USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Twenty-fifth anniversary, St. Jude Parish, Fort Wayne, Indiana > Part 2
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In the Spring of 1943 Father Dapp underwent an appendectomy, returning home on Holy Saturday after more than four weeks' confinement at St. Joseph's Hos- pital. During the pastor's absence, Father Jacobs, who had preached all the Lenten sermons, carried on capably with assistance from the C.C.H.S. Staff Fathers: Paul J. Schmid, Anthony Suelzer and Michael Vichuras. Cor- nelius Erpelding, building custodian for a number of years, who on July 1 left to go with the Farnsworth Company, was succeeded by Brice Parnin in that ca- pacity. At the September meeting of the trustees, Ed- ward J. Schulte, Cincinnati architect, was engaged to draw up plans for a couvent and rectory to be built
after the war. These structures, along with a new church, would form an integrated parish plant.
On January 1, 1944 Leo Masbaum became building custodian, replacing Brice Parnin. During the spring of this year, the 15th anniversary of the establishment of the parish, the interior of the church was painted by the Fort Wayne Decorating Company at a cost of $1400.00. On June 4, the Rev. Fred Potthoff, Jr., a son of the parish, celebrated his First Solemn Mass. Re- ception took place in the afternoon. Octoher saw the organization of the St. Vincent de Paul Conference with the following active members: Roy Grimmer, Sr., Presi- dent; Arthur Herber, Secretary; Frank R. Bookmyer. Treasurer; Leo Masbaum, Joseph Grable, Albert M. Poinsatte, Jerome J. Klingenberger.
On February 4, 1945 Rev. John Witte, the third from the parish to become a priest, celebrated his First Solemn Mass. Reception was held in the afternoon. On July 15, Professor Lonis W. Peil began his duties as Organist and Choirmaster. On September 9th of this year, St. Jude Church was the scene of the investiture, by His Excellency Most Rev. John Francis Noll, of the pastor, Father Dapp, in the robes of a Domestic Prelate, with the title "Right Reverend Monsignor." Msgr. Michael J. Aichinger preached the sermon. Following
Interior of the Original St. Jude Chapel
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ST. JUDE PARISH
the solemn services a dinner was served in the auditor- ium honoring Msgr. Dapp, and attended by Bishop Noll, Monsignori, relatives and clergy. With the passing of this year came the end of the war. On the nights of the armistices of the European and Asiatie conflicts, the church was crowded with parishioners giving thanks to God that peace, at last, should reign again. A hushed, reverential atmosphere pervaded these epochal days- days of suppressed joy, of earnest contemplation, and withal a time of compassion for the families of the ten young men of the parish who had laid down their lives for God and country. The sublime and comforting words of Abraham Lincoln addressed to a mother who had lost her sons in the Civil War, apply with equal validity to these parents and relatives bereaved by the casualties of World War II:
"But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your berearement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of free- dom."
We approached 1946 hopeful and confident, obliv- ious of the role destiny plays in the affairs of men. The parish was in the middle of an upsurge in membership and school enrollment, but construction priorities again delayed the start of the post-war building program. In the midst of preparations for the Fall Festival, public announcement was made of the transfer, as of Novem- ber 13, 1946, of our beloved pastor to the rectorship of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to succeed the then lately deceased Rt. Rev. Msgr. Thomas M. Con- roy. The loss of Msgr. Dapp was keenly felt. No easy task confronted him when on April 12, 1929 he assnmed his new and manifold responsibilities. Organizer of the parish, bnilder of the church and rectory, Msgr. Dapp exemplified throughout the nearly 18 arduous years of his pastorate, an executive capacity matching the spir- itual fervor characteristic of his priestly ministrations. Nowhere was the responsiveness of the faithful to his inspiring leadership more clearly demonstrated than in the complete liquidation, during difficult years, of the well-nigh crushing parish indebtedness of $150,000., and the subsequent accumulation of approximately $160,000.00 in cash assets. At a large gathering of par- ishioners in the anditorium on the eve of his departure, Msgr. Dapp was presented with a gift as a tangible ex- pression of the love and esteem in which he was held by a people grateful for his long and unselfish devotion to its welfare.
And so it was "Farewell" to Msgr. Dapp, first pastor of St. Jude's, and "Welcome" to the Rev. Charles F. Girardot appointed by the Bishop to succeed him. A very successful Fall Festival marked, as it were, the introduction of the new pastor, in a social way, to the people of his new charge. On December 1, a third week- day Mass was begun, with the Rev. John Frawley of the C.C.H.S. staff as celebrant. At Christmas the Solemn Midnight Mass was celebrated by Father Girardot. Other devotions, dating from the beginning of the parish such as the weekly Eucharistic Holy Honr, Novenas in honor of our patron St. Jude preceding the patronal feast on October 28 and the anniversaries of the establishment of the parish on April 12, were to be continned un- interruptedly.
May 4, 1947 was First Communion Sunday for 49 children, and on September 21 to 23 the annual Forty Hours took place. A two weeks' Mission was conducted from October 5 to 19 by two Precious Blood mission- aries. Apace with an ever growing membership, an extra Mass was added to the Sunday schedule. They were now at 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Rev. Francis Pitka, O.S.C. from Sacred Heart Seminary assisted on week ends. The year receded into history with the sponsor- ship by the United Societies of the annual Fall Festival.
On February 8, 1948 the Holy Name Society con- ducted the usual Pre-lenten Frolic. Walter Berghoff, parish trustee, died February 23, and A. G. Keller was appointed to finish the nnexpired term. New lights were installed in the church, and on May 2d, 64 chil- dren received their First Holy Communion. May pro- cession took place in the afternoon. The school build- ing was painted during the summer, preparatory to the opening of the fall term. On Sunday, May 21, Rev. Ralph Larson, the fourth son of the parish to enter the Holy Priesthood, celebrated his First Solemn Mass, fol- lowed by reception in the auditorium. The Forty Hours Devotion and the annual Fall Festival were held as usual. On November 16, urged by the necessity of addi- tional class rooms in the school, the residence at 1903 Kensington Blvd. was bought for a Sisters' convent. Purchase price was $27,500.00 including some furniture. On December 11 the Sisters vacated their apartment in the school building and moved into their new home.
During January, February and March of 1949, the walls of the church were washed, the ceiling woodwork varnished, and the kneelers of pews recovered. On Sunday afternoon, February 20, the sacrament of Con- firmation was conferred by Bishop Noll upon 170 chil- dren, and on May 1st 67 children made their First Holy Communion. On June 1 commencement exercises were held in church. The traditional spiritual and social events occured during the course of the year. The out- side of the convent was painted. as was the exterior of
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TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
Present St. Jude Church and School
the rectory. In the fall a new tile roof was provided for the church at a cost of approximately $6,000.00.
New Years Day 1950 opened with a Midnight Mass, preceded by a Holy Hour from 11 to 12 o'clock. January 30 saw the addition of another Sister to the teaching staff, taking over part of the 2d and 3d grades. On March 15 the Statue of Our Lady of Fatima was carried in procession at an impressive church service. In June the Korean War began. Many of our boys were in mili- tary service. In July the Rev. Dennis Dennihan, newly ordained, was assigned by Bishop Noll as second as- sistant priest. During the summer the convent under- went a complete renovation which, with new furnishings and carpeting, cost about $1500.00. A major improve- ment of this year was the installation, at an outlay of $11,000.00, of a new oil-burning boiler for the heating of the church and school. Fall term of school opened September 6 with 10 Sisters teaching. On October 4, 1950 announcement was made of the great honor con- ferred upon our pastor by His Holiness Pope Pius XII, in the elevation of Father Girardot to the ranks of the Monsignori. It was a festive occasion when on Sunday afternoon, November 26, Msgr. Girardot was invested by His Excellency, Most Rev. John Francis Noll, in the robes of a Papal Chamberlain with the title "Very Reverend Monsignor." In the evening at a reception in the auditorium Msgr. Girardot received the congratu- lations of parishioners, together with a purse as a token of filial regard and appreciation of the admirable man- ner in which he had administered the affairs of the par- ish, spiritually and materially.
1951 was proclaimed a Holy Year throughout the world by His Holiness, Pope Pius XII. On January 25 another Sister arrived to take over part of the third grade. The teaching staff now numbered 11, including the music teacher. On February 4 a successful Pre- lenten Frolic was held. The May 6th First Communion class consisted of 72 children. On June 3 commence- ment exercises took place in the church for 54 graduates of St. Jude school. On August 16 the Sisters returned from their motherhouse, looking toward the opening of the fall term. Sister Trinita, who had taught the 8th grade for the past three years, became the new Superior succeeding Sr. Mary Carlotta. It is especially note- worthy that Sr. Carlotta, who had served with such dis- tinction as Superior during the six-year term just com- pleted, had already previously acted in that capacity during the years 1935 to 1940 inclusive. The new school year began with 582 children enrolled. September 16 to 18 again witnessed an outpouring of the parish mak- ing the solemn and impressive Forty Hours Devotion. During the fall new steps were constructed at the front of the church, and the old doors at its side entrance, as well as at the gymnasium and the Green Room, replaced with those of a modern type. Under the direction of Father Jacobs, a Visual Education program in the school was begun. On November 18 the sacrament of Confir- mation was conferred upon 215 children by the Most Rev. Leo A. Pursley, the new Auxiliary Bishop of Fort Wayne. For the first time since the inception of the parish, the Fall Festical could not be sponsored for reasons extraneous to the parish. With the solemnity
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of the Christmas Midnight Mass another year drew to a close.
The New Year of 1952 started, literally, in a blaze- a fire at the Sisters' convent. On March 29 Roy Grim- mer, Sr., parish trustee, died and was replaced on the board by William Parrot. During the summer the ju- terior of the church was redecorated. The fall term began with an enrollment of 540 children. Beautiful new apricot-colored drapes for the main altar, Com- munion-rail and confessionals were installed for the Feast of St. Jude on October 28th. New carpet for the sanctuary was laid and ready for use on Thanksgiving Day. The Christmas Orphans' collection reached a new high of $3703.00.
The year 1953 was an eventful one. New ciboria were supplied the church and Sisters' chapel, and the latter further equipped with stole, surplice and Com- munion paten. On February 20 there occurred the canonical erection of the new Stations, with the Rev. Florentius Hoste, O.F.M., chaplain of St. Francis Col- lege, officiating. May 3 was First Communion Day for 69 children, followed by procession in honor of the
Blessed Virgin in the afternoon. On the 19th of the month a successful May Festival was held. The ever- rising school enrollment, now nearing 600, posed a seri- ous problem. And to meet the crisis, Msgr. Girardot engaged Architect A. M. Strauss to submit preliminary sketches covering a four-room addition to the school, with gymnasium, as well as a Sisters' convent. A building committee was appointed consisting of Dr. R. J. Berghoff, senior trustee, as chairman, John Dehn- er and Bert Dahm. On June 2, upon examination of the drawings by the committee, the permission of the Bishop was obtained to proceed with the building pro- ject, as also the purchase of the Schmid property on Randalia Drive adjoining that previously acquired from Mr. and Mrs. Connor. At the June 8th meeting of the Board of Trustees, the projected building program and the negotiations for the acquisition of the Schmid pro- perty were unanimously approved. Thereupon the architect was instructed to prepare definite plans and specifications. Following the opening of the bids on October 13, general contracts, exclusive of plumbing, heating and wiring, were awarded as follows: Max Irm-
Interior View of Present St. Jude Church
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TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
scher and Sons for the construction of the convent, $124,444.00; Weigand Construction Company for the school addition and gymnasium, $125,257.00. Plumbing and heating contract for both units went to Schweg- man-Witte for $49,500.00, and the Electric Wiring to the Charles M. Henry Electric Company for $14.515.00 covering both buildings. On October 21, work was be- gun on the Sisters' convent, and October 28, the Feast of St. Jude, saw the start of construction of the school addition and gymnasium. During this year, too, a new north side entrance to the church, facilitating ingress from the paved parking lot, was built at a cost of $2600. Interwoven, of course, with the physical improvements in church and school, made or inaugurated during 1953, were the spiritual exercises and devotions traditional to the parish. With the fall opening of school, the enrollment reached the formidable figure of 616 pupils. The Green Room (former chapel), the last available space in the school building, had been converted to and equipped for class purposes. The staff, augmented again by the addition of another Sister, now numbered 12 including the music teacher. Sr. M. Trinita is serv- ing ably for the third year as Superior of the school.
The approaching New Year quickens the realization that the Silver Jubilee of St. Jude's is nigh. April 12, 1954 marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the parish on April 12, 1929. Much of the spiritual, social and charitable life of the parish, not heretofore specifically- or only superficially-referred to, passes in review as we cast a retrospective glance across 25 glorious years. There are the Assistant Priests who figured so importantly in the various phases of parish work. Father Ewald's intense interest and cooperation in the Boy Scout movement presaged, as it were, on an even broader front, Father Jacob's enthusiastic appli- cation of a wide knowledge and experience in the field of sports to the training and development of the youth of the parish. And the Weekly Bulletin, ably edited by Father Jacobs, not only proved informative and in- structive, but in its sparkling humor column enlivened many an otherwise dull moment.
Richly deserving of special recognition are the Sisters of Providence, comprising the faculty of the school throughout its life. The merits of the tireless labors of these valiant, selfless souls, reverberate down the corridor of time into eternity itself. They are the unsung heroines in the unfolding drama of St. Jude's. No worldly acclaim or material wealth is theirs, nor do they wish it. But in the enactment of the final scene, contemplating the host of boys and girls who came un- der their benign influence, each, with justifiable pride, will exclaim, "These are my jewels!" Highly compli- mentary to the Sisters of Providence, and indicative of the thoroughness of the education given pupils under
their charge, were the spelling championships won by students of St. Jude school. The first, Frank Wemhoff, Jr., twice winner, in successive years, in county-wide competition of public and parochial schools; and later David Sorg, Rita Hasley, Tom Kovats, and Francis Col- ligan, winners in the "Spelling Bees" conducted under the sponsorship of the Knights of Columbus among the parochial schools of the city and vicinity. Then, too, as an adjunct to excellent scholastic training, a fine music department affords the opportunity for enlarged social and cultural attainments for pupils with an in- nate love and talent for "the universal language."
Of particular significance is the part played by the St. Jude's male choir over the years. Essential to the solemnity of the Church's external ceremonials, the members of this group find, through the singing of the praises of God, the spiritnal stimulation of the faithful a rewarding experience.
We are not unmindful of the hundreds of boys and young men who served our priests as acolytes at the altar, often at night and in the early morning at the expense of personal comfort. May the memory of their intimate participation in divine services always be num- bered among their fondest recollections.
To the regular, efficient and courteous performance of the duties encumbent upon the Ushers' Organization, can be ascribed the convenience of the parishioners at church attendance, as well as the good order evident at all times. Here it is felt appropriate to pay a word of tribute to the late Frank J. Wemhoff who, from the formation of the Ushers' Organization in 1929 to the time of his moving away in 1946, conscientiously and de- votedly served the parish as "Captain of the Ushers." He was succeeded by Carl B. Wagner, the present Cap- tain, who has continued, commendably, in the discharge of the responsibilities which this office imposes.
Worthy of commendation is the School Safety Pa- trol introduced at St. Jude's many years ago. That not a single fatality has occurred among our children within the operational sphere of the safety patrol, attests the vigilance exercised by the boys directing the juvenile pedestrian traffic at street intersections in the neighbor- hood of the school. We are grateful to the Fort Wayne Association of Insurance Agents for sponsoring this life-saving program in the schools of the city, and to the Traffic Division of the Fort Wayne Police Department for its enthusiastic cooperation in training and super- vising the participants in this essential service.
Nor are we forgetful, or lacking in appreciation, of the many men and women of the parish who during the years gave freely of their time and energy to pro- mote the moral and physical wellbeing of our children
ST. JUDE PARISH
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by assisting in such worthwhile activities as the athletic programs and the girl scout movement.
Of singular importance to the continuing progress of the parish was the unbroken succession of able and willing officers of the various church societies. The Universal Church functions through the agencies of its parishes which dot the earth. And it is almost axi- omatic that a parish prospers in direct proportion to the effectiveness of the organizations that lie within it. While primarily spiritual in nature and purpose, yet the societies, under the leadership of the spiritual di- rectors and officers, provide the medium through which material objectives are achieved. This truism found its exemplification here at St. Jude's throughout the past 25 years. In the cultivation of a greater acquaintance- ship among the people, in the raising of substantial sums of money, in the practice of corporal works of mercy, of its Silver Jubilee.
we saw a wide variety of society-sponsored projects: the Fall Festivals, the Summer Picnics, the Pre-lenten Frol- ics, the Ice Cream Socials, the Lenten Mite Folders, War Relief Clothing Collections, Rummage Sales, May Fes- tivals, Visitation and aid to the sick and needy, num- erous Card and Bingo Parties, ad infinitum. And this reflection brings to mind those indomitable men and women who throughout the years, and especially dur- ing the formative period, worked so hard and so long to promote the welfare of the parish. But Time exacts, in- exorably, its toll, and many, through death, incapacity. advancing years, have been lost to the ranks of active workers. May God's choicest blessings be theirs. To a vigorous, younger generation the torch is passed. The future of the parish is in its hands. Thus ends the story of St. Jude's from its inception to the celebration
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Courtesy Owen Forsyth
Present Aerial View of St. Jude Church and School - 1954 (Center Group of Buildings )
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TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
Épilogue
It will be observed that the school building still bears the inscription, "SHARON TERRACE," a beau- tiful name derived from the "Rose of Sharon" found growing profusely in a fertile section of the Holy Land along the Mediterranean Sea. It was chosen from among those submitted upon the invitation of Carl J. Weber, chairman of the original site committee. After some years, however, this name fell into disuse, yielding naturally to the more readily identifying title of "ST. JUDE SCHOOL."
Meditation
Prometheus, a hero of Greek Mythology, and cele- brated as the benefactor of mankind, was chained to a rock by Zeus for stealing fire from heaven and bring- ing it to earth for the benefit of men. The legend rep- resents Prometheus as a friend of the human race who did not shrink from opposing the evil designs of Zeus, and even from sacrificing himself for its salvation.
Today, as through the centuries, the Church estab- lished by Christ Himself, is the benefactor of mankind, and, as it were, steals the fire of divine love and mercy from heaven and brings it to earth for the salvation of men. But in various parts of the world, the Church is chained by the prototypes of Zeus with evil designs in their hearts. We, on the contrary, enjoy freedom of worship under the liberties guaranteed by the Constitu- tion of our beloved country. Nowhere has the Church grown and prospered as in the United States. May the occasion of the SILVER JUBILEE of our parish incite a greater awareness of the priceless heritage of religious liberty wrought out of the heroic sacrifices of the fore- fathers of Church and State. Let us pray that, through the powerful intercession of St. Jude, patron of our parish, and the blessed and glorious Virgin Mary, spe- cial patroness of the United States, the incalculable blessing of religious liberty may ever be preserved against the insidious forces that would destroy it. We thank Thee, O Lord, that St. Jude Parish has basked in the sunshine of Thy favor during the past Quarter of a Century, and we pray a continuance of Thy graces and blessings in the years to come.
(THE END)
A Wonderous Thing Is a Parish
Looking up into the sky, one clear, cool evening, it seemed as if I could just reach up and touch the stars, and the wondrous dome of the heavens appeared to arch its way to the earth, just beyond arm's length, to the right of me and to the left of me. And as I stood there alone, with the limitless universe within my embrace, I was struck by the analogy of this natural phenomenon to another in the supernatural order, namely the Church of God, and how, within the narrow arc of our own parish, each one of us alone can reach up and touch the stars of the eternal truths in the boundless firmament of the Universal Church.
And that is what we are celebrating today: the Silver Jubilee of the bringing down, the localizing, the shrinking, as it were, of the global Church within the realm of the little world of our own, individual, lives. A WONDROUS THING IS A PARISH! Hence, this is a day of great joy, of jubilation, of thanksgiving, that a milestone has been reached in the extension of the Kingdom of God on earth.
The foregoing "History of St. Jude Parish" was written by A. G. Keller, senior member of the Board of Parish Trustees. That portion of the narrative covering the years up to the time of the dedication of the new Church on November 28. 1935, is a revision of the material found in the Souvenir Booklet issued in connection with that event.
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ST. JUDE PARISH
Present Parish Trustees
A. G. Keller
J. Ver Keefer William Parrot, Sr.
Russell G. Bennett
Fred D. Schoppman
Past Trustees
Carl J. Weber
John Dehner
Joseph J. Voors, Sr.
Clem J. Mettler
Hubert Berghoff
John Heiny Frank J. Callahan
C. A. Croteau
"Walter Berghoff Henry Hasley John D. Ueber "Roy Grimmer, Sr. Dr. R. J. Berghoff
Parish Statistics
Present Membership 1,005 Families School Enrollment ........... 6Il Children
Membership of Societies
689 Members Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality .138 Members
Children of Mary Sodality 412 Members
Present Officers of Societies
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