USA > Indiana > History of the Catholic church in Indiana, Volume I > Part 51
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INDIANAPOLIS, MARION COUNTY.
As stated elsewhere, the church-building of the Sacred Heart parish, Indianapolis, which was erected in the latter part of the year 1875, was intended to be used exclusively, later on, as a monastery. The large three-story building was so constructed that, for the beginning, the third story only was in use of the relig- ious community. After the building was blessed on the 25th of December, 1875, the following formed the first community: Rev. Alardus Andrescheck, superior; Revs. Francis Moenning, Vincent Halbfas, Pancratius Schulte and Arsenius Fahle, and, as lay- brothers, Adrain Wewer, Marianus Beile and Amandus Jung.
Rev. Alardus Andrescheck was born at Breslau, Germany, May 29, 1839, joined the order of Franciscans, February 9, 1862, and was ordained priest February 7, 1868. He was succeeded as superior by the Rev. P. Ferdinand Bergmeyer, who was born at Riesenbeck, October 30, 1825, has been in the order since June 25, ,1852, and was ordained September 4, 1856. He came to America in 1859 and had been laboring in the sacred ministry at Quincy, Teutopolis, and especialy at St. Louis. In January, 1877, he was superior of the monastery at Indianapolis and was assisted by the Fathers, Victor Aertker, Raynerius Dickneite, Alexius Ber- nard, Stanislaus Riemann, Richard van Heek, Rudolph Horst- mann, Othmar Putthoff and Eustace Niemoeller. Among the lay-
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brothers stationed at the monastery during this period, we find Brother Damian Bueschgeus, Didacus Eigenscher, Leopold Breuer, Marcus Schaefer, Isidore Tretelski, Gallus Stute, Hystus Till- mann. In the year 1877, lay-brother Onesimus Steinmeyer died March 28, and lay-brother Paschalis Kutsche, August 3.
During nine years the Rev. P. Ferdinand presided over the parish and convent. In 1885 he was sent as superior to the old Franciscan mission at Santa Barbara. It was in that place he was insidiously murdered, February 27, 1896, by an insane person, upon whom he had conferred many favors.
In 1885 Rev. P. Francis Haase succeeded Father Ferdinand as superior and pastor. He was born at Kreiwitz, near Neustadt, Silesia, October 4, 1852, entered the monastery December 15, 1870, came to America in 1875, and was ordained at St. Louis July 25, 1877. Before receiving his call to Indianapolis, he labored at Teutopolis as professor of St. Joseph's college. During his administration, in the year 1890, the convent was remodeled and an addition connecting convent and church was built. This addi- tion contained a new sacristy, two parlors, an oratory and several other apartments. During six years Father Francis was assisted by Rev. P. Augustine Heuseler, who, by his able sermons and his successful management of the Young Men's society and the society of Christian Mothers, endeared himself to many hearts. During this period we find the following Reverend Fathers and Brothers at the monastery: Revs. Arsenius Fahle, Max Klein, Very Rev. Maurice Klostermann, ex-provincial; Angelus Bill, Quirinus Stueck- er, and Fulgentius Eich: Bros. Aguellus, Marian, Edmund and Kilian.
The successor of Father Francis was the Rev. P. Bernardine Weis. He was born at Meinersbach, Bavaria, October 14, 1856, entered the order December 25, 1868, at Teutopolis, and was ordained priest at St. Louis, December 27, 1874. Before his appointment as superior at Indianapolis he labored at Teutopolis, Ind., Joliet, Ills., and St. Louis, Mo., in which last-named place he had been superior for four years and a half.
His assistant at Indianapolis was the Rev. P. Gerardus Becher, O. F. M. Other Fathers of the house te this time were Revs. (590)
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Roger Middendorf, Laurence Pauly, Benedict Schmidt, Godfrey Hollters and Alexis Bernard, who died suddenly July 1, 1894. The following lay brothers also deserve mention: Eberhard, Fri- dolin, Eugene, Rigobert and Frederic.
In 1894 Rev. P. Bernardine received a call again to St. Louis and Rev. P. Gerardus was transferred to Santa Barbara, Cal. Their places were filled by Rev. P. Francis Haase, superior, and P. Ber- nard Wewer, as assistant. Towards the close of 1894 Father Francis had the convent grounds enclosed with a substantial brick wall.
In 1896 the convent building was evacuated by. the congrega- tion and the entire building left to the use of the Fathers. In 1897, therefore, a new library and a number of rooms were arranged on the second floor. Revs. Bonaventure Faulhaber, Simon Schwarz, Desiderius von Frentz and Sebastian Cebulla were active at the convent during this period, from 1894.
The following make up the community at present (1898):
Rev. P. Francis Haase, superior; Very Rev. P. Michael Richardt, ex-provincial; Rev. P. Zachary Ehlen; Rev. P. Bernard Wewer, assistant of the parish; Rev. P. Matthew Schmitz, and Bros. Isidore, Eusebius, Rigobert, Francis and Longinus.
In order to fully explain the labor of the Fathers outside of the convent, we shall now give a brief history of the various missions attended to by the Fathers of the monastery at Indianapolis.
In the year 1857 a small chapel was erected at Knightstown, Henry county, by the few faithful residing here. Rev. P. Arsenius Fahle was the first Franciscan Father who took charge of this mis- sion. He was followed by Rev. P. Victor Aertker, in 1879. His first care was to erect two rooms adjoining the church, to be used partly as his residence and partly as a sacristy. In 1881 Rev. P. John Ryves took charge of this congregation and it has since been attended by several secular priests. At present it is under the pastorage of St. John's church of Indianapolis.
Forty years ago the Catholics of Greenfield, Hancock county, were visited occasionally by missionary priests. At those times mass was said in private houses. In 1860 a frame building was bought by Mgr. A. Bessonies, then stationed at St. John's church,
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Indianapolis. This building, which had served as a school-house, became now the place of worship for thirty years. The congrega- tion at that time numbered about fifteen families. Mgr. Bessonies said mass occasionally for two years. Up to 1876 there seems no one had special charge of the church, it being visited off and on by priests stationed at St. John's church. From 1862 till 1876 the following Fathers attended to the spiritual wants of the faithful: Rev. O'Riely, D. J. McMullen, H. Alerding and D. Donovan.
In 1876 the Franciscan Fathers took charge of this mission and have ever since visited the place. The first of these fathers was P. Arsenius Fahle; after him came P. Victor Aertker, and then P. Alexius Bernard was pastor in 1880-82. He enlarged the frame church, adding eighteen feet to it, so that the building was then 22 x 58 feet. From 1882 Rev. P. Stanislaus went to Green- field, and in 1885 he was followed by Rev. P. Rudolf. P. Angelus Bill visited the place for a number of years, from 1887, bimonthly, as it is done also now. P. Laurentius Pauly became pastor of Greenfield in 1892; he worked very faithfully, procured many church vestments, and also did much in getting a fair start financially for the erection of a new church. He was succeeded by Rev. Simon P. Schwarz, who attended the place for one year. In 1896 P. Zachary Ehlen took charge of Greenfield. Under his care the present brick church was built. It is of plain Gothic style and cost $4,000; the steeple and sanctuary are not com- pleted; the nave of the church is 34x60 feet, inside. Mass was said in the new church for the first time February 28, 1898. It was, however, not solemnly dedicated till May 15, of the same year. The dedication ceremony was performed by P. Francis Haase, O. F. M., the sermon being delivered by Very Rev. D. O'Donaghue. The congregation numbers about forty families. The Greenfield church is under the patronage of St. Michael.
Together with Greenfield, Fortville, Hancock county, was given to the care of the Franciscan Fathers. The priest attending Greenfield paid his visits also to Fortville. The congregation, which consists of fifteen families, has divine service once a month. The church is dedicated to St. Thomas.
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In 1877 the Franciscan Fathers took charge of the church at Acton, Marion county. Rev. P. Victor was the first to go there. The congregation numbered about eighteen families. They had a small frame church, hardly suitable for divine worship. In 1881 Rev. P. Alexius built a large brick church. Great were the sacri- fices of the faithful. In 1883 the congregation numbered twenty- four families. The successor of Rev. P. Alexius was Rev. P. Rudolf, who was succeeded by Rev. P. Stanislaus. The congre- gation remained under the pastorage of the Franciscan Fathers until the year 1888, when it was made a mission for the pastor of Shelbyville. Rev. J. A. Kaelin paid off all the remaining debts of the church. From that time Acton had service twice every month. In 1891 it was given to the Fathers of St. John's church at Indianapolis.
In the neighborhood of Valley Mills, Marion county, there lived about ten families for whom the way to Indianapolis was too far. In 1877 the Franciscan Fathers were requested to visit this place at least once a month. Services were held in the dwelling of John Kervin. In 1882 the Franciscan Fathers built a little frame church near Kervin's residence. It measures 24 x40 feet, and has St. John the Evangelist, as its patron. The pastor, Rev. P. Matthew, who at present has charge of this place, directs Sun- day services but four times a year; but throughout the year it is visited every month on a week day. In the course of time, the Revs. P. Raynerius, Ferdinand, Francis, Quirinus, Fulgentius, Roger and Zachary attended this place.
The congregation at Franklin, Johnson county, was placed in the hands of the Franciscan Fathers in 1878. Rev. P. Victor Aertker was the first Franciscan who visited this place. The small frame church had been purchased for the use of the Catho- lics by Rev. P. McMullen. Formerly this church had served the purpose of a meeting-house for Protestants. Rev. P. Victor annexed a small room, for the priest's use, to the church. The successor of Rev. P. Victor was Rev. P. Stanislaus, who remained until 1881. Later on, Revs. P. Alexius, Maximilian and Quirinus visited Franklin. From 1892 till 1895, Rev. P. Roger had charge
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of this congregation, when the right reverend bishop gave the charge of it to Rev. P. William Liesen, a secular priest. In 1897 the Capuchin Fathers settled in Franklin and have since been the pastors of the congregation.
The Catholic congregation of Brightwood, Marion county, a suburb of Indianapolis, was established by the Right Rev. Francis Silas Chatard in 1887. On the 3d of July of the same year the church was dedicated. The church had been erected many years before, but had served as a meeting-house for Methodists. It, together with the adjoining grounds, had been purchased for the sum of $3,000. It received St. Francis of Sales as patron. Rev. P. Curran was the first pastor of this church. In November, 1883, the Franciscan Fathers obtained the pastorage of Brightwood. Rev. P. Rudolph Horstmann was the first who was sent there and was succeeded by Rev. Stanislaus, August, 1885, and he by Rev. P. Maximilian Klein, who remained until 1888. The last men- tioned had the interior of the church renovated. His successor,
Rev. P. Quirinus, paid off the remaining debt. In 1892 Rev. P. Pulgentius visited the congregation until July, when Rev. P. Roger succeeded him. Under his pastorage the roof, the foundation and the windows of the church were repaired and a new way of the Cross and new vestments were purchased. He also established the following societies: St. Agnes' sodality for young ladies, and a branch of the Knights of St. John with a membership of twenty-eight men. For the societies he also built a club-room, attached to the priest's house. He was succeeded in 1896 by Rev. P. Simon Schwarz. In 1897 Rev. P. Matthew Schmitz was commissioned to go thither. He procured many valuable vessels for divine worship. At present the congregation comprises about eighty families, twenty-five of whom are German. Service is held now every Sunday.
In the year 1870 a small church at Martinsville, Morgan county, was purchased by the Rev. P. Gillig for the use of the few Catholics residing here. It also had served previously the purpose of a meeting-house for Protestants. Rev. P. Arsenius was the first Franciscan Father who took charge of this congregation,
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which at the time numbered about twenty families. He procured a bell for the church, and also purchased some necessary articles for divine worship. His successor, Rev. P. Victor, visited this congregation regularly every third Sunday of the month. He was succeeded by Rev. P. Stanislaus Riemann. In 1887 Rev. P. Angelus became pastor of this congregation. His first aim and endeavors were to erect a new church. In 1890 the old church was torn down and a new one in Gothic style was erected on the same grounds. The material of the old church was used in the new building, so that the new church cost only $4,000. The same Father also annexed a room for the use of the priest. to this church in 1892. The congregation did not increase much in number of families.
Rev. P. Laurentius, who succeeded Rev. P. Angelus at Martinsville in 1893, tried very hard to diminish the debt resting upon the new church. In 1895 the debt still amounted to $900. In the same year Rev. P. Laurentius was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio, and Rev. P. Simon was appointed as his successor at Martins- ville. In 1897 Rev. P. Matthew had charge of this congregation, and in the year 1898 Rev. P. Zacharias was appointed pastor of the Martinsville parish, numbering now about thirty families. The congregation has yet a debt of $700.
Besides these missions, the Rev. Franciscan Fathers at times also visited the Catholics at Danville, Hendricks county, where there are about four Catholic families. They, however, have no church. Likewise Augusta, Marion county, was visited by the Fathers several times, where also are a few Catholic families, but they have no church. In 1888 Rev. P. Angelus Bill attended to the wants of the Catholics at Mullen settlement, Hamilton county, once every month. There is a congregation of twenty families who have erected a small church. Since 1891 this church has been in charge of a priest of Tipton.
The history of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, at Indianapolis, will be found in connection with the church history on page 305, this volume.
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
OLDENBURG, FRANKLIN COUNTY.
The Convent of the Franciscan Fathers at Oldenburg came into being under its present name August 7, 1866, when the Franciscan Fathers of the Cincinnati province of St. John the Bap- tist assumed charge of what had hitherto been known as the parish of the Holy Family. When the Rev. P. Rudolpf, pastor of this parish, died on the 29th day of May, 1866, the parish was attended to by Rev. J. W. Doyle until the coming of the Franciscan Fathers at the date mentioned above, and these have remained here ever since. In 1868 a class of clerics belonging to the, same province took up their residence here, in order to pursue their studies in preparation for the holy priesthood, and from that time until the present, with the exception of two or three years, this convent has served as the home of the novitiate, or the house of study, for the younger members of the Franciscan order. The number of these continued to increase, and the stone building which they occupied became inadequate for their accommodation. There- fore, in 1894, the present beautiful brick edifice was erected and was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop Chatard December 10, 1895. This building is used exclusively as a theological institute for the clerics of the Franciscan order, and is now occupied by five priests, twenty-four clerics and four lay brothers, the Rev. David Kersting, O. F. M., being the guardian.
The Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis, at Oldenburg, Franklin county, Ind., was established, in 1850, by Rev. F. J. Rudolf, who was appointed pastor of the parish at Oldenburg in 1842. When he arrived here, he found a log church which was not finished; he at once formed a plan for a new church, as he did not wish to spend what money he had on this old building, since it would not have answered the purpose after its completion. Beside the parish at Oldenburg, Rev. F. J. Rudolf was to attend a number of small stations where congregations were being organized, such consisting of about fifteen or twenty families. At these stations there were little log churches, but no schools. To obtain com- petent teachers for his parish, as well as for these stations, Rev.
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CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, OLDENBURG, IND.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, OLDENBURG, IND.
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
F. J. Rudolf at once conceived the idea of establishing an institu- tion for the training of teachers, who could teach both German and English; he immediately applied for permission to establish such an institution, which permission was readily granted, and he at once secured the aid of the Sisters of St. Francis in carrying forward the project. The Sisters set to work with an energy and a will worthy of their saintly founder. In a comparatively short time a convent was erected at Oldenburg and schools were opened at all these stations; an academy also was opened at the same time at Oldenburg, where the mother house was established. Little did Father Rudolf think that the institution which he founded under such trying circumstances would ever grow to do the work in which it is at present engaged. The community now numbers 400 members, most of whom are engaged in teaching; they conduct six academies, fifty nine parochial schools, and one school for colored children. Beside the mother-house at Oldenburg, the com- munity possesses nine branch houses in different states. The mother-house consists of the convent proper, the novitiate, the infirmary and the academy. The grounds comprise 400 acres, and the church, which was built at a cost of $80,000, is one of the finest structures in the state. Plans are now nearly complete for the building of a new convent. The foundation is to be laid this fall (1898) and it will be a very imposing and substantial building, when finished, and this will be when the community shall celebrate its golden jubilee, in 1900.
TIPTON, TIPTON COUNTY.
St. Joseph's Convent, at Tipton, became a permanent institu- tion of the city in 1891, when the main part of the stately edifice was erected on Mill street, although the Sisters of St. Joseph had been teaching here since 1888. The present building is of grand proportions, occupying a ground space of 60 x 100 feet, is three stories high, has accommodations for 100 pupils, cost about $20,- 000, and was completed in 1894. Even this commodious estab- lishment has become too confined in space for the growing demands on the Sisters, who have achieved a distinguished reputation as instructors, hence they have purchased a tract of land a mile north
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of the city, with the contemplation of erecting a still more ele- gant and commodious convent in the near future, away from the noise and distraction of city life. The students from abroad are allowed to have rooms and board in the convent. There are at present thirty Sisters attached to the convent, who have branches at Elwood, Kokomo and Logansport.
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ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, FT. WAYNE, IND.
IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.
CHAPTER XVII.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES-HOSPITALS, ORPHANAGES AND OTHER ELEE- MOSYNARY INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE.
T `HIS brief chapter contains a succinct history of the grander charitable institutions maintained by the Catholic church in Indiana, and surely they constitute in themselves a monument to its liberality and deep-seated sympathy for the unfortunate mem- bers of the church itself, as well as for the distressed of all creeds.
ANDERSON, MADISON COUNTY.
St. John's Hospital, under the auspices of St. Mary's church, was founded in 1894, the ground being donated by John Hickey, a native of county Wicklow, Ireland, but, since 1853, a resident of Anderson. The deed bears date March 31, and the conveyance was made to the trustees of the church for the use of the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The building is of brick, is two stories high, and occupies a ground space of 95 x 65 feet. It contains seven- teen finely-equipped rooms and two general wards, and since its completion the hospital has been under the supervision of Sister Victoria, of the Holy Cross, of South Bend, and of Sister Sylves- ter. The immense amount of good work done by these Sisters is incalculable, and no words of commendation are adequate to express the gratitude due them.
FORT WAYNE, ALLEN COUNTY.
St. Joseph's Hospital, Fort Wayne, Ind., was opened May 9, 1869. In the year 1868, eight venerable sisters, Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, came from Europe from the mother-house, Dern- bach, Nassau, where this congregation was founded in 1850 by Miss Catherine Kasper, in the diocese of Limburg. The first mem-
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bers made their religious profession August 15, 1851. The found- ress' religious name was Ven. Sister Mary, mother-general of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, whose death occurred February 2, 1898.
In 1866, in behalf of Right Rev. J. H. Bishop Luers, Rev. Edward Koenig, now deceased, wrote to his friend, the Vicar- General Spaller, of the diocese of Paderborn, to interest himself to establish a hospital in the prosperous little city of Fort Wayne. The effort was successful.
In 1869 the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ opened the so-called Rockhill Place as a hospital. With this hospital is con- nected the convent of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, which is at the same time the mother-house of said congregation for the United States of America.
Sister Mary Rosa was the superioress of the first little band. She returned to Europe in 1872. The other sisters were: Ven. Sister Mary Hyacintha, present mother-provincial; Ven. Sister Mary Eudoxia, present novice-mistress; Sisters Facunda, Henrica, Bella, Matrona and Corona. They first settled for a short time. at Hesse Cassel, eight miles from Fort Wayne, from which place three Sisters went to Chicago to take charge of the orphan asylum at Rose Hill, of which the Sisters still retain the management. In May, 1869, the hospital was opened, and the number of Sisters was increased from Europe by seven.
The houses of America are in the states of Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Sisters of this community have charge of parochial schools, hospitals, orphanages and homes for the aged. The rules for the members of the community were approved by the Holy See in 1870, namely, by the deceased Pope Pius IX, and confirmed by Pope Leo XIII, in 1890.
The mother-house of Fort Wayne proved itself too small to accommodate the wants of the congregation, therefore the beau- tiful convent and chapel was built in 1848 at a cost of $33,000. The Ven. Sister Mary Prudentia, now deceased, was at that time mother-provincial.
In 1892 the south wing, 130x 30 feet, was built, Ven. Sister Mary Secunda being then provincial superioress. The building
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has now accommodations for more than 150 beds. In 1896 the old hospital, which was built in 1847, and had served for a hotel until 1869, was remodeled, and a fourth story added, with a splen- did operating-room, with the latest equipments.
The hospital now has two very spacious operating-rooms-one on the first floor, south wing, the other on the fourth floor, on Main street. The average number of patients at the hospital during the year is between 400 and 500. The hospital is open to all, rich or poor; and it matters not to what creed they may belong. The present chaplain and spiritual director is Rev. Jos. Thomas Eisen- ring.
St. Vincent's Orphanage. - This magnificent building is a noble monument to the charitable zeal of its founder, the late Rt. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, D. D., bishop of. the diocese of Fort Wayne.
This orphanage was erected during 1886 and 1887, at a total cost of about $75,000, and is a four-story brick structure, covering 126 x 100 feet, and has twenty acres of ground attached. The building has accommodations for over 400 inmates and is supplied with water, gas, steam-heating apparatus and fire protectors. Two rooms are devoted to the educational needs of the children, and at present there are in the institution 130 children of school age, and over thirty who are too young to be placed under the restraint of school-room discipline.
The orphanage is under the control of the Sisters, Poor Hand- maids of Christ. At present two of these Sisters are engaged in the school while eight others are occupied with the domestic affairs of the institution. The average annual outlay for the support of this asylum is about $6,000, which amount is derived from the diocesan Christmas collection. The average annual expense per child educated, boarded and clothed, is about $50. Children intrusted to this institution are kept until a suitable home can be provided for them, or until they are able to earn their own liveli- hood. The present value of the ground in connection with St. Vincent's Orphan asylum is about $25,000, and the value of the .
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