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 28
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(*) A more detalled account of the cemetery will be found in a separate sketch.
CALVARY CEMETERY, YOUNGSTOWN-THE RECEIVING VAULT IN THE FOREGROUND.
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church entertainments being held therein, and it was also the source of much revenue to the church in the way of rentals, etc.
In May, 1900, the building of the new church was resumed and is now in course of erection. The cornerstone was laid by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V.G., on Sunday, July 1, 1900. It is a large Gothic church, 75 feet wide by 175 feet long; built of grey lime- stone it has a very imposing appearance. It is hoped by Father Mears to have the whole exterior of the church completed during the summer of 1901, and as soon as possible thereafter the interior work will be begun. When the church is completed, according to the plans drawn by Architect Ginther, it will easily rank with the finest, largest and costliest churches in the diocese of Cleve- land; its estimated cost is about $100,000.
St. Columba's parish is one of the largest in the diocese, and now numbers nearly 700 families. It is noted for its generous response to all calls of religion and charity, and its long history has never been marred by discord, or want of respect for those charged with its spiritual or temporal interests. In January, 1889, St. Columba's parish was made a rectorate, and its pastor was appointed its first irremovable rector-both well merited distinc- tions.
In attending to the affairs of the parish the various pastors as well as the present rector have had the assistance of the follow- ing priests: The Revs. W. Pugh, from 1862-64; B. Quinn, 1864-65; P. O'Brien, 1872-73; J. M. Hunt, 1874-75; J. Molloy, 1875-76; M. B. Brown, 1876-77; J. Hannan, 1879-80; M. B. Brown (second time), March to December, 1881; P. H. O'Mara, 1881-83; J. B. McGlone, 1883-84; W. F. Murphy, 1884-85; J. P. Barry, 1885-87; G. J. Vahey, two months in 1888; J. Walsh, January to September, 1888; J. J. Quinn, 1888-91; J. P. O'Con- nor, 1891-94; P. Devanny, September, 1894, to January, 1895; J. P. Brennan, 1894-99; A. J. Schwertner, June to September, 1897 ; P. J. Hendrick, June to November, 1899; and since Novem- ber, 1899, the Rev. E. M. Laycock.
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
YOUNGSTOWN.
STS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS' (SLOVAK) CHURCH.
About the year 1880 Slovaks began to settle at Youngstown and its immediate vicinity. Five years later many had established their homes in Youngstown, Struthers, Girard and other towns, near-by. As nearly all the Slovaks were Catholics they attended the churches nearest to their homes. The Revs. S. Furdek and J. Martvon came from Cleveland at stated times to minister to their spiritual wants. In 1896 a meeting of the Slovaks was held, at the call of Father Furdek, for the purpose of taking preliminary steps towards organizing a congregation and building a church for themselves. But, beyond starting a subscription for the pur- chase of property, nothing further was or could be done for nearly three years, owing to the fact that the Rt. Rev. Bishop could not send them a resident pastor of their nationality, or one conversant with their language. In May, 1899, with the Bishop's approval, the Rev. J. Klute bought two lots for the Slovaks, as a church site, at the corner of East Wood and Watt streets, for the sum of $5,500. In June of the same year the Rev. A. Kolar was appointed resident pastor of the Slovaks, whom he organized as a congre- gation under the patronage of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. They were kindly granted the use of the basement of St. Columba's church as a temporary place of worship. Meanwhile Father Kolar started a subscription and had plans made for a brick church, of Roman architecture. The foundation was commenced in the early summer of 1900, and the cornerstone was blessed by the Rt. Rev. Mgr. T. P. Thorpe, as the Bishop's delegate, on the 23d of September, following. Work on the new church progressed so rapidly that the handsome structure was enclosed in December, 1900. According to present prospects the church will be ready for occupancy before the close of the year 1901. Its dimensions are: Length, 112 feet; width, 68 feet; width at transept, S5 feet. The estimated cost of the church is about $35,000, most of which will be a debt for a time. However, as the parish is steadily increas- ing and the Slovaks are noted for their generosity, the debt will not be a burden of long duration.
Owing to some dissatisfaction which arose in regard to Father
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SS. CYRIL AND METHODIUS' CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN.
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Kolar's administration of parish affairs he was removed in Decem- ber, 1900, but the vacancy in the pastorate will soon be filled.
The parish has now a membership of about 260 families, and is steadily increasing. As soon as means and teachers are avail- able a parochial school will be organized.
YOUNGSTOWN.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
The Catholic Germans at Youngstown were identified with St. Columba's parish until March, 1870, when Bishop Rappe appointed the Rev. Peter Becker as their first pastor. They then numbered about 60 families. Father Becker secured by land contract a lot 90 by 150 feet, at the corner of Wick and West Rayen avenues, in one of the most desirable locations in Youngs- town. The cost of the lot was $3,500 and was deeded to Bishop Gilmour in October, 1872. The frame house on the lot was made the pastoral residence.
At an expense of about $3,000 Father Becker built a small brick church on the rear end of the lot, facing West Rayen avenue. It was dedicated to St. Joseph, in the summer of 1870, by the Very Rev. E. Hannin, then administrator of the diocese. The Rev. H. D. Best succeeded Father Becker as pastor of St. Joseph's parish, in September, 1870, but remained only till May of the following year, when St. Joseph's was attended from Hubbard. The Rev. C. Barbier was then appointed resident pastor. His stay was short-till April, 1873, when St. Joseph's was again made a Mission of Hubbard until July of the same year, with the Rev. J. T. Schaffeld in charge, as he had been before, from May, 1871, to August, 1872. In July, 1873, the Rev. Joseph Eyler was appointed resident pastor. For nearly eight years he labored successfully in that capacity, although under the disadvantage of ill health. For this reason he resigned his pastorate in May, 1881, when St. Joseph's became a Mission of Hubbard for the third time, for a few weeks, with the Rev. J. Klute as attending priest.
The Rev. Charles Seltzer was the next resident pastor of St. Joseph's parish, from June, 1881, to December, 1882. From
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December, 1881, to March, 1882, Father Eyler was in Europe; the Rev. M. B. Brown acted as his substitute in his absence.
Father Eyler had raised a subscription of $2,000 for a much needed and larger church, the congregation having outgrown the old one. Father Seltzer took up the building project which had been deferred because of his predecessor's resignation. The result was that the foundation for the new church was commenced a few weeks after his arrival, and the cornerstone was laid by Bishop Gilmour on September 4, 1881. The ceremony was wit- nessed by a great multitude of interested spectators, Protestants as well as Catholics. The church was ready for use in September, 1882, although its interior was far from being complete.
Father Seltzer was succeeded in December, 1882, by the Rev. M. Becker. He had the church plastered and furnished with stained glass windows. His pastorate ended in August, 1883, when the present incumbent, the Rev. John Klute, was given pastoral charge of St. Joseph's parish. Father Klute at once set to work to finish the interior of the church, and to supply it with the necessary furnishings. This was done by degrees, as means became available. Nearly three years had passed since the laying of the cornerstone, before the beautiful edifice was ready for dedi- cation. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, July 20, 1884. The occasion was a memorable one for the pastor and people of St. Joseph's parish, who were now in possession of a church worthy of its sacred purpose, and a credit to the 80 families whose generosity made its erection possible. It cost about $30,000, exclusive of its furnishings, and had a debt on ' it of less than $5,000 when it was dedicated. The architecture of the church is Gothic, and the material is brick, with a liberal amount of stone trimmings. It has a frontage of 56 feet on Wick avenue and a depth of 116 feet on West Rayen avenue; the height of the graceful spire is 171 feet.
The parochial school was established by Father Becker, in 1870. In 1883 the first church was remodeled to serve as a temporary school. A large lot (75 by 175 feet) at the corner of West Rayen avenue and Phelps street was bought in June, 1890, for a school site, at a cost of $8,500. The two-story frame house on the lot was fitted up for school purposes; its four large class
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN.
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rooms were ready for use in September of that year, and placed in charge of two Ursuline Sisters and two lay teachers. The former school building was then changed into a parish hall, which purpose it served for some years.
In 1893 the present brick school was erected on the site bought in 1890, as above mentioned. It is a three-story building, has four well ventilated, cheery class rooms, a fine parish hall on the third floor, and all the appliances and conveniences found in a modern school. It cost $15,000 and was ready for occupancy in October, 1893. Four Ursuline Sisters are now engaged as teachers and about 200 children are in attendance.
In July, 1900, Father Klute bought for the sum of $10,000 the fine property adjoining the new school lot. The elegant twelve-room frame house on the lot was made the pastoral resi- dence, which had become a necessity, as the former residence was small, dingy and unsanitary. With the last purchase the parish property now has a frontage of 300 feet on West Rayen avenue.
St. Joseph's congregation numbers about 200 families. Financially it had its dark days, notably between the years 1893 and 1898, when the industries of Youngstown were paralyzed by the effects of the panic of 1893. Those days are happily of the past, and although the parish has still considerable debt, it is not burdensome and will soon be cancelled.
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PART III
SECTION II
PREFATORY REMARKS.
T HE cause of Catholic education, whether parochial, col- legiate, or academic, has ever found earnest and tireless champions in the bishops of Cleveland. They spared neither time nor labor in its advancement, so that Catholics might have schools and higher institutions of learning in no way inferior to the best. The Diocesan Seminary, the well-spring, it may be said, of ecclesiastical life in the diocese, has always been an object of special care to the three bishops who have ruled the See of Cleveland. The studies that are pursued and the mental and moral discipline enforced upon the students give it rank with the best seminaries of the country.
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Under the watchful eye of the bishops and the skillful man- agement of faithful, self-sacrificing religious, the charitable institu- tions have also grown apace with the needs of the diocese, thanks to a noble, generous laity who have always given freely of their means-and these often very limited-in order to relieve the needy, the wayward and the afflicted. One by one they have sprung into existence as necessity required it until, after fifty years, there is scarcely a want of frail humanity for which provision has not been fully made. The sick and maimed have access to well-equipped Hospitals ; the aged poor have Homes to give them shelter; the waifs and orphans are provided for in Asylums, and wayward girls and fallen women are given a Refuge in which to repent and reform.
One crying want however is yet unprovided for-a Protectory for wayward boys, a place in which to gather these neglected ones, and train them to be good Catholics and good citizens. May Heaven inspire some one, or many, to supply this great want, and save these little ones that are straying from the flock of Christ !
The following historical sketches of educational and charitable institutions in the diocese show how humbly they began; how hard
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ST. MARY'S DIOCESAN SEMINARY, CLEVELAND.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
and long they struggled for existence; and how flourishing their condition now. It is the parable of the mustard seed illustrated over and over again-small and insignificant at first but gradually developing into a spreading tree, under whose shadow the weary may find rest. And nearby flows the unsullied stream of knowledge at which those who desire it may slake their thirst. The Hand of Charity is there, doling out to the poor; the Good Samaritan, binding up wounds and soothing fevered brows; and the Good Shepherd, rescuing from spiritual ruin the stray lambs and sheep of His flock.
May these institutions of education and charity continue to grow and flourish, and carry on the work for which they were founded ; and may they never lose sight of the fact that the Glory of God and love of souls is the only reason for their existence.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
CLEVELAND.
ST. MARY'S THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, AND ST. MARY'S COLLEGE.
The history of St. Mary's Seminary is almost coeval with that of the diocese of Cleveland, whose first Bishop was its founder. Hardly had Bishop Rappe taken possession of his See when he sought to provide laborers for the vast portion of the Lord's vineyard committed to his care. Numerous however were ยท the difficulties that stood in the way of his project, chief of which was the lack of means for the necessary building and the support of an institution suitable for the training of aspirants to the priest- hood. The diocese was poor; it owned not even a house to shelter its first Bishop who on his arrival at Cleveland, in October. 1847, was forced for a time to live in a rented house near the Hay- market. The entire Catholic population of Cleveland. then very small in number and poor in purse, found ample room in the little frame church on the "Flats," which was the only church in all Cuyahoga county.
Such was the disheartening condition of the diocese when Bishop Rappe entertained the plan of founding a seminary. But
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difficulties could not daunt this brave Apostolic man. A seminary he would have, be its beginning ever so humble. He accordingly bought, in 1848, a few lots at the corner of Bond and St. Clair streets, on which there stood several buildings, one of which was a brick structure, the rest were frame. These frame buildings, which were used as stables, the Bishop had fitted up as class rooms, the brick building serving as his own residence, in which he lodged a number of students who evinced a desire to study for the holy priesthood. After a lapse of two years no less than eigh- teen young men had gathered around their Bishop in this impro- vised seminary, on Teresa street near Bond, to prepare them- selves to aid him in his Apostolic work. They needed care- ful training; learning, both sacred and profane, they must have, and above all the science of the Saints, true piety and a great zeal for the salvation of souls. And who was there to impart these essentials? There was one who was eminently fitted for this work -the friend and companion of Bishop Rappe himself in his mis- sionary career-the Rev. Louis De Goesbriand, a man of scholarly attainments, trained to all the hardships of missionary life. The Bishop called him to Cleveland, in 1848, to be his Vicar General. and to assume the direction of the little seminary. Father De Goesbriand gave up the missionary's cross for the professor's chair and devoted himself with zeal to the all important task assigned him, to train young men for the missions of Northern Ohio.
November 19, 1848, the first ordination of students from the recently established seminary took place in old St. Mary's church on the "Flats," the Rev. James Monahan being the first priest ordained by Bishop Rappe.
In September, 1849, after the Very Rev. Louis De Goesbriand had asked to be relieved of his charge, which did not agree with his health, the direction of the seminary was intrusted to the Very Rev. Alexis Caron, who had just then come from France. He was a remarkable man and especially fitted by piety and learning for his new position.
A new epoch in the history of St. Mary's Seminary began in September, 1850, when Bishop Rappe purchased the fine property on Lake street, now occupied by the seminary. It was then known as "Spring Cottage," and had been a place of amusement in what were then the outskirts of Cleveland-a plot of ground. 255 feet square, extending from Lake to Hamilton streets, and occupying the middle part of the block between Dodge street and what is now known as Ross street.
The work of refitting the large three-story frame building on the property for seminary purposes was begun at once. In a few weeks the frame structure was changed into a comfortable .
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seminary, with chapel, classrooms, quarters for professors and small rooms for students. Two months later it was ready for occupancy, and one can readily imagine the joy of the students (eighteen in number) when leaving their former cramped quarters to take possession of the new seminary on Lake street with its beautiful grounds and comparatively spacious apartments.
In its new home, St. Mary's Seminary began to be conducted on a more regular plan. which for various reasons was impossible in the limited quarters on Bond street. In the summer of 1853 a two-story brick structure, 25 by 35 feet, was put up and attached to the west end of the frame building to provide ampler accom- modations. The brick building, dingy in appearance, and time- worn, fronts on Lake street, near the main entrance to the semin- ary grounds. After a lapse of forty-seven years it is still in use. On the second floor it harbors a number of students who, owing to lack of room, cannot be accommodated in the seminary proper.
In 1856 additional room had to be provided for the steadily increasing number of students. Up to that time St. Mary's Seminary had also served the purpose of a college, where the classics and other branches of learning were taught, preparatory to the study of philosophy and theology. The object of Bishop Rappe now was to establish a separate house, a sort of "petit seminaire," where the preparatory studies for the higher eccle- siastical sciences could be conducted apart.
For this purpose he secured by purchase a large section of a mansion on Euclid avenue, which at that time was being taken down, and had it removed to the southwest corner of the seminary grounds, near Hamilton street.
This was the building in which young candidates for the priesthood pursued their classical studies and was known by the name of "St. Mary's College."
It was opened September, 1856, with the Rev. J. F. Salaun as president, assisted by the Rev. A. T. Martin as professor of classics. In the summer of 1856 Father Caron, who till June of that year had directed the seminary with eminent success, fell sick and desired to be relieved of his charge. Bishop Rappe accepted his resignation and granted him a six months' leave of absence to visit France for the benefit of his health.
He was succeeded in September, 1856, by the Rev. John F. Salaun. Besides the presidency of the theological seminary he also exercised the office of superior of St. Mary's College, which had been founded by Bishop Rappe in the fall of 1856, as above stated.
Later on, when the college at Louisville, Stark county, O.,
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was built under the direction of Rev. Louis Hoffer, it was part of an agreement between him and Bishop Rappe that the prepara- tory department of St. Mary's Seminary was to be transferred and united to the college at Louisville, to help towards its support.
This agreement was carried into effect in the fall of 1866, when the college at Louisville was opened, and in consequence St. Mary's College, which for ten years had humbly, yet effectively, done its work in instructing the young candidates for the priest- hood in classical lore, closed its doors.
Only a decade of years had elapsed since the establishment of the See of Cleveland, and already the seminary was found toosmall. Fully convinced of the necessity of a spacious building. Bishop Rappe vigorously set about. in 1859, to erect a new brick seminary with center-building and wing. Work was steadily pushed forward so that by September. 1860, the new seminary was completed and ready for occupancy. It was then considered a fine building and cost only about $12,000. The main building, 30 by 70 feet, and three stories high, is flanked by a wing, 36 by 60 feet, two stories high. Besides there is a large basement which extends under the entire structure and contains kitchen, refectory and store- rooms.
In September, 1860, the philosophers and theologians moved into the new seminary, leaving the old Spring Cottage building for the college boys, who, under the supervision of Rev. A. Martin as prefect of studies and discipline, had occupied since September, 1856, the house in the southwest corner of the grounds. The latter building, then known as St. Mary's College, was sold some years after the students had been transferred to Louisville, as it had ceased to be of any use for its original purpose.
In August, 1864, the Rev. John F. Salaun, who since January, 1856, had held the position of superior of St. Mary's Seminary with distinction, was compelled to resign his office on account of physical ailments.
Father Salaun's successor was the Rev. John Quinn, who was appointed superior, and professor of moral theology and sacred scripture in April, 1864. This post of honor he filled most acceptably till July, 1866, when sickness also obliged him to retire.
Bishop Rappe then engaged the services of the Rev. James Stremler, D. D., formerly of Laval University, Quebec. and appointed him rector of St. Mary's Seminary, September. 1866. He continued in office until August, 1870, when he left the diocese.
A few days after the resignation of Bishop Rappe, in August. 1870. Archbishop Purcell appointed the Very Rev. Edward
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Hannin administrator of the Diocese of Cleveland. One of the first official acts of Father Hannin was to appoint a successor to the Rev. Doctor Stremler, as rector of the diocesan seminary. He chose for that important and responsible position the Rev. Nicholas A. Moes, who had been. ordained but three years before (1867) by Bishop Rappe, and was at that time pastor of St. Augustine's church, at Napoleon, Henry county.
The Very Rev. Dr. Moes has fulfilled the onerous duties of rector of the seminary with marked ability ever since his appoint- ment. Like his predecessors, he is assisted by a corps of able professors. There are at present in the faculty three priests, besides the rector, who instruct forty students in philosophy and theology and kindred sciences. Since there is not a com- plete record of the list of professors who have taught in the sem- inary, mere reference made to some, who by their ability and long service merit due praise, might seem an arbitrary distinction ; hence the absence from this sketch of any mention of them.
When Bishop Gilmour took possession of the Episcopal See of Cleveland, in April, 1872, he at once recognized the great importance of a good diocesan seminary. Like his predecessor, he considered it "the heart of the diocese." His object was to raise the standard of studies, taking as his motto "Excelsior." For this purpose, he sought, from the beginning of his administra- tion, to provide learned and efficient professors for the seminary of the diocese.
Again, in 1882, under the Bishop's direction, a much needed improvement was made by adding to the south flank of the main seminary building, erected in 1859, a spacious brick extension, 40 by 54 feet. This new addition corresponds with the wing on the north side of the center building, thus perfecting the form of the entire structure, which, through lack of funds, had stood incom- plete for the preceding twenty years.
From the first floor there is a hallway to the old part of the seminary through a covered, glazed corridor which extends along a portion of the south wall of the old building, until it connects with the front hall of the old seminary. The new wing was put up at a cost of nearly $14.000.
On the completion of the new south wing in September, 1882, it was occupied by the students of theology, and as many of the students of philosophy as could find accommodation there. How happy they felt in their elegant new quarters They were no longer stowed away in dingy. close, box-like compartments. but now each one was provided with a lofty, cheery, well ventilated room, 10 by 13 feet in size, furnished with a new writing-desk, book-case, wash-stand, and wardrobe.
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