USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 25
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Father Neyron was among the first pioneer priests who administered to the parishioners, which was about 1833. Fathers Badin, Able and Reynolds were also among the earliest priests in the parish. The first edifice erected was of logs and remained standing until about 1837. The first land which was donated to to the parish was given by Thomas Piers, father of the well-known Bartholomew Piers, who was priest at St. Peter's, Daviess county, Ind., for forty-seven years. He gave one acre of ground and the church which was built by the people. The following roster of priests is given the historian by Messrs. James Burns, F. A. Receveur, and Adolphus Banet: Resident parishioners-Fathers Neyron, Bessonies and William Doyle, Rincas and Gueguen, who built the first priest's home; G. M. Ginnsz, Father Stremler (who enlarged the priest's home), Father Stricker (who built the home of the Benedictine Sisters), and Father Hillebrand, the pres- ent pastor. The present church was erected in 1837. The ground, seven acres, was given by Michael Quencez and Patrick Byrne, who gave three and one-half acres each. This land includes the premises of the priest's home and the cemetery, and was donated in 1837. The fair cash value of the parish property is about $7, 500.
FORT WAYNE, ALLEN COUNTY.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception .- The first Catholic house of worship at Fort Wayne, Ind., was a small, frame weather-boarded shanty, erected in 1837 on the site of the pres- ent imposing cathedral-edifice, and was known as St. Augustine's (274)
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church. In 1857 the diocese of Vincennes, which up to that time had included the whole state of Indiana, was divided, and the northern part of the state erected as the diocese of Fort Wayne, with the city of the same name as the episcopal see, and with the Right Rev. J. H. Luers as first bishop. In 1859, when prep- arations were made for the erection of the present cathedral, the original frame church was removed to the east side of the cathedral square, facing on Clinton street, but a short time after- ward was destroyed by fire, supposedly the work of an incendiary.
Bishop Luers and the Rev. J. Benoit began the erection of the new cathedral, in the year last mentioned, aided by Henry Baker, Michael Hedekin, Maurice Cody and Jacob Kintz as a building committee. The cost of the building proper was about $54,000, while the organ, pews and other furniture cost over $9,000 extra. Of this amount about $14,000 resulted from col- lections or subscriptions in Fort Wayne, and $2,000 from a fair or bazaar. The balance was collected by Father Benoit while on a visit to New Orleans in 1860, or realized from other sources, including his private purse, and the entire cost fully met. The architect of this magnificent building-was Thomas Lau, who also held the contract for the carpenter work, while the brick work was done by James Silver. The episcopal residence was erected by Father Benoit at a cost of $16,000, which he paid from his own resources, with the exception of $2,000, which was paid by, the diocese.
Right Rev. Bishop Luers passed away in June 1871, and was succeeded by Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger April 14, 1872, and at his death, January 22, 1893, was succeeded by the present emi- nent priest, Joseph Rademacher, D. D., who was transferred to the bishopric of Fort Wayne by pontifical letters, dated July 14, 1893. Father Benoit remained pastor of the cathedral for several years under Bishop Dwenger, but on account of increasing age relinquished his charge. Among other pastors who have officiated at the cathedral may be mentioned the Revs. E. P. Walters, J. H. Brammer, A. M. Meili, W. F. M. O'Rourke, J. M. Graham, M. E. Campion, J. Grogan, P. M. Frawley, J. R. Dinnen, J. M. Hartnett, L. A. Moench, H. A. Boeckelmann, P. F. Roach, J. F.
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Lang, T. M. O'Leary, J. F. Delaney, M. J. Byrne, the present clergymen being Right Rev. Joseph Rademacher, bishop of the diocese; Very Rev. J. H. Brammer, vicar-general; Rev. Charles B. Guendling, secretary; Rev. F. Koerdt, defensor matrimonii; Rev. J. H. Bathe, procurator fiscalis, and Revs. Frederick Dan- durand and John Durham, assistant pastors.
The school for boys attached to the cathedral is attended by 381 pupils, under the supervision of eight Brothers of the Holy Cross, with Rev. John Durham as reverend director, and the school for girls, connected with St. Augustine's academy, is attended by 401 pupils, with eighteen teachers and Rev. Frederick. Dandurand as reverend director.
The Mother of God Church was founded in 1848, when thirty German families, who hitherto had attended St. Augustine's church, manifested a desire to build a house of worship wherein they could have the gospel preached in their own language, and accordingly purchased a few lots at the present intersection of Lafayette and Jefferson streets, for $1,700. To secure the pay- ment of this money Bernard Meyer, Nicholas Jostvert, Henry and Lucas Hoevel, and Bernard Voors gave a mortgage on their farms. The first church council consisted of Rev. E. Faller, Joseph Som- mers, B. Rekers, Martin Noll, G. Fox and H. Englert; the build- ing committee was Father Faller, B. Rekers, Lorentz Meyer, Ulrich Rehne, Herman Englert and Joseph Sommers. Lorentz Meyer dug the first earth for the foundation of the new brick church, which at present serves as a girl's school. The dimensions of the building were 32x64 feet. In August of the same year the cholera interrupted the progress of the work, but the church was brought to completion in November, and on the 29th of the month these thirty families moved in procession from St. Augustine's church to take possession of the new building. Rev. F. X. Weninger, the zealous missionary, since then gone to his reward, who had been preaching a mission to the German Catholics for a week previous, conducted the solemn entry into the church and dedicated it to the services of God under the tutelage and title of "The Mother of God Church. " E. Faller, who became the pas-
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tor of the new church, took part in the dedicatory services. A small one-story frame house was erected to serve as a pastoral residence, and the school-house that had served the Germans was moved from Calhoun street one year after opening the new church, and placed in the rear of the pastoral residence.
In 1850 Bishop de Saint Palais, of Vincennes, visited the parish, administered confirmation, and gave the church $500. The little edifice served its purpose from 1849 for ten years, but in IS58 a subscription was started for the erection of a more com- modious church. The plans were made by Thomas Lau, to whom the contracts for brick work were let; for the plastering, to N. Meyer and N. Alter; for the wood work, to Thomas Lau, except the inside wood finish, which was done by Herman Wilkins, George Link and Henry Pranger. The bricks were purchased from Samuel Lillie at $4 per 1,000. The sand was donated by Edward Smith. B. H. Schnieders, who owned one horse, succeeded in borrowing another, and placed the service of the team at the dis- posal of the building committee during the summer. Another team, belonging to B. Trentman, another to Lorentz Meyer, and another to Joseph Zimmerman, were kept busy during the season. The building committee of the new church was B. Trentman, H. Nierman, John Trentman, M. Noll and B. H. Schnieders, under the administration of Rev. E. Faller, but he was shortly after- ward transferred to New Albany, and was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Weutz, in 1857.
In 1857 the diocese of Fort Wayne was established, and Rt. Rev. J. H. Luers, the first bishop, arrived here in January, 1858. He laid the corner-stone of this new church in the summer of the same year, and preached to the assembled multitude. Another sermon, in German, was preached by a Rev. Mr. Snyder, of Hesse Cassel. In 1859, on the second Sunday of November, Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers dedicated the new church under the title given its predecessor in 1848. Henry Monning traveled over the country with Rev. J. Weutz, soliciting contributions to pay for the struc- ture, which had been erected at a cost of $30,000, and upon which a heavy debt remained for many years. In 1871, during the absence of Rev. J. Weutz, who had gone to Europe on a visit,
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Rev. F. Von Schwedler had charge, and in the meantime com- pleted the spire. The assistant priests to Father Weutz were, in turn, Revs. A. Heitmann, A. Young and B. T. Borg.
In 1872 Rev. J. Weutz resigned the pastorate of this church and Right Rev. Bishop Dwenger, who had succeeded to the see of Fort Wayne upon the death of Bishop Luers, appointed the Rev. Joseph Rademacher to take charge, with Rev. Charles Steurer as his assistant. After some seven years in this pastorate, Rev. Rade- macher was transferred to LaFayette, and a few years afterward became bishop of Nashville, Tenn. Rev. J. H. Oechtering was appointed to take charge of the Mother of God church July 14, 1880. His assistants were successively Revs. C. Steurer, C. Gan- ser, L. A. Moench, C. M. Romer, R. Denk, and G. Hottenroth.
January 13, 1886, will be memorable in the history of this church for many years to come. At half-past one o'clock in the afternoon the boiler beneath the church, from which the steam . heating was generated, exploded, and the great edifice was a dis- astrous scene of wreck and ruin, the shock being felt in every part of the city. The fireman was killed and carried with him the secret of the cause of the disaster. A little girl, passing the church at the time of the accident, was struck by a door which was blown from its holdings, and instantly killed. The pastoral residence was also greatly damaged. But now an elegant new structure graces the scene of the disaster, and was erected at a cost of about $75,000, S. M. Lane, of Cleveland, being the architect. The corner-stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger on the IIth of July, 1886, amid an immense throng of people. The great struc- ture finally became a finished monument and a tribute to the liber- ality and almost unequaled generosity of the members of the congregation and of citizens generally, even non-Catholics of the city contributing cheerfully to its erection.
On the third Sunday of Advent, 1887, the church was dedi- cated by Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, D. D., who also preached the English sermon. The sermon in German was preached by Very Rev. Abbelen, of Milwaukee. Rt. Rev. Bishop Rademacher, of Nashville, sang pontifical mass on the occasion. There was a large attendance of priests and people from far and near, who had (278)
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come to rejoice with the pastor and the congregation upon the completion of the new church, which will be a lasting monument to the generosity and faith of the people.
In the year 1862, the old school-house, a part of which had served as a church from 1849 to 1858, was torn down and a new handsome school-building and Sisters' convent were erected in its place at the cost of $20,000.
St. Paul's Church. - During the winter of 1864 some thirty- five German-speaking Catholics gathered at the residence of the Rekers Brothers, and after some deliberation set about the work of erecting a church in the west end of the city. These same Rekers Brothers had been managing a general home for orphans and aged people, which was supported by private charity, county funds, and church aid, from 1847 till about 1864. when the orphanage was opened at Rensselaer, and the St. Joseph hospital was established in the hotel property known as the Rockhill house. The institution above referred to was known as the St. Vincent's Orphan asylum and the St. Joseph's hospital, the same names given to the new homes in a later day. The Rekers' asylum has long since made way for the elegant residence now occupied by A. C. Trentman.
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Property for the new church was purchased adjoining the corner lot on the southeast crossing of Griffith and Jefferson streets, and a frame church erected upon it; the lot cost $1, 100, and the building $3,700 The corner lot upon which the present brick school-house stands was secured several years later. This edifice was erected about 1870. Two lots had been bought on the north- west corner and a frame school-house erected. (These lots were sold a few years since.) Later on, the northeast corner was pur- chased, and a commodious pastoral residence erected on the lot adjoining the corner, costing about $7,000. In 1886, the new church, which graces the northeast corner at the intersection of Griffith and Washington streets, was begun and the corner-stone was laid the same year by Right Rev. Bishop Rademacher, of Nashville. The church was dedicated on the first Sunday of November,: 1887, by Right Rev. Bishop Dwenger. The cost of
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the church is about $50,000. There is some debt upon the build- ing, but in the course of a few years it will be completely liqui- dated. St. Paul's numbers 185 families. The schools are taught by one man, and three Sisters of the community of Poor Hand- maids. There are about 232 children attending the schools. The congregation is composed of a thrifty and prosperous class of people.
St. Peter's Church. - In 1872 a few dozen families living in the southeast part of Fort Wayne, most of whom had worshiped in St. Mary's church, formed themselves into a congregation, and began the erection of a large brick structure, divided into two stories. On the lower floor are four commodious school-rooms, whilst the second floor serves as a house of worship. The corner- stone was laid in the summer of 1872, and the church was dedi- cated December 29, 1872, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger. The approximate cost of the building was $12,000. Rev. J. Wemhoff was appointed pastor of the new church, which he faithfully served for eight years, until the time of his death, which occurred Decem- ber 1, 1880. The schools were opened in 1873, and eight years afterwards Sisters from Milwaukee, known as School Sisters from Notre Dame, were secured as teachers, and have at present writ- ing 435 pupils. In 1882 the congregation purchased a house and three additional lots for a pastoral residence. The property belonging to this church is known as "St. Peter's square, " runs from Warsaw street west to Hanna, and contains the entire strip between De Wald and Martin streets. In 1887 a two-story brick building was erected for a Sisters' residence.
Rev. A. Messman was the successor of the lamented Father Wemhoff in 1880. Father Messman came to America from north- ern Germany, when a boy, and located at Cincinnati. After some years he began his studies for the priesthood. He graduated at Mt. St. Mary's seminary, Cincinnati, and was ordained priest forthe diocese of Fort Wayne by Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers. Immediately after his ordination, which took place January 6, 1870, he was appointed first resident pastor of Kentland, Newton county, Ind. He remained there until called to St. Peter's pastorate, in Decem-
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ber, 1880, and here had charge until July, 1896, when he took charge of St. Joseph's church at Laporte, Ind. He was succeeded by Father Koerdt, who has since had charge.
The new church, located on the west half of the square and facing Warsaw street, was begun in 1893 and dedicated in Octo- ber, 1894. It is 184 x 75 feet, and eighty feet high, the steeple towering to a height of 207 feet, and the seating capacity is suf- ficent for 1, 100 persons. The structure is purely Gothic in style and cost about $70,000, but, owing to the stringency of business since its completion, there rests upon the congregation an indebt- edness of $30,000. Connected with the parish are the following sodalities: The St. Joseph's School society, with a membership of 225; the Association of the Holy Motherhood, 242; St. Ste- phen's society for Young Men, 95; St. Agnes society, for Young Ladies, 115; Guardian Angel society, 105; Rosary society and the Sacred Heart League, 400; St. Cecilia society, or choir, 25; St. Martin's Benevolent society, 110; St. Vincent de Paul society, devoted to the support of the poor of the parish, 75; Catholic Knights, 40; Catholic Benevolent Legion, 82; and the society of the Holy Childhood.
St. Patrick's Church was consecrated Sunday, November 22, 1891, under most imposing ceremonies, in which both the clergy and the laymen took part, assisted by many societary and other civic bodies, but, for the purpose of this work it is only necessary to give a brief history of the church proper. Early in the year 1889 Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, the bishop of the diocese, reali- zing that in the near future a church would be needed to accom- modate the wants of the people living in the southern part of the city of Fort Wayne, purchased property on Fairfield avenue. At this time this was the only desirable property for such a purpose, and accordingly a school was opened there. In October of that year, the Rt. Rev. Bishop appointed Rev. T. M. O'Leary as the pastor of this new congregation. At this time an occasion was presented for the purchase of other property (six lots on De Wald street, between Harrison and Webster), which was more centrally located, and Father O'Leary was instructed by the Rt. Rev.
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Bishop to secure it, and he at once began to make negotiations for its purchase. Before more than the purchasing of four of these lots could be accomplished death claimed Father O'Leary, the young, brilliant, well known and lamented priest. A month later Bishop Dwenger called a meeting of the congregation, and. after encouraging them, in his fatherly way, donated to them the property on Fairfield avenue and announced Rev. J. F. Delaney, successor of Father O'Leary, as pastor of St. Patrick's parish. Father Delaney at once commenced the work of organizing the congregation, visiting the families and soliciting subscriptions for the purpose of building a new edifice. To complete the half square, he purchased the remaining two lots, on DeWald street, and on April 1, 1890, ground was broken for the new church. On May 20, of that year, the corner-stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger. The work went rapidly forward and the magnificent new church completed and dedicated on the date mentioned above, and also school buildings and a pastoral resi- dence were added. The church is a magnificent structure, Gothic in design, 163 feet in length, sixty-seven feet in width, with a frontage of ninety-four feet. The spire towers aloft to the height of 185 feet. The cost of the church, not including furnishings, was about $50,000, and it has a seating capacity of about 1, 000.
FRANKFORT, CLINTON COUNTY.
St. Mary's Mission .- The first priest to visit Frankfort was Rev. F. Lordemann, of Kokomo, who conducted services for the few Catholic families in the city and adjacent country, in 1874, and at intervals. of three weeks thereafter during the succeeding eight years. He succeeded in keeping alive the religious interests thus inaugurated, and in due time, 1876, a house of worship, cost- ing the sum of $800, was erected and formally dedicated to the service of God. This building answered the purposes for which it was intended until the growth of the congregation necessitated a meeting place of enlarged dimensions; accordingly, in 1892, the bishop donated a site on the corner of Second and Walnut streets, and the same year there was erected thereon the present frame edifice, a well furnished and in every respect a creditable temple (282)
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of worship, representing. a capital of $3,000. The mission now known as St. Mary's is ministered to by priests from LaFayette, and the congregation, though small in numbers, is constantly increasing, and at this time is practically free of debt. The church is an outgrowth of faith, and its future prospects are most encouraging.
FRENCHTOWN, HARRISON COUNTY.
St. Bernard's Church, at Frenchtown, was erected in 1849. From 1840 to 1850 Spencer township, of Harrison county, was ' being settled by a number of French families. Previous to 1847 it appears the priests residing at Lanesville visited these families, celebrating mass at the house of Theodore Henriot. Perhaps Revs. Munschina, Faller, Fischer. Opermann came now and then. We know that they were attended by the Rev. John P. Dion in 1848, residing at Lanesville. It was he who built the first church. Father Dion resided at Lanesville-from 1848-52, at Leopold, from 1852 to 1858, during which time he faithfully visited these parts of St. Bernard's church. He settled at St. Bernard's, the first resident priest, from 1858 to 1861. After him Rev. Gustave M. Ginnsz, resid- ing at St. Mary's of the Assumption, Floyd Knobs, attended for some years to St. Bernard's. From 1866 to 1872 it was again visited by Father Dion, who, at that time, resided at St. Croix, Perry county.
From 1873 to 1878 Rev. F. de Langie had charge, being the second resident pastor. During his time a new parsonage was built but not finished. In 1878 we again have Father Dion visiting from St. Croix. In 1879 the Rev. F. X. Seegmuller, resid- ing at Bradford, Harrison county, attended the place. In 1880 it was again visited by the pastor of St. Croix, the Rev. Charles Bilger.
Rev. M. Andres took charge of the congregation in July, 1881. A new church, which was begun during the attendance of his predecessor, was finished by him, and blessed by Bishop Cha- tard on November 1, 1881.
Rev. William Liesen had charge of the parish, and in August, 1898, Rev. John Haskamp was made resident pastor, with charge, also of St. Joseph's mission at Milltown, Crawford county. The
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school at Frenchtown is in charge of three Sisters of Providence, and the pupils attending number about fifty-five.
FULDA, SPENCER COUNTY.
St. Boniface's Church at Fulda, a small town in Spencer county, was visited for the first time by a Catholic priest on June 5, 1847, by Rev. Joseph Kundeck, residing at Jasper. He built a log church, 45 x 30 feet, to which an addition of thirty feet was made in 1852. ` It appears Father Kundeck visited the place only a few times. Up to 1852 we find on record the names of Fathers Fischer, Doyle and Contin. Burials date back to 1848. Rev. Henry Peters became the first resident priest in October, 1852. He built the first parsonage, a log house, and the school was opened in the same year. Father Peters remained until August, 1853.
The following Benedictine Fathers became successively the pastors of St. Boniface's church at Fulda: Revs. P. Bede O'Con- nor, from August to October, 1853, at Ferdinand; Rev. P. Eugene Schwerzmann, until August, 1854, at Ferdinand; until October 5, 1858, it was attended by fathers from St. Meinrad; P. Chrysos- tome Foffa, from October 5. 1858, to May 12, 1861; P. Martin Marty, until 1863; P. Benedict Brunet during the summer of 1863; P. Henry Hug, until July, 1865; P. Wolfgang Schlumpf, until December 19, 1869; P. Isidor Hobi, until March 21, 1870; P. Placidus Zarn, until January, 1871, second resident priest; P. Benno Gerber, until February, 1877; P. Maurus Helferich, until Sep- tember, 1881; P. Augustine Falley, to October, 1890, and after him came the Rev. Joseph Villinger, O. S. B.
A new brick parsonage was completed June 5, 1877. In the same year three new altars were placed in the church. The corner-stone for the new St. Boniface church had been laid in 1860. The foundation finished, nothing more was done until 1865, when work was resumed. The church was solemnly blessed on June 5, 1866, by the Very Rev. Martin Marty. In 1870 the church was plastered. The Right Rev. Bishop Luers, of Fort Wayne, celebrated pontifical high mass in the church on the feast (284)
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ยท of St. Boniface, 1870, and ordained Father Boniface Dilger sub- deacon.
The present pastor, Rev. Joseph Villinger, has done good and faithful service, and the parochial school, attended by about 133 pupils, is in charge of three Benedictine nuns.
GARRETT, DEKALB COUNTY.
SS. Peter and Paul's Church, at Garrett, was organized in 1876 by Rev. A. Young, who came here as a missionary from Auburn. The edifice was dedicated June 29 by Right Rev. Bishop Dwenger, and the parish continued as a mission until 1886, when Father Young became the resident priest, having built the resi- dence he now occupies in that year. In 1880 he built an addition to the church, in 1886 a second addition, and in 1893 a third-the original dimensions of the building having been 24 x 40 feet, while the present dimensions are 50 x 110 feet. The congregation, also, has increased from twenty-five families to 150, and through the indefatigable labors of Father Young the parish has been placed in a most flourishing condition. The school was organized by Father Young in 1888, and is now in charge of seven Sisters of the Pre- cious Blood, with an attendance of 240 pupils. The school-rooms are four in number, the building being 30 x 60 feet, with a hall, 12 x 36 feet.
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