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 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND. 245
has provided a substantially built frame church, capable of seating nearly 900 persons.
In April, 1881, a second school was opened, and in September, 1883, a third school. Until July, 1886, the schools were in charge of secular teachers, since which time they have been taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, who also reside in the parish. In September, 1885, a two-story frame building, 30 by 80 feet, for school purposes, was erected. The lower story was completed to accom- modate three schools, but not being then needed for that purpose, it was arranged as a dwelling with temporary partitions, and occupied as a residence by the pastor, until 1889. The upper story, completed with curved ceiling, 17 feet high in centre, and used as a hall, having a stage with becoming scenery, etc., has proved to be not only a convenient but an almost indispensable adjunct to the church.
In August, 1886, another lot, 33 feet front, was purchased for $900. Four more lots, fronting on Gordon avenue, were pur- chased between 1892 and 1897, giving St. Colman's Church property at present a frontage on Gordon avenue of 385 feet, and all now inclosed by a wrought-iron fence. Additional lots were purchased during the latter period, fronting on West Madison avenue and Beverley street.
In 1889 a comfortable brick residence for the pastor was erected at a cost of $7,000.
The number of families in 1880, when the parish was estab- lished, was 133. In January, 1900, St. Colman's numbered a little over 500 families. The parish is without debt and has a considerable amount in the treasury, to serve as a nucleus for the building of a permanent church to replace the present frame structure. As a matter of record it may be here stated that St. Colman's received no financial aid from its parent church- St. Patrick's.
The following priests assisted Father O'Callaghan in the parish work: The Revs. James J. Hennessy, 1887-1889; John Hannan (who died on November 28, 1896), and the present curates, Revs. Matthew O'Brien, since December, 1896, and John J. Banks, since December, 1900.
-
246
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
, ST. COLUMBKILLE'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
Until January, 1871, the history of St. John's Cathedral was that of St. Columbkille's parish. It was then that the Very Rev. Edward Hannin, Administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland, during the interim (1870-72) between the resignation of Bishop Rappe, and the installation of Bishop Gilmour, appointed the Rev. James O'Reilly pastor of that portion of the Cathedral parish, east of Perry street. A frame church was built on the northwest corner of Superior and Alabama streets, and in due time dedicated to St. Columbkille. The new church was conveniently situated in a district well settled with good Catholic families. Its people were noted then, as they have been ever since, for their strong Catholic faith, their reverence and love for their priests, and for their generosity-often with scanty means, in building up the House of God.
For reasons given to Bishop Gilmour, shortly after his arrival at Cleveland in 1872, he directed that St. Columbkille's be dis- continued as a parish and that the church be made a chapel of ease to the Cathedral. It served as such till November 18, 1900, when St. Columbkille's was again made a parish.
During St. Columbkille's existence as a chapel of ease, the Rev. T. P. Thorpe, pastor of the Cathedral, purchased, in 1887, the property on the northeast corner of Superior and Alabama streets. It consisted of three lots, on which were located a small brick church and a frame house. He moved the original St. Columbkille's Church from its first site to that secured in 1887, as above stated, and attached it to the brick structure that had served as a place of worship for a small and struggling Episco- palian congregation.
In 1893 Monsignor Thorpe sold the church lot at the north- west corner of Superior and Alabama streets, he having also sold in 1888 the pastoral residence lot, fronting on Superior street.
In October, 1899, the Rev. George J. Vahey, successor to the Rt. Rev. Mgr. T. P. Thorpe, as pastor of the Cathedral, pur- chased three lots, 133 by 150 feet, on the southeast corner of Superior and Alabama streets.
1
ST. COLUMBKILLE'S CHURCH, SCHOOL, AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CLEVELAND.
247
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
On November 18, 1900, after a lapse of twenty-nine years from the time of its discontinuance as a parish, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann appointed the Rev. George J. Vahey to take pastoral charge of St. Columbkille's, and gave him the Rev. Raymond Mylott as his assistant. Amidst rejoicing and gratitude, they welcomed those who were commissioned to take up the duties and burdens of the now large and flourishing parish. The estimate of one who knew these people in the past can be justly repeated today: "No priest who has ever officiated at their altar would ever need other inspiration in his preaching than the eager faces of that crowded church. No priest who has ever visited them in their homes could ever fail to recognize the sincere and cordial hospitality of these good, faithful people." Since Septem- ber, 1900, many improvements have been made; the interior of the church has been beautifully frescoed, the pews renovated, the altars ornamented with statues and paintings, and now (December, 1900) St. Columbkille's is in a flourishing condition, without a dollar of debt, and it bids fair for a brilliant and prosperous future.
ST. EDWARD'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
In July, 1863, the Holy Sacrifice was first offered up for the people living within the present limits of St. Edward's parish, by the Rev. Anthony J. Abel, in the chapel of St. Joseph's Orphan Asylum, on Woodland avenue. For eight years the Catholics living east of Woodland avenue received spiritual attendance, successively, from the Cathedral and the Seminary, and finally, in 1869, from the Franciscan Monastery, the Ladies of the Sacred Heart kindly granting them the use of their Asylum chapel. In 1870 the Rev. Raynerius Dickneite, O.F.M., conducted the first mission for the Catholics of the territory above described, which resulted in a petition to the Very Rev. Administrator Hannin for the establishment of a regular parish in that part of Cleveland. The petition was granted in August, 1871, by the appointment of a resident pastor in the person of the Rev. Jacob Kuhn, who was commissioned to organize the long desired parish. Until proper church facilities could be provided for his people he arranged for
248
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
the use of the Asylum chapel, in which he gathered his polyglot congregation, composed of Irish, Germans, Bohemians and a few Poles. The Catholics of the two first-mentioned nationalities had been identified with St. Bridget's and St. Joseph's churches. With Father Kuhn's appointment begins the history proper of St. Edward's, which then, and until 1885, was known as the Holy Family parish. Its boundaries were, on the west, Kennard street ; on the north, Euclid avenue; on the south, Broadway; and on the east, Warrensville township.
But while the new parish had ample territory, it had no property. Hence the pastor's first endeavor was to remedy this defect, which he did on September 6, 1871, by the purchase of tivo lots fronting on Woodland avenue, just east of Geneva street. He also had plans made for a brick building, the upper story to serve as a church, the lower as a school, with a few rooms in the rear for a pastoral residence. On October 19, 1871, Bishop Toebbe, of Covington, laid the cornerstone of the building, which however was not completed and dedicated until August, 1873. In the following month the parish school was opened, and put in charge of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, who conducted it until June, 1891.
Father Kuhn labored with great energy among and for his congregation, made up of various nationalities, as above stated, a large majority of whom had to contend with poverty. In spite however of these drawbacks to the growth of the congrega- tion, Father Kuhn did not lose courage, but steadily pushed his work towards success. He left the Holy Family parish in a prosperous condition, in April, 1879, when he was transferred to Massillon, to take charge of St. Mary's congregation, which was very large, and at the same time deeply in debt.
On May 15, 1879, the Rev. Peter Becker succeeded Father Kuhn as pastor of the Holy Family parish. During his adminis- tration, and even some time before, the greater number of the German members of the parish desired to separate, and to organize as a distinctly German congregation. They offered either to take the parish property and assume its debt-then about $14,000- or to leave empty-handed and build a church for themselves. The latter proposition, having been approved by Bishop Gilmour, was
ST. EDWARD'S CHURCH AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CLEVELAND.
249
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
accepted by the members who wished to remain affiliated with the Holy Family parish, quite a number of them being either Germans or of German descent. The separation took place on August 1, 1880, Father Becker having been appointed to organize the new parish, under the title of the Most Holy Trinity. The Rev. Matthew A. Scanlon was at the same time appointed to take pastoral charge of the Holy Family parish. At the end of four years he paid off the debt, and then had plans drawn for a stone church, to cost about $50,000. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, April 26, 1885, in the presence of an immense assembly. On Sunday, January 31, 1886, the same prelate dedicated the new church, which was placed under the patronage of St. Edward, by which name the parish was henceforth to be known. The architecture of the edifice is Roman through- out. Its interior is finished in white and gold, in very good taste. The windows are pronounced by experts to be of most artistic pattern, their vivid hues being chastened by the modest ceiling, thus producing a singularly beautiful effect.
. In 1891 plans were submitted and accepted for altering the school building and transforming the front part of it into a pastoral residence. The change, so planned, was effected in 1892, at a cost of $11,500. The present handsome building, with a court wall, massive iron gate and imposing facade of the church, forms a continuous and lofty pile of solid masonry, fronting on Woodland avenue. The former temporary church was also changed into a spacious and well appointed parish hall, and the basement was fitted up as a gymnasium and society rooms for the use of the young people of the parish.
After a brief illness Father Scanlon died on February 22, 1899. He was succeeded a few weeks later, in the pastorate of St. Edward's, by the Rev. William S. Kress, Superior of the Cleveland Apostolate. From April to June of the same year he had as his assistant in the work of the parish the Rev. Patrick J. Hendrick. In June, 1899, the Revs. John P. Brennan and John P. Michaelis became members of the Apostolate, to which, with the advent of Father Kress, the parish house of St. Edward's was assigned as its official home in the diocese.
In June, 1891, the Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary with-
250
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
drew from the parish school. In September following it was entrusted to the Sisters of St. Joseph, but they remained only one year, when they were succeeded by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, who have had charge since that time.
The increasing school attendance necessitated more room for the children. This was secured in March, 1900, by the purchase of a lot on Geneva street, with two houses thereon, for $2,000. The houses were remodeled and now contain four school rooms. About 400 children attend the parish school, which is taught by seven Sisters of the Humility of Mary, and is of more than ordinary merit. In addition to the usual branches, special atten- tion is also given to English composition and literature, besides typewriting and stenography.
At present there are numerous religious and beneficial societies connected with the parish, and they are all in a flourishing condition.
ST. ELIZABETH'S (MAGYAR) CHURCH,
CLEVELAND.
Between 1880 and 1890 many Catholic Hungarians estab- lished homes in Cleveland, especially east of Willson avenue. These people, commonly known as Magyars, form a large portion of the population of Hungary. Previous to 1892 the Magyars of Cleveland had no priest of their own nationality, and hence were obliged to attend Mass in churches located near their homes, though unable to understand the sermons preached therein. At that time they numbered over one hundred families, residing for the most part east of Willson avenue.
In. 1888 they joined the Slovaks in erecting St. Ladislas' Church, on Corwin avenue, but as the two elements failed to amalgamate, and the Magyars being in the minority, the latter became dissatisfied and resolved to build their own church as soon as Bishop Horstmann could provide them with a priest that knew their language. St. Ladislas' congregation gave $1,000 to their Magyar brethren in the faith towards the erection of the con- templated church, as a partial return for what they had contributed ·while members of said congregation.
ST. ELIZABETH'S CHURCH, SCHOOL, AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CLEVELAND.
251
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
After much correspondence with bishops in Hungary, Bishop Horstmann finally succeeded in securing the priestly services of the Rev. Charles Boehm, a Magyar priest. He arrived in Cleve- land on December 3, 1892, and was at once appointed to take charge of the spiritual interests of his countrymen. As no church of convenient location was to be had in which to hold services for his embryo congregation he arranged with the Sisters of St. Joseph's Asylum, on Woodland avenue, for the use of their chapel. There he assembled his people for Mass for the first time on the third Sunday of Advent, December 11, 1892.
Having secured a temporary place of worship for his people Father Boehm, under direction of the Rt. Rev. Bishop, looked about for a church site. This he secured on January 31, 1893, by purchasing two lots on South Woodland avenue, near Bismarck street. A few days after, February 2, he bought a third lot, adjoining the other two, the purchase price being $1,200, and on March 22, of the same year, he secured a fourth lot, fronting on Bismarck street, for $600.
After much discussion, the congregation agreed to the proposition to build a brick church. " Plans were accordingly drawn, and received the Rt. Rev. Bishop's approval. He also delegated his Vicar General, Mgr. Boff, to lay the cornerstone on Sunday, June 4, 1893. So rapidly was the edifice pushed to com- pletion that it was ready for divine service the following September.
The solemn dedication of the church to St. Elizabeth of Hungary was performed by Bishop Horstmann on Sunday, February 15, 1896. The church is a slate covered structure, 48 x 100 feet, of mixed Gothic architecture, of quite attractive appearance, and cost, exclusive of altars and pews, about $10,000. The interior is very neat and the frescoing shows excellent taste.
Fully realizing the importance of a parish school, Father Boehm considered it his duty to provide for it as soon as possible. To this end he purchased, on March 22, 1893, a lot, fronting on Bismarck street. In November of the same year he had a modest two-story frame building erected thereon, containing one school room for the accommodation of children between nine and twelve years of age. The little school was then put in charge of a
.
252
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
1
lay teacher. Additional school facilities were soon imperatively needed. To fill this need and to provide at the same time for a temporary residence for himself, Father Boehm purchased, in December, 1895, a two-story frame building, which had been used as a public school. He had it moved to the lot adjoining the church, on South Woodland avenue. The upper story was divided into rooms, to serve as his residence. The lower story was fitted up as a second school room which, with the one on Bismarck street, was placed in charge of two Ursuline Sisters as teachers. This arrangement satisfied but for a short time. Very soon more school room was needed, so rapidly did the attendance increase. Father Boehm felt the need more than his people. Hence, in spite of the financial strain upon them, he determined to erect a school building that would be a credit to the Catholic Magyars of Cleveland, and to Cleveland itself. In this he had the cordial approval of his Bishop, seconded by that of his people, who were willing, even eager, to shoulder this additional burden. Plans were therefore submitted and adopted for a brick school, to cost, com- plete in every detail, about $25,000. Work was begun in the early spring of 1900, and the cornerstone laid on April 22, of that year, by Mgr. Thorpe, in the presence of a vast multitude. The hand- some and imposing building was dedicated by the Rev. Chancellor Houck, as the Bishop's delegate, on Sunday afternoon, August 19, 1900. It was a day of rejoicing for Father Boehm and his faithful people, who now had a school edifice as well appointed as any in the Diocese of Cleveland. On September 2, of the same year, the school was opened with an attendance of over 300 children, in charge of five Ursuline Sisters as teachers.
The fine property now owned by St. Elizabeth's parish has a frontage of 175 feet on South Woodland avenue, and 262 feet on Bismarck street, and is enclosed by a neat iron fence. The parish debt, though considerable, is within easy grasp of the always generous congregation and will soon be cancelled.
From November, 1897, to September, 1898, Father Boehm had as an assistant the Rev. R. Paulovits to enable him to attend to · the spiritual interests of the Maygars in Toledo and in many places outside of the diocese. This he had done himself for some time, having been obliged to deprive his congregation in part of his
253
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
priestly services. The Rev. J. Brunkala has been assistant to Father Boehm since July, 1899, meanwhile also attending the Magyars at Fairport and Lorain.
ST. FRANCIS' CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
The congregation of St. Francis of Assisi is an outgrowth of St. Peter's, and was organized-in 1887 by the Rev. Francis Wester- holt. He had been repeatedly urged by those of his parishioners living in the far east of Cleveland to obtain from Bishop Gilmour permission to erect a church and school nearer to their homes than St. Peter's. Bishop Gilmour readily consented, and author- ized Father Westerholt to secure a church site. This he did on March 3, 1887, by purchasing two lots on Superior street, near Becker avenue, at a cost of $5,000. In a very short time a modest two-story frame building, 30 x 80 feet, was erected on the lots. The cost of lots and building was soon covered by the liberal sub- scriptions of the people and by the proceeds of a fair. The lower story was divided into two school rooms and the upper story was fitted up to serve as a temporary place of worship. The generosity of some German city parishes, and of a few private individuals, provided the necessary church outfit. The neatly decorated edifice was blessed by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, September 11, 1887, and on the following day the parish school was opened and put in charge of two Sisters of Notre Dame. Until the appoint- ment of a resident pastor the church was attended from St. Peter's. On Passion Sunday, March 15, 1888, the Rev. Nicholas Kirch was given pastoral charge of the new congregation. As no pastoral residence had been provided for him he had to make his abode for some months in a rented house, over a mile distant from the church.
On February 27, 1888, two lots. at the corner of Superior street and Becker avenue were purchased for $5,300. In the rear of these lots the pastoral residence was erected at a cost of $1,500. Within the same year an assembly hall was built east of the church at an expense of nearly $2,000. The parish had at this time a membership of about one hundred families, but the church being
254
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
the only one then in that section of the city, was attended not only by the Germans, but also by people of other nationalities living in that neighborhood. The modest structure was often overcrowded to the danger limit. The Germans, knowing that these members of the congregation had not the means to erect a church of their own, kindly provided for them by enlarging their building, (36 x 56 feet), by which addition another school room was gained in the lower story, as also a dwelling for the teaching sisters. Soon after a third school room was opened.
In 1891 a stone sidewalk and an iron fence along the front of the property improved the surroundings of the church. The school demanding more rooms, the assembly hall which had been erected two years previous was enlarged by adding a second story. The lower floor was partitioned into three class rooms, while the new story served as a hall.
On January 29, 1893, the Rev. N. Kirch, after five years of hard and energetic labor, was transferred to Navarre. On the following Sunday the Rev. Francis Metternich succeeded Father Kirch as pastor of St. Francis' Church.
February 28, 1893, the congregation purchased the beautiful house located on a lot, 50 x 150 feet, opposite the church on Superior street, for a pastoral residence at a cost of $7,000. The former residence on Becker avenue has since then been occupied by the sisters teaching the parish schools.
The church again proving too small, another addition was built in 1894, thus bridging over for a time the necessity of build- ing a larger and finer church, which has been contemplated for some years. In fact a considerable sum is already on hand for that purpose, which Father Metternich and his people hope to see realized in the near future.
The preliminary steps for building the new church were taken in 189S. The site selected for the edifice is the present play ground of the school children. On this account it became necessary to enlarge the church property. This was done on January 24, 1899, by the purchase of two adjoining lots, 100 x 80 feet, located east of the parish hall building, at a cost of $1,320. This building, containing four school rooms in the lower story, will soon be removed to these lots, to make room for the proposed church.
255
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
The financial and spiritual condition of the congregation is excellent, and St. Francis' bids fair to become one of the largest German-speaking parishes in Cleveland.
ST. GEORGE'S (LITHUANIAN) MISSION, CLEVELAND.
Among the polyglot Catholic population of Cleveland are about one hundred families who came here since 1890 from Lithuania, a Russian province, to escape the religious and civil oppression to which they were subjected in their native country. They are a hardworking and thrifty people, full of faith and simple piety. Not having a priest of their own language they attended Mass in the churches nearest to their homes. At irregular intervals Lithuanian priests came from the dioceses of Pittsburg and Detroit to attend to their spiritual wants. Finally, in August, . 1895, they were organized as a congregation, under the direction of a priest of their own country, the Rev. Joseph Delinikaitis. He assembled his people for worship in the chapel of St. Peter's Church, the use of which was granted them by the rector, Father Westerholt. St. George was chosen as the patron of the congre- gation. In a short time they had all the requirements for divine service, which was regularly held in their temporary place of worship, until Father Delinikaitis left, in September, 1896. Lithuanian priests being very few in number in this country, St. George's congregation was without a pastor until the advent of the Rev. Joseph Maszotas, who received temporary charge of the congregation in March, 1898. This he retained until June, 1899, when he left the diocese. Since then they have been without a pastor. The Lithuanians purchased three lots on North Perry street on which to erect their own church, school and pastoral residence. The purchase price of the lots was $4,700, about half of which they have already paid out of their meagre earnings, most of them being poor, and gaining their livelihood by performing the most common labor. In the near future, as soon as they have their own pastor, who is expected in January, 1901, they will realize their fond hope, to have their own "roof- tree" as a congregation, and thus be in line with their fellow Catholics in Cleveland.
256
A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
ST. JOHN BAPTIST'S (UNITED GREEK) CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
The first United Greek congregation in the Diocese of Cleve- land, and in Ohio for that matter, was organized at Cleveland in January, 1893, the Rev. John Csurgovich being the first pastor thereof. He came directly from Hungary to Cleveland at that time. For over a year its members worshipped in St. Ladislas' Church, having separate services according to the Greek rite, the Slovak language being used instead of Latin. Father Csurgovich found located in Cleveland about one hundred families of his countrymen who belonged to the United Greek branch of the Catholic Church, and nearly all of the poorest class, financially. Under direction of Bishop Horstmann he purchased on January 22, 1894, a lot, 44 x 134 feet, on Rawlings avenue, for $600, and on it built a frame church of humble design. It was ready for use . in April of the same year, and dedicated to St. John the Baptist. It cost about $1,000. Father Csurgovich left the diocese on September 10, 1896, and was succeeded by the Rev. Simon Szabo a few days later. He had the interior of the church remodeled and a sanctuary added to the edifice, thus increasing its seating capacity somewhat. During his pastorate he also held separate service for the Slovak Greek Catholics in the chapel of the Fran- ciscan monastery. He left in April, 1898, and was succeeded by the present priest in charge, the Rev. Irenaeus Matyaczko, who (in 1900) built a frame school, with pastoral residence adjoining, at a cost of nearly $4,000.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.