USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 35
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St. Maurice's church measures about 70x35 feet, with a steeple seventy feet high. The tower has two bells, one weighing 879 pounds. The church contains handsome pews, seating about 300 persons. The total cost of the building was $9,000, of which a small amount remains unpaid. Father Kemper added a splendid main altar, and Father Feigen added a new pulpit, an organ, a bap- tismal font, and other church furniture.
NAVILLETON, FLOYD COUNTY.
St. Mary's Church. - A few German Catholic families having settled in that part of Floyd county where now St. Mary's church stands, made at once preparations to build a log church in the fall of 1844. The following year they completed it, and invited the Rev. L. Neyron, of New Albany, to visit it. September 8, 1845, Rev. Father Neyron held service in it the first time, dedicated it, under the title of the Annunciation, and blessed the cemetery. The Catholic families at this time, who built the church, were Michael Naville, Vital Kastner, Xavier Kinberger, a Mr. Stengel and a Mr. Miller.
These few families at the log church, as it was commonly called, were visited by the priests of St. Mary's of the Knobs until 1857, and the Rev. E. M. Faller, of St. Mary's, New Albany, had charge till 1862, when Rev. J. M. Gabriel became the first resi- dent priest of St. John's church, Clark county, and Navilleton was attended from this time on by the priests residing at St. John's, viz: Rev. J. M. Gabriel, 1862 till 1872; Rev. Lechner, till 1874; Rev. B. Brueggemann, till 1877, and Rev. J. P. Gillig, till January, 1891, when St. Mary's church became a mission of Bradford, Harrison county, and since then it has been attended regularly by the priest residing at Bradford.
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The little congregation slowly increased till 1890, when Rev. J. P. Gillig made preparations to build a new church. But scarcely was the foundation for the new church laid when Father Gillig was called elsewhere, and Rev. Andrew Schaaf placed in charge of the little congregation, which numbered at this time twenty families. He at once began to push the preparations for the building of the new church, and April 6, 1891, the corner-stone was laid by Rev. Jos. Dickmann, of St. Joseph Hill, Ind., and on the 8th day of September, same year, the church was ready for service. The first mass was said in it forty-six years to the day that the first mass was said in the little log church. The people assisted most gener- ously in money and work for the new church; the Naville families gave $1,000 in money, and also assisted untiringly in manual work. Mention must also be made of Mrs. Barbara Ott, who gave six acres of land on which the church stands and $200 in money. Frank Piers, Jacob Kiefer and Chas. Leuthart also rendered great service. On the day the first mass was said in the new church a bell of 1,000 pounds, purchased at a cost of $173, was consecrated by Rev. Joseph Dickmann, of St. Joseph Hill. In the spring of 1892 the church was finished inside, frescoed and solemnly dedi- cated by Rt. Rev. F. S. Chatard, D. D. The church is 40 x 83 feet in size, with a spire eighty-seven feet high; is well furnished with altars and statues, organ and pulpit; a debt, when finished, of $175, was paid the same year. In 1893 a handsome school-build- ing was erected, the property generally improved, and two new roads opened, one running from the church two miles west, and the other two miles east. In 1894 the post-office was established, which name the place now bears, Navilleton. The congregation had grown to forty families in 1895 and thirty children attended the school, which is taught by a lay teacher. In August, 1895, Rev. Andrew Schaaf, who brought many sacrifices for the church and school and labored most zealously for nearly five years, was transferred to Poseyville, Posey county, with headquarters at St. Mary's church at Evansville, and Rev. Jos. Sennefeld attended regularly till the spring of 1898, when he was transferred to St. Thomas, Knox county. Rev. Chas. Clever then took charge of
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St. Mary's church, is the present pastor, and is most zealously engaged for the welfare of his flock.
NEW ALBANY, FLOYD COUNTY.
Holy Trinity Church, the oldest edifice in New Albany, Ind., consecrated to Catholicity, was erected in 1837, and was a frame structure which sufficed the purposes of the congregation until 1851, when the present brick church was erected. As far back as 1829 Bishop Flaget has said mass in the humble dwellings of the five Catholic families then residents in New Albany, but in 1837 Rev. Louis Neyron was called to the scene, organized Holy Trinity parish, and in the fall of the same year the old frame church-build-
ing was completed in which Father Neyron officiated each alter- nate Sunday until the completion of the new church, when he came to New Albany to reside permanently. It is stated that the cost of the brick edifice was defrayed chiefly from means furnished by the pious and benevolent pastor himself, as at that time the con- gregation was too poor to afford any material assistance in dona- tions of cash. It is also stated that he purchased all the parish grounds with his own means, and it is a well-known fact that he continued to labor assiduously toward promoting the prosperity of the parish in all respects until 1863, when, broken down with toil and care, he retired to the university of Notre Dame, St. Joseph county, Ind., where, for some years he taught physiology and sur- gery, having in early life been a surgeon in the army of Napoleon I, in his native France. His death took place at Notre Dame Jan- uary 7, 1888, in his ninety-eighth year, Holy Trinity congregation allowing him, meanwhile, an annuity of $500 in consideration of his past invaluable services to the parish and his unbounded gen- erosity.
In 1864 Father Neyron was succeeded by Rev. L. Gueguen, who, the same year, was succeeded by Rev. John Mougin. The last-named clergyman did excellent work, building the present parish-house and a brick school-house. For some time he had as assistants Rev. G. M. Ginnsz, now of Prescott, Ind., as pastor of St. Vincent's congregation, and Rev. Father Fleischmann. Rev. Father Mougin was succeeded, after doing much to advance the
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prosperity of his parish, by Rev. John B. Kelly, an account of whose life and labors is given elsewhere in this work.
The Church of the Annunciation, at New Albany, was first known as St. Mary's congregation, and was founded in 1852, when Rev. Ottis Jair held the first services for the German-speaking Catholics of the city. The organization, properly speaking, of the Annunciation parish was not effected, however, until the time of Father A. Munschina, about the latter part of 1853. He was suc- ceeded by Father Joseph Weutz in 1854. He built the first school- house, a small brick structure, in the fall of that year.
March 3, 1857, Very Rev. Dean Faller was first appointed and appeared on the scene that very day. He found half the present grounds purchased; also an unpretentious little brick school-house, which was permitted to stand until the extension of the church in 1886 required its removal. There was a $5,000 debt when Father Faller assumed the pastorate. April 19, 1858, Father Faller laid the corner-stone of the present church, at which time he placed the church and congregation under the patronage of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He finished it that year and had it blessed the 12th day of December. The church improvements cost $20,000, every cent of which he paid, together with $2,200 of the original debt of $5,000, which he found when he took charge. In 1858 he also purchased ten acres of ground for cemetery purposes for the sum of $2, 500. The land alone, in 1890, was worth $15,000.
April 3, 1867, Rev. C. Doebbener assumed the pastorate. He built, in 1872-3, St. Mary's academy, a five-story brick struc- ture, at a cost of $29,000. It has since been sold to the Sisters of St. Francis for $17,000, on condition that they continue it as a parish school. Father Doebbener remained a little over nine years, and was succeeded by Rev. F. Ign. Klein, August, 1872. He erected St. Joseph's Hall building, the lower part of which is now the boys' school, at a cost of $12,000, acquired the lots and built teachers' residences, costing $2,000, and was engaged in enlarging and beautifying the church when he received an injury by a fall on
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the building which caused his death the following day, June 5, 1886. Bishop Chatard attended his obsequies, held in Holy Trinity church, and his remains were interred in Annunciation cemetery, where a fitting monument is erected to his memory.
Rev. Father Joseph Dickmann, of St. Joseph's, Clark county, was temporarily in charge until the reappointment of Rev Father Faller, July 14, 1886. After an absence of nearly twenty years Father Faller returned. He continued the improvements begun by Father Klein, and finished them the same year in time to have the church solemnly consecrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Chatard, December 12, 1886. The improvements cost $35,000, and, in order that all debts on the church might be paid so as to entitle it to consecration, Father Faller paid $13,000 out of his own private fortune. A remarkable coincidence is found in the fact that the consecration of the church took place on the 12th of December, the same month and day upon which it was first blessed for Father Faller, in 1858.
In 1888 the very reverend rector removed the old rectory and caused to be erected in its stead a fine brick residence trimmed in cut stone, at a cost of $7, 500. On its completion the young ladies of the congregation furnished it most suitably-in fact, too elabor- ately for plain Father Faller's taste-at a cost of nearly $1,000.
The Church of the Annunciation is situated on the northwest corner of Eighth and Spring streets, and is among the finest in the diocese of Vincennes. Interiorly it is the best in the state. It is of Roman architecture, constructed of red brick, and is surmounted by a tower and spire reaching a height of 165 feet. It is 164 feet long, fifty-six feet wide, and thirty-five feet high, with nave and transept dimensions 140 and 103 feet respectively. The seating capacity is 1,000. The interior finish and furnishing can not be easily excelled. The pews, the organ, pulpit, statuary, basso- relievo stations of the cross, and rich frescoing are all in happy keeping.
Annunciation parish property is worth over $100,000. There are 350 families in the congregation, and 365 children attend the parish schools. The Sisters of St. Francis are in charge.
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NEW ALSACE, DEARBORN COUNTY.
St. Paul's Parish, New Alsace, is possibly the oldest parish in the state outside of Vincennes and Fort Wayne. The first church, which was a farme structure, was erected about 1822, and was attended by Father O'Rourke, of Dover, and other passing priests. After the erection of this frame structure, Father Ferned- ing erected a small brick in 1837, which now serves as the rear of the present church. It seems from the records that Father Fer- neding's predecessor was Father Muller, who officiated from Sep- tember, 1841, to September, 1842. Father Ferneding remained as the first resident priest until August, 1842. His successor was Father O'Rourke from October, 1842, to December, 1842. At this time Father Schniederjans passed through and administered to the congregation only a short time. He was followed by Father Masquelet from January 26, 1843, to June, 1843; next was Father Oper, who passed through the parish, when Father O'Rourke attended the parish again for a short time; then Rev. William Engels from January, 1845, to January 1846. Then came Father Stahl, who erected an addition to the church and in this parish he died in April, 1853. Then Rev. Father Stapf came and was rector from March, 1853, to May, 1854; next was Father Neuber from May, 1854, to July 14, 1856; after him came Rev. A. Pinkers who remained from August, 1856, to January, 1858; next was Rev Francis J. Rudolf and he was followed by Father Weinzoepfel from August 22, 1858, to April 14, 1866. Whilst here as rector he erected the brick school-house and the priest's house. The church now was in the interdict, for some time attended from Dover. The next pastor in charge was Father Hundt, from September, 1867, to September, 1868, and next was Father Siebmann from October, 1868, to February, 1884. During the latter's administration the last addition and the spire of the church was completed and the bells furnished. The next priest in charge was Rev. Guthneck from April, 1885, to July, 1886, and he was followed by Rev. Francis Torbeck from July, 1886, to April, 1890. Whilst rector of this parish, Father Torbeck put in a new communion rail and a new floor in the church. Then the present efficient rector, Rev. J.
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J. Merkl, took charge of the parish and he has caused the premises and the general appearance of the property to assume the aspect of a veritable flower-garden. The premises and buildings are in the best of repair and present a scene of thrift and care and general prosperity.
NEW HAVEN, ALLEN COUNTY.
St. John the Baptist Church, at New Haven, was organized in the latter part of 1857, when the Rev. Mr. Botty visited the place and said mass in the house of N. Schuckman. Among the original settlers were George Schlink, Herman Schnelker, N. Jostvert, N. Schuckman and B. Schnelker, and of these H. Schnel- ker, G. Schlink and N. Jostvert, constituted the first "church council," and these gentlemen gave their individual notes to Henry Burgess as the purchase price of land necessary for church pur- poses. Rev. Mr. Grevin now came once a month to perform divine services, and he also aided in pushing forward to completion the new church-edifice, which was ultimately consummated at a cost of $4,000.
In 1861 Rev. G. W. Giedel took charge of St. John's as resi- dent pastor, and about 1871 secured the services of Sisters of St. Agnes from Fond du Lac, Wis., for teaching the pupils of the parochial schools attached to the church, and of these there are at present five in attendance, having in charge about 130 chil- dren. The school-buildings were completed in 1872, at a cost of $8,000, and are a credit to the congregation, which now numbers about 540 souls.
In 1873, Rev. G. W. Giedel was called to his heavenly home, and was succeeded in the pastorate by the present incumbent, Rev. Bernard Wiedau, under whose effective administration a new and handsome house of worship has been erected, at a cost of $17,000.
NORTH MADISON, JEFFERSON COUNTY.
St. Patrick's Church .- Prior to 1853 the Catholics living at North Madison were members of St. Michael's church, Madison, but in the year mentioned, or in 1854, the Rev. H. Dupontavice
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erected the present brick church-edifice in North Madison, and with its erection began to exist and flourish St. Patrick's congrega- tion, who were attended by visiting clergymen. The first resident priest here was the Rev. Bernard Ewers, who officiated from 1875 until 1881, when he was succeeded by Rev. George Widerin, who remained until 1893, when he was succeeded by Father Fein. The edifice, known as St. Patrick's church, is small but substantial, and in reality is one of the finest places of worship in the diocese.
NORTH VERNON, JENNINGS COUNTY.
St. Mary's Church, at North Vernon, is among the oldest religious edifices in the city, and is one of the largest and most imposing in appearance, its tall spire standing out as a landmark for a radius of several miles. The original structure was built in 1861 ; the first pastor in charge was the Rev. J. M. Missi, deceased, whose pastorate terminated only with his death, which occurred in the year 1890. He was then succeeded by the Rev. J. M. Ginnsz, now at Schnellville, Ind., who filled its pulpit for three years. He took charge July 15, 1890, and remained until July 27, 1893, when he was removed, and was succeeded by the Rev. F. X. Hundt, February 22, 1893, who officiated until November of the same year. The church was then attended from St. Ann's, by the Rev. A. J. Urich, until April 3, 1894. The Rev. George L. T. Widerin was then appointed and has remained to the present time.
When the Rev. Widerin took charge of the parish, St. Mary's church had not been completed, as far as the tower is concerned, but in March, 1897, the work on this imposing appurtenance was begun under the direction of this pastor, and was completed in October, of the same year, at a cost of $4,000. St. Mary's church now has a congregation of 135 families; the parochial school is in charge of the Franciscan Sisters of Oldenburg, Franklin county, Ind., and numbers about ninety pupils, who receive instructions in English, German, music and needle work. In September, 1897, together with the addition of the steeple, a large, handsome clock was inserted therein. The church is very handsomely decorated and is equipped with electric lights.
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OBERTSVILLE, GIBSON COUNTY.
St. Bernard's Church is located six miles east of Fort Branch, in the village of Obertsville (Snake Run), the post-office being Fort Branch. As early as 1875, a few Catholic families living in the neighborhood of Snake Run opened a Catholic school in an old log cabin on land belonging to Anton Obert, and this school was taught by Joseph Obert, his son. In this log cabin, also, mass was said a few times by Rev. A. Koesters, of Princeton, in 1876, and in 1877 Anton Obert having donated five acres of land, a church was built under the direction of Rev. Father Widerin, of Haubstadt, who attended the little congregation until 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. Father Kintrup, of Princeton, who held the charge one year. From 1879 until 1881 Rev. Father Widerin again had charge, and, after him, Rev. C. Schwarz, of Princeton, from 1881 to 1882; Rev. B. Ewers, of Haubstadt, from 1882 to 1883, and Rev. A. Peckscamp of Princeton, from 1883 to 1884.
In 1885, Rev. Peter Hommes took charge of Princeton and visited St. Bernard's church regularly until New Year's day, of 1886, when he permanently located here, built the parsonage, and for some years personally attended to the school. He also attended Princeton as a mission until June, 1895, when Rev. E. Ledvina succeeded him to the mission, being appointed for Prince- ton; at the same time, the administration was again reversed, and St. Bernard's once more became a mission of Princeton, under Rev. Ledvina. In July, 1897, St. Bernard's became a mission of Posey- ville, and is now regularly attended twice a month by Rev. Andrew Schaaf, pastor of St. Francis Xavier church, of that city.
When the first church was erected at Obertsville, the Catholic families living here were those of Henry Wening, Anton Obert, John and Frank Hassel, Anton and Alois Meyer, J. W. Schmits, Bernard Deters, Mike Foley and Mr. Nelles. The church was a frame structure, 30 X 42 feet, without a sacristy. At the same time a small log school-building was erected, and is still used for school purposes. In February, 1882, the church building was demolished by a wind-storm, and in the same year the present church was erected at a cost of $2,500. This is a neat and sub-
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stantial frame building, 40x 92 feet, with a spire towering to the height of ninety-five feet. The parsonage, erected in 1886, is a frame structure of six rooms, and is well furnished. The congre- gation now numbers forty-eight families, or about 250 souls. The school has been taught by lay teachers, the present teacher being George Hassel.
Rev. P. Hommes, who has been the resident pastor for the past ten years, merits great esteem for his faithful work, which he has performed with unabated zeal, and frequently at great personal sacrifices.
OXFORD, BENTON COUNTY.
St. Patrick's is. the oldest Catholic church in the county of Benton and was established about 1860, Rev. Father Stephan cele- brating the first mass in the Christian church and the second in the old court-house, the next at the school-house, and afterward in various private houses. Father Kilroy, of LaFayette, laid the cor- ner-stone of the present edifice in 1863, and Revs. Stephan and C. J. O'Callaghan superintended the main part of the work in its early stages, but it was completed by Rev. Father Dinnen. At that time there was no railroad at Oxford, and the material for the building was all transported by teams from LaFayette, Tippecanoe county-a distance of twenty-five miles and the church was sup- plied with its clergymen from LaFayette until after the close of the Civil war. In 1860, Father Stephan, the first priest, officiated, and, afterward, St. Patrick's continued to be supplied from LaFay- ette, with clergymen, until 1867. From 1867 to the present time the resident priests have followed in the following order: Father O'Callaghan, from September, 1867, to 1870; Father Dinnen, 1870 to 1875; Father McCarty, 1875 to 1877; Father Lang, 1877 to 1882; Father P. J. Crosson, from 1882 to 1894; Father Julius Becks, from September, 1894, to June, 1895, when the present pastor, Rev. William C. Miller, assumed charge. For several years, the members of St. Patrick's congregation were scattered all through Benton county and the northern part of Warren, but, at the present time, St. Bridget's, consisting of fifty families, alone is supplied from Oxford. St. Patrick's congregation proper com- (396)
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prises about 300 communicants. The edifice is of brick, cost $8,000, and the altar, with appurtenances, cost $700 additional. Father Miller has been very zealous and energetic since he has been pas- tor, and the priest's residence, through his exertions, has been rebuilt at a cost of $3,000, and refurnished. The church of St. Bridget's mission was built by Father McCarty in 1873; but within a short time after Father Miller was placed in charge of the parish. The new church was rebuilt at a cost of $8, 000, and was consecrated to the service of God November 15, 1896.
PERU, MIAMI COUNTY.
St. Charles Barromeo, the first church in Peru, was erected in 1835. It was a frame building, 20 x 40 feet in area, and was con- structed by James B. Campbell, a carpenter living here at the time. A bell was hung in position and inspired the Christian peo- ple with great fervor. The earliest church-goers had many peculiar and extraordinary trials in the practice of their religion. For quite a while there was no bridge, as there now is, over the Wa- bash river, and those coming from the country south of town on Sundays had either to drive or wade across the stream. Among the first Catholics of the county are: Melchi Kuhn, Patrick Col- gan, John Guendling, the father of three priests - Revs. John, August, Charles - John A. Graham, Jacob Kreutzer, John H. Helm, Adam Beck, Joseph Buffert, Joseph Faust, Frederick Radel, Daniel Mehl, Casper Wahlig, Jacob Struble, James Aveline, John Miller, John Eberhardt, Thomas O'Rourke, Henry Salkman, Adam Eberle, George Clickard, Matthias Twomy, Herman Sparenberg, Anthony Frewer and Lawrence Weidner.
Mrs. Melchi Kuhn had charge of the altars of the church until relieved by the first Sisters, who arrived in 1869 from Louisville, Ky .- were Ursuline Sisters, and were succeeded by Sisters of Providence in 1874. She was extremely painstaking in her serv- ice and some of the laces and ornamental work which she made for the altars are still used. The Sisters of Providence now have charge of the altar furnishings.
After the first church had been used for twenty-five years a successful effort was made to secure a new and commodious place
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of worship and the edifice erected stands, as it will for centuries, a monument to the energy and zeal of its founders. The corner ad- joining the first church was purchased from Jesse Williams, of Fort Wayne. The land was six or more feet below the level of the streets. A swampy stream once ran through that part of the town and the unstable land still remained. It was filled up and the water afterwards drained, making the ground what it now is. The members of the congregation worked very hard upon the building and overcame numberless difficulties, and many of the men donated most of their time and accepted only enough remuneration to feed their teams.
Mr. Lowe, of Fort Wayne, was the architect and his plans were approved by the pastor, Rev. Bernard Kroeger, and Bishop Luers. The walls were built extra thick and strong, and the great quantity of bricks used were made by John Clifton, south of the city. The stone for the coping of the pilasters, etc., was hauled from the vicinity of Peoria, on the Mississinewa. Huge logs were hewed with a great amount of labor into the proper shapes to form the imposing looking pillars, and the dedication ceremonies were conducted by Bishop Luers December 8, 1867. In building this church the purely Gothic architecture was faithfully carried out and all the details of the style were observed as far as circum- stances would then permit. A spire and also appropriate fresco- ing were among the things omitted when the building was con- structed. Rev. Meissner was greatly impressed with a desire to see the church completed as originally intended and as soon as his effort of freeing the congregation from debt was accomplished he directed the finances towards this end.
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