USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
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The beautiful spire was the first of the improvements. It was planned by Peter Deidrick, Jr., of Detroit, and was completed in 1888 at an expense of $9, 500, which includes the remodeling of the church. It is a magnificent index to remind one of the eternity above and its beautiful gold cross shines at a height of 183 feet from the street. Frescoing was another point, and with it was also considered the replacement of the common glass windows with fine stained ones. With little effort and without contracting
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any debt these two grand improvements were accomplished at a combined cost of $7,000.
The windows were made upon a special contract by a firm in Munich, Bavaria, and are each works of art, setting off the sub- limity of the interior architecture in the highest degree. The fres- coing was done just previous to the placing in of the windows and was executed rather plainly and without figures in order to more readily attract attention to the beauties of the windows. The magnificent gilded dome of the sanctuary and the representation of the veil of time behind the high altar are each exceedingly impressive and suggestive of certain intended meanings.
The representations in the windows and the names of those who have so far donated them are, commencing on the east side of the church at the altar: St. Michael, donated by Michael, Henry and William Eagle; Moses, not donated; St. Augustine and St. Monica, donated by the Rosary society; St. Claire and St. Thomas Aquinas, donated by Mrs. Margaret Kreutzer; St. Henry, donated by John and Barbara Miller, deceased; St. Cunigond, donated by Mrs. Mary Ryan; St. Isidore, donated by Rev. Meiss- ner and St. Zita, not donated. On the west side, commencing again at the altar; St. Ann (not donated); St. Joachim, donated by Michael Murphy; St. Paul and St. Stephen, not donated; St. Kolumbkill and St. Boniface, the Catholic Knights, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and St. Patrick's society; St. Rose of Lima and St. Cecilia, the Young Ladies societies; St. Louis, the Wabash Hospital Sisters, and St. Elizabeth, Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder and Adeline Schmoll. St. Aloysius society donated the plain window on the west side and the employees of the Miami Flint Glass works the one on the east. The five windows in the front of the church have not been donated.
It will be noticed the selections of saints represented both in the windows and statues embrace patrons of every state of life, every nation and all ages, so that it is easy to select a patron from amongst the many. Besides these representations there are by figures and likenesses those of the seven sacraments, the nine choir of angels, the three divine and the four cardinal virtues in the win- dows. Upon Rev. Meissner's return from Europe the altars were
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erected as they now are. The tabernacle of the high altar is the same as originally built, but the remaining portion was added in 1884. The beautiful white and gold side altars cost $525 each and were constructed by Allard & Co., of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Mary Ryan donated St. Joseph's altar and the Rosary society that of the Blessed Virgin. The statues were mostly secured at that time also. They are representations of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was donated by the young ladies' societies; the Sacred Heart of Mary; St. Charles Borromeo, purchased with collections made by Theodore Helmig; St. Patrick, given by the Irish portion of the congregation; St. Bridget; St. Francis of Assissi, given by the Third Order of St. Francis; St. Anthony, by Mrs. Jacob Bets- ner; St. Aloysius, by the young men's societies. All of the statues were made in Paris. Those of the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph and the figure of our Savior on the cross are of Munich manufacture. The combined value of these works of art amounts to about $700. The stations of the cross were donated in 1878 by Mrs. Jacob Betsner, who also furnished two holy water fonts some years later. Mrs. Mary Ryan furnished the two marble vases for holy water, and also the elegant cope, used as a vestment at benediction.
The Rosary society was the first one organized in the church and was started about 1858. At first both men and women were members together, but it is now exclusively a body of women. St. Patrick's Total Abstinence society was founded also in the early days of the church. St. Charles society once was one of the most flourishing organizations in the church but it was disbanded by common agreement. The money in its treasury was used in the purchase of a first class bell for the school-house. The societies now existing in the church and the number of members each con- tains are: Catholic Knights of America, seventy-six; St. Charles Commandery, twenty-two; Ancient Order of Hibernians, forty- four; the Rosary society, ninety-one; St. Aloysius sodality, twenty- eight; Holy Infancy sodality, eighty-four; Confraternity of the Poor Souls, 244; Confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 536; Third Order of St. Francis, forty-four; Holy Family, seventy; Total Abstinence society, nineteen; Zouaves (Volperts), twenty- four; Perpetual Adoration, seventy-two; Propagation of Faith, (400)
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sixty-five; Children of Mary, forty-eight, and Sacred Heart society, forty-nine. During the great famine in Ireland in 1880 St. Pat- rick's society secured by its efforts the sum of $463.61, which was forwarded to the sufferers.
Rev. M. J. Clark taught the first school of the community in 1837 and continued until 1842. Gabriel Volkert, a Badinese student, who came here with Rev. Force in 1860, was the first lay teacher and conducted a school in the residence situated on the corner of Fifth and Wabash streets. Franz Edler was afterward a very popular teacher and was assisted by Mary Force, sister of the pastor. He resigned his position here to take the position of organist in the Fort Wayne cathedral.
The first church was converted into a school during the week by means of portable partitions and did service until destroyed by fire. Victor Stevens succeeded Franz Edler. He was also assisted by Miss Force until she went to Logansport with her brother, who received charge of the St. Vincent de Paul congregation. Rev. Kroeger taught for a few months in 1864 when he came here, but afterward Thomas Miller, who is now dead, was employed. Theodore F. Wolfram taught a year and resigned in 1867. He is now in Columbus, Ohio. Miss Nellie Kenney, now Mrs. Milligan, of Huntington, was the next instructor. John Schenk, of North Vernon, was her successor.
Prof. Rudolph L. Mueller was the next incumbent and one whose rather romantic personal history has often been told. He was the son of a baron of Pomerania, Prussia, and in his youth was a companion of Prince Bismarck. He entered the army, but at eighteen he was made professor of mathematics in a military school. He joined the Catholic church when of age and for so doing was disinherited. He then joined the English army and in some way got to this country. He became rich, but lost all his money and valuable books in mining speculations. He received the appoint- ment of professor of history and languages in St. Vincent's college, Westmoreland county, Pa. Rev. Kroeger was once his pupil in this college and several years after his ordination they met again and Mueller was appointed teacher here, which place he filled four years. Bishop Dwenger, noting his capabilities, prevailed upon
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him to enter the college in Carthagena, Ohio, kept by the Sanguin- ist Fathers, to whose ranks the bishop belonged. He became a Brother and died in 1885 in a monastery at Marie Stein, Ohio.
Rev. Kroeger secured four Ursuline Sisters from Louisville in 1869, who were the first Sisters of the congregation. Three of them spent their time in instructing the girls. They occupied one of the houses across the street from the church. These Sisters remained two years. In 1874 five Sisters of Providence arrived and taught the girls' classes, the boys being instructed separately by Frank Horn. He resigned September, 1881, and his class of boys was taken by the Sisters also. The number of Sisters has gradually increased until now there are ten, including the Sister superior. There are now six school-rooms, with an average attend- ance of 252 pupils, under the superintendency of Rev. Meissner. To him is due great credit for the successful manner in which the school has been conducted. From the very first he made his peo- ple understand the great necessity of a christian education, which is only obtainable by attendance at a good religious school.
In the early 'seventies Rev. Lamour contracted for and com- menced the erection of the new brick school building at a cost of $16,000. It was blessed by Rev. Meissner October 1, 1875, with a previous procession which marched through the streets. In 1880 a stage was erected and was fitted with a set of four scenes, the first which were ever in the city. In 1896 a most beautiful pulpit was erected in the church. The cost was $500. The pulpit was made by Mr. Harkner, of La Crosse, Wis. Improvements were made in the cemetery in 1897 and 1898 to the amount of $1, 000. A large stone cross was erected in the cemetery on June 1, 1898, at a cost of $350.
PLYMOUTH, MARSHALL COUNTY.
St. Michael's Congregation .- Previous to 1841, Plymouth was a missionary station, visited by priests from South Bend and Valparaiso. The 13th day of June, 1861, Rebecca Vinnedge, the widow of David Vinnedge, deeded to Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers lots No. 59 and 60 of the original plat of Plymouth. The 18th day of February, 1863, Rebecca Vinnedge, by Nathan H. Oglesbee, (402)
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administrator, deeded to Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, lot No. 58. Lot No. 58 is situated on the south end of the block, while No. 59 is the center lot, and No. 60 is the one on which the church now stands.
Rev. Father Volkert, the first resident priest of Plymouth, came in the year 1862, and was removed in 1864. During his administration the lots referred to were purchased for St. Michael's congregation, and the church was erected and completed in 1863. In September, 1863, the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers. Priests were present from many places. A very large concourse of the laity was also present, many having come from LaPorte and other places, reduced rates having been secured on the old Huckleberry Road, and also on the P., Ft. W. & Chicago railroad.
His successor was Rev. Father Steiner, whose administration began in 1864, about six months before the close of the great Civil war. Anxiety and deep gloom prevailed everywhere; and politics and war seemed to rule the hour. Rev. Father Steiner had very poor health while in Plymouth and he resigned his charge in 1866.
He was succeeded by Rev. Father Siegelack. It was during his administration that the St. Boniface Benevolent society was organized in 1869, since which time it has flourished, being a sweet guardian angel to many in the dark hours of sickness and sorrow. In 1868 the statue of the Blessed Virgin was procured and an altar erected in her honor. Father Siegelark left Plymouth in 1869.
The Catholic school, from 1861 to 1869, inclusive, was taught by the following named persons: Miss Dwyer, Miss Howard, Miss Buchanen, Miss Manahon, Miss Day, Mr. Weber and Mr. Stevens. Miss Kate Stokes, of Valparaiso, was the last teacher previous to the Sisters. She taught during the first few months of the admin- istration of Rev. Father Zurwellen, who came in October, 1869. The pastoral residence was situated in those days upon lot No. 58, that is, on the southwest corner of the block.
St. Michael's academy is the name given to the institution of learning established in 1870. The building is of brick, substantially built, well arranged for the purpose for which it is used, and cost
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about $12,000. At the request of Father Zurwellen, a large bell was procured. The day on which it was blessed, it was placed near the sanctuary, and each contributer to the bell fund had the privilege of tolling the bell once for each dollar donated by him. The next important acquisition made by the congregation was lots No. 67, 68 and 96. They were purchased November 20, 1872, from Nathan B. Ridgway, of LaPorte, Ind., lot No. 67 being the one on which St. Joseph's hall is situated. For a number of years the congregation used as a cemetery an acre of ground, donated to the Catholics of Plymouth, by Uncle Johnny Hughes, as he was called, but his farm was too far north for a burial ground, yet the poor Catholics of Plymouth were glad to accept it from the hands of the cheerful giver. In 1871 the city gave the privilege of using a portion of Oak Hill cemetery, for burial purposes. So matters stood until the 15th day of April, 1875, when Rev. Father Zur- wellen purchased from Place and VanPelt, of LaPorte, Ind., the four acres of ground which are now used as a cemetery by the mem- bers of this congregation.
On the 6th day of February, 1883, Rev. Father Moench, the beloved pastor, arrived in Plymouth and found a debt of $6,000 standing against the congregation, which he at once proceeded to extirpate.
In the year 1884 the pastoral residence was erected at a cost of $1, 131.37, also the statue of St. Joseph was secured and an altar erected in his honor. It was in 1885 that the church was frescoed and repaired at an expenditure of $660.77. In 1886 the banners of the Rosary society and the Young Ladies' sodality were bought. It was in 1887 that the beautiful main altar was donated. In 1888 St. Joseph's hall was built at a cost of $1,298, and the beautiful stained windows were placed in the church. In 1889 the new iron fence was built, and the stone sidewalk laid, and during the same year the last dollar of that cruel debt was paid.
The congregation, now. freed from financial embarrassment, through the untiring energy of Father Moench and the substantial help of the good people, continues to prosper and now numbers 105 families, while the school enumeration is 116. In 1890 a council of the Catholic Benevolent legion was organized; this, as
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well as all the other societies of St. Michael's congregation, are in a flourishing condition.
PORTLAND, JAY COUNTY.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception at Portland was organized in 1878 by Fathers of the Precious Blood, who held it in charge until 1888, when Rev. J. Baker, now pastor of St. Mary's church, at Alexandria, Madison county, was placed in charge and performed the functions of his holy office for about three years. Father Baker was succeeded by Father Strueder, who passed the remainder of his life in the service of God in this church, and answered the summons from earthly toil October 25, 1894.
ยท Rev. C. Maujay, since the lamented decease of Father Strue- der, has held the pastorate of this church, and has done excellent and zealous work toward advancing the spiritual culture of his parishioners and in improving their temporal condition. His con- gregation is composed of about twenty families, of mixed nation- alities. That his labors are onerous will be inferred when it is stated that, beside his charge in Portland, Father Maujay has the cure of three missions, as follows: That of St. Joseph, in Adams county, which Father Maujay himself organized in 1895, and where he built a handsome frame church, 60 x 25 feet. There he has a congregation of twelve families, mostly English-speaking, who are free from debt. St. Anthony's mission, at Albany, Dela- ware county, his second mission, was established by Father Mau- jay in 1895, also, and has a congregation of twenty families, mostly German. His third mission is that of St. Patrick's, at Red Key, in Jay county, also established by himself in 1897, and there he ministers to an English-speaking congregation of fifteen families; this mission is also free from debt. This record of work done by Father Maujay since coming to Portland well indicates his zeal and energy, which have won for him the unqualified love of his people and the commendation of his superiors.
POSEYVILLE, POSEY COUNTY.
St. Francis Xavier Church was dedicated by Bishop Chatard in 1887, at a time when the congregation was indeed but a small
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one, with Rev. F. Luebbermann, of Mount Vernon, as its spirit- ual head. Father Luebbermann had been deputed by the bishop to form this congregation, and by earnest and persistent work made his mission a success. The Catholic laity was meager in cash as well as in numbers, but eventually subscribed sufficient to the build- ing fund to justify the erection of a church-edifice, and this fund was munificently augmented by three Protestant residents of the parish, viz: Senator W. P. Bozeman, who subscribed $500; Dr. T. B. Young, $300, and Attorney Leroy Williams, also $300. The total cost of the erection was $4,002.65, to meet which amount $2,978.45 had been subscribed, thus leaving an indebtedness of over $1,000. The church-building is a neat structure, 34 x 76 feet, is of brick, and with stained glass windows is a credit to the parish, and was dedicated September 18, 1887. Father Luebbermann continued to officiate until 1895, when he was relieved of his labor at Poseyville and left free to devote his attention to his charge at Mount Vernon.
August 18, 1895, Rev. Andrew Schaaf took charge of the parish of St. Francis Xavier, with a debt of over $1,000, but with- out a parsonage, without a school-house, without a cemetery, and the church-edifice had not only gone unimproved, but was badly needing repairs. Father Schaaf, for the first two years of his pastorate, made his home with Rev. Jos. Dickmann, of St. Mary's church, Evansville, but in the meantime had vigorously busied himself in remedying the unfortunate condition of affairs in his parish. His first work was to repair the roof the church, erect a new spire eighty-two feet high, and introduce a new bell; he built a gallery, secured a handsome pipe organ, adding a number of pews, side altars, three statues and a furnace for heating the church. The priest's house was the next improvement made, ground for which was broken in September, 1896, and the modern frame home of nine rooms, 32 x 42 feet and two stories high, completed in Sep- tember, 1897, at a cost of $2,000 for the home and its furnishings. A second acre of ground has also been added to the church grounds, at a cost of $500. In June, 1897, ground was broken for a school- house, and this, also, was completed in September, 1897. This building, 22 x 42 feet, is of brick, and the number of pupils attend-
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ing the school is thirty-five, under the charge of a young lady, Miss Martha Ketzner, of Crawford county, Ind., but nevertheless all under the supervision of Rev. Father Schaaf. The number of families belonging to the congregation is forty-eight, or an aggre- gate of about 240 souls.
MARION, GRANT COUNTY.
St. Paul's Church at Marion, Grant county, was built in 1868 by Rev. Bernard Kroeger, of Logansport. The Rev. Theodore Borg, now at Fort Wayne, was the first priest in charge, but was not regularly stationed here, the charge being a dependent mission. The Rev. Father Wiechmann succeeded Father Borg in 1870, driving to Marion, at first, once a month; later, twice a month. Father Wiechmann was in charge seven years, paid off the church debt and turned over to his successor $750 in subscriptions, which he had raised from Marion citizens not members of the church.
Ground was broken for the new $50,000 edifice September 30, 1895. The corner-stone was laid May 17, 1896. Bert L. French, of Marion, was the architect, and the church was dedicated November 7, 1897. The church is an architectural beauty of the English Gothic style, and built of buff pressed brick with Bedford stone trimmings. It is 100 feet in length and fifty feet wide in the main, and sixty-six feet wide in the transept. One of the towers is 120 feet and one 108. The height of the ceiling from the floor is forty and one-half feet. The auditorium will comfortably seat 600 people. There is a ten-foot high basement under the entire structure, used as a chapel and society rooms. The seats are of red oak, the aisles in Venetian mosaic. The pillars are an excellent representation of Mexican onyx. The sanctuary floor is in Venetian mosaic of Carrara marble, containing a center-piece in Roman marble, representing the figure of the Lamb and the book of seals from the Apocalypse. The altars are in white and gold. The chancel rail is of oak, mounted with white marble, with emblems of the four evangelists of the Passion in wood carving, bronzed and gilded. The decorations on the panels represent the four Latin doctors. Among the statuary are two adoring angels, the last supper, after Leonardo da Vinci, the sacrifice of Melchise-
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dek and the sacrifice of Abraham. In a niche of one of the side altars is a statue of Our Lady of Victory, and in the other a statue of St. Joseph-the latter after one of the masters of the Iron age. The present pastor is the Rev. W. J. Quinlan.
PRESCOTT, SHELBY COUNTY.
St. Vincent's Parish. - Few members of the many Catholic congregations of the proud capital of the state of Indiana, with its 1 50,000 inhabitants, would dream as they glide over Shelby coun- ty's fertile soil at a speed of fifty miles an hour, and fly as it were, through the insignificant little village of Prescott and scarcely glance at the beautiful spire surmounted by a cross, that here once stood, in the form of an insignificant log hut, the mother church of the Indianapolis congregations.
The first Catholic to come to Shelby county was Mrs. Mary Cornell, a native of Maryland, who arrived in 1824; the first priest to visit the county was Rev. George Elder, who came in 1827, and in 1828 delivered a lecture in the school-house at Shelbyville.
The house was built in September, 1838, at the nominal cost of $619, but prior to its erection the sparse settlements of Prescott and vicinity were visited at regular intervals by priests from Vin- cennes and elsewhere.
After the completion of the little log church-building it was blessed by Bishop de le Hailandiere in 1840, and the priest in charge would at stated times mount his horse, leave his little parish and repair to his station at Indianapolis, and there minister to the spiritual wants of a small band of faithful souls, who listened with love and gratitude to his teachings. This devoted man was Father Vincent Bacquelin. Indianapolis was then a mission station attached to St. Vincent parish, and thus it remained until the death, by accident, of Father Bacquelin, in September, 1846.
The successor of Father Bacquelin was Rev. John Ryan, who ministered to St. Vincent but a short time, being followed by Father McDermott, whose pastorate lasted one year. The next pastor was Rev. Thomas Murphy, who served for only a limited period, and was succeeded by Rev. John Gueguen, who continued in charge for four years, his successor being Rev. Daniel Maloney,
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who began his labor in 1853. In May, 1855, Rev. Edward Martin- ovic, generally called Father Martin, took charge of the parish and exercised the functions of his holy office in a most acceptable man- ner until early in the year 1863, when he was relieved of the work and returned to his native country.
The next in order of succession was Rev. John P. Gillig, who served until 1867, when Rev. William Doyle became pastor, and he in turn was succeeded, in 1868, by Rev. Father Rudolph. Father Rudolph successfully ministered to the congregation until May 4, 1881, and to this energetic, fearless and determined man is due the credit of erecting and formally setting apart for the worship of God, without indebtedness, the present beautiful church of St. Vincent de Paul at Prescott.
Fathers Torbeck, Guthneck, Hundt, Ginnsz and Danenhoffer followed in consecutive order, and they were succeeded January I, 1898, by Rev. Charles A. Stricker.
REMINGTON, JASPER COUNTY.
St. John the Evangelist Church .- For many years of the early history of St. John's church, the Catholics of Remington and vicin- ity were without a building for worship. They had mass in pri- vate residences-in town, at the home of Timothy O'Connor; and in the country at the home of John Eck. Priests from Rensselaer, Reynolds and Kentland, at fixed times, visited these places. Usually Father Messmann, of Kentland, came to the former and Father Young, of Rensselaer, came to the latter. With the growth of the town and country the Catholics increased until they became numerous enough to found a congregation. In 1873 the right reverend bishop appointed Rev. Father Messmann to build them a church. This reverend father at once gave up his charge at Kentland to fill his appointment here. Soon many busy hands were at work on a new building and in an incredibly short time a structure 30 x 50 was erected. But Father Messmann did not remain long to enjoy the fruits of his labor. The bishop removed him to another parish and sent Rev. John Shrader to take his place.
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