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 24
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first resident pastor. His residence was a small house in the rear of the lot where Charity Hospital now stands. Shortly after his appointment to St. Bridget's he purchased a frame butcher shop and had it moved from its location at the corner of Perry and Prospect to the parish lot, there to serve as a school-house. What a transformation! Father Tighe soon won the good will and confidence of his parishioners by his earnestness of purpose, as well as by his genial disposition. His pastorate of St. Bridget's was, however, of short duration-less than two years, when God called him to his reward. He died on June 19, 1866, and was buried from the Cathedral. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Monahan, who shortly after his appointment purchased a house and lot adjoining the church property, for $0,000; the house was made the pastoral residence. In the early spring of 1871 Father Monahan broke ground for a new church. Owing to a difference of views between himself and the Very Rev. E. Hannin, then administrator of the diocese, as to the cost of the proposed build- ing, Father Monahan was transferred to South Thompson in June, 1871. For the particulars as to this "difference of views." which led to a suit in the civil Court and was the cause of grave scandal, the reader is referred to pages 95-100 in this volume. The Rev. Bernard B. Kelley was appointed Father Monahan's succes- sor in June, 1871. He built a frame school house and also began the foundation for the new church. Bishop Gilmour laid its corner-stone on December 8, 1872. For the purpose of raising funds Father Kelley induced the celebrated Dominican, Father Tom Burke, to come to Cleveland, and lecture. The eloquent Irish orator had an immense audience in the Cleveland Rink, now used by Sterling, Welch & Co. as a display room for carpets. This was the only public appearance of Father Burke in the Diocese of Cleveland. The Rev. Patrick J. McGuire succeeded Father Kelley in September, 1874. During his stay he paid off a considerable portion of the debt.
The Rev. William McMahon was Father McGuire's successor. He took pastoral charge of St. Bridget's on February 10, 1876. During that year the congregation paid the balance of the debt. amounting to about $4.000. The people then went to work with a will to erect the new church. They turned out at night and by
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the light of a locomotive head light wheeled out the dirt from the basement. Many changes had to be made in the original plans and much of the work of the basement walls had to be reconstructed. The first brick was laid on May 1, 1877. When the masons began their work the school children began the Rosary for the divine blessing. "Unless the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it."
The church was roofed in November of the same year, and the first Mass was celebrated on Christmas morning, 1877, just twenty years to the day from the time that the first Mass had been celebrated in the old church. The farewell services in the old church, on the Sunday preceding, were affecting and pathetic. The basement of the church was finished and services were held there for nearly two years-until the completion of the church. A mission by the Paulist Fathers. Elliott and Weyman, was held, however, in the unfinished church, in April, 1878. Work was soon resumed on the new church, which was completed in 1879. Bishop Gilmour dedicated the structure on November 7 of the same year. The church is Gothic in style, built of brick and richly trimmed with stone. It is 150 ft. long, 50 ft. wide, and 4S ft. high to apex of ceil- ing. The gilded cross on the top of the steeple is one hundred and seventy-five feet above the street. The interior of the church is finished in light wood. while the walls and ceiling are pure white. relieved with light lavender. Two solid gold bronze candelabra are suspended from the ceiling and emit light from fifty-six jets each. The marble altar is one of the finest in the Diocese of Cleve- land. The front of the main altar is a solid block of marble, out of which is carved in bas relief "The Last Supper," from the noted painting of Leonardo Da Vinci. The altar was the gift of a pious and most generous servant, Catharine Loftus, who died a few years ago. It was consecrated by Mgr. Boff. V. G., on January 17, 1886. The church has very artistic stained glass windows; also a splendid array of oil paintings, some of them of high merit, most of which having been donated by members of the parish. A fine and handsomely framed set of Stations, painted especially for the church, was donated by Mr. C. A. Grasselli. In 1892 the church was beautifully frescoed in oil, thus making its interior very attractive.
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St. Bridget's has one of the largest and finest pipe organs in the city. It is a three manual organ and has over 2,100 pipes. The power is furnished by electricity. Mr. C. A. Grasselli paid one- half of the cost of the fine instrument. It was inaugurated on November 28, 1SSS, by a grand sacred concert. The celebrated organist, Mr. Clarence Eddy, of Chicago, presided and was assisted by the best instrumental and vocal artists of the city. Mr. F. X. Byerly, the veteran organist of Cleveland, arranged the musical program.
At a meeting of the members of the congregation, held on October 9, 1881, it was unanimously decided to purchase more ground. An effort was therefore made to get possession of the adjoining house and lot. But the price demanded ($6,500) being considered too high, the property next to that was purchased. It was transferred to Bishop Gilmour, for the congregation, on April 1, 1882, for the sum of $5,000. Some time after this purchase. the owners of the intervening property made overtures to sell. They finally accepted $4,000. This property came into possession of St. Bridget's parish on June S, 1883. The land now owned by the congregation has a frontage of 200 feet on Perry street, by 176 - feet deep, to a 16 foot alley.
On Easter Sunday morning, 1884. the congregation was called to divine worship by a fine, large new bell -- the one now in the belfry. On Sunday, June 13, 1884, the Rev. William F. Murphy, who was born and reared in St. Bridget's parish, cele- brated his first Mass. The present handsome pulpit was used on this occasion for the first time. In June, 1884, a member of the congregation had made to order and presented to the church a fine life-size statue of the Sacred Heart.
At a meeting of the congregation, on June 21, 1885, it was unanimously resolved to erect a new school building. Architect B. F. Van Develde submitted plans which were adopted. The plans called for a building of stone and brick, 80 x 55 feet, three stories and a basement : the top story to be a hall, the other stories to contain ten rooms, each 30 x 25 feet, and 13 feet to the ceiling. In addition to the rooms above, there were to be three rooms, 12 x 12 feet, and two rooms 30 x 25 feet. Previous to breaking ground the old school house had to be torn down, and the pastor's
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dwelling, as also that of the teachers, had to be moved back. The corner-stone of the new building was laid on Sunday afternoon, September 13, 1885, in the presence of a large concourse of people, the Rev. Chancellor Houck officiating. The old church in which the people had worshipped since 1857 was torn down during the second week of October, 1885, and the available material used in the construction of the new school. Many of the people paid an affectionate visit to the old church on the Sunday previous to its destruction.
School was taught for a time in the basement of the church. The work on the new school building was so rapidly pushed that the children were brought out of the gas light from the church basement to the new school during Easter week, April, 1886. The first story-four rooms-was finished by that time. The school- rooms have the latest and best furniture, and all the modern improvements in the way of heating and ventilation. Half the rooms are furnished with slate blackboards. The school building ranks, in point of size, convenience and architectural beauty, with the best in Cleveland.
On February 2, 1858, before St. Bridget's had a resident 1 pastor, the Ursuline Sisters organized and took charge of the parish school-at the request of Bishop Rappe. For thirty-one years they faithfully discharged their onerous duties as teachers -for twenty years of the entire school, and from September, 1878, of the girls alone. In last mentioned month and year the Brothers of Mary, of Dayton, O., were given charge of the boys. They and the Ursulines withdrew from St. Bridget's parish school on July 1, 1889, when they were succeeded by the Sisters of Charity, of Cincinnati. " Father McMahon gave up his residence to them, and made a part of the new school his temporary abode, until the com- pletion of the present fine pastoral residence, which was built in 1893, and first occupied in August of that year. The school has been brought to a high degree of perfection, and is the just pride of the pastor and congregation.
On July 1, 1897, the congregation celebrated the silver jubilee of the ordination of the pastor, Father McMahon. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann was present, and with him were over sixty priests of the diocese. On the evening previous there was a
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mass meeting of the people of the parish and a large number of non-Catholics. A generous purse was presented, and with it also the permission of the Rt. Rev. Bishop to the jubilarian for a six months' leave of absence, to enable him to make a tour "around the Globe." The pastor started on his long journey on January 16, 1898. He went westward and continued thus until he arrived home on August 16, 1898. He wrote an account of the journey, which in book form is entitled "A journey with the Sun around the World." The Rev. D. B. Kirby had charge of the parish during the pastor's absence.
On All Saints' day, 1899, the Rev. Andrew A. Crehan was appointed assistant, and still holds that position. The parish and school are in a very flourishing condition and an excellent spirit prevails.
ST. CASIMIR'S (POLISH) CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
To provide properly for the large and steadily increasing number of Poles in the northeastern part of Cleveland it was found - necessary to organize them into a parish, separate from St. Stanislas', with which they had been affiliated, thus forming the third Polish congregation within the limits of the city. In Decem- ber, 1891, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. F. M. Boff, administrator of the diocese, granted the required permission, and appointed the Rev. Benedict Rosinski, pastor of St. Adalbert's, Berea, to take charge of the mission. The first step in that direction was to secure a suitable site for church, school and pastoral residence. January 7, 1892, Mr. Joseph Hoffman, a Catholic, and a large property owner in that part of Cleveland, donated for church purposes a parcel of land, 200 by 244 feet, bounded by Pulaski, Kossuth and Sowinski streets. At the intersection of the first two named streets the foundation for a combination brick church and school was begun in April, 1892, and on May 15 following, Mgr. Boff, V. G., was delegated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horst- mann to lay the corner-stone. The ceremony was attended by a large multitude, who braved the very inclement weather on that day. Mgr. Boff preached the English sermon and the Rev. B.
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Rosinski addressed his countrymen in their native tongue. In a few months the handsome exterior of the building was completed. Its dimensions are: Length, 50 feet; width, 125 feet; height, 41 feet; the upper story to serve as a church, and the lower divided into four commodious school rooms. The cost of building, exclusive of interior finish, was $16,000. As soon as the edifice was enclosed, a temporary altar was erected and plain chairs. in lieu of pews, were provided in one of the large rooms in the unplastered upper story, and divine service was held for the first time on Christmas, 1892. The parish school was opened in February, 1893, with a good attendance. Father Rosinski continued to attend St. Casimir's as a mission church until the appointment of the Rev. P. M. Cerveny as first resident pastor, July 17, 1893. Under his direction, in November, 1893, only the ceilings were plastered, when part of the scaffolding broke down, resulting in injury to some of the workmen; the work was then stopped for a time.
Father Cerveny labored faithfully whilst in charge, even in the face of financial difficulties and a somewhat unruly element. At his request he was transferred to St. Ladislas' Church, Cleveland, and was succeeded on September 16, 1894, by the Rev. Sigmund Wozny, who had just then come to the diocese. During 1895 Father Wozny had the church property enclosed by a substantially built fence, and replaced the rude chairs by neat pews, besides making other necessary improvements. Like his immediate prede- cessor, he found an unruly element to deal with, which, with the comparatively large parish debt, about $17,000, discouraged him, and hence he asked to be relieved from his unpleasant pastoral charge. His wish was granted, and he left the diocese in February, 1896, and was at once succeeded by the Rev. Francis X. Fremel, who set courageously to work to put men and things to rights. He too met with opposition at the start, but with prudence and firmness he soon succeeded in surmounting the difficulties that beset him. Under his direction, seconded by the generosity of the people, the interior of the church was ornamented quite neatly, and all the requisites for divine service procured. At the same time he did not lose sight of the funded debt, but strained every nerve to have it reduced. The finished church now awaited its
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solemn dedication. This ceremony was performed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann on May 30, 1897, the Rev. B. Rosinski, founder of the parish, being the celebrant of the Solemn High Mass. It was indeed a day of rejoicing for the people, whose hard earned money had been freely given towards the erection of another temple to God.
For some years the pastor lived in a rented house. But during the summer of 1898 a frame pastoral residence was built on the church property, facing Sowinski street. It cost about '$2,200, and is a neat and commodious house.
Because of ill health (tuberculosis of the throat), Father Fremel was obliged to resign his pastorate and seek the milder ·climate of California. He left in April, 1899, after a faithful service of a little over three years. On May 10, 1899, he was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Casimir Lazinski, who at once made "many necessary improvements in and around the church property, at an outlay of about $2,000.
Owing to lack of a sewer the basement of St. Casimir's Church became filled with surface water, which remained there stagnant. This obliged the Board of Health, in 1896, to order the school closed, so as to check sickness among the children. The school remained closed for fully two years, until the sewer . was built by the city.
The school is in charge of three Felician Sisters, of Detroit, and has an attendance of over 200 children. The parish is in excellent condition ; peace and harmony prevail. In a few years it is hoped and believed that the present debt of about $18,000 will be cancelled.
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ST. CATHARINE'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
A considerable number of families, identified with the Holy Name parish, settled in and around that part, or district, of Cleve- land, known as the "crossing," where the Erie and Pennsylvania railways intersect as they enter the city. These families petitioned for church and school facilities more convenient to their respective homes than those of the Holy Name parish. Their pastor, the
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ST. CATHARINE'S CHURCH (EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR), CLEVELAND
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Rev. John T. Carroll, felt the justice of their petition and presented . it to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann, who at once granted the request. To this end Father Carroll secured a tract of land located at the corner of Woodland Hills and Heath avenues. The purchase of the property was effected on June 15, 1898. A very neat frame church, costing about $6,000, and intended for the time as a "chapel of ease" to the Holy Name Church, was erected on the elegant site. On December 18, 1899, it was dedicated to St. Catharine, by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, V. G., as the Bishop's delegate. Services were held regularly in the new church by Father Carroll, or by his assistant, the Rev. F. A. Malloy, until it was almost entirely destroyed by fire on the night of March 16, 1899. The Royal Insurance Company promptly adjusted and settled the loss, thus making it possible to rebuild the church. This was done without delay, and phoenix-like the new church arose from the ashes of the former structure, now even more attractive than before as to the interior. The architecture of the exterior, however, was duplicated almost exactly. The church, as rebuilt, has a seating capacity for 500 persons. It was solemnly dedicated by Bishop Horstmann, in the presence of a very large and inter- ested concourse of people, on Sunday, November 26, 1899. The beautiful statue of St. Catharine, which graces the sanctuary, was donated by Bishop Horstmann, in memory of his mother, whose patron saint she was. Mr. Thomas Agnew and family presented the Holy Rosary altar and statue of the Blessed Virgin. On dedication day the interior of the new church was almost complete in furnishir gs and looked most attractive.
The time had now come to change St. Catharine's from a "chapel of ease" to a parish church. This was done when the Rev. James J. Quinn was appointed resident pastor. on January 7, 1900. He had the little brick house, located on the property at the time of its purchase, remodeled and neatly fitted up as a pastoral residence. He also purchased a fine bell, which was blessed by Bishop Horstmann; a beautiful set of Stations, and a commodious confessional. The present handsome sanctuary lamp was donated by a parishioner.
On May 8, 1900, a frontage of almost 100 feet on Haddock street was added to the church property, which comprises nearly
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seven acres, exclusive of the lots actually used as a site for the church, school and residence. This property was bought for the purpose of allotting it, and with the proceeds from the sale of lots to help pay for the church, etc. This idea has been in part realized, and in time, as that part of Cleveland becomes settled, it is hoped to dispose of the other lots for a like purpose.
Through the efforts of the pastor the city sewer system was extended to the front of the church property, so that the parish buildings are now provided with all the necessary sanitary equip- ments. A stone sidewalk has been laid, and a handsome fence erected around the church lots, which have been suitably graded. The lawn is acknowledged to be the most beautiful on Woodland Hills avenue.
For over thirty years the Catholics living in that district made many sacrifices for the cause of Christian education. They sent their children long distances to school over bad roads and across many railroads tracks and switches, to the serious danger of their children's lives and health. Since his coming to the parish, Father Quinn, realizing those sacrifices, determined that the little ones of his flock should be relieved. The approval of Bishop Horstmann was readily granted, and St. Catharine's school was opened on September 3, 1900, with three Ursuline Sisters in charge.
In May, 1899, a temporary building for church and parish hall purposes was erected at a cost of about $1,800. Since the rebuild- ing of the present church it has been used for the latter purpose. In the rear of the hall a frame school was erected during the summer of 1900, at a cost of about $6,000. There are three large well lighted rooms in the building, suitably furnished, and provided with the most recent system of ventilation. A large basement provides a recreation room during inclement weather, and a furnace heats all the rooms. Nearly 200 children now (December, 1900) attend the school.
A number of parish organizations, both of a devotional and a social character, have been formed, and are in a flourishing condition. The outlook for St. Catharine's is bright and promis- ing, and it may be safely said that ere long the parish will rank, in point of numbers, with many of the older parishes of the Forest City.
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ST. COLMAN'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL, CLEVELAND.
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ST. COLMAN'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
Until the summer of 1880, St. Patrick's parish, Cleveland, extended westward beyond the city limits. Long prior even to 1870 English speaking Catholics began to reside in the western suburbs, and thus situated found it difficult to assist at Mass and other religious offices at St. Patrick's, because those who attended an early Mass could not return in time that the other members of the family might attend the later one. In this way want of oppor- tunity begot indifference. As years passed and Catholics became more numerous in this locality, it became more necessary to provide for their spiritual wants. Hence, even before 1870, a site for a future church was purchased on the corner of Gordon avenue and Bayne street, but was sold five or six years afterwards for the benefit of St. Patrick's, the mother church. This transaction naturally displeased those Catholics for whose benefit the lot was supposed to have been originally procured, and did not tend to increase their zeal or their generosity.
In the summer of 1880, however, it was determined to establish a new parish in this district, and the Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan volunteered to resign St. Patrick's (of which he was then pastor) and begin the new undertaking.
A small house of one room, about 20 by 40 feet, was rented on Pear street, and there for the first time in the embryo parish the Holy Sacrifice was offered, on Sunday, July 25, 1880. The people having now learned that the establishment of a parish was no longer a matter of discussion but of action, earnestly co-operated with their pastor, and on the next Sunday the work of organiza- tion was commenced.
The house in which the altar was erected could accommodate only a few persons, but a dozen of apple trees growing close together near by formed a grateful shade, and under their spread- ing branches the people for two months assisted at Mass, and, no doubt, prayed as fervently as if under the groined roof of some majestic cathedral.
Whilst thus obliged to assist at Mass in the open air the weather was most propitious, for though it often rained on week
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days, the Sundays were always dry and balmy. But a long continuance of such weather could not be hoped for, and it therefore became necessary to select a site and begin the erection of a church without delay. Accordingly, a lot, 66 by 130 feet, fronting on the east side of Gordon avenue, between W. Madison avenue and Lawn street, was purchased. Early in August materials were on the ground for the erection thereon of a frame building 36 by 80 feet. Completed, it cost nearly $1,800.
The little church was dedicated to the service of God under the invocation of St. Colman, Bishop and Confessor, and the first Mass was offered therein on Sunday, September 26, 1880. The apathy of two years ago had passed away and the little congrega- tion was as proud of St. Colman's as if built of porphyry and pearl.
September 29, 1880, another lot of 66 by 130 feet, near but not immediately adjoining that on which the church stood, was purchased for $1,700. On this stood a small dwelling which, till November, 1885, served as a pastor's residence. On the 18th of March, 1881, another lot, 66 by 130 feet, adjoining and between the two lots, above mentioned, was purchased for $1,100.
One of the first measures on organizing the congregation was to establish a school, which was opened September, 1880 -- even before there was a church. In July, 1881, a school of two rooms was erected in the rear of, and attached to the church. It cost about $1,200.
In the summer of 1883 it was foreseen that the little church would soon become too small, so in anticipation of the contingency the building was raised 11 feet, the sides removed, the roof sus- tained by graceful columns, and an addition of 12 feet on each side was made to the width of the building. It was also lengthened, and three school rooms attached to the rear. Under the church proper a cellar was excavated in which were placed two furnaces. This building, thus increased in every dimension, made a most commodious church, 61 by 125 feet, 25 feet high, curved at angles of ceiling; ceiling molded and stuccoed, and all finely frescoed- with medallions of saints in water colors, and scripture events in oil. The total expense of this remodeling was about $5,600, and
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