USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 34
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succeeded, in the same year by Rev. J. Hoss, and he, in 1887, by Rev. B. Hartman.
In October, of the year last mentioned, St. Rose of Lima church was destroyed by fire, but at once a subscription list was started, and the handsome sum of $4, 500 quickly raised, to which sum the Protestants of the town somewhat contributed, and not at all niggardly. The foundation for the new church was begun in the spring of 1888, and on the first day of July following the cor- ner-stone was laid by Bishop Dwenger. The superstructure is of brick, is 32 x 92 feet in dimensions, is Gothic in style, has a spire 102 feet in height, and the total cost of the building was $9, 500. The edifice was dedicated May 12, 1889, by Bishop Dwenger, and among the several pastors who have since attended none has proved more acceptable than the present, the Rev. L. R. Paquet.
MONTGOMERY, DAVIESS COUNTY.
St. Peter's is the oldest parish in either Daviess or Martin county, and was founded about 1818, by Catholics from Ken- tucky, a church-loving people, and they had not long been here when they were sought out by Fathers Blanc and Champonier, of Vincennes. The first settlers were the Montgomerys, the Kid- wells, and the Dants, and it was at the house of Mr. Montgomery that mass was first said. Very soon-perhaps in 1820-these men, under the direction of Father Blanc, built a rude log church, scarcely 16 x20 feet. When Father Blanc was recalled to New Orleans in 1820, he was succeeded in his visitations by Rev. Cham- ponier, who visited the place inonthly for about two years. He was succeeded by Rev. L. P. Lalumiere, who visited the settle- ment from Vincennes for a time, and afterward became its first resident pastor. He is credited with building a hewed-log church, 24 X 30 feet, which was as early as 1823, and a frame one, 40 x 60 feet, which was completed in 1827, and blessed by Bishop Flaget in 1829, assisted by the then young Father Abel, and on this occa- sion confirmed forty-seven persons. The third church was of brick. Part of these bricks were intended for college buildings, but with the removel of Father Sorin to the northern part of the state, these buildings were lost sight of. The church was built by (376)
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French carpenters from Vincennes under the direction of Rt. Rev. Bishop de la Hailandiere, and of Father Ducoudray, who was later its pastor. It is said by some that these carpenters were brought over especially to do the bishop's work. Certain it is, that much of their work was very faulty and this church did not last long. One of the subscriptions later on was for strengthening its walls, to render it safe. This was soon after Father Piers took charge in 1847, and it could not have been built longer than five years, as Father Sorin left in 1842. It was then decided to erect a new church, and to exchange the old site to the proposed town of Mont- gomery. This church was completed in 1869, at a cost of $8,000, a great part of the work being done by the parishioners. Father Piers had all the features of the building planned before he began the work, and carved out with a pen knife a perfect model of the contemplated structure. The church was blessed July 18, 1869, and August Farrell and Sarah Healey were the first couple married in it.
The substantial two-story frame school-building Father Piers put up soon after, and in 1885 the present school-building was completed. The bell tower and steeple were put on the church in 1887, and a fine new bell was purchased. The parochial school is maintained ten months in the year, with a good enrolment, though a large number of the scholars are from the country. John Byrne taught here, or in the parish, during war-times, and left behind him some creditable work in the way of well-trained minds-sev- eral of his pupils subsequently figuring conspicuously in the affairs of Daviess county. Miss Annie Byrne, a niece of Father Piers, also conducted the school creditably a number of years, and after- ward a Frank Walker.
The succession of clergy, as gleaned from records and tradi- tions, is as follows, with no uncertainty, unless as to exactness of two or thee dates: Rev. Napoleon Blanc, previous to 1820; Rev. M. Champonier, 1820 to the time when Rev. S. P. Lalumiere took charge, and remained until 1837; Rev. M. de St. Palais until 1839; Rev. J. Delaune until 1841; Rev. Granedir only transiently; Rev. E. Sorin until 1843; Revs. Chartier, Courjault, Francois Parret, transiently during 1843 after the departure of Father Sorin;
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Father Ducoudray, 1842 (end of year) until 1847; then Father Barthol Piers until 1895, when Father P. Rowan took charge, and the same priest remains yet, in 1898.
In discussing the early history of St. Peter's parish, we may add: In connection with Rev. Father Sorin's stay in this parish, the following will be of interest. In August, 1888, on the occasion of the celebration of Father Sorin's jubilee, at Notre Dame, John Breen and a Mr. Kelley were the only ones present from the local- ity of St. Peter's. During their stay Mr. Breen, in conversation with Father Sorin, referred to the tradition among the people here as to his intending to found a college at St. Peter's, and he told this incident of his stay here:
Yes; I with some of the brothers was temporarily at St. Peter's. We were upon very close rations, too. One day a neigh- bor named Hayes came to see me and asked how I was, etc. I told him I was not feeling well, that I had not had anything for dinner that day. He at once requested me to send some of the brothers with him and he would see that I was not without my din- ner another day. I did so, and soon we had several sacks of meal, meat, and other desirable provisions.
On the same occasion he related to Mr. Breen the circum- stances of his leaving the southern for the northern part of the state as follows:
Bishop de la Hailandiere sent for me and told me of the extensive lands near the lakes in the north, and offered them to me on the condition that I would found a college there; I did not want to go, but he insisted, and proffered me his horse to ride; I went, and the trip took me a week. I was pleased with the place and at once made arrangements to establish ourselves.
Of the brothers who left St. Peter's with Father Sorin, two, Brother Vincent, ninety-three years of age, and Brother Xavier, over sixty-six years old, were living in the year 1889, but are now deceased (March 1), 1898.
In his sermon at the golden jubilee of Father Sorin, at Notre Dame, in August, 1888, Bishop Ireland spoke of six brothers who came with Father Sorin from France, 1841 as the year of his coming and 1842 as the year he first set foot on the banks of the (378)
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St. Joe river. This agrees with existing records and traditions, and the names of these six brothers are well remembered by several. The following were named by Miss Lizzie O'Dell, who went to school to these brothers, viz: Anselm, Gashien, Joachim, Lawrence Vincent, Francis and Marien; one, who was known as Brother Joseph, was teaching at St. Peter's when the above-men- tioned arrived. He had been connected with the Trappist order of Europe, but could not endure the severities of their rule and left. About ten others joined them, but when they left for the north, these latter, who were young men of the surrounding neighbor- hood, did not go along, not having taken their obligations. When they left St. Peter's they had the land they were on nearly all in wheat, having leased much of it in order to have it cleared. There were no Sisters of the Holy Cross with Father Sorin.
Father Lalumiere had introduced the Sisters of Charity at an earlier date, but they remained but a short time; later, Father Ducoudray induced the Sisters to establish a school here, but they only remained about three years, when they withdrew.
St. Peter's cemetery is the most historic of all the parochial burying grounds in Daviess county, because it contains the remains of early settlers from other parishes, or at least many of them.
Since the beginning of Father Rowan's pastorate of St. Peter's parish, in 1895, wonderful improvements have been perfected, in church, school and parish. The improvements prominent which have been made during his pastorate are the interior decorations, the covering of the church with a slate roof, and new oaken seats of superior workmanship. The parochial school, under the charge of the Sisters of Providence, has also been established. The ele- gant home of the priest, erected of brick and stone of the most modern style of architecture, with modern conveniences, stands adjacent to the church on the north side. Since Father Rowan assumed the pastoral duties of St. Peter's, the whole amount of improvements made by him, from 1895 to 1898, will aggregate to almost $11,500. The value of the Roman Catholic property, in Montgomery, and the appendix at Cannelburg, Ind., and including the quarter section of coal land one mile west of the village, is esti- mated at $55,000, which indicates a marvelous growth since its
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establishment in 1818. The parish is in a very healthy state, St. Peter's being the second oldest parish in the state of Indiana. The parochial schools are well attended, having an enrolment of about 140 pupils. There are Tive Sisters, three as teachers, one as instructor in music, and one as cook and assistant.
MONTEREY, PULASKI COUNTY.
St. Ann's Church, at Monterey, was organized in 1858 by Rev. F. E. Nigh, the church-building at that time being a small edifice, two miles northwest of the village. In 1883 a new church was erected in the village during the pastorate of Rev. George Fleisch, at a cost of about $5,000, and the priest's residence was built in 1889 by Rev. Charles Thiele, at a cost of $1,700. It is of brick, is two stories high, and is beautifully located at the back of the church. The school-house was erected by Father Thiele in 1895 at a cost of $2,700, and the school enrolment reaches seventy pupils, who are under the instruction of three Sisters of St. Agnes. The congregation numbers sixty-five families, mostly German, and the sodalities attached to the church - the German Rosary society and the Young Ladies' sodality - are in a prosperous condition.
St. Ann's parish has been attended by the holy clergy in the following order: 1869, Rev. Henry Kænig; 1873, Rev. M. Beatrice Ziswyler, C. PP. S; 1876, Rev. Theobald Shoch; 1879, Rev. P. Conrad Schneider; 1880, Rev. George Fleisch; 1886, Rev. Erhardt Fritz, C. PP. S .; 1888, Rev. Charles Thiele; 1898, Rev. G. A. Zern- the last named being the present pastor, who is rapidly rising in the esteem of his flock.
MORRIS, RIPLEY COUNTY.
St. Anthony's Church. - About the year 1840 some German Catholic families began to settle at Morris, then known as Spring- field, and in its neighborhood. The place received its present name, Morris, in 1856. These Catholics became members of the neighboring congregations of Oldenburg and St. Nicholas. A log school-house was erected in 1855, measuring 24x 18 feet, on ground (five acres) donated for church and school purposes. The Catholic families at that time numbered twenty-five.
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After some delay Bishop de St. Palais gave his consent to the erection of a church. This church, built of stone, was 60 x 40' feet, exclusive of sanctuary. The corner-stone was laid in the spring of 1855, and was dedicated on October 29, 1856. The first mass in it was said by Rev. Joseph Rudolf on June 13 of the following year.
In 1861 a stone school-house was erected, 36 x 24 feet. About the same time a frame dwelling was built for the Sisters of St. Francis, two of whom took charge of the school. From 1855 until 1861 lay teachers had conducted the school. Until the arrival of the first resident pastor, in 1866, Morris was attended from Oldenburg, five miles distant, once or twice a- month. Father Rudolf's assistants who visited Morris may be mentioned: Rev. F. Weber, a native of Switzerland, Rev. J. Weissenberger, a German priest, and Rev. William Doyle, who, though an Irish- man, spoke the German language fluently. In 1865 a two-story parsonage of bricks, 32 x 22 feet, was erected at a cost of $2, 200.
The first resident pastor was the Rev. R. Weinzoepfel, from April 19, 1866, until July, 1873. Partial loss of his eyesight and other infirmities compelled him to resign. He subsequentl became a member of St. Meinrad's abbey. Father Weinzoepfel built a second school, with residence for Sisters, measuring 52 x26 feet, at a cost of only $3,000. He also procured new bells and three new altars.
The Rev. John Stolz was pastor from 1873 until 1878. He provided a new organ at a cost of $1, 200. Sickness compelled him to resign. The Rev. A. Danenhoffer had charge from 1878 until 1882. He paid a small balance of indebtedness still remain- ing. Rev. Caspar Seiler arrived in the spring of 1883. He was born at Dietikon, Switzerland, on April 16, 1846, and emigrated in 1875, having been ordained priest in his native country on June 11, 1871. In 1884 a new church was erected, and in 1888 Rev. F. X. Girolt was placed in charge of the parish. The labors of this energetic priest, as well as the subsequent history of St. Anthony's, will be found in detail in the biographical sketch of this reverend gentleman in Vol. II of this work. The parochial school, attached to St. Anthony's, is taught by three Sisters of St. Francis,
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and numbers an attendance of 135, who are progressing rapidly under the care of these worthy Ststers.
MOUNT PLEASANT, MARTIN COUNTY.
The earliest accounts traceable in regard to Catholic services here extend back many years anterior to the building of a church. The first Catholic settlers were here as early as 1819, at least. It was in that year that O'Brian came, and his relative by marriage, one Jerre Raney, came just before or soon after. He was the grandfather of the present Jerry Raney. At his house the vis- iting priest read mass monthly. Perhaps this priest was the Rev. Father Blanc, from Vincennes, or it may have been Rev. Father Champonier. As early as August, 1823, Bishop Flaget had con- firmed thirty-four persons here. These confirmations took place at the home of Raney, mentioned above. In 1829, on Bishop Flaget's sixth visit, he found at and around Mt. Pleasant forty Catholic families. The jubilee was given that year, at which there were seventy communicants, and thirty-one persons were con- firmed. The place never had a resident priest, but was visited by perhaps nearly all the priests at St. Mary's during its time of prosperity. The church was commenced by Rev. John Delaune, then at St. Peter's, about 1840, though it was not completed until long after. Rev. Lefranc carried on the work commenced by Father Delaune, but left it unfinished; after him came Father Par- rett occasionally from Washington; as late as 1859, Rev. Father John Mougin had a brick sanctuary built and some carpenter work done; the former was put up by Joseph Mattingly and the latter by A. J. Demoss. A modern steeple was also built at this time by Silas Hall, and thus the church was finished about twenty years after it had been commenced, only soon to be disused and torn down. When the Loogootee church was built, this took all the parishioners from the St. Martin's church who were north of Mt. Pleasant; and as the others were several miles south, their needs soon caused the building of a church convenient to them.
The land for the church was given by Pagey Ward and the change of churches was made by Rev. Father L. Gueguen. Many of the old settlers are buried in what was known as the Patrick (382)
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Riley burying ground, but when the church was built at Mt. Pleasant a graveyard was begun here, and is even yet in use by St. Martin's, or, as it is often called, the Haw Creek con- gregation.
MOUNT VERNON, POSEY COUNTY.
St. Matthew's Congregation at Mount Vernon was founded, in fact, about 1857, although Rev. E. J. Durbin, from Kentucky, is credited with visiting Mount Vernon as far back as 1840, and attending until 1851, with a solitary exception in the instance of 1844, where it is recorded that Rev. A. Deydier and Rev. C. Schniederjans attended the place. Be this as it may, Rey. Roman Weinzoepfel was the first to pay Mount Vernon regular visits, cele- brating the august mysteries in the house of the brothers Schenk, who settled there from St. Philip in 1851. A lot was bought in 1857, 140 X 140 feet, for $660. Upon it was erected a two-story brick building, 40 x 22 feet, intended ultimately for a school-house or parsonage, but the flooring of the second story being omitted, it was at the time used for church purposes. The citizens sub- scribed liberally; the total outlay was $2,000. The church was placed under the patronage of St. Matthew, and in October, 1857, was blessed by Rev. E. J. Durbin. In July, 1858, Father Wein- zoepfel visited the place for the last time.
Rev. Patrick McDermott attended from Evansville from Sep- tember, 1858, until August, 1859. For two years after Rev. Paul Wagner visited the place from St. Wendel on the fourth Sunday of each month. It was next attended from Vincennes by the Rev. John Contin and Rev. Gustave Ginnsz from 1862 until 1865. In 1865 the Rev. H. J. Diestel, residing at St. Philip's, took charge of Mount Vernon. He attended the place faithfully, and in 1867 erected a spacious one-story frame house, which was to serve as school-house and parsonage.
Rev. J. F. Sondermann was appointed the first resident pastor at Mount Vernon and remained there from November 11, 1868, until May 15, 1874. He found a small congregation and $2,000 debts. He paid the debt in a few years, and, beside, bought ground for a cemetery and added a second story to his residence,
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not mentioning many other improvements. The school also was in a flourishing condition.
From May, 1874, until in the autumn of 1876, Rev. Matthias A. Gillig was pastor. He left at his own option. After him the congregation was without a pastor for seven months. Rev. J. J. Schontrup took charge in July, 1877. Seeing that the church was entirely too small to accommodate the congregation, he concluded to build a new church. He obtained very liberal subscriptions from Catholics and non-Catholics. The church was begun in the summer of 1879, and was completed in July, 1880. The building is Roman style, 112 x 50 feet, steeple 146 feet high. Bishop Cha- tard blessed the church October 10, 1880. The cost of the build- ing was $10,000, the interior furnishings $1,700. In 1881, Father Schæntrup bought a property near the church for school purposes for $1,250, and introduced the Sisters of St. Francis to take charge: of the parish school.
In December, 1883, Rev. Francis B. Luebbermann was. placed in charge of the parish, and is its present pastor.
MUNCIE, DELAWARE COUNTY.
St. Lawrence Church. - About 1853 there were but two fam- ilies in Muncie, Delaware county, Ind., who affiliated with the Catholic religion-those of Patrick Tuhey and Nicholas Eyler- and in the dwelling of the former the first mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Maloney, of Indianapolis, Mr. Tuhey being the first Catholic to settle in the then small village. For four years Father Maloney continued to make monthly visits, and prior to 1858 visits. were also made by Fathers Shellamaker, Black, Vanderpoole, Goe- ghan, Doyle and Clarke. Services were held alternately at the dwell- ings of the two early settlers already mentioned, and the reverend fathers also ministered at the missions in Union City, Winchester and other places. Father Clarke was very ardent, and used his best exertions toward the erection of a church-building in Muncie, and made excellent headway in the preliminary work, which greatly aided the labors of his successors. In 1862, Father Fitzmorris began his monthly visits, and by this time several new families were added to the little congregation. In 1869, Father LaMoore
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came, his former charge having been at Union City, and was fol- lowed by Father McMahon; the congregation having been increased to seventy-five families, steps were energetically taken for the erec- tion of a church edifice. The families were comparatively poor, but were enthusiastic and active in the project. Money was raised by subscription, entertainments and donations, until it was thought that sufficient was on hand to warrant a commencement- all the visiting priests, however, having taken active parts in bring- ing about the desired consummation, but Father McMahon was the prime and impelling power. Subsequent financial embarrassment, however, delayed progress, and Father McMahon temporarily abandoned the undertaking. At this critical moment Bishop Luers came from Fort Wayne and put new life and vigor into the congregation. He purchased lots in block No. 8, corner of Charles and Hockley streets, and made up the deficiency which occa- sioned the embarrassment of Father McMahon. Father Lawrence La Moore, who was a zealous and untiring worker, was then placed in charge of the construction of the first edifice, which was of brick, 35 x 60 feet, and cost $3, 500; the parsonage, a frame struc- ture cost $925. Father Joseph A. Marshall was here for a short time, and he was succeeded by Father Crawley, who, January 24, 1875, was succeeded by Rev. William Schmidt, the present pas- tor, who, for a time, also officiated at Montpelier and Hartford City, and under his pastorate has been erected the present church edifice.
This splendid church building was dedicated September 8, 1895, by Bishop Rademacher, assisted by Rev. J. H. Hueser and Father Maujay, of Huntington, Rev. F. C. Mulcahey, of Hartford City, and Father Guendling, of Fort Wayne. At 10 o'clock A. M. the bishop blessed the church, and mass was celebrated at 10:45.
The auditorium has a seating capacity of 800, and the gallery of 200; the altar is a magnificent piece of workmanship, the furni- ture and finishings being in antique oak, the carvings being beauti- fully artistic. The fresco work is charmingly beautiful and the windows of the highest style known to art, while the pipe-organ is one of the deepest in volume and melodious in tone, as well as most beautiful of any in the state. The total cost of this magnificent
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house of God, with its furnishings, was about $43,000, and is a matter of pride, not only to the Catholic population of Muncie, but to the public in general, it being one of the city's chiefest architec- tural adornments. The old church-buildingh as been utilized for school purposes, and is in charge of the Sisters of St. Agnes.
NAPOLEON, RIPLEY COUNTY.
St. Maurice's Church .- Prior to 1848 the Catholics of Napo- leon visited neighboring missions, or were attended by Rev. Jos. Ferneding, Rev. Alphonse Munschina, Rev. Joseph Rudolf and others. From 1840 until 1848 they formed part of the Millhousen congregation. In 1848 Dr. McMullen, an Irish physician of Napoleon, donated two lots; and the church, a frame building, 35 × 18 feet, was built for the most part by Mrs. Mary Gigos, whose husband had been one of the founders of the town. The congregation at that time numbered twenty families. The Rev. Alphonse Munschina, residing in Jennings county, attended Napo- leon up to 1854. From 1854 until 1858 the Rev. John P. Kreusch, resident at Millhousen, visited the place. After him came Rev. A. Pinkers in 1858, Rev. I. P. Vogt in 1859, and Rev. Jan. Weissen- berger until April, 1861. Rev. Ign. Klein, residing at St. Nich- olas, attended the place during six months in 1861. The next on record is the Rev. John B. Weikmann, until 1863.
Rev. Ferd Hundt, resident at Millhousen, had charge for three years. He established the first parochial school at Napoleon. In 1866 the congregation had increased to fifty families and received the Rev. Theodore Antoni for the first resident pastor. Additional ground was purchased and a new-the present -- brick church was built. The building had just been roofed when the zealous pastor, taking sick suddenly, died June 14, 1870, in the thirty-fifth year of his age and the fifth of his ministry. A marble tablet in the church marks his resting place and commemorates his virtues.
Napoleon was after that attended by the Rev. J. H. Hueser, D. D., of Millhousen, and the Rev. Fred Mueller, during whose time the church was first used for divine service. Rev. F. W. Peper- sack, of Millhousen, visited the place until 1872, when resident pastors were again appointed: Rev. J. J. Gabriel, 1872-74; Rev. (386)
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H. Panzer, 1874; Rev. Alex. Koesters, 1874; Rev. B. H. Kintrup, 1875, until the spring of 1878. Rev. M. Heck now for several months visited Napoleon; Rev. W. Kemper was the next resident pastor. The church was blessed by Bishop Chatard on September 22, 1879, and Father Kemper remained until February 23, 1880, when he was succeeded by Rev. Adam Feigen. The present pas- tor is the Rev. Meinrad Toelle.
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