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 20
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1. The Church in Northern Ohio, 4th ed., pp. 295, 297, 299; this volume, pp. 31, 42, 43, 47.
2. J. Giimary Shea, in Catholic Universe, September, 15, 1881.
3. Shea, Catholic Church in U. S., vol. 111. p. 330.
4. Shea, Catholic Missions, p. 203.
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1817, and the town was called Portland, which name it bore for some years.
The first priest to visit the pioneer Catholics at Sandusky was the Rev. F. X. Tschenhens, who came in 1834 from Peru, Huron county, where he was resident pastor. He and other Redemptorist Fathers from the same place came to Sandusky at irregular intervals, and said Mass in private houses.
From September, 1839, the Rev. P. J. Machebeuf (late Bishop of Denver) attended Sandusky from Tiffin, thirty miles distant, and made the journey on horseback. In December, 1840, he was appointed first resident pastor of Sandusky, and remained until January, 1851. Shortly after his arrival he rented a room in the upper story of the old Custom House, and fitted it up as a tem- porary place of worship-the first used by the Catholics of San- dusky. He then looked about for a lot on which to build a church. Mr. W. H. Mills, a Protestant, and owner of a large tract of land in the west end of Sandusky, donated, on July 7, 1841, five lots to Father Machebeuf for church purposes, besides giving him a generous cash subscription. As that part of Sandusky was then rather central, the site was considered most suitable for its purpose, and therefore gladly accepted by Father Machebeuf, as also by his congregation-then small and poor. The foundation of the church was commenced in the fall of 1841, and the cornerstone was laid by Father Machebeuf, as the Bishop's delegate, on October 13, of the same year. The church, a stone structure, was enclosed in the following year, when the pastoral residence, also a stone building, was erected. In 1844 Father Machebeuf went to Europe to seek financial aid for his parish from his countrymen in France. In this he was successful and on his return continued the work in his church, which had to be sus- pended, owing to lack of means. The church was finally brought to completion in November, 1845 .* The old bell, bearing the date of that same year, was made in Cincinnati and brought to Sandusky from Toledo by a Mr. McGoldrick with a team of oxen through forest and fields before the days of public roads; it is still preserved in the church tower.
About 1850 Father Machebeuf lengthened the church over
*Catholic Telegraph, February 12, 1846.
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18 feet, making the dimensions 40 by 80 feet, the same as they are at present (1900). Besides this he added two wings (each 18 by 21 feet) opening into the church, and are known as St. Mary's and St. Joseph's chapels. These two additions were necessitated by the increase of membership.
The English and German speaking Catholics of Sandusky formed but one parish-Holy Angels'-until 1853. The present St. Mary's German congregation was then organized, and separate services were held in Holy Angels', pending the erection of St. Mary's church. From April, 1863, to November, 1875, the Rev. R. A. Sidley was pastor of the English speaking Catholics of San- dusky. The present parish of Sts. Peter and Paul was established in 1871. From that time, until 1875, Holy Angels' was practically abandoned as a parish church, being attended from Sts. Peter and Paul's as a Mission. This method did not meet the approval of the Catholics in the West End of Sandusky, and hence, by persis- tent petitions to Bishop Gilmour, they finally succeeded in secur- ing a priest to minister to them exclusively. This was done by the appointment of the Rev. T. M. Smyth, in November, 1875, as their resident pastor. He repaired the exterior and interior of the church, had it frescoed, supplied with gas fixtures and a set of Stations. The sanctuary was also embellished, and stone side- walks were laid around the entire church property. These improvements cost about $2,500.
Father Smyth was succeeded, in August, 1887, by the Rev. John Tracy. He renovated the church, remodeled the pews and put in stained glass windows, bought an organ, and added some repairs to the pastoral residence. These improvements cost about $3,000, and were paid for at the time he left the parish, in 1893. The present pastor, Father Lamb, succeeded Father Tracy in December, 1893. He continued the work of beautifying the parish property, thus greatly enhancing its value. In 1894 he had the church supplied with a steam heating apparatus, two altars, communion railing, vestments, electric lights, etc. In the following year he built the present pastoral residence, making it a modern and well appointed building. With its furnishings it cost about $6,500. The improvements he added to the church and church lots, and the renovation of the school, including also a
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parish hall, cost about $14,000. This important work was done and paid for between 1894 and 1900. The cemetery, which is used jointly by Holy Angels' and Sts. Peter and Paul's parishes, was also greatly improved and beautified during this period. At present (1900) Father Lamb contemplates a thorough renova- tion of the church, as well as its enlargement by an addition of 35 feet to the front, which is to be ornamented with a square tower, to supplant the old spire. These improvements will be commenced within the next year or two, and will cost not less than $10,000.
Shortly after the completion of the church, in November, 1845, Father Machebeuf opened a small school at the northeast corner of the church property, and placed it in charge of a lay teacher. It was however soon discontinued, for want of attend- ance and support, as but few children lived near the school.
For the convenience of the children living in the eastern part of Sandusky, and too far from Holy Angels', the Rev. J. V. Conlan built a brick school on Jackson street, in 1852, on two lots he had bought in January, 1851.
As the Catholic population continued to steadily increase towards the eastern part of Sandusky, additional school and more convenient church facilities were demanded. To satisfy this double demand, the Rev. A. Caron built, at his own expense, a "chapel of ease," in 1857, and in the following year he aiso erected a second school, of stone, for the boys. The first school, built by Father Conlan, was then assigned to the use of the girls. Both buildings were erected on the lots bought by Father Conlan, in 1851, at the corner of Jefferson and Jackson streets, and are now part of the property owned by Sts. Peter and Paul's parish.
During the pastorate of Father Smyth the present two-story brick school, near Holy Angels' church, was built at a cost of about $3,500. It was in charge of lay teachers until 1889, when Father Tracy engaged the Ladies of the Sacred Heart as teachers. They were succeeded, in September, 1893, by the Ursuline Sisters, of Tiffin, who were replaced, in September, 1894, by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary; these have been in charge of the school since then. A neat cottage, with all the modern conveniences, has been secured as a residence for the Sisters.
Following is a list of pastors who have had charge of Holy
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, SANDUSKY.
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Angels' parish: The Revs. P. J. Machebeuf, 1840-51; J. V. Conlan, January, 1851, to December, 1855; F. M. Boff, January, 1856, to March, 1857; A. Caron, to May, 1861, during which time he had the Rev. D. Tighe as his assistant for nearly two years; L. Molon, July, 1861, to April, 1863; R. A. Sidley, to April, 1871; T. M. Smyth, from November, 1875, to August, 1887; J. Tracy, to December, 1893, and the Rev. T. P. Lamb, since December, 1893.
The parish is in a flourishing condition, and now numbers about 120 families.
SANDUSKY, ERIE COUNTY. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
Prior to 1853 the Catholic Germans of Sandusky formed part of Holy Angels' parish. In January of that year they peti- tioned Bishop Rappe for permission to organize as a distinct con- gregation and to have separate services in Holy Angels' church until able to build for themselves. The desired permission was granted and the Rev. J. V. Conlan said Mass for them. The Rev. F. M. Boff, then a deacon, and who had been stationed at Sandusky, since September, 1852, as quasi-assistant to Father Conlan, preached the German sermons for five months. In December, 1853, the Rev. J. P. Dolweck was appointed pastor of the Germans, and remained in charge till April, 1855. During this time he resided with Father Conlan. In June, 1855, he was succeeded by the Rev. J. Hamene, who secured a lot at the corner of Decatur and Jefferson streets. Later on two additional lots were bought on Jefferson street, next to the first. These cost $1,900, but the deeds for the three lots were not given until paid for-about November, 1864. Messrs. N. J. Buyer, L. Cable, H. Lotz, G. Homegardner and a few others gave their personal bond to secure payment of the lots, as the congregation was poor, and without credit. On the first mentioned lot a small stone church was built in 1855. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, under the title of Our Lady of Sorrows. Father Hamene also built a pastoral residence of stone, in 1856, and in the following
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year a frame school. A frame addition was built to the pastoral residence some years later.
The next priest in charge of St. Mary's was the Rev. J. Hackspiel, from July, 1861, to September, 1862. During his pastorate the present school, a stone structure, facing Jefferson street, was commenced. At a cost of about $5,000 it was finished by his succesor, the Rev. N. Moes, who was pastor of St. Mary's, fiom September, 1862, until November, 1863. During the next two years the following priests had pastoral charge of the congre- gation: The Revs. N. Roupp, November, 1863, to June, 1864; J. B. Uhlmann, to June, 1865; G. A. Verlet, to September, 1865. The Rev. A. Herbstritt, formerly a Sanguinist, was then appointed to St. Mary's, and remained until July, 1868. In February, 1866, Father Herbstritt bought the present cemetery, which covers an area of five acres. He also bought, in May, 1868, the present splendid church property (six lots) between Central avenue, Jeffer- son and Fulton streets: the lots cost $6,665. The object he had in view when purchasing them was to secure an eligible site for a larger and better church, in keeping with the size and needs of the rapidly increasing parish. But before he could execute his plans he was replaced, in July, 1872, by the Rev. V. Haussner, who, however, did not feel able to build the church. That important and responsible task fell to the lot of the Rev. N. Moes, who for the second time was appointed pastor of St. Mary's-in January, 1873. Shortly after assuming charge of the parish he had plans drawn for the proposed church. The foundation was finished in the early fall of 1873, and Bishop Gilmour laid the cornerstone in October of that year. But the hopes and expectations of the pastor and his people, for an early completion of the church, were dispelled by the financial panic of the "Black Friday" of 1873, repeatedly mentioned in the preceding sketches. In consequence of this fact the work, so auspiciously begun, had to proceed very slowly, a small portion of the walls being built each year, and only to the extent of the actual receipts from subscriptions and collections. But with the first signs of better times, financially, Father Moes, assisted by his generous people, resumed the work in full earnest. Gradually, and from 1879, rapidly, the massive
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and stately pile assumed shape. Finally, on Sunday, November 28, 1880, the splendid stone structure was dedicated to the service of God and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, as our Lady of Sorrows. Bishop Gilmour, assisted by many priests, performed the dedicatory ceremony. That it was a day of supreme joy for the zealous pastor and his generous parishioners need hardly be said.
St. Mary's church takes undisputed rank among the finest and largest churches in the diocese. Its dimensions are: Length, 184 feet ; width, 75 feet; height of spire, 200 feet. The architecture is pure Gothic, the material, Sandusky blue limestone, with Berea sandstone trimmings, and the groined ceiling is supported by ten stone columns, ornamented with beautifully carved capitals. The church has a chime of three fine bells, two of which were donated -the largest, by Mr. C. Zipfel, the second in size, by Mr. J. Obergsfell; the third is the same that was used in the old church. The interior of the church is fully in keeping with its imposing exterior. The stucco work and the stained glass windows show excellent taste. "The handsome pulpit was put in place shortly before the church was dedicated. The first altars were for temporary use; they were replaced by the present artistic ones, in 1887. The confessionals, and the splendid Stations (all oil paintings) which grace the church, were bought, in 1890, and cost $1,500. The best evidence of the generosity of St. Mary's parish, and of the prudent management of Father Moes and his building committee, is the fact that, although the church cost upwards of $80,000, at the time of its dedication the debt was less than $10,000. The beautiful temple will be a lasting monument to the zeal of Father Moes, as well as to the unstinted liberality of the parish, of which fully one-third are of "God's poor." Among the most generous contributors were J. Fischer, N. J. Buyer, J. Krupp and L. Cable.
After completing the church, Father Moes directed his atten- tion to the betterment of the school, which had become inadequate to the needs of the large enrollment of children. Therefore, in 1887, at a cost of about $5,000, he erected another building of stone, fronting on Decatur street, in the rear of the old church, and had it fitted up with all the latest school appliances. The
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old church was put in good repair and used for week-day services for a few years ; it is now used as a parish hall.
Failing health forced Father Moes to resign in October, 1888. His grand work was done, and he felt in need of rest. Although the parish was for years too large for one priest to do it full justice, yet, owing to the scarcity of priests, he was without an assistant for a considerable portion of his pastorate. He returned to his native Luxemburg, in November, 1888, where he died, full of years and merit, November 26, 1900. He was succeeded by the Rev. J. Heidegger, who made a number of improvements, includ- ing a boiler house, of stone, for the heating plant of the church; it cost $4,000. The present pastoral residence, a beautiful stone structure, fronting on Central avenue, commenced in 1891, was almost completed at the time he left St. Mary's, in March, 1893. The Rev. S. Rebholz was appointed his successor in the following month, and has since been in charge. He finished the interior. of the residence at once. Exclusive of its furnishings, it cost about $12,000, and is one of the best appointed parish houses in the diocese; it is the fitting complement of the adjacent church. During the same year two additional altars were placed in the sanctuary, making a total of five, all of which were united by ornamental fretwork, leading to a Gothic superstructure on the main altar. This was surmounted by an artistic crucifixion group, all combined giving the sanctuary a harmonious effect.
In order to fittingly commemorate the 25th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone of St. Mary's second church, which ceremony took place in the fall of 1873, Father Rebholz deter- mined to have the interior of the church beautified in 1898, from sanctuary to organ loft. It was therefore frescoed most artistic- ally, the altars, communion railing and pulpit were furbished; electric lighting was introduced ; and the gallery was extended to make room for the large and splendid organ which replaced the one that had done service for many years. These improvements were made at an outlay of about $11,000, the organ alone costing $5,000. Besides largely reducing the original debt of $22,000, which he found on taking charge of St. Mary's, Father Rebholz's parishioners contributed, within eighteen months, upwards of $12,000-more than sufficient to pay for these improvements.
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The 25th anniversary of the laying of the cornerstone was cele- brated with great eclat on Sunday, September 18, 1898, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Horstmann pontificating on the joyful occasion. The ornate church was resplendent with its profusion of lights and flowers, and the choir, by its correct rendition of the Church's chant, added to its name and fame. It was truly a "red letter day" for pastor and people.
While embellishing the House of God, Father Rebholz did not forget to look after the interests of the school-that most necessary adjunct to the church. For thirty-five years the Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary had successfully taught the children of the parish. To the regret of the pastor and parish they found it necessary, however, in June, 1893, to sever their connection with the school. This forced Father Rebholz to seek other teachers. He therefore engaged the Sisters of Notre Dame, from Cleveland; they took charge of the school the following September and have taught it ever since. The old pastoral residence was enlarged and improved at a cost of $2,000 and assigned to the Sisters for their dwelling. In 1894 two additional school rooms were provided in the old church to satisfy the demands of the steadily increasing enrollment of children. St. Mary's has now ten class rooms, nine of which are in charge of the Sisters, and the one for the larger boys, under that of Mr. J. Gerhardstein, who is also the organist of the excellent parish choir. The school has now an attendance of nearly 750 pupils.
St. Mary's parish has still one great undertaking in view in the line of parish buildings, viz., a large school, with society rooms, and a parish hall. This is felt to be an urgent necessity. Accord- ing to present plans the old church and the Sisters' residence will be torn down; the present girls' school is to be remodeled into a dwelling for the Sisters, and the proposed new school is to be erected at the corner of Jefferson and Decatur streets, immediately adjoining the school now fronting on the latter street. With this improvement made as planned, St. Mary's parish will be second to none in the diocese in point of buildings and property, as it is now also one of the largest and most flourishing German parishes in the diocese, and numbers about 800 families.
In concluding this sketch it is but proper to mention the
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priests who aided the various pastors in discharging the onerous duties connected with so large and important a parish as is St. Mary's. Following is a list of their names and time of service: The Revs. F. Metternich, June, 1874, to April, 1875; A. Dambach, August, 1883, to August, 1886; M. Philippart, August, 1886, to January, 1888; B. Rosinski, January, 1888, to May, 1890; J. Gastager, June to November, 1891; and the present curate, the Rev. J. S. Widmann, since April, 1892. The Rev. Paulinus Weiss, O. S. F., and the Rev. C. Griss were also in temporary charge of the parish; the former during the illness of Father Moes (Decem- ber, 1882, to March, 1883), and the latter during his absence in Europe, from February to August, 1885.
SANDUSKY, ERIE COUNTY. STS. PETER AND PAUL'S CHURCH.
Until the appointment of the Rev. Robert A. Sidley, in 1871, as first pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul's, all the English speaking Catholics of Sandusky formed but one parish-Holy Angels'. Hence the history of the origin and progress of the former is also part of the latter, starting from April, 1871, when Sts. Peter and Paul's church began to be used by the members now comprising both parishes.1
Considerable dissatisfaction arose about 1850, and even before, in regard to what was considered the out-of-the-way loca- tion of Holy Angels' church. In consequence of this feeling a school was built in 1852, at the corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets for the convenience of the children in that part of the city. A "chapel of ease" was also erected there in 1857. In the following year a second school, of stone, was built for the boys, the first school, a brick structure, now being assigned to the girls. With these buildings the pressing needs of the central and eastern sections of Holy Angels' parish were provided for, at least for some years.
But the demand, to build also a permanent church in the same locality, continued to be pressed. Finally the Rev. R. A. Sidley, whose pastorate of Holy Angels' parish began in April, 1863,
1. Sce Historical sketch of Holy Angels' Church, Sandusky, p. 603, this volume.
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gave heed to this just demand, by calling a meeting of the principal members of the parish, in the spring of 1865, to discuss the question, whether it would be better to enlarge the old church, now much too small, or to build a new church on the lots already bought at the corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets. The vote was almost unanimous in favor of building a new church on the place first chosen. It was found however that a church of the required size could not be built, either there, or on the lot which had been bought on Columbus avenue. Two additional lots adjoining the first were therefore purchased at a cost of $2,400. In the spring of 1866 the foundation of the new church was com- menced and the cornerstone laid by Bishop Rosecrans on July 22, of the same year. The building was rapidly pushed to comple- tion, and used for the first time, on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1871. The marble high altar was consecrated by Bishop Gilmour on the Feast of the Ascension, May 25, 1872, and the church itself was consecrated by the same Prelate on November 3, 1878, and placed under the patronage of the Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul. The handsome and substantial edifice is 145 feet long, 71 feet wide, and the stately massive tower is 135 feet high. The material used in the building is blue stone, ornamented with sand stone. The interior is very neat and attractive, especially the ornate and heavily groined ceiling. The church cost about $75,000, and will seat 1,200. It is one of the most prominent edifices in Sandusky. The fine organ cost $3,200, and the bell, which is the largest in Sandusky, weighs 4,000 pounds, and cost $1,300. The pastoral residence, also a stone structure, was built in 1871, at an expense of about $5,000.
Since November, 1875, Holy Angels' and Sts. Peter and Paul's parishes have had distinct and separate existence, the latter retaining all the property on Jackson and Jefferson streets, and on Columbus avenue. With the buildings the property is valued at about $90,000. The cemetery is located on the outskirts of the city and covers about seven acres.
At the Synod held in January, 1889, Sts. Peter and Paul's was made a rectorate, and the Rev. R. A. Sidley was appointed an irremovable rector.
The Ladies of the Sacred Heart of Mary had charge of the
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girls' school from the time it was organized, and Mrs. Mary Buyer taught the larger boys for upwards of twenty years. Between 1893 and 1894 the Ursulines, of Tiffin, conducted the school. They were succeeded in September, 1894, by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The present enrollment is 180 pupils.
According to the last diocesan census, published in 1900, the parish has 225 families.
The following priests filled the position of curate: The Revs. J. A. Molloy, 1872-75; J. C. Kenney, March, 1888, to October, 1889; J. A. Sidley, December, 1892, to October, 1894; J. B. Mooney, October, 1894, to July, 1896; L. A. Brady, July, 1896, to November, 1900, and the present curate, the Rev. C. A. Martin, since November, 1900.
SHEFFIELD, LORAIN COUNTY. ST. TERESA'S CHURCH.
The parish of St. Teresa is composed entirely of German farmers and at present numbers about 45 families. Its history dates back to 1847, when it began to be attended from French Creek as a Mission; a log church, or chapel, was built in that year. In March, 1853, the Rev. J. Van den Broek, C. PP. S., bought two acres of land, and on the southeast corner of it, fronting the road, he built the present church in the same year. It is a frame structure, 40 by 60 feet, and cost about $1,000. Part of the land is used as a cemetery.
Sheffield continued to be attended from French Creek or Avon, until June, 1881, when the Rev. A. Dambach was appointed first resident pastor. In December, 1880, one-half acre of land was bought, and the present brick pastoral residence was built on it at a cost of about $2,700. In August, 1883, Father Dambach was succeeded by the Rev. D. Zinsmayer, who remained in charge until 1894. The two fine bells now in use were bought, and the church and parish house renovated, during the pastorate of Father Zinsmayer. His successor was the Rev. J. H. Hennes, who resigned the parish, and left the diocese, in January, 1897. Sheffield was then attended from Avon until June, 1897, when the Rev. C. Settele was appointed resident pastor. Ill health
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