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, pt2 > Part 10
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*Catholic Telegraph, September 4, 1835.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
ing capacity of the church enlarged by the erection of a gallery. in order to properly accommodate the increasing membership of the Mission. Two years later the present sacristy was added. In 1899 the Rev. A. Andlauer purchased a fine bell; its sweet notes were heard from the belfry for the first time on Christmas morning of that year.
With the exception of about. one year (1890-1*) the Mission of Lisbon has been attended from Dungannon. Father Andlauer, the present pastor, has had charge of it since September, 1898, his visits being semi-monthly. An excellent spirit prevails in the Mission, now numbering about 30 families. The Protestants of Lisbon show the kindliest feeling towards their Catholic fellow- citizens, and there is no longer any trace of bigotry.
Mr. Jacob Monti, an Italian member of the Mission, was its most generous benefactor. He was at all times to the forefront in any movement tending to promote its temporal interests. His widow recently donated to the Mission a fine lot and house, to serve as a residence for the hoped-for resident pastor.
LIVERPOOL, MEDINA COUNTY.
ST. MARTIN'S CHURCH.
The congregation of St. Martin, Liverpool, composed of German farmers, built its first place of worship, a primitive small log church, or chapel, in 1842, and was attended from Cleveland, at long and irregular intervals, until 1844. It was then placed in charge of Sanguinist Fathers until 1862. The Rev. P. A. Capeder was the first resident pastor-1844 to 1856. From Liver- pool he also attended a number of Missions. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. M. Albrecht (1856-59) and by the Rev. J. Van den Broek (1859-61). Since then the following secular priests have had pastoral charge of Liverpool, viz: the Revs. J. Dolweck . (1862-64), G. Peter (1864 to January, 1865), H. L. Thiele (Jan- uary to June, 1865) ; H. Behrens (1866-67) ; H. D. Best (1868-70) ; G. Rudolplı (1871-72); S. Rebholz (December, 1872, to March, 1885); N. Kirch (March to October, 1885); J. Thein (November, 1885, to February, 1892) : J. Romer (February, 1892, to January.
*Attended from Summitville.
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1893); W. Müller (January to June, 1893); C. Settele (June, 1893, to June, 1897); and the present pastor, the Rev. F. X. Braeunig, since June, 1897.
By the year 1849 the log church had become too small to accommodate all the faithful, some of whom had formerly belonged to the Mission of Abbeyville. Hence the question of building a larger and better church was discussed. The former Abbeyville members disagreed with those of Liverpool as to the site for the proposed church. In consequence of this they returned to their former Mission church, whilst the remaining members, under the direction of Father Capeder, built a brick church in 1849 on the site of the present edifice; it was 40 feet wide and 60 feet long. The Abbeyville Mission soon decreased in numbers, whilst St. Martin's congregation steadily grew. The Abbeyville Mission was finally abandoned in 1859 and its families again identified themselves with Liverpool. This necessitated the . erection of a larger church than the second, built in 1849. The result of this move was the present (third) brick church, 50 by 120 feet. It was built in 1861, under the direction of the Rev. John Van den Broek and was dedicated in the following year. Its exterior is plain but neat and its interior ranks with that of the best furnished country churches in the diocese. It cost about $30,000. In 1881 Father Rebholz bought the present fine organ at an expense of nearly $2,700. He also procured a complete out- fit of vestments, ornaments and sacred vessels that for costliness and beauty rivalled at that time the best appointed city churches.
In 1894 the present neat pastoral residence, a frame building, was erected at a cost of about $2,000. It replaced the small one, built in Father Capeder's time.
The present school was organized in 1858, during the pastor- ate of Father Albrecht. The church, built in 1849, has been used for that purpose since 1861. It was in charge of lay teachers until 1877. It was then taught by the Sisters of Notre Dame until 1885, when lay teachers succeeded them. From 1891 to 1892 the Sisters of the Humility of Mary were in charge. For three years (1894-97) it was again conducted by lay teachers. Since 1897 two Dominican Sisters have had charge.
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In 1875, and again in 1884, considerable dissension reigned in the parish. Now, however, and for many years past, St. Martin's may justly be called a model congregation. Its fine property is in excellent condition and is not burdened with any debt. The parish numbers at present about 90 families.
Among the oldest Catholic settlers of Liverpool, and of those who contributed generously at all times, the following deserve special mention : The Bihn and Kramer families, J. and M. Acker, N. Grabenstaetter, A. Echle, P. Weigel, W. Armbruster and Joseph Huttinger.
LORAIN, LORAIN COUNTY. ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CHURCH.
Until 1874 the present thriving and busy town of Lorain was known as Black River. In 1836 it was incorporated as Charles- ton. Owing to its location, at the mouth of the Black River, with one of the best harbors on Lake Erie, it soon grew into importance as a shipping point for grain. However, in the early "fifties," when the Cleveland and Toledo (now the "Lake Shore") and other railroads were opened the place fell into ruin. About 1885 it began to regain its long lost prestige, and since then has had a phenomenal growth in population, attracted thither by its large steel works and other cognate industries. This population included also many Catholics of various nationalities. Prior to 1874, Lorain (Black River) had only a small Catholic contingent of Irish and Germans, who formed the first parish, known as St. Mary's.
St. John's parish, of which this sketch treats, is the fourth and most recently organized at Lorain. It is composed of the English and German speaking Catholics settled in South Lorain, near the "Steel Plant," one of the largest of its kind in this country. In October, 1899, the Rev. Charles Reichlin, pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Lorain, was commissioned by Bishop Horst- mann to secure a site for a church, school and pastoral residence, in some desirable locality near the "Steel Plant." This he did by purchasing five choice and well located lots, covering an area of 200 by 200 feet, fronting on 13th Avenue and Globe street ; the
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purchase price was $2,400. Father Reichlin also had charge of the preliminary work in connection with building the foundation of the present combination church and school, a two-story frame building, 40 x 80 feet, facing 13th Avenue. The cornerstone was blessed by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, V. G., on Sunday, Septem- ber 9, 1900. A few weeks later, September 30, the Rev. T. F. McGuire was appointed the first resident pastor. Under his direc- tion the building was pushed to completion at a cost of about $6,000. The upper story serves as a temporary church and the lower will be fitted up in the near future as a school. Mass was celebrated in it for the first time on December 8, 1900.
The present membership of the parish, which is placed under the patronage of St. John the Baptist, is about sixty-five families. The prospects at this time are fairly good for a large increase in the Catholic population of South Lorain.
LORAIN, LORAIN COUNTY. ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
St. Joseph's parish, composed of Germans, was organized, by the Rev. Charles Reichlin, the present pastor, on January 5, . 1896. The first services were held in the Chapel of St. Joseph's Hospital. There also, in a short time, a part of the basement was fitted up as a temporary place of worship for the new congregation, and thus used until February, 1897. After a number of meetings a large majority of the congregation favored the erection of a combination church and school, to be built of brick. Four lots, with a neat frame house on one of them, were bought at the inter- section of Reid street and Eighth avenue; they cost $3,200. The building was commenced in the latter part of June, 1896, and the cornerstone was laid by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., on August 30, following. Owing to want of room in the Hospital basement the new temporary church had to be used before the completion of the interior. Mass was celebrated in it for the first time on Febru- ary 14, 1897. Meanwhile the most necessary outfit for divine wor- ship was secured. This included also the old altar and pews of the church at French Creek, which were donated by the congrega- tion of that place. The handsome and well appointed edifice was
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, LORAIN.
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dedicated by Bishop Horstmann on Sunday, May 9, 1897. The structure is a massive brick building with tasty stone trimmings. It is 94 feet long and 53 feet wide. The two wings, 10 feet wide, are used as side entrances. The basement is 9 feet high; the four school rooms on the first floor are each 24 x 34 feet, and the auditorium, or temporary church, on the second floor, has a seat- ing capacity for 500 people. Its height in the center is 27 feet, affording ample space for an organ loft. The fine bell now in use was blessed by the Rev. Chancellor Houck on Sunday, February 12, 1899. In the summer of 1898 the auditorium was neatly frescoed, and a few months later the old but excellent organ of St. Mary's church, Sandusky, also a donation, was put in place.
In 1899 the above mentioned pews were replaced by new ones, at a cost of about $700, and in the following year ornate gas fixtures and reflectors were added to the embellishment of the interior.
The value of the church property, at a fair estimate, is about $28,000, with but a comparatively small debt remaining. This is a record of which the pastor and his generous people may justly be proud.
The parish school was organized simultaneously with the parish. In January, 1896, two rooms were rented for the purpose and two Sisters of St. Francis, from Tiffin, were installed as teachers. Forty children were in attendance when the school was opened, and before the end of June, one hundred pupils were enrolled. An excellent spirit pervades the parish. It numbers now about 125 families, and has a bright, promising future.
LORAIN, LORAIN COUNTY. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
Humble indeed was the beginning of the present flourishing parish of St. Mary's, Lorain, (formerly known as Black River) and its history covers a comparatively brief period. In 1873 the Rev. L. Molon, of Elyria, was commissioned to look after the spiritual interests of the few Catholic families living there. For several years, until January, 1878, he visited them monthly on week days and said Mass in private houses. His successor, the
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Rev. Joeph Romer, pastor of North Amherst, was appointed in February, 1878. He held services in the residence of Peter Müller. Father Romer secured a lot by land contract, in the spring of that year and built on it a small frame church-the first in Lorain-at a cost of $600. The lot was deeded when it was paid for, in May, 1881. Services were held in the little church for the first time, in March, 1879. The Mission then comprised about thirty families, most of them poor, and dependent on the most ordinary labor for their support. They were generously assisted in building their house of worship by the Catholics of Elyria, French Creek, Sheffield and Avon; also by their Protestant fellow citizens of the village. The church was dedicated to "St. Mary of the Lake," on Ascension Day, May 6, 1880. Within three years the Mission had outgrown its church, hence Father Romer was obliged to build another and larger (frame) structure, which he did in 1883; its length was 80 feet and its width, 40 feet.
St. Mary's had now passed the grade of a Mission and the people petitioned Bishop Gilmour for a resident pastor, whom they were willing and able to support. In July, 1884, their petition was granted by the appointment of the Rev. Joseph Eyler. Within the next three years he bought three additional lots, two of them to serve as a site for the parish school. The parish now owns five lots, in a very desirable part of Lorain, and bounded by First Avenue, Chestnut and Reid streets.
In 1885 the old church was fitted up as a school, and placed in charge of a lay teacher. In 1886 a second teacher was engaged and the enrollment was 127 pupils. Two Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary conducted the school for one year-until June, 1888, when they were succeeded by the Sisters of St. Francis, from Tiffin, who have been in charge since then. In the summer and fall of 1888 the present two-story brick school (50 x 74 feet) was built; with its furnishings it cost about $10,000.
Father Eyler was succeeded in April, 1888, by the Rev. Wimar Müller. He built the present pastoral residence; also the school above mentioned, and renovated the interior of the church. In January, 1893, Father Eyler was reappointed pastor of St. Mary's. Again the church, built ten years before, had become too small. It was therefore determined by the pastor and the
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, LORAIN.
IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND. 493
majority of the parish to build another and larger church, of brick. On June 5, 1895, the frame church was burnt to the ground; whether the fire was the work of an incendiary or accidental, has never been discovered. In consequence of this disaster the problem of the proposed new church had to be faced at once. Meanwhile the lower story of the school building was made to serve as a temporary place of worship.
Up to this time St. Mary's congregation was composed of Irish, Germans and a few Poles. The Germans had for some time expressed a wish to build their own church, and took this opportunity to put into effect their desire, which they did, as stated in the preceding sketch, of St. Joseph's parish.
The English speaking portion of St. Mary's and about 50 German families, who remained with the parish, shouldered the burden of erecting a church for themselves. Plans were accord- ingly drawn for a brick structure, of Romanesque architecture. Within a few weeks after the fire, above mentioned, the founda- tion for the new church was commenced. The cornerstone was blessed by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., on Sunday, October 6, 1895. The ceremony was witnessed by a large concourse of people, many of whom stood on the improvised floor, covering the foundation. While the ceremony was being performed a crash was heard; the floor had given way! Without a moment's warning, men, women and children were plunged into the basement, amid the broken timbers of the floor and pinned there beneath a pile of lumber and debris. It was an awful interruption to the sacred exercises, and the air was pierced with the cries of anguish of the unfortunate victims, many of whom . sustained serious injuries. These were taken to the school which was close at hand and tenderly cared for by the Franciscan Sisters, until the arrival of the physicians and surgeons who had been summoned to the scene of the disaster. After the injured had received all the aid that medical and surgical skill could give them, the ceremony was continued and finished.
In 1896 the handsome church was enclosed and plastered, and by April of 1897 it was finished. The dedication took place on Sunday, May 23, of that year, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann performing the ceremony.
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The slate-roofed brick church is of Italian Renaissance archi- tecture, and is ornamented with stone trimmings. Its interior is elaborately finished in stucco work; it has fluted pillars with ornate capitals, bases and pedestals, each pillar having a niche for statuary. The sanctuary is semi-circular in form, and the nave and transept have each a vaulted ceiling. The church is the finest building in Lorain. Its length is 130 feet, its width across the transept is 75 feet and cost about $35,000. It is a credit to the pastor and his generous people, and is worthy to be ranked with the grand galaxy of churches that fill the diocese of Cleveland. The debt remaining is comparatively small and will soon be can- celled.
About 240 families belong to the parish.
LORAIN, LORAIN COUNTY. NATIVITY B. V. M. (POLISH) CHURCH.
About 1895 Catholic Poles began to settle at Lorain, where the docks and rolling mills gave them employment, and their number steadily increased. For nearly three years they attended Mass, if at all, in St. Mary's church, but as most of them under- stood only their native language they were without proper instruc- tion. Repeatedly they petitioned the Rt. Rev. Bishop for a priest who could speak Polish, but he had none at his disposal until January, 1898, when he sent the Rev. Adolph Swierczynski as their first resident pastor. He secured a room in St. Mary's school at once, and had it fitted up as a temporary place of wor- ship. Divine service was held every alternate Sunday. As the same priest had to attend the Polish Mission at Grafton he divided the Sundays equally between the two congregations. Father Swierczynski was succeeded in June, 1898, by the present pastor, the Rev. Charles S. Ruszkowski. As the school room had become too small he secured the use of the basement chapel of St. Joseph's Hospital in October of the same year. In September, 1898, he bought five lots at the corner of Park street and Eighth avenue to serve as a site for church, school and pastoral residence; another lot was bought in November, 1899, making the total church property consist of six well located lots; they cost $1,850.
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Meanwhile plans were drawn for a two-story combination frame church and school. The excavation was begun on July 5, 1899, and the foundation was blessed by Bishop Horstmann on August 27, following. The building was finished in April, 1900, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, under the title of her Nativity, on September 9, of the same year, Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., per- forming the ceremony. The building fronts on Park street and cost about $10,000. Its upper story contains the temporary church, with a seating capacity for 600 persons and the lower story is divided into two school rooms, and living apartments for teaching Sisters to be engaged in the near future. In Septem- ber, 1900, the parish school was opened with an attendance of sixty-five pupils, in charge of a lay teacher.
LOUDONVILLE, ASHLAND COUNTY. ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
For a few years prior to 1869 Loudonville was attended from Wooster as a Station. It was then assigned to Mansfield, whose pastor the Rev. A. Magenhann had charge of it as a Station and Mission until September, 1872. In the spring of 1870 Father Magenhann secured the site for the present brick church, the erec- tion of which was commenced about that time. The cornerstone was laid June 25, 1870, but the church was not brought to comple- tion until about two years later. Prior to this time Mass was always said in the house of Mr. John Juncker. The church is 40 feet wide and 70 feet long, and cost about $12,000, exclusive of furnishings.
The Rev. Nicholas Schmitz was appointed the first resident pastor of Loudonville, in September, 1872. He finished the inter- ior of the church, which was dedicated by Bishop Gilmour, October 21, 1880. Meanwhile he also purchased land for a ceme- tery, a large brick house and a spacious lot, for a future school, two fine bells, and built a frame pastoral residence. On the day the church was dedicated there was but a comparatively small debt on the excellent property. This was due not only to the generosity of the little parish, but also to that of the pastor who had given largely of his own means to bring about this happy result. Father
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Schmitz labored zealously and successfully at Loudonville until his appointment to the pastorate of St. Joseph's, Monroeville, in May, 1885. His successor was the Rev. Joseph Sproll. He had the church frescoed and the pastoral residence renovated. In 1898 the present side altars were placed in the sanctuary, and the church was re-roofed. About this time also he had the above mentioned brick house refitted for his residence, as the original idea, to use it for a school, had to be abandoned, because there were not enough children to warrant the expense of engaging a teacher, the parish having steadily decreased in numbers.
The following priests have had pastoral charge of Loudon- ville since Father Sproll's removal, in December, 1899, viz., the Revs. Thomas M. Kolb, until June, 1900; F. J. Pfyl, June-July, 1900, and the present pastor, the Rev. H. E. Boesken, since July 28, 1900. The parish, which now numbers but 26 families, has no prospective growth. It has always shown an excellent spirit and has ever been most generous in its support of the church.
LOUISVILLE, STARK COUNTY .* ST. LOUIS' CHURCH.
The first Catholic settlers in that part of Stark county in which is situated the village of Louisville (formerly known as Beechland), were the families of John and Edward Carroll, distant relatives of Archbishop Carroll, of Baltimore. They came from Maryland in 1818, but remained only a few years, when they moved to what was then the Territory of Illinois. In 1822 Patrick, Richard and Thomas Moffit, and Henry Devinny, came from Ireland and settled with their families in the immediate vicinity of the present village of Louisville. They were identified with St. John's parish, Canton, whose first church they helped to build. In 1826 Theobald Frantz, a native of the Province of Alsace, was the next Catholic to seek a home in this section of Stark county. He was soon followed by six of his countrymen and their families, viz., Louis Goury, Joseph Bader, J. B. Monnier, Peter Guenin, Joseph Menegay and Charles Girardot. They were the pioneers and founders of the parish of St. Louis. The territory now
*See pages 27, 32, 45, this volume.
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occupied by Louisville was covered with a dense forest. The above named pioneers set to work immediately to clear a portion of land and build log cabins for their temporary homes. Their means were slender ; hardships and want were their lot for a time. But full of hope and strong in faith they cheerfully endured priva- tions, looking forward to better days. Love for their Church prompted them to attend divine service at Canton, six to eight miles distant, according to the location of their homes, as regularly as the weather and roads permitted. They were also visited from time to time by the respective pastors of Canton, each of whom said Mass in private houses until 1836. The first priest to visit them was the Very Rev. John A. Hill, pastor of St. John's, Can- ton, between 1824 and 1828. The Rev. John G. Alleman, also of Canton, built the first church at Louisville, on a parcel of land donated for that purpose by a Protestant, named Henry Lautzen- heiser. The church was a small brick structure, 30 x 40 feet, and of plainest design. For lack of means its interior was not com- pleted until about 1841, although the church was used mean- while for divine service.
The Rev. Matthias Würz was appointed the first resident pastor, in February, 1838. In October, 1840, he was succeeded by the Rev. Louis De Goesbriand, who found the church unplastered, and a small cabin, supplied with the scantiest furni- ture, his future residence. Although of noble birth, and reared in a luxurious home in his native France, he cheerfully bore the priva- tions of missionary life-as happy in his little cabin as though it were a palace. Besides attending to Louisville, he had charge also of a number of Stations and Missions in Stark and neighboring counties. And everywhere he won the hearts of his people by his kindness, zeal and self sacrifice. He was truly a missionary priest. whose only aim was the glory of God and the salvation of souls.
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Besides embellishing the interior of the church, according to the limited means of his parishioners, Father De Goesbriand had the church enlarged by an addition of 40 feet. He also built a church tower in which he placed a bell of moderate size. At this time (1840-45) the congregation numbered about 80 families, of whom half were of French birth or origin, and the rest Irish and German. All were industrious and successful tillers of the
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soil. Poverty and wealth were unknown among them, but all realized enough from their farms to live in comfort. James Moffit, an excellent and generous member of the parish, was its principal benefactor. One of his gifts was a tract of land compris- ing 45 acres. the income from which was to go to the support of the pastor.
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