USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > Historical sketches of Old Vincennes, founded in 1732 : its institutions and churches, embracing collateral incidents and biographical sketches of many persons and events connected therewith > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
* Law's Hist. Vincennes, p. 145. W. HI. Smith's Hist. Ind., p. 255.
-117-
FIRST ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH, ERECTED ABOUT 1749,
119
OLD VINCENNES.
"In a memorial on the affairs of Louisiana by M. Le Bailey Messager, dated December 17, 1749, a proposition was made to establish a 'central power on the Wabash.' In the early part of the same year, 1749, a mission or church was established at Post Vincennes by the missionary Sebast. Lud. Meurin."* On quitting the Post he left one Phillibert, a notary public, in charge, to keep the records and to administer baptism to laymen privately during the absence of a priest. The records of the Catholic church here make no mention of the missionaries until the year 1749, when Father Meurin came here. For more than half a century this was the only church in Indiana.+ From the departure of Reverend Louis L. Meurin there seems to have been no priest at Vincennes until the ar- rival of Reverend Pierre Gibault, who, upon his ordination in Canada, had been sent to the "Illinois Country," his objective point being Kaskaskia, as Vicar-General, by the Bishop of Quebec. In the line of his duty Reverend Gibault visited Vincennes first, in February, 1770. "In March he returned to Kaskaskia, the usual place of his residence, but for several years continued to pay occa- sional visits to the Post. He was for a time the only priest in Indiana. We find from the records of the church that in July, 1778, he was in Vincennes, exerting himself suc- cessfully in inducing the French inhabitants to declare in favor of the United States against Great Britain."# His mission here at this time was, in some degree, as ambas- sador of Colonel George Rogers Clark, who had won over
"" In 1749 a church or mission was established under the charge of Mission- ary Meurin at Piankeshaw village, which stood at the site of Vincennes."- Dil- lon Hist., p. 403.
+ W. HI. Smith's Hist. Ind., p. 255.
+ Law's Hist. Vineennes, p. 146.
120
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
the Father to the American cause, after his capture of Kaskaskia. ITis services were invaluable, and he should be held in grateful remembrance by all American citizens.
The English Government being in full possession of the Northwest Territory at that time, with the exception of Kaskaskia and Cahokia, Father Gibault, in showing sym- pathy with and giving active aid to Colonel Clark's army. showed rare patriotism to the cause of liberty in thus exposing himself to the risk of capture and trial for trea- son by the English. His good services prepared the way for Clark's successful attack and capture of the town and fort at Vincennes, February 25, 1779. "In July, 1779, Father Gibault again visited Vincennes, then in the pos- session of the Americans. He remained three weeks, dis- charging the duties of his office. Five years elapsed, after this, without a visit from a priest, when Gibault reap- peared in 1784, accompanied by the Reverend M. Payet. In May, 1785, he established himself at the Post as the resident pastor. He remained here until October, 1789, when he finally left and settled at Cahokia, and afterwards at New Madrid, Missouri, where he died in 1804. A lay- inan, Pierre Mallet, acted as guardian of the church, hay- ing been thus appointed by M. Gibault, until the arrival of M. Flaget, in 1792."" It is said by the same author that he remained at this Post two years.
As to the location and character of the first church building, I will quote from the history of the late Honor- able John Law, a very intelligent gentleman, who came to Vincennes in the year 1817, and who had access to the church library and was well qualified to make a true state-
* Law's Hist. Vincennes, p. 147.
121
OLD VINCENNES.
ment on the subject. The first building was doubtless erected during the pastorate of Father Louis L. Meurin about the year 1749, as before stated, as the records of the church then begin to be kept. Law says: "It is not be- yond the memory of the oldest inhabitant of the Post- indeed, it is within the recollection of all who dwelt here forty years since-that fronting on Water street, running back to Church street, toward the present cathedral, there was a plain building with a rough exterior, built of up- right posts, 'chuneked and daubed', to use an architectural expression purely western, with a rough coat of cement on the outside; in width about twenty feet; in length about sixty feet; one story high, with a small belfry, and an equally small bell, now used at the more elegant and sym- metrical building * . The building I have described -placed in the cemetery, where the various mortuary memorials, which piety and affection had dedicated to those who had gone before, headed with the symbol of their faith, and for the most part of wood, the inscriptions, from moss and time almost illegible-was the ancient church of St. Francis Xavier * and was without doubt the only church used here for Catholic worship until the foun- dations of the new edifice which has superseded it was laid and the building prepared for worship."*
The History of Knox County, p. 289, has this to say: "Father Gibault says, in 1784, a new church had been built, 90x42 feet." This statement is not borne out by the facts, and it is presumed that the Father has been mis- represented. If such a building had been erected upon the Father's advent the last time he came, in May, 1785, where
* Law's Hist. Vincennes, p. 141.
122
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
was it in 1792, when Father B. J. Flaget came to serve the church? He said: "The building was poor, open and neg- lected ; the altar, a temporary structure, was of boards and badly put together. I found the congregation in a worse state even than the church. Out of nearly 700, but twelve could be induced to approach holy communion dur- ing Christmas festivities."* If a new church had been built in 1784, as alleged, it is not probable that it could have become so dilapidated as described by the reverend Father, in only a few years' time; and the size of the re- puted new building, 90x42 feet, does not correspond with the one described by Law, 20x60 feet, and "one story high," when he came to Vincennes in 1817. What Father Flaget said in 1792 about the building goes to show that it was the same as originally constructed, but possibly im- proved somewhat by St. Ange, who added a belfry and a bell, which was used in church service until the erection of the new cathedral, and, for some purpose, up to the present time."+
There is a living witness to corroborate Judge Law's statement, Mrs. Elizabeth Andre, now in her ninety-third year. She told the writer, May 7, 1902, that she, in com- pany with the late L. L. Watson and Mr. Vital Bouchie, now living, took their first communion in the first church built here, and describes it as built of posts or upright slabs, and further stated that this old church was used up to the time of the erection of the present cathedral. She describes the entrance to the church as facing the river; said that sometimes there were long intervals between the visits of the priests; that she remembers when two came,
# Hist. Knox County, p. 236.
+ Law's Hist. Vincennes, p. 15.
123
OLD VINCENNES.
having walked and carried their packs on their backs a long distance : and remembers Father Flaget as the first bishop to come to Vincennes. She seems bright in intellect and memory as ever, and says that her recollection of incidents in her early years is as clear as it ever was-much better than it is of incidents happening fifty years ago. The foregoing statements indicate definitely that the present cathedral has had but one preceding church.
There was no regular supply of the church here until Congress, at the petition of Bishop Carroll indorsed by President Washington, passed an act giving an annuity to the church of $200. Then the Bishop appointed Reverend John Francis Rivet, who arrived here in May, 1795. His first official act recorded was the baptism of Antoinette Rons. May 3, 1795, when he signed the record "Rivet prete missionary." He continued here until 1804. Then there appears to have been no regularly stationed priest here for about a period of about two years. Those who officiated remained here but a short time and were attached to missions in Illinois, or to the diocese of Kentucky. M. Flaget, having been consecrated Bishop of Bardstown, Ky., revisited Vincennes in 1814, and again in 1819, 1823 and 1832 * * *. He was the first bishop who served at Vincennes. He died in Louisville in February, 1850. The See of Vincennes was erected in 1833 and Reverend Simon G. Brute was consecrated October 28, 1834, at St. Louis. and took up his residence at Vincennes .* As his field of labor was very extensive and his flocks scattered over a vast extent of territory, there being only two priests under his jurisdiction, and they two hundred and twenty-five miles
* Hist. Knox County, p. 291.
124
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
apart, he addressed his first pastoral letter from St. Louis after his elevation, that being the only way he could reach his members. He died in 1839, leaving a distinguished accord as a Christian gentleman and a popular bishop, and was buried in the crypt of the church. Bishop Brute was succeeded by Bishop Celestin Reno Laureant Gyner de le Hailandiere, in 1839, who resigned in 1847. He was succeeded by John Stephen Bazin in 1847, who died April 23, 1848, after a brief episcopate of six months. Bishop Isaac Maurice de Long d'Assac de St. Palais was ap- pointed to this diocese in 1849. It then comprised the whole State, including about fifty churches and a Catholic population of about 30,000. Bishop St. Palais was an efficient and popular bishop. During his episcopate the diocese was divided, and one at Fort Wayne erected, em- bracing about one-half of the State. He died in 1877. Francis Silas Chatard, the fifth bishop, succeeded to this diocese and was consecrated bishop in Rome, May, 1878, by Cardinal Franchi. Up to this time the bishop's resi- dence had been at Vincennes and his parishoners here were much. concerned to know whether the new bishop would continue it or not. As this had been the battleground for the success and advancement of the church for more than a century and a half, they felt a just pride in claiming priority of domicile for their bishop and had good reasons for supposing that this city would become his home. But such was not to be, and sacred ties, consecrated by sweet memories of the past, were to be rent asunder for public policy through the inexorable changes of time and prog- ress. He was installed in office by Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, in August, 1878. The brief changing the
1
SECOND ST. FRANCIS XAVIER CHURCH. ERECTED IN 1826; FINISHED 1834.
126
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
style of the diocese from Vincennes to Indianapolis was dated March 28, 1878, but was not promulgated until April 20, 1898. The news of the change was received with grief by his parishoners here, but was loyally ac- cepted by them.
St. Xavier Cathedral has for its rector the Reverend Louis Gueguen, R. D., a most estimable gentleman and Christian, and the Reverend Frederick Berget, an eloquent young preacher, as his assistant.
St. John's German Catholic Church, a branch of St. Xavier, was constituted in 1851, and had for its pastor Reverend Nicholas Stauber, who erected a brick house for worship in the same year on a beautiful square between Eighth and Ninth streets, on Main, the same in re- cent years being remodeled and enlarged under the super- vision of the second pastor, Reverend A. Mertz, who faith- fully administered unto his parishoners for more than forty years and up to his death. Reverend Meinrad Fleischman, the present pastor, succeeded him.
The prosperity and status of the Catholic Church may be judged by the following statistics gleaned from the reports of its official records for the year 1900, of the Church in the State: Bishops, 2; priests, 353 ; churches, 302; Catholic population, 184,388.
PRESBYTERIAN.
The first missionary work done in this State by the Presbyterian Church occurred in the years 1804, 1805 and 1806, by the Reverends Samuel Runnels, Samuel D. Rob- inson, James McGrady and Thomas Clelland, members of the Transylvania Presbytery of Kentucky. In 1805 the
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ORGANIZED 1806.
128
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Reverend Clelland visited Vincennes and Governor Will- iam Henry Harrison's wife, who was a Presbyterian, in- vited him to preach in the council chamber of the Gov- ernor, which he did; and this is the first recorded sermon preached in Indiana Territory by a Presbyterian minister.
The first church was organized (under the title of The Indiana Church) in 1806, by the Reverend Samuel D. Robinson, of the Transylvania Presbytery, Synod of Ken- tueky. Missionaries, besides the ones noted, occasionally visited Indiana Territory, including Reverend Thomas Williamson, of the Presbytery of South Carolina, but there was no regular pastor stationed here until 1807, when the General Assembly of the church "ordered that the Rever- end Samuel T. Scott, of the Presbytery of West Lexington, Ky., be a missionary for three months in the Indiana Territory, and especially at Vincennes." The Reverend Scott had been serving as pastor of Mt. Pleasant and In- dian Creek churches. He arrived under this resolution of the Assembly in 1807, and became pastor of Indiana Church," which was the first Presbyterian Church organ- ized in Indiana Territory. The Reverend Scott proved to be an efficient and laborions pastor, meetings being held in the woods oftentimes. IIe soon gathered three congrega- tions, known as Upper and Lower Indiana and Vincennes portions of the Indiana Church. He was prime factor in educational advancement in this region and was the first teacher employed by the Vincennes University trustees. The impress left on the people by him was elevating and enlightening to the cause of civilization and the Christian religion. He ministered to these congregations many years
Indiana Church embraced the churches of Vincennes, Upper and Lower Indiana.
OLD VINCENNES. 129
before he was ordained, that event occurring August 6, 1825, at a meeting of the Salem Presbytery (this body having been organized and detached from the Synod of Kentucky in 1823), in the courthouse in Vincennes. This body consisted of the Reverends William Robinson, John Todd. Samuel T. Scott, William W. Martin, John M. Dickey, John T. Crowe and Isaac Reed. Reverend Samuel Scott died in 1827, and the Reverend Samuel R. Alexander succeeded to the pastorate of the church in 1828, being installed in the old court house standing at the corner of Third and Buntin streets. Up to 1833 the Vincennes Church was identified with and was a part of Indiana Church, organized in 1806; but after that time it assumed an individual existence. The other churches issuing from Indiana Church, the parent church, were Wheatland, Bruceville, West Salem, Smyrna, Upper and Lower Indi- ana Churches.
The first building of the Vincennes branch as organ- ized# stood on the corner of Fifth and Busseron streets, on which the present Presbyterian Church now stands and was dedicated April 16, 1831, with Reverend Samuel R. Alex- ander as supply to it and the other churches up to January 6, 1833, when the Reverend W. W. Martin became pastor, with a membership of thirty-three persons. He preached until April. 1835, when he was succeeded by Reverend Jolin McNeil, who was succeeded by the Reverend Thomas Alexander, who remained until January 23, 1847. Rever- end John F. Smith was then pastor until May, 1858. Reverend J. W. Blythe succeeded him, who gave way to Reverend J. F. Jennison, and he in turn to Eli B. Smith
" The lot was conveyed to the trustees of the church by John Bruner, for the sum of $80.
[9]
130
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
in 1861, who remained until 1866, when Reverend J. F. Hendy was called to the pastorate. The church dividing on the Civil War question, the Second Presbyterian Church was organized April 20, 1862, with thirty-seven members who worshipped in the female academy on the corner of Fifth and Busseron streets until they built a briek church on Main, near Sixth street, and called as pastor the Rev- erend E. S. Wilson. He was succeeded by Reverend Joseph Vance, and he by H. B. Thayer. In 1872 the asperities of the Civil War having become obliterated or softened between the First and Second Churches, the two bodies became reunited, the Reverend Hendy withdrawing and the Reverend Vance succeeding to the joint pastorate. Reverend E. P. Whallen succeeded him in August, 1878, continuing until 1888, when the Reverend Thomas S. Scott was installed and remained until 1894, when he was succeeded by the Reverend George Knox.
Under the administration of the Reverend Whallen the old house of worship, built in 1831, was razed and a por- tion of the new structure was erected at a cost of $15,000, and completed in 1899, under the successful administra- tion of the Reverend George Knox, making the total cost of the present building about $25,000, rendering it a model of beauty, equipment and convenience, with a seating ca- pacity of 600. It was dedicated in May, 1899, and the following hymn was written for and used in the dedi- catory services by the author :
131
OLD VINCENNES.
DEDICATION HYMN.
Oh, Lord, on this auspicious day, Thy people in their temple meet To dedicate it and to lay The offering at the Savior's feet.
In faith we to the altar bring Our soul's devotion, and each voice
Would, with the sweetest accents, sing Thy praises as we here rejoice.
Bestow a blessing on us now, As we adoring look above, And sanctify cach prayer and vow, And fill our souls with joy and love.
May seed, within this vineyard sown, Be nurtured by Thy grace divine, And yield full harvests for Thy throne, And all the glory shall be Thine.
Reverend Dr. Hunter succeeded to the pastorate in 1901 and the church has a bright future.
At the present time the Church of the State is divided into eight Presbyteries, with a total of 259 ministers and 320 churches, and a total membership of 42,783. During the year 1900 the members gave for congregational ex- penses the sum of $390,360; to home missions, $61,581; other benevolences, $143,244; making a total of $595,185. Resident membership, 360.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
Vincennes circuit appears upon the minutes of the District of Vincennes in 1810, making three fields of labor, and Mr. William Winans, who had been admitted on trial in the western conference the year before, was sent here, and his advent marked the beginning of the propa-
132
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
gation of Methodism in Vincennes. The following inci- dent is recorded as having occurred at one of his meetings : Ile had an appointment to preach in town one night and
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ORGANIZED IN 1809.
had for his audience Governor William Henry Harrison and one other person. There was but one candle to give light and nothing to place it upon. To relieve the diffi-
133
OLD VINCENNES.
culty the Governor held the candle while the young preacher read his hymn and text *. He was sent from here to Mississippi District, Louisiana, the following year. He became, in time, distinguished and a doctor of divinity. Tradition gives a little episode in the life of the Reverend Winans while here. It is stated that while the pow-wow was in progress between Governor Harrison and Tecum- seh, when the same had reached an acute stage, the Rev- erend Winans stood in the front door of the Harrison man- sion, with a gun in hand, ready to go to the General's aid, if attacked by the Indians. This shows that, while he was a soldier of the cross, he was no less a soldier in the cause of American liberty.
It is presumed that the church was organized in 1809, the year preceding the advent of Reverend Winans, he being the first supply pastor, as the next year, 1810, Vin- cennes appears on the conference minutes as St. Vin- cennes.
The first general conference of the church convened in New Albany in 1833. The State has been divided into eight conferences, Bloomington, Connersville, Evans- ville, Indianapolis, Moores Hill, New Albany and Vin- cennes. It has under its charge 321 ministers; 220 are on the office list. The seventy-first session of the General Conference was held in Vincennes September 16, 1902, continuing one week, and having an attendance of 500 delegates.
Goodspeed, in his History of Knox County, says the Methodist Church was organized in 1803, by the Reverend William Winans, which is an error, as the Reverend Wi-
Indiana Miscellany. by Rev. W. C. Smith. p. 52.
134
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
nans, as seen above, did not come to Vincennes cirenit until the latter part of 1810, where he remained a year and was sent to Mississippi. He was, while here, a licentiate, only, and there is no recorded evidence of the time when an organization of the church took place. The presumption is that the church was first organized in 1809, but did not become a station until 1829. In 1828 lot 132, on the corner of Buntin and Third streets, was purchased, the deed being made to David S. Bonner, Richard Posey and Thomas Collins, and a house of worship was subsequently built thereon. A more substantial building replaced the first one on the same lot about 1854. In 1894 the lot on the corner of Fourth and Perry streets was purchased with a view of erecting a stone church on it, the corner stone of which was laid April 17, 1899. The present building was completed and occupied later in the same year, and is a beautiful structure. The cost of the building and lot was $25,000.
There has been about seventy pastors and junior preach- ers connected with this church since it was established. Those who have been promoted to the office of presiding elder were: James Axley, Peter Cartwright, George Lock, Aaron Wood, Daniel MeIntire, Hayden Hayes and John Kyser, all of whom are now deceased; and B. F. Rawlins, William B. Zaring, William McKee Hester, M. M. Hobbs, W. B. Collins, M. S. Heavenridge and the present popular official, H. C. Clippinger. The Reverend T. H. Willis is the present eloquent and efficient pastor. Total membership is placed at 468. The spread of the church in the State has been phenomenal.
135
OLD VINCENNES.
EPISCOPAL.
The Protestant Episcopal Church had a mission here as early as 1823, served by the Reverend Henry M. Shaw. For a time services were held in the unfinished University building, which was fitted up for that purpose, under the direction of Rector Shaw. Subsequently, after that build- ing passed into the hands of the Catholic Church, by per- mission, through arrangements with the town authorities, a room in the city hall was fitted up for church purposes and used until St. James Church was ereeted and eonse- crated.
On the 7th day of October, 1839, the communicants and friends interested in the church met at the residence of Mr. George Davis to consider the matter of organizing a parish. The Reverend B. B. Killikelly, a missionary priest, was present and presided. Those present organized a parish, and named it St. James Church of Vincennes. George Davis and James W. Greenhow were chosen wardens and a vestry was elected. After the organization was completed the Reverend B. B. Killikelly was chosen the first rector, and accepted the charge, entering upon his duties at once. In 1840 the officers purchased the lot on which their pres- ent edifice now stands, on the southeast corner of Fourth and Busseron streets, for $400. In 1841 a movement was made to secure funds for the ereetion of a building, and with that object in view their rector, the Reverend Killi- kelly, made a tour east, going as far as England, where he received substantial donations for the church erection fund -one of ten pounds, by Queen Adelaide, widow of Will- iam IV ; and among other distinguished subscribers was
136
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
Mr. Gladstone. On the return of the Reverend Killikelly the erection of a church building was commenced and completed in the summer of 1843, and dedicated on Angust 2nd in that same year by Bishop Kemper, missionary bishop of the Northwest. The Reverend Killikelly re- signed about this time, and was succeeded by the Reverned Foster Thayer, who in turn was succeeded by the Reverend Killikelly again, who remained rector some years more.
The next rector, the Reverend A. Varrian, entered upon his pastorate in 1850, and was succeeded by the following rectors, in the order named : The Reverends F. Elweil, D. E. Loveridge, John F. Esch, W. H. Carter, A. F. Free- man, J. F. Gay, Thomas Austin, D. D., William Morrall. Peter McFarland, A. A. Abbott (now Bishop of Cleve- land), C. S. Sargent, G. Graham Adams, Edwin Johnson, George Taylor Griffin and De Lon Burke, the latter being the present rector. The church, as originally built, did not include the tower, which was constructed in 1865. The church roll, while never very large (there being now less than sixty active members), in influence and standing maintains a high position in the community, and seems fairly prosperous. Several young men have been prepared for the ministry within its sacred portals, and have gone out into the world to preach the gospel of Christ with suc- cess.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.