USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 24
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Rev. Father Duddenhausen died in 1886, 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 Prussia, June 15, 1842, emigrated to the United States September 20, 1863, and was ordained priest December 23, 1865. He was pastor at Law- renceburg from October, 1870, until May, 1875, when he became pastor of Holy Trinity parish, Evansville. He was succeeded 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 became pas- tor of that church January 15, 1865, made many improvements, including the building of a new church, and left the congregation not only free of debt, but with money in the treasury.
Father Diestel was born in Hanover, Germany, October 7, 1838. Having made his preparatory studies, he emigrated to the United States in 1857, and entered St. Charles' seminary at Vin- cennes, where he was ordained priest by Bishop de St. Palais, December 21, 1864. Father Diestel is a portly man, of soldierly bearing, a fact which corresponds with his having served in the United States army. In the pulpit he is of great force, and is known as an eloquent and earnest preacher.
Holy Trinity church, thus provided for, and having been recently much improved and renewed, is prominent among the Evansville churches, not alone on this account, but because the congregation, even after giving up 200 families to the new St. Anthony's parish, is yet the largest in Evansville, having over 400 families, or nearly 3,000 souls in all. Among the many improve- ments, the frescoing of the church must be especially mentioned.
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It is tasteful and cheerful, almost approaching the gay, and has considerable merit. It cost $3,200. The parish grounds are at the corner of Third and Vine streets, and are 150 x 225 feet. The parish debt is $16,650.55 and the value of the property is over $125,000.
St. Mary's, in point of time, is the third of the Catholic con- gregations formed in Evansville, and of the German-speaking par- ishes it is the second. In all other respects it is worthy of equal consideration with the best and most flourishing in the city. It dates back to 1866, the year of the appointment of its present pastor by Bishop de Saint Palais. Its territory comprises that portion of the city east of Main street, and the division just made in the erection of the new St. Anthony's parish diminishes by about fifteen its 270 families.
The first work done by the pastor, Rev. John Ferdinand Vief- haus, 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 southeast corner of Cherry and Upper Sixth streets, where, on the former street, the parish grounds extend 240 feet, by 145 feet on the latter. The next of the parish buildings is the church, a brick structure of imposing 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'Con- nor and others preached on the occasion. It was finished Decem- ber, 1867, was dedicated by Bishop de St. Palais on the third Sun- day in Advent, and was used for the first time January 1, 1868. It is Gothic in style, and its dimensions are 66 x 140 feet, its center ceiling being 50 feet high. The frescoing is tasteful, the altars elegant and in keeping with the style of architecture, and the organ, too, is a very good one. The spire, surmounted by a golden cross, stands 175 feet, and in the tower is a chime of three bells that are noted for size and sweetness of tone. St. Mary's church, including pews, altars, bells, organ, etc., has cost $60,000.
The next building in order is the pastoral residence, a com- (264)
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modious two-story brick structure which cost $6,200. It was built in 1881. The last and the next best building after the church is the girls' school and the Sisters' house, a three-story brick edifice, 45 x 80 feet, which is good value for its cost, $14,000. It was erected in 1871, and about 400 pupils are taught by four. Sisters of St. Francis and one lay teacher.
From a report made to Bishop Chatard, in 1880, by the then 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 was a most excellent showing, and manifested the accord with which both priest and people labor for the common good and the the advancement of religion and education. Much of the prop- erty was bought when high prices obtained, and most of the par- ish buildings were erected under such circumstances; the property, taken as a whole, is still worth the high cost price, shows no depre- ciation, and is cheap at the low estimate of $100,000. The debt is only $18,000, and the number of souls exceeds 1, 800.
The societies of the parish are numerous and prosperous, the prominent ones being St. Joseph's society for Married Men, St. Aloysius' society for Young Men, the sodality and society for Young Ladies, the St. Mary's society for Married Ladies, and the Third Order of St. Francis. The present pastor of St. Mary's is the Rev. Joseph Dickmann.
St. Boniface's Parish, of Evansville, is the fourth parish in the order of time and the third of the German-speaking Catholic con- gregations in Evansville Its territory formerly belonged to Holy Trinity parish, but on account of its remoteness and the inconvenience the large German population of the northwestern portion of the city were subjected to by having to attend at Holy Trinity church, Bishop Chatard, on learning the situation, created the new parish. He did so very gladly, chiefly to lighten the bur- dens of the people, and also because they seemed perfectly able and willing to take care of their own material interests.
The first move in the creation of St. Boniface's parish was a meeting of prominent Catholic Germans at the residence of
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Charles Schulte, on Wabash avenue, October 20, 1878. Beside Mr. Schulte, who was the prime mover, there were present at the meeting Henry Riteman, Adam Helfrich, John T. Rechtin and Aug. Rosenberger. A letter setting forth the facts was sent to the bishop, and block 63, on Wabash avenue, 400 x250 feet, and worth $10,000, was purchased for $5,000, as the site of the parish buildings. With this the matter rested until November, 1879, when Charles Schulte and J. Theo. Rechtin called upon the bishop and urged the creation of the proposed parish. 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. Wm. Bultmann, who lived for one year at the home of Charles Schulte without cost to the congregation. Father Bultmann had been the assistant priest at Holy Trinity church. At the meeting of interested Catholics where these things were done, $10,000 were promptly pledged in support of the new parish. Work was begun on the temporary frame church February I of that year, and on the following Sunday, February 6, high mass and vespers were sung in the same, to the delight of the people. Miss' Mattie Raleigh played the organ. After two months an addition had to be made so as to accommo- date the people; and this wooden structure, 36 x 1 12 feet in dimen- sions, less than a year later had to give way to the present grand edifice.
The corner-stone of the present St. Boniface's church was laid with imposing ceremonies September 4, 1881, by Rev. Roman Weinzoepfel. Father Duddenhausen preached. All the Catho- lics of Evansville were out in their thousands, and the day was a memorable one. The work on the new church was pushed so rapidly that the sacred edifice was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop, April 27, of the following year. Rev. J. Ferd. Viefhaus, pastor of St. Mary's church, delivered the dedicatory sermon. On the occasion the Rt. Rev. Bishop was the guest of Mrs. Charles Schulte. The church presents one of the grandest and most imposing front views of any other church edifice in Indiana. It is seventy feet wide by 147 feet long, and its two spires stand 202 feet. In its towers are three bells weighing 3,700 pounds. Two of these (266)
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were donated. A new corrugated iron ceiling has taken the place of the plastered ceiling and is richly frescoed. The woodwork and furniture are grand, excelling anything of the kind in the state.
This enterprising parish continued its improvements, for in 1885 it erected a splendid school-building at a cost of $10,000. The first frame school was built by Adam Helfrich, and its use donated by him for a year. In the beginning the number of school- children did not exceed fifty, but at this writing 267 are in attend- ance. From a small structure of only three rooms, 18 x 24 feet each, in 1881, the school accommodations have been enlarged and improved, and the present beautiful school-building contains: , six rooms, each 24 x 36 feet, with spacious halls and an imposing: exterior. Six Ursuline Sisters from Louisville are in charge. Bishop Chatard dedicated the school-building in December, 1885.
Rev. Father Bultmann, having the greatest faith in the use- fulness of church societies, organized them the very first Sunday on which mass was celebrated in the new parish, February 6, 1881. These societies are: St. Ann's society for Married Ladies, St. Mary's sodality for young lady members; St. Boniface's. Men's society, and St. Aloysius society for Young Men. Besides. these, the Catholic Knights, Branch 511, began with forty-six mem- bers, but is more than double that number at present. Not includ- ing a pastoral residence, the value of improvements and grounds of St. Boniface's parish is nearly $100,000. This estimate is based upon the following figures: The church cost $68,000, the school $10,000, the grounds, worth $10,000, cost only $5,000. Allowing, for increase in value of real estate, and not including furniture, statues, etc., the large sum of $100,000 is almost accounted for. If we subtract the amount of indebtedness ($43,000) from the above sum, it will be seen that for each of the seven years of its existence this plucky and enterprising congregation has contributed nearly $10,000. What the future will be depends upon a con- tinuance of the energy, harmony and zeal which have obtained in St. Boniface's parish from the beginning. The people are gener- ous, and take a just pride in their parish and its institutions, while their pastor is devoted, laborious and lovable. The present pastor is the Rev. L. M. S. Burkhardt.
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Sacred Heart Parish is the fifth organized in Evansville and the second of the English-speaking congregations. Within its present limits there were found fifty families in 1885, for whom it was a great hardship to be obliged to attend the Assumption church, situated more than a mile distant. On learning the facts the right reverend bishop consented to the building of a church for these people, which would be, until further notice, a sort of . chapel of ease to Assumption church. Very Rev. E. F. McBar- ron and Rev. P. H. Rowan, pastors of Assumption parish, began the good work in June, 1885. During their tour collecting funds for the new church they were cordially received by all the people, who manifested a very generous spirit. John A. Reitz, a prom- inent, wealthy citizen of another parish, donated not only the ground, 75 x 150 feet, but also the church building, 32 x 85 feet, the construction of which he personally superintended. He made another donation, March 20, 1888, of ground for the proposed Sacred Heart school, instructing the pastor, Rev. P. R. Fitz- patrick, to go on with the work and call upon him for the money.
Rev. P. R. Fitzpatrick took charge of the Sacred Heart par- ish December 4, 1887, and its independence dates from that time. The church was dedicated November 15, 1885. The dedicatory ceremonies, in strict conformity with the ritual of our Holy church, were performed with due solemnity. The Rev. Father McBarron blessed the new edifice, and immediately after celebrated the first mass in the neat and elegant Sacred Heart church. The reverend clergy of Evansville assisted at the mass, in the sanctuary. The sermon was delivered by Rev. Father Bultmann. While the new church was in course of erection the Rev. Fathers McBarron and Rowan visited the various families of the newly organized parish and solicited subscriptions for the (interior) equipment of the church. Their appeal to the people was not in vain, for each family con- tributed so generously that to-day the new church of the Sacred Heart is without a cent of debt. Of course, the attainment of such a happy result is attributable to the zealous efforts of the reverend Fathers, to the munificence of John A. Reitz and to the generous contributions of the parishioners. The sacred vessels and vestments were donated by members of the Assumption (268)
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church. The names of the donors and the articles donated are as follows: A beautiful chalice was donated by William Hughes; an elegant ciborium by John Nolan; a handsome ostensorium was given by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Yaeger; the vestments were donated by Mr. and Mrs. William Gorman; a large-sized picture of the Sacred Heart was given by Mrs. James Crosby; a beauti- ful stole was given by Miss Clara Reis. Toward the purchase of a new altar the following persons contributed: Edward White, $25; Mrs. A. Reis, $25; Mrs. Sarah Shea, $5. A number of other persons contributed their mite toward this worthy object.
. The holy sacrifice of the mass is celebrated in the Sacred Heart church every Sunday and holy day at 8:30 A. M. At 2:30 P. M. every Sunday catechetical instruction and recitation of the rosary. The Catholics of the new parish are enthusiastic over the spiritual work which has been inaugurated in their midst, and are making every just effort to assist the reverend Fathers in mak- ing the new congregation flourish, and in causing it, too, to verify the parable of the mustard seed.
Rev. P. R. Fitzpatrick, pastor of the Sacred Heart church at Evansville, is a native of Ireland and was born in county Carlow in 1843. He was educated for the priesthood in his native coun- try, but when quite a youth came to the United States, and was ordained priest at Vincennes December 21, 1864, by the Right Rev. Bishop Maurice de St. Palais. He celebrated his first mass at Madison, in which city he remained a short time at the request of his intimate friend, the Very Rev. Father Dupontavice, to aid him in making an addition to the church and in erecting its spire. He was then assigned to Vevay, Switzerland county, where he zealously and effectively labored in arousing the people to an interest in the progress of the church, and was next sent, July 6, 1866, to Indianapolis, as an assistant to the Right Rev. Mgr. Bessonies, who was then engaged in building the present St. John's church. Father Fitzpatrick proved to be an active and valuable assistant to Mgr. Bessonies, and did much to aid him in improving both the spiritual and temporal condition of his congre- gation.
In 1869, Father Fitzpatrick was placed in charge of what is
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now known as St. Patrick's parish in Indianapolis, where he built the beautiful church-edifice of the same name, which he completed in 1871. During his sixteen years' incumbency of this pastorate Father Fitzpatrick was untiring in his exertions for the promotion of the welfare of the parish, and since his appointment to the church of the Sacred Heart at Evansville his ardor and industry have in no manner been relaxed. To quote M. W. Carr, the able writer and accomplished publisher of many pamphlets touching the history of Catholicity in the state of Indiana, the following paragraph may be here added with indisputable propriety:
In every place, and under every circumstance, he has shown himself to be a true son of Erin, and a devoted priest who would give his life for his faith. He has a warm nature, a generous heart, and a bright, well-stored mind. For these reasons, and also because of his honesty of purpose and out-spokenness, he is admired and much beloved by the thousands who know him in Indiana. To hear him from the pulpit is to be reminded of other times, and to be of his auditors while he is on the lecture platform is to feel more than you can make manifest by applause or rapt silence. The people of Evansville experienced this on the evening of March 18, 1888, last, when, in Assumption hall, he lectured on " The Mission of the Irish People, " before one of the largest audiences that has . assembled in the city for many years. Father Fitzpatrick is a scholarly priest, and a most hospitable and genial gentleman. Under his guidance the new Sacred Heart parish will grow in both moral and material prosperity.
St. Anthony's Church, at Evansville, Ind., dates its history from the year 1885, when the Right Rev. Francis Silas Chatard, fifth and present bishop of Evansville, was presented, by Mrs. Magdalena Reis, with a lot 140 x 250 feet, with the stipulation that a church edifice be erected upon the ground. In 1888 the bishop was petitioned, by about 150 families, for permission to organize a congregation, and for the presence of a priest for that purpose. In April of the same year, Rev. Joseph Schuck was appointed; he called a meeting of residents-the prospective parishioners-the congregation was duly formed, and Rev. Johann Diestel installed as pastor. A building committee, composed of Edward Juergen- meier, J. H. Borgman, Bernhardt Kluck, Franz Moers, Ernest
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Hoffman and Joseph Kaelin, was appointed, and the work of col- lection of subscriptions begun for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of a school-house, which should also be used for church services. Father Schuck, however, was taken ill, and in May was succeeded by Rev. Kaspar Seiler, and the work vigor- ously continued. Building plans were drawn up, were presented to and approved by the bishop, and the contract for the erection of the structure was awarded to Edward Juergenmeier the cost to be $8,480. During the interval from June 17, 1888, when the corner-stone of the building was laid, until its completion, in October, services were held in the upper story of the dwelling of Mrs. Reis, where the first mass had been read on the 13th, on St. Anthony's day. In this dwelling, also, rooms were provided for the accommodation of the pastor until the completion of the par- sonage.
Bishop Chatard officiated at the laying of the corner-stone, and the first services were held in the new building November 4, 1888, and the church dedicated June 17, 1889, by the Right Rev. Abbot Fintan Mundtweiler, of St. Meinrad, Ind. The contribu- tions to the erection of the building had amounted to nearly $7,400, and at the first service, seventy-two pews, or seats, were rented for one year, which netted $1, 510, and still there.remained an indebtedness of $3, 103. At the opening of the school, in October, 1888, there were 110 children present, and the school placed in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg, Ind. There were then only two classes, but in a few months the num- ber had increased to 165, and a third class was formed; in Sep- tember, 1892, was a fourth class added, and in the spring of 1896 a fifth.
In March, 1889. the good Sisters of Oldenburg purchased a piece of property opposite the original school and church-building for $2,400, and on this lot now stands the present handsome school-building and the residence of the Sisters, which was erected at a cost of $10,000.
In the spring of 1889, the parsonage was completed, and, with the necessary furniture, cost $3,000. The increase in the congregation had now made it plain that a new church-building
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was a necessity, and steps were taken for its erection. Plans were prepared by Rev. Brother Adrian, an accomplished architect of the St. Louis Franciscan province, and came to hand in August, 1893. The corner-stone was laid by Very Rev. A. Scheideler, vicar-gen- eral of Indianapolis, in May, 1894, the stone contract having been awarded to Anton & Philip Kessler, for $4,000, and the contract for the brick work to Hoffman Bros., for $26,439. The edifice was under roof in the early fall, and October 20, 1895, the con- gregation took possession. The dedication was postponed until spring, and in the meantime the altar had been put in place and the interior decorations finished. By November 17, the seats in the new church had been rented for $2,800, and May 25, 1896, the church and its furnishings were consecrated by Bishop F. S. Chatard, assisted by the bishops from Belleville, Ill., and Nash- ville, Tenn.
St. Anthony's measures 63 x 165 feet, with two towers, each 150 feet high, the interior formed of three naves, and the fresco work was done by W. Kloer, of St. Louis, Mo., and W. T. Feld, of Chicago, Ill., at a cost of $3,400; the richly-pictured cyclus is from Zettler, of Munich, and represents some of the principal events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary and that of her Son. The following statistical information in regard to St. Anthony's congregation will be found interesting: Cost of temporary church and school-building with furniture, $13,000; parsonage and furni- ture, $3,000; new church (without bells or organ), $45,000; total, $61,000. Subscription for the new church, $17,000; donations for windows, etc., $3,000; collections of money in other Catholic churches in Evansville, $1, 500; money, which was collected before and during the building of the church, through rents of seats, etc., $15,000; total, $36,500. Number of schools is five; number of scholars, 433; number of families, 350; Men's society of St. Anthony, ninety-five; Ladies' society of St. Anna, 140; Vir- gins of St. Agnes society, seventy; St. Stanislaus Young Men's society, thirty; Virgins' sodalities of Maria, sixty-five; Knights of St. John, thirty; Catholic Knights, eighty; Catholic Knights' Benefit society, fifty; Third Order of St. Francis, 100.
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FERDINAND, DUBOIS COUNTY.
St. Ferdinand's Church. - The village of Ferdinand, Dubois- county, Ind., will number at present about 800 souls, and is one of the largest congregations of which the Benedictines have charge of in the diocese of Vincennes.
Rev. Ulrich Christen and Rev. Bede O'Connor arrived and established themselves here in 1853, and in 1854 they had a stone- church erected; a fine organ was placed in it in 1857, when Father Ulrich was called to St. Meinrad; in 1858, Father Isidor assumed charge of the congregation, numbering 400 families, . attending, also, Mariahill until April, 1861. During his time, in 1858, the main altar was erected; and in 1859 the two side altars were put in place; in 1860 a new bell was procured, and oil paintings for the altars arrived in 1861. Father Fintan was pastor during April and May, of 1861; Father Chrysostome from May 12, 1861, to 1871. Father Chrysostome was called to Terre Haute, how- ever, to relieve Father Bede, and Father Wolfgang had charge of Ferdinand from June 5, 1864, to February 22, 1865, and Father Isidor until Father Chrysostome's return, March 19, 1865. In 1 868 the congregation numbered 2,000 souls, and 350 children at school. Father Henry, in November, 1868, was sent to assist the resident pastor.
Rev. Eberhard Stadler was given charge in 1871. He had, as his assistants, respectively, Revs. Maurus to 1876, Conrad Placidus, Maurus, Boniface and Pius. On June 19, 1870, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, of Fort Wayne, solemnly dedicated St. Ferdi- nand's church, Father O'Connor preaching the sermon. Father Prior Martin was assistant priest; Fathers Wolfgang and Fintan, deacons of honor; Revs. Benno and Boniface, deacons of the mass; Father Isidor, master of ceremonies; Father Chrysostome and Father Benedict, chanters. Father Eberhard was absent at St. Mary's, in Indianapolis, from November 13, 1873, until August 1, 1874. His assistant, Father Maurus, had charge during that time, assisted on Sundays and festival days by Father Wolfgang. Janu- ary 23, 1876, Abbot Martin blessed the chapel of the Blessed Vir- gin; June 3, 1876, the cemetery, much enlarged, was blessed, and (273)
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the corner-stone for the chapel of the Seven Dolors was laid by Abbot Martin, and blessed by Father Prior Fintan, March 23, 1877. The value of the church property reaches $73,300. The number of families in the parish will number 370, and the church attendance reaches 1,800.
FLOYD'S KNOBS, FLOYD COUNTY.
St. Mary's Church of the Assumption. - This parish is possi- bly the second oldest in the state of Indiana, and mass was said several years in the homes of the settlers, ere a log church was erected.
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