USA > Maryland > A Century of Growth [electronic resource] or, the history of the Church in Western Maryland > Part 3
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in the heavens, where a star of special beauty went out when Edward Brennan died."
During Father Brennan's pastorate he had as assist- ants Fathers Didier, Dolan, Barry, Rabbia, Hendricks, Carey, Damer, Ryan, Sartori, Mattingly, Stanton and Wunder. Of his many assistants, Father Stanislaus Ryan is the best remembered. He was stationed at St. Patrick's from Octo- ber, 1871, to 1878. He is now pastor of the Church of the Immacu- late Conception, Wash- ington City.
Reverend James Mc- Devitt was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's in 1884. He remained REV. STANISLAUS RYAN. in Cumberland a very short time; his congre- gation were only becoming well acquainted with him when he was removed to St. John's Church, Baltimore. Rev. Joseph S. Gallen was assistant to Father McDevitt.
By a fortunate accident or providential design, Cum- berland was destined to be blest for twelve years by another Father Brennan. His Grace, Archbishop Gib- bons, of Baltimore, appointed Rev. Michael J. Bren- nan successor to Father McDevitt. The selection was
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a wise one, not only because the very name of Bren- nan had become a venerated word in Cumberland, but also because the young Father Brennan was a man of known ability. He had already given evidence of great steadiness of purpose and discreet zeal, which foreshadowed much for the advancement of God's Church. Father Brennan was a native of Allegany County, having first seen the light of day in Mt. Savage. He grew up in Frostburg. Early in life, young Brennan was enrolled at St. Charles' College, from which institution he graduated with high honors. He studied philosophy and theology in St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, where he was ordained by Rt. Rev. Dr. Becker in the year 1875. His first appoint- ment was in Southern Maryland; here he contracted typhoid fever. After his recovery, he was stationed at St. Patrick's Church, Baltimore, in the capacity of assistant priest, but was soon promoted to the pastor- ate of St. Peter's Church, Westernport. While attend- ing a sick call on the mountains he contracted a severe cold, which developed into pneumonia and rheumatism. Father Brennan took charge of his Cumberland con- gregation in October, 1886. During the twelve years of his administration he was assisted by Fathers Wun- der, Elbert, Stanton. Johnston, Duszinski and Gal- lagher. In the summer of 1888, the Brothers of Mary, who had charge of the boys' schools, and the Sisters of Mercy, who instructed the girls in St. Edward's Academy and the parochial school, returned to their respective homes; and in the following September, the Sisters of
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St. Joseph, of Ebensburg, Cambria County, Pa., on the invitation of Father Brennan, came to Cumberland, and took charge of both boys' and girls' schools. This move on the part of Father Brennan was not deemed expedient by some of the most influential members of his congregation. It was with much reluctance they allowed the Brothers to leave Cumberland; but when they saw the Sisters of Mercy going away, feeling ran high in the parish ; many openly expressed their dis- approval, and some few denounced the move with bitter censure. It required no ordinary degree of prudence and firmness in the young dean to successfully execute his contemplated plans. Here is the state of affairs as Father Brennan saw them. The parish could not support two schools; the rolling mills had shut down ; hard times were threatening Cumberland; many of the most generous contributors to his parish were moving to Homestead, Mckeesport and Pittsburg; therefore Father Brennan wisely decided to lessen the running expenses of the parish by dismissing the Brothers and putting both schools under charge of the Sisters. He had no thought of dismissing the Sisters of Mercy from the parochial schools; on the contrary, his intention was to have the Sisters take charge of the boys as well as the girls. Here came the clash. The Superior of the Sisters informed the Rev. Pastor that their rule did not perinit the Sisters to teach in boys' schools, and that they could not deviate from the established order of their community. As a consequence of this decision, it became necessary
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for Father Brennan to call to Cumberland a community of teachers who were willing to take charge of all the parochial schools. These facts were not known to the congregation; or, if known, were not fully understood by
VERY REV. M. J. BRENNAN.
many. Time, which touches all things with mellow- ing hand, has softened the bitterness of this conflict ; the erroneous impressions and misunderstandings have gradually given place to peace and tranquillity. The whole affair, therefore, began and ended without any-
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body's fault, or, at all events, without any grave or intentional fault.
In 1892, Father Brennan had the interior of the church frescoed, the exterior painted, and the new heating apparatus installed. He had many improve- ments in contemplation, his parish being in excellent financial condition, when he was suddenly, and all too soon, stricken down by his old enemy, pneumonia. He died July 2, 1898, in the forty-ninth year of his age and the twenty-fourth of his priesthood.
" Brief, brave and glorious was his young career, His mourners were two hosts, his friends and foes; And fitly may the stranger, lingering here, Pray for his gallant spirit's bright repose."
Father Michael Brennan was a man of great pru- dence and marked ability. He thought long and care- fully before acting, and throughout his whole career he relied on his own taste and judgment, imitating no one and employing no advisers; putting his own ideas into practice with an unconquerable firmness bor- dering on stubbornness. Though dignified and re- served, he was easily approached, and always affable; an absolutely punctual man in business relations, stern and inflexible in official relations. He possessed very little of the magnetism required for popularity, though he had a really good, kind heart, to which thousands did honor after it had ceased to beat.
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Naturally, many comparisons have been drawn be- tween the two Fathers Brennan. Much may be learned by contrasts; and it does not necessarily follow that the comparison of these two excellent priests must be injurious to either, as the strong points of each charac- ter may thereby be brought out more clearly. What a singular contrast. they present! They were alike in this-that both were zealous, holy priests, cultivating at different times the same spiritual vineyard; both equally earnest in endeavoring to save souls. But the elder Father Brennan had more heart, the younger, more head; the elder, more tact; the younger, more talent; the elder was a fair type of the old Irish priest; the younger, a sturdy type of the American priest. In personal appearance they were strangely unlike: Father Edward Brennan, slender and active; Father Michael Brennan, corpulent and rheumatic; the countenance of Father Edward Brennan, kind almost to weakness ; the countenance of Father Michael Bren- nan, strong almost to fierceness. The former, though in appearance a delicate man, was in reality compara- tively healthy; the latter, though in appearance a robust man, was in truth always delicate; the former was constantly receiving sympathy because he looked weak; the latter never received sympathy because he looked strong. Father Edward Brennan, on account of his kind heart, was impulsive, and often made mistakes; Father Michael Brennan, on account of his clear head, acted with cool deliberation and never made a mistake; Edward Brennan was kinder, but
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Michael Brennan was a safer man. While the former was more loved in his day, the latter will in all proba- bility be longer remembered.
The century closes with Very Rev. Edward J. Wunder as pastor of St. Patrick's and dean of Western Mary- land. Father Wunder was born in Baltimore, January 22, 1852, and thirty years afterwards he was ordained priest in the Cathedral of his native city. He came to Cumberland as pastor of St. Patrick's in September, 1898; he had formerly been assistant in the same parish during the administration of both Fathers Brennan. During the interval he had been pastor of St. Bernard's Church of Baltimore, which had been erected through his zeal and labor. Since his arrival in Cumberland, Father Wunder has had the church so beautified that for general attractiveness it probably has no superior in the State, and few in the country. It is regarded by very competent critics as an artistic triumph. The improvements are after plans formu- lated by Father Wunder himself, and include a more commodious sacristy, which may be used by acolytes and clergy, a baptistry, marble altar-rail, three new marble altars, two side chapels, the tiling of the aisles, vestibule and sanctuary, and the general re-decoration of the walls and ceiling. The sacristies on either side of the sanctuary were removed, and the entire space across the church was thrown into a sanctuary. The main altar was moved slightly forward, so as to per- mit processions of clergy and acolytes to pass to the rear of the altar, when expedient in solemn ceremonies.
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The floor has been entirely renewed; the baptistry is a handsome one, supplying convenience, space, beauty and privacy. A feature of the improvement is the highly decorated panel ceiling. In the circular centre
VERY REV. E. J. WUNDER.
is a painting of Christ descending in a cloud, and on the four corners are the pictures of the evangelists. New pews of the latest pattern have been put in, and new, imposing windows, models of art and richness, are a climax to the many pretty effects that Father
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Wunder's renovation has made. The exterior of the church has been repainted in tints of terra cotta and yellow. With its massive columns, it retains many of the imposing effects of the best architecture of a half a century ago. The school buildings and St. Edward's Convent have also been renovated and en- larged with exquisite taste and sound judgment.
During the present administration a sodality of the Blessed Virgin has been established. It has already become a great power for good among the members of the congregation.
Father Wunder is a pious, prayerful, spiritual priest; an earnest, business-like administrator; a cultured gentleman, venerated by his own congregation, and highly respected by all denominations. He is a very worthy successor to the great pastors who have gone before him, none of whom could say more truthfully than Father Wunder: "I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth."
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ARTICLE III.
STS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH.
The Catholic Church is remarkable for her wonder- ful adaptability to every age and every country; her very Catholicity implies that she must be capable of fitting herself to all circumstances in which she may find herself, no matter how extraordinary they may be. This truth is beautifully exemplified in the found- ing and growth of Sts. Peter and Paul's German con- gregation. In the year 1732, a pious Italian bishop, St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori, a man renowned for his sanctity and learning, established the Congrega- tion of the Most Holy Redeemer. He impressed on his priests as their chief work the preaching of mis- sions, in order that they might save the souls of the most neglected and destitute of God's poor chil- dren. St. Alphonsus himself was an indefatigable worker, having made the almost unheard-of and most- difficult-to-be-observed vow "never to waste a moment of time." He was a profound theologian, whose specialty was moral theology; and the dominant characteristic ,of his moral theology was kindness towards the sinner. The words of St. Paul to the Corinthians, "Charity is patient, charity is kind," may be said to be an epitome of the life and theology of St. Alphonsus. "For my part," he used to say, "it gives me ten times
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more pain to refuse absolution than to give it." Again, "I think I can never show kindness and gentleness enough to the sinner." This is the man whose spirit dominates the Redemptorist Fathers.
Exactly one century after the establishment of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, in the year 1832, three Redemptorist Fathers landed on the shores of the New World, and soon afterwards began their apostolic labors in the city of Baltimore. The German Catholics, who were rapidly increasing in America, were sadly in need of priests of their own nationality. Archbishop Whitfield saw this and deplored it; he accordingly received the three strangers, Father Tschen- hens and his two companions, with open arms. Here was a grand field for the Sons of St. Alphonsus, and in it they labored with most assiduous zeal. The day the Redemptorist Fathers set foot on American soil was a blessed day for Catholicity in Western Mary- land. As early as 1840 German Redemptorists began to visit Cumberland to attend the spiritual wants of the German-speaking Catholics, not only of the little city, but also of the whole neighborhood.
Their journeys to the mountains were made three or four times a year. Leaving Baltimore on Friday, they drove in their own carriages along the National Pike, remaining in Cumberland over Sunday, and starting homeward again on Monday morning. Each trip consumed at least five or six days, was necessarily expensive, and fraught with many dangers. This in- convenient mode of travel was naturally abandoned
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after the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was built and passenger trains were running on reasonably regular
MOST REV. SAMUEL ECCLESTON.
time. As the number of German Catholics increased, the desire of having their own priest grew stronger and stronger. Mr. Michael Wiesel, a prominent Catho-
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lic gentleman, was deputed by the Germans to go to Baltimore and explain their wishes to His Grace, Archbishop Eccleston. Mr. Wiesel made known the meaning of his errand, told His Grace that it was the intention of the German Catholics to erect a church
MR. MICHAEL WIESEL.
and pastoral residence for one priest. The Archbishop answered: "I think you Germans will prosper better with several Redemptorists than with one secular priest," a most happy inspiration of the Holy Ghost. At once Archbishop Eccleston acted on his decision, and penned the following letter to Rev. Leonard Ober- meyer, pastor of St. Patrick's Church :
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STS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH.
BALTIMORE, MD., June 18, 1847.
Rev. and Dear Sir : -
Have the kindness to read and deliver the enclosed letter.
It is my wish to place all the German congregations in my diocese under the charge of the Redemptorists. There may be some little inconveniences in the employment of regulars, but, situated as the Germans are, a religious order offers to them and to me advantages that cannot be expected from other sources.
The "Visitor" of the Redemptorists has just arrived in Baltimore. I know not what course he may take in this affair. I pledge myself, however, most cheerfully to do my best to obtain for your good Ger- mans either a regular or a secular priest.
Meanwhile I leave it to your discretion whether they should com- mence building a church or not. The deed must be made to me and my successors in our corporate capacity. I would transfer to the Redemptorists only the use of the property, in case they take charge of the congregation.
Wishing you and your flock every blessing, I am, devotedly,
Yours in Christ,
SAMUEL, Abp. Baltimore.
REV. L. OBERMEYER,
Cumberland, Md.
Inclosed in the same envelope was another letter, addressed to Messrs. Wiesel and Gramlick, in which Archbishop Eccleston said :
Gentlemen :
I deem it a duty to you and to religion to use my best exertions to comply with your edifying petition to have a German priest for the spiritual wants of the Germans at Cumberland and in its vicinity. Should not the Redemptorists be enabled to place one at my disposal,
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I will look elsewhere. As soon as I receive a definite answer from the Superior of the Society above mentioned, I will apprise you of such measures as may promote your pious purpose.
I wrote to Rev. Obermeyer on this subject. Wishing you, gentlemen, every blessing, I am,
Your faithful servant in Christ,
SAMUEL, Abp. Baltimore. June 8, 1847.
Affairs moved satisfactorily. Father Obermeyer acted as chairman of a committee of German Catholics, who were formulating plans and arranging the prelimi- naries for the new parish. When the time was ripe for the coming of the Redemptorists, Father Ober- meyer informed His Grace, the Archbishop. He re- ceived, in return, the following letter :
BALTIMORE, MD., Dec. 4, 1847.
Rev. and Dear Sir :-
I have delayed answering your letter in consequence of the absence of the Rev. J. Neumann, Superior of the Redemptorists.
I had yesterday an interview with him. He cannot, at this moment, station a German priest at Cumberland, but he expects to be able . to do so in a short time. He will visit you after the Christmas holidays and have a further understanding.
Meanwhile let the good Germans go on with their church, if prac- ticable. The deed must be made in the name of the Archbishop and his successors. If the Redemptorists cannot furnish a pastor, I will do my best to get one from some other quarter.
Wishing you every blessing, I am,
Respectfully and truly your servant,
REV. MR. OBERMEYER.
SAMUEL, Abp. Baltimore.
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After the Christmas holidays Cumberland was visited by two illustrious Redemptorist Fathers, Hafkensheid and Neumann. The selection of the site for the new church was left to Father Neumann, who seems to have been charmed with the location of what had been Fort Cumberland in the French and Indian wars. The thought of turn- ing this scene of battle into a peaceful home of religion so delighted the saintly Neumann that he managed to purchase the plat of ground overlooking Wills Creek and the Potomac River. The plat is a little more elevated than old Fort Cumberland. and only a short distance from it. The deed was RT. REV. JOHN N. NEUMANN. drawn in the name of His Grace, the Archbishop of Baltimore. At once the good Germans began the foundations of their new church. Urged on by motives of religion, they labored valiantly, and as they wished to have the corner-stone solemnly laid on the Fourth of July, patriotism for their adopted country gave an additional stimulus to their labor. Their efforts were crowned with success, and, accord- ingly, on July 4, 1848, Archbishop Eccleston laid, with 4
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solemn ceremonies, the corner-stone of Sts. Peter and . Paul's German Church. His Grace preached the Eng- lish sermon, and Rev. Joseph Helmpreacht, C. SS. R., delivered an address in German. It is a fact worthy of note, and one to which Western Maryland Catho- lics can always point with a pardonable pride, that it was among the mountains of Allegany County the saintly Father John Nepomucene Neumann exercised his zeal when in his first fervor as a Redemptorist priest. . This venerable servant of God was born in Bohemia, March 23, 1811. He came to America when he was twenty-five years of age, having finished at home his preparatory studies for the priesthood, and was ordained on the year of his arrival in St. Patrick's Cathedral of New York. For four years he labored as a diocesan priest in the New York diocese, but feeling called to a life of more rigorous rule, he entered the Redemptorist Novitiate at Pittsburg in the year 1840. Father Neumann was the first Re- demptorist that made profession in this country. Two years afterwards he was made Superior at Pittsburg. In February, 1847, he was appointed Superior of all the Redemptorists of America. He had previously visited Cumberland and other missions of Western Maryland, often making the long and tiresome journey over the old National Road. Father Neumann was practically the first pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul's congregation. He planned both the church and the monastery. On March 28, 1852, he was consecrated Bishop of Philadelphia, in St. Alphonsus Church of
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Baltimore. As bishop he was humble, zealous, suc- cessful. He governed his diocese during the stormy days of Know-Nothingism, that period of sectarian ignorance and bigotry, when "the Gentiles raged and the people devised vain things, the kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together against God and against his Christ; but He that dwelleth in heaven laughed at them." January 25, 1860, Bishop Neu- mann, without any forewarning of illness, experienced a peculiar weakness; he hoped, however, to recover his wonted strength by taking a brisk walk in the open air. The venerable apostle had gone only a short distance, when he was so overcome that he fell fainting on the pavement. Tenderly he was raised and gently carried into the house before which he had fallen. Every effort was made to resuscitate him, but the light slowly receded from his eyes and his great soul was gone.
The fame of Bishop Neumann's wonderful sanctity, and the report of many petitions granted through his intercession, proved that he had the virtues of a saint and that he deserved the glory of a saint. Proceed- ings have been begun for his canonization ; depositions of many witnesses, distinguished for probity, learning and character, have been taken, forwarded to Rome and laid before the Congregation of Rites. It is prob- able that, before another century has passed away, Western Maryland will have a canonized saint, and some of the children of the present generation may appeal, in the authorized language of the Church, "St. John Neumann, pray for us." O blessed day, speed on!
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The good Germans had their new church well under roof before the end of 1848, but new difficulties were to be encountered and overcome. There was among them a "free church party," who wished no pew rents, but wanted the church supported by voluntary con- tributions. Archbishop Eccleston, hearing of the novel departure, settled the dispute by the following letter, addressed to the Very Rev. Provincial Hafkensheid:
BALTIMORE, MD., March 16, 1849.
Very Rev. and Dear Father :-
For reasons which I have frequently weighed, I cannot consent that the new German Church at Cumberland shall be organized and conducted on the principle of what is called "free church."
Very respectfully, your servant in Christ,
SAMUEL, Abp. Baltimore.
The first resident pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul's Church was Rev. Father Anthony Urbanszeck. He is remembered by the congregation under the abbre- . viated name of Father Urban. From 1849 to 1851 he had charge of the congregation. His companion was the plain, pious Brother Adam Parr. These two good Redemptorists not only were bound by the vow of poverty, but, if we can trust parish traditions, they sometimes felt the sting of actual want. Their monas- tery was the basement of the church, which served as school-room, residence, refectory and kitchen. Father Urban is still very well remembered as a man of piety
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and mortification, endowed with no ordinary ability as an organizer and an all-around excellent manager of a parish. When he arrived there was a debt of $5,600 on the church property. He set about the payment of the debt with courage and determination. Words of flattery were strangers to his lips, and he simply told the people in plain German that unless they went to work earnestly to assist him in his efforts and sacrifices, he would " shake off the dust from his feet " and let them take care of their debt and their church. This had the desired effect and the debt was paid. Father Urban built a comfortable dwelling in the form of a small brick monastery. As soon as the new monastery was completed, Redemptorist students be- gan to make their appearance in Cumberland. The good priest made arrangements for the purchase of the new cemetery. In April, 1851, Father Louis Dold became pastor. He paid for the cemetery, built the fine Gothic church tower, assisted the good Brothers in carving and erecting three magnificent Gothic altars. Father Dold established a parochial school, under charge of a lay teacher, as the parish was too poor to engage a teaching order. He also purchased the chime of bells, in which the new congregation naturally took a praiseworthy pride when first it rang in the resur- rection on Easter morning.
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