USA > Indiana > Tippecanoe County > Past and present of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48
(16)
242
PAST AND PRESENT
church was completed and dedicated in 1866. The present pastoral residence was erected at an outlay of eight thousand dollars. The boy's school on South street was constructed and paid for by the community of the Holy Cross, of Notre Dame. The brothers of the Holy Cross were the teachers of the boys' school from 1867 to 1895.
Father Hamilton also erected St. Ann's chapel, on Wabash avenue, and bought twelve acres of land for the enlargement of St. Mary's cemetery. After a most successful pastorate of eleven years, Father Hamilton died suddenly on April 8, 1875, with barely time for his assistant, Father Hallinan, to administer the Sacrament of Extreme Unetion. His remains rest beneath St. Mary's church. The Rev. Matthew F. Campion was pastor of St. Mary's church for about four and a half years. During his time elegant side altars were provided. He paid off a large sum of indebtedness of the church and gave much time and attention to beautifying St. Mary's cemetery. At his own request he was relieved of his charge here, and was appointed pastor at La Porte. The Rev. Martin Noll was appointed in 1880, and came here from Elkhart. He arranged at once for a mission in St. Mary's church, but the mission hardly over. he died of a stroke of apoplexy, within a month of his arrival, on June 4. 1880. Rev. Joseph Rademacher then became the pastor of St. Mary's church, from June, 1880, to June 24, 1883, when he was consecrated bishop of Nashville. He was noted for zeal and prudence and loved by all for his gentle and fatherly disposition. He was popularly known as Father Joseph.
In June, 1883. the Rev. Edward P. Walters succeeded Father Joseph. In 1887 St. Mary's church was made an irremovable rectorate and deanery. During his time Father Walters had the church beautifully frescoed and artistic stained glass windows put in. He reduced the debt of fifteen thousand dollars to two thousand five hundred dollars. He died after an illness of only a few weeks, on June 12, 1894. His remains rest in St. Mary's cemetery. On August 4, 1894, Rev. John R. Dinnen was appointed rector of St. Mary's church. In the year following he purchased the boys' school building and grounds from the community of the Holy Cross, at Notre Dame, and within two years paid off the debt of St. Mary's. In the spring of 1898. a steeple was added to the church. The interior of the church was wholly renovated. a new floor was put in throughout, with new pews, stained glass windows in the front of the church, and besides all this, a costly heating plant for heating the church, the academy, the boys' school and pastoral residence was installed. These improvements were made from June to October, 1904, at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars.
243
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
St. Mary's congregation numbers about two hundred and fifty-five fam- ilies or nine hundred and sixty-five souls. One hundred and seventy children attend the school, conducted by eight Sisters of Providence, including a high school course. The Confraternity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with one hun- dred and fifty members ; the Children of Mary with forty-five; the Young Ladies' Sodality of the Immaculate Conception with fifty ; the Rosary Society with fifty-six : the Holy Cross Society with forty-five, and the Holy Angels Society with forty-eight, constitute the organizations of the parish.
ST. BONIFACE'S CHURCHI.
In 1853. Bishop de St. Palais entrusted Rev. Philip Doyle with the organization of the German parish at Lafayette. Two lots were purchased, and a substantial brick building was erected fronting on Tenth street. in 1854, at a cost of eight thousand four hundred dollars. Rev. Pinkers suc- ceeding Father Doyle, erected a brick school building. frouting on Ferry street. Up to 1863. Rev. Nouber, Rev. John Wernhoff and Rev. Joseph Stephan were pastors. They served in the order in which they appear here. After them came Rev. Francis Deipenbrock. during whose pastorate the present St. Boniface's church, situated on the corner of Ninth and North streets, was erected. The church is of Gothic architecture, one hundred and fifty-five by sixty feet, and without a tower and spire cost twenty-eight thou- sand seven hundred and sixty-two dollars.
In the beginning of 1866. Bishop Luers gave the Franciscan Fathers of the Cincinnati Province charge of St. Boniface's church. Rev. Venantius Arnold, O. F. M., was made the first pastor, and Rev. William Ganespohl, O. F. M., his assistant. During that year the church was furnished with stained windows and a magnificent main altar. At the same time, a two- story school building was erected on the foundation of the old church on Tenth street. Rev. Dionysius Abarth, O. F. M., was pastor, but on account of ill health had to retire in 1870. when Rev. Accursius Beine, O. F. M., succeeding him, furnished the church with a large pipe organ and two Gothic side altars. In 1871 the lot in the rear of the church was purchased for one thousand six hundred dollars, and the new parsonage built on it for five thousand dollars. Rev. Agnellus Fischer, O. F. M., was pastor of St. Boni- face's church. from 1878 to 1882, when he returned to Europe.
During the pastorate of Rev. Daniel Heile. O. F. M .. in 1883. a two- story brick building, adjoining the church on Ninth street, was erected which has since then served as a boys' school. It was completed and furnished at
244
PAST AND PRESENT
a cost of seven thousand three hundred dollars. A dwelling for the teachers, Sisters of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis, was built in 1885 at the corner of Tenth and Ferry streets, costing two thousand five hundred dollars. In the summer of 1887. the tower and spire of the church were completed for two thousand dollars. Rev. Pius Niehaus, O. F. M., who had been the assistant at St. Boniface's church since August. 1886, was made its pastor in 1886. He made various improvements on the church property. Rev. Ubaldus Webersinke, O. F. M., became pastor in 1891. Under him the interior of the church was beautifully decorated, at a cost of three thousand dollars. With becoming solemnity, the people of St. Boniface's church cele- brated the silver jubilee of the dedication of the present church on Sunday, December 28, 1890.
From 1892 until August, 1897. Rev. Hilary Hoolscher, O. F. M., was the pastor. He gave the church fine stained glass windows, two exquisite statutes of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph for the side altars, two confessionals of carved oak with a marble top. During the pastorate of Rev. Lucas Gottehoed, O. F. M., the cemetery known as St. Boniface's cemetery, consisting of twenty-three acres of land and located opposite Springville cem- etery, was secured and solemnly blessed on September 17, 1898. by Bishop Rademacher. The St. Joseph's cemetery, consisting of five acres on the northwest corner of Greenbush and Seventeenth streets, had been used for the burial of the dead since 1862, and had become inadequate.
A red letter day in the history of St. Boniface's church will ever remain, Sunday, September 24, of the year 1899. when the Most Rev. Archbishop Martinelli, apostolic delegate for the United States, in the presence of a vast congregation and large number of clergy, solemnly consecrated St. Boniface's church to the service of Almighty God. Extensive improvements had been made for the occasion, such as a new floor, new pews, the three fine Gothic altars redecorated in white and gold, together with their statuary, the pulpit better located and redecorated, chandeliers and gas fixtures remodeled, in fact, the interior of the entire church was made to appear as new. Somewhat later the walls of the church were "tuck-pointed," giving the church the appearance of being newly built of pressed brick. The Rev. Francis de Paul Lotz. O. F. M., became pastor in September, 1900. His pastorate was distinguished by various improvements of the church property, notably the lighting of the church by electricity, and the artistic stone crucifix group in the cemetery. The present pastor. Rev. Leonard Nurre. O. F. M., took charge in Septem- ber. 1903. A notable event in his pastorate was the solemn celebration of the golden jubilee of the foundation of the parish, on October 23, 1904. Bishop Alerding celebrated the Pontifical Mass, assisted by all the former pastors
245
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
still living, and by a number of other Franciscan Fathers: the Very Rev. Provincial Chrysostom Theobald preached the sermon. Father Leonard has been especially active in making the parish school the very best. The eight grades are taught in it; the larger boys by an efficient lay teacher, the other classes by six Franciscan Sisters. The number of pupils are two hundred and thirty-eight.
ST. ANN'S CHURCH.
In 1870 Rev. George A. Hamilton built St. Ann's chapel, located on the corner of Wabash avenue and Smith street, in Lafayette, at a cost of five thousand dollars. This chapel was a two-story brick building arranged for church and school purposes, and services were held here every Sunday by one of the priests of St. Mary's church. St. Ann's was made an independent parish by Bishop Dwenger, in September, 1884. Rev. John Dempsey was appointed its first pastor, who built a pastoral residence. He was removed to Valparaiso, August 24, 1888.
Father Dempsey's immediate successor was the Rev. Patrick F. Roche, who recognized the necessity of a new church and began the work on the present St. Ann's church in May, 1896. On September 12. 1807. Bishop Rademacher laid the corner stone in the presence of three thousand people. The church is a handsome structure, built of brick and stone, one hundred and fifty-three by fifty-three feet. The cost of the building amounted to twenty thousand dollars. The furniture of the church, altars, pews, railing, organ, the vestments and sacred vessels cost about eight thousand dollars. The seating capacity is six hundred and forty, and two hundred in the gallery. total of eight hundred and forty. The old church is being used for school purposes. It is divided into three school rooms and can accommodate one hundred and eighty pupils. The eight grades are taught and the Sisters of Providence have had charge from the beginning ; they reside in an adjoining house. At the present time three sisters have charge of one hundred and forty-three children.
St. Ann's has a Living Rosary Society, for married men and women, since 1892, seventy-four members; the St. Ann's Cadets, for single men, since 1897, forty-three members; the Young Ladies' Sodality, since 1890, ninety-five members ; the Children of Mary, since 1902, sixty-two members ; the Holy Angels' Society, eighty members; and the Sacred Heart League, with forty-eight members. The C. B. L .. the C. K. of A .. the .A. O. H. and the Ladies' Auxiliary A. C. H. have an aggregate membership of two hundred and seven.
246
PAST AND PRESENT
St. Ann's has had two resident pastors: Rev. John Dempsey, from September, 1884, till August, 1888; Rev. Patrick F. Roche, from August 24, 1888, till May 16, 1901. The present pastor, Rev. Michael F. Byrne, has had charge since May 16, 1901.
The Indiana State Soldiers' Home, near Lafayette, has had in it a chapel for the Catholic inmates since 1896, Rev. P. F. Roche was instrumental in securing these accommodations. It is attended over every two weeks, from St. Mary's church. The number of souls in St. Ann's parish is one thousand one hundred and twenty, consisting of two hundred and fifty families.
ST. LAWRENCE'S CHURCH.
The territory of St. Lawrence's parish was formerly called Linwood and in 1894 was incorporated with the city of Lafayette. The congregation was organized in 1895. The first building, erected in 1896, is a large two-story structure, the two upper rooms of which are used for church purposes and the others for school purposes. The cost of this building was twenty thou- sand dollars. Before the organization of this parish, its members attended St. Mary's and St. Boniface's churches, and consisted of about sixty-three families. Nine lots were bought in 1895, and one more in 1899, the ten lots costing two thousand four hundred ninety-five dollars and forty-eight cents. The Rev. Matthias Sasse, O. F. M., was the first pastor of the new St. Lawrence's parish. Bishop Rademacher dedicated the church and school building on November 8, 1896, when the Very Reverend P. Englert, O. F. M., celebrated the Mass and Rev. Chrysostom Theobald, O. F. M., preached in English and in German. On the day of dedication Father Sasse was removed and Rev. Theodore Stephan, O. F. M., appointed in his place. The dimensions of the building are eighty by ninety feet. The seating capacity of the church part is three hundred and fifty. Three Sisters of St. Francis teach in the south wing of the building.
In 1898 a priest house was erected for two thousand dollars. The parochial school is a free school supported by a school society, to which every member of the parish belongs. It has a membership of four hundred and twenty-four. The school children have a Guardian Angel Society. At pres- ent the number of souls is seven hundred and sixty-three, or one hundred and thirty-five families.
Rev. Matthias Sasse, O. F. M., was the first pastor of St. Lawrence's church. from November 10. 1895. until November 8, 1896. The second pastor was Rev. Theodore Stephan, O. F. M., who, on account of ill health,
2.47
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
had to be removed a few weeks after his appointment. The present pastor, Rev. Richard Wurth. O. F. M., has had charge of St. Lawrence's church since December 23. 1896.
DIOCESAN ORPIIAN ASYLUM.
The Civil war which spent itself at the cost of much life and wealth. left after it the orphan. Many of these were Catholic and, although the state made provision for their support. it was plain that something must be done to save these children to the faith. It was Bishop Luers who initiated this great work of charity, in the spring of 1865. when he purchased a tract of land in the suburbs of Fort Wayne as the site of an orphans' asylum.
Having purchased the Spilter farm. Bishop Luers appointed the Rev. E. P. Walters. George Steiner. J. Mayer. P. P. Cooney. C. S. C .. to collect throughout the diocese and to prepare the building on the farm for the orphans. The Rev. Joseph Stephan was given charge of the institution. In September. 1868, thirty-five orphans found shelter here under the care of the Sisters of the Holy Cross.
The house on the Spilter farm was turned into a sisters' residence and school. A two-story building was erected. the first story of which was used for a chapel and the upper story for a dormitory and the pastor's residence. Father Stephan was the first priest in charge. Father Kroeger erected a two-story building in 1872, where St. Joseph's College now stands and the second story served as a dormitory.
ST. JOSEPH'S ASYLUM FOR BOYS.
The Rev. George A. Hamilton, pastor of St. Mary's church, Lafayette, who died April 8. 1875. bequeathed in his will real estate and money to the value of about ten thousand dollars for the establishment of a manual labor school for orphan boys in the vicinity of Lafayette. The real estate included five hundred and eighty acres, located between Lafayette and the Battle Grounds. This land had been devised to Father Hamilton by William B. Davis, better known as Indian Bill. Besides this gift, another donation of fifty-one acres of land south of Lafayette was made by Owen Ball and J. B. Falley. On this land Bishop Dwenger began the buikling of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum for boys, in 1875. It is a four-story structure with a basement, covering a narea of one hundred and thirteen by one hundred and twenty feet.
248
PAST AND PRESENT
ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL.
When the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration entered upon their work of charity, they were unknown and without means. Until October, 1876, they lived in a small house placed at their disposal, but on June II, 1876, the corner-stone of the beginning of St. Elizabeth's Hospital was laid on two lots donated by Albert Wagner. The east wing was added in 1879 and in 1883 the west wing and the chapel. So great was the demand on the hospital that further additions became necessary in 1896 and were formally opened on January 6, 1897. The present imposing structure completing the original plans of the hospital was perfected in 1905, when, on December 31st, Bishop Alerding solemnly dedicated the institution and the new chapel. The building is a substantial three-story. of brick and stone, with basement and attic. The basement contains kitchen, dining room and rooms for domes- tic purposes. On the first floor are the offices, parlor, private rooms and dispensary. On the second and third floors are dormitories and private rooms. All the floors are reached by elevator. The physicians' lavatory and operating room are thoroughly equipped. All the arrangements are modern and complete throughout. Patients are received without distinction as to creed, race or nationality, whether rich or poor.
In 1897 the Sisters of St. Francis bought a tract of land, several acres in extent, near Lafayette, on which stood a house, which was opened as St. Anthony's Home for the Aged. A large and well equipped building was erected and dedicated on October 6, 1903. An extensive grove of old forest trees adjoins the property. The surroundings are beautiful. Removed from the noise of the city, yet easy of access, the home is an ideal place for aged people to spend their declining years, under the fostering care of the Sisters of St. Francis. There is room for sixty-five inmates. the number of sisters employed being eleven.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.
Eighty-one years ago last May, or May 26, 1828, the First Presbyterian church of Lafayette was organized with the following membership: James Cochran, John McCormick, Elizabeth McCormick, Elizabeth Trimble. Eliza- beth Miller and Margaret Carson, seven in all. The first pastor was Rev. James Crawford, the pioneer minister of this denomination in the Upper
.
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND. 249
Wabash Valley. It was in the month of August that year. that the first com- munion service was held by Mr. Crawford, who then first assumed charge of the little flock. The society was fully perfected on July 6. 1829, and the pastor duly ordained and installed as ruling elders, Henry Miller, Sr., and James Cochran. Thirty-nine members were received into the church during this session, making the membership forty-seven.
August 7, 1829, seventeen members were dismissed to form the Oxford church, west of Lafayette. John McCorick and Samuel Elliott were chosen ruling elders, in April, 1831, and William M. Lemon was added May 8th, the same year. At that time the total membership was reported as fifty-six. Rev. James A. Cochran served as pastor from May. 1831, the three succeed- ing years and was followed by Rev. Michael Hummer. At an early period in his pastorate, a church was formed at Dayton. Mr. Carnahan was chosen pastor and, with a few exceptions. he served this people for forty years, when he was forced to abandon the work on account of old age. Following Rev. Hummer came Rev. James Thompson, who continued pastor until October 1, 1838. He was succeeded by Rev. E. W. Wright. He remained only a short time and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Wilson, in November, 1839. It was soon after this date that the "Exseinding Acts" were passed, resulting in the establishment of the "Old" and "New" Schools in Presbyterianism. Mr. Wilson was in sympathy with the New School and refused to commune with or affiliate with the Old School. Early in 1840, the Second church was formed and he was made its pastor. To the First church. after the division. Rev. E. W. Wright was again called, beginning his labors in May, 1840, continuing until 1845. When he commenced his labors the church only had a membership of twenty-seven persons. all the remainder having gone with the Second Church. He increased the membership to sixty-eight. From the close of Mr. Wright's term until 1849, the church was in charge of Rev. S. H. Hazard two years and Rev. P. R. Vanatta about one year. These were succeeded by Rev. I. N. Candee, during whose ministry the membership was increased to one hundred and ten. May 31, 1855. he retired, and was succeeded in September by Rev. W. W. Colmery, who served until July, 1857. when he resigned. The following year the pulpit was vacant, during which time the congregation was engaged at building a new church edifice, the same later being used for lecture-room purposes when the next church was erected. The new building was dedicated the first Sunday in March, 1858. and cost four thousand two hundred dollars. After this dedication was over. Rev. R. H. Allen was made pastor and served until August, 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. G. Hillman,
.
250
PAST AND PRESENT
then by Rev. C. P. Jennings -- the two serving until April 1. 1867. when Rev. E. Barr became pastor. He continued five years. During his pastorate the new church was built, on the corner of Columbia and Sixth streets. Up to 1887 this church had prospered and sent out four colonies, or branch churches, two of which had grown to outrank the mother church. At the last named date, the church owned property to the value of forty thousand dollars and were entirely out of debt. Its membership was about three hundred and fifty. It now has three hundred and fifty members; the pastor is Rev. A. C. V. Skinner. Ph. D.
About 1830. Rev. James A. Carnahan visited Sheffield township and formed a Presbyterian church. His first service was held in an unfinished building, and his audience sat on sills and sleepers. The congregation built a church in 1834. the same being used at times by the Baptist people. In 1852 this building was superseded by one of a better style and size. Rev. Carna- han served this church from 1830 for a period of forty-five years. On account of his age he resigned in 1875.
The Presbyterian church at Romney was erected in 1845 or 1846 and the congregation was under the charge of Rev. Briar. In June, 1909, the membership here was about one hundred and twenty ; pastor was Rev. E. L. Buchanan.
Spring Grove church, which is in charge of Rev. Buchanan, has a membership of seventy-five.
The Second Presbyterian church of Lafayette, mentioned above, owns a beautiful stone edifice on Columbia street near the First church. which was the mother church. The present pastor of the Second church is Rev. John P. Hale, D. D. The membership in the spring of 1909 was about four hundred and fifty.
Another Presbyterian church of Tippecanoe county is the one at Dayton, presided over at this date by Rev. C. P. Foreman, D. D. Here. the member- ship is about one hundred and eighty. The total number of Presbyterians, according to the above, in Tippecanoe county, is one thousand one hundred and seventy-five.
EVANGELICAL ENGLISHI LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY.
The first effort for starting an English Lutheran church in the city of Lafayette was made on Whit Sunday in the year of 1899, by the Rev. J. Reichert. then pastor of the Mulberry Lutheran church now of Red Wing, Minnesota, in what was then the Swedish Lutheran church, located on Oak- land Hill.
251
TIPPECANOE COUNTY, IND.
Arrangements were made to conduct regular services, and the church was getting along nicely when, just at that time, there was some trouble among the Swedish brethren, and the church was captured by the Swedish Methodists, called at that time the Swedish Mission, and the little band of faithful English Lutherans were compelled to look out for new quarters. The old Universalist church on North Ninth street was rented and services conducted at this place for a long time.
In February, 1900, an organization was perfected with twenty-two mem- bers, and the church was named Zion's Evangelical English Lutheran church.
Another denomination got control of the old Universalist church and the little band was again crowded out in the cold. The Seventh Day Advent- ists were then conducting services in a little frame chapel, between Ferry and Main. They sub-rented the chapel to the little band to conduct their Sunday services. During all this time they were supplied by students from the Chicago Lutheran Seminary.
During all this time the little band had a checkered career. but through many discouragements and disappointments life was sustained.
At a meeting of the Chicago Synod. in June. 1903, a report was presented to its Home Mission Board, recommending the abandoning of the field. But a minority report was also presented to Synod, which was accepted and a resolution passed that work at Lafayette should be kept up for another year, and efforts be made to put an ordained man on the field.
Rev. Elmer D. S. Boyer, who was at the time pursuing a post-graduate course at the Chicago Lutheran Seminary, preached at the mission during the fall of 1903. The members of the mission committee and the congre- gation were very well satisfied with his services and extended him a call. Rev. Boyer accepted the work at once, and was installed in the assembly room of the Washington school building. February 5. 1904. He was the first ordained minister in the field.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.