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 24
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The parish has a steady growth and is one of the largest in Toledo. It has at present about 650 families.
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ST. FRANCIS DE SALES' CHURCHI (1st and 2nd), TOLEDO.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
TOLEDO.
ST. FRANCIS DE SALES' CHURCH.
The early history of St. Francis de Sales' parish is also that of the early history of Catholicity in Toledo, as it was the first parish organized in that city. Hence, in order to avoid its repetition in this sketch the reader is referred to pages 53, 57, 58, 68-73, of this volume, for a full account of tliat history from 1837 to 1847.
The Rev. Amadeus Rappe was the first resident pastor of Toledo-from September, 1841, to October, 1847. Shortly after his arrival in Toledo he was urged by his parishioners either to build a church, for which purpose they had raised a subscription of $1,400, or to purchase a frame Presbyterian meeting house then offered for sale on Superior near Cherry street. After some delay Father Rappe purchased the building in November, 1842, and had its interior changed so as to serve the purposes of a Catholic church-the first in Toledo. In October, 1847, Father Rappe was consecrated first Bishop of Cleveland, and his assistant, the Rev. Louis De Goesbriand, succeeded him in the pastorate of St. Francis de Sales' parish. Father De Goesbriand remained in charge until his transfer to the Cathedral, at Cleveland, in January, 1848.
The Rev. Philip Foley was then sent to Toledo, where he resided from February, 1848, till November, 1854. He had as his assistant, in 1848, the Rev. James Moran. In 1849 St. Francis' church was enlarged, to accommodate the Germans, to whom sepa- rate services were given; first, by the Rev. Sebastian Sanner, assis- tant to Father Foley, 1849-51; and then by the Rev. Philip Flum, pastor of Maumee, from 1852 till 1854. In January, 1854, the Rev. Charles Evrard was appointed first resident pastor of the Germans, who continued to have separate service in St. Francis' church till the completion of their own (St. Mary's), in October, 1856.
In November, 1854, Father Foley was succeeded by the Rev. Augustine Campion, who remained in charge until May, 1856, when the Rev. Robert A. Sidley was appointed resident pastor. His successor, in April, 1859, was the Rev. F. M. Boff. During the latter's pastorate, which ended in October, 1872, much was
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done for the temporal and spiritual interests of the parish. Between 1859 and 1863 Father Boff bought two of the eight lots owned by St. Francis de Sales' church. The property is bounded by Cherry, Superior and Orange streets, and at that time was considered one of the best located in Toledo. The formation, in 1862, of St. Patrick's out of St. Francis de Sales' parish, did not seem to diminish the latter, so steadily and rapidly did it increase. This growth necessitated the erection of a larger place of worship, to replace the proto-church of Toledo. The new church was commenced in 1862, under the direction of Father Boff, and was completed, with the exception of the spire (which is still unfin- ished), in 1870. It is a brick structure, of Gothic architecture, with a frontage on Cherry street of 67 feet, and a depth on Superior street of 162 feet. The church, exclusive of furnishings, cost about $70,000.
After the completion of the new church, in 1870, the audi- torium of the old building was transformed into school rooms. Until 1854 the school was in the basement of the old church, and was taught by lay teachers. From 1854 to 1891 it was under the direction of the Ursuline Sisters, assisted by a lay teacher-the latter having charge of the larger boys. In September, 1891, the Christian Brothers were engaged to teach the boys, the Ursuline Sisters continuing in charge of the girls, and that arrangement has been continued since then. About 300 children attend the school. In 1894 an attempt was made to build a permanent school, worthy of the means and standing of the large parish, but it ended in failure .*
The brick pastoral residence was commenced in 1858 by Father Sidley, and completed in 1859 by Father Boff. It is a plain two-story structure and fronts on Cherry street.
The next priest in charge of the parish was the Rev. James O'Reilly. He bought three additional lots on Superior street, next to those secured by Father Boff. His uneventful pastorate ended with his death, on September 30, 1885. In November, 1885, the Rev. Patrick F. Quigley, D. D., was appointed pastor of St. Francis de Sales' church. He at once began to reduce the still large debt and succeeded in cancelling it in 1890. Owing to
*See page 156, this volume.
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ST. HEDWIG'S CHURCH, TOLEDO.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
that fact he felt unable to add any notable improvements to the parish property during his time.
In March, 1899, Bishop Gilmour removed the Rev. Dr. Quig- ley from his pastoral charge, and appointed the Rev. Patrick O'Brien his successor. Doctor Quigley went to Rome to appeal from the Bishop's action, with the result that he was reinstated by the Holy See. He returned to his former charge in the following December and remained until his death, on August 31, 1895 .* A few weeks later the present pastor, the Rev. J. T. O'Connell, was appointed his successor.
The following priests were stationed at St. Francis de Sales' church as assistants : The Revs. J. Monahan, from 1854 to 1855; W. O'Connor, 1855-58; J. Quinn, 1858-60; T. F. Halley, 1860-61; T. P. Thorpe, 1861-62; J. B. Couillard, 1869-71; J. Monahan (second time) 1875-76; W. J. Gibbons, 1876-77 ; J. L. Ahern, 1878- 79; M. J. Regan, 1893-98; and the Rev. G. A. Branigan, since January, 1900.
About 500 families comprise the present membership of the parish.
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TOLEDO. ST. HEDWIG'S (POLISH) CHURCH.
St. Hedwig's congregation was organized in the spring of 1876. Previous to that time, beginning with the year 1871, when the first Polish family settled in Toledo, they were visited occa- sionally by the Rev. F. X. Schulak, S. J., of Chicago, Ill., and from 1873 by the Rev. V. Zareczny, of St. Adalbert's, Berea. During this time the Poles living in the western par. of the city attended St. Mary's, and those in the southern part St. Peter's church. Gradually increasing in numbers, and desirous of having their own church and pastor, they obtained permission in 1874, from the Very Rev. Administrator Boff, to build a church for themselves, and the promise of a priest of their own language. In the fall of the same year the Rev. V. Lewandowski arrived from Poland, and was appointed pastor of the Polish congregation about to beorgan- ized at Toledo. Finding willing hearts, and meeting with gener- ous encouragement on the part of his spiritual charge, Father Lewandowski purchased for $3,500, in January, 1876, nine lots,
See page 156, this volume.
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fronting on Dexter and Bronson streets. In the spring of the same year he began the erection of a combination brick church and school, 33 by 83 feet. The building, a two-story structure, was completed, dedicated and used for the first time in the following November. The upper 'story was used as a temporary church, and the lower story contained two school-rooms. About the same time he built a frame parish house for himself, and a small frame residence for the Polish Franciscan Sisters, of Rochester, Minn., who have had charge of the school since September, 1877.
All went well in the parish for about eight years, and the prop- erty acquired and the buildings erected were nearly paid for, when a spirit of discord and open opposition to the pastor became so strong that, in June, 1885, a riot broke out which ended in blood- shed and a triple murder. Father Lewandowski was forced to leave the parish and diocese shortly after this scandalous affair. The parish was then attended from St. Anthony's until the arrival, in August following, of the Rev. C. Augustinsky, O. S. F., who was given temporary charge of St. Hedwig's. Very soon he also had to contend with the same discord and opposition. Each of the two contending parties in the parish accused the other of wrong-doing in connection with the riot of June, 1885. On Sun- day, February 17, 1886, the church was almost entirely destroyed by fire; only the bare walls remained. Whether the fire was acci- dental, or incendiary, has never been proved. Father Augustinsky left St. Hedwig's immediately after the fire, and a few weeks later the Rev. J. M. Koudelka, of St. Michael's church, Cleveland, was given temporary charge of the parish. He assembled the well- disposed members of St. Hedwig's parish in St. Mary's church, where he held divine services for a time. Meanwhile he made every effort not only to bring about peace but also to rebuild the church. In both he succeeded admirably. His prudence and kindness soon brought order out of chaos and in a few months the church was rebuilt and the parish reunited as never before. The re-dedication of the church took place on Sunday, June 27, 1886. Bishop Gilmour performing the ceremony. He also preached a most impressive discourse in reference to the past sad history of the parish and by it removed much of the prejudice which had been aroused against the Poles, because of the riots among them, in Toledo, as well as in other cities. From that day to this, how-
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ever, the record of St. Hedwig's has been one of peace and har- mony, and its members have proved themselves good Catholics and good citizens. May that record so continue !
On the day the church was re-dedicated Bishop Gilmour in- stalled the Rev. Simon Wieczorek as pastor of St. Hedwig's parish, thus relieving Father Koudelka of his temporary charge, of which he so ably acquitted himself. Father Wieczorek found the parish united, and imbued with an excellent spirit, and continued the policy of his predecessor, which was firmness, tempered with kindness.
In the summer of 1886 a frame pastoral residence was built by Father Koudelka at a cost of about $1,600. It replaced the for- mer which had proved unsatisfactory, and was sold by Father Koudelka.
Between 1886 and 1890 the parish increased very rapidly in membership. When organized in 1876 it had about 75 families; in 1890 the number had reached over 400 families. Father Wiec- zorek and his people felt the need of a larger and better church. With this need in view he bought with his own money a consider- able tract of land in May, 1890, had it surveyed into lots, and donated the west half of the property (20 lots) to the parish, as a site for the new church. The property is bounded by LaGrange, Dexter and Thompson streets. It has a frontage of 160 feet on LaGrange street and a depth of 300 feet. The church was com- menced in the spring of 1891, and was brought to completion in the early fall of 1892. It was used for the first time on October 16 of that year. On Sunday, April 23, 1893, Bishop Horstmann dedicated the beautiful Gothic edifice, which is one of the most attractive in the diocese. The church fronts on LaGrange street and is the most conspicuous building in that part of Toledo. It is built of Sandusky blue stone; its length is 160 feet, and its width, 60 feet, and at the transept, 75 feet. Including the stained glass windows and its handsome furnishings, it cost about $65,000. The auditorium of the old church on which Father Koudelka had expended about $5,000 when it was rebuilt after the fire, was trans- formed into three well-appointed school rooms; thus the entire building was made to serve as a parish school.
At a meeting of St. Hedwig's congregation, held in July,
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1900, it was unanimously resolved to build a stone pastoral resi- dence, in harmony with the new church, to cost not exceeding $10,000. Work was commenced in the following month, and is now (December, 1900) enclosed. When finished it will be one of the best appointed parish houses in the diocese. After its comple- tion the residence now in use will be given to the Sisters in charge of the school, and their present residence will be changed into additional school rooms. As soon as the moderate parish debt is cancelled it is expected that a large school, equal to the best, will be built. The generosity of the people of St. Hedwig's will easily make that expectation a reality.
For nearly a year Father Wieczorek has been in poor health, and consequently has not been able to discharge the duties con- nected with his large parish without assistance. Since June, 1900, he has had as his curate the Rev. F. F. Doppke.
The parish now comprises nearly 600 families, and about the same number of children attend the school.
TOLEDO. ST. JOSEPH'S (FRENCH) CHURCH.
St. Joseph's parish, at Toledo, is composed of the French families living west of the Maumee river, excepting those now identified with St. Anne's and St. Michael's parishes, recently organized. It was established in the summer of 1854 by the Rev. Charles Evrard, at that time pastor of St. Mary's German church. He raised a subscription of $600 and at the cost of $1,800 built a small brick chapel, or church, on the rear portion of the grounds, which had just then been bought by Bishop Rappe for the proposed Ursuline Convent. Father Evrard attended the Mission every Sunday and Holyday of obligation, for about two years. His own parish meanwhile grew so large that he was finally obliged to give it his entire attention, but by an arrangement with the priests sta- tioned at St. Francis' church, they said Mass in the so-called "French chapel" while Father Evrard preached there the French sermons in the interval between the two Masses in his own church. This was the manner of attending the chapel until February, 1863, when the Rev. J. Rouchy was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's
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congregation. He remained in charge until May, 1866, when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. Haemers, who attended it for a few months as a Mission. In October, 1866, the Rev. C. Wardy was sent to take pastoral charge of St. Joseph's; he remained until June, 1868. His successors were the following priests: The Revs. M. Jecker, from July, 1868, to January, 1878 ; A. Sauvadet, to Febru- ary, 1884; L. Braire, until his death, October 20, 1891; W. J. Burns, to February, 1892; and since then, the present pastor, the Rev. L. Nougaret.
As the Ursuline Sisters needed all the grounds connected with their Convent and Academy, it became necessary to secure another site for a permanent church. Three lots were therefore bought in 1876, by Father Jecker, at the junction of Erie and Locust streets. He commenced the present brick church which faces Locust street ; but lack of means and parish troubles prevented him from completing it. That difficult task was left to his successor, Father Sauvadet, who, with borrowed money, collections, etc., succeeded within a short time in finishing the interior of the church, so that it could be used. The church was dedicated on December 8, 1878, by the Rev. W. Kockerols, S. J., as the Bishop's delegate. In 1878 Father Sauvadet built a brick addition in the rear of the church, at an expense of about $1,500. It was used as a temporary school, until 1880. Father Sauvadet also built a belfry and secured a chime of eleven bells, at a cost of about $6,000. Of this sum the parish paid about $4,000; the balance was met by donations from Father Sauvadet's friends in Toledo and elsewhere.
The Ursuline Sisters have had charge of the parish school, since its organization, in September, 1878, when the chapel on their Convent grounds was converted into a school, and thus used until June, 1880. In September of that year the school was trans- ferred to the rear of the present church, and again to a frame resi- dence bought by Father Sauvadet, in 1883.
For the sum of $2,100 Father Nougaret bought a lot next to the church, on Erie street, in July, 1894, as a site for the parish school, the old building bought by Father Sauvadet having become too small. The new school, a two-story brick structure, was commenced in the summer of 1894, and was ready for use in January, 1895; with its furnishings it cost about $2,500.
In 1899 Father Nougaret had the church renovated and deco-
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rated in excellent taste, at an expenditure of about $2,000. This included a new sanctuary, new pews, a set of Stations, and fresco- ing. The church, school and residence are in excellent condition, as is also the parish. This has lost a considerable portion of its membership within the last three years, owing to the formation of St. Anne's and St. Michael's parishes. At present it numbers about 175 families.
TOLEDO. ST. LOUIS' (FRENCH) CHURCH.
The rapid increase of the French Canadian population of Toledo and vicinity necessitated the formation in 1871 of a second parish of that nationality. In that year three lots were purchased on Sixth street, in East Toledo, although the deed was not given until December, 1872. In the fall of 1871 the present church, 42 by 76 feet, was built under the direction of the Rev. M. Jecker. It is a brick structure, of very plain design, and cost about $3,000. Father Jecker attended the Mission from St. Joseph's church until September, 1872, when the Rev. F. Gauthier was appointed resi- dent pastor. He remained in charge until March, 1876, when St. Louis' church again became a Mission of St. Joseph's. In August of the same year the Rev. J. Rouchy was appointed resident pastor. Ill health forced him to resign in February, 1879. Again the church became a Mission and was at first attended by the Jesuit Fathers of St. Mary's, and later by the Rev. A. Sauvadet, of St. Joseph's, until November, 1879. From that time until July, 1880, no regular services were held and the congregation being without a pastor or visiting priest, was considerably scattered. That was its condition when the Rev. J. Thein was sent in July, 1880, to take pastoral charge of St. Louis' church, but he soon gathered the people formerly identified with the parish. In December of the same year he bought, for his residence, a lot with a frame house on it, the purchase price being $1,200. He also greatly improved the interior of the church which had lacked ornamentation of any kind. The next pastor was the Rev. J. B. Primeau, from Septem- ber, 1884, until December, 1888, when Bishop Gilmour directed him to leave. He ceased then to officiate in the church, but refused to leave the pastoral residence until commanded by
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ST. LOUIS' CHURCH, SCHOOL, AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, TOLEDO.
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Archbishop Elder, in December, 1890, to obey Bishop Gilmour's orders. For further particulars regarding this unsavory subject the reader is referred to pages 157-161, of this volume.
The Rev. W. J. Smith was appointed to succeed Father Primeau in December, 1888, and successfully administered the parish affairs until September, 1890, during all of which time he lived in a rented house some distance from the church. From September, 1890, to July, 1891, the parish was again without a pastor. The Rev. J. Berger was then appointed resident pastor. He built the present brick pastoral residence in 1892, at a cost of $4,000, which remained a debt on the parish for some years. He was succeeded in October, 1894. by the Rev. J. E. Chapuis, who was removed in January, 1896, when the present (1900) incumbent, the Rev. R. Prud'homme, was given pastoral charge of St. Louis' church.
The parish school was organized in 1880, by Father Thein and placed in charge of the Ursuline Sisters. They have taught it since then, with the exception of two years (1894-5) when two Sisters of Charity, from Montreal, conducted the school.
The present membership of the parish is about 250 families.
TOLEDO. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
Until 1854 St. Francis De Sales' was the only Catholic church in Toledo. By that time a large part of the parish was composed of Germans, who had been steadily increasing in numbers since 1848. From 1852 until 1854 they had separate services, as the church, although enlarged in 1849, had again become too small to accommodate all the members of the parish, whose broad limits were Toledo and the adjacent country.
The Rev. S. Sanner was at St. Francis' church as curate from 1848 to 1849, and attended to the spiritual interests of the German members of the parish. He did the same while stationed at Maumee, until 1852, when his successor, the Rev. Philip Flum, began and for two years continued to give them separate services twice a month. In November, 1853, a petition, signed by over 200 German members of the parish, was sent to Bishop Rappe,
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asking for a pastor conversant with their language, and permis- sion to build a church for themselves. The petition was readily granted, and in the following January the Rev. Charles Evrard was appointed the first resident pastor of the Germans in Toledo and vicinity. At a cost of $5,100 he bought two lots, with a fron- tage of 150 feet on Cherry street, and 200 feet on Orange street. In the summer of 1854 he commenced the original part of the present brick church, making its dimensions 62 by 100 feet ; these have since been considerably enlarged. The building was en- closed in the following year, and used for the first time in October, 1856; only the sanctuary of the church was plastered at the time. Meanwhile Father Evrard had continued to hold special services for his people, in old St. Francis De Sales' church. Bishop Rappe sang the first High Mass in the new church on Rosary Sunday, of that year. The plastering and frescoing were done during the fall and winter, and on March 25, 1857, the celebrated Jesuit Mis- sionary, Father Weninger, as Bishop Rappe's delegate, dedicated the church, placing it under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Assumption. The cost of the building, as it then stood, amounted to $12,000. At the close of 1862 the entire debt incurred for the lots and building was cancelled. Three years later the spire was erected, and in 1866 a large organ, three bells, main altar and pulpit were bought. The improvements added to the church between July, 1864, and July, 1867, cost $45,000, of which sum $30,000 had been paid during that time.
Father Evrard also provided a lofty basement under the front and rear parts of the church, the front serving as a parish school, and the rear as his residence. The school was placed in charge of the Ursuline Sisters in 1865.
Father Evrard's pastorate ended in September, 1867, by the appointment of the Rev. C. Viere, who remained until August, 1869. Bishop Rappe then gave the pastorate of St. Mary's parish to the Jesuit Fathers of the German Province of Buffalo, and in compliance with one of the conditions of their acceptance he deeded to them the parish property acquired up to that time.
The first Jesuit Father to take charge of St Mary's was the Rev. Peter Spicher, who remained about one year-from Septem- ber, 1869. Since 1870 the following Jesuits succeeded Father Spicher in the pastorate of St. Mary's: The Revs. J. B. Kanz-
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL, TOLEDO.
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leiter, to March, 1872; N. Greisch, to February, 1875; W. Kockerols, to June, 1886; A. Sigg, to January, 1890; M. Zöller, to August, 1893; P. Schnitzler, till his much lamented death, March 19, 1900; A. Steffen, in temporary charge, until August, 1900; and since then the present pastor, the Rev. C. J. Alten. During this long period many Jesuit Fathers filled the position of curate, at times two or three serving in that capacity. Want of space forbids giving a list of their names; but all worked zealously for the best interests of the parish.
The grade of property along Cherry street was considerably lowered in 1875, which necessitated a new and deeper foundation for the entire church. This costly improvement was finished in 1876.
In 1879 Father Kockerols erected the present three story brick building, fronting on Michigan street, as a residence for the Fathers connected with the parish work in the various churches or chaplaincies of the different religious institutions in Toledo.
In 1880 the length of the church was considerably increased, and a spacious sanctuary was also added. In 1895 Father Schnitzler had the frescoing of the church renovated, thus making its hitherto rather plain interior quite attractive.
The school has always received a generous support from the parish and special attention from each of the long line of pastors. As already stated in this sketch, Father Evrard established the school in the basement of the church. This eventually proving unsatisfactory, on account of location and want of room. the pres- ent large three-story brick building was erected by Father Greisch, in 1873, on lots bought and owned by the parish. In 1877 Father Kockerols engaged the Notre Dame Sisters, from Cleveland, as teachers. They have had charge of the school ever since : fourteen Sisters, and a lay teacher for the larger boys, are now employed in the school. The Sisters' frame residence, bought in 1879, near the school, was enlarged in 1891. The steady increase of the member- ship of the parish has made it by far the largest in Toledo, and one of the largest German parishes in the diocese. It now numbers upwards of 800 families and in consequence the school has become uncomfortably small. Father Alten is therefore contemplating the purchase of land for a school in the northern part of the parish,
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