USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 28
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pushed rapidly, and on the second Sunday in Advent (December 10, 1885) the new church was dedicated.
The cost of this structure was only $20,000, owing to the fact that valuable services were gratuitously rendered by prominent members of the parish. The inasonry was done by Jacob Fritz; George Clements did the carpenter work, and Joseph Ernst had the contract for plastering. The inner work, as altars, pews, confessionals, pulpit, pillars, etc., was done mostly by the carpenter Brothers of the Franciscan order. Brother Isidor and Brother Didadus deserve special mention for their very effective work in the inner decoration. When this building was completed, there was a debt of about $9,000 resting on it.
In July, 1885, Rev. Father Ferdinand was elected guardian of Santa Barbara, Cal., and Rev. Francis Haase became pastor of the Sacred Heart church. The standing of the congregation at this time was quite a favorable one, numbering some 350 fami- lies. The principal aim of the new pastor was to diminish the debt which rested upon the church and to render the interior more attractive and devout. To this end, the high altar was enlarged, and remodeled and furnished with new statues of the Sacred Heart, of St. Francis and of St. Anthony. In 1886 new con- fessionals, made by Brother Isidore, were put up. The same Brother also made an artistically carved communion railing. Near this time, also, a beautiful crib was purchased, which ever since attracts the attention of the faithful during the Christmas festivals. In 1887 Rev. Father Francis purchased from the world- renowned art gallery of Mayer, in Munich, Bavaria, two handsome and artistic statues of the Sorrowful Mother, and of St. Anna instructing the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1890 the last debts of the church were paid. As it was found the church could not accommodate all the faithful, it was decided to finish the edifice according to the original plans. But to render the exterior more attractive, the plans were so changed that two magnificent towers were built at the front. Brother Adrian also planned and directed this annex.
The addition cost $30,000 and was completed the year fol- lowing. Shortly before completion, a great calamity befell the (308)
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edifice and it was thought for some time that everything would be destroyed by fire. On Easter Monday, 1891, at about II o'clock, A. M., lightning struck the south tower, passed over the entire building, and damaged it in several places. In the basement of the church a very dangerous fire originated, just below the com- munion railing. The fire department had hard work to extinguish the fire, but succeeded after laboring one whole hour. The dam- age was about $600, which, however, was fully covered by insur- ance. This terrible hour and its exciting scenes will forever remain in the minds of all those present.
After the two towers were completed, large and harmonious bells were purchased. Rev. Father Francis took great pains to secure the bells by special donations. The largest bell, which weighs in the crown 4,000 pounds, was donated by several parties, and is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The inscription in the bell is, Laudis Thema Specialis-I am the object of special praise. This bell hangs alone in the north-side tower. The south- side tower contains three bells. The largest bell was presented by the St. Francis Benevolent society. It is dedicated to St. Francis, and, in reverence to him, the inscription is, Præco sum magni regis-I am the herald of the great king. The second bell in this tower was presented by George Ohleyer, a pioneer of the Sacred Heart parish, who by his special gift left a lasting monument to his memory. This bell was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin with the inscription, Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum-I announce to you a great joy .. The smallest bell was presented by Charles Wagner and dedicated to St. Joseph, and bears the inscription, Protectorem Domini glorifico-I praise the Foster Father of the Lord.
June 7th, 1891, this set of bells was blessed by the Very Rev. Father Ferdinand Bergmeyer, who, at the time was provincial of the Sacred Heart province. About the same time the interior of the church was artistically frescoed by Mr. Hefele, of Cincinnati, at a cost of $3,000. After the walls of the church had been thus embellished they received a new ornament, namely, a set of artistic stations, donated by a benefactor of the church who desires his name to be withheld. The stations, in high relief of terra-cotta,
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were procured in the art emporium of Mayer, Munich, Bavaria, whilst the frames of hard oak were obtained at Chicago, Ill.
In the midst of this work the Rev. P. Francis Haase was called away by the chapter of the province and made superior of the Franciscan convent at St. Louis on July 8, 1891. His suc- cessor, as pastor of the Sacred Heart parish, was Rev. P. Bernar- dine Weis. The first aim of the new pastor was to have the church consecrated. Since, according to ecclesiastical laws, no indebted church can be consecrated, he induced several wealthy members of the parish to assume the responsibility for the $15,000 debt, which - still remained on the church-building. Meeting with success, Father Bernardine could make the immediate preparations for the solemn consecration. October 4, 1891, this grand and rare cere- mony took place, the Rt. Rev. Francis Silas Chatard officiating. The former pastors of the church, the Very Rev. P. Ferdinand Bergmeyer and the Rev. P. Francis Haase, were both present. The latter delivered a sermon, appropriate to the solemn occasion. For three years the Rev. P. Bernardine arduously labored as pas- tor of the Sacred Heart church, successfully. managing, during this short period, to efface the total debt of $15,000.
In August, 1894, the Rev. P. Francis Haase was appointed pastor of the Sacred Heart church a second time. He at once began the last building which the wants of the large congregation required-a new school-house, with a large entertainment hall and serveral club-rooms for the different societies of the parish. Already, in 1888, three lots north of the church-building had been purchased for this purpose.
In 1895 the plans for the new building were drawn up by Brother Adrian, O. F. M., and work commenced at once. The building, 156x66 feet, has three stories. The basement contains club rooms for the men and young men's societies, a dining room and kitchen, used at church festivals, and a recreation hall 80 x 25 feet with a bowling alley. On the second floor there are class rooms, a library, a chapel for the ladies' sodalities, and the apart- ments for the teacher and the janitor. The entertainment hall extends over the whole third floor, is 148 x 60 feet, and has a seat- ing capacity of 1,000. The hall is named St. Cæcilia's hall, in
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honor of St. Cæcilia's society, whose members always took an active interest in all church festivals.
The last embellishment the church has received in the present year, 1898, are the two new side altars, upon which not only the above-mentioned statues of the Sorrowful Mother and St. Ann are placed, but also the statues of St. Martin, St. George, St. Cæcilia and St. Agatha. The first three statues were donated by St. Mar- tin's branch, No. 80, C. K. A., St. George's commandery, No. 192, Knights of St. John, and St. Cæcilia's society; other benefac- tors paid for the statue of St. Agatha, the protectress against fire. These two altars, the workmanship of Brother Isidore, were blessed August 7, by Rev. Father Francis; Very Rev. P. Michael Richardt, O. F. M., delivered the sermon.
Two other side altars will be procured in the near future, as also a new grand organ, so that the interior of the Sacred Heart church will be completed within the next two years, when the celebration of the silver jubilee will take place. The parish at present numbers 550 families. May God's blessing always remain with it, that it ever prosper and flourish.
The sodality of St. Clare for the young ladies of the church ,of the Sacred Heart, was the first sodality which was founded in the congregation. As early as 1875 the young ladies had begun this society. The organization, however, first took place under Rev. P. Alardus, O. F. M., on May 5, 1878. Since 1889 the sodality is divided into two branches. The first communicants remain in the first branch for two years, and are then admitted into the other. The members of the first branch wear a white ribbon, while the members of the second department wear a blue ribbon, with a medal as their regalia. The members receive the holy sacraments on every third Sunday of the month, and are obliged to attend the monthly meetings. At present it has a membership of 250 young ladies.
The sodality of St. Louis for boys after they make their first communion originated as follows: In May of the year 1885, Rev. P. Ferdinand, O. F. M., organized a special society for boys. St. Louis, one of the twenty-five Japanese martyrs of the Franciscan Order, was chosen as its patron. The first communicants of the
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year 1885, numbering thirty-one, were the first who joined this society. The solemn reception took place on June the 28th. The first director of this sodality was Ven. Br. Markus, O. F. M. Rev. P. Augustine Heuseler, O. F. M., succeeded him in August, 1885. The number of members rapidly increased: In the following year the sodality received a banner through the assistance of Rev. P. Augustine. The members of this society approach the sacraments every fourth Sunday in the month and have their meeting on every first Sunday. It at present enjoys a membership of fifty-four boys.
In June, 1889, the sodality of St. Louis was divided into two branches. The one was intended for boys and the other for young
men. The branch to which the young men belong was placed under the patronage of St. Aloysius. At its origin it had fifty-four members. The young men receive the sacraments once every two months, and have their meetings on the second Sunday of every month. At present the sodality has eighty-five members, and is known as the sodality of St. Aloysius for young men.
On December 12, 1875, the Sodality of Christian Mothers was organized. Immediately, 130 pious women joined it. The members of this society should not only strive after personal piety, but also introduce piety and devotion into their families by fervent instructions to their children as well as by good example. A monthly contribution of ten cents is being paid by every member. Every other month the society receives holy communion in com- mon. At present it numbers 405 members.
The society of St. Cæcilia for men was established October 28, 1877, in the parish of the Sacred Heart. In the beginning, the aim of this society was to provide for the singing in the church. The church choir formerly consisted of the members of this society. It placed itself under the patronage of St. Cæcilia, the patroness of song and music: This society also had to prepare dramatic and musical entertainments for the benefit of the church, and has dis- played great skill in this line on various occasions. Every fourth Sunday in the month this society has a meeting. On the first Sunday after the 22d of November it celebrates the feast of its patron. It is owing greatly to this society's endeavor, also, that
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the parish has a beautiful and voluminous library. This society has at present 135 members.
The Mutual Aid society of St. Francis for Men was organized March 5, 1876, under the guidance of its spiritual director and member, Rev. P. Alardus Andrescheck, with a membership of sixty-six men. Its purpose is to assist those members, who, by sickness, are disabled for labor, by the contribution of a monthly fee of fifty cents. Every sick member receives the sum of five dollars every week. In order to be admitted to this society the applicant must be sound both bodily and mentally; must not be- long to any secret societies; must have a good reputation and a Christian character; must have attained the age of eighteen years, and not be over fifty years old. At present the treasury of this society contains $7,000. This society has a meeting on the first Sunday of every month. On the first Sunday after the fourth of October, it celebrates the feast of its patron, and on the first Sun- day after the fifth of March it celebrates its anniversary. The mem- bers approach the sacraments in corpore on both of these feasts. At present the membership of this society amounts to 180 men.
The Knights of St. George, in the year 1876, belonged to the Emeralds. Later on it separated from that society and assumed the name, Knights of St. George. Thus it remained until Decem- ber, 1891, when it joined the Knights of St. John. The second Monday of "every month is the appointed day for their meeting. In this society there is also a uniformed branch, which is placed under the leadership of the able captain, Oscar Wuenth. They received prizes at the conventions at Evansville, Dayton and Crawfordsville, which clearly shows their skill in military tactics.
St. Martin's branch, No. 80, of the Catholic Knights of America, a branch of Catholic Germans, was formed about the year 1880. The Rt. Rev. Francis Silas Chatard allotted it to the Sacred Heart church, and appointed Rev. P. Ferdinand Bergmeyer as its spiritual director. It has a meeting on every first and third Monday of every month, and has a membership of 128 men.
St. John's church, the first of the name at Indianapolis, a brick building, was erected in 1850 by the Rev. John Gueguen on
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the spot where Bishop Chatard's addition to the parsonage now stands, facing Georgia street. Shortly afterward, Father Gueguen was succ. eded by the Rev. Daniel Maloney, who built an addition to the edifice in 1857, and in October of the same year the Very Rev. August Bessonies was appointed pastor, and took charge November 5. In 1858, the building of a young ladies' academy was begun on the corner of Georgia and Tennessee streets, and was finished in 1859, was placed in charge of the Sisters of Provi- dence, and two years later was enlarged. In 1862 ground for a cemetery was purchased; in 1863 a parsonage was built; in 1865 a school-building for boys, adjoining the parsonage, was begun, and completed in 1866, and this was placed in the charge of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart early in the following year.
The corner-stone of the present St. John's church-edifice was laid July 21, 1867, by Bishop de St. Palais, Father Smarius, S. J., preaching the sermon. The building is an imposing structure, 2023 x 75 feet; the center nave is fifty feet wide and fifty-three feet high; the transept is 67 x 50 feet, and the sanctuary is 40 x 30} feet. It has two towers and the spires reach an altitude of 200 feet. The church fronts on Tennessee street, and its cost reached over $120,000. A chapel for the baptismal font is situated on the north side of the sanctuary, near the entrance, and four small chapels are located on each side of the nave for side altars and confessionals. Bishop Chatard generously enriched the church by the donation of a marble altar that cost $4,000, and two very fine side altars, costing $700 each, were presented by the church socie- ties. At the completion of the church, the Sisters of Providence removed from Georgia and Tennessee streets to their commodious St. John's academy, facing Maryland street, and in 1879 Bishop Francis Silas Chatard erected his episcopal residence in immediate connection with St. John's parsonage.
Father Bessonies, pastor of St. John's in 1885, celebrated his seventieth birth-day, was created a domestic prelate of the Pope and received the title of Monsignore, as a testimony to his good services. In 1890 Mgr. Bessonies celebrated his golden jubilee as priest and then resigned the pastorate of the church. He went to Europe, but has, since his return, continued to reside with the (314)
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ST. JOSEPH'S HALL, INDIANAPOLIS.
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ST. JOSEPH'S PASTORAL RESIDENCE, INDIANAPOLIS.
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bishop, going with him to the new episcopal residence, corner of Fourteenth and Meridian streets.
On the resignation of Mgr. Bessonies the Rev. Francis H. Gavisk, who had been assistant priest at St. John's church since 1885, was placed in temporary charge. He was appointed rector in September, 1892. In the year 1893 extensive improvements were made on the church. The spires were completed, the choir gallery enlarged, a vestibule added, and the interior of the church decorated and frescoed. The following year, 1894, a large organ was placed in the choir gallery. These improvements, which com- pleted the church, cost $35,000.
The Rev. F. H. Gavisk, the present rector, was born at Evansville, Ind., in 1856. He pursued his studies at St. Mein- rad, Ind., where he was ordained to the priesthood in 1885. Since his ordination he has been connected with St. John's church. He is assisted by Revs. Victor J. Brucker and Stephen Donoghue. The congregation comprises about 800 families, and the school for boys is supervised by five brothers of the Sacred Heart, with 210 pupils, while that for girls, under eighteen Sisters of Providence, is attended by 363 pupils.
St. Joseph's Congregation was organized in 1873 by the Rev. Joseph Petit. He erected a two-story building on East Vermont street, which was to be church, school and parsonage. He resigned his charge in April, 1874. The congregation was then attended from St. John's by Rev. E J. Spelman and Rev. Francis M. Mousset. In 1874 Bishop de St. Palais built a roomy three- story addition to the building erected by Father Petit, and made of it St. Joseph's seminary. The congregation continued to have regular services in the seminary chapel. The Rev. H. Alerding was appointed to a position of procurator for the seminary and pastor of the congregation in July of 1874, when the seminary was opened. The seminary continued for one year and was then aban- doned. From that time until the spring of 1879 nothing was done by way of providing the congregation with a suitable church, because Bishop de St. Palais' consent to build a church was per- sistently withheld. In the month of April, 1879, Bishop Chatard
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determined to make of the seminary a hospital. He not only urged the congregation to build a new church in some other quar- ter, but refunded $2,000 of the money spent on the old building. Two lots, on which St. Joseph's church now stands, on the corner of North and Noble streets, were purchased for $5, 500, on April 25, 1879. The corner-stone was laid on July 20, 1879, by Bishop Chatard, assisted by the priests of the city. On July 4, 1880, the new church was blessed by Bishop Chatard and the first mass celebrated by Father Petit, of Madison. St. Joseph's church is a Gothic structure. It is 130 feet long, the nave 45 feet, and the transept 70 feet in width, the height of spire 135 feet. The cost of the church was $20,000. Churches of similar design built in 1882 have cost $25,000. In 1881 a parsonage was erected at a cost of $5,000, including its furnishings. In 1882 three new altars were built for $1, 200. In 1883 a new pulpit for $300, two con- fessionals, and Sacred Heart altar. A few years after the interior was handsomely frescoed. The church and furnishings are now complete in every particular. The cost of the furnishings, includ- ing a Roosevelt organ, amounted to over $7,000.
The school has existed in St. Joseph's from the time the pres- ent pastor received charge of the congregation. It was taught by P. Jennings for one year, 1875 to 1876; by the Misses O'Connell, 1876 to 1877, and by Mrs. P. H. McNelis, who also had charge for a time, and since then by the Sisters of Providence. This community bought a lot south of the church in 1880; the buildings on it were utilized for school purposes, but they proved to be inadequate.
In 1881 a new school-building was erected by the Sisters of Providence-a three-story building, length, 130 feet-with four large school-rooms, and hall on third floor. The front portion forms the Sisters' residence, with recitation rooms, music rooms and chapel.
The last great work of the parish was the erection of a school- building for boys, with four spacious school-rooms on the ground floor, and a very commodious and attractive hall on the second floor. The building was erected in 1892. The building, heating and water attachments, furnishings of the school-room, of the hall,
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stage, gymnasium, pool-room and other expenses, including paint- ing of the hall, and complete outfit of scenery, necessitated the outlay of over $20,000.
From the above may be gathered that St. Joseph's congrega- tion since its organization has spent in the erection of buildings, their furnishings and the ground, $57,500. On this outlay of money is still due the sum of $16,000. The congregation is even now (1898) making strenuous efforts to pay off this balance, and, God willing, to celebrate the silver jubilee of its existence by the solemn consecration of its beautiful church.
St. Mary's (German) Church, Indianapalis, was founded in 1857, in August of which year the corner-stone was laid by Arch- bishop Purcell, in the presence of Bishop de St. Palais and Fathers Brandt and Maloney. Father Maloney had been pastor of St. John's congregation for some years, and the Germans were part of that congregation until the close of 1857, when Rev. L. Brandt founded St. Mary's.
When the Rev. Simon Siegrist became pastor on January 22, 1858, he found the four walls of the church and a debt of $3, 200. In that same year, on the 15th of August, the church was used for the first time, the sanctuary only having been plastered. In Octo- ber, 1858, however, it was blessed by the Rev. . Jos. Rudolph, in the presence of Bishop de St. Palais. The following are the dates, character and cost of the improvements: December 8, 1858, a new organ, $1, 325; September, 1859, the small bell, $247; March 18, 1863, a second bell, $317. In 1868 the steeple was built at a cost of $2, 500. In the fall of the same year the church received a new roof for $500. In 1869 the church was frescoed and the altars gilded, for $500, donated by Joseph Nurre. In the same year stained glass windows were procured for $400. December 5, 1869, the large bell was bought, costing $643. The present handsome parsonage was built in 1871, at a cost of $8,540. Father Siegrist took possession of this March 22, 1872.
The Rev. Simon Siegrist was born at Stottsheim, diocese of Strasbourg, France, on February 13, 1822. He emigrated to the United States, arriving at St. Louis, June 19, 1847, and was
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ordained priest there in the same year August 20. He had charge of the church of Sts. Peter and Paul in St. Louis from the time of his ordination until his arrival in Indianapolis. After a severe and lingering illness he departed this life on October 28, 1873. Father Siegrist was an eloquent man, with a kind word for all and great charity for the poor.
The Benedictine Fathers, Rev. P. Frowin, Very Rev. Bede O'Connor and Rev. Eberhardt Stadler, had charge of St. Mary's until July 28, 1874.
The Very Rev. Anthony Scheideler, V. G., has been pastor of St. Mary's since July 28, 1874; although he did not become vicar-general until 1878, when he was appointed by Bishop Chatard. He was born at Borgholz, Westphalia, May 23, 1836. He studied at Paderborn three years, and emigrated to America May 20, 1854. He continued his studies at the Benedictine abbey, St. Vincent's, Pa., until March 8, 1858, then came to Vincennes, finished his theology, was ordained priest by Bishop de St. Palais on October 21, 1860, and celebrated his first mass at St. Joseph's, Clark county. He remained at Madison with Father Brandt for three weeks, and was then appointed the pastor of St. Joseph's, Dear- born county, on November 28, 1860, from which place he also visited Dover, same county, for five and a half years; St. Mary's, Indianapolis, has been the scene of his labors since the summer of 1874.
The first improvement, in the fall of 1874, was on the cem- etery, where Father Scheideler erected a monument to the mem- ory of Father Siegrist, and built a beautiful mortuary chapel, with vault underneath, at a cost of $6,000. In the same year the church received new gas fixtures and pews, costing $1,340. On October 19, 1875, George Pfau donated a fine communion railing, worth $315. The three altars were enriched with splendid candle- sticks for $333. Father Scheideler's greatest work is the boys' school, which necessitated an outlay of $12,000 in 1876. The Sisters of St. Francis, also in 1876, erected a magnificent school- building for the girls; the corner-stone was laid July 2, and it was blessed December 8. The church was given new stained glass windows in 1881, for $500. The boys' playground was enlarged (318)
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