USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 20
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
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
at all times the deepest interest in the welfare and advancement of the children.
In consequence of these arduous labors Father Brammer suf- fered from ill health for several years. During the last weeks of his life he was conscious of his gradual decline and centered his thoughts on the departure which he knew was imminent. When unable to exercise any longer his priestly functions, he gave him- self to meditation and prayer. He recited his office to the last day of his life.
Sunday evening, June 19th, Father Brammer sat up with the other priests of the episcopal household. He retired feeling no worse than usual. One of the priests watched at his bedside. During the night a change for the worse was noticed. The house- hold was called to his bedside. His physician arrived, but in spite of his efforts the patient sank rapidly. The last sacraments were administered while he was yet in complete possession of his fac- ulties. He died peacefully and calmly about noon on Monday, June 20th, 1898.
The funeral took place on the following Thursday at the cathedral. Bishop Rademacher celebrated a solemn pontifical mass of requiem, assisted by about 140 priests. Very Rev. M. E. Campion, of Logansport, a life long friend of the deceased, preached the funeral sermon, and no priest who at any time ever dwelt among the people of Fort Wayne will be longer remem- bered or his memory blessed more heartily than the good and Very Rev. Vicar-General Brammer.
13
(217)
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
CHAPTER XIII.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN THE STATE OF INDIANA-THE PRIESTS IN CHARGE AND THEIR CONGREGATIONS-HISTORICAL AND STATIS- TICAL FACTS.
IN this chapter will be found brief records of the various Catholic churches in the state of Indiana, gleaned from the most reliable sources, or furnished, in most instances, by the pastors themselves, and brought as closely as possible up to date. The arrangement will be found in alphabetical order as to location, not as to name of church or parish, nor the respective importance or numerical strength or wealth of the congregations.
ALBION, NOBLE COUNTY.
The Church of the Sacred Heart, at Albion, Noble county, Ind., was built under Rev. D. Duehmig in 1873 and was conse- crated in July of that year by Bishop Dwenger. It is 28 x 50 feet and cost $2,300, which amount was partly collected fron laborers when the B. & O. R. R. was built. The congregation numbered twelve families in the beginning and has not perceptibly increased. This church was attended as a mission of Avilla until 1881, then as a mission of Ege until 1890, since when it has been attended from Auburn by the Rev. Fathers Faust and Boccard, the latter now pastor of the church of the Immaculate Conception. .
ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, PERRY COUNTY.
St. Mark's Church, Anderson township, Perry county, is built of freestone, 65x 36 feet, is situated seven miles from Troy, ten miles from Cannelton and twelve miles from Leopold. One acre of ground with a frame structure on it was bought in 1860 for school purposes by Rev. M. Marendt, of Cannelton. In 1863 (218)
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
Rev. Ferd Hundt, of Troy, celebrated mass there. Another acre of ground was secured in 1863 for cemetery. Rev. F. Friedinger next attended the place. During 1865 and 1866 Rev. P. Martin Marty, O. S. B., occasionally visited St. Mark's. About eighteen families, in 1867, under the direction of Father Marendt, began the building of a new church, and on April 25, 1869, the church and a new bell were blessed by Father Martin, prior of St. Mein- rad's. From September 8, 1867, until May, 1877, Rev. A. Michael, of Tell City, visited St. Mark's twice a month. In 1877 the con- gregation had increased to thirty-three families.
Rev. John B. Unverzagt was appointed the first resident pas- tor at St. Mark's on July 21, 1877. A parsonage 40 x 26 feet was finished December 20, 1877. Other necessary improvements were rapidly made and the church supplied with everything that could be required. The value of the church property is estimated at $5,600. Father Unverzagt took his departure from St. Mark's church in March, 1879. Rev. Placidus Zarn, O. S. B., resided at St. Mark's until August, 1881, though he for a time visited the place from St. Meinrad. Many new vestments and sanctuary orna- inents were procured through his efforts. Rev. Peter Hommes was Father Zarn's successor and the present pastor is Rev. Peter Baron.
ANDERSON, MADISON COUNTY.
St. Mary's Church at Anderson, Madison county, Ind., was dedicated October 6, 1895, but it is necessary that a brief review of the parochial history be had before a description of the present church building be given.
Prior to, or at least as far back as, 1837, Catholic clergymen ' visited Anderson from Logansport, and it is on record that the earlier masses were read by Fathers Francois and Bacquelin in a log tavern. In 1857 Father Clarke came from LaFayette and for several months celebrated mass in the court house, and in 1858 laid the foundation for the first Catholic church proper on the site of the present magnificent edifice alluded to in the opening para- graph of this article. The first priest assigned to the charge of this church as resident pastor was Father Fitzmaurice, who was succeeded in 1860 by Father McMahon, who left in 1865 on the
(219)
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
ill-fated Fenian expedition into Canada. £ In 1866 Rev. J. B. Crawley followed Father McMahon in this charge and remained until August, 1884. This zealous clergyman on July 4, 1875, laid the corner-stone of the second St. Mary's church, which was conse- crated May 29, 1877. For that day it was a splendid edifice, the size of the congregation being taken into consideration, and still stands, although now used for school purposes, a monument to the indefatigable energy of Father Crawley. This beloved pastor was succeeded in August, 1884, by Rev. F. C. Wiechmann, during whose pastorate the parochial residence was built, natural gas, then newly discovered, was introduced, the school-building materially enlarged and steps taken for the enlargement of the accommodation of the parishioners, who had greatly increased in numbers.
But it remained for the present incumbent of the pastorate- Rev. Father D. J. Mulcahy, to carry out the latter design. Rev. Mulcahy was installed pastor of St. Mary's May 7, 1891, and began the work set before him with a vigor that resulted in triumphant success. He grasped the opportunity of bringing to fruition the seed that had already been sown with a view of erecting a building commensurate with the number and importance of his congrega- tion. The site selected for the new edifice was that of the first Catholic building, which was demolished and the corner-stone of present church was laid July 9, 1893, and the work energetically prosecuted until completion and dedication October 6, 1895. The ceremonies on this occasion were of the most solemn and imposing character and were conducted by the Right Rev. Joseph Rade- macher, bishop of the diocese of Fort Wayne, assisted by a corps of eminent clergymen and accompanied by a lay demonstration never before witnessed in Anderson. The cost of this magnificent structure was about $45,000, its seating capacity is for 800 people, and its completion is due, to a large degree, to the exertions of Father Mulcahy.
AUBURN, DEKALB COUNTY.
Immaculate Conception Church, at Auburn, Dekalb county, Ind., was organized August 5, 1872, by Rev. Augustus Young, who came from Fort Wayne. At that time there were only five Cath- (220)
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
olic families located in Auburn, but the energetic priest set reso- lutely to work at organizing his congregation, and by October 17, 1874, succeeded not only in this effort, but in completing a church- building, which on that day was consecrated by Right Rev. Bishop Dwenger, who at the same time bought the pastoral residence, in which Father Young at once made his home, having, during the meantime, boarded with one or another of his flock. November II, 1886, Father Young was succeeded by Rev. R. Denk, who remained about eight months, when he was followed by Rev. F. Faust, who officiated until 1896, in December of which year Rev. Edward Boccard, the present worthy and respected pastor, assumed charge. The congregation now numbers forty-five fam- ilies, and beside the care of these, Father Boccard has missions at Albion, Noble county, and Butler, Dekalb county, which claim a share of his spiritual ministrations.
AURORA, DEARBORN COUNTY.
The Immaculate Conception Church at Aurora .- This large and prosperous congregation, with a membership of more than 1,000 souls, with an excellent school, attended by 225 children and conducted by the efficient Sisters of St. Francis (Oldenburg, Ind.), had but an humble beginning. The first to offer up the sac- rifice of the mass was no less a person than the Most Rev. Arch- bishop of Cincinnati, Ohio, J. B. Purcell, D. D., and this impor- tant occurrence took place at the house of Mr. O'Brien. On the same day his Grace lectured by invitation at the old school-house. In the spring of 1849 following. parishioners had their first meeting at Kemp's bakery and formed themselves into a congregation : Henry, John, Anthony and Frank Klueber, Bernard Schipper, John Miller, Valentine Hahn, Michael Maloney, Sr., John and Patrick Maloney, Patrick Garrity and Michael Morin. They met for church purposes at Anthony Klueber's, the town hall, school and other places until December 25, 1857, when, under the direc- tion of the Rev. Father Unterdiener, O. S. F., of Cincinnati, Ohio, Aurora's first Catholic church was erected on the classical site of Hog-Back. Father Unterdiener was succeeded by Fathers Sigmond and Ausom Koch (brothers), both Franciscan Fathers and pastors
(221)
-
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
at St. John's church, Cincinnati, Ohio. These fathers visited the young congregation at intervals only until 1863, when Rev. F. Igna- tius Klein was appointed the first resident pastor, and this devoted clergyman worked with untiring zeal for the young flock. October 12, 1863, though his means were scanty and the congregation small, he purchased the present site (lots 163, 164, 165, 166), at the corner of Judiciary and Fourth streets, agreeing to pay $4, 500 for the same. He advanced $1, 500 on the purchase and at once proceeded to erect a church, 106 x 52 feet ground plan and thirty- two feet high, at a cost of $24,000. He acted in the capacity of architect and superintendent and completed the structure, except the steeple, in 1864. The steeple was finished in 1876 at a cost of $5,000. Too much cannot be said of the willingness of the mem- bers of the congregation; who would gather after supper and place the stone upon the ground and scaffolding for the masons to work upon the following day, thus dispensing with the usual attendants and assisting their pastor with " hand and means." The church is built of stone and brick and has a seating capacity of about I, 200. Father Klein was also attentive to the needs of childhood, hence the school received his attention at the first opportunity. In 1866 the brick school-house, 70x 30 feet, was built and the Sisters of Providence were asked to take charge. The parsonage of twelve rooms was completed in 1873, after which Rt. Rev. Maurice de St. Palais, appreciating the arduous labors of Father Klein, promoted him to St. Mary's church, New Albany, Ind.
The Rev. Ferdinand Hundt, the poet priest and scholar, was next appointed pastor at Aurora. His eloquent sermons produced much fruit, and his elegant taste was displayed in church decora- tions. Beside improving the parsonage he purchased three fine altars and a pulpit-lasting ornaments to the church and evidences of his zeal. In 1883 Father Hundt was succeeded by the Rev. J. J. Schoentrup, who further improved the church and re-arranged the pews to the great satisfaction of the people. His delicate health, which caused him to apply for a removal, prevented him from further exercising the great ability for which he was known. In September, 1890, Rev. J. J. Macke assumed charge, finding an indebtedness of upwards of $16,000, which, however, was greatly
(222)
-
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
reduced during Father Macke's stay, 1890 to 1898, and the present pastor, Rev. F. A. Roell, will prove a popular leader and an able financier. The schools now under the direction of the Sisters of St. Francis, are models of perfection and the Sisters give a thor- ough collegiate course and, in consequence, are very popular with the people. The congregation is both financially and spiritually in a healthy condition and compares favorably with others in this well- managed diocese.
AVILLA, NOBLE COUNTY.
Assumption B. V. M. Church at Avilla. - For some time prior to 1853 Fathers Benoit, Mueller and others had visited Avilla from Fort Wayne and had said mass every six months or so at conve- nient places. In the year named, however, Father Faller, then pastor of St. Mary's at Fort Wayne, came to Avilla and organized a congregation from eight widely scattered families -- those of Frank Borck, John Geiser, Thomas Storey, John Zonkher, George Bauer, Joseph Bender, John Moorhouse and John Walsh-and soon after- ward began the erection of a church, 25 x40 feet, of frame, which church was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop de St. Palais in 1853.
The church of the Assumption was ministered to by Father Faller and other clergymen from Fort Wayne until 1858, when Rev. Henry Schaefer was appointed resident priest. He officiated until March, 1863, and after him came Rev. Father Deipenbrock, who built an addition to the church and remained in charge nine months. Rev. John Wemhoff followed and in December, 1865, was succeeded by Rev. A. B. Oechtering, who remained until the coming of the present pastor, the Rev. D. Duehmig, in May, 1867, the congregation then consisting of about forty families.
In 1876 Father Duehmig laid the corner-stone of the present magnificent church, on the present site in the village, and com- pleted it in 1877, when, May 19, it was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop Dwenger. It is built of brick, is 44 × 113 feet in size, and is furnished with costly altars and pipe organ. The cost of the building itself reached $9,000. The school and Sisters' residence (one building) was erected in 1878 at a cost of $2,500, and the priest's residence in 1889 at a cost of $3,600. The church grounds
(223)
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
comprise six and one-quarter acres, which were donated by Thomas Storey, and the cemetery, at the site of the old church, one-half mile north of the present church, contains eight acres. The school children, 124 in number, are under three Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and the congregation has attained a total member- ship of 100 families.
The societies attached to the church of the Assumption of the B. V. M. hold membership as follows: St. Joseph's School society, eighty; Ladies' Rosary society, eighty-six; Young Men's society, forty-eight; Young Ladies' society, thirty-six; and Catholic Knights, thirty-five.
BARR TOWNSHIP, DAVIESS COUNTY.
St. Mary's Church is located in Barr township, Daviess county, one-half mile west of the Martin county line and a mile and a half north of the B. & O. R. R. £ The first Catholic services in the vicinity of St. Mary's were held in the house of Ignatius Spaulding. in 1828, by Father Lalumiere. Ignatius Spaulding was born in Maryland and died June 23, 1842, aged sixty years. About 1833. a small log church was erected and consecrated by Bishop Bruté, who named it St. Mary's. According to Bishop Brute, there were about 150 Catholic families in the neighborhood, mostly from Ken- tucky. The first resident pastor was the Rev. Maurice de St. Palais, afterward bishop, who took charge of the congregation in 1836 and remained three years. During this period a new brick church was constructed.
Rev. John Gueguen became the pastor in 1839 and continued until 1848, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. P. R. Murphy. Father Murphy also had a flock in Martin county at Mt. Pleas- ant, and erected a church there. Rev. John Mougin officiated at St. Mary's from 1858 to 1860, and was succeeded by Rev. J. LeBlanc, who attended until 1873. Rev. G. M. Ginnsz came next and was the pastor until 1875. He was followed by Revs. John W. Doyle, L. M. S. Burkhardt and Timothy O'Donaghue. Father Doyle made preparations for a new church-building and it was completed by Father T. O'Donaghue in 1881 at a cost of $9,000. The church is a handsome building, 55 x 110 feet in size, is (224)
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
built of brick and is well furnished. This church owns twenty-three acres of land valued, exclusive of improvements, at $1, 300. The pastoral residence is of brick, and the congregation comprises a membership of 650. Rev. T. O'Donaghue was succeeded, Feb- ruary 1, 1890, by the present able pastor, Rev. John McCabe.
BESANCON, ALLEN COUNTY.
St. Louis Church at Besancon (post-office New Haven), Allen county, was first a mission, established by Rev. Father Benoit, and was attended by clergymen from Fort Wayne until 1860, when Rev. Father Adams came, erected the present church-edifice, 90 x 36 feet, and remained until 1875. He was succeeded, in turn, by Fathers Mignault, Demers, Maujay, Veniard and the present. pastor, Rev. Francis X. Labonte (in 1894), although for one year prior to this last-named date St. Louis had been again a mis- sion of Fort Wayne. The priest's house was erected by Rev. W. J. Quinlan, formerly of the cathedral at Fort Wayne, but now pas- tor of St. Paul's, at Marion, Grant county. This building is of brick, is two stories high and contains eight rooms. A hall, 743 x 40 feet, is on the church property, to be used as a parochial school and will be attended by about 100 pupils, who will be under the instruction of three sisters. The congregation com- prises about 120 families of mixed nationalities, the French pre- dominating. The church property consists of ten acres, including the cemetery, and is free from debt.
Rev. Francis X. Labonte was born in Vermont January 30, 1868, and was ordained at Fort Wayne May 19, 1894, by Right Rev. Bishop Rademacher and at once placed in charge of his pres- ent pastorate.
BATESVILLE, RIPLEY COUNTY.
St. Louis' Church at Batesville had its origin with German Catholics about the year 1867. Two non-Catholics, Messrs. Schader and Boehringer, donated the ground on which the church was to be erected. The church was begun in the same year, 1867, in charge of the Franciscan Fathers at Oldenburg. In the fall of 1868 Batesville was made a station, to be visited from Greensburg,
(225)
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
where the Rev. John P. Gillig resided. He had services in a pri- vate house at Batesville twice a month until about August, 1869. In 1870 the Franciscan Fathers again took charge. The Rev. Louis Haverbeck, O. S. F., finished the church and it was blessed in September, 1870, St. Ludwig's church. In the year following the same zealous pastor built a school-house.
From August, 1872, until August, 1873, the Rev. Clemens Steinkamp, O. S. F., attended the congregation, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Bernardine Holthaus, O. S. F. The par- sonage was built in 1876. In 1875 the furniture factories at Bates- ville were destroyed by fire and, in consequence, the congregation lost several families, who left the town. From September, 1876, Rev. John B. Schroeder, O. S. F., visited Batesville until Janu- ary, 1877.
Rev. Peter B. Englert, O. S. F., became the first resident priest at Batesville in January, 1877; Rev. Nicholas Holtel, O. S. F., from August, 1877, until August, 1878; Rev. Martin Bauer, O. S. F., from August, 1878, until August, 1879; the Rev. Leonard Nurre, O. S. F., took charge in August, 1879. The congregation numbers about 100 families, three Sisters of St. Francis teach 180 children, and since October 18, 1897, the congregation has been under the charge of Rev. Bartholomew Weiss, O. F. M.
BLOOMINGTON, MONROE COUNTY.
St. Charles Borromeo Church. - The first priest in charge of St. Charles Borromeo church was Rev. Patrick Murphy, who was a trustee of the State university at Bloomington, the only priest who ever held that office. He was succeeded by Father John B. Unverzagt, who was succeeded by Father Thomas X. Logan, who in time was succeeded by Father Bogemann, the present pastor. Under the latter's administration the church building and parsonage have been remodeled and modernized in their present pleasing form, and the street fronting the same (330 feet) properly graded and improved. A fitting compliment to Father Bogemann's energy is the fact that the parish is out of debt and usually has money draw- ing interest.
(226)
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
BRADFORD, HARRISON COUNTY.
St. Michael's Church. -- A log church was built four miles southwest of Bradford as early as 1835 by a few Catholic families who lived in those parts of Harrison county, and this church was called St. Michael's. The first priest who visited this church was the Rev. Jos. Ferneding; later on came the Rev. Ignatius Rey- nolds, of Kentucky, and Rev. S. Neyron, of New Albany. When Rev. J. P. Dion permanently located at Zanesville he visited this little church regularly until 1854, when the Catholic families had increased to such an extent that those living north of Bradford made an effort to build a little log church three miles northeast of Bradford. This little church was begun, but never completed, because all united their efforts and built a nice frame church in the town of Bradford, and from this time on the log church, four miles southwest of Bradford, St. Michael's, was more or less abandoned.
Fred. Ems donated one acre of land adjoining Bradford, upon which the new church was built. It was completed and dedicated on the 29th day of September, 1855, by Rev. Jos. Wentz, of New Albany, and called St. Michael's church. Rev. E. M. Faller, of New Albany, and Rev. Dionysius, O. S. F., of Louisville, Ky., attended to St. Michael's church of Bradford until 1862, when the Rev. J. M. Gabriel, of St. John's, Clark county, took charge and attended regularly once a month until 1869, when Rev. B. H. Kintrup became the first resident priest of . Bradford. From 1871 till 1872 Rev. J. M. Gabriel attended again from St. John's; Rev. G. M. Ginnsz, of Floyd Knobs, till 1873; Rev. A. Lechner, of St. John's, till 1875; Rev. B. Brueggemann till 1877 and Rev. J. P. Gillig till 1879.
Rev. F. Seegmiller, the second resident priest, took charge in 1879 and remained till 1886. In 1882 he built the new frame church, 40 x 75 feet, and labored zealously for the welfare of the congregation, but, meeting many difficulties, he left in 1886, the church being in debt to the amount of $1,000. Rev. Martin Andres, of Frenchtown, attended the congregation until 1888, when he was succeeded at Frenchtown by Rev. G. H. Moss, who also attended one year at Bradford. Rev. Martin Andres took up
(227)
-
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
a subscription in 1887 to reduce the indebtedness of the church and brought it down to $372 at the time when Rev. G. H. Moss was succeeded by the resident priest at Bradford.
Rev. Andrew Schaaf, the third resident priest, took charge of Bradford July 19, 1889. By a subscription he paid the remaining debt of $372 in the fall of 1889, and in the spring of 1890 had the church painted outside and necessary repairs made to the amount of $165, which was raised by collection: In fall of 1890 he built St. Michael's school at cost of $384.50. This amount was raised by the pastor outside of the congregation, Rev. Joseph Dickmann, of St. Joseph's Hill, generously contributing $100. The same amount was contributed by the pastor, who also furnished the school. St. Michael's school was opened Easter Monday, 1891, by Miss Josie Henriott, of Frenchtown, and in September of the same year the Sisters of St. Benedict, at Ferdinand, took charge and conduct the school to the present day. In the fall of 1891 the church was frescoed. by Charles Krueger, of St. Louis, Mo., at a cost of $752.45, which amount the pastor collected from the people of the congregation. In the spring of 1892 the church steeple was remodeled at a cost of $175, the cemetery was laid out in family lots, a large iron cross and crucifix placed in it and it was otherwise much improved, and in September of the same year St. Michael's parsonage was erected at a cost of $999.85 ; this is a modern frame with eight rooms, handsomely furnished by the ladies of the congregation. The whole amount for the parsonage was collected by the pastor. In 1893 new pews were placed in the church and were partly paid for by the ladies of St. Ann's society ; the stations, matting and large bell were paid for by the pastor.
In addition to the church property thirteen lots were pur- chased around the church, school and parsonage, and three acres of ground opposite the church; thereby the church holds two blocks where the church, school, parsonage and Sister-house are located, and these lots have a frontage of 618 feet and the same on the opposite side of the street, constituting in all seven acres of land and twenty lots.
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.