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 28
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After the departure of Father Luhr for Cincinnati, the Rev. Francis Westerholt was appointed by Bishop Rappe to take charge of St. Peter's congregation. The new pastor made his appearance
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on Sunday, January 19, 1868, and was publicly introduced by the Rt. Rev. Ordinary himself. A new era of prosperity was inaugurated with the administration of this exemplary and ener- getic priest.
In the spring of 1873, the contract was let for a spacious new school building. To make room for it, the first old two-story structure, built by Father Luhr in 1854, had to be torn down, and additional ground, 45 x 145 feet, was purchased of Henry Kramer, one of the pioneer members and special benefactors of St. Peter's congregation.
The new school was large and commodious, consisting of a basement and superstructure of two stories; the first floor con- taining two class rooms, a corridor, and, next to it, a handsome chapel, provided with an arched sanctuary and furnished with an altar, pipe organ, stations, etc. The second story was arranged for four school rooms, divided evenly by a corridor in the center. The extremities of the building contained the entrances and a hall- way, with staircases leading to various portions of the building. The aggregate cost of St. Peter's school, as designed and built in 1873, amounted to $26,000. In September, 1874, the new school was 'ready for occupancy. To render the course of instruction more effectual a third room was added to the boys' department, taught by the Brothers from St. Mary's Institute, Dayton.
Up to this time the religious community, known as the Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary, on Harmon street, Cleveland, had charge of and taught the girls attending St. Peter's school (1864-1374). They were replaced by Notre Dame Sisters, known as the Coesfeld-Cleveland community. This branch of the Notre Dames was founded at Coesfeld, Westphalia, in 1850, with the approbation of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Mueller, Bishop of Muenster. Like so many other religious societies, this community of Sisters had to flee from Germany in consequence of the iniquitous May laws of 1872. At the suggestion of Father Westerholt. Bishop Gilmour invited them to the Diocese of Cleveland, and approved the plan of placing St. Peter's girls' school under their direction. Accordingly, three Notre Dame Sisters were employed for the first time in the Diocese of Cleveland at St. Peter's school September 1, 1874. They have since continued the good work of
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the moral and intellectual training of the children of the parish with signal success. From their convent home, in the shadow of St. Peter's, these excellent Sisters have gradually extended their usefulness to various other schools, so that their arrival on American soil, on the 4th day of July, 1874, has proved a veritable blessing to the diocese at large, and St. Peter's Church in particular.
To provide a new dwelling for the Brothers of Mary, whose house had been sold to the Notre Dame Convent, a lot, 40 x 130 feet on Huntington street, adjoining the Sisters' property, was purchased in the summer of 1878 for $3,000. A frame building, formerly owned by the convent, was moved thereon, and arranged to serve as an abode for the Brothers.
During the following years Father Westerholt's efforts were directed toward the improving and beautifying of the interior of St. Peter's Church. The organ loft was enlarged in 1883; the following year a number of beautiful statues were purchased for the various altars, and in 1885 the whole interior of the church was frescoed and decorated. It was also provided with new stained glass windows, modern gas fixtures, and a variety of other church furniture.
In the summer of 1887 the priest's house, put up by Father Luhr, was torn down and replaced by a large commodious pastoral residence adjoining the rear of the church, at a cost of $12,000. In the same year a third story was added to St. Peter's school building, and arranged for a parish hall, containing a stage and other conveniences, at a cost of $10,000.
In the synod of January 3, 1889, St. Peter's congregation was the first mentioned among the nine principal churches of the diocese which Bishop Gilmour named as rectorates, with an irre- movable pastor -- the Rev. Father Westerholt being its first rector.
On November 20, 1896, after a few hours' illness, Father Westerholt passed to his reward. Amid a vast outpouring of parishioners, priests and friends, his obsequies, under the direction of Bishop Horstmann, were held in the church that had witnessed his priestly zeal for over a quarter of a century. To appoint a successor a concursus had to be held, in accordance with the regu- lations of the III Plenary Council of Baltimore.
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ST. PROCOP'S CHURCH (1900), CLEVELAND.
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The present rector, the Rev. Nicholas Pfeil, formerly of Holy Trinity congregation, Avon, received his appointment on May 10, 1897, and was publicly welcomed by the congregation in a reception given him at St. Peter's hall, on June 6, 1897.
During his administration a high school grade was added to the course of studies for the boys' department in September, 1899, and placed in charge of the Brothers of Mary.
To provide a suitable site for additional parochial structures in the future, a plat of ground, 102 x 150 in size, at the corner of Superior and Huntington streets, was purchased on January 16, 1900, for $8,670.
In the following year the interior of the church was improved and the church illuminated with electricity. There are between four and five hundred lights artistically placed on columns, altars and dome, which when lighted reveal to good advantage the excellent paintings and architectural beauty of St. Peter's Church, and easily render it one of the most devotion inspiring sanctuaries in Cleveland.
A history of St. Peter's congregation would be incomplete without mentioning the curates who in their day zealously aided the pastors and rectors in the spiritual and temporal administration of the parish. Following is a list of their names and time of service : The Revs. Silvan Rebholz, August, 1870-72; Joseph Sproll, August, 1872, April, 1873; Theodore Litterst, 1873-76; Francis Senner, March, 1884, January, 1888; Jacob Christophory, a few months in 1888; John P. Kunnert, 1888-89 ; A. H. Schreiner, April, 1890, January, 1893; Henry J. Gerhardstein, January, 1893, June, 1898; Nicholas A. Hassel, present curate, since September, 1898.
ST. PROCOP'S (BOHEMIAN) CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
Between 1872 and 1874 the Catholic portion of the large Bohemian element in Cleveland became so numerous that St. Wenceslas' Church-the first Bohemian house of worship in the city and located on Arch street-proved much too small for their accommodation. Besides, as many of that nationality lived in the
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western and southern part of the city, they petitioned Bishop Gilmour for permission to erect a church nearer to their homes than St. Wenceslas', with which they were affiliated. The Bishop granted their request September 17, 1872, and authorized the Rev. Anthony Hynek, who had just then come to the diocese, to secure suitable lots, and build thereon a combination frame church and school. Four lots were secured on Burton street, a short distance south of Clark avenue, at an outlay of $3,200. Until the erection of their church, the congregation had regular service for two years in St. Mary's Church on the Flats. The building was commenced in the early spring of 1874. When completed a few months later it cost about $8,000. In September of the
same year it was dedicated to St. Procop by the Very Rev. F. M. Boff, V. G., in the absence of Bishop Gilmour, then ill. In February, 1875, the Rev. Joseph M. Koudelka, at that time a deacon, was given charge of the congregation, the Rev. Leonz Zumbuehl, of the Seminary, or a Franciscan Father, saying Mass. This arrangement lasted until the ordination to the priesthood of the Rev. Mr. Koudelka, in October, 1875. Full of energy, and regardless of opposition shown by the infidel portion of the Bohemians, as well as by their vile papers, in which he was constantly attacked, Father Koudelka labored unceasingly for the welfare of his flock. He took special interest in the school, which he justly considered the hope of St. Procop's future. He also published a series of readers in Bohemian for his school. They are now used in all the Bohemian parochial schools in the United States. Under his skilful hands the church, exteriorly very plain, was made very attractive interiorly. During his pastorate he also added several lots to the church property, built a commodious pastoral residence, and neatly furnished the school, which was in charge of the Notre Dame Sisters. In June, 1882, Father Koudelka left for St. Louis, Mo., with Bishop Gilmour's reluctantly given permission, to take charge of the Catholic Bohe- mian paper, The Hlas, by request of all the Bohemian priests of the country. When he severed his connection with St. Procop's the parish was clear of debt, with its property in excellent condi- tion. The Rev. Francis J. Antl had temporary charge of the parish for one year-till June, 1883, when, owing to his misman-
CHURCH OF ST. ROSE OF LIMA, CLEVELAND.
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agement of its affairs, Bishop Gilmour found it necessary to remove him and at once to appoint the Rev. Stephen Furdek as pastor of the now disrupted parish. Father Furdek remained till the following January. In February, 1884, the people of St. Procop's were in open revolt against the Bishop because he removed the Rev. Antl, as also because the parish councilmen, who had become partisans of the Rev. Antl, and had stirred up the parish against the Bishop, refused to vacate in favor of another and duly elected board of councilmen. The result of this insub- ordination was that Bishop Gilmour closed their church and placed it under interdict. It so remained until Sunday, August 9, 1885, when the Rev. Anthony Vlcek was appointed pastor of St. Procop's, the rebellious parishioners having first made their sub- mission to their Bishop and apologized for the grave scandal they had given. During the Rev. Vlcek's pastorate five lots were purchased, and the frame building on one of them was changed into a residence for the Sisters. In September, 1892, five Sisters of St. Joseph replaced the Sisters of Notre Dame in the parish school. In July, 1893, the Rev. Vlcek left St. Procop's, which was then attended by the Jesuit Fathers until the advent of the Rev. Wenceslas Koerner, in the month of August following. His pastorate was of short duration-only till June, 1896, but it was full of activity. . He had the school put in good repair and secured two additional lots for a much needed church of larger dimensions which it was proposed to erect. His successor was the Rev. Wen- ceslas A. Panuska, under whose direction the present elegant stone church was commenced; its interior is yet unfinished. The cornerstone was laid on Sunday, September 3, 1899. It is hoped to complete the church within the next two years.
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ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
The founding of a parish for the Catholics in West Cleveland and the adjoining hamlet of Lakewood had been discussed for some years before Bishop Horstmann was able to take steps towards the realization of their hopes. The territory was large and the Catholics there resident formed a small proportion of its
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population. The extension of the street railway, with frequent service from the city to Rocky River, as also the opening of new allotments, offered inducements to quite a number of Catholic families to settle there during the last five years-since 1895. They and the earlier settlers felt that now the time had come to have a church and school of their own. The subject was again brought to the Rt. Rev. Bishop's attention, who not only considered it favorably but offered the committee which called on him, in October, 1899, every possible encouragement.
On October 29, 1899, the first meeting of the Catholics inter- ested in the proposed new parish was held at St. John's Hospital. The representatives of nine families were present and effected a temporary organization. The membership increased later until forty families were represented by the organization, which assumed the name of "The Brownson Association." In order to forestall any difficulty that might arise in securing a site for church and school purposes, the Rt. Rev. Bishop suggested that the Associa- tion arrange for the purchase of suitable property, with his approval, and to hold the title until such time as he would be in position to assume it himself and appoint a resident pastor. On November 27, 1899, the property known as the Marshall home- stead, located at the southeast corner of Detroit street and Fruit- land avenue was purchased on mortgage security. The title was vested in William A. Manning, William Hendricks and Louise Obermiller as trustees of the Brownson Association, the trustees making a written declaration of their trusteeship, which ended as soon as the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Cleveland assumed the obligation entailed on them by said purchase-which was done a few weeks later. A part of the lower story of the fine brick mansion on the property was at once remodeled, so as to serve as a temporary church. On Christmas day, 1899, the Rev. Godfrey Schulte, S. J., celebrated Mass for the first time in the parlor of the above men- tioned residence. It was a joyful day for the Catholics present.
The Rev. Ignatius J. Wonderly was appointed the first resident pastor. On January 14, 1900, he took charge of the new parish, which was placed under the patronage of St. Rose of Lima. Mass was now regularly said in the temporary chapel, which soon proved too small for the rapidly growing congregation.
ST. STANISLAS' CHURCH AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CLEVELAND.
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Pending the remodeling of rooms in the rear part of the large building, to serve as a residence, Father Wonderly resided with the Manning family, on Grace avenue. In the spring of 1900 he took possession of his comfortably furnished home.
After mature deliberation it was decided by the parish to build a temporary frame church, and to use the old building for a school and the pastoral residence, thus providing the necessary buildings without overburdening the parish with debt. Work was at once begun on the new church, and on July 29, 1900, the people of St. Rose's parish had the happiness of assisting at Mass for the first time in the new and very attractive edifice. It was dedicated on December 2, following, by Bishop Horstmann.
Considering the valuable church property (estimated at over $11,000, exclusive of the church) and the comparatively small number of Catholics within the limits of the parish-all the territory west of Boulevard and Wellington avenues and north of Lorain street-great credit is due the promoters of the enterprise. Among the prime movers of the great undertaking, who gave it not only their moral but their financial support, as well, Mr. and Mrs. William Greif and the Misses Obermiller deserve special mention. The former paid one-fourth of the actual cost of the church, and the latter contributed most generously towards the purchase of the property and the erection of the church.
In September, 1900, a parish school was opened and placed in charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Thus within one year St. Rose's parish has taken its place among the many flourishing parishes of Cleveland, with brightest prospects for its future.
ST. STANISLAS' (POLISH) CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
The year 1868 marks the beginning of the Catholic Polish immigration to Cleveland. It was then that a few families of that nationality settled in the "Forest City." By the end of 1873 their number so increased that Bishop Gilmour found it necessary to organize them into a separate congregation. As they were too poor, and too few in number, to build their own church, the Bishop gave them the use of St. Mary's Church, on the Flats. He also
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commissioned the Rev. Victor Zareczny, pastor of St. Adalbert's Polish Church, at Berea, to look after their spiritual interests, which he did from December, 1873, until October, 1877, when the Rev. John A. Marschal was appointed their first resident pastor. This position he held until January, 1879, when he left the diocese. The Rev. Wolfgang Janietz, O. F. M., succeeded Father Marschal. By this time St. Mary's Church on the Flats had become unfit for use, and as the Poles were still unable to build their own church, Father Janietz obtained for them the use of the Franciscan Monastery Chapel, on Hazen street. In August, 1881, he also secured a church and school site, at the corner of Forman and Tod streets, in South Cleveland, where most of the Poles had settled, to be in close proximity to the rolling mills, where many of them had found employment. The property cost $3,000, and comprised thirteen lots, forming a square plat of land, with ample room for all the parish buildings. On the east side of these lots Father Janietz had a plain frame building erected, in size 35 x 86 feet. The upper story served as a temporary church, and the lower story as a school. The building cost $4,600. It was dedi- cated to St. Stanislas by Bishop Gilmour, on Sunday, November 13, 1881. From the Franciscan Monastery Father Janietz attended most faithfully to his pastoral charge-then numbering about 200 families-until August, 1883, when he was relieved of it by the appointment of the Rev. Anthony F. Kolaszewski, who had been ordained a few weeks previous.
Under the direction of the Rev. Kolaszewski the present pastoral residence was built in the fall of the same year, at a cost of $2,000. He also had the frame church enlarged in the following year, at an outlay of $1,500, to accommodate his rapidly increasing parish.
In August, 1886, the foundation for the present magnificent church (85 x 200 feet) was begun, and the church enclosed during the following year. Steadily it neared completion, until it was ready for dedication on Sunday, November 15, 1891. The Rt. Rev. F. M. Boff, administrator of the diocese, dedicated this splendid temple to St. Stanislas. It is the largest and one of the most beautiful churches in the diocese. It has two spires, each 232 feet in height, and its architecture is pure Gothic. It cost nearly
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ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH (INTERIOR), CLEVELAND.
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$150,000, inclusive of altars, pews and statuary. In June, 1892, Bishop Horstmann was obliged to remove the Rev. Kolaszewski from the pastorate of St. Stanislas'. The reader is referred to pages 172-176, in this volume, for the cause that led up to the Rev. Kolaszewski's removal, and its sad and scandalous conse- quences. The Rev. Benedict Rosinski, present pastor of St. Stanislas' Church, succeeded the Rev. Kolaszewski in June, 1892, , and soon found that he had to face a debt of a little over $100,000 -far beyond what he and his congregation supposed it to be. The actual debt had also been kept from the knowledge of the Bishop. Father Rosinski felt the great weight of his burden, but trusting to the well known and much tried generosity of his people he set manfully to work to gradually reduce the great debt. In this ne has succeeded admirably, so that at the present writing it is within easy reach and will soon be cancelled. The parish is now in excel- lent condition; peace and harmony prevail.
The parish school was opened simultaneously with the first church, and has ever since been under the watchful care of pains- taking Sisters of St. Francis, of whom nine are now in charge. A male teacher has charge of the larger boys. The attendance is about 1,000 pupils.
The following priests have filled the position of curate at St. Stanislas' Church: The Revs. J. Maszotas, W. J. Horak, P. M. Cerveny, J. Kulla, G. Kraus, C. Ruszkowski, J. Machnikowski. The present curate is the Rev. L. Kuzius.
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, CLEVELAND.
St. Stephen's Church is located on Courtland street, between Lorain and Bridge streets. The church property consists of a strip of land 270 feet north and south on Courtland street. 200 feet on Scott street, and covers the intervening lots, east and west, from Courtland to Scott street.
The formation of St. Stephen's parish dates back to 1869, when that of St. Mary's of the Assumption was divided by appor- tioning to the new parish all the Catholic Germans living between Harbor street and the city limits to the west. In the above men-
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tioned year the Rev. Stephen Falk, pastor of St. Mary's, had a two story brick building erected on a site about the centre of the present church property. The upper story served from 1870 to '1876 as a chapel, or temporary church. The lower story was divided into school rooms. In April, 1870, the Rev. Casimir Reichlin, present rector of St. Stephen's, was ordained to the priesthood, and a few weeks later the Very Rev. Administrator Caron directed him to take charge of the new parish. It grew rapidly, thus making better church and school accommodations a necessity. Father Reichlin, shortly after his installation as pastor, began to collect funds for the needed church. Its cornerstone was laid by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, September 7, 1873. Shortly after this came the great financial panic, which blighted the entire country and paralyzed every enterprise that needed money for its success. In consequence of this fact, work on the new church was greatly retarded. A little was done each year, however, between 1874 and 1881, partly by means of money actually con- tributed and partly-in fact chiefly-by borrowed money. Al- though the interior was unfinished, services were held in the new church for the first time on July 2, 1876. Five years later the church was plastered and frescoed. It is of Gothic architecture, cruciform, and is built of cut stone. It has also a beautiful array of stained glass windows. The following are the dimensions of the imposing edifice: Length, 165 feet; width of the nave, 75 feet ; width of the transept, 91 feet ; height from floor to apex of ceiling, 50 feet. On Sunday, November 20, 1881, Bishop Gilmour dedicated the church. In the afternoon the Bishop also blessed the large bell which has since been in use. It was donated by the family of John Schmiedbauer. It was a day of just rejoicing for the pastor who, in the face of grave financial difficulties that cost him much worry, had now the satisfaction of adding another beautiful temple to the many that grace the Diocese of Cleveland. It was no less a day of joy for his people, whose generosity made it possible to put into effect the plans for their church, as conceived by their pastor.
After an intermission of a few years Father Reichlin had other important improvements added to the church. Among these was the present splendid organ, which was secured in 1886, at a cost
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ST. THOMAS AQUINAS' CHURCH AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CLEVELAND.
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of $4,200. Two years later the present system of steam heating and ventilation was introduced, at an outlay of nearly $8,000.
In the spring of 1893 the interior of the church was thor- oughly renovated by artistic frescoing. A new high altar, two side altars, pulpit, also niches and canopies for sanctuary-all of white oak-were placed in position. A splendid array of twenty- six statues, and Stations of the Cross, were imported from Europe, adding much to the beauty of the attractive interior. The carving on the altars, pulpit, etc., is of unsurpassed workmanship. The stained glass windows that now add lustre to the church were also placed in position during the same year, as was also the com- munion railing of burnished brass with Mexican onyx top. The aisles and sanctuary are laid with marble tiling.
All these improvements, with an additional sacristy, cost about $35,000. The interior, and especially the sanctuary, are most attractive, and yet not overloaded with ornamentation. With the exception of the tower, as yet unfinished, St. Stephen's Church is complete in every detail, and it has a supply of splendid vest- ments and costly church vessels, including a magnificent mon- strance, not surpassed and hardly equalled by any other church in the city or Diocese of Cleveland.
As stated in the beginning of this sketch, the parish school dates from the foundation of the parish, when it occupied three rooms on the first floor of the combination church and school building. Additional school rooms were built of brick in 1885 and 1890. In 1889 a fine brick residence, fronting on Scott street, was built for the Sisters of Notre Dame-who have had charge of the schools since 1874.
During the summer and early autumn of 1897, a beautiful and spacious brick school was built, at a cost of $12,000, on Scott street. It contains eight large class rooms, well lighted and ventilated, and a fine basement. The latter is used as a club room by the Young Men's Sodality. There are in all thirteen class rooms now in use, accommodating nearly 900 children. The pastoral residence was built in 1872; it was enlarged and renovated in 1896. As it now stands it is one of the largest and best arranged parish residences in the diocese.
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