USA > Kansas > Marshall County > History of Marshall County, Kansas : its people, industries, and institutions > Part 29
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ST. GREGORY'S SCHOOL, MARYSVILLE.
THE FIRST CATHOLIC CHURCH AT MARYSVILLE.
ST. MALACHY'S CHURCH AND PARISH HOUSE, MARYSVILLE.
SCILMIST
FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, MARYSVILLE. The second church of this denomination to be built in the world.
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
A great tide of emigration from Eastern states and from European countries, swept over Kansas between the years 1854 and 1865. when the country was opened by the United States government to settlers.
The new settlers represented different nationalities and different creeds. The two localities where Catholics settled in early days and founded colonies were Irish creek in the southeast and St. Bridget in the northeast of the county.
The settlers who came between the years 1857-1860 were Daniel. Jerry and Dennis Donahy. John Doud, William Thomas, John and Daniel Nolan, Thomas and Edward McNieve, Patrick, Ned, Mike and Herbert Burk, the Greggs, William Kennedy, Harrington, Grimes and William Handeshan. The pioneer settler was followed by the pioneer priest.
The Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary's and the Benedictine Fathers from Atchison would travel over the prairies of Kansas and visit the early settlers. and have mass in private houses and dug-outs.
FIRST PASTOR.
In 1865 Father William Fitzgerald made his home among the settlers of Irish creek. The Gregg family donated a strip of land along the creek for church purposes. The location was in the northeast quarter of section 20. Cleveland township. Here they found plenty of timber to build the church, and shade and shelter for the teams in summer and winter.
The first church, a structure twenty-eight by fifty feet, was built mostly out of native lumber and dedicated to St. Joseph. Some years later an addi- tion was put to this church. With the erection of the church came the building of a parish house for the priest.
Some of the successors of Father Fitzgerald were Fathers Daily, Hud- son, Butler, Weikmann, Meile, Stack. John Ward, now bishop of Leaven- worth ; Fathers Meehan, Jennings and Michel.
The Rev. Father Fitzgerald procured a ten-acre tract of land one-half mile away from the church for a cemetery. It had always been the desire of many to have the church and house near the cemetery. In 1902 Father William Michel built a new parish house, and hall and bought two acres of ground opposite the cemetery. On this piece of land he built the parish house, a beautiful brick veneer structure.
In 1904 the church was moved from the creek to the new site. A year
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after Father Patrick O'Sullivan succeeded Father Michel as pastor of Irish creek. During this time a new railroad was built from Topeka to Marysville and a new town was laid out one mile east of the church. The town was called Lillis, in honor of the bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Francis Lillis. D. D. The question then arose to move St. Joseph's church to the town of Lillis. The congregation was divided on the matter and it was finally decided by vote, in presence of Rt. Rev. Bishop Ward, to leave the church at the old place opposite the cemetery.
In 1910 Rev. Father Fitzgerald succeeded Father O'Sullivan. The Rt. Rev. Bishop had given orders to build a new church and Father Fitz- gerald set to work to take up subscriptions and get the plans for the new building. \ rock church was decided on, fifty by one hundred and ten feet, Roman in style. The rocks were quarried three miles west of the church and the basement and foundations were finished in the summer of 1912. In the fall of 1912 the corner stone Was laid by Bishop Ward. A few months later on account of a defective flue the brick veneer house burned down and was replaced with a stone structure in harmony with the new church. The new church was finished and dedicated on May 10, 1916, by Bishop Ward. in presence of a large concourse of people from far and near, and assisted by twenty-two priests of the diocese.
St. Joseph's church stands as a monument which speaks to future gen- erations of the faith and devotion of the priest and the people who built it. The cost of the church and house was thirty thousand dollars. One hundred families belong to St. Joseph's church, one mile west of the small town of Lillis in Marshall county.
SUMMERFIELD PARISI.
The Catholic church known as the Church of the Holy Family, in Sun- merfield, was built in the same year that the town was built-1889. Father John Hurley, pastor of St. Bridget church, from which the Summerfield church was attended, was the first pastor and he it was who built the church. He attended the parish until his removal from St. Bridget about the year 1895. Rev. Patrick O'Sullivan succeeded him as pastor of St. Bridget and also attended the Summerfickl parish until the year 1907, when Rev. Clar- ence Bradley was appointed as the first permanent pastor. He attended the parish for almost two years, during which time he built the parish house. Rev. M. T. Hoffman succeeded Father Bradley until the year 1915. In the fall of 1915 Rev. E. R. Emblean was appointed pastor and is the present
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pastor. During his time he has purchased ground for a Catholic cemetery, for, until up to this time, Summerfield people had been using the cemetery in St. Bridget to bury their dead. The Summerfield parish consists of fifty families. Plans are being made now to build a new church to correspond to the means of the people.
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, AXTELL.
St. Michael's congregation was organized by Rev. Timothy Duber, O. S. B., and the church was built in 1883. Up to this time the scattered Catho- lics in and around Axtell attended service at St. Bridget, six miles north. From 1884 to 1886 Father Martin, O. S. B., and Father Rettle, O. S. B., attended to the flock.
In the year 1890 Father Hurley built the parochial residence and moved the church to a new site in the northeast part of town. In 1891 Father Bononcini built a small parochial school and procured a bell. In 1894, not having sufficient children, the parochial school was abandoned. From 1894 to 1898 Father Shields, Father Hiawalka and Father O'Sullivan had charge of Axtell. Father J. N. Burk was appointed pastor of Axtell in 1898 and remained for five years until in 1903, when Father Taton, the present pastor, took charge of affairs.
The first church ground was donated by Michael Murray in block 2, east of Barnes Hall. In 1890 the lots were sold and the church moved to a new site purchased from Mrs. Catherine Murray. It was during this time that A. P. Cetmer caused some religious disturbance among the citizens of Axtell.
In 1901 Rev. M. Burk began arrangements for the erection of a new church and in June of the same year purchased block 13 for a new church site. The foundation for the new church was laid in the spring of 1903 and the corner stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Bishop Lillis in May, 1904. Before the foundations were completed, Father Burk was removed. Father Taton, after some changes in the plans, finished the beautiful St. Michael's church in 1905. In 1909 Father Taton started the erection of a new parish house, which is the pride of the town. In 1913 the foundations were laid for a parochial school. The contract for the school and hall was let in the spring of 1917.
The parish has seventy families and is in good condition financially and spiritually. The Catholic cemetery dates back to the year 1886.
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
ST. MONICA'S. WATERVILLE.
The first settler in and near Waterville came to that locality in 1856. twelve years or more before the railroad was built and the town laid out. The first pioneers, who were Catholics and located in that vicinity, were the Casey. Oliver and Smith families, who came in 1858. The nearest Catholic church was at Atchison, one hundred miles away.
A few years later. the pioneer priests followed the pioneer settler. Irish creek and St. Bridget received pastors and the neighboring towns and adjoin- ing counties were attended from there. It was not until 1866 or 1867 that Father Fitzgerald, of Irish creek, visited the settlement in the southwestern part of the county and celebrated the first mass at the Casey home, a mile east of the present Waterville.
.After the railroad came in 1868. services were held once a month in the Sexton house, which was occupied by Mr. Brady. In 1870, Father Pichler, of Hanover, attended Waterville for a time. Later, Waterville was annexed to Frankfort, Greenleaf, Parsons creek and Kimeo. Fathers Weik- mann. Hoffman and Groeters said mass on weekdays for many years. The services were hekt at the John Ready home west of town. From 1896 to 1808 no regular services were held. The chalice. vestments, candle- sticks, etc., were kept at the Ready residence.
In June. 1903, during the high water in the Little Blue river. a pretended Dominican priest, or brother, arrived in Waterville, and stayed a few days at the home of Mrs. Ready. On leaving. he asked Mrs. Ready for the mis- sion articles, and she having full confidence in his being a priest. let him have them. This supposed Dominican was never heard of again. and thus every vestige of the earliest missionary life at Waterville disappeared.
On February 10, 1908, a meeting was called by Rev. August Redeker. of Marysville, to consider the proposition of erecting a church. At this meeting there were present : Isidor Schmieder. R. Ready, Henry Mentgen. George Casey. Joseph and Phil. Tommer, John Stengelmeier. James Real. Mrs. Kiefer and Mr. and Mrs. George Swanson. Three hundred and seventy- five dollars was subscribed and three building lots were bought.
On August 3. 1908, mass was celebrated at the George Casey home, and a meeting was held for the consideration of plans for the new church. About forty members were present at this meeting. a subscription list was headed by Isidore Schmieder with five hundred dollars, and one thousand six hun- dred and seventy-five dollars was subscribed at this meeting.
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
CHURCH ERECTED.
The plans of Architect Wilson Hunt, of Kansas City, Missouri, for a frame structure, thirty-five by seventy-five feet, were adopted; the contract for the foundation was let to George Casey for four hundred and twenty- eight dollars, for the framework to Orin Ivers, of Axtell, for three thousand one hundred dollars. The building was completed in 1909. and on August Ist of that year Rev. Francis Elast was appointed the first parish priest for Waterville and missions, who soon raised money enough to build a parish house, which was completed in the fall of 1909.
The church and parish house were not dedicated until May 2, 1911, by the Rt. Rev. John Ward. The church was given the name of St. Monica. Monica was the name of the mother of Isidore Schmieder, whose generosity made it possible to build the church. Next to Mr. Schmieder, Mrs. Eliza- beth Gleason deserves special recognition for her untiring efforts in behalf of this church.
In September, 1912, Father Elast was succeeded by Father M. O'Leary, who was followed in July, 1913, by Father David Hall, and in April, 1915, Father Hall was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. P. McInerney.
ST. ELIZABETH'S, IRVING.
The Catholic congregation at Irving is the youngest of all the Catholic congregations in the county. When the Catholic church in Waterville was being built in 1909, the Rt. Rev. Thomas Lillis requested the Rev. A. Redeker, of Marysville, to organize or build or buy a church at Irving and unite the Catholics at Springside in Pottawatomie county and those near Irving. The time for this work did not arrive until 1912.
On August 28th, 1912, Rev. August Redeker conducted services at the Bohemian settlement, eight miles southwest of Irving, in place of Rev. F. Elast, their regular pastor. Rev. A. Redeker spoke to the members of St. Wenceslaus parish about moving the church to Irving or to build a new church at that place. Two weeks later he conducted the services again and a vote was taken by the members upon the question; it was voted not to move .St. Wenceslaus church. Thereupon, the plan to build a new church at Irving was taken up. Two lots were generously donated by the late James Denton and two lots by a lady at Irving. The lots selected were those on Main street, one block from the business section. The subscription
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
list was headed by Herman Fegner, with five hundred dollars, and more than two thousand four hundred dollars was subscribed in a short time.
At a meeting in the residence of John Forest, it was decided to adopt the Waterville church plan with some modifications, and Herman Fegner, John Forest, and Mr. Wacek were appointed a committee. In October and November, 1912, the members hauled the sand gratis from the river and dug the basement and built the foundation of the new church. In the meantime, Father M. O'Leary had been appointed pastor and took charge of the building of the church.
CHURCH BUILT.
The church was to be a frame structure, thirty-six by seventy-five feet, and the contract was let to Mr. Skillen, of Frankfort, Kansas. The church was built in the winter and spring of 1913.
On Thursday, June 5. 1913, in the presence of a large gathering of people, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Ward, D. D., assisted by a dozen priests, dedi- cated the church to the service of God. The church was given the name of St. Elizabeth, in compliment to H. Fegner's mother, whose name was Eliza- beth. This privilege was granted him because of his being the largest donor to the new church. The congregation consists of twenty-five families. attended regularly from Waterville.
In the fall of 1913, Father O'Leary was succeeded by Rev. David Hall. In April, 1916, Father Patrick McInerney took charge of the congregation. paid off the debt and put the congregation on a solid financial basis.
ST. MALACHY'S, BEATTIE.
In the pioneer days the Catholics who lived in and near Beattie attended services at St. Bridget and Irish creek in this county. In the year 1879. Father William Fitzgerald, pastor at Irish creek, organized the Beattie con- gregation. . At that time the following Catholics lived in or near Beattie; Mrs. A. Wuster. P. Smith, Nicholas Orr. P. O'Niel. D. R. Cottrell, J. O'Neil. P. Pitsch, P. Finnigan, J. Gardner, Thomas Koenig, Thomas McMahon, James McDonald, James Fitzgerald, P. McMahon, John Kraemer, G. Koch, Mr. Renger. R. Cosgrove and O. Heandley.
In 1879 a ten-acre tract of land was bought for a cemetery, north of Beattie. The next year Father William Fitzgerall, with the aid of the above mentioned persons and their families, began the erection of St. Mal-
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
achy's church. The lots on which the church was erected were donated by Mr. and Mrs. James Fitzgerald, the brother of Father William Fitzgerald. The building cost about three thousand dollars. Before the church was com- pleted, Father Fitzgerald died on November 29, 1881. Father Bernard Hudson completed the church and took charge of the congregation for a short time after the death of Father Fitzgerald. Father Daily succeeded Father Hudson in 1882 and had charge of the congregation until 1883, when Beattie was attached to Marysville and Father M. A. Meile took hold of affairs. In September, 1885, Father Meile, on account of ill health, resigned, and Father John Hartman succeeded him. From August 14, 1886, until 1895, Rev. M. J. Schmickler attended Beattie twice a month from Marysville. In September, 1895. Beattie was attached to Axtell, as a mission in charge of Father F. S. Hawelka until January, 1898, when Beat- tie was attended by Father P. R. O'Sullivan, of St. Bridget, for several months.
From May, 1898, until 1903, Father M. Burk, of Axtell, had charge of the congregation. In August, 1903, Father Francis Taton began the erec- tion of the parish house and upon its completion Beattie was given its first resident pastor, Father M. J. Galvin, October 12, 1907. August 4, 1910, Father Galvin was succeeded by Father J. J. Ryan, who was compelled to leave on account of ill health and was followed by Father H. A. McDevitt, March 13, 1914. He labored as pastor of Beattie until March 8, 1916, when the present pastor, Father Theol. P. Schwam, took charge.
ST. BRIDGET CHURCH AND PARISH.
The first settlement of St. Bridget parish was made in 1857, when Philip Coffey, Owen Reilly, Elizabeth Hoffman, Eli Tripp and Jacob Straub headed westward in search of homes, and like all early settlers, the one thing most necessary was timber to build their dwellings, shelter for stock and for fuel. Hence, the first settlements are found in the timbered sections of the county.
In 1858 the following persons and their families settled in St. Bridget : John Coughlin, Michael Shaughnessy, Peter Lynch, John Smith, Michael Murray, Patrick Hughes, Thomas Loob, Michael Maddigan. Between 1858 and 1861 came Patrick McGrath, James Carroll, John Gossin, Sylvester Creevan, John Clark and Bernard Gallagher and formed the nucleus around which gathered the present Catholic community.
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
The hardships endured by these pioneers were many and severe, but the truly charitable spirit and the indissoluble bond of brotherhood had so united them in their efforts, that the burden of one was the burden of all and no sacrifice was too great in their efforts to alleviate the suffering of a neighbor in sickness or distress.
FIRST MASS.
The one great hope of this Irish colony had not as yet been realized. They had no church and no priest to preach to them the gospel of truth, so firmly planted in their minds and hearts in the land of their birth. But their hopes were brightened when in May, 1859, Father Edmond, a mission- ary, said the first mass in St. Bridget in the home of John Coughlin, and it is generally believed that was the first time the holy sacrifice of the mass was offered up in Marshall county.
As each new settler arrived, the homes of those who came before were thrown open and he and his family were invited to share their humble abode until such time as he could provide a shelter, which was done by the neigh- bors gathering together, cutting and hauling the logs and helping build the house. Another family, another home, was added to the little colony, and as one old settler remarked, "How the people of St. Bridget should love each other for the kindness of those days."
In 1862 the first church organization was affected under the direction of Father John, O. S. B., who made his home at St. Benedict, and visited the parish from time to time. A charter was taken out with the following charter members: John Gossin, John Clark, Peter Lynch, Michael Maddi- gan, Michael Murray, William P. Madden and James Carroll. A log church was built, but before it was completed it was burned. supposed to have been done by incendiaries.
FIRST FRAME CHURCH.
In 1863-64 the first frame church was built on the site where the ceme- tery now is, but afterwards moved to where the present church stands. This building also served as a school house for many years. The first resident priests in St. Bridget were: Father William Fitgerald and Father Fogerty. During their stay, from 1865 to 1869, they built a parish house, which was destroyed by fire in 1869.
From 1869 to 1871 the parish was attended by missionaries. In 1871
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ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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INTERIOR OF ST. BRIDGET CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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INTERIOR OF ST. GREGORY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
ST. GREGORY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, MARYSVILLE.
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KANSAS.
Father Suitberth, O. S. B., from Atchison, became resident priest and began the erection of the stone church, thirty by sixty feet, which was completed in 1875. Patrick Hughes donated the stone used in the church, each men- ber hauling one cord; Phillip Coffey donated the plastering, James Carroll and Jolin Stohl did the mason work.
In 1876 and 1877 the parish was attended by Fathers Eugene, Theo- docis and Boniface. In 1877 Father Timothy took charge of the parish. remained until 1883 and during his stay erected a twelve-room parish house at a cost of three thousand dollars, which is now used for a sisters' house. Too much could not be said in praise of this pious, zealous man, who was ever striving for the moral and social uplift of his parish. Brother Lambert served as his housekeeper and spent much of his time in the care of the grounds, which he converted into a veritable flower garden. From 1883 to 1884 Father William Bettele was in charge and in August. 1884. Rev. John Hurley took charge, remaining until February, 1896, a period of twelve years. Then came Father Patrick R. O'Sullivan, in 1896, and remained until 1908.
BRICK BUILDING ERECTED.
Father O'Sullivan was an earnest and faithful worker. By his efforts he succeeded in building the present handsome brick church, fifty by one hundred feet, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars, the pride of the parish and a monument to the self-sacrificing pioneers of St. Bridget.
Before the church was quite complete Father O'Sullivan was moved to Lillis and Rev. P. R. McNamara was sent to take up the work where Father O'Sullivan left off, which he did by plastering the church, installing beautiful stained glass windows and interior furnishings. The new church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Lillis. September 3, 1909. Father McNamara remained until 1910, when Father Geinetz was appointed. serv- ing one year. In 1911 Father McManus was appointed and during his stay he established the sisters' school in St. Bridget, which is giving the children the advantage of a two-teacher school. also the opportunity of a musical education, which is not easily obtained in a rural community.
In 1913 Rev. Michael O'Leary took charge, serving until 1916. Dur- ing his stay in St. Bridget he erected a modern parish house at a cost of four thousand dollars. In 1916 Father Murphy took charge and is now the resident priest.
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MARSHALL COUNTY, KIVSIS.
This sketch of St. Bridget would be incomplete without mention of that patriotic Irishman. Thomas Ilynes, who came to St. Bridget about 1865. Mr. Hynes was a graduate of St. Benedict College, Atchison, and served as teacher in our schools for several years. He was foremost in every public enterprise and had charge of the mail route in this section of the country for several years. About 1877 he moved to Axtell and engaged in the drug business.
Michael Murray, one of the charter members of the church, conducted a general store in St. Bridget from 1865 to 1877, when he moved to AAxtell to continue the business there. Murray township was named for Michael Murray.
One of the pioneers worthy of mention is Michael Maddigan, who before his death willed one hundred and sixty acres of land to St. Bridget parish, to be used for the benefit of the church.
ANNUNCIATION PARISH, FRANKFORT.
The history of Annunciation parish dates back to the early days of 1880, when the first humble church was erected by Rev. Father William Fitzgerald, then resident pastor of St. Joseph's church on Irish creek. The parish then numbered about seventeen families. The church was attended by the priests from St. Joseph's church up to the year 1888, when Rev. Father P. Kloss was placed in charge of the Frankfort parish. In the year 1889. Father Kloss erected a parish house, but in the year 1890 the Frank- fort and Irish creek parishes were again united. the priest residing at Frank- fort.
The priests who have had charge of the parish at various times are the following: Fathers William Fitzgerald. Bernard Hudson. J. Daly. . A. M. Meile. William Stack. John Begley, John Ward ( now bishop). P. Kloss. T. Butler. Sylvester Mechan. A. W. Jennings, William Michel, F. Kulicek. Francis Orr and C. A. Bradley.
In the year 1900. Rev. Father Michel being pastor, the first church building was disposed of, and a larger church erected on a site east of the original location. The corner stone of this building was laid on Sunday, July 15, 1900, by the pastor, Father Michel. The church committeemen then in office were Matt Perll. Thomas Ryan. James Gregg and Daniel Sulli- van. The building committee was William Gregg and C. T. Hessel. The estimated cost of this second church was three thousand six hundred and fifty-four dollars. The parish then numbered about forty families. Rev.
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Father Francis Kulicek was appointed rector of Annunciation parish in the year 1902, and while in charge, also tended the Bohemian mission church, seven miles south of Irving.
FIRE DESTROYS CHURCH.
On November 4th, 1905, the church erected in 1900 was destroyed by fire, together with all equipment and furniture, not even the Blessed Sacra- ment being saved. The parish house built in 1889 was also destroyed in this same fire. Father Kulicek was then transferred to Kansas City, Kansas, and Father Michel was instructed by the bishop to erect another church and residence, while services were to be conducted by a Benedictine Father, from Atchison, for the time being. The contract price of the new church was four thousand three hundred dollars, and the amount for the residence was two thousand six hundred and seventy dollars. The four thousand three hundred dollars did not include the foundation of the church, which was to be a duplicate of the one built in 1900. The corner stone of this third church was laid on the 30th of March. 1906, by Rev. William Michel, and on the building committee were C. T. Hessel, William Gregg, Michael Griffin and John A'Hern. Alfred Meier, of St. Joseph, Missouri, was the architect in charge and Joseph Trompeter, of Effingham, Kansas, had the contract for all work. Immediately upon completion of the two buildings, which was about September, 1906, Rev. Francis M. Orr was appointed by Rt. Rev. Bishop Lillis, as pastor of the parish.
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