as animated with a true and disin- terested zeal for its best interests. He was a man of considerable influence ; and his very edifying example was a constant though unobtrusive exhortation to others to be faithful in the discharge of their duties as Catholics. Father Stack regarded him as a benefactor to be distinguished among a thousand, and he deplored his death accordingly. The sentiments of the Pastor in that con- nection were to a great extent those of the whole congregation. Even non- Catholics largely participated in them. In March, 1877, Father Stack was trans- ferred to St. Mary's Church, Aurora, Ill. He was succeeded at Freeport by Rev. Thomas F. Mangan, the present Pastor.
The demands on Father Stack, in connection with the new building, pre- vented him from duly attending to the others. The new Pastor soon realized the fact that they required immediate and very costly repairs, not only to keep them fit for use, but even to save some of them from imminent danger of ruin. The very foundations, no less than the roofs and intermediate parts, had to be attended to. The church roof had to be shingled anew. Before doing so the roof itself, which was one of quarter-pitch, was changed into almost a new one of half-pitch. The dark wooden gables were removed, and well-lighted brick ones in keeping with the church and new roof were erected in their stead. It took large sums of money to repair damaged parts and to remedy defects, where, at first sight, a small amount would seem amply sufficient. The
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condition of the grounds also required the expenditure of considerable sums. A piece of land containing about two acres has been purchased and added to the cemetery, which is now in a very respectable condition.
Under the present Pastor, more money has been expended for necessary repairs and improvements than would be required to erect a new building equal, if not superior, to the pastoral residence or the convent, and considerable sums are still needed for meeting pressing demands in the same direction. The condition of the property, however, as well as its appearance, is better now than it was at any previous time, and there is good reason for hoping that both will continue to advance.
The good sisters in charge of the school have been zealous and indefatiga- ble in the discharge of their trying and arduous duties. Sister Augustine, the Superioress, is entitled to grateful acknowledgments from the Pastor and from the people of St. Mary's, for the very efficient and satisfactory manner in which she has conducted the school. Sister Helena has merited equal praise by her able and thorough co-operation in that very meritorious work. Their abilities, which are of a very high order, together with their tact in employing them, reflect much credit on their order and produce wonderful effects in the minds of the pupils in regular attendance at their school. To have their admirable services permanent and duly appreciated at St. Mary's could not fail to produce there very happy results. The pupils enrolled during the current school year number fifty-eight boys and sixty-eight girls. The aver- age daily attendance is forty-eight boys and sixty girls.
The following table shows the average annual number of baptisms per- formed by every Pastor of St. Mary's whose term of service exceeded one year since the days of Rev. John Cavanagh :
Rev. Ferdinand Kalvelage. ,158 Rev. F. G. Murtaugh. 35
Rev. Thomas O'Gara. 106 Rev. Maurice Stack. 31
Rev. Michael J. Hanly. 75 Rev. Thomas F. Mangan. 29
The present congregation comprehends 100 families, and the church property is valued at $40,000.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church .- Previous to 1862, the Catholics of Free- port worshiped at St. Mary's Church. The congregation was composed of all nationalities, including a large proportion of Germans on the roster of mem- bership. As the diocese increased with each succeeding year, the duties of pastor and people became more numerous, and doubtless imposed those hard- ships a faithful attention to duty involves. This condition of affairs suggested the creation of another parish in the city, and the building of a new house of worship for the accommodation of members. This suggestion finally found expression among the members of St. Mary's Church, and led to the organi- zation of St. Joseph's Church. When these preliminaries had been con- cluded, about one hundred and twenty-five families, composed of the German communicants of St. Mary's Church, purchased the church of the Baptist denomination on the site of St. Joseph's Church, for $2,000, and worshiped therein for ten years. In 1872, the congregation had increased largely, and it was decided to erect a new church edifice. During the winter, subscriptions were obtained for the building, and in the spring the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Foley, Bishop of Illinois, officia- ting. Work thereon progressed rapidly, and by fall it was so far completed as to be ready for occupation. Possession was taken early in the winter, and the dedication ceremonies took place on the fourth Sunday in Advent, 1872, Bishop Foley again presiding, and delivering the dedicatory sermon. The edifice is
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150x50, built of brick, in the Gothic style of architecture, and, though still incomplete, is one of the most ornate and complete houses of worship in Free- port. The auditorium is capable of comfortably accommodating a congrega- tion of not less than one thousand, lighted by five windows on each side, and seven in the sanctuary, ornamented with donative offerings from members, with fourteen station pictures and four pieces of statuary, the latter of Munich composition, illustrating sacred subjects, and possesses acoustic qualities of a superior order. The church cost, with furniture and equipments, about $30,000.
The congregation numbers 240 families.
Connected with the church is a parochial school, under the tutorship of the Sisters of St. Francis, of Joliet, employing two teachers, who afford instruc- tion in the ordinary branches of education to an average daily attendance of 150 pupils.
The following pastors have served since the congregation was organized : the Rev. Fathers John Westkamp, Ignatius Ballauf and Clement Kalvelage, the latter at present in charge.
The church property, including a cemetery consisting of four acres located one and one-half miles south of the city, represents a valuation of $45,000.
Salem Church .- This society, belonging to the Church of the Evangeli- cal Association, was organized on April 27, 1869. The Rev. D. B. Byers, Presiding Elder of the Freeport District, presided at the meeting; the Rev. H. Messner, pastor, was present, and P. W. Rockey officiated as Secretary. Articles of incorporation were adopted, and a Board of Trustees, consisting of the Rev. D. W. Grissinger, John Woodside, P. W. Rockey, John Barshinger and Simon Anstine, elected. Upon a complete organization, the following names were found upon the record : John and Mrs. Woodside, John and Mrs. Barshinger, John and Mrs. Miller, John and Mrs. Wolfinger, John and Mrs. Dickover, Simon and Mrs. Anstine, H. W. and Mrs. Pease, T. J. and Mrs. Fiss, Elias and Mrs. Bamberger, Benjamin and Mrs. Clark, W. H. and Mrs. Spelter, J. and Mrs. Fox, John and Mrs. Howard, Amos and Mrs. Heine, Rev. D. W. and Mrs. Grissinger, Samuel Clair, J. and Mrs. Baymil- ler, Miss Susan Baymiller, Aaron H. Barshinger, Mrs. H. Dengler, Miss E. Dengler, John and Mrs. Fritz, Miss C. Fritz, Elias and Mrs. Koonz, Mrs. Carrie Klock, Mrs. Mary Kaufman, Mrs. Sarah Kyle, Peter and Mrs. Penni- coff, Mrs. E. Neuman, P. W. and Mrs. Rockey, Miss P. H. Reinhuber, Miss Rebecca Rohland, Samuel and Mrs. Shaffer, Mrs. Anna Stibgen, Aaron and Thomas H. Woodside, Miss Sarah Woodside, Misses Mary and Lizzie Wood- side, the Revs. D. B. Byers and Henry Messner, Mesdames Byers and Mess- ner, and Elias J. and Mrs. Duth.
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