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 23
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The Rev. John W. Malecha, now in charge of the parish, was appointed as the first resident pastor June, 1891, although, as assistant at St. Wenceslas' Church, he had regularly attended St. Adalbert's since September, 1SSS. Shortly after taking charge of the parish, Father Malecha had the other building transformed into an additional school, to accommodate the increasing number of pupils.
In October, 1891, the Sisters' house and the last mentioned school were moved to the rear of the lot, to make room for the contemplated new school building. This was accomplished in 1892, at a cost of $6,000. The building is a handsome two-story frame structure, 35 by 100 feet, and contains six airy, bright school rooms, cloak rooms and all the modern appliances for ventilation, heating, etc.
The new and attractive looking school house was solemnly blessed on Sunday, August 21, 1892, by Mgr. Boff, V. G. It was a gala day for the members of St. Adalbert's congregation, whose generosity made it possible to erect the handsome building that was now to replace the temporary structure of the past few years.
Owing to the hard times and consequent lack of funds nothing material was done during the following four years beyond painting the interior of the church, and paying off some of the parish debt. In 1897 the interior of the church was again painted and bright- ened up, as it had become begrimed owing to the soot-laden atmosphere of Cleveland. During the same year also other necessary improvements were made, so that at present all the church property is in excellent condition. The debt is also con- siderably reduced, and with improved times it will be wiped out in a year or two. Then steps will be taken to replace the present frame church with a brick structure, that will be an ornament to the city and Diocese of Cleveland.
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY ST. AGNES' CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
Prior to the year 1893, the scattered Catholics living in the part of Cleveland called the East End, belonged to the parishes of the Immaculate Conception and St. Edward. The great distance to these churches forced many, who wished to attend Mass, to go to one of the "down town" churches, which they could more easily reach by street cars, than the churches to which they belonged. This fact soon taught them the necessity of establishing a parish of their own.
The work of finding out the number of Catholics and bringing the matter to the attention of Bishop Gilmour, was inaugurated by the women of the parish, and whatever honor is due to the zeal and courage necessary to undertake and prosecute a work so dear to God and so beneficial to souls, belongs largely to them. Subse- quently some of the men held meetings at their homes, to which they invited all who were interested in the work. Towards the close of the year 1888, some meetings were held, by the courtesy of the Rev. John W. Malecha, in the school house of St. Adalbert's Church, on Lincoln avenue. The meetings resulted in the appoint- ment of a delegation to wait on Bishop Gilmour. The Bishop received them kindly, but recommended a thorough canvass of the territory, to learn the number of Catholics and the amount of material support that might be relied upon. Before the work was completed, the long illness of the Bishop, that culminated in his death, made it impossible to submit the result of their investigation, and the Bishop's untimely death cut off all consideration of it. Shortly after the installation of the present Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Ignatius F. Horstmann, D. D., he was asked to give the project favorable consideration. The ladies again took the initiative and three of their number indited a petition, setting forth the pressing needs of the East End, and praying for a priest and parish of their own. This letter, dated May 17, 1892, was answered May 30, the Rt. Rev. Bishop heartily approving the project, but insisting on some positive data with regard to the number of Catholics living within the territory in question, and their willingness to contribute towards the work in contemplation. Meetings were again resumed at St. Adalbert's school, on Lincoln avenue, this time
ST. AGNES' CHURCH AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CLEVELAND.
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under the zealous and able management of the Rev. Wm. McMahon, pastor of St. Bridget's Church. A large number attended these meetings. The East End was again canvassed and subscriptions secured. Father McMahon, at the head of a com- mittee of gentlemen, called on the Rt. Rev. Bishop in October. 1892, gave him the required pledges, and received the promise of a pastor. Nothing further was heard of the matter until the public press announcement that a lot had been purchased February 1, 1893, on the southwest corner of Euclid and Hillburn avenues, one of the most beautiful spots in the city. On the 29th of April, of the same year, the Rev. Gilbert P. Jennings, for nine years pastor of Conneaut and Jefferson, was appointed to organize the new parish.
The plans of the temporary church and school were submitted and accepted. On May 17, contracts were signed and the work begun and vigorously prosecuted. The frame building, consisting of a neat church, with school forming transept in the rear, was near enough completion to have Mass in it on Sunday, September 3, 1893. Father Jennings was celebrant of the Mass. The church, completely equipped with neat altars, pews, carpets, etc., was dedicated by Bishop Horstmann, on Sunday, September 24, 1893.
The new parish was placed under the patronage of the glorious virgin and martyr, Saint Agnes. The question of parish lines excited no little interest ; but after a meeting of the Bishop and his council, at which the parishes interested were duly represented, the lines were officially defined on July 17, 1893, as follows: "Be- ginning at a point on the east line of the city limits, which is touched by an air line extension of Central avenue; thence along said air line to Central avenue; thence along Central avenue to Clarkwood, north on an air line to Dunham avenue ; thence along Dunham avenue to Wade Park avenue; thence along Wade Park avenue to the city limits."
In August, 1893, work was begun on a neat and commodious priest's house, which was ready for occupancy November 12, 1893.
The lots on Euclid avenue, 176 by 250 feet, were purchased for $27,400. The church and school and priest's house, including furniture, cost $13,000. The parish schools were opened September 4, 1894, under the charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
One year after the church was dedicated, it was found to be too small to accommodate the growing condition of the parish,
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and permission was obtained to enlarge it. Contracts were signed November 13, 1894, and although the work was carried on into the winter, the building was enclosed, plastered, and woodwork completed for Christmas. The church was enlarged by cutting it in two and moving the rear back forty feet, and building a transept, 40 by 64 feet, thus increasing the seating capacity from 450 to nearly 900.
In August, 1895, the lot, 80 by 250 feet, adjoining St. Agnes' on the west, was purchased for $10,000. If the future needs of the parish require it, this is also to become part of the parish property.
Contracts were signed May 26, 1898, for a substantial power house. The building, with steam plant for heating the church, school and house, was completed about November 1, 1898. This brick structure is the first of the permanent buildings to mark the growth and importance of this young parish.
Among many active and generous supporters of St. Agnes' . since its organization, the councilmen of the parish, Messrs. Joseph W. Mason, William A. Byrne, William A. Banks and Jeremiah T. Murphy, are worthy of special mention.
The first resident assistant, the Rev. Charles H. Gardner, was appointed February 15, 1900. On June 15, of the same year, he was given pastoral charge of Harrisburg and mission, where the appointment of a pastor who could speak French was imperative. On June 24, 1900, the Rev. Patrick J. Quinn succeeded Father Gardner as assistant. Bishop Horstmann purchased a lot, fronting 80 feet on Euclid Avenue, by 250 feet on East Madison avenue, also a lot (50 feet) on East Madison, for $18,500. This gives a frontage to the church property of 336 feet on Euclid avenue, with an average depth of nearly 300. At the time of this purchase, in February, 1900, the parish bought a lot of 100 feet on East Madison, to be used for the school building, of stone, and to be started about July 1, 1901.
From the beginning the people of St. Agnes' parish were taught to give their means, or to withhold them, as they thought God worthy of them, or not. As a consequence, no name of any donor, however generous, has been taken down at collections, or publicly read out. The pastor has not been required to go from
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house to house for subscriptions, but in answer to an annual written appeal his parishioners bring their offerings to him.
Whenever the rubrics permit it, the altars of St. Agnes' are beautiful and fragrant with fresh flowers, the offerings of generous lovers of the Eucharistic Christ. No artificial flowers have ever found place within its sanctuary. The policy that has directed and fostered this generosity, is a matter of pride for both pastor and people.
ST. ALOYSIUS' MISSION (GLENVILLE), CLEVELAND.
The population of Glenville, located in the immediate suburbs of Cleveland, and practically a part of the city, has been largely affected of late by the rapid growth of the eastern section of Cleve- land. Bordering on the beautiful Boulevard, and but a short distance south of the lake, its charming surroundings and pure atmosphere offer every inducement to home-seekers.
Until the organization of St. Thomas Aquinas' parish, in 1898, the English-speaking Catholic families of this section, few and scattered, attended Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, about three miles distant.
The church site originally selected for St. Thomas' parish was on Ansel avenue, near St. Clair street, overlooking the large ravine which separates the city from Glenville. It was intended that a church located there would answer for both sections. The prospective parish, however, remained without a pastor for about two years. In the meantime the trend of population towards Superior street, and the rapid growth of the neighboring village, suggested the advisability of changing the original plan with regard to the location of St. Thomas', and seemed to call for a separate church for the people of Glenville.
As soon, therefore, as St. Thomas' was fully established on Superior street, with the Rev. Thomas F. Mahon as pastor, he, with the consent of Bishop Horstmann, yielded to the urgent request of the Catholics beyond the Boulevard, and took the first steps towards the organization of the mission of St. Aloysius.
An abandoned Methodist meeting-house, near the corner of St. Clair and Doan streets, was rented in January, 1898, and a
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Catechism class of 60 children was formed. On November 20, of the following year, arrangements were made for the purchase of a piece of ground, 110 x 230 feet, at the intersection of St. Clair street and Lake View avenue, about a block from the center of Glenville, and midway between the building section of the pro- spective parish. This property, purchased for $5,500, included a two-story brick building, formerly a public school. At once the first story was fitted up for temporary service; an altar and pews were purchased, and on the first Sunday of Advent, 1900, Mass was said for the first time in the presence of about two hundred people. Since then the mission has had regular Sunday and week day service, and the children have also been receiving catechetical instruction on week days.
The Rev. Albert Zemp, whom the Rt. Rev. Bishop assigned, in November, 1900, to aid Father Mahon in this new work, until the appointment, in the near future, of a resident pastor, has been doing everything that earnest labor and zeal can effect, to give definite shape to the new parish. A close canvass of the territory to be assigned to the mission shows a Catholic population of a little over one hundred families. There is every indication that this number will be largely increased in a short time.
ST. ANTHONY'S (ITALIAN) CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
Prior to 1886 the large number of Italians in Cleveland had no separate service, or sermons and instructions in their native tongue, for the reason that no Italian priest was available. Those who had not entirely neglected the practice of their religion attended Mass in the church most convenient for them. Many whose faith had become affected with dry-rot cared not whether they attended Mass or frequented the Sacraments and to them Sunday or holyday was the same as a week day.
Even though Bishop Gilmour petitioned several Italian bishops for a priest to look after the spiritual interests of their countrymen in the Diocese of Cleveland, he was as often disap- pointed. Finally, in July, 1886, he was gratified to receive into his diocese the Rev. Pacifico Capitani, who was very willing and glad to be of service to his Italian brethren who had settled in Cleveland.
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His countrymen welcomed him, even those who through neglect and indifference had become estranged from Church and Sacra- ments. He gathered them (over two hundred families) in the chapel of the old Cathedral school Sunday after Sunday, and on holydays, preaching to and catechizing them. Meanwhile Bishop Gilmour quietly looked about for a suitable church site for the Italians. This he secured by purchasing the so-called "Turner Hall" property, on Ohio street, now Central avenue, between Erie and Brownell streets. The purchase price for the lot (44 x 124 feet) was $3,960, and the Turner Hall itself, a frame building, was remodeled to serve as a church, at a cost of nearly $1,000. The church was dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua, by Bishop Gilmour, on Sunday, May 8, 1887.
The interior of the church was made quite attractive, and those who knew the Turner Hall building of old failed to recognize it in any manner, so radically was it changed by theskillful architect and builder. The auditorium seats about five hundred; the sanctuary, with its three neat altars, is artistic.
As the people of St. Anthony's belong to the poorest of Cleve- land's population they were unable to pay for their church. But the Catholic people of the diocese generously came to their rescue on appeal of their pastor, so that the debt incurred for the purchase and renovation has been wiped out. Several improvements, among them the re-roofing and painting of the church, were made during the last few years, but were paid for by the parish.
St. Anthony's has the distinction of being the first Italian parish established in Ohio, and Father Capitani the first regularly appointed pastor of an Italian congregation in the State. For nearly ten years he attended to the spiritual wants of the Italians, located at Youngstown, Lowellville and other places in the Mahon- ing valley, until relieved by the Rev. A. Petillo, now stationed at Youngstown. At frequent intervals he also did like missionary work at Ashtabula Harbor during these years.
In 1896 the Ursuline Sisters kindly accepted the difficult task of establishing a Sunday School in St. Anthony's Church. Their earnest work has met with most gratifying results. They started their work of charity with an attendance of twelve children ; at the present time about two hundred children regularly attend the Sunday catechetical instructions, given in English. The kind
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Sisters have done incalculable good in St. Anthony's Sunday School. Thus far the poverty of the people of St. Anthony's has not made it possible to establish and maintain a parochial school.
The Rev. P. Capitani's health failing, he obtained permission to return to his native Italy, in April, 1899. He was succeeded at St. Anthony's in the same month by the present pastor, the Rev. Vincent Migliore, who had the front part of the building, contain- ing a number of rooms, very neatly remodeled, so as to serve as a cozy pastoral residence. He also had many much needed repairs made in the church, so that it has now an attractive appearance. Under the zealous pastorate of Father Migliore, St. Anthony's parish, comprising about 250 families, has become much improved in the spiritual order.
ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
St. Augustine's parish is in the southern portion of Cleveland, and lies principally between Pearl street and the Cuyahoga river. Before 1860 the Catholics in that part of the city belonged to St. Patrick's, on Bridge street. In 1860 Bishop Rappe purchased a large lot at the corner of Tremont and Jefferson streets, and built a small frame church thereon. During the years following it was attended from the Cathedral as a mission by the Revs. J. P. Carroll, J. F. Gallagher and T. M. Mahony. In 1867 the first resident pastor, the Rev. A. Grandmougin, was appointed. Aided by the zeal and generosity of the few families then com- posing the parish, he succeeded in building a commodious brick pastoral residence at a cost of about $4.000. In November, 1871. while attending a case of smallpox, he contracted the disease and died a few days afterwards. A neat tablet to his memory is pre- served in the old church, now used as a chapel.
In the following month the Rev. T. W. Higgins took charge of the congregation; but, after remaining about six months, he was obliged to retire on account of ill health. In July, 1872, the Rev. J. P. Carroll was appointed pastor. On his removal to Ravenna. in September, 1874, he was succeeded by the Rev. W. J. Gibbons. In July, 1875, Father Gibbons, whose health was failing, retired
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ST. AUGUSTINE'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
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for a short time. His place was filled by the Rev. E. Mears, who remained about a year and a half, during which time a large and comfortable frame school house was built, which has since been occupied by the two higher schools.
In February, 1877, Father Gibbons had recovered his health sufficiently to resume his former charge. During that year he had the church enlarged and a convenient chapel attached thereto. Both additions were dedicated by Bishop Gilmour, on Sunday. December 9, 1877.
On July 5, 1879, the Rev. Michael J. Murphy was appointed pastor. In 1886 the two lots and the house thereon, adjacent to the church property on the east, were purchased for $3.000. It was deemed advisable to acquire this property to prevent its pur- chase by outsiders and to add materially to the church property for future use. This gave a frontage of two hundred and sixty- four feet on Jefferson street and a depth of one hundred and thirty-two feet. In July, 1888, Father Murphy, owing to ill health, was relieved of pastoral duty and was appointed to a professorship in the Diocesan Seminary, a position which he still holds. He was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. John O'Connor, who took charge of the congregation on August 19. 1888. He found the church inadequate to the needs of the rapidly increasing congregation. During the years following much thought was given to the building of a new church and the selec- tion of a site. It was seen that it would be desirable to secure a church property which would be centrally located. The carlier members of the parish were settled in the vicinity of the church. but in later years a great residence district had developed to the south and west, within the limits of the parish, and many members of the congregation lived a considerable distance away. All who were interested in the matter desired very much to secure a church site on Jennings avenue-a most beautiful thoroughfare, running through a fine residence district. The Pilgrim Congregationalists had built a large new church, leaving vacant a smaller, but a beautiful and substantial brick structure, a few blocks away. After thorough examination it was found that this building would be well adapted to the needs of St. Augustine's congregation, and negotiations were opened for its purchase. Every effort which
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bigotry could dictate, however, was made to prevent the acquisi- tion of this property by a Catholic parish. It was only after it was clearly seen that the new church would be located on Jennings avenue, in any event, that the parish was able to purchase the property. The cost was $20,000, and the church could hardly have been more suited to the requirements of a Catholic congre- gation if it had been built especially for them. It was very fortu- nate that the property was for sale at this time, as to purchase the necessary land and to erect a suitable building would have cost almost double the purchase price. The church property has a frontage of eighty fect on Jennings avenue and a depth of two hundred feet on Howard street. The site is ideal in every respect. On the opposite side of Jennings avenue, and .extending for a block on either side of the church. is Lincoln Park, consisting of ten acres of land, beautifully shaded and well laid out. The church itself is in the form of a cross, is large and commodious, and has spire and bell complete. The purchase price included a good pipe organ, cushioned pews, furnaces and equipment of like character which was found to be particularly useful. A large basement extends beneath the church, in which meetings and entertainments for the benefit of the church are held; and there is every con- venience in the way of sacristies, society rooms, etc. Very little remodelling was necessary to prepare the church for the use of the congregation. This work and the incidental improvements. however, cost about $2,500. The altars, the statuary, consisting of six life-size images, and the furnishings of the sanctuary were generously donated by individual members of the parish and the various societies. The beautiful stations of the cross, the large holy water font in the entrance and other articles of like nature were also presented to the church. The dedication took place on Sunday, April 26. 1896, Bishop Horstmann officiating. It was a day of great rejoicing for pastor and people.
The school was established in 1868. and for some time was held in the church. There are at present several rooms. with about three hundred pupils in daily attendance, and all in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The old church, adjacent to the school, is now used as a chapel, and the pastoral residence is still in the old location. The
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new church is about four blocks away, Lincoln Park covering most of the distance.
There are at present about three hundred and twenty-five families in the parish, and the congregation is both spiritually and financially strong. The new church, although having a large seat- ing capacity, is always crowded on Sundays and at the special devotions throughout the year. The pastor and people work together hand in hand, and it is a great satisfaction to them to be able to say that the purchase price of the new church property and all incidental expenses and improvements have been paid, leaving the congregation without a debt and with a substantial balance in the treasury -- the beginning of a fund for the purchase of addi- tional property in future years, as needed. all thus far having been accomplished without financial strain or inconvenience. There is every reason, therefore, to believe that the future work and plans of the parish will result in giving to it a church and school property and pastoral residence which will reflect added credit, not only on St. Augustine's congregation, but on the entire Catholic com- munity.
ST. BRIDGET'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
For some years prior to 1857 the Catholic people living in the vicinity of Perry street and Woodland avenue found the need of a place of worship more conveniently located than the Cathedral which they had been attending. Hence about twenty of them met in May, 1857, at St. Mary's Asylum, ou Harmon street, and formed an organization with a view to establishing a parish, for which they had Bishop Rappe's consent. Shortly after this meeting they purchased a lot having a frontage of 75 feet on Perry street, between Woodland and Scovill avenues, and on it they built a small brick church at a cost of $700. The first Mass was celebrated within the humble structure on Christmas morning, 1857. The small band of zealous Catholics had no resident pastor. They were attended from the Cathedral and St. Mary's Seminary by the Reverends J. B. O'Connor, A. Martin and Jolin Quinn.
In September, 1864, the Rev. Denis Tighe was appointed the
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