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 2
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When Father Schaffeld had the parish affairs fully in hand he felt that the old church had outlived its sacred use, and that a new, larger, and better edifice was a necessity. After some difficulty he convinced his parishioners of that fact and soon received generous subscriptions. He chose for the site of the new church the lots Father Molon had bought for that purpose in 1867. Work on the new church was begun in the spring of 1883, and on Sunday, July 22, of the same year, Bishop Gilmour laid the corner-stone. The edifice was completed three years later. Bishop Gilmour dedicated the beautiful brick structure on Sunday, June 13, 1886. The church faces Middle avenue, is 126 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 62 feet in the transept. It is tastily frescoed, furnished with fine altars, pews, has artistic stained glass windows, and cost about $35,000. On the day of its dedication a debt of only $5,000 remained, which was cancelled by the end of the year 1890. Father Schaffeld secured the property lying in the rear of the
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church, the purchase price being $2,600. The house on it was made the Sisters' residence. He also bought a large bell weighing nearly 3,000 pounds, had the church organ enlarged, and the old church remodeled so as to serve as a school. He is at present raising a subscription for a $15,000 brick school to be commenced in 1901.
Until 1886 the parish school was conducted by lay teachers. In September of that year it was given in charge of Sisters of St. Joseph, assisted by one lay teacher. In September, 1897, they were succeeded by four Sisters of Notre Dame, who are still in charge. The enrollment is now about 200 children.
The parish is in excellent condition, spiritually and financially. One of the most prominent members, one who deserves recogni- tion as well for his generosity as for valuable aid which he rendered in the temporal affairs of the parish, was Mr. Jacob Waldeck, who died a few years ago. Mr. Severin Ott also deserves recognition, for like reasons.
EUCLID, CUYAHOGA COUNTY. ST. PAUL'S MISSION CHURCH.
About the year 1855 a number of Catholic laborers who were employed in the construction of the Cleveland, Painesville and Ashtabula Railway-now a part of the great "Lake Shore" system -settled in the village of Euclid, in Euclid Township, so as to be near their work. These, together with a few small farmers, were obliged to go to Cleveland, ten miles distant, to fulfil their religious obligations. In 1860 they petitioned Bishop Rappe to send them a priest to look after their spiritual wants. He sent them the Rev. Edward Hannin, then a curate at the Cathedral. For a short time Father Hannin said Mass in private houses. In 1861 he secured a one-acre lot on the outskirts of the village, although the deed was not given until November, 1862. During the summer of that year, he built on it a neat frame church, 34x60 feet, and the Apostle St. Paul was chosen as its patron saint. The church cost about $1,200 and, humble though it was in appearance, it was looked upon at that time as a great effort on the part of the Catholics of Euclid, who were few in number and in reduced circumstances.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCHI, SCHOOL, AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, EUCLID.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
Mass was celebrated by Father Hannin in the church for the first time, in November, 1861. In April, 1862, he was succeeded in the charge of the Mission by the Rev. F. Salaun, at that time rector of the Diocesan Seminary. He visited Euclid every second Sunday for two years-until August, 1864. when ill health obliged him to resign the Mission, as well as the rectorate of the Seminary. The Rev. Anthony T. Martin, one of the Seminary professors was then given charge of Euclid as a Mission. One year later (August, 1865), he was appointed resident pastor of the place, and held that position until his death, November 24, 1899. During this long period of service Father Martin discharged his pastoral duties most faithfully, and that very often under the most trying circumstances. Besides attending to Euclid he had also the care of many Missions and Stations, the more prominent among the former being Collin- wood, Willoughby and Mentor. After taking charge of Euclid his first effort was directed towards securing a pastoral residence, and to purchase land for a cemetery. The residence, a plain frame building, cost about $1,000. The plot of land upon which it stood when bought, as also the cemetery, cost the same sum. The land then comprised about seven acres, part of which was sold later. It was deeded to the church on August 1, 1865. After Father Martin had paid for the cemetery and the pastoral residence he built a frame school, in 1866, at a cost of $650. The school was opened on January 6, 1867, and was supported for twenty-six years when, for lack of sufficient attendance and means, it had to be closed in 1893.
In the summer of 1888 the church was moved from its original location to its present one. An addition was then built to the church making its width 34 feet, and its length 85 feet, with a transept of 45 feet. The old church lot was sold in May. 1888. In 1893 the present pipe organ was bought, and in the following year a public vault was erected in the neatly kept cemetery. All the above mentioned improvements were paid for shortly after they were made.
The Rev. John W. Bell succeeded Father Martin in January, 1900. Owing to the steady decrease of the congregation, and the growing importance of Collinwood. Euclid was made a Mission of the latter place at the close of the year 1900. It is now attended as such by Father Bell every Sunday and Holyday of obligation.
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
FAIRPORT, LAKE COUNTY.
ST. ANTHONY'S MISSION CHURCH.
Although Fairport is one of the oldest harbors on the southern shore of Lake Erie, its Catholic history dates back only to about the year 1887. By that time the works on the docks and the ship- ping interests had induced a number of Irish-Americans, Slovaks, Hungarians and United Greeks to settle there. In 1887 Fairport was assigned to Painesville, three miles distant, as a Station and Mass was said occasionally in private houses. In the same year permission was granted by Bishop Gilmour to purchase a lot for a church site, as it was then supposed the Catholics at Fairport were able to build and support a place of worship. The project however ended in failure. Those who attended to their religious duties at all, and they were few, did so by going to Painesville or Cleveland. In June, 1898, the Rev. G. I. Bergan, resident pastor of Wil- loughby, was commissioned to take charge of Fairport, which now had a polyglot Catholic population of the above mentioned nation- alities, amounting to about eighty-five families. Of the Slavic race and its branches there were about seventy families, the others being Irish or of Irish descent. By December, 1898, they had collected about $700 for the purchase of an acre of land, located in a desir- able part of the pretty village. The land was bought in January, 1899. It is located on Fifth street and covers the block bounded east and west by Eagle and Plain streets. Meanwhile Mass was said by Father Bergan in the only available place in Fairport-a public hall, owned by a saloon-keeper. The majority of the faithful did not approve the use of the hall, and therefore urged the erection of a church on the site already secured. More funds were accord- ingly raised for the purpose. The building was commenced late in the fall of 1899. Bishop Horstmann blessed its foundation on November 12, of the same year. The church, dedicated on July 15, 1900, by the same Prelate, is a very neat frame structure, of Gothic architecture. It is 40 feet wide by 80 feet long, and cost about $5,000. It has pretty stained glass windows. two of which were donated by Bishop Horstmann, and that over the main altar, by the pastor. The Revs. Charles Boehm and J. Brunkala, of Cleveland, attend the Slavic portion of the Mission. It has not been found possible thus far to establish a parish school.
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, FINDLAY.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
FINDLAY, HANCOCK COUNTY. ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.
The Rev. Joseph McNamee, pastor of St. Mary's Church, Tiffin, was the first priest to attend to the spiritual wants of the Catholics of Findlay, which at that time-1839-was a small village, although, then as now, the county seat of Hancock county. Bishop Purcell makes mention of his first visit to Findlay, in a communication published in the Catholic Telegraph, of December 12, 1840. He says that he and the Rev. Father Henni "were agreeably surprised to find more Catholics than they believed to reside there. 'Church' was held at Mr. Engelmann's house, a friendly Protestant, married to a Catholic lady from Emmits- burg."*
Father McNamee was succeeded by the following priests who attended Findlay as a Station: The Rev. P. A. Capeder, and other Sanguinists residing at New Riegel (Wolf's Creek), 1844- 1848; the resident pastors of St. Mary's, Tiffin, Rev. Maurice Howard, 1848-1850; Louis Molon, 1851-1852; Michael O'Sulli- van, 1852-1859. The Rev. Joseph L. Bihn, of St. Joseph's Church, Tiffin, alternated with Father O'Sullivan in attending Findlay semi-monthly, from July, 1856, until February, 1859, and from that time till November, 1859, he had sole charge and made monthly visits. Mass was said in the homes of John Engelmann and John Julien, where there was always a welcome for visiting priests. In 1856 Father O'Sullivan built the first church-a small frame struct ire, 20 x 40 feet. It stood on a lot fronting on Hardin street. It was dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, on October 2, 1860, by Vicar General Luhr. In November, 1859, the Mission of Findlay received its first resident pastor in the person of the Rev. John M. Rötzer, who in 1861 built an addition to the front of the church, to be used exclusively for divine worship, and an addition to the rear. to serve as a school. He then fitted up the old church as a pastoral residence. However. the remodeled building, serving a triple purpose, was destined to stand but for a short time; for, hardly had it been paid for, when, on February 14, 1866, during the pastorate of Father Dechant, it caught fire from a
*About twenty years later Mr. E. was received into the Church by Bishop Rappe, and till his death, a few years ago, was a faithful member of the parish. Two of bis daughters are Sisters of Charity, in Cleveland.
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defective flue in the school room and was burned to the ground .* In March, 1862, the Rev. Henry Behrens succeeded Father Rötzer, and the Rev. Michael Dechant succeeded Father Behrens in July, 1863. The destruction of their parish buildings was a severe blow to the small and struggling congregation-a blow from which they did not recover for many years. Father Dechant then engaged what was known as Schwab's Hall, to hold divine services there for a time: it was used until November, 1868. In March, 1865, two acres of land were deeded to Bishop Rappe for a cemetery : it had been in use for some years prior to that time, and still serves as such. Shortly after the above mentioned fire Father Dechant bought two lots in a more desirable part of the town, at the intersection of Main-Cross street and Western avenue. The deeds for the lots were not given however until April, 1868. The foundation for the new church was begun in the summer of 1866. The cornerstone was blessed by Bishop Rappe in Septem- ber, of the same year, but before the superstructure was com- menced, Father Dechant was transferred to Navarre, in June, 1867, and the Rev. E. J. Vattmann was appointed his successor. Father Vattmann had the exterior of the church finished, with the excep- tion of the tower and cornice. It is the edifice now in use. Its dimensions were 45 feet in width and 90 feet in length. At the time it was first used, November, 1868, (unfinished, interiorly) it cost about $6,000. Father Vattmann was succeeded by the Rev. Nicholas Flammang, who had pastoral charge from September, 1869, until August, 1870, when Findlay was made a Mission of Fostoria. The Rev. John B. Jung was appointed resident pastor of Findlay in March, 1871. Shortly after his arrival he raised means for the erection of a pastoral residence, rented houses hav- ing served as such since the destruction of the former residence, by fire, in 1866. The building, a plain brick structure, was finished shortly before his departure, in October, 1878, when Findlay was again attached to Fostoria as a Mission, in charge of the Rev. M. Arnoldi. In March, 1879, the Rev. G. Rudolph was sent to Find- lay as resident pastor. He was removed and suspended in March, 1881. On his removal the present pastor, the Rev. Henry Dörner, was appointed to succeed him. During the following seven years no improvements were made on the church property. About 1888
* The Catholic Telegraph, February 10, 1869.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
Findlay's population began to increase very rapidly, owing to the discovery of natural gas in and near the town, which offered inducements to many branches of industry, such as glass works, etc., to locate there. Of this increase St. Michael's Church, of Findlay, got its fair share. For some strange and unexplained reason, St. Michael's was then, as it is now, the only Catholic church within the limits of Hancock county. This can be said of no other county of the thirty-six, within the diocese of Cleve- land.
Between 1881 and 1889 the parish had more than doubled in size. This necessitated enlarging the church, which was done in 1889, by building an addition of 45 feet to the rear. At the same time the interior was entirely remodeled and tastily ornamented. The old windows were replaced by new ones of artistic stained glass; ten graceful columns were placed in position to support the · arched ceiling; the walls were neatly frescoed-all at a cost of nearly $11,000, and paid for within a few years after the completion of the improvements. The enlarged and remodeled church was rededicated by Mgr. Boff. V. G., on Sunday, August 10, 1890.
The parish school now also needed greater and better facili- ties to properly accommodate the increased attendance. This was accomplished in 1894, when at an outlay of about $9,000 a hand- some brick school building was erected on lots located at the inter- section of Adams street and Western avenue. The school was in charge of lay teachers from its opening, during the pastorate of Father Rötzer, till the completion of the new building, in Septem- ber, 1895. It was then placed under the direction of four Sisters of Charity, of Cincinnati; the number is now (December, 1900,) increased to seven. The school is in excellent condition and has at present an enrollment of about 200 children.
In 1895 Father Dörner bought a house and lot for $2,200, and had the house remodeled to some extent to serve as his own residence. It is located immediately east of the school. The Sisters now occupy the former pastoral residence which is in close proximity to the church, on Main-Cross street. It was enlarged and remodeled in 1896.
The parish numbers nearly 200 families. It has excellent church property and is without incumbrance.
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
FLORENCE, WILLIAMS COUNTY.
ST. JOSEPH'S MISSION CHURCH.
In 1864 eight Catholic families living in Florence Township obtained permission from Bishop Rappe to build a church for themselves. Prior to 1864 they were identified with the con- gregation at Edgerton. For a short time they attended Mass in the village of Clarksville, which for a number of years was in charge of the pastors of St. John's, Defiance, as a Station, but has long since ceased to exist as such. The church, a frame struc- ture, was built in 1865. under the direction of the Rev. N. Kirch, resident pastor of Stryker : it cost about $2,000. The two-acre plot of ground on which it stood was a donation of Charles Frey. The title was held by "trustees" until June 11, 1868, when it was transferred to Bishop Rappe, as required by diocesan law.
Florence (also known as Blakeslee) has been a Mission of Edgerton, since December, 1867, with the exception of a few months-from June, 1898, to January, 1899, when it had its first and only resident pastor in the person of the Rev. F. J. Pfyl.
In March, 1881, during the pastorate of the Rev. A. Mertes, the church was set on fire by an incendiary and totally destroyed. As the insurance had just expired the congregation had to bear the loss. An addition was built to the frame school house, which thus served as a temporary place of worship. Under the direction of the Rev. J. H. Kleekamp, who succeeded Father Mertes, in August, 1883, the present neat brick church was built. It is 40 by 80 feet in size, of Romanesque architecture, and has all the neces- sary adornments and furnishings to make it attractive, both with- out and within. It cost $5,000, and was fully paid for on the day of its dedication by Bishop Gilmour, May 27, 1887. This grati- fying result was due to the prudent management of the pastor and the generous assistance of his small but spirited congregation, composed of about 50 families-all German farmers. During the pastorate of Father Pfyl the present beautiful high altar was bought and paid for.
A few years ago the parish school, organized in 1874, had to be closed because the small attendance of children-owing to distance-did not warrant the expense of engaging a teacher any longer.
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, FT. JENNINGS.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
The Rev. Philip A. Schritz has had charge of the Mission since January, 1899, and attends it every Sunday, from Edgerton, six miles distant.
FORT JENNINGS, PUTNAM COUNTY. ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
The village of Fort Jennings received its name from a stockade erected there by Col. Jennings in 1812. Its location on the north bank of the Auglaize river is indeed beautiful. The first Catholic family which settled within the limits of the present village was that of J. F. Wellmann. Mr. Wellmann came to Fort Jennings from his native Germany, in 1830, for the purpose of founding a Catholic German colony. He bought several sections of Government land, which he had surveyed into smaller portions. These he sold on easy terms to a number of his countrymen whom he induced to locate in that part of the unbroken forests of North- western Ohio. As the soil proved most productive, other sturdy and thrifty German farmers, chiefly from the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg, bought land and settled in the immediate neighbor- hood of the village. Among these early settlers were Henry J. Böhmer, Ferdinand H. Gerking, and Ferdinand Von der Embse. These became prominent in Catholic affairs later on and were generous benefactors of the Church. The Rev. William Horst- mann, resident pastor of Glandorf, 18 miles distant, attended to the spiritual wants of the people of Fort Jennings, from 1834 to 1840, holding services in private houses during that period. In 1840 the Catholics and Protestants of Fort Jennings built a log house, to serve for church and school purposes. It was agreed that the former should have its use for church services in the forenoon, on Sundays, and the latter, in the afternoon ; the school was to be used jointly. This very unusual arrangement, made with the sanction of Father Horstmann, remained in effect for about fourteen years. In 1840 the Rev. Henry Herzog was appointed the first resident pastor of Fort Jennings, but remained less than one year. Father Horstmann therefore took charge of his former Mission again, and attended it till his death, in February, 1843. His successor at Glandorf, the Rev. George Bohne, also attended
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Fort Jennings, from February, 1843, until 1848, when he was appointed resident pastor of the place. This position he held till he died, September 20, 1860. Fort Jennings was then attached to Delphos as a Mission, and attended by the Rev. F. Westerholt from October, 1860, until March, 1861, when the Rev. Joseph Goebbels was appointed resident pastor; he remained until 1864. His successors were the following priests: The Revs. H. E. Hämers (1864-66); C. Viere (1866-67); M. Müller (attended from Ottoville, 1867-70); L. Zumbühl (1870-73); C. Barbier (Septem- ber, 1873, until his death, August 23, 1876); J. A. Michenfelder (August, 1873, to May, 1879); G. Peter (May, 1879, to June, 1881); J. Heidegger (June, 1881, to November, 1888) ; C. Brasch- ler (November, 1888, to May, 1899); and the present incumbent, M. Arnoldi, since May, 1899.
Bishop Purcell visited Fort Jennings for the first time in 1845. He saw that the above mentioned log house was little adapted for divine service and so urged the erection of a suitable church. Father Böhne, then in charge, was most desirous of building the much needed church at once, but was not seconded by his people. In 1852 he finally succeeded in raising enough money to begin and pay for the foundation of a brick church, 40 x 60 feet. Two years later it was completed at a cost of about $2,000. It was dedicated to St. Joseph, on December 24, 1854. Although plain, and without any architectural adornment, it served its purpose till the erection of the present beautiful brick church. This was begun during the pastorate of Father Heidegger, in the fall of 1882, and was dedicated on May 4, 1884, by Bishop Gilmour. It cost about $21,000. Its dimensions are : length, 132 feet ; width. 55 feet. Its architecture is Gothic, and the furnishings are all of white oak. The church site-six lots, bought in 1881-is the most prominent in the village. The building fronts on Main street.
During the year 1899 the present neat pastoral residence was built of brick. It cost about $4,000, and fronts on Water street, back of the new church.
Adjoining the church to the west is the school, which was formerly the church, built in 1854. It was remodeled for that purpose under the direction of Father Heidegger. The lay
ST. WENDELIN'S CHURCH, FOSTORIA.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
teachers, of whom four are now employed, are paid out of the Public school fund, as almost the entire population of Fort Jen- nings is Catholic.
At present the parish numbers about 115 families.
FOSTORIA, SENECA COUNTY.
ST. WENDELIN'S CHURCH.
About the year 1843 a few Catholic families emigrated from their native Germany and settled in and near the little village of Rome, in Seneca county, later named Fostoria, for Charles W. Foster (father of ex-Governor Foster), then its most prominent citizen. About 1844 the Rev. Joseph McNamee, of St. Mary's, Tiffin, was commissioned to attend the Catholics of the place, which, with his knowledge of German, he could and did faithfully and well. He said Mass in the log cabin of James McDonald, who was the first Catholic settler in the village of Rome. He lived on West Tiffin street, near Main street. Father McNamee was suc- ceeded, in 1847. by Sanguinist Fathers, who for twelve years attended Rome from New Riegel, then known as Wolf's Creek. They were the Revs. F. X. Obermüller and Nicholas Gales. They held services in the house of Nicholas Portz, Sr., until 1851. Charles W. Foster donated to the Catholics of the village one acre of land, by deed, dated August 3, 1847. It is the same property on which the present church, school and pastoral residence stand. On the rear portion of the land the first parish cemetery was located. During the pastorate of Father Gales, in 1849, the first church was commenced. It was a very unpretentious frame struc- ture, 30 by 40 feet, and stood on the south end of the above mentioned land. Owing to the poverty of the people it was not completed until 1851. St. Wendelin was chosen the patron saint of the little church. The altar was of the simplest pattern, and the pews were poplar planks with wooden pegs for supports. All else in and about the church was primitive in appearance. But, withal, the faithful attendants were glad to have their own church, even though it lacked architectural finish, or ornamentation of every kind. Within its enclosure, considerably enlarged and improved
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later on by Father Dechant, they worshipped for nearly twenty- eight years. The improvements cost in the neighborhood of $1,500.
In November, 1859, the Mission was attached to Findlay, and so remained until April, 1869. The following priests had charge: The Revs. J. H. Rotzer, to March, 1863; H. Behrens, to July, 1863; M. Dechant, to June, 1867; E. J. Vattmann, to April, 1869. The Rev. Michael Pütz was then appointed first resident pastor of Rome, then re-named Fostoria, as above stated. Father Pütz remained till October, 1870, when he was transferred to Napoleon. Fostoria was then again made a Mission of Findlay. In July, 1875, with the appointment of the Rev. M. Arnoldi, as resident pastor, it ceased to be a Mission, and has continued so ever since. Father Arnoldi remained at Fostoria until May, 1886. His successors were the following priests: The Revs. Joseph P. Gloden, May, 1886, to March, 1891; Charles Griss, March, 1891, till his death, October 13, 1899; and the present pastor, the Rev. John H. Klee- kamp, who was appointed in December, 1899.
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