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 27
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Very soon these people expressed a desire to have a church and school of their own, as they and their children felt the distance to the above named churches was too great. The Rev. Michael Zoeller, S. J., pastor of St. Mary's, encouraged the people, and the result was that he, with a committee of laymen, called on Bishop Gilmour, who readily granted their petition, to establish a school, as a forerunner of the hoped for parish church. In July, 1881, a lot (130 x 130 feet) located at the northwest corner of Scranton and Clark avenues, was purchased for $4,000. Of this sum St. Mary's paid $3,000, as a gift to her parochial offspring. In the early autumn of the same year a frame school building, 30 x 60 feet, containing two rooms, was erected at a cost of $2,000. On January 12, 1882, the school was opened with an attendance of 155 children, taught by two Notre Dame Sisters. A temporary altar was erected in one of the school rooms, and Mass was cele- brated there for the first time on April 12, 1882. Father Zoeller was the celebrant. In this room Mass was now celebrated by a Jesuit Father on Sunday and Wednesday, each week, for the con- venience of the children, as also for the old people. So rapidly did the school attendance increase that before the lapse of one year additional school facilities had to be provided. This was done by erecting a two story frame building, the lower to serve for school purposes, and the upper as a temporary church. Whilst the building was in progress, under the supervision of Father Zoeller, the people of the still nameless mission were most agreeably sur- prised to learn that on July 15, 1882, Bishop Gilmour had appointed the Rev. Joseph M. Koudelka their resident pastor. He took charge of the great work before him, and although a total stranger to the people entrusted to his pastoral care he was cordially welcomed by them and received their hearty cooperation in his efforts toward the upbuilding of the parish. The mission ceased as such with the appointment of Father Koudelka, and was henceforth to be known as the parish of St. Michael the Archangel. The new pastor's residence was a small frame house, provided with only the scantiest outfit. By degrees both were improved so that the house, though small, was made comfortable, and served its purpose for over twelve years.
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On Sunday, October 21, 1883, Bishop Gilmour dedicated the
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above mentioned temporary frame church, which had been com- pleted and most tastily decorated and furnished. Its interior was a revelation to all who had come to witness the dedication ceremony. The combination church and school, with furniture, etc., cost about $11,000, nearly half of the sum being a debt on the parish. Steadily St. Michael's grew in numbers and importance. It soon became evident that more property would have to be secured to meet the parish needs. This was done by purchasing in March, 1884, for $5,600, the lots (144 x 174 feet) located at the southwest corner of Scranton and Clark avenues, and immediately opposite the property bought in 1881.
In March, 1886, Father Koudelka was sent to Toledo, to take temporary charge of St. Hedwig's Polish parish, which had become disrupted; also to rebuild their church, which had been almost destroyed by fire. During his absence, till July 5, of the same year, the Rev. G. C. Schoenemann was the acting pastor of St. Michael's.
By this time a larger and a permanent church became almost a necessity. On invitation of Father Koudelka plans for an imposing edifice were submitted by a number of architects. Bishop Gilmour approved those of Architect Druiding, of Chicago, as the best. At a parish meeting it was resolved that the new church should be built of stone. On June 19, 1888, work on the founda- tion was commenced, Father Koudelka turning the first sod for the excavation. The foundation walls were brought up to the water table by the close of that year, and cost a little over $7.000. In the spring of the following year the contracts were let for the superstructure, amounting to $60,000, exclusive of the interior finishing.
On Sunday, July 7, 1889, Bishop Gilmour laid the corner- stone in presence of a vast multitude. He also preached an eloquent and impressive sermon on the occasion, Father Wester- holt having preceded him in a German address of much force.
In 1890 the two spires were finished and the church was put under roof, thus completing the exterior of the splendid edifice. It was the intention of the pastor not to push the work of building any farther now, but to rest for some years, and meanwhile to reduce the debt thus far contracted, and to replenish the church
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funds before completing the structure. However, the old adage: "Man proposes, but God disposes," was to be again verified. In the early morning of Monday, June 29, 1891, fire almost com- pletely destroyed the temporary frame church and school, which had been erected eight years previous and served their purpose so well. The interior, and all the vestments and church ornaments, were either rendered useless or completely burned. The parish had lost its church home, and the school in the lower story was gutted by the flames. The loss was estimated at $15,000, with only $10,000 insurance, which was promptly paid. The Sisters of Notre Dame, living in the back part of the doomed building, barely escaped with their lives.
Father Koudelka and his people had now to begin anew the work commenced eight years previous. Every article necessary for divine service had to be again procured. Happily the new church was under roof, though without floor and windows-the mere shell of the edifice. At once a temporary altar and temporary pews were placed in the church, so that on the Sunday after the fire the congregation attended Mass for the first time in the new church-at least five years before the time set. On this occasion the congregation also voted in favor of rebuilding the frame edifice, but to change the upper story into a parish hall. It was also voted to finish the interior of the new church without further delay. The contracts covering the plastering, frescoing, etc., amounted to $17,000. As an evidence of the great generosity of St. Michael's congregation, composed mostly of laborers, with very few people of more than ordinary means, the writer here records the fact that during that year (1891) their contributions amounted to nearly $23,000! And that was but an average year.
The new church was ready for dedication in the fall of 1892. November 20 was set as the date for the impressive ceremony. It was performed by Bishop Horstmann, who was assisted by many priests. It was a day of unalloyed joy for Father Koudelka and his devoted and generous people. It was also a day on which was dedicated to Almighty God, and placed under the protection of the Archangel Michael, the most costly and beautiful church thus far erected in the Diocese of Cleveland, one which is justly ranked with the most splendid churches in the United States.
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Want of space forbids the writer to go into a detailed description, as even many pages would not suffice to do it justice. The mag- nificent church is a monument to the pastor's untiring efforts to build a temple worthy of its sacred use, and which his own artistic taste splendidly adorned. It is no less a monument to his people, who of their slender earnings contributed most willingly to so noble an object. Pastor and people have just reason to be proud of this monument. It is to their glory, next to that of Him, who is tabernacled within its sacred precincts. On special occasions when the vast number of electric lights shine forth from altar and arch and dome, the interior, with its imposing outlines, and veritable art gallery of statuary and paintings, overwhelms the beholder with its splendor and magnificence.
The dimensions of the church are: length, 164 feet; width at transept, 100 feet ; width, exclusive of transept, 90 feet ; height of main spire, 232 feet, and of the second spire, 180 feet; height of center arch, 67 feet; and of the two side arches, 45 feet ; height of the sanctuary, 72 feet. The architecture is the purest Gothic. The arched ceiling is supported by 12 graceful columns, adorned with' arabesques and statuary. The sanctuary and aisles are covered with marble, and the wainscoting is also of marble. The seating capacity of the church is about 1500, and its cost is esti- mated at $150,000, of which at present (1900) only about $25,000 remains as a debt.
In 1895 Father Koudelka was given a three months' leave of absence to enable him to go to Europe for the benefit of his greatly impaired health. On his return, in November of that year, he found that his parishioners had built him a very much needed, well appointed and elegantly furnished frame pastoral residence, located immediately south of the church, on a lot that had been purchased before he left. It was a great and pleasant surprise for him, as he felt the need of better home accommodations than he had thus far. but to secure which he delayed, as he felt that he should first provide a decent place of worship for his congregation.
In conclusion the writer will state that St. Michael's ranks with the best organized parishes in the city and diocese of Cleve- land. Its societies meet all the wants of its varied membership, its schools are in excellent condition, and everything that can be done is done for the best interests of the parish. A bond of affec- tion unites the pastor and people of St. Michael's.
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ST. NICHOLAS' (UNITED GREEK) MISSION, CLEVELAND. .
In February, 1898, a number of Slovak families, of the United Greek rite, and living chiefly in the neighborhood of the Ontario street market house, purchased the brick building (formerly a Protestant meeting house), located at the northeast corner of Woodland avenue and Perry street. They had the upper story fitted up in severely simple manner, as a place of worship, under the direction of their pastor, the Rev. Irenaeus Matyaczko. The property was secured without the knowledge of Bishop Horst- mann, and its title vested, as it is now, in a board of "trustees."
Awaiting developments, the Rt. Rev. Bishop thought it best to tolerate for a time this abnormal condition, as it was brought about by ignorance, rather than by malice. At the present time (December, 1900), the "trustees" find that the property will have to be sold, as the people for whose benefit it was purchased are unable to pay for it. The purchase of the property also caused a rupture between .the pastor and congregation, the former seeking, without avail, however, to put the latter in harmony with the laws of the diocese regarding the manner of holding church property. The Rev. Matyaczko finding his efforts fruitless, asked to be removed, which was done in July, 1900. He was then appointed resident pastor of St. John the Baptist Church, which he had attended from St. Nicholas' as a mission since April, 1898.
. The present pastor of St. Nicholas' congregation, the Rev. P. Keshelak, has had charge since August, 1900.
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
Prior to the erection of St. Patrick's Church in 1854, St. Mary's on the "Flats," and later St. John's Cathedral, were the only churches in Cleveland for the accommodation of the English- speaking Catholics of the city. When St. John's Cathedral was built, those living west of the Cuyahoga river found the distance to church too great and the school accommodations for their children insufficient. Hence, on July 2, 1853, with the consent of Bishop
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Rappe, two lots were bought on Whitman street, for $650. Under the direction of the Very Rev. James Conlan, V. G., who was appointed to take charge of the congregation now to be organized, steps were immediately taken towards the building of a brick church and school. The work was pushed so rapidly that the new church was opened for divine service on the Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, 1854, though it was far from being finished interiorly. During the temporary absence of Father Conlan, the Rev. Michael Kennedy had charge of the congrega- tion, from November, 1854, to September. 1855. He heightened and buttressed the walls, and finished the church and school. The church, a plain edifice, cost about $10,000. It was consecrated, and placed under the patronage of St. Patrick, by Bishop Young, of Erie, on Sunday, November 27, 1858, Archbishop Purcell preaching on the occasion. For more than ten years all the English-speaking Catholics of the West Side, or "Ohio City," as that part of the city was then called, belonged to St. Patrick's. To accommodate its rapidly increasing population with church and school facilities, St. Patrick's parish was divided from time to time and new congregations organized. St. Malachy's, St. Augustine's and the Annunciation are offshoots of St. Patrick's.
Notwithstanding these separations from the mother congre- gation, St. Patrick's Church again became too small. It was there- fore proposed to build a larger church, and one that would be com- mensurate with the means of the congregation. Father James Conlan, who began the first church, did not hesitate to shoulder the responsibility and care connected with the building of the second church for his congregation. In July, 1870, several lots were bought, fronting on Bridge street, and abutting the church property fronting on Whitman street. Plans were prepared for the erection of a Gothic stone church of generous propor- tions. The foundation was begun in the early fall of 1870, and in August, 1871, Archbishop Purcell laid the cornerstone, the Rev. Richard Gilmour, then pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Dayton, preaching on the occasion. Father James Conlan, how- ever, had not the happiness of seeing the completion of his great task, God calling him to his reward on March 5, 1875, after a long and faithful priestly career.
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He was succeeded in the pastorate of St. Patrick's by the Rev. J. Vincent Conlan, who continued the work begun by his reverend cousin, whose faithful assistant he had been since 1855. Fatlier J. V. Conlan was succeeded, May 1, 1877, by the Rev. Eugene M. O'Callaghan. During his pastorate of three years the heavy debt was- considerably reduced, improvements were made in the school facilities, and a pastoral residence adjoining the new church was purchased.
A division of the parish having again become necessary, the extreme western portion was cut off in July, 1880, and formed into a new congregation-to be known as St. Colman's. Father O'Callaghan, having voluntarily resigned the pastorate of St. Patrick's, was appointed pastor of St. Colman's, the Rev. Timothy M. Mahony succeeding him at St. Patrick's, in August, 1880. He set to work at once to complete the interior of the church, which had been used in its unfinished condition during the summer months, since May 1, 1877, on which day Mass was celebrated in it for the first time. In February, 1881, the contract was let for plastering the church and furnishing it with pews, etc. The cost was $10,000. In the summer of 1887 the three handsome altars, that grace the sanctuary at present, were put in place. For the purpose of securing more ground for the pastoral residence, which was in need of enlargement, Father Mahony pur- chased in May, 1889, for $2,500, an additional lot, adjoining the parish property on the west. In the meantime he also made every effort to reduce the large debt contracted for the erection of the church. He was not spared, however, to cancel it, or to enlarge the pastoral residence, as he had hoped. On September 29, 1889, death's summons called him from a life of activity and incessant labor to eternal rest. His almost sudden demise was a great shock to his people. Until the appointment of Father Mahony's succes- sor, his curate, the Rev. John Sheridan, was the acting pastor. On December 8, 1889, the Rev. Patrick O'Brien was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Father Mahony.
Fully realizing the urgent need of greatly enlarged and better school accommodations than those existing, Father O'Brien had plans drawn for a splendid school that would be a credit to St. Patrick's and an ornament to the city. The site chosen was the
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one on which the old church and the school buildings stood-the old giving place to the new. In April, 1890, Bishop Gilmour approved the plans and gave permission to erect the school. It was ready for occupancy, and used for the first time, April 8, 1891. It was dedicated on Sunday, June 7, a vast multitude being present at the ceremony. St. Patrick's now had a school building second to none in the diocese, and as well equipped perhaps as any public school building in Cleveland. Its cost, with furnishings, etc., amounted to a little over $60,000. The parish hall located on the top floor of the building is the largest and finest of its kind in the diocese. Architecturally the school is worthy to rank next to the church, and its well nigh one thousand pupils need not be ashamed of it. They are justly proud of the splendid edifice generously provided for them. Brothers of Mary and Ursuline Sisters conduct the schools with excellent success. They have had charge of them almost since the organization of the parish, in the early fifties, when they were opened.
Father O'Brien's health having been seriously affected whilst he was in Europe, in 1893, on his return in November of that year, he asked to be relieved of the pastorate of St. Patrick's and to be assigned to a smaller charge. Bishop Horstmann granted his request and appointed him pastor of St. Ann's, Fremont. The Rev. James O'Leary succeeded him at St. Patrick's on November 19, 1893. After considerably reducing the debt contracted in building the school, Father O'Leary had the church frescoed, thoroughly renovated, and furnished with artistic stained glass windows in 1896-all at a cost of $7,000. In the following year he also had the pastoral residence modernized and greatly en- larged, and though a frame building, it has in point of size and convenience few superiors in the diocese. In 1898 the residence of the Brothers, in charge of the boys' school, was rebuilt at a cost of $4,000, and now fully meets its purpose. In 1899 Father O'Leary secured a fine pipe organ, at a cost of $3,600, with water power connection ; also a splendid chime of eleven bells, which cost $4,900. They were solemnly blessed on Sunday, June 11, of the same year, and a few days later were placed in position in the church tower, whence their sweet tones are heard on festive occasions.
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St. Patrick's is now provided with a church artistically finished and furnished. The following are its dimensions: Length, 130 feet ; width, 70 feet; from floor to apex of nave, 63 feet ; and the aisles, 35 feet. The plastering is a marvel of mechanical skill. The capitals were specially modeled for St. Patrick's, as also the corbels and other plastic ornaments. The altars, pews and chancel railing are in perfect harmony with the beautiful church.
Although the respective pastors of St. Patrick's did splendid work, their success depended in great measure on the efficient help given them by their curates. Following is a list of their names, and time of service: The Revs. J. Vincent Conlan (1855-75); John Sheridan (1873-90); Joseph J. Clarke (1889-92); Thomas P. Lamb (1890-93); James P. McCloskey (1894-97); F. J. Hopp (1897-98); Martin J. Regan (1898-99); and the present curates, Revs. Michael D. Leahy, since January, 1898, and John T. Moran, since June, 1900.
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
One of the landmarks of the city and Diocese of Cleveland is St. Peter's Church. In point of time it is the oldest German speaking congregation in the present metropolis of Ohio, and dates back to the days when the Forest City was still in its swaddling clothes. It was organized as early as February, 1853. The founder was the Rev. John H. Luhr, who just then had been transferred from Canton to Cleveland, to attend in the latter city to the spiritual wants of the Catholic Germans, who at that time attended divine service in old St. Mary's on the Flats, after the new Cathedral on Erie street had been opened. But the building and its location in the deep Cuyahoga valley were un- satisfactory to Father Luhr's parishioners, who, with few excep- tions, lived on the surrounding bluffs and were loath to descend the steep hills and cross the meandering Cuyahoga to reach their place of worship in the Flats below. So the plan was conceived to build a church in a location more to their liking. Having · collected some funds, Father Luhr purchased, March 10, 1854, on the southeast corner of Superior and Dodge streets, a plat of
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ground 132 by 132 feet, at a cost of $8,000. The location in the East End of the then straggling town of Cleveland displeased the German-speaking Catholics on the West Side, who, after St. Peter's had been organized, continued to worship in the frame edifice on the Flats until their own church, at the corner of Jersey and Carroll streets, was ready for occupancy. Pending the com- pletion of their first little church and school building the members of St. Peter's congregation had services for a time in the basement of the Cathedral on Erie street.
In the fall of 1854 the combination church and school, under the patronage of St. Peter, was ready to be occupied. It was a handsome brick structure, about 40 x 80 feet, and consisted of two stories, surmounted by a belfry. The first floor was used for a church, the upper story served partly as a parochial school and partly as the priest's residence.
Among the pioneer members of that early period we find such familiar names as Henry Kramer, H. Detmer, Henry Beckmann, John Wagner, M. Treiber, J. TePas, A. Alten, Herman Beckmann, Philip Schmidt, J. Hackmann, Gerard DeWitt, Joseph Miller, John Hebler, Joseph Sieberling, Michael Groh, Anton Diehl, Benedict Rosenfelder, E. Barzen, J. Brickel, F. J. Neracher, A. Mehling, C. Reif, V. Schaab, J. Kaiser, M. Druckenbrod, J. Harks, Matthew Wagner, P. Edam, J. Demming and M. Dilhoefer.
The congregation rapidly increased in numbers, so that additional room had to be provided for the large number of children desirous of a parochial school education.
About the year 1856, a two-story brick hous : was built on Dodge street on a lot bought June 18, 1856, of George C. Dodge, for $1,000, and adjoining the large vacant corner reserved by Father Luhr for a permanent church to be eventually erected.
In the following year the present St. Peter's Church was built. Ground was broken in the summer of 1857, and the work pushed by the energetic pastor, so that the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Rappe, amid a vast outpouring of people, on August 16, 1857. A little over two years later the church was dedicated by Bishop Rappe, on October 23, 1859. Exclusive of altars, pews, pulpit, etc., the edifice cost $36,000. The great bulk of this amount was collected in small sums by Father Luhr, who in those pioneer
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days was wont to go great distances on foot, wading through soggy fields and climbing rail fences, in an effort to obtain some distant Catholic's humble contribution toward the building of the church. During those days of pecuniary embarrassment, he went as far as Delphos and Cincinnati to collect among friends for his congregation in Cleveland.
In 1867, Father Luhr purchased of the Vanduzen & Tift Company, in Cincinnati, three large bells. They were blessed on February 10, of the same year, and ever since ring in merrily the Lord's Day, sending their melodious voices from the lofty belfry of St. Peter's, far over the surrounding city.
In the fall of 1863, Father Luhr engaged the services of the Brothers of Mary for the boys' school. The girls' department was in charge of lay teachers, until the advent of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary, whose services he engaged in September, 1864.
Although most zealous in looking after the temporal and spiritual interests of his congregation, Father Luhr, towards the end of his pastorate, was persecuted by a number of his parishion- ers, who less wise than meddlesome, resented the dismissal of a certain lay teacher. Subsequent events, however, showed that Father Luhr had good reasons on moral grounds to dispense with the services of the pedagogue, whose dismissal occasioned a rupture between the pastor and a portion of his people. But it was too late to undo the evil wrought by opposition on the part of some prominent members belonging to St. Boniface's Society. In course of the discussion this organization withdrew' as a church society, and ever since its withdrawal in the latter part of the sixties, eked out a precarious existence. The ringleaders of the opposition to the priest all died miserably. One even committed suicide. But before these men were called to their account, Father Luhr, weary of opposition, resigned the pastorate of St. Peter's and withdrew to Cincinnati, in January, 1868, where Bishop Purcell placed him in charge of a large parish. There he died, August 2, 1872, a zealous, hard working, faithful priest to the last
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