USA > Indiana > Vanderburgh County > History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, from the earliest times to the present, with biographical sketches, reminiscences, etc. > Part 38
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First German Baptist Church. - This congregation was organized April 6, 1856, and has always been small in numbers. The building is situated on the corner of Edgar and Franklin streets, and is a beautiful frame structure, $1,100 having been spent in im- proving it during the past year. The society is out of debt and owns church property valued at $5,000.00. It has seventy mem- bers and is rapidly growing. The Sunday- school has an attendance of over 100; Henry Ashley, superintendent. The pastor also preaches at a church in German township. The following pastors have ministered to this congregation: Rev. Woertner, Charles Tecklenburg, A. Tranchel, and William Lipphardt, the present pastor.
Liberty Baptist Church (colored) .- This
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church was organized in March, IS65, by Col. Woods, a white man, whose devotion and earnestness in the cause among the colored people deserves much commenda- tion. He remained their pastor for the first year, during which period meetings were held in a small brick dwelling house on Chest- nut street. In 1866 a frame church 40x65 feet was erected on the corner of Seventh and Oak streets, the present site of the church building. This was torn down in 1880, when the erection of a large brick church was commenced and completed, but not without a severe trial, for on June 9, IS86, a terrible cyclone passed over the city, doing much damage, wholly destroy- ing the new and handsome church, then practically finished, occasioning a loss of upward of $7,000. This calamity, it seems, was only a test of the zeal and de- votion to God's work of this people, for, undaunted, with the aid of subscriptions and some help from outside sources, they at once proceeded to clear away the debris and commenced building the beauti- ful structure now in use. It is built of brick, is 60x85 feet, has a seating capacity for 900, and cost $6,500. Rev. Green McFarland became pastor in 1866, and re- mained until his death, which occurred July 9, ISSI. Rev. Dennis Rouse, the present pastor, took charge in October, 1881, and under his faithful ministry the church is growing steadily. During his ministry over 300 members have been received. The membership now numbers 7So. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of 175, with Mr. C. H. Lancaster superin- tendent.
Missionary Baptist Church (colored) .- This church was organized in IS70, with a membership of seventy-five. The congre- gation first worshiped in a small frame church on the present site of the new
building, which is located on the northwest corner of Virginia street and Twelfth avenue. It is a neat frame church, cost about $1,200, and was built in 1883. The pastors have been Revs. Grant Clay, Dennis Rouse, Jordan Barnett, Henry Beecher, D. T. Carraway and George Dorsey, who is the present pastor. There are 125 members and a good Sunday-school of 50.
MeFarland Chapel (Colored) .- This church, named in honor of Rev. Green Mc- Farland, was organized October 15, ISS2, by about 100 members who withdrew from the " Liberty Baptist church," and called Rev. W. H. Anderson to the pastorate, who still remains. Its first meetings were held at the superior court room, on Locust street, and later in a building on the corner of Fifth and Cherry streets until their new building was finished. The new chapel is of moder- ate size, built of brick and together with the ground cost $6,000. It was finished and dedicated in ISS7. The membership num- bers over 300 and the Sunday-school has an attendance of eighty, with A. G. Smith, su- perintendent. Rev. W. H. Anderson, a learned gentleman, greatly beloved by his congregation, in his labors here is meeting with deserved success. Previous to coming here, he was pastor of the Third Baptist church, Terre Haute, for ten years.
New Bethel Baptist Church ( Colored) .-- This branch was organized several years ago. The small congregation of about twenty members worship in a rented room on Campbell street. Rev. H. T. Green is the pastor.
Catholic Churches .- It was a noticeable feature of the Catholic priesthood in the pioneer days that wherever they found a community, no matter how small or how widely scattered, wherein they could estab- lish a mission, there the cross was erected
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and the protecting care of the church spread over the inhabitants. No hardship was accounted too severe and no sacrifice too great to stand in the way of the propagation of a religion which they believed to declare the voice and will of God. The first infor- mation of any Catholics residing in the vicin- ity of Evansville, was communicated in the fall of 1836, to the Right Rev. Gabriel Brute, first bishop of Vincennes, by Rev. Father Bateux, and the companions of his journey, who lodged on their arrival here, at the Mansion House, then kept by Francis Linck, a citizen well remembered to this day and esteemed by all the older inhabitants of the city. Mr. Linck, born in 1774, was a native of Stockheim, in Wurtemburg, and in 1836 was the only Catholic in Evansville, except perhaps the late John Walsh. In March, I837, Very Rev. Father De la Hielandiere, vicar-general of the Rev. Bishop, accompa- nied by Rev. Father Shawe, visited Evans- ville with a view of establishing a mission, and on the 3rd day of May, following, Rev. Father Anthony Deydier was dispatched to take charge of the mission.
Father Deydier was born in France, April 30, 1788, and was ordained a priest at the cathedral of Vincennes, March 25, 1837. Very few knew that he had reached the full strength of his manhood when he took upon himself holy orders, and was placed in charge of the mission in this city. While here he lived a blameless and well spent life, unobtrusive in his deportment, but with a kind word for all. After almost a year's residence at the house of Mr. Linck, in January, 1838, he built a lodge room, IOXI5 feet in size, at the corner of Fifth and Chestnut streets. Here he made his abode, using his little room as a dwelling and for chapel purposes for about three years. For Sabbath day services larger rooms at the homes of Catholics were occasionally used. $50,000, of which $5,000 was due the
He labored heroically among his people, did much missionary work in the country adjacent to Evansville, and in 1838 made a successful trip to the east to raise funds for the erection of a church building. The history of Catholicism in Evansville since that time is the history of a wonderful growth. The worthy priest who stood by the church in its infancy, lived to see it become rich and powerful with a numerous priesthood within the territory where he once labored alone- lived to see a sturdy oak grown from the acorn planted by his hands. When old age and increasing infirmities had impaired his usefulness, he retired from the active minis- try and, returning to Vincennes, passed the evening of his life in comparative rest, greatly beloved by all who knew him. His death occurred February 11, 1864.
The Assumption Parish. The Assump- tion parish was the first Catholic congrega- tion organized south of Vincennes, and remained the sole church until 1851, when the Holy Trinity parish was organized for German-speaking Catholics.
In 1839 a lot on Second street upon which to build Assumption church was secured for the sum of $1,200. In 1840, August 5, the corner-stone was laid by the French Bishop of Nancy, Monseigneur Forbin Jeanson, who was then on a visit to the diocese of Vincennes. Rev. Stephen Badin, the first priest ordained in the United States, preached the sermon on the occasion. In that year Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel, just ordained at Vincennes, was sent as assistant to Father Deydier. In 1849 Rev. Patrick McDermott became the assistant priest of As- sumption parish ; he celebrated his first mass in Evansville, Christmas day, 1849, and be- came pastor in 1859. The church property on Second street, through the instrumental- ity of Capt. F. P. Carson, was sold for
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bishop and paid to him; and in April, IS71, the present site of Assumption church, corner of Seventh and Vine streets, was purchased. Work on the present church began in 1872, and on the 7th day of July of that year the corner-stone was laid by Bishop de St. Palais. Very Rev. Bede O'Connor was the orator. Father McDer- mott built the church on the grand scale in which it is now seen. He labored with zeal and saintly ardor until 1879, when, much to the regret of his parishioners, he was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's church, Indianapolis, where he died September 13, ISS2. From the date of removal of Father McDermott until the appointment of the present Very Rev. pastor, about five months, Rev. John Gueguen, then chaplain of St. Mary's Hos- pital, had charge of Assumption church. Very Rev. Eugene F. McBarron took charge November 7, 1879. Under his ad- ministration many additions and improve- ments to the parish grounds and buildings have been made. Among these are a fine hall and school building, a pastoral residence, repairing and frescoing the church and the purchase of twenty feet of additional ground. These represent an outlay of nearly $20,000.
The parish grounds extend 200 feet on Seventh street and 150 feet on Vine street. All the buildings front on the former street. On the corner stands the pastoral residence, a tastefully constructed and happily arranged house, costing upward of $4,000. About the center of the grounds stands the stately and massive Assumption church, which cost $73,000. The next building is the Sister's house, representing $2,000; and lastly the Assumption Hall and school building which is worth over $7,000. These buildings, improvements, grounds, furniture and other parish property are worth the large sum of $123,000. The debt is only $13,000.
Assumption Church is cruciform and of Romanesque style of architecture, 60x90 feet in the transept, 52 feet to ceiling and 149 feet long. It is built of brick, with stone trimmings, and is reputed one of the most substantial and beautiful church edifices in the west.
The Assumption schools consist of four rooms, three of which are taught by the Sisters of Providence, who live in the adjoining residence, and one, the higher grade in the male department, by Mr. John F. Boyle. He has held the position since IS85, and succeeded Mr. T. A. Crosson, who taught from 1882 until that time. There are 225 children in attendance. The building erected in ISSI, is of brick, 44x84 feet, two stories, with the upper floor in use as the Assumption Hall. The parish now has 200 families, and the trustees are John McDonagh, C. J. Murphy, Eugene McGrath, M. Gorman, Charles McCarthy, and J. J. Nolan.
Very Rev. Eugene F. McBarron, dean, member of the bishop's council and immov- able pastor of the church of the Assump- tion, was born near New Albany, Floyd county, Ind., June IS, 1844. He pursued his studies at St. Thomas' Seminary, near Bardstown, Ky., at Notre Dame University, at St. Meinrad's Benedictine Abbey, and finally at the Grand Seminary of St. Sulpice, Montreal, Canada, where he finished theol- ogy and learned the French language. He was ordained priest at Vincennes, June 8, I871, by Bishop de St. Palais. His first mission was at St. Mary's of the Woods, Vigo county, where he remained eight years, maintaining and improving the high moral status of his congregation. In 1879 Bishop Chatard appointed him pastor of the Church of the Assumption. By his learn- ing, business capacity and financial ability, he is admirably fitted for his responsible
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position. He adds to his knowledge a spirit of retirement, and to his zeal an excellent judgment. His preaching is plain and for- cible, while his methods of teaching youth adn expounding the Christian doctrine are very happy, making frequent use of com- parisons, and often employing odd words and phrases to impress a special point upon his auditors. He is immovably firm, just in his decisions, zealous in his labors, and not above taking advice. In the management of the financial and business interests of his congregation he has been signally success- ful. In consequence of these characteristics there are few priests more worthy, better. appreciated or more loved than Very Rev. Father McBarron.
Rev. Patrick H. Rowan, assistant pastor of the church, was born March 14, 1859, studied at St. Meinrad's Benedictine Abbey from 1874 to 1878, and thereafter for over two years in the American college at Rome. His health failing, he returned to the United States, and was ordained priest at Baltimore by Cardinal Archbishop Gibbons, May 13, 1885, and on the 7th of June following cele- brated his first mass. On June 20, 1885, he arrived at Evansville, commissioned by Rt. Rev. Dr. Chatard for his present posi- tion in Assumption parish. Father Rowan knows the German and Italian languages well, is possessed of an excellent education and many charming qualities of mind and heart.
Oppermann, Martin Stahl, Conrad Schnied- erjans and Roman Weinzoepfel succeeded each other in charge of the Germans and as assistants to Father Deydier. The first resident pastor for the Germans was Rev. Francis X. Kutassy, who arrived in 1848. It was he who organized Holy Trinity par- ish and built the church.
In the work of building the new church he was ably assisted by the following gentle- men, who composed his first building com- mittee: B. Nurre, H. Ahlering, H. Her- mann, M. Nies, Fr. Ziegenhagen, and 1I. Rechtin. In 1849 the corner-stone was laid by Bishop de St. Palais, but on account of the ravages of the cholera the work was not completed until 1851. In 1855 a par- sonage was built at a cost of $1,500. In 1866 Rev. J. Ferd. Viefhaus was sent as assistant to Father Kutassy. Stained glass windows were put in in 1867, at a cost of $2,700. In 1868 two large vestry rooms were built as an addition to the church, at a cost of $3,000. In 1873 the front of the church was newly built, and a grand tower and spire erected. The edifice was then of these dimensions: Length, 147 feet; width, 70 feet; height to ceiling, 35 feet. The spire stands 202 feet. In the tower is a chime of nine bells, which cost $5,000. In 1872 Rev. Charles Loescher became the assistant priest, Rev. Father Viefhaus hav- ing undertaken the work of building up St. Mary's parish. In 1873 Rev. James Merckl became assistant. On the IIth of October 1874, the golden jubilee of the noble pastor, Rev. F. X. Kutassy, was celebrated with pomp, and as a sort of finish to his labors, for he died on the 27th of that month, as- sisted in his last hours by his dear friend, Father McDermott, who administered to him the last sacraments. He was buried in the new St. Joseph's cemetery, the first
Holy Trinity Parish was not regarded as a separate congregation until 1851, when the new church of that name was solemnly blessed in the presence of the right reverend bishop, and thereafter used exclusively by the German-speaking Catholics. Previously Catholics of all nationalities attended the Assumption church. For several years separate services continued to be held there for the Germans, and Rev. Fathers Charles priest there interred, and a grand monument
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was erected to his memory in 1875. Rev. Father Merckl was in charge for seven months, or until the arrival of Rev. P. J. J. Duddenhausen as pastor, May 19, 1875, to whom was given Rev. A. Oster as his as- sistant in July of that year. Father Dud- denhausen began many reforms in the congregation, adopted business methods, and celebrated the public service of the church with pomp and solemnity. He was given Rev. William Bultmann as his assist- ant, July, 1877, and in 18So Father F. B. Luebberman became his assistant, taking Father Bultmann's place, that reverend gen- tleman having undertaken the work of organizing St. Boniface's parish.
Attention was paid to the matter of edu- cation as early as 1851, when, with the organization of Holy Trinity parish, its first little brick school-house was built. In 1853 the Sisters of Providence came to teach the children of the parish. In 1860 a school was built especially for female children, and in 1863 a residence was built for the sisters. A clearing out of all the old buildings took place in 1869, when the present school building was erected. It is 58x105 feet, three stories, with the upper floor used as a hall. Mr. Blaes, of Piqua, Ohio, teaches the higher school. St. Joseph's Academy, owned The present trustees are: F. Harnish- feger, Joseph Hoffman, Joseph Sabee, Val- entine Schmitz, sr., J. Pierre and John Erthal. by the Sisters of Providence, is a separate institution, situated on Division street. It is three stories in height and has several boarding scholars and day pupils. Rev. St. Mary's Parish .- St. Mary's is the third of the Catholic congregations formed in Evansville, and dates back to 1866, the year of the appointment of its present pas- tor by Bishop de Saint Palais. The first work done by the pastor, Rev. John Ferdi- nand Viefhaus, after the purchase of the present site of the parish buildings, was the erection of a two-story brick school-house at a cost of $5,000. This building is at the Father Duddenhausen died in ISS6, and was buried in St. Joseph's cemetery. His zeal and labors were great, and he was mourned by his congregation. He was born in Prus- sia, June 15, 1842, emigrated to the United States, September 20, 1863, and was or- dained priest December 23, 1865. He was pastor at Lawrenceburg from October, 1870, until May, 1875, when he became pastor of Holy Trinity parish, Evansville. I southeast corner of Cherry and Upper Sixth
He was succeeded a little over a year ago by Rev. H. John Diestel, who, for nearly a quarter of a century, had been the pastor of St. Philip's, in Posey county. He was born in Hanover, Germany, October 7, 1838. Having pursued his preparatory studies, he emigrated to the United States in 1857, and entered St. Charles' Seminary at Vincennes, where he was ordained priest by Bishop de St. Palais, December 21, 1864. Father Diestel is a portly man, of soldierly bearing. In the pulpit he is of great force, and is known as an eloquent and earnest preacher.
His assistant is Rev. Francis Siepen, a native of Evansville, a young man of much promise. He studied in Austria, and was ordained June 26, 1887, by Bishop Chatard. He is a zealous, useful man. The congre- gation, even after giving up 200 families to the new St. Anthony's parish, is yet the largest in Evansville, having over 400 fam- ilies, or nearly 3,000 souls in all.
The recent frescoing of the church cost $3,200. The parish grounds are at the corner of Third and Vine streets, and are 150x225 feet. The parish debt is $16,650.55, and the value of the property is over $125,- 000. There are over 400 children attend- ing the parish schools.
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streets, where, on the former street, the parish grounds extend 240 feet, by 145 feet on the latter. The next of the parish build- ings is the church, a brick structure of im- posing architecture and dimensions. The corner-stone was laid by Bishop de St. Palais, October 28, 1866. Sixteen priests were present, together with a vast concourse of people. Very Rev. Bede O'Connor and others preached on the occasion. It was finished and dedicated by Bishop de St. Palais in 1867, and was used for the first time January 1, 1868. It is Gothic in style, and its dimensions are 66x140 feet, its cen- ter ceiling being fifty feet high. The fres- coing is tasteful, the altars elegant and in keeping with the style of architecture. The spire, surmounted by a golden cross, stands 175 feet, and in the tower is a chime of three bells, noted for size and sweetness of tone. St. Mary's church has cost $60,000.
The pastoral residence, a commodious two-story brick structure, which cost $6,200, was built in 1881. The girls' school and sisters' house, a three-story brick edi- fice, 45x80, cost $14,000, and was erected in 1871. It accommodates the female por - tion of the 309 children of the parish who attend their own Catholic schools. The Sis- ters of St. Francis are in charge, while the boys' school is under the direction of Prof. Fred. Schonlan.
From a report made to Bishop Chatard in 1880 by the reverend pastor, it appears that during the thirteen years from 1867 to 1880, St. Mary's congregation paid out for improvements, interest, salaries, etc., the very large sum of $152,000. This mani- fests the accord with which priest and peo- ple labor for the common good and the advancement of religion and education. The debt is only $18,000. There is a mem- bership of 255 families, representing 1,500. Rev. John Ferdinand Viefhaus is a
native of Germany, born at Essen, Janu- ary 5, 1838; pursued his studies at the Universities of Munster, Tubingen and Bonn; was ordained by Bishop Baudri, April 27, 1862; emigrated to the United States in 1865, and the following year was sent by Bishop de St. Palais to Evansville, as assist- ant to Rev. Father Kutassy, then pastor of Holy Trinity parish. In that year (1866), St. Mary's parish was created, and he was appointed its pastor. He is a learned and zealous priest, and enjoys the reputation of being an eloquent and forceful speaker.
St. Boniface's Parish was organized on January, 1880. The first move in the crea- tion of St. Boniface's parish, was a meeting of prominent Catholic Germans at the resi - dence of Mr. Charles Schulte, on Wabash avenue, October 20, 1878. Besides Mr. Schulte, there were present at the meeting Messrs. Henry Reitman, Adam Helfrich, John T. Rechtin and August Rosenberger. A letter setting forth the facts was sent to the bishop, and block sixty-three on Wabash avenue, 400x250 feet, worth $10,000, was purchased for $5,000, as the site of the parish buildings. On January 4, 1880, Bishop Chatard visited Evansville, received the deed to the property from the gentlemen named, created the St. Boniface's parish, and appointed as its pastor Rev. William Bult- mann, who had been assistant priest at Holy Trinity church. At the meeting of inter- ested Catholics where these things were done, $10,000 were promptly pledged in support of the new parish. Work was be- gun on the temporary frame church Febru- ary I, of that year, and on the following Sunday, February 6, high mass and vespers were sung in the same. After two months an addition had to be made to accommodate the people, and this wooden structure, less than a year later, had to give way to the present grand edifice. The corner-stone of
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the present St. Boniface's church was laid with imposing ceremonies, September 4, ISSI, by Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel. Father Duddenhausen preached. Al the Catholics of Evansville were out in their thousands, and the day was a mem- orable one. The work on the new church was pushed so rapidly that the sacred edi- fice was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop April 27 of the following year. Rev. J. Ferdinand Viefhaus, pastor of St. Mary's church, delivered the dedicatory sermon. The church presents a grand and imposing front view, is 70x147 feet and its two spires stand 202 feet. In its towers are three bells, weighing 3,700 pounds. In 1885 a splendid school building was erected by the parish at a cost of $10,000. The first frame school was built by Mr. Adam Helfrich, and its use donated by him for a year. In the begin- ning the number of school children did not exceed fifty, but 220 are now in attendance. The school accommodations have been en- larged and improved, by the erection of a beautiful school building with six rooms, each 24x36 feet, spacious halls and an im- posing exterior. The Ursuline Sisters, from Louisville, are in charge. Bishop Chatard dedicated the school building December, 1885. The number of families in the parish is 210, and the number of souls is about 1,400. Not including a pastoral residence, which will soon be undertaken, the value of improvements and grounds of St. Boniface's parish is nearly $100,000. The people are generous, and take a just pride in their parish and its institutions, while their pastor is devoted, laborious and lovable.
Rev. William Bultmann was the assist- ant at Holy Trinity church from July 17, 1877, to January 6, 18SI, when he was ap- pointed to his present charge. In the great work of building up the St. Boniface's con- gregation, and presiding over the erection
of its elegant church and school, Father Bultmann showed his talent for directing temporalities. His correct judgment and easy methods are quite notable. He is popu- lar both with his people and with non-Cath- olics; is unassuming but zealous, and his de- votion to his charge is great. He was born at Vincennes, February 2, 1854, was edu- cated at St. Meinrad's Benedictine Abbey and at Indianapolis, where the Diocesan seminary was then, was ordained at St. Meinrad's, May 28, 1877, by Bishop de St. Palais and almost immediately entered the vineyard to satisfy his cherished desires of saving souls and preserving and spread- ing the faith.
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