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Gc 977.1 H81h v.l,pt.1 1676145
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
E ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02022 088 2
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A HISTORY
OF
CATHOLICITY
IN-
NORTHERN OHIO
AND IN THE
DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND
FROM 1749 TO DECEMBER 31, 1900
BY
THE REV. GEORGE F. HOUCK
DIOCESAN CHANCELLOR
V.1 pt.1
VOLUME I
CLEVELAND PRESS OF J. B. SAVAGE 1903
T140892. 422
Du0892.422
1676145
COPYRIGHT 1903 BY MICHAEL W. CARR CLEVELAND, OHIO
SAVAGE PRESS
CLEVELAND
P
FLANDERSIS
EI
M
SUSTINE
ABSTINE
ET-
ـويد انام
THE RT. REV. IGNATIUS F. HORSTMANN, D. D.
Bishop Dorstmann's Approbation.
The great work which I proposed in 1899-a History of the Diocese of Cleveland-has now been completed. I know what labor has been expended by both the authors and the publishers in giving it to the Clergy, the Religious, and the faithful of the Diocese of Cleveland.
No one, unless he has undertaken such labor, can imagine how eract must be the investigation, and how careful and critical the examination, to make a faithful record of what has taken place in the history of a diocese from its beginning.
I feel assured that this History will be a model for the other dioceses of the country, and I hope it will incite capable men everywhere to take up the same character of work and carry it out with equal diligence and success. We nced such records. They will be invaluable for future historians. They show what those who have gone before us in the Faith, bishops, priests and people, have done for the - propagation and preservation of the Church in their day.
Our thanks are due to the Rev. Chancellor Houck Toho, for a number of years, and especially since 1899, has devoted so much of his spare time to this work, which I know is thoroughly reliable. We therefore commend it to our clergy and to the laity, and hope that Mr. M. W. Carr and the Catholic Historical Society, who have now finished the work, will be rewarded abundantly.
"Gather up the fragments lest they be lost." This His- tory has fulfilled that precept. May others "go and do in like manner."
+IGNATIUS F. HORSTMANN, Bishop of Cleveland.
Cleveland, Ohio, Feast of St. Ignatius, Bishop and Martyr, February 1, 1903.
CONTENTS
Part I-History of Catholicity in Northern Ohio-1749-1847
CHAPTER I-INTRODUCTION OF CATHOLICITY INTO NORTHERN OHIO.
The Jesuit Fathers Potier, De Bonnecamp and De La Richardie, first Mission- aries sent to Territory covered by Northern Ohio-the Huron and Wyandot Indian . Tribes-Fort Sandusky-Father Potier at Sandusky-Traces of Indian Missions near Sandusky River-The Rev. Edmund Burke at Fort Meigs, on the Maumee River-Father Edward Fenwick. 1-7
CHAPTER II -- THE RELIGIOUS ORDERS; SECULAR CLERGY ; CHURCHES. 1817-1847
1. The Dominicans .- Their Missions in Columbiana, Mahoning and Wayne Counties-First Catholic Settlers in Columbiana County-Father Fenwick's First Visit to Columbiana County-Fathers Young and Hill-Early Catho- licity in Canton and Wooster-Father Fenwick Appointed First Bishop of Cincinnati-Dominicans give up Their Missions in Northern Ohio.
2. The Redemptorists .- Fathers Saenderl, Haetscher and Ischenhens take Charge of Missions in Huron, Erie, Sandusky, Crawford. Wyandot and Seneca Counties-Bishop Purcell, Second Bishop of Cincinnati-The Re- demptorists Resign Their Missions.
3. The Sanguinists .- The Very Rev. F. S. Brunner and Other Sanguinist Fathers take charge, in 1844, of the Missions Relinquished by the Redemp- torists-Sanguinist Convents Established at New Riegel, Thompson-The Success of the Sanguinist Missions.
4. The Secular Clergy .- 1824-1847.
5. Churches in Northern Ohio .- 1820-1847.
.
6. Female Religious Communities .- Sanguinist Sisters, at New Riegel-Notre Dame Sisters, at Toledo.
7. Bishops Fenwick and Purcell. 8-24
CHAPTER III-HISTORICAL DATA OF CATHOLICITY IN NORTHERN OHIO. Prior to 1847. 25-50
IV
V
CONTENTS-Continued
CHAPTER IV-REMINISCENCES OF MISSIONARY LIFE IN NORTHERN Оню.
1. Reminiscences of the Rev. Projectus J. Machebeuf .- Father Machebeuf Arrives in the United States in 1839-Sent to Tiffin-Attends Missions in Northwestern Ohio-At Toledo and Along the Maumee River-Stationed at Sandusky-Fathers Rappe, Lamy, De Goesbriand and Peudeprat.
.
2. Reminiscences of the Rev. Louis De Goesbriand .- Father Rappe Arrives from France in 1840-His Missionary Labors Along the Maumee (Miami) Canal-At Toledo-Father De Goesbriand at Toledo-Attends Missions in Northwestern Ohio-Father Rappe's Success as a Missionary Priest- Appointed Bishop of Cleveland-Bishop Rappe Commenced Cathedral in 1848-Dedicated in 1852-Establishes Diocesan Seminary and Two Orphan Asylums. 51-60
CHAPTER V-EARLY CATHOLICITY IN CLEVELAND. 1826-1847
Moses Cleaveland Founder of Cleveland-Catholics First Settled in Cleveland, 1826-The Rev. Thomas Martin, First Priest to Visit Cleveland-The Revs. John M. Henni and Martin Kundig-The Rev. John Dillon, First Resident Pastor of Cleveland, 1835-Catholic Services first held in Shakespeare Hail, at foot of Superior Street-The Rev. Patrick O'Dwyer Succeeds Father Dillon-Two Lots for Church Site Donated for First Church in Cleveland- St. Mary's Church on "Flats," Commenced in 1838, and Dedicated in 1840- Rev. Peter Mclaughlin Secures Lots for Church at Corner of Superior and Erie, in 1845-Rev .. Maurice Howard-Bishop Rappe Consecrated First Bishop of Cleveland, October 10, 1847. 61-67
CHAPTER VI-EARLY CATHOLICITY IN TOLEDO. 1837-1847
Toledo Settled in 1832-Rev. Emanuel Thienpont at Toledo, in 1837-Rev. Edward T. Collins-Revs. Projectus J. Machebeuf and Joseph McNamee- Bishop Purcell Visits Toledo-Describes His Visit and Impressions-The Rev. John M. Henni-The Rev. Amadeus Rappe, First Resident Pastor of Toledo-St. Francis De Sales' Church-Father Rappe Describes His Mis- sionary Labors at Toledo and in Northwestern Ohio-He Establishes the First Parochial School at Toledo-Sisters of Notre Dame. 68-73
1
VI
CONTENTS-Continued
Part II-History of Catholicity in the Diocese of Cleveland- 1847-1900
CHAPTER I-THE RT. REV. AMADEUS RAPPE, FIRST BISHOP OF CLEVELAND. HIS ADMINISTRATION. 1847-1870
Erection of Diocese of Cleveland-Its Territory-Bishop Rappe's Consecration, October. 10, 1847-His First Pastoral Letter-Bishop's Residence Bought on Bond Street-Church of the Nativity-First Diocesan Seminary-St. John's Cathedral Commenced in 1848 and Completed in 1852-Bishop Rappe a Total Abstainer-Father Mathew, the Apostle of Total Abstinence-The Ursulines Established a Convent and Academy in Cleveland-St. Vincent's and St. Mary's Asylums Founded-Grey Nuns and Ursulines at Toledo- Seminary Removed in 1850 to Lake Street. 74-85
CHAPTER II-BISHOP RAPPE'S ADMINISTRATION. (CONTINUED. ) THE VERY REV. EDWARD HANNIN'S ADMINISTRATION. 1870-1872
Bishop Rappe Visits Rome in 1860 and 1862-Female Religious Communities Introduced; Charitable and Educational Institutions Established, 1862-1866 -Bishop Rappe goes to Rome for the Fourth Time, in 1867-St. Francis' Asylum, Tiffin, Established in 1867-Franciscans take charge of St. Joseph's Church, Cleveland, in 1867, and the Jesuits of St. Mary's, Toledo, in 1869- Convent of Good Shepherd Established in 1869, and a Home for the Aged Poor, in Cleveland, in 1870-Bishop Rappe's Troubles-His Resignation, August 22, 1870-The Very Rev. Edward Hannin Appointed Administrator of the Diocese-Injunction Suit Against St. Bridget's Church, Cleveland- Letters in Cleveland Papers for and against Bishop Rappe-Father Hannin's · Letter in Leader in Defense of Bishop Rappe. 86-100
CHAPTER III-THE RT. REV. BISHOP GILMOUR'S ADMINISTRATION. 1872-1891
The Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour Consecrated Second Bishop of Cleveland, April 14, 1872-Convoked Fifth Diocesan Synod in 1872-Full Text of His First Pastoral Letter, Published February 26, 1873-Cleveland Leader Attacks Pastoral Letter-Bishop Gilmour Answers Attacks on His Pastoral Letter. 101-115
CHAPTER IV-BISHOP GILMOUR'S ADMINISTRATION. (CONTINUED.) Bishop Gilmour and the Diocesan Seminary-Purchases Site for a New Semi- nary-The Catholic Central Association-The School Tax Suit-Bishop Gilmour's Letter Explaining the School Tax Suit-Bishop Gilmour Builds Episcopal Residence-The Catholic Universe Founded in 1876-Foundling Asylum Established in Cleveland-Ursuline Convent Established at Youngs- town-St. Vincent's Hospital Opened at Toledo-Bishop Rappe's Death, September 8, 1877-His Remains Brought to Cleveland-Extracts from Bishop Gilmour's Pastoral Letter. Published March 13, 1879-Diocesan Seminary Enlarged-St. Joseph's Cemetery, Cleveland-St. Vincent's Asy- lum, Cleveland-St. Vincent's Asylum, Toledo-Sixth Diocesan Synod. 1882 -Bishop Gilmour Visits Rome-Calvary Cemetery, Toledo-Seventh Dio- cesan Synod, 1889. . 116-135
VII
CONTENTS-Continued
CHAPTER V-BISHOP GILMOUR'S ADMINISTRATION. (CONTINUED. ) Bishop Gilmour's Last Years of Administration full of Troubles and Trials- The Parnell Branch of the Irish Land League-Its Opposition to Bishop Gilmour-He Lectures on "The Irish Question"-The Ladies' Land League Denounced by Bishop Gilmour-The Ladies' Land League is Condemned and its Members Excommunicated-The Anti-Catholic Cleveland Leader- Its Editor, Edwin Cowles-Bishop Gilmour Sued for Libel-The "Catholic Knight"' Case-The Case of the Rev. P. F. Quigley, D. D .- The Case of the Rev. John B. Primeau-Site Purchased for St. John's Hospital-The "Gordon Miter"-Bishop Gilmour's Last Illness-Died at St. Augustine, Fla .- His Remains Brought to Cleveland-The Rt. Rev. Mgr. F. M. Boff is Appointed Administrator of the Diocese. 136-163
CHAPTER VI-THE RT. REV. IGNATIUS F. HORSTMANN, THIRD BISHOP OF CLEVELAND. HIS ADMINISTRATION.
1892-1900
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Horstmann Consecrated Bishop at Philadelphia, February 25, 1892-Full Text of His First Sermon (Pastoral Address) in the Cathedral at Cleveland, March 8, 1892-Site for Preparatory Seminary Bought- Photographs of Churches, Schools, etc., Collected for the Diocesan Archives -St. Vincent's Union Established-Calvary Cemetery (Cleveland), Opened in 1894-Bishop Horstmann Visits Rome in 1894-The Apostolate for Mis- sions to Non-Catholics Organized in 1895-The Rev. A. F. Kolaszewski and His Schismatic Congregation-His Excommunication. 164-176
CHAPTER VII-BISHOP HORSTMANN'S ADMINISTRATION. (CONTINUED. )
Bishop Horstmann Publishes a Pastoral Letter in Reference to the Golden Jubi- lee of the Diocese of Cleveland-Celebration of the Diocesan Golden Jubilee . at Toledo and Cleveland, in October, 1897-Extracts from Sermons - Preached on the Occasion-Full Text of Bishop De Goesbriand's Letter in Connection with the Jubilee-Sunday Funerals Abolished-Photographs of Priests Collected for the Diocesan Archives-Resume of the History of the Diocese-Table Showing Number of Churches, Institutions, etc., December 31, 1900. 177-192
Part III-Historical Sketches of Churches, Institutions and Religious Communities
SECTION I
Prefatory Remarks 193
Parish and Mission Churches 195-699
Historical Sketches oi Churches in Cleveland . 195-295
Historical Sketches of Churches Outside of Cleveland 296-699
SECTION II
Prefatory Remarks 700
Educational Institutions
. 701-730
Hospitals 730-738
Asylums, Homes, etc. . 738-754
Religious Communities
755-775
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Index to Illustrations in Volume I
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS
Akron-
Facing page
St. Bernard's church
297
St. Bernard's school.
98
St. Vincent's church.
299
Ashtabula-
Mother of Sorrows' church.
.309
Mother of Sorrows' church (in-
terior)
152
Avon-
Holy Trinity church.
.311
Barberton-
St. Augustine's church.
314
Berea-
St. Adalbert's church.
.318
St. Adalbert's school and Pastoral
residence
82
St. Mary's church.
320
Bowling Green-
St. Aloysius' church
328
Canton-
Immaculate Conception church. .. 337
Immaculate
Conception
church
(interior)
134
St. John's church
.339
St. John's School
110
St. Peter's church.
343
Carey --
Our Lady of Consolation church. . 345 Cleveland-
St. Mary's on "Flats" church.
195
St. John's Cathedral
198
St. John's Cathedral (interior)
128
St. John's Cathedral school.
6
Annunciation church.
205
Holy Trinity church.
212
Immaculate Conception church ... 214
Immaculate
Conception church
(interior)
16
Cleveland-Continued-
Facing page
Our Lady of Lourdes' church.
219
St. Agnes' church
224
St. Augustine's church
230
St. Bridget's church
233
St. Catharine's church
240
St. Colman's church.
243
St. Columbkille's church
246
St. Edward's church
248
St. Edward's church (interior)
40
St. Elizabeth's church
.250
St. Joseph's church
257
St. Mary's school
265
St. Michael's church
267
St. Michael's church (interior, side
aisle)
10
St. Michael's church (interior)
52
St. Patrick's church
272
St. Patrick's school
64
-St. Peter's church
.276
St. Peter's school
76
St. Procop's church
231
St. Rose of Lima church
283
St. Stanislas' church
285
St. Stanislas' church (interior)
. 84
St. Stephen's church (interior)
.287
"St. Thomas Aquinas' church.
,290
-St. Thomas' church (interior)
58
St. Vitus' church
293
Collinwood-
St. Joseph's church.
.353
Conneaut-
St. Mary's church
355
St. Mary's School.
146
Convoy-
St. Mary's church
670
Crestline-
St. Joseph's church.
358
VIII -
,
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS-Continued
IX
Defiance- Facing page St. John's church. .366
Delphos-
St. John's church.
372
St. John's church (interior)
176
Dungannon-
St. Philip Neri's church.
.382
St. Paul's (first church)
25
Elyria-
St. Mary's church.
395
Euclid -:
St. Paul's church.
398
Findlay-
St. Michael's church.
401
Fort Jennings-
St. Joseph's church
405
Fostoria-
St. Wendelin's church
407
Fremont-
St. Ann's church
410
St. Joseph's church.
416
St. Joseph's church (interior)
419
French Creek-
Immaculate Conception church.
.423
Gibsonburg-
St. Michael's church
.431
Girard-
St. Rose's church
433
Glandorf-
St. John the Baptist's church.
...
.434
St. John the Baptist's church (in-
terior)
.452
St. John the Baptist's church (pas-
toral and teachers' residences) .. 92
Grafton-
Immaculate Conception church ... 442
Huron-
St. Peter's church
.455
Kent-
St. Patrick's church.
466
Kirby-
St. Mary's church
469
Leetonia-
St. Patrick's church
475
Leipsic-
Facing page
St. Mary's church.
477
Lima-
St. Rose's church.
480
Lorain-
St. Joseph's church.
490
St. Mary's church
492
Massillon-
!
St. Joseph's church.
508
St. Mary's church.
511
St. Mary's church (interior)
46
Maumee-
St. Joseph's church.
515
Medina-
St. Francis Xavier's church.
678
Monroeville-
St. Joseph's church.
524
New Bavaria-
Sacred Heart of Jesus church
...
531
New London-
Our Lady of Lourdes' church ..
.678
Niles-
St. Stephen's church.
539
Norwalk-
St. Mary's church
549
St. Paul's church.
552
Ottoville-
Immaculate Conception church ... 564
Immaculate
Conception church
(interior)
88
Perrysburg-
St. Rose of Lima church.
.572
Port Clinton-
Immaculate Conception church ... 579
St. Mary's Corners-
St. Mary's church.
596
Sandusky-
Holy Angels' church
603
St. Mary's church
607
St. Mary's church (interior)
116
St. Mary's pastoral residence
124
St. Mary's schools
170
Shelby-
Sacred Heart of Mary church. . . . 615
-
1
/
1
x
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS-Continued
Shelby Settlement- Facing page Sacred Heart of Jesus' church. .. . 617
Swanton-
St. Richard's church
596
Thompson-
St. Michael's church.
628
Tiffin-
St. Joseph's church.
.630
St. Joseph's church (interior)
70
St. Joseph's schools.
140
Toledo ---
Good Shepherd's church.
638
Immaculate Conception church ... 641
St. Anthony's church
.646
St. Anthony's school
388
St. Francis de Sales' church
649
St. Hedwig's church
.651
St. Louis' church
656
St. Mary's church
658
St. Patrick's church
661
Upper Sandusky --
Facing page
St. Peter's church
666
Van Wert-
St. Mary's church.
.670
Vermillion-
St. Mary's church.
.455
Wadsworth-
Sacred Heart of Jesus' church .... 678
Wellington-
St. Patrick's church.
. ..
.678
Youngstown-
Immaculate Conception church ... 685
Sacred Heart of Jesus' church.
.687
St. Ann's church.
688
St. Columba's church
.691
SS. Cyril and Methodius' church .. 696
St. Joseph's church
699
St. Joseph's school
182
INSTITUTIONS AND MISCELLANEOUS
7
Cleveland-
Page.
Bishop's Residence,
120
Calvary Cemetery (view)
30
Franciscan Monastery
257
St. Mary's Diocesan Seminary
701
St. Ignatius' College
.707
Notre Dame Academy
711
Our Lady of Lourdes' Academy. .713 Ursuline Academy and Convent. . 714
St. Vincent's Hospital
.730
St. Alexis' Hospital.
733
St. John's Hospital.
735
Good Shepherd Convent
745
St. Ann's Infant Asylum.
738
St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum.
741
St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum.
.743
St. Joseph's Cemetery (vaults)
104
Lakewood-
St. Augustine's Convent 757
Louisville-
.
St. Louis' Orphan Asylum
.750
New Riegel-
Page.
Convent of Sanguinist Sisters.
759
Nottingham-
St. Joseph's Seminary
719
Ursuline Academy.
721
Thompson- Convent of Sanguinist Sisters. .760
Tiffin-
Ursuline Academy and Convent. . 723 St. Francis' Asylum and Home. . .. 752 Toledo-
Ursuline Convent and Academy. . 726 West Park-
St. Joseph's Academy and Con-
vent
728
St. Joseph's Academy
(view
of
grounds)
188
Youngstown-
Ursuline Convent
764
Calvary Cemetery (view)
694
Calvary Cemetery (crucifix)
158
(For additional Miscellaneous Illustrations, see Volume II.)
1
MR. MICHAEL W. CARR
1
THE PUBLISHERS' PREFACE
W ITH some degree of pardonable pride The Catholic His- torical Society herewith presents in two quarto volumes "of more than one thousand pages each, including the illustrations, the historical record of the establishment, growth and development of Catholicity and Catholic institutions, and the biographical record of Catholic leaders, both clerical and lay, in Northern Ohio and in the Diocese of Cleveland.
We have been enabled to complete our arduous task, first, through the gracious approbation and ready co-operation of the Rt. Rev. Ignatius F. Horstmann, D. D., Bishop of Cleveland; secondly, through the labors of the Rev. George F. Houck, Diocesan Chancellor, who is the author of the first volume of the work; and, thirdly, through the helpful assistance rendered by the great body of the reverend clergy, the heads of the diocesan insti- tutions, and many prominent among the laity. Without such prac- tical aid and encouragement, which are here thankfully acknowl- edged, little of what was purposed at the beginning could have been so well accomplished by us. Thus aided we do claim to have fulfilled our promises, not alone with respect to the scope and high character of the work, but also as to its style and workmanship and the excellent quality of the material employed in its make-up.
Much arduous labor, and money to the amount of over twenty-five thousand dollars, have been expended in bringing the volumes to their present degree of perfection; and while they may not, in every respect, come up to the high standard of some, or the towering expectation of others, they will, nevertheless, be appre- ciated by the candid, discriminating majority who prize unvar- nished truth and fact plainly and forcibly set forth, and who, in book writing and book making, are equal to distinguishing between the real art which Horace saw, plain in its neatness, and the miscalled art which would not be noticed but for its color and flash.
At any rate, this History will hardly be denied the cordial welcome and support which an enlightened and generous public
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PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
always accords and extends to well directed effort and merit; and to which we think it justly entitled, if on no higher grounds than . those of having arranged, artistically presented, and preserved a mountain of important historical and biographical facts together with hundreds of excellent engravings for the historian of the future-some Catholic Macaulay, who, co-operating with our successors of the laity, may be able to do full justice to later under- takings in this field.
With even this much accomplished-the blazing of the way, and the setting of guide-posts-our labors will not have been entirely in vain.
MICHAEL W. CARR, President.
Cleveland, Ohio, January, 1903.
NOTE .- We deem it fitting and just to make special record of the generous acts of the persons hereinafter mentioned for their having, in addition to a general support of this History, contributed the expense of making and print- ing the portraits, sketches. or engravings described below. Unaided by these good friends of the diocese we might not have been able to present these sub- jects thus beautifully illustrated. Accordingly our thanks are hereby extended in each instance as follows:
To the Rt. Rev. Ignatius F. Horstmann, D. D., Bishop of Cleveland, for that of the late Rev. Louis Hoffer, together with other substantial donations; to the Hon. Tom I .. Johnson, Mayor of Cleveland, for that of St. Mary's on the "Flats," the first church in Cleveland, St. Paul's, Dungannon, the first church in northern Ohio, and the "Gordon Miter," presented to Bishop Gil- mour; to Col. J. J. Sullivan, of Cleveland, president of the Central National Bank, for that of the late Bishop Fenwick, the first bishop in Ohio; to Mr. F. H. Glidden, of Cleveland, founder and head of the Glidden Varnish Works, for that of the late Bishop Gilmour; to Mr. D. E. Leslie, of Cleveland, for that of the late Very Rev. Alexis Caron; to Mr. C. A. Grasselli, of Cleveland, for that of the late Archbishop Purcell; to Mr. William Greif, o. Cleveland. for that of the late Bishop Rappe; to the Hon. William A. Lynch, of Canton, for that of the late Rev. John Austin Hill; to Mr. James E. Pilliod, of Toledo, for that of St. Francis de Sales' Church, Toledo; to Mr. James P. Madigan, of Cleveland, for that of the late Mr. Patrick J. McKenney; to Messrs. Michael Hannan, Peter R. Fahey and John M. Mulrooney, of Cleveland, for that of a prominent pioneer priest; to Mr. Anthony Carlin, of Cleveland, for that of the late Rt. Rev. Edmund Burke, V. A .; to a "Friend," for that of the late Rev. Francis Wester- holt; to the Young Ladies' Sodality and the St. Joseph's Society, of Delphos, for that of the late Rev. John Otto Bredeick; to Mr. Peter F. Whalen, of Toledo, for that of the Rev. Edward Hannin, of Toledo; to the late Mr. Patrick Smith, of Cleveland, for that of the late Very Rev. James Conlan, V. G., and the late Rev. John Dillon; to Mr. John J. O'Donnell, of Cleveland, for that of St. Augustine's Convent, Sisters of Charity. Lakewood; to the Rev. Chancellor Houck, for that of St. Joseph's Church (interior), Tiffin.
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THE REV. GEORGE F. HOUCK
41
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1
THE AUTHOR'S PREFACE
F OLLOWING a long established custom, it may be proper for the author to say, by way of introduction, that the facts, dates, documents, reminiscences, etc., which form the basis of this volume, were collected by him since his official connection with the diocese of Cleveland, principally in the spare hours at his disposal in the Chancery office during the past quarter of a century, and especially during the past three years. These hours, together with those snatched from sleep during that time, he has devoted in great part to arranging and compiling, comparing and sifting the matter obtained from the various historical sources within his reach. The result of his labors, covering the period from 1749 to December 31, 1900, he now places before the public in this volume, with the confidence that the earnest effort for truth and accuracy with which he has written, will make it generally acceptable.
To give form and connection to a mass of historical data accumulated by him for many years, the author published in 1888 an unpretentious volume, entitled "THE CHURCH IN NORTHERN OHIO." It was kindly received, as is evidenced by the fact that within three years it reached a fourth edition. Its scope being, to give only a bare outline of the history of the diocese, the narrative was necessarily brief. The size of the volume however indicated but imperfectly the great labor and research required in its prepara- tion, being as it was the first attempt to write the history of the Catholic Church in these parts.
This volume, the first of the two comprising the whole work,. is exclusively historical. It aims to fill in the deficiencies of the XIII
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XIV
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
historical part of the former work, and to develop what is merely outlined in it. The author has striven to be impartial in bearing witness to the truth. No pains have been spared by him to make it reliable in every respect. It embraces all the important events prior to his connection with the diocese, where he was born, and everything of note that has transpired during his official relation- ship of a quarter of a century with it. Of these he has personal knowledge to a very great extent, supplemented in most cases by documentary evidence, or other contemporary testimony. For those he had to rely upon the various proofs within reach, official records, newspaper files, the testimony of the older priests who were witnesses to many of the facts, and the testimony of others whose word was no less trustworthy. The parish sketches, and those of the religious institutions also, were submitted for correc- tion and verification to the pastors of the churches and the heads of houses, respectively-both to the present incumbents and their predecessors as well. Therefore the author may be pardoned if he assure the reader of this volume, in advance, that the web of history before him is woven out of facts alone, and in its make-up there is nothing spurious, nothing fictitious. There is no attempt at elegance or grace of style; a plain, unvarnished narrative of facts-not high-sounding, well-balanced periods-has been his exclusive aim. . Let the future historian, if he will, add beauty of expression and the charm of polished diction to this plain, unpre- tentious narrative. The beauty of truth satisfied the author's wish; he strove for nothing more.
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