History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I, Part 43

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Jewett, Stephen
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, Jr.
Number of Pages: 892

USA > Minnesota > Rice County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 43
USA > Minnesota > Steele County > History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I > Part 43

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Rev. H. B. Whipple, who was pastor of the Free Church of the Holy Communion in Chicago, was elected Bishop of Minne- sota in June, 1859, and was consecrated to this service on October 13, 1859, at the St. James Church, in Richmond, Va. He visited Faribault in February, 1860. Here he found J. L. Breck, S. W. Manney and E. S. Peake, who had organized an associate mis- sion. Rev. Peake was in charge of the Gull Lake Indian mission. They then had the school in operation. The Bishop moved here with his family in May following.

The first records of the church are in relation to a meeting of the vestry on February 27, 1859, of the church of the "Good Shepherd." Mr. Syntell was in the chair and called the meeting to order when G. L. Frisbee was elected chairman. On April 5 the following named brothers were elected vestrymen: G. C.

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Tanner, Joseph A. Carter, S. W. Hinman, G. Y. Syntell and E. J. Crump, the latter being elected senior warden.

On February 8, 1860, a proposition was received from E. J. Crump offering land for a burial place, consisting of ten acres, at $30 per acre, Mr. Crump to donate $50 and retain a single lot himself, which was accepted.

When Dr. Breck left Faribault for California in 1867 he was succeeded in the Seabury Divinity School, after a term in which the Rev. James Dobbin was the acting warden, by the Right Rev. Elisha S. Thomas, and in the parish by Rev. George Washington Du Bois, after a brief rectorship by Rev. William J. Johnstone. In 1870 the Rev. George B. Whipple became rector of the parish, and when he returned to the Hawaiian Islands in the autumn of the same year he was succeeded by the Rev. Herman G. Wood, who had the rectorship until 1874, when Rev. Whipple again became rector, retaining the parish until his removal with the changing of St. Mary's Hall location in 1883 and during the greater part of 1884, when Rev. A. A. Abbott took his place. He was succeeded in 1880 by Rev. William Gardam, who was rector of the church the greater part of the time until 1896, when Rev. Charles Lewis Slattery became rector, remaining until 1908. In that year the Rev. George G. Bartlett became rector. The wardens of the parish are H. C. Theopold and J. R. Smith. The vestrymen are: Stephen Jewett, A. H. Bill, Lynne Peavey, William Kaiser, E. K. Clements, J. W. Parshall, J. W. Le Crone, George S. Watson and W. T. Mollison.

The Episcopal Church in Faribault is so closely connected with the several schools under their patronage, and the direction of the efforts of the clergy and laity has been so earnestly and closely devoted to their interests, that really the history of the one is the history of the other, and in the account of these schools will be seen at all points the hand of the church.

The rector occupies the beautiful deanery erected in the spring of 1898 as a gift to the parish by Mrs. Henry B. Whipple. The guild house of the parish was erected during the pastorate of Rev. William Gardam, as a memorial to the Rev. Geo. B. Whipple, at a cost of $13,000. The Bishop M. N. Gilbert memo- rial, which is an addition to the original guild house, was erected under the pastorate of the Rev. Charles Lewis Slattery, at a cost of $12,000.

Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour. The Cathedral, which is a gothic structure of stone, occupies a commanding position, facing the Central park. In the late sixties, when the project of building this architectural ornament in the See city was first broached, the Rev. Dr. Breck went east on a collecting tour and was gone nearly a year, securing between $11,000 and $12,000.

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The tower, which has since been completed, was at that time carried about half-way up the height of the church, but was completed in due time. The conseeration of the Cathedral was on June 24, St. John's Day, 1869, and among those present were : Bishop Kemper, of Wisconsin; Bishop Whitehouse, of Illinois; Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota ; Rev. Dr. Gear, of Minneapolis ; Bishop Armitage, of Wisconsin: Rev. Dr. Buel; Rev. Dr. Pat- terson; Rev. Dr. E. R. Welles; Rev. Dr. Knickerbacker, and Rev. Wilkinson, of Milwaukee. The services were impressive and there were several ordinations. It seemed appropriate that the consecrator should be the venerable Bishop Kemper, the first missionary bishop and the first bishop of this church to visit the territory of Minnesota. Said Bishop Whipple: "The greatest joy which has come to us is the completion of the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour. Its corner stone was laid seven years ago. We designed it to be the center of all our diocesan work. When we had means, we worked; when we had none, we waited on God in prayer. It has cost about $60,000. Most of the gifts came to us without the asking : some of the largest gifts from personal friends ; some from friends we have never met ; some from little children ; some from aged folk ; some the last gift of the dying; and many gifts are from those who are not of our church."

The first subscription for the Bishop Whipple memorial tower was offered in December, 1898. The tower was started in the spring of 1902 and completed the same year, at a cost of about $9,000. Mrs. Henry B. Whipple contributed the chimes in the tower at a cost of about $11,000. The beautiful deanery, which is also the gift of Mrs. Whipple, was erected in the spring of 1898.

The Shumway Memorial Chapel was erected in 1871 by Mrs. A. M. Shumway as a chapel for the students of Shattuck School. Since that date its doors have never been locked. Rev. James Dobbin, D. D., is its rector.

CATHOLIC CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.

Church of Immaculate Conception. Shortly after the settle- mient known as Faribault was begun. Catholic missionaries began to make visits to minister to the needs of those of Catholic faith and to preach to the Indians. They had not the many con- veniences that are now at the disposal of those making the same trip now for the same purposes. The trip was made by horse- back or a-foot. The earliest record of these pioneers of the church is that of Rev. Father Ravoux, who celebrated mass in the house of Alexander Faribault. This house was situated on

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or near the spot where the Polar Star electric plant is now located. This was about the year of 1854. The first marriage was that of Adolph Craig to Julia Paquin. Bishop Cretin was also a visitor of the little settlement and was accompanied by a student, Mr. Oster, now Monsigneur Oster, of Mendota, Minn. In 1856 a little frame building was put up for a church and was dedicated to St. Anne. In 1857 Father Ilurd came and on Sun- day, October 8, 1857, the church was burned. The church was not completed at the time of the fire, as the windows and doors had not been put in. After this mass was celebrated in George Faribault's house. When Alexander Faribault had completed his house (now part of School for Blind) mass was celebrated there in 1858 by Rev. George Keller. It was in this year that the building of a new church was considered. Alexander Fari- bault again came to the aid of the church. lle made a donation of a site and $1,000. Norbet Paquin and Gen. James Shields gave each $500 and work was commenced. Among others who helped in this work are found the names of Capt. Dennis Cava- naugh, Adolph Craig, Mr. Mathew, Sr., John Wall and Mathew Wall. The nationality of the parish was French, Irish and Ger- man, French predominating. Afterward the Irish became the ruling body of the church. During Father Keller's pastorate three sermons were delivered each Sunday-English, French and German. Father Keller was the first resident pastor and his parish was some twenty-five miles in each direction. It extended to twelve miles of Hastings, included Austin on south, Kilkenny on west and Wheatland on north. Incidentally he visited mis- sions at Rosemount, St. Mary's and Janesville. His first Christ- mas mass was celebrated in Faribault, the second in Shields- ville and third in Kilkenny. This gives an idea of the work done by Father Keller in one day. In 1859 Father Keller went south, returning next year and in 1863 he visited France. When he returned he was accompanied by Father Sales who assisted him here for two years.

In 1862 a company was organized in the parish and went to the front as Company H, Tenth Minnesota. This was com- posed completely of Catholics and before leaving attended mass in a body.

In 1869 Rev. F. D. Rivelle took charge of parish. In 1872 when the yellow fever was raging in the south, he went there to minister to needs of sufferers and fell victim to the dreaded disease. He died at Memphis, Tenn.

In 1872 Rev. Joseph Chave took charge and the same year built the stone school that has been supported by the parish ever since. His assistants were Father Beaumann who remained but a short time, and Father Stecke. In 1874 Father Chave died

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and was buried in Calvary cemetery which was purchased by parish in 1860 from Alexander Faribault. Next came Rev. Claude Genis who remained to 1882. During his time the church was remodeled and furnished. His assistants were in order, Father McLean, Father Duffey, Father Hayes. In 1882 Rev. Thomas O'Gorman, now bishop of Sioux Falls, S. D., came. During his charge the parish residence was built. In 1885 Rev. P. Donehy took up the work, assisted by Father Donovan, who remained only one year. After him Father Donehy's assistants were Father Welsh and Father O'Connell. When Father Donehy left for Washington Father O'Connell took charge of the parish. In 1889 Rev. James J. Conry came and remained to 1900. His work was hard. The parish was under a heavy debt and through his efforts it was paid off. His assistants were in order of coming, Fr. Edward Lee, Fr. James McDonald, Father Mose, and Fr. John Walsh. In 1900 Rev. J. J. Slevin, the present pastor, took charge with Father Walsh as assistant. On June 17, 1901, the church was totally destroyed by fire with a loss of $45,000, insurance of $11,000. Everything was gone of the beautiful church, the walls alone standing and the main altar which had somehow escaped the fire. The services were held in the Church of Sacred Heart and work commenced on a new church. The old walls being found secure. On March 9, 1902, the new church was opened. Father Donehy preaching the first sermon. The new church was more beautiful than the old, it being equipped with beautiful stained glass windows, marble altar rail and tiling in the sanctuary. The main altar is the old one rescued from the fire. The pews and wood work are of hard wood and beautiful. In 1904 the sanctuary was beautifully decorated in paintings and in 1906 a pipe organ was installed. In the basement of the church is a chapel dedicated to St. Joseph, and completely furnished. Also a meeting room for church societies. Since Father Walsh, the assistant priests in order were, Rev. R. V. Kennedy, Rev. P. C. Maloney, and Rev. Henry Cahill, who is here at the present time .- Thomas A. Mealia.

Bethlehem Academy. Faribault was not a very large place when the Sisters of St. Dominic first arrived in 1865, a little band headed by Mothier Mary Josephine. They first located in a stone building that they purchased from Mayor Fowler near Straight river. Here they started a boarding school and also taught school in basement of the church. In 1869 the sisters moved from there to a frame building on Second avenue and First avenue south in rear of the Church of Immaculate Con- ception. In 1875 they erected a three story. brick building on Third avenue and First street south. At this time Mother Ger- trude was in charge. In 1885 the school was incorporated under

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the name of Bethlehem Female Seminary, and was empowered to grant academic degrees. In 1900 a wing was built on the north of this building and in 1908 another wing was built on the south and a boiler house erected. Also in connection with the school is a cottage where those students who are sick are taken. This cottage is completely furnished with all that is found in any home. The grounds are beautifully parked and include nearly the entire block south of the property of the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The courses of study, beside elementary, are classical, scien- tific and English, normal and commercial. Art and music are also taught to a high state of perfection. The school had 113 young ladies enrolled last year besides many who took art work and music. The school is complete in every department and its graduates stood high in their work. Many becoming music teachers and many are enrolled in as teachers of the Rice county public schools.

School of Immaculate Conception. The members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception early saw the need for a school where secular and religious teaching go hand in hand. And so we find that a school was first established in the base- ment of the church. The teachers of this school at different times were: Brother Earnest, Martin Howland, D. F. McCarty, Mr. Bradish, P. Cudmore, Mr. Wall, Wm. Cahill, Mr. Conarty and Julia Fitzgerald. When the sisters came in 1865 they took charge of the school and it was held in the basement until 1872 when the present school was built. After this school was held in the new building and consisted of two rooms. In 1873 another room was opened and the schol was run smoothly for many years. Many of the business and professional men of the county today have studied within its walls under the guidance of the sisters.

One of the noted events of the history of this school was what was known as the Faribault plan. In 1891 Rev. James J. Conry, then pastor, proposed to the board of education of Fari- bault a plan as solution of uniting the parochial schools of the Catholic church with the public school system. The plan was sanctioned by Archbishop Ireland before Father Conry proposed it to the board of education. With that spirit of liberality and tolerance characteristic of people of Faribault, the board adopted Father Conry's plan. The sisters teaching in the parochial schools of the Immaculate Conception qualified as public school teachers and were employed by the board of education. The plan was adopted and the "Hill" school became a part of the public school system. The Faribault plan soon became a matter of continental interest and created world-wide discussion. The

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press, both religious and secular, and pulpit of every Christian denomination in the United States and in Europe engaged in spirited controversy. Archbishop Ireland supported the plan with vigor and ability, but was opposed by several bishops of the Catholic church. The matter was finally taken to Pope Leo XIII, and that broad-minded man held that the Faribault plan should be tolerated by the church.

The school today has four teachers and some 200 pupils in all grades. The graduates of school enter into the high school direct and compare favorably with those from the public schools.

Faribault Catholic Mission. In 1856, Rev. George Keller erected a small frame Catholic church in Faribault, where now stands the Immaculate Conception church on the hill. It was burned by church incendiaries and a new church was erected. The Irish, American, French and German Catholics were then one congregation. Father Keller preached in English, French and German every Sunday. A Catholic church was built in Shieldsville. Father Keller's mission comprised what are now the parishes of Northfield, Richland, Cherry Grove, Claremont, Owatonna, Austin, Bath, Newry, New Richland, South Prairie, St. Mary's, Waseca, Janesville, losco, Waterville, Blooming Prairie (then a farming district), Shieldsville and Kilkenny. He had stations at Merton, Aurora, and Blooming Grove. Father Keller was a true missioner priest. He had small rooms located back of where the altar now stands in the Church of the Immacu- late Conception. His furniture was as poor and scanty as that of the dwellers in log cabins in pioneer days. His food was plain and at times seanty. He made the circuit of his mission in less than a week for he said mass in Faribault every Sunday. He was known on some Sundays after mass to take a little bread and coffee while he was taking off his robes, and then drive off on a sick call somewhere in his mission. He seldom or never slept in a bed, but lay on the floor in his overcoat. He frequently waded up to his waist in marshes and sloughs or swam his horse as the roads were bad and the bridges of logs or a few planks. At these missions he said mass, baptised children, and performed marriages. He took with thanks whatever was given to him as dues, sometimes a load of hay, a little flour or meat, and some- times a little money. It was the devotion of such men as he who made possible the religious progress of today.

Church of St. Lawrence. This church was founded with the permission of the Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas L. Grace, of St. Paul, in the year 1871. To satisfy the spiritual wants of the Catholics around Faribault. Rev. Father Theve was appointed pastor of the newly organized congregation, which place he held until the year 1873. Under his direction the frame building

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between First avenue and Central avenue was erected for divine service to accommodate a small flock of twenty-six families. Of those who were active in those early days, and remained prominent in the church, were A. Wiechirs, Ph. Cromer, E. Kaul, Nicolas Becker, Math. Becker and John P. Becker. Rev. C. Shere was succeeded by Rev. Al. Stecher from 1873 to 1874, and then came Rev. B. Baumann from 1874 to 1876. From 1873, the congregation has had its own private school. In 1876, Rev. Lawrence Zawatsky took charge of the congregation, and under his inspiration the stone edifice at the corner of Eighth street and Second avenue was started. A parsonage was erected the same year. After a stay of only a year Rev. L. Zawatsky was followed by Rev. William Lette as pastor of St. Lawrence church from 1877 to 1881. Under his rectorship the St. Law- rence Benevolent Society was established with eleven members. From 1881 until 1888, Rev. J. Van Leent was the pastor. Through this father's encouragement, the St. Lawrence Catholic school was built in the year 1886. Rev. J. Pavlin was appointed pastor in 1888, and worked with great zeal until 1895. The finished steeple, the decorations and altars, and pulpit were all paid for as soon as completed. Rev. Frederick Elshorst came in 1895 and remained until April, 1909, when Father Krall took charge. He was succeeded in the fall of 1910 by Father Gibbons. The church has the usual church societies aside from the St. Lawrence Benevolent Society mentioned above.

Church of the Sacred Heart. The French, French-Canadian and Belgian Catholics were among the very carliest of the pioneers, who settled in Faribault and vicinity. They were deeply imbued with that religious missionary zeal and attach- ment to their faith which has ever characterized them. At first they belonged to the Immaculate Conception parish, and con- tributed liberally to the erection of the first church built by that parish. This is especially true of Alexander Faribault. But the rapid increase of the French and Belgian membership soon necessitated a church where they could receive instruction in their mother tongues, and they separated from the mother parish. The first separate services were held in April, 1877, by Rev. Fr. A. Payett, of St. Paul, services being held in the old church. A building was soon commenced, the foundations being laid in 1878. The church is located on the corner of Sixth street and Fourth avenue, and nearby is the parsonage, started in 1880 and completed in 1882. The pastors of the church of the Sacred Heart since the organization of the parish have been: Joseph Leonard, 1878-80; John Van Leent, 1880-88; John B. Blochett, 1888-89; Louis Nougaret, 1889-92; Joseph Darche, 1892-95;

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Eugene Martin, 1895-96; Ernest Monge, 1896 to the present time. A beautiful parish house, colonial style, was erected in 1905.

CONGREGATIONAL.

First Congregational Church, of Faribault. As several of the early settlers of Faribault were of the Congregational faith, it was natural that the formation of a church of that denomi- nation should be considered immediately. The first meeting to discuss such a movement was convened at the home of James H. Mills, near the corner of Central avenue and Third street, December 20, 1855. Those present and participating were Dr. Charles Jewett, Lucy A. Jewett, James H. Mills, Naomi C. Mills, Edward P. Mills, Henry Riedell, Sarah A. Riedell, H. Adeline Armsby, William Thaxter, Sarah H. Thaxter, and Samuel Hill. It was decided to proceed to the organization of a church as soon as feasible. Meetings to further the proposed movement were held at intervals until May 31, 1856, when the first Evangelical Congregational church of Faribault was form- ally organized, at Crump's hall, situated on Central avenue. The council on that occasion was composed of three members, Rev. Charles Seccombe, of St. Anthony ; Rev. Richard Hill, of Prescott, Wis. ; and Rev. T. T. Waterman, of Galena, Ill. Several laymen, D. Henry Reynolds, of New York; Dr. J. N. Ford, of Norwich, Conn .; J. Bettis, of Belleview, lowa ; and Ora Goodell, of Millbury, Mass., were present. Six states and one territory were represented. The charter members were as follows: Dr. Charles Jewett, Mrs. Lucy A. Jewett, Charles Jewett, Jr., R. H. L. Jewett, James H. Mills, William Thaxter, Mrs. Sarah H. Thaxter, Samuel Ilill, Thomas Dunbar, Henry Riedell, Mrs. Sarah A. Riedell, Royal Thayer, Jr., Mark Wells, Mrs. H. Adeline Armsby, Sylvester F. Morse, Mrs. L. W. Morse, Mrs. Mary J. West and Lucy T. Jewett. Rev. Lauren Armsby, of New Haven, was invited to become the first pastor, and began his ministry, October 26, 1856. The church grew rapidly. For the first four years of its life it received aid from the Home Missionary Society, but assumed self support in 1860, thus becoming the first self sustaining Congregational church north of St. Louis and west of the Mississippi river. Rev. Armsby served the church until January 25, 1863. when he resigned to accept the chaplaincy of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The church and society refused to accept the resigna- tion, but granted him an indefinite leave of absence. He served as chaplain during the Civil War, without a furlough and was mustered out with his regiment. The situation in the church. however, had become such that he again asked to be released.

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as pastor, and his request was granted November 11, 1865, after an actual service of more than six and a nominal service of almost exactly nine years. Mr. Armsby returned to New Hampshire. During the absence of Rev. Armsby, Rev. H. H. Morgan, Rev. Philo Canfield, and Rev. James W. Strong supplied the pulpit. Rev. Edmund Gale began his first ministry in Faribault, April 1, 1866, discharging the duties of his office with great ability and acceptance until July 6, 1873, a little more than seven years. Ile was succeeded by Rev. T. A. Gardner, who served until July 8, 1874, when the church, by merger, lost its separate existence.

The Congregational Society, according to the New England method, was organized August 1, 1856, and immediately a lot was secured, and the erection of a house of worship began. It was completed and dedicated January 27, 1857, the first structure of the kind in the county, and still standing where it was built. The bell now hanging in the tower of this edifice was lifted to its place to call the early worshipers together August 27, 1857.

Plymouth Congregational Church. This church was organ- ized January 26, 1866, with forty members, and with Rev. James W. Strong, as pastor. Dr. Strong served the new church accept- ably until October 12, 1870, when he resigned to accept the presidency of Carleton college. Rev. Strong was succeeded by the Rev. E. M. Williams, who served the church for two years, and in turn was succeeded by Rev. N. C. Chapin, who continued his ministry until July 8, 1874, when Plymouth reunited with the First church. During the eight years of its life the church enrolled 243 members. This house of worship was also erected by the young church at an expenditure of about $20,000.

The Congregational Church of Faribault. After eight years of separate organization of the Congregational forces in Fari- bault, the Plymouth church took the formal initiative toward a reunion, April 28, 1874. The reunion was completed July 1, 1874, with 129 members from Plymouth and 140 members from the First, the new organization taking the name of the Congre- gational Church of Faribault.

The first pastor of the united church was Rev. J. W. Parrott, who served a little more than a year, and was succeeded by Rev. W. B. Y. Wilkie, who also served but little more than a year. He was succeeded by Rev. T. C. Northcott, who remained about three years. Rev. Edmund Gale who had ministered to the First church for more than seven years was then asked to take the helm. April 1, 1881, he began a long and fruitful pastorate which was only terminated at the end of eleven years, when he had passed the boundary of three score and ten. Rev.

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History of Rice and Steele counties, Minnesota, Vol. I, Part 43

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Jewett, Stephen Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, Jr. Number of Pages: 892

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Jewett, Stephen
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago, H. C. Cooper, Jr.
Number of Pages: 892