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 21
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SACRED HEART OF MARY'S CHURCH (1st and 2nd). SHELBY.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
forced him to resign in September, of the same year. He remained at Sheffield in privacy, and died there on March 19, 1898. Father Hennes was again received into the diocese and re-appointed to the pastorate of Sheffield in September, 1897. The Rev. A. Magenhann was appointed his successor, in March, 1900.
The children attend the District school, which however is Public only in name. For nearly three years (September, 1898, to June, 1900,) the Sisters of Notre Dame taught the school. Before that time Catholic lay teachers were in charge, and have been since then.
SHELBY, RICHLAND COUNTY. SACRED HEART OF MARY'S CHURCH.
Prior to 1860 the few Catholics who then resided at Shelby attended Mass at Shelby Settlement, three miles distant. The first priest to pay them pastoral visits (about 1862) was the Rev. V. Arnould, at that time stationed at Shelby Settlement. These visits were continued from that place by himself and his successor, the Rev. H. D. Best, until the fall of 1865, when the Rev. J. Kuhn, of Mansfield, took charge of Shelby as a Station. In March, 1866, Father Kuhn bought two lots on Raymond avenue, and built a frame church, 25 by 60 feet, on one of them, at a cost of about $1,500. The Mission then numbered only 12 families, who con- tributed generously of their limited means. Before the church was built Mass was celebrated, for nearly ten years, by all the visiting priests, in the residence of Mr. W. Klees. After the church was finished, in the early autumn of 1866, Shelby was made a Mission of Shelby Settlement, and so continued until 1868, when it was attended consecutively from Galion, Crestline and Loudonville, and again for a short time from Shelby Settlement, until the appointment of the Rev. M. J. Murphy, as first resident pastor, in July, 1876. He remained in charge until February, 1877, when the Rev. F. J. Oberle was appointed his successor. Father Oberle found the church greatly in need of repairs, and made them at once. He also built a frame pastoral residence, and an addition of 16 feet to the church. The Rev. F. Rupert succeeded Father Oberle in April, 1881, and remained till July, 1882. He found the parish in financial straits and the
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people quite disheartened. Soon however he succeeded in chang- ing the condition of affairs for the better, and in gaining the good will of all with whom he came in contact. His successor was the Rev. A. Huthmacher, whose pastorate extended from July, 1882, to November, 1888. He continued the policy of Father Rupert with like success. In November, 1887, he bought two lots next to those secured in 1866, to serve as the site for a new church, which was greatly needed. At the same time he also bought additional ground for cemetery purposes.
The next priest in charge was the Rev. P. McDonald; his stay was short-from November, 1888, to June, 1889. His successor was the Rev. Joseph F. Smith, June, 1889, to October, 1894. He saw at once the need of better and larger church accommodations, and with this object in view took up a subscription; and his appeal met with a very generous response. Plans for a new church were submitted to Bishop Gilmour and approved by him. As a prepara- tory step the old church was moved eastward in June, 1890, to one of the lots bought by Father Huthmacher, to make room for the new church, which was commenced in the fall of 1890, and the cornerstone was laid by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., on October 12, of that year. In the spring of 1892 the church was finished. Bishop Horstmann dedicated it on June 12, 1892. The brick structure, 40 by 85 feet, is of Norman architecture and has a very attractive appearance. It has an open tower, stained glass windows, handsome furnishings, and cost about $10,000. The building of this church was a great undertaking for Father Smith and his people, then numbering less than fifty families. But his prudent management and their unfailing generosity resulted in suc- cess. The Catholics of Shelby have today one of the prettiest churches in that spirited and enterprising town. The Rev. J. P. Michaelis succeeded Father Smith in October, 1894. During his pastorate a number of improvements were added and the moderate debt considerably reduced. His successor was the Rev. I. J. Wonderly, who remained from June to September, 1899, when he was transferred to Crestline. Father Wonderly's successor is the present pastor, the Rev. E. P. Graham. The parish debt having been cancelled in 1899 he built the present handsome and well appointed pastoral residence, on the site of the old one, during the summer and fall of 1900, at a cost of about $4,000.
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SACRED HEART CHURCH, SHELBY SETTLEMENT.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
A parish school was organized in September, 1880, but for lack of moral and financial support it was closed in the following June. In 1884 Father Huthmacher built a frame school in the rear of the church, and placed it in charge of a lay teacher. Again and for the same reason, as above stated, it had to be closed a few years later. In the spring of 1900 Father Graham revived the dormant 'school question. He succeeded in arousing his people to a sense of their duty regarding their children-to provide them with a Catholic education. His appeal for financial aid met with a fairly generous response. He had the old church remodeled into a school, which new use it serves admirably. He also had- the former pastoral residence removed from the west to the east side of the parish grounds and fitted up as a home for the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, who have charge of the school since September, 1900. The improvements made in connection with the school and Sisters' residence cost about $1,500.
The parish now numbers about 90 families and is in a pros- perous condition.
SHELBY SETTLEMENT, RICHLAND COUNTY. SACRED HEART OF JESUS' CHURCH.
The congregation of Shelby Settlement (known also as "The German Settlement") is composed of about seventy-five families -all farmers, and nearly all Germans. Its history dates back to 1833, when the few Catholics in that section of Richland county were visited for the first time by a priest. It was the Rev. J. M. Henni, pastor of St. John's, Canton, who gladdened the hearts of these pioneers, living a life of privation, in an almost unbroken forest.
At his first visit Father Henni found but sixteen families. The excellent land, and the prospect of soon having a church, induced others to settle there, so that when Father Henni repeated his visit, one year later, the number of Catholic families had increased to about thirty. In 1834 one of these pioneers, whose name, unfortunately, is not recorded, donated forty acres of land, for the use and benefit of the church, eventually to be built in the Settlement. Twenty-six acres were sold later on and the sum
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realized was applied according to the intentions of the donor. The parish still owns fourteen acres of the land donated, which is in use for the parochial buildings and cemetery.
For three years Mass was said in log cabins, by the visit- ing priests who came once or twice a year. Among these were the Redemptorist Fathers Tschenhens and Czakert, both stationed at Peru. In 1836 a log church was commenced, and finished in the following year, under the direction of Father Tschenhens. In 1837 he built also a log cabin, to serve as a parochial school, which was the first in that part of Ohio. Father Tschenhens ceased to attend Shelby Settlement in 1839, but resumed charge from 1841 to 1843. Between 1840 and 1841 the Rev. B. Schorb, of Chippewa, came a few times, and after him the Rev. J. Freigang, of Peru, between 1840 and 1841. The next priests in charge were the Revs. F. S. Brunner, C. PP. S., (1844-47); F. X. Roth, (1849-49); N. Roupp (1849-51). In 1852 the Rev. P. Kreusch was appointed first resident pastor. By this time the church, or chapel, had become much too small. The congregation agreed with their pastor that another and larger church should be erected, and that the material should be brick. The building, 40 by 80 feet, was commenced in 1852 and finished in the following year. For a number of years the very plain interior of the church remained without ornamentation. By degrees, however, altars, statuary, pews, etc., were added. In 1854 Father Kreusch was succeeded by the Rev. S. Sommer, who remained about one year. His successor was the Rev. J. Ringele, a Sanguinist, whose pastor- ate lasted from 1855 to 1857-about fourteen months. During the time he had charge the congregation showed a most un-Catholic spirit and was in open opposition to their pastor, who tried to enforce order and the laws of the Church. In consequence of this opposition Bishop Rappe removed Father Ringele, closed the church, and, as a punishment, left Shelby Settlement without a pastor for eighteen months. By this time the people realized the wrong they had done, and after due apology was made the church was reopened by the Rev. S. Falk, who took charge of the parish in February, 1859. By his firmness and prudence he soon brought about an excellent spirit which has remained ever since. He added some needed improvements to the church property, which
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he left in excellent condition at the time his pastorate ended, in March, 1862. During the next ten years the following priests were resident pastors of Shelby Settlement: The Revs. V. Arnould, 1862-65 ; H. D. Best, 1865-66; A. J. Abel, to 1867; H. Behrens, to February, 1869; J. P. Pütz, who came a few times in 1869, from Crestline; F. C. Ludwig, from May to December, 1869; G. Drolshagen, from January, 1870, to September, 1872. The Rev. J. B. Heiland was the next resident pastor, until April, 1877.
Between 1874 and 1876 Father Heiland had the church thoroughly renovated, in and outside, at a cost of about $2,500; he also bought a fine supply of church vestments and other needed furnishings. When the work was completed the church appeared as attractive as any country church in the diocese. He also put in good condition the brick pastoral residence which had been built during the time Father Kreusch was in charge.
In April, 1877, the Rev. D. Zinsmayer succeeded Father Heiland, and remained in charge until August, 1883; the Rev. M. Becker was appointed his successor. Father Becker's pastorate ended in August, 1890, when the Rev. F. A. Schreiber took charge of the parish.
For some time previous to the appointment of Father Schrei- ber the erection of a church in keeping with the greatly improved financial condition of the parish was seriously discussed. This long cherished project took form in 1891, under the direction of Father Schreiber, who began the foundation of the church during the early fall of that year. The cornerstone was laid by Bishop Horstmann on May 29, 1892, and the same Prelate dedicated the splendid church on September 15, 1895. The occasion was a day of supreme joy for Father Schreiber, whose able management of the building affairs was seconded by the generosity of his devoted parishioners, almost without exception. It was also a joyful occasion for the congregation which added another splendid temple to the many gracing the diocese of Cleveland. Following is a brief description of the beautiful church. Its dimensions are: Length, 130 feet; width, 48 feet. It is built of cut stone, its architecture is pure Gothic, and its cost about $34,000. It is without doubt the finest country church in the diocese, and
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perfect in every detail. The interior is as attractive as the exterior. The marble main altar is in harmony with the architec- ture of the church; it cost $3,000, and is the gift of Mr. Simon Metzger, Sr. Stained glass windows, the neat frescoing, and an artistic array of statuary add greatly to the beauty of the interior. When the church was dedicated the debt amounted to less than $7,000.
In January, 1898, Father Schreiber was appointed pastor of the important parish of Mansfield-a deserved promotion. His successor is the present incumbent, the Rev. F. J. Hopp. In 1899 Father Hopp had the old church remodeled as a school. Besides two class rooms it contains also a neat chapel for weekday Mass. The remodeled building serves its new purpose admirably. Since 1891 the parish school has been conducted by the Dominican Sisters. The parish now numbers about 75 families, and in every respect is in a flourishing condition.
Among the special benefactors of the parish, the late Miss Elizabeth Brotmann deserves special mention for generous dona- tions between 1874 and 1876, and later for a considerable legacy to the church.
SIX-MILE-WOODS, LUCAS COUNTY. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH.
The congregation at Six-Mile-Woods (Raab) is composed almost entirely of German farmers and at present numbers about 115 families. Its history dates back to 1847, when the Rev. L. De Goesbriand visited for the first time the few Catholics who had settled there in the wilds of that part of Lucas county, which was known then and for many years as the "Black Swamp." These settlers were visited by the priests stationed at St. Francis' Church, Toledo, until 1849, and then from Maumee until 1863. Father De Goesbriand built a log chapel, 20 by 30 feet, on a small tract of land which was secured for church purposes. The log chapel was used until 1864, when it was replaced by a frame church, which was commenced the year previous by the Rev. H. Behrens and finished by the Rev. C. Barbier. The chapel was then turned
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into a school. On June 15, 1875, the church was destroyed by fire. The present church, a brick structure, 41 by 93 feet, was commenced in the fall of 1875, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. G. Vogt, and was completed by his successor, the Rev. W. Müller, in 1878. About two years later (March 4, 1880) the church was almost completely wrecked by a cyclone, practically necessitating its reconstruction. When finished, in August of the same year, it had the appearance of a new building. The frame pastoral residence, built by the Rev. Charles Barbier, was put in good repair by the Rev. J. Rosenberg, in 1889.
The parish property covers about six acres, about half of which is used for a cemetery.
There is no parochial school at Six-Mile-Woods; the children attend the District school, which is of the same class as those in a number of places in the western part of the diocese.
The following priests have been resident pastors at Six-Mile- Woods : The Revs. H. Behrens, for a few months in 1863; C. Barbier, 1865-67; N. Schmitz, 1868-70; P. Kolopp, 1870-75; J. G. Vogt, 1875-77; W. Müller, 1877-88; J. Rosenberg, 1888-91; J. H. Kleekamp, 1891-99. The Rev. J. Sproll, the present pastor, has been in charge since December, 1899.
With the exception of a short time between 1876 and 1877- when a faction disturbed the peace of the congregation, a thor- oughly Catholic spirit, marked by a generous support of the church, has prevailed among its members.
SOUTH THOMPSON, GEAUGA COUNTY. ST. PATRICK'S MISSION CHURCH.
The only Catholic church in Geauga county is that located at South Thompson. The Mission is composed of farmers, of Irish birth or descent. The first settler was William Sidley, a brother of the Rev. R. A. Sidley, Rector of Sts. Peter and Paul's church, Sandusky. The Sidley family came to South Thompson in 1837. They were the only Catholics there until 1849, and the Rev. P. McLaughlin, of Cleveland, was the first priest to visit them. This he did occasionally in 1844 and 1845. In 1849 Robert Sidley and
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family were the next Catholic settlers. Priests from the Cathedral attended South Thompson until 1853, when it was made a Mission of Painesville. Mass was said in the house of William Sidley from 1844 to 1854. The present church, a frame structure, was built in 1854, on land donated for that purpose by W. Sidley. His brother, Robert, also donated the tract of land used as a cemetery. The church was enlarged somewhat in 1859, its dimensions being, as they are now, 35 by 58 feet. From 1856 to 1862, South Thompson was again attended from the Cathedral, notably by the Revs. E. Hannin, L. Hoffer, and E. M. O'Callaghan. Between 1862 and 1865 the resident pastors of Ashtabula had charge of the Mission. The Rev. D. O'Keefe was then appointed first resident pastor of South Thompson, and remained about one year. His successors were the following priests: The Revs. J. Hannan, 1866-67; T. P. Thorpe, 1868-70; J. Monahan, 1870-72; P. Coady, a few months in 1872; E. W. M. Hills, 1873-75; N. J. Franche, . 1875-77; P. Barry, 1877-79 ; J. C. Desmond, 1879-81; J. J. Gocke, 1881-85; E. Rohan, 1885-86; J. J. Clarke, 1886-89; F. J. Hroch, 1890-91; A. Le Brun, January to May, 1892 ; J. Johnston, January, 1893, to May, 1895. South Thompson was then attached to Jefferson as a Mission, and has since been attended from that place. During the several intervals when no pastor resided at South Thompson, as above noted, it was attended either from Painesville or Ashtabula. However, for eight months, in 1889, and again between May, 1892, and January, 1893, the place was without any attendance.
The pastoral residence stood for many years on a lot about two miles distant from the church. As the location was very inconvenient the house was sold by Father Hroch, in 1890, and another built near the church. It cost about $700 and was ready for occupancy in September of that year.
About thirty-five families belong to the Mission at present. It has no parochial school.
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SPENCERVILLE, ALLEN COUNTY. ST. PATRICK'S MISSION CHURCH.
The Catholics residing in the village of Spencerville were first visited in 1858, by the Sanguinist Father, Patrick Henneberry. From 1859 to 1868 Spencerville was attended from Delphos, and from Landeck until 1877, when it was made a Mission of Van Wert. Since 1898 services have been held there on alternate Sundays.
A log cabin was the first place used for divine service. The Rev. F. Brehm replaced it in 1876 by the present neat church, a frame building, 36 by 60 feet, at a cost of nearly $1,200. About twelve families are now identified with the Mission; they have always contributed generously towards its support.
STERLING, WAYNE COUNTY. ST. MARY'S MISSION CHURCH.
The village of Sterling, formerly known as Russell, is located at the crossing of the Lorain & Wheeling (now Baltimore & Ohio) and the Erie railroads. The Mission, composed almost entirely of railroad employes ("track men") was organized in 1883 by the Rev. E. J. Vattmann, then resident pastor of Canal Fulton. In July of that year Messrs. Russell and Streator deeded to Bishop Gilmour a lot for church purposes. A frame building, 28 by 35 feet, formerly used as a public school, was offered for sale. Father Vattmann bought it, had it moved on the lot above mentioned, and remodeled to serve as a church. The Very Rev. F. M. Boff, V. G., dedicated it on August 19, 1883. Father Vattmann attended Sterling until 1888, when it was attached to Medina as a Mission and thence attended monthly for two years. From 1890 to 1893 the resident pastors of Wellington had charge of it. The number of Catholics in the village becoming gradually less, owing to the fact that most of them were obliged to seek employment elsewhere, the Mission was abandoned from 1894, to October, 1897. By that time there was a slight increase in the Catholic population of the place and so Sterling, which now has six Catholic families, was again made a Mission, and attached as such to Doylestown, whence it has been attended monthly.
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STRASBURG, STARK COUNTY. ST. JOSEPH'S MISSION CHURCH.
Some Catholic families began to settle at and near Strasburg as early as 1850. They were visited by the resident pastors of Harrisburg, Louisville, St. Peter's, Canton, and St. Mary's, Mas- sillon, between 1852 and 1860. Mass was celebrated in private houses until the erection of the present brick church (35 by 50 feet), in 1857, on a lot, 94 by 220 feet, secured in June of that year. The church was built under the direction of the Rev. L. Grevin, then in charge of Strasburg. The Rev. L. Hoffer attended the Mission from Louisville between 1864 and 1870. It was he also who built the brick school, on a tract of land he bought in January, 1870 ; part of the land is used as a burying ground.
Beginning in May, 1870, Strasburg was attended as a Mission from the following places: Harrisburg, 1870-77; Alliance, to March, 1886; and, since then, again from Harrisburg. During the pastorate of the Rev. J. O'Leary (in 1879) an addition of about 20 feet was built to the church. In 1892, under the direction of the Rev. J. P. Kunnert, the church was supplied with new windows; it was also renovated in and outside.
The parish school had a short existence-from 1870 to about 1875, and again from 1879 to 1884, when it was discontinued owing to a lack of attendance, as the children lived too far distant.
The Mission has about 30 families-French, Irish and Ger- man-and nearly all belong to the farming class.
STRUTHERS, MAHONING COUNTY. ST. NICHOLAS' MISSION CHURCH.
Struthers is a village near Youngstown. It was attended as a Station from New Bedford (Villa Maria), Pa., by the Rev. J. J. Begel, from 1865 to 1870. His visits were made monthly and he said Mass in a private house at Mt. Nebo, about one mile from Struthers, as there was no suitable place in the village. In 1870 a lot was secured by land contract, and on it the present frame church was built, in 1871, by the Rev. H. D. Best, then resident pastor of St. Joseph's church, Youngstown. The deed for the lot was given in January, 1872. The Rev. P. McCaffrey, of Brier Hill, was the next priest in charge of the Mission, until April,
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1872. His successor was the Rev. F. J. Henry, who also attended it from Brier Hill until November of the same year. It was then attached to St. Columba's, Youngstown, for some months in 1873, and later again to St. Joseph's, Youngstown, whence it was visited monthly. In July, 1881, the Rev. N. J. Franche, Chaplain of the Convent at Villa Maria, Pa., was given charge of Struthers, as a Mission. He made a number of improvements in and about the little church, making its appearance quite neat and attractive. In October, 18SS, Struthers was made a Mission of the church at Haselton (now Sacred Heart church, Youngstown), and has been attended since then by the Rev. G. Leeming. He had the church again thoroughly renovated in 1898, at a cost of nearly $700.
Owing to lack of public works, the Catholic population of Struthers has not increased any during the last twelve years. It comprises now (1900) what it did then-about 15 families.
STRYKER, WILLIAMS COUNTY. ST. JOHN'S MISSION CHURCH.
The Mission of Stryker was organized in 1861 by the Rev. A. I. Hoeffel, then pastor of St. John's church, Defiance. In March of that year he bought two lots in the village and erected on one of them the present church, 36 by 50 feet, at a cost of about $1,500. Stryker was attended monthly from St. John's, Defiance, until July, 1865, when the Rev. N. Kirch was appointed first resident pastor, with charge of a number of neighboring Missions. His pastorate ceased in August, 1867, when he was transferred to Canal Fulton. Since that time Stryker has again been a Mission. It was attended from Edgerton, between 1867 and 1875; and from Archbold, since February, 1875. In 1894, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. H. Muehlenbeck the church was moved to another part of the lot. It was then frescoed and put in excellent condition, in and outside. Father Muehlenbeck at that time replaced the old windows with the present ones, of stained glass, nearly all of which were donated by a few priests of the diocese, and special friends of the pastor. Patrick Leavy donated the altar and one of the windows. Bishop Horstmann and Father Muehlenbeck con- tributed largely towards paying for the improvements.
The Mission is attended monthly, on Sundays. It now numbers but 10 families, but has no prospective growth.
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SUMMITVILLE, COLUMBIANA COUNTY. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
Summitville was visited for the first time in 1839, by the Rev. James Conlan, then stationed at Steubenville. Later, from 1842 to 1849, he attended it as a Mission from Dungannon. In April, 1839, Father Conlan bought a one-acre tract of land on which stood a log house; this he used as a temporary place of worship. In 1845 he also bought two acres immediately opposite, for the new church and a cemetery. Summitville continued to be attended from Dungannon by the various resident pastors until 1856.
In August, 1846, Bishop Purcell laid the cornerstone of the present brick church, which, however, for lack of means, was not completed until early in 1852. It was used for the first time on Easter Sunday of that year. The church is a brick structure and cost about $3,000. The log house was then fitted up as a tem- porary pastoral residence. The Rev. P. J. McGuire replaced it in 1871 by the present frame building, which cost about $2,500. During the pastorate of Father McGuire the church was enlarged by an addition of 20 feet, and the Rev. E. J. Murphy built the sanctuary, thus making the dimensions of the building 40 by 70 feet. Father Murphy also renovated the church. These improve- ments cost about $3,000. The cemetery, a five-acre tract of land, was bought in 1872. In 1893 the Rev. J. W. Bell replaced the old altar by three new ones of artistic design, and in 1895 he put the pastoral residence in good repair. In the fall of 1.897 the church was re-roofed and tidied up in general.
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