History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 88

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 88

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CARLTON.

The Evangelical Church (the first in the vil- lage) was organized in 1873, by Rev. C. S. Brown. Mr. E. Switzer and wife, Joseph Dep- pin and wife, Father Deppin and wife, and others, were among the first members. The society owns a church and maintains a good Sunday School, numbering about sixty, and the number of church members is about forty. The officers are C. Switzer, J. D. Crane, John Remberger.

A. H. Scheurer is the present pastor. The outlook for the future is fair.

PORT CREEK.

The Evangelical Church was organized in 1871. Father Langs and wife, Enoch Langs and wife, Mother Walter, Will Chamberlain and wife, Murray Chamberlain and wife, were among the first members. A good Sunday School is maintained, the number of attend- ants being about fifty. The number of church members is about thirty. Enoch Langs, Wil- liam Langs, John Carter and W. Carter are the officers.

BERLIN.

The Evangelical Church was organized by J. W. Loose; is at present a small society num- bering about twenty members, among whom are Clark Mckenzie and wife, Mr. Wallace and wife, Mr. Reynolds and wife, Mr. Root, etc.

SOUTHI ROCKWOOD.

In 1884 Hon. John Strong made a very gen- erous offer to the Evangelical Church, donat- ing a good lot and giving a large amount of money for a church edifice, which was built in due course of time. At the present writing Rev. A A. Scheurer is in the midst of a glori-

ous revival. Many are turning unto the Lord. The prospects are that a society of forty to fifty members will be organized.

A Sunday School of number about one hun- dred is maintained.

SUMPTER.

In 1889 a society was organized by the Evangelical Church, with some thirty mem- bers, Peter Scheurer being the pastor, with William King as assistant.

THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF MONROE.

In 1837, Mr. George Bruckner, a very enter- prising, courteous and intelligent gentleman, came from Bavaria with his family to Monroe, and upon his invitation, other Bavarian Lu- theran families emigrated thither. In the fall of 1844 seventeen families had made their per- manent homes in Monroe through his influence. For several years they remained united in one church, the religious services being conducted by Rev. Frederick Smith, who came every eight weeks; later, every six weeks, from Ann Arbor. The congregation desiring a min- ister of their own, they sought and received aid from Prof. Winkler, of Columbus, Ohio, who sent them a temporary supply from the Lu- theran seminary in that city. Soon after sev- eral missionaries arrived from Bavaria, and among the number, after some deliberation, Rev. William Halsted was invited to become the pastor on condition of conforming with all the tenets of the Lutheran Church. In Sep- tember, 1844, he was duly ordained pastor of the church at Monroe. He visited immediately every family of his congregation, and others ; acquainted himself with their spiritual condi- tion, which was sadly needing discipline. He organized the congregation, dividing into three districts, all under one head, comprising all the German Lutherans in the county.

In 1844 the first election of church officers took place. G. A. Baumann, Andrew Hoff- man, William Brunner and G. Gussenbauer, were duly elected trustees.

On the 10th of November, 1846, the three districts were reunited in one, under the name of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Monroe.

Emigration during 1846 was very active, and membership rapidly increased. Soon after

515

THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.

the ordination of Mr. William Halsted he united with the Lutheran Synod of Michigan ; remained a member thereof until 1846, when, with several other ministers, severed their con- nection therewith, for the reason the Synod had received to its membership a minister who had openly refused to conform to all the rules and tenets of the Evangelical Church. His subse- quent union with the Synod of Missouri caused dissatisfaction in his congregation; he was requested to omit some of the ceremonies con- nected with communion service, and to return to the Michigan Synod. Refusing to comply with their requests twenty families left his church ; charges were preferred which resulted in following the advice and suggestion of his board of trustees, and giving up the church building and grave yard, thereby putting an end to their controversies.

In 1847 another departure occurred. Seven families left the church, and they being strength- ened by a number of new arrivals, organized the Zion parish in opposition to the wishes of Mr. Halsted.

In 1846 two new congregations were organ- ized, one south and the other north of Monroe, the three congregations embracing ninety families, of whom only sixteen were in the city. On the 26th of August, 1847, the church south broke off all connection with the Synod and the minister and church here, leaving only some seventy or eighty families attached to the original church; and this division led to two organizations in the city, the second congrega- tion occupied the brick church - formerly Presbyterian - on Cass street.

In 1849 the Trinity- Lutheran -- Church was organized and a lot purchased for a build- ing, on Scott street, where Trinity Church now stands, and which was dedicated August 10, 1852, embracing at the time fifty-four families. The same year the Sandy Creek Church was fully organized with a clergyman of their own, the Rev. H. Lewke as pastor. After the divi- sion in 1847 Trinity Church numbered, or was attended, by three hundred and thirty souls ; from 1848 to 1849 there were three hundred and ninety-five souls ; from 1849 to 1850 there were four hundred and twenty souls ; from 1850 to 1851 there were four hundred and fifty souls ; from 1851 to 1852 the number of souls were five hundred; from 1852 to 1853 there were four hundred and thirty souls. The falling off in

the number of those attending the church at this time was owing to the organization of the Sandy Creek Church. From 1853 to 1854 there were four hundred and fifty : 1854 to 1855 the number of souls was five hundred. At the present time the number of families attending the church is about one hundred and twenty, and the number of persons seven hundred. In 1855 there were forty-six baptisms. Thus the Rev. Mr. Halsted gathered a large con- gregation, composed principally of Germans who were born in Europe. But at this time his church numbers many who have grown up in this country, and this number must rapidly increase.

I recognize among our German population but few who were here previons to 1844, at which time Mr. Halsted commenced his labors. Among those who arrived previous to that year I may mention the oldest resident Ger- mans, Frederick Walderf, Frederick Keiser and Mr. Lemly; there are perhaps a few others whose names do not occur to me. In the fall of 1848 his congregation purchased land for a grave yard and commenced preparations for a church building; the corner stone was laid May 7, 1849 ; completed in August, 1852, situated on Scott street, receiving the name of the Holy Trinity Church. In 1853 the cemetery was enlarged. In 1854 the church lost several members from the cholera. In 1855 several members of the Catholic Church united with the church and it gradually increased in num- bers. In the same year the labors of Dr. Hal- sted were decreased by the addition of a school teacher, Mr. Solomon Simon, who faithfully performed his difficult work. In 1857 seven- teen families united with the church, and sev- eral were expelled for unruly conduct, and several for having joined secret societies, which was contrary to the rules of the synod. In 1860 the church was enlarged by a twenty- five feet addition on the east end, and a bell and new organ purchased.

A large number of young men from this church responded to the call of their country in 1861 for the suppression of the rebellion, thirty of whom were numbered among the killed.

Solomon Simon was, from 1865, for a num- ber of years associated with Rev. Mr. Hal- sted as a teacher, and the prosperity of the church and school was such as to require an

516

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

additional assistant to Mr. Simon. In 1869 funds were raised to meet the demand for room, and a large two-story brick building was erected near the church. On the twenty- fifth anniversary of Mr. Halsted's pastorate, a very substantial expression of the esteem in which he was held was given, in which the en- tire congregation and neighboring congrega- tions commemorated the day with appropriate festivities.

The Rev. William Halsted, after a very successful pastorate of forty years, entered into his rest on the 22d day of March, 1884, From March, 1884, to August, of the same year, the Rev. Mr. Trautman, of Adrian, ministered to the church, until August 3, 1884, when the Rev. Carl Franks was installed pastor and still continues to act as such. Within the past year a very substantial brick building has been erected east of the church building, at a cost of $1,500, for a library and gym- nasium for the scholars of the school, number- ing now one hundred and forty-six, and two teachers. The communicants now number four hundred and fifty-five.

THE ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Was organized in 1847 (colonized from the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Monroe) by Rev. Mr. Duenser. It purchased the brick church, corner of First and Cass street, pre- viously built by the First Presbyterian Church of Monroe. The site of the brick church has given place to a parsonage and two-story brick parochial school, and in the year 1883 the con- gregation purchased the lot and erected a very spacious and elegant brick church, on the corner of Cass and Second street, at a cost of $7,000. The Rev. Duenser was succeeded by Revs. Rudolph, Diehl, Mutchell, Kiengman, Lutz, Fontain, Raiple and the Rev. J. M. Eipperle, last of whom was installed October 27, 1889. The present number of communi- cants, five hundred ; and the number of scholars in attendance upon the parochial school is ninety-eight.

EMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH

Colonized from Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Monroe, and organized under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Diehl in 1856, who was succeeded by Revs. August Herzberger,

Charles Luberkert, K. D. Widmann, Louis Kribz, August Michaelis, Ludwig Dammasum, Charles Fred. Seitz. The present pastor, Rev. C. Hohls, commenced his pastorate September 23, 1889. The church built in 1856 a frame church on the corner of Front and Scott streets, which is still occupied with an addition on the east side for school purposes. The members of the first council were: Henry Peters, Peter Matter, Conrad Rapp, Philip Keiser and Con- rad Kasselmann. The membership is ninety, scholars in attendance at parochial school, forty.

THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ZION CHURCH OF OTTAWA LAKE

Was organized October 16, 1861. The consti- tution was signed by Frederick Beckshoeft, John Pepper, John Falkenhagen, John Schuh- mann, Carl Jacobs, William Schroder, Ernst Ruwaldt, John Kading and Fritz Jacobs.

A lot was purchased for twenty-five dollars, and church erected at a cost of $3,600, which was completed and dedicated July 17, 1887. The property now being worth, including the church with a seating capacity of fourteen hundred, a school building and pastor's resi- dence, the sum $5,000.

The first minister was the Rev. William Kroenke, who ministered to this church from November 10, 1861, to November 16, 1868. He was followed December 16, 1868, by the Rev. Conrad Ide, who remained until May 3, 1874. Rev. G. A. Schieferdecker was called May 3d, and remained until October, 1875, when the present pastor, Rev. L. C. Schober, took charge, the membership during this time having in- creased from nine to ninety families, the annual expenses of the church being about $1,000. A parochial school was opened by the Rev. Kroenke, which affords instruction to about forty children.

ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH AT WHITEFORD CENTER

Was organized September 27, 1867, with the following members : John Schroeder, George Denni, Leonhard Schmidt, Christian Beschoff, Carl Carrsichr, Christian Strigow, Caroline Beschoff, Claus Grotto.

A lot was purchased for fifty dollars and a church, with a seating capacity of two hundred persons, and costing about $1,700, was built and dedicated September 16, 1888.

517

THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.

The pastors have been the same as at Otta- wa Lake, of which it was a mission. The present membership is thirty-five, and the an- nual expenses two hundred dollars.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHIES OF MONROE COUNTY.

COPY OF FIRST APPLICATION FOR A PRIEST.

First Assembly of Catholic Citizens at the River Raisin. Registered in my office in the Book: No. 1, on pages 288 and 289. Peter Audrain, Clerk.

Before me, and in presence of Mr. Frichette, priest and pastor of the Parish of St. Anne, at Detroit, the undersigned here to-day assembled to comply with the views of Monseigneur, the bishop, namely, that the inhabitants of the new settlement on the River Raisin should agree for chosing a convenient place for a parsonage, and to buy of Mr. Montigny one acre and two rods of land, for the sum of four hundred francs, and also one-half acre as a free gift from Joseph Hivon; said land to serve as a monument to the Lord.

On these one acre and a half and two rods shall be built the church, the presbytery and enclosure, and the said land shall belong to the pastor or his successors. Hoping that thus we will meet the views of Monseigneur we will commence with the presbytery, which, with the help of the Lord, will also serve as a chapel. We hope and wish that meanwhile Parson Frichette will visit our settlement, the weather permitting, and honor us with the holy sacra- ments, which we will beg to deserve, and we promise to him the customary tithes.

In the expectation that Monseigneur will approve of our undertaking, and that he will have us participate of the grace and indul- gence, we sign our name or mark to-day, the 15th of October, 1788. Jean X Dubruil. Louis X Ledux.

T. Britier Benac. Gabriel X Godfroy.

Louis Gallaine.

Baptiste X Dronillard.

Charles D. Chabert.

Joseph Bordeau. - Degeme. Louis X Suzor. Baptiste X Couture.

Antoine X Campau.

Paple X Couture, fily.

Charles X Cauline.

Joseph X Dronillard,

Francis X Jeandron.

Margaret X DeBaptiste.

Baptiste X Lapoint.

Jean Baptiste X Bissonette. Crisophorn X St. Louis.

Pierre X Joncco.

Jean X Dusaux.

Bazil X Cousino.

Gabriel X Bissonette.

Joseph X Pouget.

Alexis X Lovel.

Etienne X Jacob.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST. ANTHONY,

Now known as St. Mary's, was organized Oc- tober 10, 1788, by Father Frichette. It was situated on the Momeni farm, two miles west of the present site, and on the north side of the river. It was then considered a central point in the settlement, and four hundred francs was paid for the land ; the adjoining one-half acre was donated by Joseph Ilivon. The first church building was not well adapted to the needs of the society, and in a dilapidated con- dition in 1843 was taken down - its crumbling remains are still to be seen. Most of the Can- adian settlers were very poor, and for many years were visited by Jesuits and missionaries of other religious orders, who never received any compensation for their labors from them, and were sustained by voluntary contributions from France. They were too often neglected by tardy aid from abroad, and by those unac- customed to give of their flock, who neglected that divine precept so flagrantly that the poor priests were obliged to leave.

Father Frichette was succeeded by Rev. Father Antoine Gouiletz, who remained from April to July, 1788, and then returned to Kentucky. He was succeeded by Rev. Ed- mund Burke, who remained but about two years. The members obligated themselves for the support of the church to give one-twenty- fifth part of all they harvested from their farms, and each individual member was to de- liver one cord of wood at the pastoral resi- dence.

Father Levadoux succeeded Father Burke, and continued pastor until 1802. During his residence his people promised to pay the same amount of wood, and each individual, for his support, was to pay four per cent. of receipts. Father Dilhet succeeded Rev. E. Burke, and during his pastorate the Bishops of Baltimore and Quebec visited St. Mary's and confirmed one hundred and ninety persons. Father Dilhet made many unsnecessful attempts to erect a church, and left in the spring of 1805.

Baptiste X Tailland. Louis X Devaux.

- Cicott.

Ceyamani X Navar.

Jean Louis X Lazoiness. Jean lais X Sourdilat. Pierre X W. Lee. Joseph X Menor.

Jaques X Gagnier.

Francis X Labaux.

Rosella X Dronor.

Bean X Jo Bean.

Jaques X Prudone.

Joseph X Bissonette.

518

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

He was succeeded by Rev. Gabriel Richard in October, 1805, who, until 1827, ministered to. the church in an able and energetic manner, giving aid to, and obtaining aid from the Gov- ernment for those who had been rendered poor by the desolations of the war, and though from time to time he received assistance from other priests, he had the supervision of the church for nearly thirty-two years.

During the ministry of Father Richard it be- came his duty, according to the rules of the church, to excommunicate one of his parish- ioners, who had been divorced from his wife. The man prosecuted him for defamation of char- acter, in Detroit, and obtained a verdict of $1,000. This money the poor father could not pay, and he was consequently imprisoned in the com- mon jail, but just before this event, in 1823, he had been elected a delegate from the Territory of Michigan to Congress, and went directly from his prison to the floor of Congress.

Father Richard was a man of great benevo- lence and executive ability, and a very accom- plished gentleman. He died in Detroit Sep- tember 13, 1832. From 1828 Father Vincent Badin presided over the congregation, and a church situated on the old fair grounds was built. It was subsequently used by the Irish Catholics, and ministered to by his brother, Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin, who was Vicar. General of the Diocese of Baltimore, then, how- ever, of Cincinnati.

Father Samuel Smith became pastor in July, 1829, and was followed in 1831 by Father Cummings, who remained but a few years. Rev. Father Carabin came from the church of Erie to Monroe, and during his administration the large brick church was built - commenced in 1834, and entirely completed and conse- crated in the absence of the Bishop in 1839, by Father Kundig, who recently died in Milwau- kee, Wisconsin. From 1834 to 1836 Father McCosker had charge of the Irish church. Father Toussaint Santillis succeeded Father Carabin and remained until June, 1844, when Father Louis Gillet, of the Order of Redemp- torists, under whom the new sanctuary and honse, constituting the large addition to St. Mary's Church, was built in 1845. He was succeeded by Father Smoulders, of the same Order, in 1847, and Fathers Poirier and Francis were brother companions in the ser- vices, and remained until May, 1855. Rev.

Father Van Gennip and Father Henry Rievers came in November, 1855. Father Smoulders came in 1847, and during the eight years following that he remained he was tireless, and his work is still seen in the direct fruits it bore. Father Van Gennip had charge in 1856, and the following year he organized St. Michael's Parish for the German popula- tion. In 1857 Father Joos, became pastor of the historic St. Mary's. Active, energetic, zealous, his field of labor extended into all the surrounding county. Missions sprang up under him and schools were established. His per- sonal influence lent to his efforts and an im- petus was given which was felt in the whole community. In 1862 he started St. Mary's Academy, an educational institution which now ranks high as a ladies' school. Since its be- ginning he has been its director and has plan- ned and carried the responsibility of the erec- tion of buildings, and has constantly made im- provements in its courses of study and in its department work. As an assistant he after- wards had Father Camillus P. Maes, the pres- ent Bishop of Covington.

In 1872 the multiplication of Catholic fami- lies demanded still another parish. Father Maes organized St. John's congregation and built the present St. John's Church, of which Rev. Father Camillus P. Maes became pastor. At St. Michael's Church has officiated for the past twenty-five years, Father Schmittdiel, a De- troiter by birth. His work has been unremit- ting, his zeal undimmed and the results accom- plished have been manifold. Over St. Mary's Father Bernard Soffers, long pastor of old Ste. Anne's in Detroit, now officiates, as zealous and efficient as in his younger days.

Father Soffers, the present pastor, who has done much to improve the appearance of the church and grounds, built a fine rectory in the rear of St. Mary's, and at the centennial cele- bration of the church, showed marked executive ability and artistic talent. Father Joos, in 1877, was appointed Vicar-General of the Diocese of Detroit, the duties of which he has performed with acknowledged credit and ac- ceptance. The esteem in which he is held throughout the State may be inferred from the fact that his name was, at the time the succes- sor of the Right Rev. Bishop Pelei Paul Lefevre was elected, one of the most prominent con- sidered.

THENEW PUBLIC LA ARY.

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

Co.foos V.S.

519

THE CHURCHES OF MONROE COUNTY.

On Sunday, December 2, 1888, the recently elected Bishop, the Right Rev. Bishop Foley, made his first visit to Monroe, and the hearty greeting which he received surpassed any re- ception ever received here, though famed as are the people of our beautiful Floral City for hospitality.

On November 28, 1889, the one hundredth anniversity of the dedication of the first Catholic Church of Monroe was celebrated by the unvailing of a monument to commemorate the event. The monument consists of a mas- sive block of granite, suitably inscribed, upon which stands a white imported marble statue eight feet in height, representing the Record- ing Angel.

A very large assembly was present to wit- ness ceremonies. Bishop Foley and nearly all the prominent Catholic clergy in Southern Michigan participated.

Bishop Foley made an elegant address, con- trasting the first visit of a bishop of the church to dedicate the log church, two miles west of Monroe. At that time the county was a wilderness, and the nearest bishop was at Quebec, and to dedicate the little log church he made the journey in a canoe propelled by two Indian guides. Contrasting it with the three large and flourishing parishes - St. Mary's, St. John's, St. Michael's, which, with the convent of the Sacred Heart, one of the principal Catholic institutions of the State, which are monuments of the untiring zeal and faithful labors and business management of Monseigneur Edward Joos.

MONSEIGNEUR EDWARD JOOS,

The son of Bernard and Mary (De Weird) Joos, was born April 9, 1825, at the village of Somergen, East Flanders, Belgium. His early education was received in the parish schools of Somergen, in the Flemish and French langu- ages. Until at the age of thirteen he went to the College of Thielt in West Flanders, where he received a classical education, and in 1843 entered the Ecclesiastical Seminary of Ghent, where he studied philosophy and theology for five years, and on June 17, 1848, was ordained in the famous Cathedral of St. Bavo. He ex- ercised the ministry for two years in Wach- tebeke, East Flanders, and in the city of

Eecloo for seven years. He came to America in 1856, and was at once assigned to Old St. Anne's Church in Detroit, where he remained until November, 1857, when Right Rev. P. P. Lefever, Bishop of Detroit, sent him to Mon- roe to take the charge of the French and Eng- lish congregation at St. Mary's Church, and also having charge of the numerous missions in the county, and in which capacity he served in the vineyard of the Lord for fifteen years. Father Maes, now Bishop of Covington, Ken- tucky, was sent to assist him in his arduous duties in 1870, when he gave his services as director of St. Mary's Convent, under the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In 1873 Father Maes organized St. John's Church for the English, and the Rev. B. G. Soffers (whose assistant Monseigneur Joos was in 1856), was appointed pastor of the French portion of St. Mary's congregation. When the Right Rev. Bishop Borgess, of De- troit, went to Rome in April, 1877, Father Joos was appointed administrator of the dio- cese with the title of Vicar-General. Again, in April, 1887, on the resignation of Bishop Bor- gess, he was called to the same position, in which he served until November, 1888, when Bishop Foley succeeded to the bishopric.

In all the several positions with which he has been honored, his duties have been performed with acknowledged ability and acceptance to his superiors by whom he is held in esteem, and who have bestowed on him many tokens of their friendship and regard. Bishop Foley, on his accession to the See of Detroit, appointed him as Vicar-General of the Diocese. His faithful services have not been overlooked by the Papal authorities in Rome, as in January, 1889, the Pope raised him to the dignity of a Do- mestic Prelate to His Holiness, Pope Leo XIII, which last honor makes him one of the family of His Holiness the Pope.

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History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 88

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York, Munsell & company Number of Pages: 882

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882