USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > St. Raphael's Church, Springfield, Ohio : golden jubilee 1849-1899 : fiftieth anniversary > Part 1
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Golden Jubilee
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1849 -1899
St. Raphael's Church
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... ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02346 214 3
Gc 977.102 SP84SA
7154653
REYNOLDS HIST GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GOLDEN JUBILEE 1 849 1 899
St. Raphael's Church Springfield Ohio
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana
7154653
NEW ST RAPHAEL'S.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/straphaelschurch00unse
ST. RAPHAEL.
St. Raphael, holy archangel of God, Guard well the task His servants here begin; Their hope, their prayer, a sacred place to win -
A haven from the struggles and the sin That e'er beset the way they long have trod- Who work His will amid the world's tired din, Would here unto His peaceful rest come in, His consolation for the chast'ning rod.
Through cycling ages in earth's fairest lands, Men build great monuments. Time brings them all Alike, to mingle with the dust of hands That builded them. In ruin must they fall- But the glory of God's temples all is given To add to that eternal one in heaven. G. H. D.
T HE HISTORY of Catholicity in Springfield is almost identical with its history in every city in Ohio-a few scattered fami- lies, a missionary's visit once or twice a year, gradual and steady increase of population, until finally from the small nucleus had grown a strong, young, thriving parish with a resident priest. Now
that our grand churches and noble schools are wide-spread over the land, doing daily their God-given task, it is well to look back at the years that are gone. The consideration of the sacrifices our an- cestors made to keep the faith alive, the burdens they carried and the
hardships they endured when civilization was merely dawning, cannot but arouse in us gratitude to those noble old pioneers, who in spite of bigotry and prejudice laid so deep and wide the foundations of Ca- tholicity. It is pleasant to read of a Jogues, a Lallemant or a Mar- quette, treading the virgin forest, learning the native language, and bap- tizing the Red Man in the forest stream. Coming nearer our own time we see in the early years of the present century a noble band of priests wandering through the forests of Ohio, in winter and summer, forty and fifty and a hundred miles, with chalice and vestments strapped in the old "saddle-bags," seeking some lonely hamlet, where there might be a few scattered sheep of the flock. Hearing confessions, instructing the young, baptizing, and saying the morning mass, at which the villagers received communion-then starting for another ride through the wilder- ness to bring the consolations of religion to another distant group-this constituted the pastoral life of the pioneer priest. How nobly their work was done is evident from the present fruit which their labors have borne.
It may be asserted with safety that in 1830 there was not a single Catholic family in Clark County. But about the year 1835 and during the ten years succeeding, a number of families located in and about Springfield. Among these Catholic pioneers were Patrick Rocket, Timothy Riordan, William Griblenhoff, N. Spangenberger,
Wendelin Pappert. L. Cuymus, Joseph Bauer, John and Francis Creighton, John Doyle, M. Barneat, Michael Kelly, Adam Hyle. Henry Quinn, John Shuette, David Clancy, Francis Shrimp, John Connors, Joseph Lebold, Michael O'Brien, Michael Kennedy, and per- haps a few others. From 1845 to 1850 we find among the old members, Patrick and James Hennessy, Peter and Thomas Lynch, Francis McConnell, Simon Quill, Matthew Green, Michael Condron, Matthew Bolan, Sylvester Digan, Anthony Cavanaugh, James Quinn, Patrick Clark, William Burns, Hugh Farney, Patrick Casey, Patrick Meehan, Jeremiah Foley, Bartholomew Doyle, James O'Brien, Mrs. Bridget Henry, Patrick and Daniel Doyle, James Owen, Thomas McBrien, Patrick and Charles Biggens, Henry and Martin Gibbons, John Flanagan, Matthew and Patrick Carlos, Peter, Luke, Patrick and John Cox, John Douglas, Andrew Meehan, Patrick Shinners, Thomas McLane, Laurence Hays, Michael Murphy, John Bellow, Thomas Carroll, Michael Dillon, John Sullivan, Hugh Sweeney. John Kenney, Michael Ging, Denis and John Shea, Denis Clancy, Patrick Dillon, Eugene McCune, Thomas Conway and Michael Hart.
Within the next five years we find the names of Anthony Hines, Thomas O'Brien, B. Enright, Thomas, Andrew and Michael Gallagher, John Maddigan, Peter Seward, Mr. Werngartner, James Fitzgerald, Mr. Monaghan, Patrick O'Brien, Michael, Patrick and John Bolan.
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William Regan, Richard Burns, Denis Hagan, Owen Gallagher, Michael Condron, Michael Rule, John McGarr, Francis Daugherty, James Burke, Jeremiah Cronin, Hugh Hart, Peter and Michael Madden, Christopher Kelly, Joseph Gunder, Andrew Haas, John Carr, John Milan, Michael Dargen, John and Michael Hughes, Martin Quaid, Daniel and Patrick Tehan, Thomas Shaw, William Ford, Richard Walsh, Anthony Ray, and some few others whose names we have been unable to procure. However, the persons already named were the nucleus around which was formed the present congregation of Saint Raphael.
The first priest who visited Springfield, as far as we can learn, was Rev. Henry Damien Juncker, of Dayton, who celebrated mass in the residence of William Griblenhoffer. The exact dates of his visits to Springfield is not known. However, he was pastor of Emmanuel Church, Dayton, from 1844 until 1857. Springfield was attended as a separate mission in 1849; hence we may safely assume that Father Juncker had charge during the years from 1844 to 1849. He was a native of Fonetrange, Diocese of Nancy, in the French Province of Lorraine. Born in August, 1809, his early life was spent amid the Catholic surroundings of his home. In early manhood he embarked for America, and under the direction of Archbishop Purcell, finished his ecclesiastical studies in the old Seminary at Cincinnati. He was
ordained on Passion Sunday, 1834, being the first to receive ordination at the hands of Cincinnati's first archbishop. Soon afterwards he be- came pastor of Holy Trinity Church, Cincinnati. In 1837 he went to Canton; thence to Chillicothe, attending as missions Circleville, Pike- town, Delaware, Columbus, and Portsmouth. In 1844 he was trans- ferred to Dayton. From this center he attended Bellefontaine, West Liberty, Xenia, Lebanon, and Springfield. He was consecrated bishop of Alton, Illinois, April 26th, 1857, and died October 2nd, 1868.
With the exception of Bishop Juncker we have found only the names of two other priests who attended Springfield up to 1849. They were Rev. J. J. O'Mealy and his brother, Patrick. Rev. J. J. O'Mealy was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1809. He made his studies in Rome, France, and Cincinnati. Soon after his ordination he was made Rector of the Diocesan Seminary, then situated in Brown County. He died in Springfield, October 20, 1856, and was buried in Dayton.
From the year 1849 St. Raphael's Parish may date its history as a distinct congregation, attended by its own pastor. This position was first filled by Reverend James Kearney. The first parish register was begun by him, August, 1849. In the year 1848 ground had been purchased, and the first church of St. Raphael erected by the noble and timely generosity of Michael P. Cassilly. He was com- pensated to some extent afterwards by the congregation. The new edifice was completed by Father Kearney.
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PASTORAL RESIDENCE.
OLD ST RAPHAEL'S.
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In 1850 Father Kearney was succeeded by Reverend Maurice Howard. He was an earnest and zealous priest, and guarded the flock untiringly for thirteen years. In 1863 Reverend D. J. Cogan had charge for a few months, and in January, 1864, Reverend J. N. Thisse became pastor.
The church was remodeled in 1865 and 1866 by adding to its length, and otherwise beautifying its various appointments; it was dedi- cated by Bishop Rosecrans in 1867. Until 1865 the pastoral residence was in the rear of the church. At this time Father Thisse purchased a separate residence, which was sold as part of his estate in 1873.
The first Catholic school was taught in the basement of the church during the pastorate of Father Howard. Afterwards a small frame building was purchased by Father Thisse. It stood on the site of the present school building, and served its purpose well for several years.
Up to the year 1868 one priest was able to take care of the people of St. Raphael's, and the missions, South Charleston and Yellow Springs. But in that year the numbers had increased to such an ex- tent that it was necessary to have an assistant pastor. The first to fill the position was Reverend J. A. Maroney. Since his time the office has been filled by Reverends James Burns, C. M. Berding, T.
A. Conway, Francis Mallon, J. B. Dickhaus, Michael Ahern, W. B. Miggeel, John Singleton, William Conway, D. A. Buckley, John Cusack, Martin L. Murphy, and Michael J. Kelly.
After the death of Father Thisse, May, 1873, the present pastor, Reverend William Henry Sidley, was appointed, arriving in Springfield on the 27th of June.
The congregation at this time was $7,000.00 in debt, had a small frame school building, and the church as it is represented in the en- graving. There was then no residence for the pastors. The members of the congregation, however, were ready and willing to do their part, and did it nobly. The erection of the present elegant and well ar- ranged residence was begun at once. It was ready for occupancy June 1st, 1874.
The next great necessity was a larger school. Most of the chil- dren of the parish were compelled to attend the public schools, as there was no room for them in the parochial school. The present commodious building was begun in 1876, the first stone being placed June 29th. Its great work began in September, 1877. It is a three story brick building, 45 x 82 in size, containing eight rooms, and a hall on the third floor the full size of the building. It was found necessary, in order to accommodate the great number of pupils, to divide the hall into class-rooms. Hence the school building as it now stands
OLD ST RAPHAEL'S. INTERIOR VIEW.
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contains eleven rooms, with 600 scholars on the roll. There is a high school department for teaching the higher branches.
In 1861 the German members of St. Raphael's, anxious to hear the word of God in their own language, organized a separate congregation, known as St. Bernard's.
Beginning with the year 1877 Springfield grew rapidly in popula- tion and business interests. As the population increased the Catholic portion kept pace with it, so that by 1880 both Church and School had become too small. This increase of population was especially felt in the south-eastern part of the city, on account of the erection of the mammoth East Street Shops. To accommodate the residents and to furnish greater facilities for the practice of their religion, it was evident that a new church and school were necessary. With energy born of faith the people began the work. In 1881 three lots were purchased on the corner of Kenton street and Central Avenue. In 1882 was be- gun the erection of the large three-story school house, the first story providing a commodious room suitable for church service. In October, 1883, the school was opened and services held regularly in the church.
St. Joseph's, the name of the new church, was not cut off imme- diately from St. Raphael's. This was not done until 1884, when the new congregation had a perfect organization both in church and school, and were in all things able to do for themselves. Rev. C. M. Berding
was the first pastor, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. W. C. Conway.
Returning to St. Raphael's we have to note that in 1880 a Sodality Chapel was erected in the rear of the church at a cost of $850. In 1884 a residence was purchased for the Sisters at a cost of $7,500. It is a large house well adapted for its purpose, being adjacent both to church and school.
Notwithstanding the fact that St. Raphael's, the parent church of Springfield, had been decreased by the formation of two complete and well-equipped congregations, the accommodations were still inadequate for her own people. The trend of the popular mind was toward the erection of a new and larger structure; for this purpose it was desired to purchase more land. The wish of the pastor was to erect a larger edifice on the old ground. It was, however, the will of the congrega- tion to increase the property and erect a church that should be fit to last forever.
Such was the feeling in the Spring of 1889, when a meeting of the congregation was held in the School Hall. At this meeting the following committee was elected: Patrick Bolan, Daniel Minehan, Alex. O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien, Michael Day, Matthew Carlos, Thomas Hennessy and Edward Wren, all being members of the old board except Mr. Wren.
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The subject of the new church was introduced and received a hearty welcome. A strong desire to obtain the property immediately west of the church having been manifested in the meeting, the chair appointed a committee of five to see what could be done in the matter. This committee reported soon afterwards that the property belonging to Mr. Bretney, and immediately west of the church, could be bought for $17,- 000. This offer was not direct, and it was agreed that Father Sidley should see Mr. Bretney personally. However, it was almost determined upon to build on the old ground. Thus matters stood during the summer.
Another meeting of the congregation was called October 20, and the purchase of the property discussed. It was decided that the prop- erty should be purchased. In addition to the regular committee, the chairman appointed the following gentlemen : Messrs. Tehan, Smith, Sullivan, P. E. Montanus, Michael Gallagher and William Armstrong. The committee was instructed to get the property on the best terms possible, and it was unanimously decided that their decision should be final. On November 3, at a meeting of the committee, Mr. Montanus and Mr. Tehan reported that Mr. Bretney was willing to sell the prop- erty for $17,000.
As six members of the committee were absent it was judged better to defer final action until a full meeting should be called for
November 7. Accordingly a meeting was held, nothing definite being accomplished. Matters remained unsettled until the meeting of Decem- ber 1, when it was unanimously decided that the property should be secured at the price required, $16,900. Mr. Montanus and Mr. Tehan were appointed to close the deal. A subscription list was immediately started, and the church committee put down its name for $1,455. No regular meetings were held after this. The work of swelling the sub- scription list was pushed, and on the 7th of February, 1890, the first payment of $6,900 was made. The congregation took possession of the property on the 1st of January, 1891. The last payment was made to Mr. Bretney, February 2, 1892.
In the Spring of 1892 St. Raphael's property consisted of the present school house and residence, and the old church as shown in the illustration. In addition to this frontage, fifty feet had been added by the purchase of the Bretney property, in accordance with the desire of the congregation for a more imposing church. In order to get the views of the members of the congregation in regard to the new build- ing, a meeting was called by the pastor for March 6. One hundred and twenty-five responded to the call. The meeting opened by adding the following gentlemen to the committee: Messrs. J. B. North, P. Bolan, P. O'Brien, Jr., D. J. O'Connor, C. Mattingly and John Sullivan. The subject of the new building was then taken up. The pastor
spoke at some length in favor of it, and was followed by several mem- bers to the same effect, showing that the general feeling was for build- ing at once.
The question of purchasing the corner lot was put to a vote and lost. After considerable discussion a standing vote was taken regarding the erection of a new church. It was enthusiastically decided to build. Mr. Creager, of Springfield, was chosen as the architect, and authority was given to the pastor and a committee of fifteen to choose any style of architecture. Father Sidley visited several prominent cities in Ohio and soon submitted two sketches-one of a church with a single tower in the center; another with two towers. The latter was accepted. It is the St. Raphael's of to-day.
On the 15th of May, 1892, it was announced "This will be the last Sunday in the old church." No doubt the announcement was re- ceived with mingled joy and regret, as the older members recalled the happy and sad events the old walls had witnessed in the past. The last mass was said in it on Thursday, May 19. The old bell was rung for the last time at 1 P. M., Monday, May 23. The cross placed on the tower was taken down May 30. The work of excavation was now pushed forward, the first stone in the foundation being placed in posi- tion on the 13th of July. The corner stone was placed by Most Reverend William Henry Elder, D. D., September 25. His Grace was
assisted by Monsignor Thorpe, of Cleveland, who preached the sermon. Very Reverend T. S. Byrne, D. D., rector of Mt. St. Mary Seminary, now Bishop of Nashville, Rev. Henry Moeller, D. D., Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Rev. A. R. Sidley, of Cleveland, Rev. A. Bourion, of South Charleston, Rev. Isaac J. Hocter, of Xenia, Rev. James O'Keefe, of Yellow Springs, Rev. C. Berding and Rev. A. Fischer, of Spring- field, the pastor and assistant, Rev. Martin L. Murphy, were also in attendance.
The work on the superstructure was begun October 10. Work had progressed so well that in the following October the church was under roof, the bell was placed in the small tower and was rung for the first time on All Saints' Day. The work of completing the base- ment was hurried along, and it was ready for use on Christmas morning, when the first mass was sung in the new St. Raphael's. Thus happily closed the year 1893, with a truly happy Christmas for the zealous people of the congregation.
During the ensuing year little was done on the church. General improvements were made on the property, steam heating, etc., aggre- gating about $6,000.
The limit of indebtedness which the Archbishop allowed the con- gregation to contract, $25,000, was reached in 1894. In consequence a general meeting was called for March 17, 1895. The attendance was very large, and it was unanimously agreed to increase the debt to $40,000 and complete the church. The Most Reverend Archbishop,
in a letter to the pastor, approved the action of the congregation. Before the close of 1895 the plastering had been completed and the windows placed in position. Little was done in the following year, except the placing of the marble wainscoting. The hard times made a halt necessary. Work, however, was heartily resumed in 1897. The steel ceiling was placed in the vestibule and beneath the gallery, the vestibule was tiled, the front steps were completed, the floor finished, pews set in place and gas fixtures arranged. Still the end and con- summation of the work of fifty years was not reached till the following year, 1898, the year of dedication.
This happy and long-looked-for event took place July 17, 1898. Most Reverend William H. Elder, D. D., carried out the beautiful ceremony. The solemn Mass of Dedication was sung by The Reverend Dean Sidley. Rev. D. A. Buckley officiated as Deacon; Rev. Michael J. Loney, Sub-Deacon ; Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Henry Moeller, D. D .; Assistant Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Michael J. Kelly. The minor offices were filled by the following students of Mt. St. Mary's and St. Gregory's Seminaries: James Fogarty, John Gallagher, William Clark, Thomas Fogarty, John O'Leary, John Gnau, Timothy Bailey, William Welch and Francis Varley. The sermon was preached by Right Reverend Monsignor Thorpe, of Cleveland.
Solemn Vespers were sung in the evening, and the sermon was preached by the Most Reverend Archbishop.
The church is one of the objects of public interest in Springfield, and non-Catholics as well as Catholics always point to it with pride.
NEW ST RAPHAEL'S. INTERIOR VIEW.
The high tower reaching to a height of 184 feet commands a per- fect view of the Champion City, and is very popular with visitors who have the courage to mount the 156 steps which lead to its summit. The smaller tower is 135 feet in height, and contains the bell, which was used in the old church. A remarkable feature which is frequently missed by visitors is the huge frame-work which supports the enormous roof. The beams are 12x16 inches and are secure enough, in the opinion of builders, to support a heavy railroad train. The style of architecture is the modified gothic. The ceiling is 50 feet high, and contains three graceful arches, meeting, not in columns, but in beautiful drops. This leaves the entire interior clear, giving a vast space 60x100x75 feet for the auditorium. The wood work, and entire interior is finished in quartered oak. The material used in the walls is Berea sandstone.
The cost of the edifice as it stands today is $75,000.00 on which there is a moderate indebtedness.
ST RAPHAEL'S SCHOOL.
ST. RAPHAEL SCHOOL.
OTHING can better explain the consistent Catholicity of Springfield than the pre-eminence which has always been given to the School.
The pioneer Catholic school of Springfield was started in the basement of St. Raphael's by Father Howard. While located here it was in charge of Messrs. Coffey and Kelly, and Miss Ellen Hennessy.
In 1864, during the pastorate of Father Thisse, a small frame house was purchased, which occupied the exact site of the present building.
At that time Richard J. Russell and Miss Harriett Armstrong, now Mrs. P. E. Montanus, were the teachers. In 1873, Mr. D. C. Lehan was added to the corps of teachers, which continued the same for three years. In 1876 the old frame house was sold and the present splendid building erected. It was completed and ready for occupancy in September, 1877.
The present site and edifice cost $19,000. The building is a three-story brick of modern style, containing eight comfortable class rooms. The third story was, until 1897, a single apartment, with a stage and scenery, being known as St. Raphael's Hall. At the time
named it was necessary, owing to the number of pupils, to partition it. Three large rooms for the High School now occupy the upper floor.
At the opening of the new building Mr. Lehan took charge of the advanced classes of boys, the Sisters of Charity teaching the other seven rooms. This arrangement continued until the resignation of Mr. Lehan in 1884, when the Sisters took full charge.
The first person who enjoyed a diploma of St. Raphael's School was Miss Ella Maher, who died shortly after graduation, in 1882.
The congregation of St. Raphael deserve unstinted praise for many things, but especial praise should be theirs for the continued loyalty to the school. In spite of the sharpest competition it has been able to turn out scholars equal, and frequently superior, to the other schools of the city. We cannot compute the spiritual good it has accomplished. Its temporal success may be estimated from the posi- tions occupied by the Alumni. In every grade of social and mercan- tile life the graduates of St. Raphael are well able to hold their own. She has given worthy members to the priesthood; she has her repre- sentatives in the legal profession, in our business houses, in our government building, in our Public Schools as teachers-in a word, throughout the entire city we find her sons and daughters occupying places of trust and importance. The venerable Alma Mater is proud of her children, knowing well that their success and happiness is her own glory. To crown the labors of the Sisters in this year of Jubilee
nothing more fitting can be said than this, every child in reach of the School gladly and cheerfully attends.
The school is under the care of the Sisters of Charity. The pastor is the principal, and takes a deep interest in the work of the school. The present excellent condition of the parish is owing in a great measure to the success of the school. "From the babies to the graduates," says a local daily," the school is the supreme joy of Father Sidley's heart. Its system of education embraces the elemen- tary grades, the intermediate, and a four years' course in High School. Always zealous and self-sacrificing, the Sisters have given to the school their most fervent care. They have watched over the young heart and opening intellect in the "baby-room "-on through the vari- ous grades to the happy day of first Communion-thence to the glorious day of graduation. Cheerful and happy, they have during the past decades communicated their own happiness to others. Happy homes have been formed, the pupils have gone forth to gather around them new ties and new responsibilities, and they have always found strength and perseverance in the remembrance of the lessons they were taught as children by the devoted daughters of Saint Vincent de Paul.
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