History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 81

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I > Part 81

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OUR LADY OF MIT. CARMEL, SILVER CREEK-In the early forties a few Catholics settled in Silver Creek, but there is no record of Mass being said there before the ad- vent of Rev. Peter Colgan, who held services at a very early date in the home of Mr. Joseph Clohessy. When the Passionist Fathers began to visit North Evans they gave some attention to the Catholics settled at Silver Creek, and from 1862 Mass was occasionally celebrated in the old bank hall. When the Rev. G. Burns was pastor of Angola he secured a site on Oak Hill for a church, and here erected a small building which was used as a church.

In later years the influx of Sicilians has increased the Catholic population of Silver Creek, the parish now numbering about 800 Sicilian- and 200 English-speaking Catholics, the latter the children and grandchildren of the early Catholic settlers. Although the Sicilians have a separate service at which they are addressed in the Italian language, a congenial, fraternal spirit exists both in church and parochial school.

In 1914 the old Swift homestead built by C. C. Swift seventy-five years earlier, was bought from his grand- daughter, Miss Francella Swift, and in the summer the original frame church was moved from Monroe street and Porter avenue to the newly acquired site on Cen- tral avenue. The old brick mansion has been con- verted into a parochial school and home for the Fran- ciscan Sisters conducting it. The school was opened in the fall of 1914, with a registration of 199 pupils.

The parish of Our Lady of Mount Carmel dates from the building of that small frame church in 1882, the church standing on the southwest corner of now Mon- roe street and Porter avenue. Father Lafinand, and next Father McCarthy, administered to the spiritual needs of the little Silver Creek mission for sixteen years, both coming from Angola. Father Burke, pastor of the Angola church, then attended the mission until

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

1906, when it was formed a mission of the Italian parish of Farnham, Rev. Dr. Hennessy, pastor. In 1908 Rev. Joseph F. Jacobs was assigned to Silver Creek as the first resident pastor, he also taking charge of the mission at Forestville. On March 2, 1909, the parish was in- corporated as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Roman Catholic Church Society of Silver Creek, New York. In 1910 a parochial residence was erected and the frame church enlarged. Rev. Edmund J. O'Connor, the present pas- tor (1920), was appointed by Bishop Colton, May 5, 1912, he having for five previous years served as as- sistant to Rev. James F. McGloin at the chapel.

ST. MARY'S, DUNKIRK-Dunkirk was incorporated as a village in 1837, but there were no Catholic inhabitants until about ten years later. In the early forties two or three Catholic families settled in the neighborhood of Dunkirk, Rev. Thomas McEvoy was the first priest to visit them, and he probably said Mass in one of the farmer's homes at Pomfret. Bishop Timon visited Dunkirk in 1848, and he remarked that he "never knew a place where the devil made such headway." At that time there was no place for him to hold Divine service, and he proceeded to Fredonia, where he said Mass in the home of a Catholic family.

The building of the railroad and the prospects of the lake trade brought many Catholic settlers to Dun- kirk. Father Carraher came in the fall of 1850 and remained some weeks, then Father Lannon came and purchased property at the corner of Second and Ronins streets, on which there were two old frame buildings, the larger of which he converted into a chapel. Fath- ers Fitzsimmons and Mallon also attended Dunkirk a few times before the advent of Father Colgan. The Rev. Peter Colgan was appointed pastor in 1851, and he immediately enlarged the little frame building to suit the wants of his growing congregation. In August, 1851, he purchased the site of the present cemetery, which was consecrated by Bishop Timon in the following year.

Father Colgan purchased the present site of St. Mary's Church and began its erection in 1852, though the cornerstone was not laid until July 24, 1853. The Holy Sacrifice was offered for the first time on the feast of St. Patrick, 1854. The church was solemnly dedicated November 12, 1854, by Rt. Rev. Joshua Young, Bishop of Erie. The original cost of construction was about $9,000. The first Passionist pastor of St. Mary's was Rev. Father Albinus, who took charge in 1860. Bishop Timon laid the corner-stone of the monastery adjoining the church in 1861, this being the second monastery built by the Passionists in this country. Father Albinus, Father Anthony, Father Stanislaus and Brother Lawrence were the pioneers of the Passionists Order in America, founding the first monastery at Pitts- burgh in 1853. Other foundations of the order now exist in West Hoboken, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Louis- ville, St. Louis, St. Paul, Kansas, and Scranton, Penn- sylvania.

In 1873 St. Mary's Church was remodeled and as- sumed its present form. For this purpose an outlay of $16,000 was made. The Right Rev. Stephen Ryan re- dedicated the church the same year. Columbus Hall was completed during the administration of Rev. Father Guido; it cost $25,000. Until 1903, the first floor was used for the parochial school; in that year improve- ments were begun with the view of devoting the entire building to school purposes. Columbus Hall, now St. Mary's Academy, is affiliated with the Regents Uni- versity of the State of New York, the only Catholic school in the district so affiliated.

The following have been pastors of St. Mary's

Church: Very Rev. Father John Baudinelli, Fathers Guido Matassi, Martin Meagher, Basil Keating, Al- phonsus Rossiter, Stephen Kealy, Felix Ward, Albert Phelan, and Mark Moslein, all of the Passionist Order. Since Father Moslein, the pastors of St. Mary's have been : Rev. Francis Rossiter ; Rev. Basil Malone, born, lived and died in Dunkirk; Rev. Linus Monahan ; Very Rev. Clement Lee, the last to hold the dual office of pastor of St. Mary's and rector of the monastery ; Rev. Oswin McGibbin; Rev. Coleman Burns, who retired in August, 1917, to become rector of a Boston monastery ; Rev. Casper Hartmann, who continued an assistant after six months service as pastor and died in office; Rev. Chrysostom Smith, the present pastor (August 15, 1920).

After Very Rev. Clement Lee, the monastery and parish were separated so far as having a common pastor and rector. Very Rev. Herbert McDevitt was rector of the monastery 1914-17, and from 1917-1920 Father Clement Lee was again rector, his term just expiring.

In September, 1920, Holy Cross College on the Lake road, Dunkirk, was opened for students under the direc- tion of the Passionist Order. Here also is the prepara- tory college exclusively for young men desiring to affiliate with the Order.

A school for the Catholic children of Dunkirk was established in 1854, and still continues the good work begun more than half a century ago. A lyceum was established in 1891 by the enterprising Catholics of this parish as a club room for men, which became the liter- ary and social center for the Catholics of the city.

CHURCH OF ST. JAMES MAJOR, WESTFIELD-Rev. Peter Colgan who took charge of St. Mary's, Dunkirk, April 24, 1851, visited Westfield at times and said Mass in the homes of Catholic families. About the year 1858 he built the church in Westfield, dedicated to St. James Major, and said Mass there as often as possible. The Passionist Fathers came to Dunkirk, February 10, 1860, and in 1865 Bishop Timon placed them in charge of St. James Major parish, which they attended from Dunkirk until 1871. Among the priests who have cared for Westfield during these years, 1859-1920, were: Rev. Andrew McGurgan, C. P .; Rev. Basil Keating, C. P .; Rev. John B. Bandinell, C. P .; Rev. Angelo Sugero, C. P .; Rev. Guido Matassi, C. P .; Rev. Daniel Rimmels, C. P .; Rev. Thomas O'Connor, C. P .; Rev. Hugh K. Barr, C. P.

On June 20, 1871, the Passionists gave up Westfield, and Bishop Timon appointed as the first resident pas- tor Rev. Thomas P. Brougham, who remained in charge until October, 1872. During his pastorate he attended missions at Brocton, Ripley, French Creek, Sherman and Mayville. From 1872 until 1882 the pastors of Westfield church and missions were: Rev. M. O'Dwyer, Rev. Martin Bryne, Rev. D. F. Lasher, Rev. P. N. O'Brian, Rev. Thomas Nedwith, and Rev. J. C. O'Reilly. Rev. Nicholas A. Gibbons, brother of the present Bishop of Albany, was pastor 1882-84; Rev. James J. Leddy (now pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Lock- port, New York) from 1884-87; Rev. John Lafferty came in 1887; Rev. James P. Lasher, 1890-93; Rev. Frank Meyer, 1893-97; Rev. Martin Corbett, 1897-1912; Rev. Michael Moynihan, October, 1912-November, 1917; Rev. Francis Clancy, November, 1917, until the present (October 1, 1920).

Father Clancy has under his care in the parish and in the two present missions, Brocton and Ripley, 1,350 souls. French Creek, Sherman, Clymer and Mayville were taken from Westfield and united to Lakewood in 1912. The present church was built in 1915 by Father Moynihan after its predecessor had been destroyed bv

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RELIGION AND RELIGIONS

fire. The corner-stone was laid in the presence of a large gathering of the clergy and laity by Mgr. N. H. Baker, LL.D., builder of Father Baker's famed in- stitutions for children, at Lackawanna City, then ad- ministrator of the Diocese of Buffalo. Figure stained windows of artistic and beautiful design were installed in 1920, and the church moreover embellished in the same year by a beautiful altar railing and otherwise improved.

SACRED HEART, DUNKIRK-The German Catholics of Dunkirk attended St. Mary's Church until they had grown sufficiently in numbers to require the services of a priest of their own nationality. The parish was organized in 1857, and the following year a little church was built under the direction of Father D. Geimer, who occasionally visited the little congregation. Father Geimer came during 1858-59, when Rev. J. N. Arent suc- ceeded him in his own parish, and came occasionally to say Mass for the little congregation at Dunkirk. The Rev. A. Pfeifer, a Franciscan, came a few times in 1861-62. The parish was then handed over to the Passionists, who had charge of the little congregation from 1863 to 1874. A school was opened here in 1865 by the Passionist Fathers, and was taught by a lay member of the congregation until 1873, when the Sis- ters of St. Joseph assumed charge of the school.

The first resident pastor of the church came in 1874 in the person of Father Ferdinand Kolb. Father Kolb began the erection of a larger and more substantial church building in 1876, that was completed and dedi- cated November 18 of the following year. Father Kolb remained there ten years, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. Frey, 1884-1891, who built a parochial residence and school building. Father Frey remained until 1891, when he was succeeded by Rev. F. N. Sester, who continued here until his death in 1896. Father Sester was succeeded by Rev. Joseph M. Thies, who served the parish until May, 1914, and died the follow- ing August. Rev. Henry Laudenbach was pastor until January, 1917, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Joseph Lensmeier. Sacred Heart is a parish of eight hundred souls, the two hundred chil- dren of the parochial school being under the instruction of five sisters who are their teachers.

ST. HYACINTH'S POLISH-In 1874-75 the large number of Catholics of Polish nationality settled in Dunkirk warranted the forming of a separate parish for their benefit, there being at that time but one Polish Catholic church in the diocese-St. Stanislaus in Buffalo. The Rev. Charles Lanc, O. S. B., being commissioned by the Bishop to organize a new congregation, erected a little building in 1875 which served as a church. Father Lanc remained until 1879, when he was succeeded by Rev. E. Bratkiewicz, who remained one year, being followed by Rev. J. Schneider, who remained a few months. He was followed by Father Klawiter, who built the parochial residence and also remodeled the church building to accommodate the largely increased number of parishioners. Father Klawiter remained until 1884, when he was succeeded by Rev. Frank Ciszek, who remained two years and was followed by Rev. W. Zareczny, who after a pastorate of one year was suc- ceeded by Rev. P. Pawlar. Father Pawlar remained two years, when Father Klawiter again came as pastor for one year. Rev. A. Sulek came in June, 1891, for one year, when the Rev. A. Lex was appointed pastor and remained until 1896, he being succeeded by the Rev. B. Swinko. Father Lex erected a school building in 1893. Father Swinko converted the old rectory into a convent for the Sisters, and built a new parochial

residence on a lot adjoining the church property, which he purchased for $9,500 and also bought fifteen acres of land on the Lake road, which was blessed for ceme- tery purposes by Bishop Quigley in 1902. Father Swinko remained pastor of this parish until succeeded by Father Woycik, and he by Father Chodocki. The present pas- tor, Rev. Michael Francis Helminiak, was installed Feb- ruary 12, 1917. This parish is provided with all the necessary buildings, and is in a prosperous condition, with a fine school.

ST. HEDGEWIG, DUNKIRK-Father Schuitz caused St. Hedgewig's Church to be erected in 1902 to accommo- date the Polish population of the Fourth Ward. The present pastor, Rev. Petrus Letocha, came to the parish in IgII, and under his ministration the church has at- tained spiritual and material strength. It now numbers 3,200 souls. The parochial school is divided into seven grades, the 436 pupils being taught by eight sisters.

HOLY TRINITY-Holy Trinity parish was organized for the benefit of the Italian population of Dunkirk in 1907, and in 1909 the present church edifice was erected. Rev. Vincent Fragrometi, the first pastor, was follow- ed by Rev. Peter C. Santy, who was pastor until 1917, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. H. O'Hara, the pres- ent pastor, who has accomplished most successful work in raising the parish to a higher material and spiritual plane.

ST. JOSEPH'S, FREDONIA-Fredonia is one of the young- er Catholic congregations in the diocese. Catholics did not settle here in any numbers until near the close of Bishop Ryan's episcopate. There was no settlement in Western New York that had not been visited at some time by Bishop Timon during his reign over the Diocese of Buffalo. He visited every settlement, wheth- er he knew Catholics were there or not; and he held services for them, or preached to the Protestants when there were few or no Catholics present. He visited Fredonia on February 19, 1851, and preached for two hours before a large crowd, said Mass the next morning, and baptized some converts. There were only two Catholic families in the vicinity at that time. He said Mass in the home of a family named Wurtz, near the village.

The few Catholics in Fredonia attended Mass in the neighboring town of Dunkirk up to the year 1899, when steps were taken to organize a parish in the town with a resident pastor. The Rev. Thomas F. Clark was ap- pointed by Father Connery, who was then administrator of the diocese, in September, 1899, to form the Catholics of Fredonia and vicinity into a parish. He said the first Mass in Maccabees' Hall, September 24, but Mass had been celebrated in the previous June by the Passion- ist Fathers of Dunkirk. Father Clark rented the Women's Christian Temperance Union Hall, which he fitted up for services; and there the little congregation worshipped until the new church established under the patronage of St. Joseph was ready for services. Father Clark bought a fine property on the main street of the town, including a brick residence with land sufficient for church buildings. The residence was used as the priest's house, and on February 8, 1900, the cor- ner-stone of a suitable brick church was laid. The building was rapidly pushed to completion, and on December 9, 1900, was ready for use. Father Clark continued as pastor of St. Joseph's until succeeded by Rev. Hugh Wright, April 30, 1905. During Father Wright's pastorate, St. Joseph's parochial school was established, that school now having an attendance of fifty pupils under the care of five Sisters of St. Joseph. Father Wright was succeeded in July, 1915, by the pres-

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CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE

ent pastor (1920) Rev. John E. Mullett. The parish contains one hundred and fifty families, communicants of St. Josephi's.

ST. ANTHONY'S, FREDONIA-The Italian residents of Fredonia worshipped with the congregation of St. Jo- seph's until their numbers justified the formation of a separate parish and the installation of a pastor who could preach and minister to them in their own lan- guage. In 1905, the parish of St. Anthony was organiz- ed, and the same year a brick church was completed. The first pastor was Rev. Theophilus Glessa, who was succeeded by Rev. John Prosseda. Rev. Ornaldo Vanoli was the third pastor, he being succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Louis Zilliani, early in 1920. St. Anthony's is a parish of 180 families, and is well organized, having six societies, one exclusively for men and five for women.

ST. MATTHIAS, FRENCH CREEK-French Creek parish owcs its origin to a little settlement of Catholics of Irish nationality found in that section by Father Colgan in the early 60's. For a number of years they were at- tended by the Passionist Fathers from Dunkirk, the territory in which French Creek was situated, also em- bracing Westfield, Brocton, Mayville, and Sherman. In 1868 a church was built at Sherman, but the attending priests still came from Dunkirk. About 1870 the West- field Mission was founded, and French Creek was made a part of it. In the fall of 1873 the French Creek church was built, but remained attached to Westfield until 1912, when the latter mission was divided and French Creek put under the care of Father Harrigan of Sacred Heart Church, Lakewood. Father Harrigan attended French Creek until July 20, 1914, when the Rev. John A. Marencovick was appointed to the parish of French Creek as its first resident rector. The parish included French Creek, Sherman, Clymer and Mina.

On February 17, 1915, a certificate of incorporation was issued to St. Matthias Roman Catholic Society of French Creek. The parish with its neighboring missions now numbers about 270 souls, under the pastoral care of Rev. Aloysius P. Sander, who was appointed May 6 and began his rectorship May 8, 1920.

STS. PETER AND PAUL, JAMESTOWN-Prior to 1874 the now parish of Saints Peter and Paul was a part of a great parish embracing a large extent of territory ex- tending sixty miles from Steamburg, Randolph and South Valley on the east through Jamestown west to the State line. At the time of the founding of a separate Jamestown parish, there were probably two hundred Catholics in the city, Rev. Father Baxter be- ing in charge. On June II, 1874, Rev. Richard Coyle succeeded Father Baxter and for more than forty years he was the loved and honored pastor of the parish of Sts. Peter and Paul, that parish soon claiming all his time. At the close of Father Coyle's twentieth year as pastor the parish numbered sixteen hundred souls. The church edifice was twice enlarged, and in 1894 the stone church at the corner of Sixth and Cherry streets was completed. The parish now numbers about 1,900 souls. Father Coyle died August 25, 1914, and was succeeded by Rev. Luke F. Sharkey, who was in charge until November 19, 1917, when the present pastor, Rev. David J. Ryan, came to the church, its third pastor dur- ing a lifetime of now forty-six years.

A parochial school was organized in 1888, the build- ing being located at the corner of Fulton and Fifth streets. In 1905 a building was erected at the corner of Fulton and Fifth streets, where students are prepared

to enter the city junior high school class. The school has about 300 pupils taught by eight Sisters of Mercy, the convent building adjoining the school.

ST. ROSE OF LIMA, FORESTVILLE-The few Catholics in Forestville were attended by the Passionist Fathers from Dunkirk until 1908, when Rev. Joseph F. Jacobs, first resident pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish, Silver Creek, received charge of the Mission St. Rose of Lima at Forestville. Later the charge was given over to the Dayton church, and forms a church of the Dayton, Perrysburg, Forestville circuit, now in charge of Rev. Joseph Maguire, of Dayton, who visits the Missions at stated intervals. The Mission owns a small but appropriate church in the village of Forestville, near the centre.

ST. JAMES, JAMESTOWN-In 1910, St. James' parish was formed for the benefit of the Italian Catholics of Jamestown, the upper story of the present rectory being used as a church. Rev. James Carra, the first pastor, at once began building plans and on September 27, 1914, the corner-stone of the present brick church was laid in the presence of the Apostolic Delegate, Rev. John Donzano, and Bishop Colton of Buffalo. The church was dedicated May 2, 1915. The parish numbers over 4,000 souls, its numbers having doubled during the ten years of Father Carra's pastorate. The first floor of the church is devoted to school purposes, three hundred pupils being instructed from kindergarten to the eighth grade by six Sisters of Mercy, the convent adjoining the church.

OUR LADY OF LORETTO, FALCONER-This parish was organized in 1912 as a mission by Rev. James Carra, pastor of St. James' Church, Jamestown. A church was erected in 1919, and the parish now numbers about 800 souls, chiefly of Italian birth or parentage. Rev. Peter Lozza is pastor.

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SACRED HEART, LAKEWOOD-In 1911, Rev. David Moun- tin, a missionary father sent by Rt. Rev. Bishop Colton, bought a church property in Lakewood, formerly owned by a Protestant congregation. On May 26, 1912, Sacred Heart Church opened as a parish, Rev. Thomas H. Harrigan the first and as yet (1920) the only pastor. High Mass was celebrated by Rev. Martin Blake, C. M., of Niagara University, and the new parish has since attained a flourishing condition. Father Harrigan has also attended St. Mary's of Mayville as a Mission, that parish being incorporated in September, 1920, and building arrangements begun. French Creek, now a parish, was also attended as a Mission by Father Har- rigan for a time.

SWEDISH-The Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant of America is represented in the county by two strong congregations, both located in Jamestown-the First Church, No. 108 Chandler street, and Zion Church, on College street. The headquarters of this denomina- tion is No. 56 Washington street, Chicago, Illinois.

UNITARIAN-There are two churches of the Meadville Conference of the Unitarian Church in Chautauqua county-the First Unitarian Church of Jamestown, Chandler and East Second streets, and Adams Memorial Unitarian Church of Dunkirk, both members of the American Unitarian Association.

UNITED BRETHREN-These people have several churches in the county under the fostering care of the Erie Conference. These churches are located in Cassadaga, Chautauqua, Cherry Creek, Findley Lake, Frewsburg, Kiantone, Hartfield; and two in Jamestown, Grace Church and Kidder.

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THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION

THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION.

Now that the liquor traffic is outlawed and the Eigh- teenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States the law of the land, temperance workers have come into their own, and rejoice in a land freed from an iniquitous partnership. New York boasts the first temperance society in the world, one formed at Saratoga Springs in 1808. Chautauqua county boasts that it gave birth to the White Ribbon movement, in Fredonia, December 13, 1873, following an address by Dr. Dio Lewis at a union meeting of churches. That movement, which later encircled the world, gave birth to the Wo- man's Christian Temperance Union, and that organiza- tion more than any other, secular or religious, is re- sponsible for the Eighteenth Amendment. Their cam- paign of education bore fruit and inspired workers of both sexes until first towns, then counties, then States, fell into line for "God and Home and Native Land." Then came the consummation of the hopes of all the temperance workers of the land-an amendment to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the manu- facture and sale of intoxicants. State after State legislature ratified the amendment until it became law, the Volstead Act then putting the necessary "teeth" in the amendment to make it an effective law.

When the Woman's Temperance Crusade started, the liquor traffic was at the height of prosperity and power, and they went forth without the shield of law or public sentiment, armed only with the power of prayer and the justness of their cause. There was but a glimmer of a hope that any good would follow, but they gladly fol- lowed that glimmer, and their reward was a national awakening that brought the full fruition of their hopes less than half a century later. On a tombstone in Orange, New Jersey, which marks the last resting place of a sainted White Ribbon worker, is the inscription carved in 1891: "The liquor traffic will be outlawed, blessed is he who helps." Does she know that her prophecy has come true? The history of the beginning of the Woman's Crusade is taken from an article by Martha S. Meade in the "Centennial History of Chau- tauqua County" (1902) :

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History of Chautauqua County, New York, and its people, Volume I, Part 81

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc. Number of Pages: 649

Author: Downs, John Phillips, 1853- ed. [from old catalog]; Hedley, Fenwick, Y., joint ed. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Boston, New York [etc.] American historical society, inc.
Number of Pages: 649