USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The history of Catholicity in Stephenson County; Illinois > Part 3
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FATHER THOMAS KENNEDY succeeded to the pastorate of St. Mary's church, coming here in April, 1866, and leaving again in November of that year. He did not like the position from the
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first. His brief pastorate does not permit the chronicling of any changes in school, church or parochial house.
FATHER GEORGE RIGBY was the next pastor of St. Mary's, coming here in November, 1866, and leaving in the early part of the year 1867. Neither written nor traditional historical re- ources furnish authentic data regarding the events of Father Rigby's pastorate, and there seems to have been no changes in church affairs during the few months that he was in Freeport.
FATHER MICHAEL J. HANLEY came to St. Mary's to take charge of the parish in 1867. Zealous and self-sacrificing, he spared no effort to effect a satisfactory arrangement of parish af- fairs. Possessed of great energy and an undaunted perseverance, he accomplished much good in a brief space of time.
The old frame parochial residence having become unfit for- the purpose, it was moved out of the way, and, on a newly pur- chased lot, was erected a two-story brick which continued in use until vacated by Father Stack for the accommodation of the Sis- ters. Father Hanley also had fences erected and shade trees. planted. On his departure from Freeport in 1869,
FATHER P. L. HENDERICK succeeded him. The new pastor remained but a short time, during which there were no changes,. and left in February, 1870, to be succeeded by
REV. F. J. MURTAUGH, a pastor ever zealous and active in the discharge of his duties. He desired to have a parish school. connected with the church, and no sacrifice was too great for him to make in accomplishing that object. A fine two-story brick school house, capable of accommodating two hundred pupils,. stood on a lot almost in front of the parochial residence and had been advertised for sale. It was purchased and the lot near it. was soon after bought for school purposes. It was also during his time that the interior of the church was painted. He was. highly esteemed by his people, who appreciated his efforts in be- half of both church and school. In June, 1871, he was suc- ceeded by
FATHER MURICE STACK. Father Stack first turned his attention to the school, which he set to work to improve and
MR. D. SWEENEY. MRS. J. CAMPBELI . MR. P. LAHEY.
MRS. LACEY.
MR. P. LACY. MRS. P. GLEASON. MRS. D. SWEENEY.
MR. JOHN CAMPBELL. MRS. P. LAHEY. MR. P. GLEASON.
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bring up to a high standard. Money was raised with which the building was repaired and duly furnished. Application was then made to the Dominican mother house, at Sinsinawa Mound, for instructors, who were supplied and immediately took charge of the school. He vacated his own house that the sisters might have a home, and then began to build them the present convent, which at that time was considered one of the most comfortably furnished structures of the kind in the north-west. In March, 1877, Father Stack was transferred to St. Mary's church, Aurora, Illinois. It was during Father Stack's administration that the church and the community sustained a serious loss in the death of Charles McCoy, brother to ex-Alderman A. J. McCoy. His devotion to the interests of St. Mary's is kindly remembered by many of the old timers.
No pastor of St. Mary's parish was more highly regarded than Father Stack. During his career, in Freeport, he never ceased to labor to improve the condition of St. Mary's church and school, and he contributed one of the handsome windows that adorn the new edifice. He is now in charge of the church at Fulton, Illinois, where he is universally respected.
FATHER THOMAS F. MANGAN was the successor of Father Stack. The new pastor soon realized that both the church and school needed costly repairs and he went to work immediately to make them. The very foundations, no less than- the roofs and intermediate parts, required immediate attention. The roof of the church needing shingles, advantage was taken of the oppor- tunity to raise it to a higher and more imposing pitch. The cost was considerable, but was not regretted, when the dark wooden gables were replaced by well lighted brick ones, in keeping with the rest of the structure. When the great improvement in the appearance of the church was manifested, all felt that the money had been well invested. During Father Mangan's admin- istration of affairs a piece of land, containing about two acres, was purchased and added to the cemetery, which is now in a very respectable condition. Father Mangan was a diligent worker, who labored industriously for the congregation and the school,
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MRS. P. JORDAN. MRS. P. GRANT. MRS. V. HOGAN. MRS. J. B. J. DU FOUR.
MRS. P. CAREY. MRS. J. CAVANAUGH. MRS. JOHANAH BURNS. MRS. T. GRANT.
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raising more money for necessary expenses and improvements than would have been required for a new building, had all the congregation agreed to erect one. Father Mangan was pastor ten years, or until 1887, when he was assigned to Joliet, where he is in charge of a large congregation, and is holding likewise the responsible position of dean of the diocese.
FATHER MICHAEL WELBY reached Freeport Oct. 28, 1889, from the cathedral in Chicago. He was a man of great learning, who had long been connected with the church in America, and was warmly welcomed by St. Mary's parish. It was during his time that the matter of building a new church was considered, and a fair was held to create a fund for the purpose.
Father Welby was not a man of robust strength, and early in January, 1890, he made a trip to the City of Mexico, with a view to improving his health. Father Horan came here from Chicago to take charge during the pastor's absence. Soon after his de- parture-on the 18th of the same month, indeed-Father Welby died. The sad information reached the people through Father Kalvalege, and their sorrowful surprise was indescribable. A meeting of the principal parishioners was immediately called and they requested Father Horan to represent them in showing proper respect to their deceased pastor, hence he, accompanied by Father Hayes of Chicago, was to have proceeded to the City of Mexico and to have brought with them, on their return, the revered body of the dead priest. Owing to opposition on the part of the civil authorities, the object of Father Horan and Father Hayes was defeated ; they were not permitted to remove the remains from Mexico. Prior to his departure Father Welby had mnade a will, and when proofs of his death arrived, it was learned that Father C. Kalvalege was named as executor. Among the bequests was that of $1,000 for the use of St. Mary's church, which gave evi- dence of his appreciation of the good people of St. Mary's congre- gation and was a token that his heart was in his work. Father Welby had many friends outside the pale of his own church, and his people valued him highly for his many excellent traits of character, as well as for his zeal and kindness.
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Father Welby was a native of Ireland, from which country he came to America when he was quite young. He was ordained in Santa Fe, N. M., about twenty-five years before his death, which occurred in his sixtieth year. He had traveled extensively and had officiated in many celebrated Catholic churches and cathedrals of America. During his last years, but before coming to Freeport, he spent much time in Aurora and at the Chicago cathedral.
The people could not gain possession of his remains, but they cherished their pastor's memory and celebrated his funeral serv- ices with all the pomp and solemnity possible.
In these brief sketches of the pastors of St. Mary's there is much to edify, much to remember with pious pleasure and affec- tionate respect.
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PIONEER CATHOLICS OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
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Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
History of St. Mary's New Church.
We have already outlined the origin of St. Mary's parish and referred to the churches which preceded the present hand- some structure, but before beginning an account of the remark- able history of the new St. Mary's, it may be well to lightly scan the record of the
FIRST CATHOLIC CONGREGATION AND CHURCH IN THIS CITY.
Father Cavanaugh was the first priest to be permanently stationed in the county, and his territory was almost unbounded in extent. His main station, however, was at New Dublin, but. in 1853 he was transferred to Freeport.
It was in the little parlor of the home of Thomas Egan, where Montague & Hoyman's store stands, and at a time when there were but few houses in the new town of Freeport, that a. number of Catholics met one afternoon to form a congregation. It was in that same little parlor, thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Egan, that services were held by her good brother, Father Cay- anaugh. The congregation soon outgrew the place and larger quarters had to be found. Among those at the meeting were: Father Cavanaugh, Richard and Thomas Barron, Robert Balow, Mr. Tuhey, Edward Cavanaugh, James Manion, George Cavan- augh, Thomas and John O'Connor, Thomas Egan, Mr. Nagle, William Barron and Mrs. Catharine Egan. They had assembled to take action in regard to building a church, and all put down their names, for contributions, in accordance with their means. Thus were a few hundred dollars raised, but the sum was inade- quate to the building of a new church.
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In the meantime, the brave little congregation was granted the use of a hall belonging to J. K. Brewster, now of Colorado, who is kindly remembered in this connection by all of St. Mary's parishioners. The hall proved large enough for the Catholic citizens to assemble there to assist at the Holy Sacrifice on Sun- days, and there they worshiped, until the little frame church, be- gun nine months later, was completed.
Various materials were voluntarily furnished and thus the expense was considerably lessened. Robert and Thomas McGee furnished the sills, others gave shingles, glass, nails, putty, etc., and so, after much labor and self-denial, the little structure was completed, and who shall express the happiness of a devout peo- ple, such as these, when they knelt once more in a real church, however poor and plain ?
THE SECOND CHURCH.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. Father F. Kalvalege that the second church, a brick structure, was built. The new edifice was a decided improvement on the old one and was con- sidered a grand building at that time, yet its low roof and dark wooden gables greatly detracted from the interior appearance.
The corner-stone was laid in July, 1855, and in it was placed a tin box which contained copies of the weekly papers of the city, some manuscript, 3, 5 and 10 cent pieces and a copy of the New York Catholic Zeitung.
The lumber used in the building was brought down the Mississippi to Savanna and hauled from there by oxen. The material was hewn out with the ax. The structure was 40 x 80 feet, with basement, and was finished on the common sense style. From time to time improvements were made on the building, which stood thirty-five years, or until the present grand structure was begun.
BUILDING OF THE NEW CHURCH-HOW IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
The people of St. Mary's congregation long desired and ex- pressed a wish that they might have a new church. The old
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edifice, at the time it was built, thirty-five years before, was no doubt a very beautiful structure, but it had not only outstood its time but was not large enough to seat comfortably the growing congregation that gathered within its portals.
There had been considerable church talk, during the time of Father Welby's pastorate and before it, but nothing definite had been done. The task of building a church was considered very great and many members of the congregation argued that they were too poor to erect a suitable structure, hence they were in favor of waiting for a better opportunity and more abundant means. The one was nearer and more easily attainable than they supposed, for a master mind was at hand. Rev. William A. Horan, on coming to Freeport to take temporary charge of St. Mary's parish, was requested by the pastor, Father Welby, to ascertain the sentiment of the people regarding the erection of a new church. All they had done towards it, under Father Welby's direction, was to appoint a committee and to hold a fair to secure funds. On acceding to Fr. Welby's request, Fr. Horan met with nothing but apathy and indifference, on the part of the people. Nothing more was done for awhile. In the meantime, Father Welby died and Father Horan was assigned to the charge.
Father Horan came to Freeport that he might escape the poison-laden atmosphere of the great city, and enjoy health-giving air of the country. He had planned for himself a thorough course of reading, but the field presented greater work than he had antic- ipated, hence, with that unselfishness characteristic of him, all thoughts of reading, and all other plans that he had made, were brushed aside, that he might enter, heart and hand, into the work of building the new St. Mary's church. He met with success from the start. The mighty obstacles that seemed at first to threaten the project melted away, as snow before the sun, and the expecta- tions of even the most imaginative were exceeded by what he accomplished. It is a wonderful work -- the work of an enthusiastic church builder, and it has not been excelled, all circumstances considered, by the achievement of any other clergyman in the country.
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MR. ED. NOLAN. MR. J. FENLON. MR. J. PECK.
MRS. M NOI.AN. MRS. R. SHERIDAN. MR. G. ROTZLER.
MR. BANGASSER.
MRS. BANGASSER. MR. H. LICHTENBERGER.
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When the members of the congregation discovered what they could do, if united, they grew enthusiastic. A meeting of the old church building committee was held. Father Horan explained to them what might be done on the monthly donation plan, and, in order to secure perfect unity among the members of the congregation, a mission was conducted by Dominican Fathers.
In January, 1890, it had been decided to publish, each month, statements of the money contributed, and in April, 1890, at the close of the mission, Father Horan announced, one Sunday morn- ing, that if forty families gave $250 each, they could begin and finish the church that year. Those who would make this contri- bution should bear, he smilingly said, the highly honorable title, " The Forty Martyrs !" He further remarked that it was simple folly to begin the erection of a church, without several thousand dollars in the bank. That afternoon there was a meeting of the congregation held in the church. And what a meeting it was ! Father Horan presented a check for $250, and called on the others to do likewise. That day tested the generosity of the Irish heart, for $10,000 in solid cash was raised, and Father Horan announced that he would immediately begin the erection of the required edifice.
The proceedings of that Sunday proved that St. Mary's con- gregation meant business.
THE WORK BEGUN.
The required amount having been raised, the contract was let, by the building committee, in May, 1890, to William Ascher, who began his work by pulling down the old parochial house and the old church. During the time of construction, the school house, with a temporary wing, was used for church purposes.
The following building committee was selected : Rev. Father Horan, president; John Tracy, treasurer; Thos. D. Osborne, sec- retary ; Patrick Grant, Thomas Grant, Michael Scanlan, Robert Casey, Richard Sheridan, F. Chas. Donohue, Michael Cowley, Jeremiah Riordan, Michael O'Brien, Wm. R. Barron, Michael Root, George W. Farnum, J. B. J. DuFour, James Darrah, John
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E. Hogan, R. R. Hughes, A. J. McCoy, Thomas J. Foley, John Sullivan, Chas. McNamara. A few months afterwards, much to the regret of all, Patrick Grant, of the committee, always one of the most earnest of workers, was called from this world to his eternal reward.
The work of razing the buildings progressed rapidly. The house was torn down, and the church was being demolished, when the whole city was shocked to hear that the walls had fallen and killed many of the workmen. Later it was found that none were killed, but that five had been more or less seriously injured. Father Horan himself had a narrow escape; he was standing, at the time, at the door of the church ; while there, he noticed the absence of supports, and was about to call attention to the fact when the crash came. Had he entered the building, he could not have escaped being killed.
THE CONTRACTS.
The tearing down and clearing away was continued rapidly, and in June, Wm. Ascher, who had secured the stone work for $1,900, began the foundation. R. D. Dirksen had taken the carpenter work for $6,000, and began it in the latter part of July. The super-structure of stone was awarded to Wm. Ascher for $8,000, so he continued that work right along from the foundation, with Herman Hanke in charge. The other contracts were: M. Scanlan, plastering, $1,400; Janssen & Son, painting, $1,800; D. Dasso, Chicago decorating, $500; Bartlett Hardware Co., steam fitting, $1,860; J. J. Wade, Chicago, gas piping, $170; William- son & Schroeder, gas fixtures, $380; Bartlett Hardware Co., plumbing, about $400; pews, $1,105; Waddell Bros., altars, $275; pulpit, $75; confessionals, $60; sanctuary furniture, $80; carpeting and matting, $360.
SOME MONEY MATTERS.
To the cost of the building, Father Horan contributed over $3,500. Every cent of church revenue he devoted to the one grand purpose, besides being a liberal contributor to it from his
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personal bank account. The following is a list of the principal donations, besides which there were many special offerings :
1890
1890
January $ 144 00
November
$1,390 80
February
276 00
December
927 00
March.
437 00
Christmas offering.
340 00
April
349 00
1891
May
10,027 00
January 1,478 00
June
532 00
February ..
2,667 25
July
371 00
March.
1,715 75
August
749 00
April.
692 00
September
1,031 75
Easter offering 573 25
October.
1,693 50
May.
370 00
SOME SPECIAL DONATIONS.
The stained glass windows, presented by zealous and generous persons, are numerous and costly. They are valued at $1,800. The price of each window and the names of its donors are recorded as follows: Rose window, over sanctuary, $312, Mar- ried Ladies' Sodality ; beautiful front window, $375 or $400, children of the parish ; support window, beneath that of children, $45, nine of the oldest men of the congregation ; window, $150, Holy Name Society. The ladies contributed liberally to the beautiful oil stations of the cross, valued at $600. The Young Ladies' Sodality bought the sanctuary lamp for $110. The statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin, valued at $200, were given by ten ladies of the congregation.
RECENT DONATIONS TO ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
In addition to the above, which refers to donations made when the church was first built, we will here mention the many gifts presented at various times since then. Individual married ladies gave the following costly objects : A statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a statue of the Sacred Heart of Mary, a commod- ious, hard-wood vestment case ; a marble and onyx credence table, for the sanctuary, and a gold plated chalice, used two hundred years ago in Ireland, by a Dominican priest. The credence table was presented by a young lady, in her mother's name, to be a
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memorial of that dear parent, when she shall have gone to her eternal reward. This manner of commemorating the beloved friends, who have departed this life, is eminently more touching than the erection of lofty monuments in the grave-yard.
Rich laces, beautiful altar linens, handsome albs and other valuable altar furnishings, were donated by the Married Ladies' Sodality.
A beautifully sculptured, white marble baptismal font, ex- quisitely ornamented, with carvings of graceful design, was pre- sented by a gentleman and his wife. Another gentleman paid the entire cost of the Blessed Virgin's altar of marble and onyx, and a third, aided by his sister, did the same for the altar of St. Joseph, which is of the same costly material, and was given as a memorial of a beloved sister, at that time, recently deceased. This is another noble example for those of our parishioners who have means to erect expensive memorials to honor deceased relatives; let them glorify God at the same time.
A handsome, life size statue of St. Patrick was presented, soon after the erection of the church, by a gentleman who thereby mingled piety and patriotism. About the same time, the children of St. Mary's school donated the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas, their especial patron.
Among the early presentations made to the church was one of the most sacred and most valuable, an offering from twenty- five ladies. This is still in use, and is the exceedingly beautiful gold plated " Remonstrance " that holds so important a place in the Benediction service.
The large brazen crosses that were attached to the doors of the grand entrance, during the consecration ceremonies, were donated by the Young Ladies' Sodality and by the St. Thomas Sodality. The young ladies had previously given the eighteen brass candle sticks of Gothic design that ornament the three marble altars.
An exquisitely embroidered preaching stole was presented by eighteen young ladies of the parish, at the time of the Jubilee celebration. The gold plated wine cruets were also a present,
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and, on the same occasion, many costly personal gifts came to the reverend pastor of St. Mary's, from friends in Chicago, and in the East and South.
THE CORNER STONE.
The corner stone was laid on Sunday, August 3, 1890, at 5 o'clock. There were 3000 people present, including a large delegation from abroad, Rockford sending her full quota. The procession, headed by the Henney Buggy Company Band, includ- ed St. Joseph's Society, and St. Pius Society, of St. Joseph's Church, the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Church, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, of Rockford, in command of P. W. Welch, and the last named were accompanied by a drum corps.
The inscription on the stone is: "I say to thee that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."-St. Matt. xvi : 18; A. D. 1890." The box enclosed in the stone contains city and other papers, coins, manuscript, etc. Father Mclaughlin, of Rockford, made an eloquent address, at the conclusion of which Rev. Father Horan spoke a few words of thanks to the contractors, the architect and others, after which the exercises closed.
GRAND EDIFICE.
The church, 53 x 137 feet, is built of stone quarried near Freeport, and the trimmings are terra cotta. It fronts on State street, and is placed near the north end of the lot, with the parochial house, 38x40 feet, about ninety feet from the front and attached to the church, leaving a pleasant lawn in the angle, with south and west exposure. The design of the church is modern Gothic. A tower, sixteen feet square at the base and 110 feet in height, caps. the northeast corner of the main front, while a smaller tower graces the southwest corner. The larger one has been heavily and substantially built to receive a chime of bells at some future date.
The approach to the main entrance to the edifice is by three stone steps to a broad stone platform extending across the front from tower to tower. Two pairs of wide double doors, set in stone and surrounded by terra cotta, give, entrance to a commodious.
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MR. AND MRS. P. O'CONNOR.
MRS. H. GLENNON.
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vestibule, 10 x 30 feet. Above the main entrance, a row of entresol windows forms an imposing effect as the base of a large window. This window has a fine Gothic tracery and is filled with art glass in appropriate designs. The side walls of the structure are twenty feet in height with heavy buttresses between the windows. The height of the nave is thirty-five feet. The roof is covered with metallic shingles in Gothic pattern.
The main auditorium has 665 sittings, with broad six-foot aisle in the center, and two four-foot aisles, with seven feet between the front seat and altar rail.
Above the vestibule and extending three feet into the church, with handsomely curved panel-front, is the organ and choir loft, with appropriate furnishings.
The wood work throughout is of southern pine, finished in the natural graining of the wood. The ceiling is adorned with partially exposed trusses, and is handsomely frescoed. The artist. was David Dasso, of Chicago. Back of and higher than the altar is a handsome rose window, containing a representation of the Immaculate Conception.
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