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, pt1 > Part 20
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"To the Rev. Rectors and Pastors in the Diocese of Cleveland :
"From and after January 1, 1898, Sunday funerals will be prohibited in the diocese of Cleveland, except in case of extreme necessity, to which fact the priest issuing the burial permit will certify by letter to the sexton, or superintendent, of the cemetery in which interment is to be made. If by reason of death from contagious disease it is necessary to permit an interment on Sunday, only a hearse, or wagon, and not more than three carriages, or other vehicles, will be allowed to enter the cemetery.
"The reverend rectors and pastors, as also those having im- mediate charge of Catholic cemeteries, will be governed by the above regulation in regard to burial permits and funerals."
Since the publication of the order, Sunday funerals, except in cases of emergency, as above noted, are of the past. Their prohi- bition has found favor throughout the diocese, and is being intro- duced elsewhere.
As stated on page 169 of this volume, in December, 1892. Bishop Horstmann asked for photographs of churches, schools, institutions, etc., and within a few years a very large and valuable collection of these photographs was accumulated, and placed in the diocesan archives. To supplement this collection the Bishop published a notice in the Catholic Universe, in April, 1898, asking for photographs of living and deceased priests, now or formerly in the diocese. In September, of the same year, he sent to all the pastors in the diocese a circular letter containing the same request, as appears from the following :
"Rev. Dear Sir:
"As the Diocesan archives contain photographs of nearly all the churches, schools, etc., I think it but proper to have the photo- graphs of the priests. who by their labors and self-sacrifice made it possible to have our diocese ranked by common consent among the foremost in the country, for its grand array of ecclesiastical buildings. I would therefore be thankful for a copy of your photo- graph, cabinet size, if possible. When all the photographs of the
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
reverend clergy are received, I shall have them arranged in proper albums, and placed in the Diocesan archives.
"I would also be glad to have photographs of deceased priests, who formerly labored in our diocese. Should you have such, and would care to part with them, you will oblige by sending the same to the Chancery, along with your own, by Nov. 1, prox.
"Yours very truly in Xt.,
¡IGN. F. HORSTMANN. Bishop of Cleveland."
These two calls resulted in a collection, thus far (December, 1900), of over 300 photographs of priests, with promises of more later on. This double array of photographs of ecclesiastical build- ings and of priests, now filed and indexed, is perhaps not equalled. certainly not surpassed, by any diocese in the United States, and will be of incalculable value to the future historian of the diocese.
Between 1892 and 1900 a wonderful activity displayed itself in the diocese. Many new parishes were organized, numerous churches, some of them architectural gems, were built, institutions established or enlarged, and a great increase of Catholic popula- tion gained, especially in the larger cities. As this is not the place to enter into details on the subject, the reader is referred to the historical sketches of parishes and institutions, in this volume. But suffice it to say, that the diocese of Cleveland is second to none in Catholic growth, strength and vigor. It commands the respect of the country, and is looked upon as a model for order and disci- pline. This is due, under God. to its three bishops, and to the clergy and religious, who labored in season and out of season, in order to spread the Kingdom of God within the sphere assigned to them. They labored for God, and He has blessed their labors.
Few dioceses, if any, in the United States, have as many fine, costly and large churches, and none have as many and we !! equipped parochial schools, colleges and academies in proportion to Catholic population, as are located within the limits of the diocese of Cleveland. And wherever churches or schools are built to replace similar edifices, they are of beautiful proportions and tasteful design. There is a healthy emulation to erect churches worthy their sacred use, and schools at least equal to those which Catholic parents are forced by an unjust taxation to support, but which in conscience they cannot allow their children to attend.
1
191
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
The diocese of Cleveland is provided with generously sup- ported charitable institutions, covering nearly all wants of suffer- ing and neglected humanity. But there is great need of a reforma- tory for wayward and homeless boys. Lack of means, however, has thus far prevented the founding of such an institution, to take from the streets and shelter, educate and train in virtue and for future usefulness, boys who are now going to spiritual destruction. Who will erect such an iniperishable monument to charity, out- lasting tablets of brass, or shafts of granite or marble?
The seminary, "the heart of the diocese." is also greatly in need of enlargement for the accommodation of a sufficient number of young levites, who are not only to take the place of the laborers in the Lord's vineyard, called to their reward, but also to meet the wants of a rapidly growing diocese, with missions and congrega- tions springing into existence on every side-and no priests to serve them.
Father Fenwick came for the first time to Northern Ohio, in 1817, to break the Bread of Life to the famishing children of God's Church, living in sparse numbers within the limits of the present flourishing diocese of Cleveland. He was the first priest to visit at regular intervals this part of Ohio, after the Jesuits were obliged to abandon their Indian missions on the southern shore of Lake Erie, and along the Vermillion, Sandusky and Portage rivers. Beyond a few Catholic settlers in Columbiana and Stark counties, Father Fenwick found no trace of Catholicity.
When the diocese of Cleveland was erected in 1847, Bishop Rappe found but one church and one priest in Cleveland, and forty-two churches in the entire diocese, attended by twenty-one priests.
Were Father Fenwick, the apostle of Catholicity in Ohio, Bishop Rappe, the missionary bishop of the diocese of Cleveland, and Bishop Gilmour, the zealous promoter of Catholic education, and valiant defender of Catholic civic rights, to return to the scene of their apostolic labors, their hearts would indeed be gladdened. as they are no doubt gladdened in heaven today, to see the vigorous growth of the Tree of Life they planted and fostered. They would find more than two hundred and sixty churches, many of them cathedral-like in size and beauty, studding the territory
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
formerly under their pastoral care and jurisdiction. Institutions of religion, education and charity would greet their eye; parochial schools, generously and willingly supported, would give them assurance that the children, the hope of the future, have every means placed within their reach to keep them in the Faith; they would also find a zealous clergy, devoted religious, and a generous laity.
The following table will show at a glance the marvelous growth of the Catholic Church in Northern Ohio and in the diocese of Cleveland, between 1817 and the end of the year 1900:
TABLE.
YEAR.
Churches.
Priests (Secular and Regular)
Female Reli- gious Com.
Chari- table Institu- tions.
Educa- tional Institu- tions.
Paro- chial Schools.
In Northern Ohio
1817 1827 1837
......
.....
......
2
1
14
7
...
......
......
1847
42
21
3.
......
1
......
1857
78
54
7
3
4
7
1867
150
90
9
5
5
70
In Diocese of Cleveland ..
1877
190
158
17
10
7
110
1887
225
187
18
16
8
126
1900
268
275
18
18
13
144
..
....
......
PART III
SECTION I
PARISH AND MISSION CHURCHES
PREFATORY REMARKS.
U NFORTUNATELY for history and the historian, prior to 1878 there was no uniform method or system in the Diocese of Cleveland for the keeping of historical records of parishes, missions and institutions. Only in a few parishes were they kept at all. Hence, the early accounts of most parishes and missions depend largely on tradition, and are, consequently, in many instances deficient as to dates and facts. In the above men- tioned year Bishop Gilmour introduced, among other annual blanks, to be filled in by pastors, and heads of institutions, one, con- taining a request for annual historical data. In the Synod of 1882 it was also made obligatory on all pastors to keep a record ofevents happening in their respective parishes each year. In 1878 Bishop Gilmour also sent out a blank form in which he asked for historical data, beginning with the organization of each parish, mission and institution. The result of the Bishop's efforts in this respect was, that a large amount of historical information was gathered, and is now on file in the Diocesan Archives. This required a great deal of research, and a sifting of facts from fiction. Later on, the pastors, as also the superiors of the religious, educational and charitable institutions, were asked to write, or cause to be written, historical sketches of their respective parishes, missions and insti- tutions. This request received a prompt and kind response. Most of these sketches appeared in the Catholic Universe between 1880 and 1900. Recast, and brought down to December 31, 1900, by the writer, they form the subject matter of Sections I, II, III and IV of this part of the Diocesan History. The sketches of the older parishes will portray to the reader the struggles and trials endured, and the sacrifices made by the pioneer priests and laity in behalf of
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
religion; how, in poverty, they erected humble chapels and churches, of little or no architectural pretension; how they gave generously of their limited means to the support of the church and to charity; how they were not "fair weather Christians," but in spite of distance and inclement weather, would go many miles, in order to assist at divine services and receive the sacraments. From the following parish sketches the present generation of Catholics may learn salutary lessons in fidelity towards God, the Church and their fellowmen, as it is exemplified in their forefathers. There will also be found accounts of trouble and discord that marred the peace of parishes, and scandalized the faithful. But it is the historian's duty to chronicle the evil deeds, as well as the good-those, as a warning against evil doers "whose deeds live after them;" these, for the edification of all; and both, as necessary for a truthful history. The true historian can not, will not, create facts, but he must record them fearlessly, honestly and impartially, without personal bias. This has been the writer's endeavor, in giving a running account of the diocesan history, as contained in Parts I and II of this volume; as also in the sketches contained in Part III.
A certain sameness in the description of churches, develop- ment and history of congregations, or institutions, is unavoidable, but will be offset, in a measure, by the fact, that each sketch will be of special interest to those in any way connected with it.
A difficulty that presented itself to the writer was the order in which the sketches should appear-whether alphabetically, by places, or according to the date when parishes, missions or institu- tions were established; or whether to arrange the sketches of churches, etc., according to their location in counties, in alpha- betical order, as has been done in some diocesan histories. The writer found objections to all of these methods, but the least to a strictly alphabetical order, according to places. This method he finally adopted, but thought it proper to give precedence to Cleve- land, as the Episcopal city, beginning with St. Mary's Church, on the "Flats," which was Bishop Rappe's first Cathedral, serving as such until November, 1852. Its sketch is succeeded by that of St. John's Cathedral, and by those of the other city churches. These in turn are followed by the sketches of churches located outside of Cleveland, arranged alphabetically according to places.
:
:
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, "ON TIIE FLATS," CLEVELAND. The first Catholic Church in that city (1838).
1
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND. 195
The same. order is observed in places having more than one church. This arrangement of sketches will make it easy to find the sketch of any church in the diocese, without having to refer to the · index of churches.
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, ON THE "FLATS," CLEVELAND.
When the Rt. Rev. Amadeus Rappe arrived in Cleveland, in October, 1847, as the first Bishop of the recently erected diocese of Cleveland, he found but one church in his episcopal city-St. Mary's, located on the Flats, at the corner of Columbus and Girard streets-of which the Rev. Maurice Howard was pastor since 1846. It had been in use since 1840, and served all the Catholics of Cleveland and the immediate vicinity during that time. For a more detailed account of its history, prior to 1847, the reader is referred to the sketch of "Early Catholicity in Cleveland," on pages 61 to 67, of this volume.
Soon after his arrival the Bishop saw the pressing need of better and more ample church facilities for the rapidly increasing number of Catholics in Cleveland, the church on the Flats having become much too small to accommodate them. Besides, the Germans were clamoring for sermons in their native tongue. He secured the aid of two Sanguinist Fathers from Thompson, Seneca county, the Revs. Matthias Kreusch and Jacob Ringele, to minister to the Germans, who now began to have separate services in old St. Mary's. The Cleveland Herald of March 16, 1848, has the following item, bearing on the above statement :
"The Catholic population of our city and immediate vicinity now numbers about 4,000, and the wants of the people require a much larger and more central place of worship than St. Mary's Church. An effort will be made to build a cathedral the present year, and for this purpose the well known liberality of our citizens will be appealed to. * A site for the location of the cathedral at the head of Superior, and the corner of Erie and Meadow streets, has been purchased, and we have seen a drawing of the proposed edifice, which will add very much to the good taste and inviting appearance of our beautiful young city."
On October 23, 1848, the Bishop purchased from Thomas May, five lots adjoining those secured in 1845 by the Rev. Peter
:
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
Mclaughlin. On one of these lots, immediately east of the present Cathedral, and on the site now occupied by the episcopal residence, he had a temporary frame structure erected, known as the Church of the Nativity. Mass was celebrated in it for the first time on . Christmas, 1848. The building served as a "chapel of ease" to St. Mary's on the Flats, till the completion of St. John's Cathedral, in November, 1852.
In January, 1848, the Rev. Louis De Goesbriand succeeded Father Howard in the pastorate of St. Mary's, and was also appointed Vicar General to Bishop Rappe, retaining the latter position till his consecration as Bishop of Burlington, in October, 1853. Father De Goesbriand was assisted during the time of his pastorate of Cleveland's first and only congregation by the Rev. James Conlan, and occasionally by the above named Sanguinist Fathers.
As stated in the above prefatory remarks, St. Mary's Church on the Flats, at the time the only church in Cleveland. served also as the first Cathedral, from October, 1847, until November 7, 1852. On the last mentioned date the present Cathe- dral, at the northeast corner of Superior and Erie streets, was finished and consecrated. St. Mary's was then assigned to the Germans who were placed under the pastoral care of the above mentioned Sanguinist Fathers and the Rev. Nicholas Roupp, till the advent of the Rev. John H. Luhr, February, 1853. He was appointed their first resident pastor. As the Catholic Germans lived too widely separated to make St. Mary's a convenient place of worshio for all, Father Luhr's proposition, to have those living east of the river organize as a distinct congregation, was approved by Bishop Rappe, who authorized them to purchase a site for church purposes at the corner of Superior and Dodge streets. This was the beginning of St. Peter's congregation.
The Germans living west of the river were formed in Novem- ber, 1854, as a congregation under the title of St. Mary's of the Assumption, and were given the use of the church on the Flats, till the dedication of their present church, on Jersey street, in 1865. The Revs. J. J. Kramer, F. X. Obermueller, and James Hamene had successive charge of St. Mary's congregation, till the last men- tioned year. From 1865 to 1879 old St. Mary's was the cradle of the following congregations: St. Malachy's, 1865 ; St. Wenceslas',
197
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
(Bohemian), 1867; Annunciation, (French), 1870. The Catholic Poles of Cleveland were the last to occupy the venerable proto- church of Cleveland, viz. : from 1872 to 1879, when they organized as St. Stanislas' congregation. In 1879 the old church was practi- cally abandoned, as the Catholics residing in its neighborhood were not sufficient in number to warrant the organization or main- tenance of a congregation. On the Feast of Epiphany, January 6, 1886, Bishop Gilmour directed his Vicar General, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, to celebrate High Mass in it-the last divine service within its hallowed walls. It was a typical winter's day, with plenty of snow and ice covering the interior of the building, open for long to wind and weather. Two years previous a ruthless storm had blown down its much decayed spire, and the cold blasts had full sway in the church through broken roof and almost paneless windows. The forlorn looking edifice was packed to overflowing with an interested audience, composed largely of the old Catholic settlers of Cleveland, who had worshipped within its sacred walls in earlier years, when they were in the prime of life and the church attractive in appearance. The old mother church of Cleveland's Catholics then looked tattered and torn, while her daughters, decked in splendor, were carrying on high in every part of the city, the Sign of Redemption on lofty tower or graceful spire.
After Mass a general desire was expressed to have the church repaired and put in as good condition as it was when first built- thus to be preserved as a relic for future generations of Catholics in Cleveland. An opportunity was offered to put into execution this laudable sentiment, by contributing the money necessary for the proposed expenditure, estimated at about $2,000; but the project failed. Hence, the tooth of time was allowed to still further gnaw at the venerable church. Meanwhile the heirs of the original grantors of the lots, on which the church had so long stood, sued for reversal of title to said lots, owing to non-fulfillment of condi- tions, mentioned in the deed of transfer. They based their suit on this fact, that now and for some years past the church had not been used and that there was no Catholic church in use in the part of the city known formerly as Cleveland centre. The suit was heard in the Court of Common Pleas at its session in the spring of 1888. A compromise decree was issued ordering the sale of the lots, the proceeds to be divided equally between the diocese of
198
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
Cleveland and the heirs of the original grantors. To clear the lots preparatory to their sale Bishop Gilmour had the church torn down in September, 1SSS.
Thus passed out of existence the first landmark of Catholicity in Cleveland. Among the laymen, who by their zeal and generosity aided in organizing the first Catholic parish and in building the first church in Cleveland, the following deserve special mention : Messrs. Detmer, Golden, Wegmann, Feeley, Lawler, Toole, J. Wamelink, Duffy, Allwell, W. J. Runcie, Henry Kramer, Schwind, Byrne, Hanlon, J. Smith, McCarthy, Fitzpatrick, H. Wolke, ' Kelley, Kenny, Keenan, McNally, Cahill, Gibbons, Crosby, Rogers, McCaffrey and Mathews. Mr. J. T. Wamelink, for many years the efficient organist of St. John's Cathedral, when a boy of fourteen was the first organist of old St. Mary's Church.
And who will recount the many happy recollections centered around the church on the Flats-now no more! Many a joyful scene was witnessed within its hallowed enclosure; many a tear of sorrow and sadness dried by the consoling words of confessor or preacher. In it marriage vows were pronounced, baptismal waters poured, and the last sad rites of burial performed for thousands of Cleveland Catholics. Although old St. Mary's Church is of the past, its sacred memories will remain enshrined in the hearts of the Catholic pioneers of Cleveland and their immediate descend- ants, till the last of them shall have passed from mortality to immortality.
ST. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL, CLEVELAND.
As stated in the preceding sketch of St. Mary's Church, on the Flats, Bishop Rappe, soon after his arrival in Cleveland, found it of imperative necessity to provide church facilities for the rapidly growing Catholic population of his episcopal city. He also felt it necessary to take measures for the erection of a Cathedral that should be a credit to the diocese which he had been called to rule as bishop. Hence in the early part of 1848, he determined that the lots bought by the Rev. Peter McLaughlin, in the face of severe adverse criticism, in 1845, at the head of Superior street, on Erie, then the eastern boundary of the city, should be the site for the prospective
199
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
Cathedral. On October 23, 1848, he bought five lots adjoining to the east those already secured. The purchase price was $1,250. On one of these lots, immediately east of the present Cathedral, and on the site of the Bishop's residence, a temporary frame struc- ture, 30 by 60 feet, was erected. It was known as the Church of the Nativity. In it Mass was celebrated for the first time on Christmas Day, 1848. On week days the sanctuary of this chapel was closed from view by folding-doors and the nave was used as a school-the first parochial school in the city of Cleveland. Bishop Rappe knew full well the necessity of a Christian education for the young. The grain of mustard seed sown in the old chapel was destined to a marvelous growth. The people of the Cathedral parish were taught from the beginning. as they are taught today, that a Catholic school building is as necessary for their spiritual welfare as is a Catholic place of worship. The blessings which have marked the history of the parish. humanly speaking, had their origin in that humble little school room. The noble building, which of late years their generosity erected, is the last striking monument of the constant fidelity of the people to the vital cause of Catholic instruction for their children.
Before the opening of the Chapel of the Nativity work bad been begun upon the new Cathedral. On Sunday, October 22. 1848, the corner-stone was laid. It was a day of great rejoicing, and of disgraceful scenes. The venerable Bishop Le Fevre, of Detroit, preached at St. Mary's in the morning. In the afternoon a large procession started from St. Mary's, on the Flats, to the site of the new Cathedral. Whilst passing up Superior street, those in the ranks were insulted and derided by non-Catholics. The disgraceful scene of bigotry was repeated after the impressive ceremony had begun. Bishop Timon, of Buffalo, preached on the occasion. Hardly had he announced his text when he learned that prejudice and intolerance, which a few years before seemed dead. still lived in their savage ferocity in a city, in whose prosperity and advance- ment Protestants and Catholics were equally interested. But. m spite of the rude interruptions on the part of the rabble, the corner- stone was laid and the sermon was preached To their honor be it recorded, that there were many Protestants present whose in- dignation towards the offenders was a> great as that of the insulted Catholics. The foundation of the Cathedral was completed in the
20%)
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
fall of Isis, and the superstructure was commenced in the spring of 1-19. To meet the great outlay. Bishop Rappe had to appeal to the charity of more prosperous congregations elsewhere, in the United States, as well as in Europe, as his own faithful people. though numerous, had for the most part only poverty to their credit. For this purpose he went to Europe in 1849, and secured considerable financial aid in his native France. He abo visited Cincinnati and other cities in this country in 1851, for the same object. The Very Rev. Vicar General, Louis De Goesbriand. also assisted the Bishop in raising funds for the new church. Mean- winle the building slowly and steadily progressed. The brick work and the roof of the building were finished before the winter of 1550. All the states for the roof were imported from Wales and were put on with copper nails. The drawings for the finishing of the interior were made by the well-known architect. P. C. Keily, recently deceased, who had just finished St. Patrick's Church in Newark, N. J .. and was then beginning his brilliant career as a designer of church buildings. St. John's Cathedral was consecrated November 7, 1852.
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