USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 39
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IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
a record made by him shows that $95 of this amount was realized from a steamboat excursion on the river, less $5 paid to M. Hayes for advertising in two Washington papers.
The list of priests who attended Shoals, as correctly as now can be determined (for no records exist previous to 1882), is as follows: Revs. J. P. Murphy, Philip Doyle, J. Mougin, and Rev. Kintrup, who attended it from Mitchell. In 1877 came Rev. Michael Quinlan, who was the first resident pastor and who remained until 1882. For brief periods it was attended by Fathers Sorrel and Burkhardt, of Washington, and Ginnsz, of St. Mary's; Rev. P. R. Fitzpatrick was there from 1882 to 1887, after which it was served for about one year by Father Slonie, of St. Martin's. On September 18, 1888, Rev. J. P. Byrne took charge, also attended the missions at Salem and Mitchell and during the water- ing season at French Lick. It may be said his coming marked a new era in the history of Catholicity here. He caused the ceme- tery to be put in good order, the church painted exteriorly and neatly papered inside. A marble plate, with the name of the church upon it, has been placed over the door and a neat cross has been put upon the belfry. A choir has been organized and is making good progress, and the residence repaired and furnished. Around the church, in the spacious lot, trees were set out by Rich- ard Hiney. The altar, a neat little one, is Romanesque in style, and was put in by Father Fitzpatrick. The frame sacristy was added by Father Quinlan. Here Father Fichter also did good work until succeeded by Rev. F. W. Wolf, mention of whom will be found elsewhere.
SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
St. Joseph's Church, South Bend, is attended by the oldest Catholic congregation in the city, which, as early as 1842, was attended from Notre Dame by the Revs. Sorin, Granger and Cointet.
September 14, 1852, Very Rev. Edward Sorin purchased from Samuel Cottrell and his wife, Catherine, lots Nos. 124, 125 and 126, in the town of Lowell, now the city of South Bend, for the consideration of $250, the deed, in part, providing that the prop-
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erty be used "for the benefit of the Catholic school of St. Joseph county, Ind.," and it is now occupied by St. Joseph's parochial school, the location being at the northeast corner of Water and Hill streets. In 1853, Father Sorin erected on this property a brick structure, 22 X 40 feet, for church purposes, but subsequently it was used as a house of worship and a school-house for girls and small boys. Mass was read each Sunday for the people of the town and neighborhood, and once a week for the Sisters and their pupils, the regular attending pastors being Fathers A. Granger, J. Bourget and Levique. In 1859, when the old St. Patrick's church was built, the spiritual wants of St. Joseph's were attended to by Rev. Father Carroll, on week days, he being at the same time engaged in organizing St. Patrick's congregation, and on Sundays services were conducted, in turn, by Fathers Bourget, Carrier, Neyron, Hartlang, Lemonnier, Doherty and L'Etourneau. Up to 1860, all baptisms, marriages, burials, etc., were recorded in the churches where the ceremonies were performed, since which date these records, properly belonging to St. Joseph's, have been kept by this church.
In 1862, a frame building, 18 x 26, was erected at the north- west corner of South Bend avenue and Notre Dame street for school purposes, and in September, 1866, a subscription was taken up by Rev. J. L. L'Etourneau for the purpose of erecting a new church, the result being that three lots on the southeast corner of Water and Hill streets were donated by Alexis Coquillard, and a frame church-building, 40 x 60 feet, completed in November, 1868, at a cost of $1, 385.76.
Rev. Julius Frere shortly afterward succeeded Father L'Etourneau, and September 2, 1869, gave a concert in Good's opera house, from proceeds of which he built a sacristy the same month, in a room of which he lived, and became, in fact, the first resident pastor. About the same time he removed the frame school-house from the hill to the site of the present parochial resi- dence.
In January, 1870, Father Frere was succeeded by Rev. G. Demers, who officiated until the eve of Christmas, 1872, when the church and priest's house burned to the ground. The congrega- (434)
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
tion now returned for services to their primitive chapel, the school children were sent to the Sisters' school, and the school-house sold for a private dwelling.
In the spring of 1873, Father Demers was succeeded by Rev. Peter Lauth, who at once attempted a monthly collection of funds with which to build a new church, but, after four such attempts, the project was abandoned. Finally, the Very Rev. Father Sorin furnished whatever funds were necessary beyond the amount of the insurance money of the old church, and a new building, 60 x 30 feet, was erected, and this served for church, school and residence purposes until 1882.
In the meanwhile, in 1881, the above-named property was sold to the Sisters of St. Mary's academy for a hospital, and the corner-stone of the present church-edifice laid the same year, on the lot formerly occupied by the old church which had been burned. Its dimensions are 118 x 45 feet, and was commenced by Rev. M. P. Fallize, C. S. C., the then pastor, and com- pleted in August, 1882, and the adjoining house was rented from Father Sorin for a parochial residence. It had been the intention to put up the structure with funds collected through yearly sub- scriptions, voluntary donations, and the interest derived from $4,000, which sum the congregation had invested in the Hill property; but, whatever the cost might have been, there remained to be paid eight years later a balance of $13,000. In 1884, a two-story brick building, 30x60 feet, was erected on the church property, to serve as a school for boys and as a hall for dramatic entertainments, the cost of the building being about $4,000; but the youth of east South Bend were not ripe enough for the drama, the school was not self-supporting, and, in 1890, the congregation, tired of paying both interest and rent for the priest's house, returned the children to the Sisters' school and remodeled the hall for a home for the pastor.
During these years, from the time of Father Lauth to the present, the pastors have been Revs. J. L. L'Etourneau, G. De- mers, P. Veniard, M. Robinson, P. Franciscus, M. Fallize, and the present able N. J. Stoffel. The congregation numbers about
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250 families, and is comprised of English, French and German- speaking people.
St. Patrick's Church, South Bend, was organized in 1858 by the Rev. Thomas Carroll, C. S. C., there being then about fifty Irish Catholic families in the town. In 1859 Father Carroll erected a small brick church, 60x 30 feet, and the same year this was deeded to the Right Rev. J. H. Luers, bishop of Fort Wayne, the people being too poor to pay for it, but Father Carroll made a trip to New Orleans, La., where he soon collected sufficient money to pay off the entire debt, Rev. Joseph C. Carrier officiating during the interval. Father Carroll continued as pastor until 1864, when Father Carrier again attended to the spiritual needs of the congre- gation until early in 1865, when Rev. William Corby took charge for a few months, during which time he completed the priest's residence, which had been begun by Father Carroll.
November 18, 1865, Rev. P. P. Cooney became the first resi- dent priest. During his pastorate he added thirty-six feet to the church-building, also a wing, 50x 32 feet, which was used as a school-room for boys. This wing was separated from the body of the church by folding-doors, which, when opened, made one room of the two rooms and formed for the church the largest auditorium at that time in South Bend. Father Cooney also established sev- eral societies for the young and adult members of the parish and did much other commendable work. In 1866 a school-house for girls was erected by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and is still flour- ishing under their wise direction.
March 12, 1871, Father Cooney was withdrawn and Rev. D. J. Spillard appointed pastor. Father Spillard in 1872 built a two- story frame school-house for boys, continued as pastor until April, 1874, and was succeeded by Rev. William O'Mahony, who, in January, 1876, was followed by the Rev. John Lauth, and he, in December of the same year, by his brother, Rev. Peter Lauth, who officiated until August, 1880, when Rev. D. J. Hagerty was appointed pastor. It was at this time that the Right Rev. Bishop Joseph Dwenger gave the Germans permission to have separate services on Sunday and later to build a church of their own (St.
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Mary's), an account of which is given on another page of this volume. High mass was celebrated every Sunday morning at nine o'clock in St. Patrick's, the sermon in German being preached by Rev. P. M. Kolopp, at that time the assistant priest. While the Germans held their services here they rented the pews and had full use of all the revenues therefrom. The corner-stone of a new church was laid in May, 1886, the edifice dedicated June 2, 1889, and in January, 1891, Rev. D. J. Spillard was appointed pastor.
In August, 1893, the present very able pastor, Rev. J. W. Clarke, C. S. C., was appointed to St. Patrick's. Shortly after- ward he purchased a piece of land adjoining the school-house for $2, 500-a most desirable purchase, as the land affords an ample play-ground for the children. The school is taught by two Brothers and two Sisters of the Holy Cross from St. Joseph's academy and two lay teachers. The total number of pupils is about 489 and of these the girls, 130 in number, are taught in the academy. The congregation numbers about 200 families and, in addition to these, Father Clarke has charge of two stations-Crum's Point and Lake- ville, St. Joseph county. Several societies are connected with the church, viz: St. Joseph's T. A. B. society, Temperance Cadets, the Living Rosary, the Arch Confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Children of Mary and St. Aloysius society. Father Clarke has indeed proved to be an indefatigable worker and is truly beloved by his flock.
St. Mary's Church, South Bend .- The congregation of this church was formed from that of St. Patrick in September, 1881, by the Rev. Father Kolopp, who, beside being assistant at St. Patrick's, had a supervision of the few German families who then constituted the nucleus of the present St. Mary's parish. Febru- ary 3, 1882, Rev. Peter Johannes, C. S. C., was appointed pastor, and at that time the congregation comprised about fifty families. The energetic and devoted priest worked hard for the improvement of his flock and the welfare of the parish, and in 1883, aided by his faithful people, erected a neat frame house of worship, which is now attended by about 130 families.
In 1884 a school-house was completed and opened in Jan-
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uary, with an attendance of twenty-seven pupils, under the instruc- tion of one lay teacher, but in 1891 this building was enlarged, and in January, 1895, 210 pupils were in attendance, under charge of four Sisters of the Holy Cross, from Assumption academy. The present attendance is about 250, with teachers as before men- tioned.
St. Hedwig's Church, South Bend .- The Polish Catholics of South Bend worshiped in the old St. Patrick's edifice until 1877 and formed part of St. Patrick's congregation, but, in the year named, erected a small frame church for their separate use. This building was demolished by a wind-storm in 1879, but the congre- gation immediately set to work to erect a more commodious and substantial church-edifice, and during the process of its erection again worshiped at St. Patrick's. In 1883 the building was com- pleted by Rev. Valentine Czyzewski, the present efficient pastor, who has labored zealously and faithfully to advance the spiritual welfare of his countrymen and to improve their temporal con- dition.
In 1884 a brick school-house was erected-the largest in the city-the number of pupils attending amounting to 860. These are instructed by three Brothers and five Sisters of the Holy Cross and three male lay teachers. The personnel of the church may be mentioned as Rev. Valentine Czyzewski, C. S. C., pastor; Revs. Anthony Zubowitez and C. Truczynski, assistants, and Brothers Stanislaus, Robert and Adelbert, teachers. Attached to the church also is the mission of St. Dominic, at Bremen, Marshall county. Although the congregation at St. Hedwig's, in 1877, numbered 125 families only, it now numbers at least 850 families -- an enormous increase-due in a great measure to the indefatigable labor and zeal of the pious and learned pastor, Rev. Valentine Czyzewski, who is greatly reverenced and beloved by his own people and held in high respect by the general public of South Bend and the surrounding country.
SUMMIT, DEKALB COUNTY.
St. Michael's Church, at Summit, was organized, in 1880, by Rev. Augustus Young, and was dedicated by Right Rev. Bishop (438)
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
Joseph Dwenger, the congregation at that time numbering about forty families. This congregation was attended as a mission from Auburn until 1882, when Rev. P. Fransen was appointed resident priest, whose death occurred within a year. Summit then again became a mission of Auburn until 1884, under Rev. M. Benzinger, who remained until 1897, when he was followed by Rev. Hermann Jurascheck, the present revered pastor.
The church grounds embrace about one acre of ground, and the church-building, which was erected in 1880, by Father Young, at a cost of $2,000, measures 30 x 66 feet-being somewhat enlarged beyond its original dimensions. In 1888 the church-building at Waterloo was moved to Summit and is now used as a hall, and the Catholics of that parish worship at St. Michael's.
TELL CITY, PERRY COUNTY.
St. Paul's Church, Tell City, was founded and laid out by a Swiss colonization society, in 1858. Tell City is located on the Ohio river, three miles from Cannelton and four miles from Troy, and has about 2,500 inhabitants. St. Paul's congregation was organized in 1859, and comprised then about twenty-five families. It was first attended by Rev. M. Marendt, of Cannelton, until January, 1861. From January to June, 1861, it was visited by Rev. J. B. Merl, also of Cannelton; then by Rev. J. P. Dion, of Cannelton; the Benedictine Fathers, of St. Meinrad; Rev. J. Kauffman and Rev. F. Friedinger, of Troy. Rev. Ferdinand Hundt was the first resident pastor, from May until December, 1863, when it was again attended by the Benedictine Fathers until 1867. In 1867 Rev. J. A. Michael was appointed (second) resident pastor, and remained such until May 1, 1877, when Rev. Edward Faller became the pastor at Cannelton, and, jointly with Rev. P. Conrad Ackermann, O. S. B., of Troy, regularly attended Tell City. On the 28th of October, 1878, Father Faller took up his residence at Tell City.
The first Catholic church in Tell City, a frame building 50 x 20 feet, was built in 1859, on Eighth street, lot and church costing $900. Father Marendt was then the visiting pastor. In 1870 a new brick church was begun on two new lots on the same street,
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the lots, with a frame dwelling on them, costing $800. The old church and lot were then sold for $425. In the same year the foundation was built and the corner-stone laid by the Rev. P. Bede O'Connor, O. S. B., chancellor of the diocese. The church was under roof in 1873. The work remained in that condition until Father Faller, in 1877, had the towers finished, the spires built, and the interior plastered. The church is 114 x 48 feet in dimensions, with forty feet in the clear in height on the inside. The height of the two spires is 134 feet. The building is in the Byzantine arched style. The cost of the church was $16,672. Other purchases of ground were made, so that the lot has a front- age of 160 feet, with a depth of 140. The brick parsonage on the south, and the brick school-house, 50 x 25 feet, on the north side of the church, were both built in 1878, at a cost of $4, 172. The sisters of St. Francis conduct the school. The Way of the Cross, costing $340; the three new bells, costing $567; the tower clock, costing $700; and a new main altar, costing $1, 164, were all provided in 1878. The entire church property has cost $26, 290. In 1879 the congregation numbered only seventy families. It is hardly necessary to tell the reader that Father Faller had personal means to do the work he accomplished.
The school was opened on September 1, 1878, with ninety- five children. Father Faller departed from Tell City, in 1882, having accomplished much more than is recorded here. He was appointed pastor at St. Michael's, in Madison, to continue the good work. The Rev. James Hilbert next had charge of St. Paul's church, Tell City, and Rev. William F. Seibertz is the present pastor.
TERRE HAUTE, VIGO COUNTY.
St. Joseph was the first parish organized in Terre Haute, and Rev. S. P. Lalumiere was the first resident pastor, as he took charge in 1842, from which time the history of the parish proper begins. Of course, Terre Haute was a mission station for many years previously, divine services being held repeatedly for the Catholics there as early as 1835, and quite regularly from 1837 to 1842, Rev. Father Buteux coming from St. Mary's for that pur- pose.
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The first St. Joseph's church is said to have been built by Father Buteux, perhaps in 1837 or 1838. It was then a mission attended from St. Mary's, Vigo county. Father Lalumiere made an addition to the structure, and Father Chassé enlarged and orna- mented it with a new front and steeple.
Rev. Father Lalumiere ministered to the people until his death, which took place on the 9th of June, 1857. He was born at Vincennes in 1804, and at one time was the only priest Bishop Bruté had in his large diocese, which then comprised the whole state of Indiana and a portion of Illinois. H's remains are buried in St. Joseph's church and a marble slab in his memory is set up near the Blessed Virgin's altar, bearing a fitting inscription.
The records of the parish show that St. Joseph's was presided over by Jesuit Fathers from the death of Father Lalumiere until the arrival of Rev. P. Bede O'Connor, O. S. B., in 1859. These Jesuits were Rev. Father di Maria, 1857-58, and Rev. Father Lutz, 1859. Rev. O'Connor was next in charge of the parish about seven years, or until 1866, when he was sent to Vincennes. During a part of the time he was assisted by four other fathers of his order, Revs. Fintan, Martin, Chrysostome and Meinrad. A college which they conducted for a few years proving successful, they resigned and left the place after the removal of Father O'Connor.
Rev. P. Bede O'Connor was born in London, in 1826, of Irish parents. He was educated in the famous Benedictine monastery at Einsiedeln, made his vows in 1847, and emigrated to the United States in 1852. He served as secretary to Bishop de St. Palais, as chancellor of the diocese, and in 1870 was appointed vicar- general. He died at Terre Haute, September 25, 1875.
Rev. J. B. Chassé succeeded Father O'Connor and remained until 1872. Very Rev. H. Alerding, later pastor of St. Joseph's church, Indianapolis, and author of the History of the Diocese of Vincennes, was Father Chassé's assistant for two years and nine months.
The Franciscan Fathers (O. M. C.) took charge of St Joseph's in 1872. Of these, Rev. Jno. Kroeger was the first. Rev. L. Moczigemba was the second; came in 1873, and was succeeded by Rev. Jos. Lessen during 1875-6. Rev. F. Neubaur came in 1877;
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Rev. D. Marzetti in 1878-9; in 1880, Very Rev. M. C. McEvoy, O. M. C., became pastor. He came as assistant to Father Kroeger in 1872. Rev. Joseph J. Frewin, Father McEvoy's assistant for nine years, came in 1883, and about 1891 became pastor.
St. Joseph's church is a brick structure, 45 x 110 feet, with stained glass windows, a good organ, and beautiful altars and fur- niture. It fronts on Fifth street, and stands on the center of the parish grounds, which occupy a half-block. South of the church stands the brick school for girls, taught by the Sisters of Provi- dence. There are nine Sisters and 115 girls in attendance. North of the church, on the corner of Ohio street, is a splendid new brick schools for boys. This building, the corner-stone of which was laid by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Bessonies, cost $12,500. It has the latest improvements, is of excellent design, and is abreast of the best schools in Terre Haute. The top floor is used for an exhibi- tion hall, while the basement is used, part for meeting rooms for the parish societies, and the remainder for play rooms for the boys during the inclement season. The new school and grounds are valued at $65,000; the church and grounds are worth $50,000, and altogether St. Joseph's is, being the mother church in Terre Haute, the most valuable in memories and also in dollars and cents. Including the pastoral residence, the church and school property is worth the large sum of $125,000.
There are 204 families in the congregation, with about 200 children attending the parish schools. The choir is a good one, the trustees efficient men, and the business of the parish is well in hand.
Very Rev. M. C. McEvoy, O. M. C., one of the popular and efficient pastors of St. Joseph's, was a native of the county of Wexford, Ireland, and a splendid specimen of the clear-skinned, dark-haired Celt. He began his studies for the church in Ireland, and continued them on the island of Malta, in the Mediterranean sea; at Cherso, an island in the Adriatic sea; at Wurzburg, Bavaria; in Germany, in Holland, and at Rome. He came to the United States in 1869, continued his studies at the Franciscan college at Syracuse, N. Y., and on September 29, 1871, at Albany, in that state, he was ordained priest by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Con- (442)
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INTERIOR VIEW, ST. BENEDICT'S, TERRE HAUTE, IND.
INTERIOR VIEW, ST. BENEDICT'S, TERRE HAUTE, IND.
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
roy. His first mission was at Trenton, N. J., where he remained about a year. In 1872 he was transferred to Louisville, Ky., and in June of that year he was sent as assistant to Father Kroeger, who was the first Franciscan priest to take charge of St. Joseph's parish. Afterward Father McEvoy continued at his post of duty as assistant until 1880, until he became pastor in charge.
Father McEvoy was deservedly popular with all classes in Terre Haute, and this fact was made manifest when a report that he was to be transferred to Rome called forth a lengthy petition, signed by all classes of people of Terre Haute, requesting the revo- cation of the order by his superior. He was affable and jolly and exteriorly was anything but a monk; yet, through his affability and approachableness could be seen his deep humility, just as through his limpid mirthfulness could be easily preceived his fervor, devot- edness and solid piety. On account of his extensive travels and by study he had acquainted himself with more than six languages, most of which he spoke fluently. He did not aspire to great eloquence in the pulpit, but could lay claim to plain speaking and forcefulness. He handled the material and all the monetary affairs of his parish very capably. He knew well how to raise funds, and was not lacking in ability to judiciously expend them. His people were impressed with these facts, hence his appeals to them were never without generous response.
The assistant priest during Father McEvoy's time was Rev. J. J. Frewin, O. M. C., who succeeded to the pastorate, and whose life sketch will be found in Vol. II, of this work. The present pastor of St. Joseph's parish is Father Francis Lehner, who has been with the church since the 28th of July, 1898.
St. Benedict's Church .-- On the 17th of January, 1864, the feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, the German Catholics of Terre Haute, in compliance with the desire and invitation of their pastor, assembled for the purpose of discussing the feasibility of building a church of their own. Up to this time the German-speaking Catholics frequented St. Joseph's church on South Fifth street, which was in charge of the Benedictine Fathers. Thirteen gentle- men heeded the above invitation, with Rev. Father Martin Marty,
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O. S. B., at their head. Notwithstanding this small number, they were not discouraged, and it was resolved that each man present should exert himself to bring other German Catholics to the espousal of this noble cause and in the meantime consult with carpenters as to the cost of a small church.
The next meeting was held January 31, 1864, with an increase of four inembers. At this meeting several plots of ground were proposed, but, not having sufficient information concerning them, nothing definite was arrived at.
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