USA > Indiana > Knox County > Vincennes > History of Old Vincennes and Knox County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
-
414
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
1534; and others dated 1522, 1523, 1551; Bible Holie Donay, 1609; ten volumes in the original text of Syric. Arabic, Greek and Hebrew, with translations of each in Latin. Miss Anna C. O'Flynn, who recently made an inspection of the Cathedral library, in an extended notice of her obser- vations, says: "Here we found the bible of the famous Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton. This one we presume is the same that she took with her when she went to Rome to convert the pope. She was known as Mother Seton after her conversion to the Roman Catholic church, as she then founded a religious order. Her bible is dated 1813, and it states that it was in her possession from 1819 to 1835. For carefulness we give the latirels to the Foundation des Monastries, whose bound volumes (late from 1639 on. These show that when the mother superior could afford she had the records printed, when otherwise they were most neatly writ- ten. The printed pages here and there are worn and torn, yet with great skill they have been mended with patches no larger than a thumb nail, and the missing words are written with minute care on each side of the patched pages.
"The scrapbook of Bishop Brute contains many a fine old engraving and pen sketches, one of which is an Ecce Homo made with one stroke of the artist's pen. He began at the tip of the nose and finished one of the wonders of the penman's skill without raising his pen, shading with pho- tographie beauty. Here we find the missale or Mass Book of the patriotic priest of the Northwest Territory, Rev. Father Gibault, who aided George Rogers Clark in capturing the British in the old French forts on the Mis- sissippi and Wabash rivers. The Mass Book of Rev. Gibault may be called the nucleus from and around which the oldest library gathered her treasures. It was from this old book Rev. Gibault intoned his prayers for the success of the ragged American troops before they started on their long march against the British, who greatly outnumbered them. Father Gibault's missale was published in 1668, and he used it in 1778. To the missale of Rev. Gibault the sticcessive priests who ministered to the spir- itual wants of the members of St. Francis Xavier's church in Vincennes have added their quota of books; but to Bishop Brute belongs the title of founder. To the fact that Bishop Brute's ancestors were printers to the kings of France no doubt is due the richness of this valuable collec- tion of books."
Bishop Brute died in 1839. His death was deplored by Protestants as well as Catholics, for all admired him for his great piety, unbounded charity and scholarly attainments. He was succeeded by Rt. Rev. Celes- tine Rene Lawrence Guinemere de la Hailandiere, who officiated as the second bishop of the diocese of Vincennes from 1839 until 1847, when he brought his successful administration to a close by resigning the bishopric and returning to his native France. It was during his administration that the large bell now suspended in the cathedral steeple was purchased. The soft and pleasing tone of the bell is said to be occasioned by the large
415
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
quantity of gold and silver entering into its composition, which were fur- nished by the women of Bishop Hailandiere's native town, who volunta- rily threw their jewelry into the mass of metal from which it was cast. John Stephen Bazin was the third bishop of Vincennes. He was conse- crated as such shortly after the retirement of Bishop Hailandicre, Octo- ber 24, 1847, being relieved by death of his office on April 23, 1848. Right Rev. James M. Maurice de Long d'Aussac de St. Palais, who was edu- cated at the celebrated seminary of St. Sulpice, in Paris, upon the death of Bishop Bazin was appointed the fourth bishop of Vincennes. His greatest care was the welfare of orphan children, for whom he provided modern asylums. He died very suddenly while on a visit to St. Mary's Academy, a Catholic educational institution for young ladies, near Terre Haute, June 28, 1877. His funeral was very largely attended by people from all walks of life, representing every denomination, and his body was laid to rest in the chapel under the church, where are entombed the re- mains of bishops Bruté, Bazin and de la Hailandiere. The latter, before leaving Vincennes, expressed a desire to be buried here and, in compliance with that request, several years after death his body was brought back from France for final interment. The fifth and present bishop of Vin- cennes is Francis Silas Chatard, who has been relieved of much official work by the recent appointment of a coadjutator bishop in the person of Right Rev. Father Chartrand. Bishop Chatard is an American by birth and was born in Baltimore, Md., December 13, 1834. He graduated from St. Mary's College, near Emmitsburg, Maryland, in June, 1853, while in his eighteenth year. In 1857 he was accepted as a theological student by Archbishop Kenrick of Baltimore, who subsequently gained him ad- mission to the Urban College of the Propaganda in Rome, where, after pursuing his studies for six years, he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In November of the same year he accepted the of- fice of vice-rector of the American College at Rome, a position he filled until the rector in 1868 was elevated to the American bishopric, when Dr. Chatard succeeded to the rectorship, which place he held for ten years. He was consecrated bishop in Rome, May 12, 1878, by Cardinal Franchi. On August II, 1878, he was installed in office by Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, who performed the ceremony in St. Francis Xavier's church. Soon after his installation Bishop Chatard announced that the bishopric residence would be removed from Vincennes to Indianapolis. The an- nouncement fell like a pall on his hearers, who seemed for a long time dis- concerted by the change, and with difficulty reconciled themsleves to the new order of things.
The first regular priest of St. Francis Xavier's church was Father Mermet. The date of his arrival is set forth in a letter written from Kaskaskia, November 9. 1712, by Father Marest, in which he writes: "The French having lately established a post on the Wabash, demanded a mis- sionary, and Father Mermet was sent them." Father Senate was the
416
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
pastor in charge in 1736. He accompanied Morgan de Vinsenne on his expedition against the Chickasaws in that year, and with the gallant com- mander was burned at the stake by the Indians in an Arkansas wilderness. From 1736 the church was without a regular pastor until 1749, when Father Sabastian Louis Meurin, a Jesuit priest, came to take charge. The first record of his administration is dated April 21, 1749, which was the occasion of the marriage of Julien Troittier, of Montreal, Canada, and Jo- sette Marie, daughter of a Frenchman and an Indian woman. The last act he performed in the discharge of his priestly duties was to officiate at the burial of the wife of a corporal of the garrison, March 17, 1753. Louis Vivier was the immediate successor of Father Meurin, who had been called to labor in a more extensive field, and was here from 1753 to 1756. The church records disclose that his first official act was the per- formance of a marriage ceremony, May 20, 1753, and four days later he performed the burial services over the body of Pierre Leonardy, the lieu- tenant who accompanied Juchereau to Vincennes in 1702, and who was officer of the garrison at the time of his death. The date of the last entry of Father Vivier in the records is August 28, 1756. Father Julien du Jauny was pastor from 1756 until 1763, and during an interval, extend- ing, from the date last named until 1770, the parish was without a priest, authority having been vested in a Frenchman named Philibert dit Or- leans, a notary public, who had the custody of the records and was per- mitted to administer baptism. Father Jauny was the last Jesuit in charge of the pastorate of St. Xavier's. Father Gibault came for the first time in 1770, and, during intervals, was in charge from that year until 1778. His later visits were in 1784, 1786, his last appearance being in 1792, when he installed Pierre Mallet, a layman, to guard the church and property un- til the arrival of Rev. M. Flaget, who came during that year, remaining only a short time, when he was succeeded by Father Levadoux, and the latter by Rev. John Francis Rivet, who died in 1804, his death being the first to occur among the priesthood. Father Donatian Olivier, who was pastor of the church at Prairie du Rocher, made pastoral visits to St. Xavier's in 1804. In 1805 he took up his pastoral residence here, but was relieved for a short time in 1806, by Father Charles Nerinckz, and by Father Urban Guillet, a monk, in 1808. In 1809 Father Olivier re- turned and stayed until 1810, when he was succeeded by Father Etienne Badin, who came in 1810. In 1813 Father Olivier again returned, and in 1814 Bishop Flaget paid two visits to Vincennes, when the pastor in charge was Rev. Ignatius Chabrat. Rev. Joseph Rosati came from Lou- isiana in 1817 and officiated as pastor of St. Xavier's. In June, 1818, Rev. Augustus Jeanjean and Rev. Anthony Blanc, came to Vincennes, the for- mer for the purpose of founding a college and the latter to assume the duties of parish priest. Father Jeanjean performed his first office June 21, 1818, in the baptism of a convert, and on January 11, 1819, as his last official act, he did a similar service. Rev. John Aquaroni baptised an in-
. ...
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN CATHOLR CHURCH AND PARSONAGE. VINCENNES
417
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
fant at St. Xavier's on April 12, 1818, and his last official act was a bap- tism on the 19th day of the same month. Rev. Andrew Ferrari was the parish priest in 1819-20; Rev. Francis Xavier Dahmon, 1820-21 ; Father Champomier, 1823-31 ; Rev. Elisha J. Durbin, 1826; Revs. Simon Fouché and Robt. A. Abel, 1829; Rev. Louis Picot, 1831-33; Rev. Nicholas Petit, 1833-34; Rev. Felix Matthew Ruff, 1831-33; Rev. John Claude Francois, 1835: Rev. Stanislaus Buteaux, 1836; Revs. Julian Benoit and Anthony Deydier, 1837; Revs. Maurice Berrel and Anthony Perret, 1838; Rev. August M. Martin, 1840; Revs. Julian Delaune and John J. Corbe, 1840- 41 ; Rev. A. Couljault, until 1846; Rev. Ernest Audran, until 1869; Rev. John Coutin, 1869-1876; Rev. John Gueguen, 1876-79; Rev. Hugh Pey- thieu, 1879-90; Rev. Jas. Stremler, March to November, 1890. Rev. Louis Gueguen, who celebrated his golden jubilee in December, 1909, was pastor from 1890 until 1907. Rev. Andrew Oster, who was one of Father John Gueguen's assistants in 1876-79, is the priest of the parish at pres- ent, assisted by Rev. Father Jas. Gregoire. The congregation of St. Francis Xavier's consists of more than five hundred families, embracing over fifteen hundred members.
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
It was not until the year 1840 that German Catholics began to arrive in Vincennes in noticeable numbers, and being a naturally religious people craved accommodations for the practice of their religion according to their national customs. Appealing to Rt. Rev. Bishop de la Hailandiere, at that time Bishop of Vincennes, and residing therein, he made provision for them by setting apart a special time and a priest who could speak the German language-Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel-who administered to their spiritual wants in St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral. As the number of German families increased the necessity of a separate church edifice natu- rally presented itself. They repeatedly petitioned Rt. Rev. Bishop de la Hailandiere to allow them the privilege of erecting a church of their own, to which he turned a deaf ear, thinking the small congregation unequal to the struggle. The Bishop finally acceded to their wishes, in so far as he al- lowed them to plan a small frame church on Fifth Street in the rear of the lot which now contains what is known as the Bishop's Block. The corner stone was laid. when work ceased on building, as it was even then apparent that it would not accommodate the rapidly in- creasing members of the congregation. At different times, from different persons, and by degrees, was purchased the beautiful site on Main street between Eighth and Ninth streets. This block now contains a large and handsome church, a beautiful and commodious rectory, and a fine school building of several rooms with a large hall above. The congregation was poor and a great struggle ensued, but under the guidance of the Rev. Nico- laus Stauber, who was then pastor. inspired by his determination and in- domitable perseverance and energy, priest and people working as. one man,
418
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
the plans of the first church, drawn by Mr. Marsille, were accepted. The dimensions of this building were 40 x 80 with a sanctuary 20 feet, the whole surmounted by a lofty steeple, and the corner stone was laid on the 17th day of July, 1851, Rt. Rev. Maurice de St. Palais presiding. The Reverend J. B. Chasse delivered the sermon to a large gathering of vari- ous creeds and nationalities. The work continued as rapidly as possible and the building was completed in July, 1852. The trustees at the time were Gerhard Reiter, Henry Soete, Andrew Laugel and Henry Bultman, all of whom have gone to rest from their labors. These faithful German Catholics worshipped in this church for fourteen years, when it was found to be too small to accommodate the congregation. It was therefore de- cided to enlarge the church by adding a building across the end in the form of a cross, with a Sanctuary, a more spacious Sacristy and an Ora- tory. These improvements were made in 1866-67 at a cost of $13,554. A few years afterwards, a generous benefactor, Mr. John Ebner, Jr., following in the footsteps of a most generous father-Mr. John Ebner, Sr .- presented the church with a magnificent chime of bells, weighing 4,000 pounds, necessitating a larger and stronger belfry. Plans were made which resulted in the present imposing front containing two large towers, a spacious vestibule and Baptistry. This improvement was completed in 1890 at a cost of $13,673, a bequest of $2,600 left to the church by Theo. Huslage giving an incentive to the project. The first schoolhouse was a small brick building which was replaced by the present handsome structure in 1872. The attendance averages 250 children. In July, 1902, St. John's celebrated its Golden Jubilee with great pomp and ceremony, and fervent prayers ascended from grateful hearts that the efforts of these faithful people, after years of struggle had been crowned on earth and in heaven. During this time, six pastors, with eight assistants have ministered to the spiritual wants of the congregation. The present Parish Consellors are John Weiler, Charles Scheefers, Anthony Risch, Henry Bergmann, Frank G. Reiter, Anthony Kiefer, John Geschke, Emil Frey. The first person baptized in St. John's Church was Herman Henry Bultman. Mr. John F. Miller served the first Mass in the new church. The present statistics show that St. John's congregation contains 350 families or about 1,500 souls. The present rector is Rev. Meinrad Fleischmann, assisted by Rev. Charles Kaby.
THE SACRED HEART CATIIOLIC CHURCHI.
In 1901 Father Louis Gueguen, then pastor of St. Xavier's, and Father Meinrad Fleischmann, pastor of St. John the Baptist congregation, pur- chased a lot at the intersection of Day and Reel avenues. At this time in that locality there were, exclusive of mannfactories, few pretentious buildings, and the territory adjacent to the property contained only a small number of dwellings. The priests, however, anticipated the wonderful growth in that direction, and in order to accommodate the large number
419
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
of Catholics who subsequently built their homes on the North Side, began preparations for the erection of a church three years after the ground had been purchased. On April 24. 1909, the corner-stone of an edifice which had been designed for a church and school was laid. On September 25. 1909, the building was dedicated, in the presence of many thousands of people, Protestants as well as Catholics seeming to enter with zest into the spirit of the impressive ceremonies which the event occasioned. The plans for the structure, around which many handsome and substantial homes have been builded, were drawn by Campbell & Osterhage, archi- tects, who were also contractors. The building is very attractive and adds materially to the nice appearance of that part of the city, which is a com- paratively new settlement. The original cost of the structure was $25,000. Since its erection, the pastoral residence and a modern dwelling, the latter occupied as a residence by the Sisters, have been built on the lot, which now contains improvements representing about $37,000. The priest and parishioners contemplate at an early day the erection of a new church in view of converting the present building to school purposes, exclusively. The increase in the number of pupils, who are taught by Sisters of the Benedictine Order, has called for additional buildings sooner than the projectors had anticipated. The actual number of families belonging to the Sacred Heart congregation is one hundred and twenty-five, while the membership of the church is more than five hundred. The pastor in charge is Rev. John Becker, formerly assistant of Father Fleischmann of St. John's. The present trustees are John Birkofer, Thos. Kilfoil, John Freisz, Thos. Reily, William Wensel, Antone Bey.
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
St. James Episcopal church had many struggles in its pioneer days, when it was not very well known west of the Alleghanies. In the year 1835 Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper was consecrated Bishop of Indiana and Missouri, and during his administration substantial work began. Bishop Kemper relates the following incident which occurred while he and his friend and co-laborer were at a small town in the southwest. "For more than a day we enquired in vain for an Episcopalian. One faithful son of the church we at last found, whose name and appearance and zeal I can never forget. He heard after dinner, on a bitter cold day, that I was to officiate that night in a Presbyterian meeting house. Although in his 78th year, and living eight miles from town, he mounted his horse, and ar- rived in time to participate in the service." This town was Vincennes, and this devoted churchman was Daniel Langdon, whose descendants are still faithful members of the parish, and have erected a beautiful memorial window in the new church. Following this visit of the Bishop occasional services were held but no permanent organization formed until October 7, 1839, at a meeting of churchmen held at the residence of George Davis, Esq .. presided over by Rev. B. B. Killikelley, when it was resolved to or-
420
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
ganize a parish in accordance with the doctrines, rites and usages of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States.
The following gentlemen were the first to be appointed vestrymen : George Davis, John Cruikshank, James W. Greenhow, Samuel Langdon, A. T. Ellis, Joseph Somes, George Cruikshank and George W. Rathbone. At their first meeting the following resolutions were adopted: "Resolved, That the Church now organized be called St. James Church of Vincennes. Resolved, That the Reverend B. B. Killikelley be and is hereby chosen Rector of the Church. Resolved, That the Chairman of this meeting ap- point a committee of four to petition the President and Trustees of the Borough of Vincennes for the use of the Town Hall as a place of public worship for this congregation, and if consent is obtained to have the same properly fitted up with stoves and seats; and, further, that they corre- spond with Gen. W. H. Harrison in relation to a lot heretofore donated by him to this church on condition that the church be built thereon, ask- ing his consent that said lot might be sold, and the proceeds used to pur- chase a more desirable location."
The use of the Town Hall was readily granted and through the untir- ing efforts of the women of the parish properly equipped. A Guild had been formed. composed of the following women: Mesdames B. B. Killi- kelley, Shaw, Langdon, Greenhow, Somes, Rathbone, Ellis, Leroy, Mar- tin, Bishop, Cruikshank. Woolverton, Ryan, Misses Martin, Rathbone, Ryan, Shaw, Leroy, Jane, Sarah and Amelia Langdon. So zealously did they labor that they succeeded in raising the sum of $117.21, which they ex- pended upon the Town Hall.
It was soon discovered that the Town Hall was inadequate and in December, 1840, a lot on the corner of Fourth and Busseron streets was purchased for $400, the Ladies' Guild supplying $200 and the Vestry giv- ing a note for the remainder payable in one year.
After the purchase of the lot ways and means were provided to build a permanent edifice for the use of this congregation, and in February, 1841. the Rev. B. B. Killikelley was requested by the Vestry to visit the principal cities in this country and England to obtain funds for this pur- pose. He was supplied with a letter of instructions, also a letter of rec- ommendation to his Excellency William Henry Harrison. His traveling expenses were to be borne by the Parish. Rev. Killikelley succeeded be- yond the hopes of the most sanguine, and in 1841 the plans for the new church, drawn by Charles Dawes, were accepted. The building was Eng- lish Gothic in design-dimensions 40 by 60 feet-with a tower at the west front and an organ loft across the west nave, but no chancel. The basement was to be used for Sunday school and parish work. The plans were modified somewhat-the tower was omitted and was added only during the years 1859-1868, while Rev. W. H. Carter was rector. The corner stone of the building as accepted
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH
SACRED HEART CHURCH
421
HISTORY OF KNOX COUNTY
was laid in 1842 by Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, and the church consecrated on August 2, 1843. Dr. Carter was a man of great energy, and during his administration the tower was not only built, but stained glass windows were placed in the church, gas was introduced and a furnace placed in the basement, a rectory built adjoining the church, and Mission Chapel erected in North Vincennes. This was quite a drain upon the little band of faithful people and involved the congregation in debt for several years, but through devotion and energy they were finally relieved. The Rev. Peter McFarlane, who became rector January 1, 1885, was a man of in- domitable energy-inspiring everyone with his own zeal and enthusiasm. One of his great desires was to possess an organ for his church, and he accordingly started an organ fund. A choir room was built and furnished. The Mission Chapel, which had been sold to the city for school purposes, was repurchased and a day as well as Sunday school established. This was owing to the generosity of Major W. P. Gould, who maintained all the expenses of a parochial day school, Sunday school, and free reading room, as well as a girls' industrial school, for some years, until it was again bought by the church, Major Gould making a liberal donation.
In 1887 the Rev. A. A. Abbott was appointed rector and at this time a pipe organ was purchased at a cost of $2,000. The organ fund at this time amounted to $700, Major Gould donated $500 and the parish soon acquired the remaining $800. In this building the congregation wor- shiped for sixty-three years, and much honor and credit is given to the Reverend B. B. Killikelley. The church is justly proud of its list of gen- erous donors, among which are many illustrious names-a President of the United States being the first to aid in the building of the church by his donation of a lot, and a Queen of England is the first name on the list of subscribers, followed by Archbishops, Bishops, Priests; mem- bers of the Peerage and gentry ; statesmen such as William E. Gladstone, and churchmen such as Pusey, Newman and Bickersteth. At the end of sixty-three years this building being very old and beyond repair much money having been spent upon it in vain, the congregation could not but face the necessity of a new building. Accordingly, the Rev. Wm. E. Morgan being in charge, it was decided to sell the old church and with the proceeds purchase a new site on the corner of Sixth and Perry streets. With his usual generosity Major Gould offered $4,000, provided the church raised $8,000. A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions and through the untiring efforts of the Rector the necessary amount was sub- scribed and a most picturesque stone building, comprising both church and rectory soon gratified the hearts of these zealous church workers. St. James Church up to the present time has had twenty-one pastors. Among its parish members are descendants of some of the oldest and most aris- tocratic families of the city.
Reverend Forrest H. Blunt is present rector. Since he has been in charge the Sunday school room, kitchen, toilet and other improvements
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.