USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > A history of Catholicity in northern Ohio and in the diocese of Cleveland from 1749 to December 31, 1900, Volume I, pt2 > Part 1
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Gc 977.1 H81h v.l,pt.2 1676146
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
11 ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02022 089 0
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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. 2
VOLUME I
CLEVELAND PRESS OF J. B. SAVAGE 1903
I) 40892, 422
387
1676146
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
During the pastorate of Father Lindesmith the church and pastoral residence were re-roofed with slate and the residence lot enclosed by a neat iron fence. He also made a number of generous dona- tions to the church of his native parish, including several beautiful pieces of statuary. The present pews were bought during the pastorate of Father Baumgartner. They cost $450 and were paid for by the sale of the school, built by Father Peter, and by dona- tions from Mrs. Ehrhart and Mrs. Sweeney. At an expense of about $1,500 the present pastor, Father Andlauer, had the exterior of the church completed by the addition of a graceful spire, 120 feet high. The church has three bells; the largest of them was donated by Father Lindesmith ; the next in size was presented by Mr. E. R. Woods, of Pittsburg, and the third is the one in use since the church was built-the three making a sweet-toned chime. At present the congregation numbers about 50 families-all farmers. Among the parishioners of the past, who deserve special recogni- tion for services rendered to the church, are George Divel, Philip Haessly, Sr., and James Hagan, Sr. They filled for many terms the office of councilman and in a manner most acceptable to the respective pastors.
In spite of many drawbacks, a number of apostasies, and some scandal in its past long history, a healthy Catholic spirit pervades the parish, which is composed now of the second and third genera- tion of good old Irish and German ancestry; who are "Catholics first and Americans next."
EAST LIVERPOOL, COLUMBIANA COUNTY. ST. ALOYSIUS' CHURCH.
The Rev. James Conlan was the first priest to look after the spiritual interests of the Catholics located at East Liverpool. His first visit was made in the fall of 1835, at which time he was sta- tioned at Steubenville-now in the diocese of Columbus. He found about ten Catholic families in what was then the village of East Liverpool. Mr. J. S. Blakely, a prominent citizen and gen- erous Catholic, kindly offered him the use of the largest room in his spacious house as a place for the celebration of the Holy Sacri- fice. The offer was gratefully accepted and for nearly sixteen years, until the completion of the first church, the Blakely home
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
was the center of Catholicity in East Liverpool. Father Conlan encouraged the Mission, though small and poor, to erect a brick church. It was begun in 1837, but remained in an unfinished state for over four years, owing to lack of means. By July, 1841, the sum of $3,000 had been expended on the edifice, with a debt of $1,000 to be met. With the permission of Bishop Purcell an appeal for financial assistance was addressed "To the Catholic Congregations of Ohio" and signed in the name of the Mission by three of its most prominent members, viz., John J. Murphy, Josiah Bagley and John S. Blakely. The appeal was published in the Cincinnati Catholic Telegraph of July 10, 1841 .* The following passages are quoted from the appeal :
"Our church was commenced in the spring of 1837, under the most favorable auspices; being encouraged by the promising state of the times, and the prospect of a considerable increase of our numbers, from a public work then under contract, we were induced to lay out our church on a larger scale than would have been advisable had such a change been contemplated as took place shortly after that period. The building having progressed, how- ever, to that extent that rendered any alteration impossible, we had no alternative left but to abandon the work entirely and lose what had already been expended, or make another effort to finish the building on the plan already begun. The latter course was deter- mined on, and by the most extraordinary exertions, considering our numbers, we have succeeded in raising a beautiful and sub- stantial edifice (40 x 70 feet, of brick), one that will be an ornament to our town and a credit to our Faith. It is in an unfinished state, it is true, but notwithstanding, it will and does answer for public worship, until a change in the times will enable us to complete it. To effect what has been done we have expended $3,000, and unfor- tunately we have a debt of $1,000, for the payment of which the hammer of the sheriff is now battering at the door. It is to prevent so deplorable a consequence that this appeal is made. * "A church, on which has been expended upwards of $3,000, is about to be sacrificed for a small remaining debt. This of itself should be an important consideration. But still this would be nothing when compared with the disgrace which must be con- sequent on such an event, a consequence which we confidently fee!
(*) The Church in Northern Ohio, p. 283; pp. 34, 37, this volume.
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ST. ANTHONY'S SCHOOL, TOLEDO.
389
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
you will readily assist us to avert. A small pittance from each individual who will be called on would raise the sum required. We do hope our appeal will not be in vain. * * The different congregations of the diocese will be waited on by our pastor, Rev. James Conlan in a few weeks. We hope none will send him away without contributing something.".
This public appeal, which Father Conlan also made in person, in many places, met with a generous response. Hardly had he finished the church, however, when it was destroyed by fire, on Passion Sunday, 1845. The general supposition was that the fire was the work of an incendiary. Father Conlan and his people were much discouraged as they were now without a church and with- out means to rebuild. Mr. Blakely's house was again offered by him, and used as before, as a place for divine worship till the com- pletion of the second church-a frame structure, 30 x 50 feet- which was built in 1851, under the direction of the Rev. James Monahan. The site covered two lots, one of which was donated by Mr. Blakely. All the timber for the church was framed at Pitts- burg, and then floated down the Ohio river on a raft to East Liver- pool, where it was put together. The church cost $1,000-no small sum to be paid by the few Catholics that even then composed the Mission. During the first pastorate of the Rev. P. J. McGuire, an addition of 25 feet was built at an expense of $800, thus to accommodate the increased membership.
East Liverpool was one of the many Missions of the Rev. James Conlan, who attended it from Steubenville, from 1835 to 1842, and from Dungannon, until 1849. It was then made a monthly Mission of the resident pastors of Dungannon, from 1849 to 1856; and of Summitville, from 1856 to 1874, when it was attended by the Rev. James Cullen for a few months, from Wells- ville. Following are the names of the priests who had charge of the Mission of East Liverpool after Father Conlan, viz .: The Revs. James Monahan, 1849-52; Michael Kennedy, July to Decem- ber, 1852; William O'Connor and Francis Stroker, December, 1852, to June, 1855; Philip Flum, June, 1855, to April, 1856; Michael Prendergast, 1856-58 ; Thomas J. Walsh, 1858-59 ; Denis Tighe, 1859-64 ; Patrick J. McGuire, September, 1864, to Septem- ber, 1874. In November, 1874, the Rev. James Cullen was
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
appointed first resident pastor, and lived in a rented house till his removal in February, 1876. His successor was the Rev. P. J. McGuire, who, as above stated, had attended East Liverpool as a Mission. In the summer of 1876 he had a neat and comfortable brick residence built on two lots, at a cost of $4,000. Father McGuire paid $1,600 for the lots. His pastorate lasted until July, 1879, when he was transferred to St. John's Church, Canton-his present position. Until the appointment of the Rev. J. P. Carroll as Father McGuire's successor, in November, 1879, the Rev. E. J. Murphy, then of Summitville, attended East Liverpool from July to September, and the Rev. J. T. Cahill, from September to November, 1879. During the pastorate of Father Carroll the present church, (the third in the history of the parish), an attractive brick structure was built on the site of the old church, which was moved back some distance. It was commenced in 1887 and through necessity used before its completion, in November, 1889, because the old church had become quite dilapidated. From that time forward services were held regularly in the new church. It was dedicated by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., on Sunday, October 5, 1890. It is of Roman architecture, is 52 feet wide and 118 feet long. Including its furnishings it cost about $30,000. In July, 1883, four and a half acres of land were bought for a cemetery. The present pastoral residence was also built during this time, the former residence having been remodeled into a school. Owing to ill health Father Carroll resigned his charge in March, 1893. He died at Charity Hospital on February 6, 1894. His successor was the Rev. J. C. Desmond, whose pastorate was of brief duration, from March to December 5, 1893, when he died. The present incumbent is, the Rev. Thomas M. Smyth, whose appointment dates from December, 1893. Besides making and paying for many needed improvements Father Smyth's generous people also paid the church debt, which was considerable at the time he took charge of the parish.
A school was begun during the pastorate of Father Tighe, but shortly after it had to be closed for want of support. It was reopened by Father Carroll, and has never been discontinued since. It is now in charge of five Sisters of Charity, of Nazareth, Ky., and has an enrollment of nearly 300 children. The parish numbers at
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391
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
present about 350 families and has a steady growth, owing to the large potteries which employ many Catholics.
The names of John S. Blakely, P. McGinley, G. Buchheit, G. Margraf, Patrick and John McNicoll. George Darragh, Martin Hilbert, Thomas Plunkett, H. Keffer and M. Holzmann are held in grateful remembrance as men who, in the pioneer days of the parish, when it was struggling for existence, gave liberally of their time and money to further its interests.
EAST PALESTINE, COLUMBIANA COUNTY. OUR LADY OF LOURDES' CHURCH.
East Palestine is a town of about 3,000 inhabitants, near the Pennsylvania State line. Coal mining, sewer tile and pottery works are the chief industries. In July, 1880, the Catholics of the place, then numbering about twenty-five families, mostly poor, were organized as a congregation by the Rev. Clement H. Treiber. Previous to July, 1880, they were identified with the parish of St. Rose's, at Cannelton, five miles distant, in the diocese of Pitts- burg. From 1872 until 1880 the Rev. E. W. J. Lindesmith attended East Palestine from Leetonia on week days, and said Mass in private houses. In August, 1880, Mr. T. Chamberlain donated a lot to the parish at the corner of W. Walnut and Clarke streets. In September of the same year the erection of a frame church, 32 x 60 feet, was begun on it under the direction of Father Treiber. When finished (in 1882) it cost $3,500. Father Treiber said Mass in it for the first time on January 23, 1881. Neatly frescoed, and tastily furnished with altar, pews, and stained glass windows, the church is a credit to its builder and to the parish ; it was dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes, by Bishop Gilmour, on June 10, 1883. East Palestine was attended from Salem by Father Treiber from September, 1881, until June, 1887. In January, of the same year, he secured a two-acre tract of land about two miles from the church for cemetery purposes. Father Treiber was suc- ceeded at East Palestine and Salem by the Rev. W. J. Finucan, whose pastorate, owing to ill health, was of short duration, from June to December, 1887. In January, 1888, he was succeeded by the Rev. Francis Senner, who attended East Palestine at first semi- monthly, and later monthly, on Sundays, until his transfer to Louis-
392
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
ville, Stark county, in 1897. He left the Mission in a flourishing condition as to temporals and spirituals, and without debt. The Rev. G. C. Schoenemann, of Salem, next had charge of the Mission, giving it the same attendance as it had before, until June, 1898, when the Rev. Joseph J. Clarke was appointed first resident pastor of East Palestine. He remained till January, 1899, when the Rev. Edward Reagan was appointed his successor. One of Father Reagan's first acts was the purchase of a new site for the church and a proposed pastoral residence, in a more eligible loca- tion. The ground, situate on Main street, with a frontage of 120 feet and a depth of 190 feet, was bought in the summer of 1899, for $1,250, and paid for in a few months. Father Reagan's health failing, he was obliged to pass the following winter in a milder climate. The Rev. D. Shunk, C. PP. S., supplied his place till his return in the latter part of March, 1900, with health unim- proved. He died on April 11, less than a fortnight later. The remains of the good priest were taken to his former home in Phila- delphia for interment. Until the appointment of his successor, the Rev. John J. Boyle, in June, 1900, East Palestine was again attended from Salem. Father Boyle's stay was short-until his death, December 5, 1900. His successor is the present incumbent, the Rev. Joseph Barth. The parish now numbers about 50 families. It has been found impossible thus far to establish a parish school owing to the fact that most of the children live too far distant, in the surrounding country.
Mr. H. A. Gray, a convert and a prominent citizen, is the leading spirit in all movements for promoting Catholic interests in East Palestine.
EDGERTON, WILLIAMS COUNTY. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
The history of Catholicity at Edgerton begins with the year 1865, when the Rev. Nicholas Kirch, at the time resident pastor of Stryker, was appointed to take pastoral charge of the few Catholic families then residing there. Previous to that time they were identified with Clarksville, two miles distant, and attended from Defiance by the Revs. A. I. Hoffel and A. Magenhann. With the
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393
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
organization of the Mission of Edgerton that of Clarksville ceased, as both were united into one Mission. Under the direction of Father Kirch the present frame church (40 x 60 feet) was com- menced in 1865 and finished the following year. It was built on lots donated for a church site. During the pastorate of Father Kirch considerable trouble arose between him and the councilmen in regard to the transfer of title to the Bishop. In consequence of this trouble Father Kirch, who had been gravely insulted by the "trustees," was removed by Bishop. Rappe. In December, 1867, the Rev. Peter Becker was appointed his successor and first resident pastor. He also had to face the same trouble as did Father Kirch. But as he insisted on compliance with the diocesan law regarding the title to church property, and threatened to ask for his removal unless the opponents, and so-called "trustees," yielded, they finally gave Bishop Rappe the required deed, in September, 1868. The church was not dedicated however until June 12, 1881, Bishop Gilmour performing the ceremony. In 1868 Father Becker secured a two acre tract of land for a cemetery, which is still in use. In 1869 the present pastoral residence, also a frame building, was erected at a cost of about $1,800. Owing to insubordination on the part of a number of parishioners, the church was closed in 1878, for nearly two months. Since that time peace and harmony have prevailed in the parish.
In 1893, during the pastorate of Father Pfyl, the church was enlarged, entirely remodeled, and made quite attractive in appear- ance, at a cost of about $1,600. On October 28. of the same year, it was re-dedicated by Bishop Horstmann.
St. Mary's congregation is composed mostly of farmers, and has never been of sufficient numerical strength to support a parish school.
The following priests had pastoral charge of Edgerton: The Revs. N. Kirch (from Stryker), 1865-67; P. Becker, first resident pastor, December, 1867, till March, 1869; J. Eyler (from Stryker), March, 1869, to February, 1870; C. Braschler, resident pastor, from 1870-73; J. G. Vogt, 1873-75 ; G. Peter, 1875-79 ; A Mertes, 1879-83; J. H. Kleekamp, 1883-87; T. S. Major, 1887-92; F. J. Pfyl, 1892-97; A. B. Stuber, 1897-98; F. J. Pfyl, a second time, from June, 1898, to January, 1899. The present pastor, the Rev. P. A. Schritz, has had charge since January, 1899.
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
ELMORE, OTTAWA COUNTY. ST. PATRICK'S MISSION CHURCH.
The Catholics at Elmore were attended from Toledo for some years prior to 1872, and Mass was celebrated in the house of P. Higgins. There is however no record of the names of the priests, or when first they attended Elmore as a Station. The first resident pastor was the Rev. F. Davy, who had charge of Elmore and several Missions, from April to August, 1872, when he was suc- ceeded by the Rev. William McMahon, present pastor of St. Bridget's, Cleveland. In April, 1873, Father McMahon bought a fine corner lot on which stood two frame buildings that had been used for public school purposes. The larger of these buildings was transformed into a church and the other into a comfortable parochial residence. The property and necessary changes in the buildings cost $2,800. All but $200 of this sum was paid during the pastorate of Father McMahon. He was succeeded by the Rev. H. Kolopp in August, 1874, and he in turn by the Rev. J. Klute, in January, 1876. Aided by the generous Protestants of the village and by his own small parish Father Klute paid off the balance of the church debt. In July, 1880, the Rev. Gustave H. Rieken succeeded Father Klute. His successors, as resident pastors of Elmore, were the following priests : The Revs. Joseph J. Clarke, October, 1885, to June, 1886; John W. Malecha, August, 1886, to September, 1888; W. J. Smith, September, 1888, to Janu- ary, 1889; J. P. O'Connor, from February to August, 1899, when Genoa became the residence of the priest attending Elmore. It continued to be a Mission of that place until May, 1896, when it was attached to Gibsonburg as a Mission, and since then has so remained. Elmore was attended from Genoa by the Rev. W. S. Kress from July, 1891, till January, 1892. For nearly two years Elmore had no priest. It was then attended from Toledo for a few months by the Rev. T. F. McGuire and later by the Jesuit Fathers, G. Burkard and A. Steffen, until May, 1896. The Mission was next attached to Gibsonburg, as above stated, and placed in charge of the Rev. P. A. Schritz. He was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Leo L. Broens, in January, 1899. Owing to the much reduced Mission, Elmore is now attended monthly on week days.
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH (Ist and 2nd), ELYRIA.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
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During the pastorate of Father Malecha the church was destroyed by fire, on( May 20, 1888. Father Smith, his successor, rebuilt the church, which is now in use. It is a small but very neat edifice (24 x 42 feet), of old English architecture, and cost nearly $1,700. Father Kress supplied it with pews which were used in old St. Ann's church, Fremont, and donated to the Mission of Elmore, which at present numbers only seven families. It is a question of only a short time when the Mission will have to be abandoned, as Elmore offers no inducement for an increase of its Catholic popula- tion.
ELYRIA, LORAIN COUNTY. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
Elyria, one of the most beautiful towns in Northern Ohio, and noted for its charming river scenery, was founded by Heman Ely, a native of Massachusetts. With his family and some servants he settled in that part of Lorain county in 1817; it was then an un- broken forest. In a short time other New Englanders cast their lot with these pioneers, bringing with them not only their Yankee shrewdness but also their bigotry against Catholics. This un- American spirit remained among them and their descendants for many years, and showed itself in a marked degree when Catholics began to settle in Elyria and its vicinity. This was about the year 1845, when the first Catholic Irish and German families established homes there. Although this Puritanic opposition of the Protest- ants of the village was annoying to the Catholics at first, later it spurned them on all the more to live up to their Faith, for the pro- fession of which they suffered "refined persecution." In 1845 Bishop Purcell visited a number of missions in Northern Ohio, among them also Laporte, near Elyria. His fame as a pulpit orator and lecturer was widespread, even at that early day. Hence on the occasion of that visit he was invited by Mr. L. C. Boynton, a Protestant and the deputy sheriff of Lorain county, to lecture in the court house at Elyria on any Catholic subject he might choose. At the same time he was informed of the sad condition of the small and despised Catholic population of that town. He gladly accepted the invitation, and his lecture pleased his non-
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
Catholic audience so much that a Baptist deacon invited the Bishop to lecture in the Baptist meeting-house at Elyria. This aroused a storm of indignation among the Protestant element of the town, but the lecture was delivered and had a salutary effect on his audience. The Bishop then arranged to have a priest look after the spiritual interests of the Catholics at Elyria, by sending them the Rev. Peter Mclaughlin, at that time stationed at Cleveland, 25 miles distant. In 1846 he was replaced by the Rev. Maurice Howard, who attended Elyria as a Station until 1849, when the Very Rev. Vicar General DeGoesbriand succeeded him. Follow- ing the custom of his predecessors, he visited Elyria once a month on week days, and said Mass in private houses. At this time there were about fifteen Catholic families in Elyria. From November, 1851, until May, 1853, the Rev. William O'Connor, Father De Goesbriand's successor, attended Elyria as a Station, from Cleve- land. During this period the Rev. Jacob Ringeli, a Sanguinist Father, also looked after the spiritual welfare of the Germans who formed a considerable part of the growing Catholic population. In May, 1853, the Rev. Michael Healy was sent to Elyria as the first resident pastor, with charge of a number of missions and sta- tions in Lorain and Huron counties. In May, 1854, he secured a plot of land, 4 x 12 rods, at the corner of Middle avenue and Fourth street, which has long since developed into a very attrac- tive part of the town. In spite of bigotry which still displayed itself from time to time, he built on the above mentioned land a small frame church, or chapel. Upon its completion, in the summer of 1854, the use of private houses for Mass ceased. Father Healy was succeeded in March, 1859, by the Rev. Robert A. Sidley in the pastorate of Elyria. He was obliged to enlarge the church, as the congregation had outgrown its place of worship. He made the addition spacious enough to provide for a school room in the rear of the building. The school was placed in charge of a lay teacher. In the summer of 1859 Father Sidley built the pastoral residence, a frame structure, which, though since considerably remodeled, still serves its purpose. Father Sidley was transferred to Sandusky, in April, 1863, and Elyria was left without a resident pastor until the following July, the parish being attended mean- while from the Cathedral. The Rev. Francis A. Sullivan was then appointed Father Sidley's successor. He was in poor health and
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
death cut short his pastorate less than eight months after he arrived in Elyria. He died of tuberculosis on February 3, 1864. With Father Sullivan's demise, the parish was again without a resident pastor -- this time for one year. Meanwhile it was attended from the Cathedral and Seminary at Cleveland, till the following July, and from Norwalk, by the Rev. T. F. Halley, till January, 1865. In February, 1865, the Rev. Charles Griss was appointed to Elyria, but remained only until the following September, when he returned to Perrysburg, his former pastorate. His successor was the Rev. Louis Molon, who had charge of the parish from September, 1865, until April, 1880. During his stay in Elyria he added to the church property, by the purchase of two fine lots, located diagonally from the church. He also enlarged the church considerably, making its length 110 feet, about thrice its original size, when built in 1854. He secured a large bell and an organ ; also the old Town Hall, which he had moved on one of the vacant church lots and remodeled it so as to serve as a school building. In March, 1880, he was stricken with paralysis and thus became disabled for further pastoral work. He died at Elyria, November 16, 1880. His successor, the present pastor, the Rev. John T. Schaffeld, took charge of the parish on May 13, 1880. During the intervening six weeks the Rev. G. F. Houck attended Elyria from Cleveland.
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