Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I, Part 93

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 93

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Maryland shared abundantly in the enthusiasm which had already set one- fourth of the adjacent populations in motion towards the west. The Catholics who settled in Kentucky, came principally from this state, which had been founded by Lord Baltimore, and a band of colonists professing the Roman Catholic religion. Bold, hardy, adventurous and strongly attached to their faith, but tolerant towards those of other denominations, the Catholic emigrants to Kentucky, proved not unworthy of their ancestors, who had been the first to un- furl on this western continent, the broad banner of universal freedom, both civil and religious .* They cheerfully underwent the labors, privations and dangers,

* Bancroft in his History of the United States, (Vol. I. Maryland), awards this praise to the Catholic colonists of Maryland; and so do our other historians, passim.

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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF, THE

to which all the early emigrants were exposed ; and they made common cause with their brethren in providing for the security of their new homes in the wil- derness, and in repelling Indian invasions. Several of their number were killed or dragged into captivity on their way to Kentucky ; others passed through stir- ring adventures, and made hair-breadth escapes.

The first Catholic emigrants to Kentucky, with whose history we are ac- quainted, were Dr. Hart and William Coomes. These came out in the spring of 1775, and settled at Harrod's station. Here Dr. Hart engaged in the practice of medicine; and the wife of William Coomes opened a school for children. Thus in all probability, the first practising physician and the first school teacher of our infant commonwealth were both Roman Catholics. A few years later they removed with their families to Bardstown, in the vicinity of which most of the Catholic emigrants subsequently located themselves. Previously to their removal, however, they were both actively employed in the defence of Harrod's Station during its memorable siege by the Indians in 1776-77. William Coomes was with the party which first discovered the approach of the savages; one of his companions was shot dead at his side; and he made a narrow escape with his life.

In the year 1785 a large colony of Catholics emigrated to Kentucky from Maryland, with the Haydens and Lancasters, and settled chiefly on Pottinger's creek, at a distance of from ten to fifteen miles from Bardstown. They were followed in the spring of the next year, by another colony led out by captain James Rapier, who located himself in the same neighborhood. In 1787, Thomas Hill and Philip Miles brought out another band of Catholic emigrants, and they were followed in 1788, by Robert Abell, and his friends ; and in 1790-91, by Benedict Spalding and Leonard Hamilton, with their families and connexions. The last named colonists settled on the Rolling Fork, a branch of Salt river, in the present county of Marion.

In the spring of the year 1787, there were already about fifty Catholic families in Kentucky. They had as yet no Catholic clergyman to administer to their spiritual wants : and they felt the privation most keenly. Upon application to the Very Rev. John Carroll, of Baltimore, then the ecclesiastical superior of all the Catholics in the United States, they had the happiness to receive as their first pastor the Rev. Mr. Whelan, a zealous and talented Irish priest, who had served as chaplain in the French navy, which had come to our assistance in the struggle for independence. He remained with his new charge till the spring of 1790, when he returned to Maryland by the way of New Orleans.

After his departure, the Catholics of Kentucky were again left in a destitute condition for nearly three years ; when they were consoled by the appearance among them of the Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin, who was sent out as their pastor by bishop Carroll, of Baltimore, in the year 1793. This excellent, learned, zealous and indefatigable religious pioneer of our state, still lingering in venera- ble old age above the horizon of life, labored with unremitting zeal among the Catholics of our state for more than thirty years, and even after this long term of service, though worn down with previous exertion, and induced to travel and take some relaxation for his health, he still continued to work at intervals in the vine- yard which he had so dearly loved and so long cultivated.

His adventures and hardships would fill a volume; and the varied incidents of his remarkable life cannot even be alluded to in this brief sketch. Wherever there was sickness or spiritual destitution ; wherever error or vice was to de eradicated, and virtue inculcated; wherever youth was to be instructed and trained to religious observances ; wherever, in a word, his spiritual ministrations were most needed, there he was sure to be found laboring with all his native energy, for the good of his neighbor. Difficulties and dangers, which would have appalled a heart less stout and resolute, were set at naught by this untiring man. He traversed Kentucky on horseback hundreds of times on missionary duty ; and he spent nearly half his time in the saddle. Through rain and storm, through hail and snow; along the beaten path and through the trackless wilderness, by day and by night, he might be seen going on his errand of mercy: often for years together, alone in the field, and always among the foremost to labor, even when subsequently joined by other zealous Catholic missionaries. He was intimate with the most distinguished men of Kentucky in the early

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times, and his politeness, learning, affability and wit, made him always a wel- come guest at their tables.

When he first came to Kentucky in 1793, he estimated the number of Catho- lic families in the state at three hundred ; he has lived to see this number swell to more than six thousand. When he first entered on this missionary field, there was not a Catholic church in the entire commonwealth, and there were few, if any, Catholic schools; in 1846, there were more than forty churches, besides a great number of missionary stations, about forty Catholic priests, one religious establishment for men, two colleges for young men, four female religious in- stitutions, eleven academies for girls, five or six charitable institutions : besides an ecclesiastical seminary, and some minor schools. The entire Catholic popula- tion of the State, in 1846, was estimated at thirty thousand.

After having remained alone in Kentucky for nearly four years, Rev. M. Badin was joined by another zealous Catholic missionary, like himself a native of France ; the Rev. M. Fournier, who reached the State in February, 1797. Two years later-in February, 1799, the two missionaries were cheered by the arrival of another, the Rev. M. Salmon, likewise a Frenchman. But these two last named clergymen did not long survive the arduous labors of the mission. M. Salmon after a serious illness contracted by exposure, was suddenly killed by a fall from his horse near Bardstown, on the 9th of November, 1799; and the Rev. M. Fournier died soon after on the Rolling Fork, probably from the rupture of a blood-vessel.

Their places were filled by the Rev. Mr. Thayer, a native of New England, who had once been a Congregational minister in Boston, but had from convic- tion become a Catholic, and had been promoted to the ministry in our church. He arrived in Kentucky in 1799; having been sent out, like the rest, by bishop Carroll, of Baltimore, the venerable patriarch of the Catholic church in America ; and he remained in the State till 1803. After his departure, M. Badin was again left alone for about two years,-until the year 1805.

This year is memorable in our religious annals, as marking the arrival among us of one among the most active and efficient of our early missionaries-the Rev. Charles Nerinckx, a native of Belgium, who, like many others of our first mis- sionaries, had been compelled to leave Europe in consequence of the disturbances caused by the French Revolution. Strong, healthy, robust, and full of faith and religious zeal, he was admirably suited to endure the hardships necessarily con- nected with our early missions. He shrank from no labor, and was disheartened by no difficulties. He labored without cessation, both bodily and mentally, for nearly twenty years, and he died on a missionary excursion to Missouri, in 1824. He erected in Kentucky no less than ten Catholic churches, in the building of which he often worked with his own hands. Two of these were of brick, and the rest of hewed logs.

For many years he had charge of six large congregations, besides a great num- ber of minor stations, scattered over the whole extent of the State. Like M. Badin, he spent much of his time on horseback, and traveled by night as well as by day. On his famous horse Printer, he very often traveled sixty miles in the day ; and to save time, he not unfrequently set out on his journeys at sunset. He often swam swollen creeks and rivers, even in the dead of winter; he frequently slept in the woods : and on one occasion, in what is now Grayson county, he was beset by wolves during a whole night, when he was saved, under the divine pro- tection, by his presence of mind in sitting on his horse and keeping his persecu- tors at bay by hallooing at the top of his voice. Exact in enforcing discipline, he was more rigid with himself than with any one else. He cared not for his bodily comfort, and was content with the poorest accommodations. He delighted to visit the poor, and to console them in their afflictions; while children and ser- wants were the special objects of his pastoral solicitude.

In order to promote female piety and education, this good man founded the Sisterhood of Loretto, in April, 1812. The objects of this establishment were ; to enable those young ladies who wished to retire from the world, and to devote . themselves wholly to prayer and the exercises of charity, to be useful to them- selves and to others, by diffusing the blessings of a Christian education among young persons of their own sex, especially among the daughters of the poor. They were also to receive and rear up orphan girls, who, if left on the cold char- ities of the world, might have gone to ruin themselves, and have become an

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occasion of ruin to others. The institution succeeded even beyond his most san guine expectations. Within the twelve years which elapsed from its establish- ment to the death of its founder, the number of sisters who devoted themselves to this manner of life had already increased to more than a hundred ; and they had under their charge more than two hundred and fifty girls, distributed through six different schools, besides many orphans, whom they fed, clothed, and educated gratuitously. The institution now reckons about one hundred and eighty mem- bers ; and besides the mother house, which is at Loretto, in Marion county, it has eight branch establishments, five of which are in Kentucky, and three in Mis- souri. All of these have female schools attached to them, in which young ladies are taught not only the elements of English education, but also the varied accom- plishments which fit them for the most refined society.

In the spring of the year 1806, a new band of Catholic missionaries came to Kentucky, and established themselves at St. Rose's, near Springfield. They were the Rev. Messrs. Edward Fenwick,* Thomas Wilson, Wm. Raymond Tuite, and R. Anger ; the first a native of Maryland, and the three last Englishmen. They were all of the order of St. Dominic. They took charge of a considerable por- tion of the Catholic missions, and labored with great zeal and efficiency in the vineyard. Connected with their institution were a theological seminary and a college for young men, both of which continued to flourish for many years.

About a mile from St. Rose's, there was also established, at a Jater period, the still flourishing female institution of St. Magdalene's, conducted by sisters of the third order of St. Dominic, which has now a branch establishment at Somer- set, Ohio. This latter institution, the permanent establishment of which is mainly due to the enlightened zeal of Bishop Miles, of Nashville, has done great good in promoting the diffusion of female education among all classes of our population.

In the fall of the year 1805, the Trappists came to Kentucky with the Rev. Urban Guillet, their superior ; and they remained in the State, at their establish- ment on Pottinger's creek, near Rohan's knob, for about four years, when they removed to Missouri, and subsequently to Illinois. They were a body of religious monks who devoted themselves to fasting and prayer, and lived retired from the world. They were, however, of great assistance to the infant Catholic missions of Kentucky, not only by the influence of their prayers and good example, but also by their efforts to promote education, especially among the children of the poor. They established a school for boys, in which manual labor and instruc- tion in the mechanical arts were combined with a religious training and the teaching of the ordinary rudiments of an English education.

In the year 1811, the Catholics of our State were cheered by the arrival among them of their first bishop, the Rt. Reverend Dr. Flaget, who had been consecrated in Baltimore by Bishop Carroll, on the 4th of November of the previous year. This venerable missionary pioneer, now in his eighty-fourth year, had been already in the west, having been stationed for two years at Post Vincennes, as early as 1792, shortly after his arrival in the United States from France, his native country. When he passed Cincinnati in that year, there were only four rude cabins in this now flourishing city ; and Louisville was but little farther ad- vanced. How different is the entire west now, from what it was on occasion of his first visit, or even on that of his second in' 1811 ! What was then an unre- claimed wilderness, filled with wild beasts and still fiercer savages, is now a smiling garden of civilization.

We cannot attempt to write even a rapid sketch of the life and labors of Bishop Flaget in Kentucky, during the last thirty-six years ; a volume would be neces- sary to do full justice to his excellent and admirable character. The incidents of his life are familiar to all the Catholics of the State; while the many benev- olent and literary institutions he has reared, are the best monuments to his mem- ory. Suffice it to say, that he has ever blended the active benevolence and charity of the Christian missionary with the amiable politeness of the accom- plished gentleman. He had and still has a multitude of warm friends, even among the dissenting communions : he never had one enemy.

Among the companions of Bishop Flaget, when he came to take up his

"Subsequently the first bishop of Cincinnati.

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permanent abode in Kentucky, were the Rev. J. B. M. David, and the Rev. G. J. Chabrat-the latter not yet a priest; both of whom afterwards were succes- sively appointed his coadjutors. The latter was the first priest ordained by Bishop Flaget in Kentucky.

The Rev. Mr. David, or, as he was familiarly called, Father David, was con- secrated bishop in the newly dedicated cathedral of Bardstown, on the 15th of " August, 1819 ; and he died on the 12th of July, 1841, in the eighty-first year of his age. He was the founder of the theological seminary of Bardstown, and of the order of Sisters of Charity, in Kentucky. In the former institution, founded in 1811, were educated most of the clergymen now on the missions of Ken- cucky, many of them under his own eye. The society of Sisters of Charity was commenced at St. Thomas, four miles from Bardstown, in November, 1812; and the number of its meinbers increased apace, until it was soon able to send out new colonies to different parts of the State. The society now has four branch establishments under the general supervision of the parent institution at Naza- reth, near Bardstown; it has more than seventy-five members; it educates annually about five hundred young ladies, and has charge of an infirmary and orphan asylum, in the latter of which there are at present about seventy orphan girls, rescued from want, and trained to virtue and learning.

Among the most zealous and efficient deceased Catholic clergymen of our State, we may reckon the Rev. William Byrne and the Rev. G. A. M. Elder ; the former an Irishman, and the founder of St. Mary's college, in Marion county ; the latter a Kentuckian, and the founder of St. Joseph's college, in Bardstown. These two institutions, which have continued to flourish ever since, and which have been of immense advantage to the cause of education in Kentucky, stand forth the fittest and most durable monuments to their memory. Having been for many years bound together by ties of the closest Christian friendship, they were both ordained together in the cathedral of Bardstown, by Bishop David, on the 18th of September, 1819.

As an evidence of the unconquerable energy of these two men, we may re- mark, that the two institutions which they respectively founded, and in the welfare of which they felt so lively an interest, were both reduced to ashes under their very eyes,-St. Mary's college at two different times ; and that they were immediately rebuilt by their founders, who, far from being discouraged by the afflicting disaster, seemed in consequence of it to be clothed, on the contrary, with new vigor and resolution. No difficulties terrified them ; no obstacles were deemed by them insurmountable. The State never contributed one dollar to either of these institutions, nor were they erected by the wealth of their founders or the liberal contributions of individuals. The persevering industry and untir- ing energy of two men, wholly unprovided with pecuniary means, and yet deter- mined to succeed at all hazards, built up, rebuilt, and maintained those two institu- tions of learning. They and their associates asked no salary, no worldly retribu- tion for their labors ; and the entire proceeds of the institutions thus went towards paying the debts contracted for the erection of them. So great was the confi- dence reposed in the two founders by all classes of the community, that they had credit, to an unlimited amount ; and it is almost needless to add, that not one of their creditors ever lost a dollar by the trust reposed in their integrity and ability to meet all their liabilities.

The Rev. William Byrne died of the cholera, at St. Mary's college, on the 5th of June, 1833 ; and his friend followed him on the 28th of September. 1838. The latter died at St. Joseph's college, of an affection of the heart, which he had contracted many years before, while a student at Emmetsburgh college, Maryland. Both fell victims of their zeal in the discharge of the duties of their office ; both died in the arms of their dearest friends, in the institutions which they had reared, and which they left behind them as their sepulchral monuments.

Here we must close this hasty and imperfect sketch. The narrow limits by which we were confined, prevented us from speaking of several other things wor- thy of notice in our religious history ; while we have on purpose abstained from saying much of those who are still living, whose biographies will be more ap- propriately written when they shall be no more.

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-The foregoing sketch of the early Roman Catholic Church in Ken- tucky was written in 1846, by the late Martin J. Spalding, then Bishop of Louisville. We republish it, without change. R. H. C.

Statistics and Growth of the Roman Catholic church in Kentucky : In 1793, number of Catholic families in the state

300

In 1846,

6,000

and a population of about 30,000-with 40 priests, 40 churches, and a number of mis- sionary stations, 5 religious institutions, 2 colleges for males, 11 academies for girls, 6 charitable institutions, and an ecclesiastical seminary.

1850.

1860.

1870.

No. of organizations in Kentucky ..

...... 130

No. of churches ...

...... 125

No. of accommodations or sittings 24,240

44,820

.. 72,550

Value of church property . $336,910 .$695,850 ... ... $2,604,900

In 1870, its church property exceeded in value that of any other denomination ; in the number of churches and church sittings, it was the fifth.

There are two dioceses and two bishops in Kentucky-Right Rev. Wm. McCloskey, D.D., Bishop of Louisville, and Right Rev. A. M. Toebbe, D.D., Bishop of Covington.

Right Rev. BENEDICT JOSEPH FLAGET, first Bishop of Louisville, mentioned on the second page before this as still living in 1846, in his 84th year, was born Nov. 7, 1763, in Auvergne, France, and died in Louisville, Feb. 11, 1850, in his 87th year.

Right Rev. JOHN McGILL, D.D., Bishop of Richmond, Va., was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 4, 1809; in his childhood, his parents emigrated to Bards- town, Ky., where the son graduated with distinction at the College of St. Joseph ; studied law ; practiced at Bardstown, then at New Orleans, but re- turned to Kentucky ; studied theology ; was ordained a priest, June 13, 1840, by Bishop David ; spent some time at Rome in study ; returned to Kentucky, and entered upon missionary life; became distinguished as a controversialist ; was for a time editor of the Catholic Advocate ; pastor at Lexington, Ky. ; appointed Bishop of Richmond, and consecrated, Nov. 10, 1850, by the Arch- bishop of St. Louis; for twenty years, took an active part in the Councils of Baltimore; was an earnest member of the great Council of the Vatican. He died, Jan. 14, 1872, aged 62.

Most Rev. MARTIN JOHN SPALDING, seventh Archbishop of Baltimore (see portrait in group of Kentucky clergymer), was born near Lebanon, Marion co., Ky., May 23, 1810; his parents were natives of Maryland, and descend- ants of the Catholic Pilgrims of Maryland, who established civil and religious liberty under Lord Baltimore. He graduated, in 1826, at St. Mary's College, when 16 years old-having been, when only 14, the tutor of mathematics ; spent four years at St. Joseph's College, Bardstown, in studying theology, and in teaching in the college; four years at Rome, 1830-34, at close of which he publicly defended, for seven hours, in Latin, 256 propositions of theology, and was rewarded with a doctor's diploma, and ordained a priest by Cardinal Pediana ; 1834-43, pastor of St. Joseph's College, then its president, and again its pastor ; called to the cathedral at Louisville, 1843-48; did much laborious missionary work; 1848, was consecrated Bishop of Lengone in partibus and coadjutor to Bishop Flaget, whom he succeeded as Bishop of Louisville, 1850-64; was distinguished as a writer and reviewer, as a pulpit orator, and as a controversialist and champion of the Catholic faith; was one of the editors of the U. S. Catholic Magazine, and author of "Sketches of the Early Catholic Missions of Kentucky," "Life and Times of Bishop Flaget," " Review of D' Aubigne's History of the Reformation," " Miscellanea,' and " Lectures on the Evidences of Christianity"-all published in 5 vols., 8vo .; June, 1864, in presence of 40,000 spectators, was installed seventh Archbishop of Baltimore; convened the Second Plenary Council of Balti- more ; distinguished himself at the @Ecumenical Council of the Vatican at Rome, in 1869-70; on his return, received public honors, at Baltimore and Washington; during his archiepiscopate, erected many new churches, estab- lished new schools, founded and endowed noble works of charity, and wore himself out in labors for his flock. He died at Baltimore, April 21, 1872.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

BIBLE SOCIETIES IN KENTUCKY.

THE founders of the Commonwealth and the pioneers of the gospel in Ken- tucky were alike profoundly impressed with the importance of the Bible and of Bible truth to the welfare of the State and the formation and growth of good society. This faith was early shown by corresponding works; and steps were taken to organize societies for the general circulation of that book which is at once "the palladium of liberty and the standard of righteousness."

In England was formed, in 1804, the "British and Foreign Bible Society," the first in the world with the exclusive purpose of circulating the Bible with- out note or comment. As early as 1796, the "Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge," among other objects of usefulness embraced in its workings, had published an edition of 10,000 Welsh Bibles, besides smaller lots previously issued. The dissemination of these produced valuable results, and developed destitution beyond anticipation. A Welsh missionary named Thomas Charles appealed to that society for more, but without much success. He then essayed an edition by subscription, but failed in this also. In 1802 he went to London, and after various suggestions, proposed to organize a so- ciety for the purpose of furnishing Bibles for Wales. He found sympathizing friends-one of whom, a Baptist minister, Rev. Joseph Hughes, wrought up to enthusiasm by the simple earnestness of Mr. Charles, cried out, "Certainly ; and if for Wales, why not for the world ?" The idea was acted upon; and on March 7, 1804, in London tavern, about 300 persons-including Quakers, who till that time had never acted but in one instance with other Christian sects-met and organized the "British and Foreign Bible Society," with a president and other officers, including an executive committee of 15 Church of England laymen, 15 dissenting, and 6 foreigners, and a subscribed fund of $3,500; the members were to pay a guinea annually, and have a discount on Bibles. The first edition ordered was 20,000 Bibles and 5,000 Testaments, to supply Wales-so intensely delighting the Welsh population, that they drew the first load by hand through the city, with great rejoicing. Auxiliary soci- eties, both at home and on the continent, were gradually formed.

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I, Part 93

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452