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 31
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
assurance that in the following September the long desired college would be opened. Father Van Rossum bought, on Superior street, a large, beautiful brick house, surrounded by spacious grounds. The building was remodeled to serve as a temporary college. It was dedicated to St. John Berchmans and was opened for the reception of students, on September 6, 1898, when a regu- lar academic course of studies was begun, with thirty-three stu- dents in attendance. The college at once gained public favor, and the Toledo clergy gave it unqualified support. The enrollment of students reached seventy at the opening of the present scholas- tic year, in September, 1900, and bids fair to increase steadily. In order to provide for this increase of students the Jesuit Fathers are now arranging for the erection, in 1901, of a large three-story building next to the present one to serve as a permanent college.
The college was incorporated on May 21, 1900, with power to confer the usual collegiate degrees. Its future success is now assured, and it will not fail to prove a blessing to the Catholic young men of Toledo, desirous of the advantages of a higher edu- cation along Catholic lines. For this the well-known and world- wide reputation of the Jesuits, as educators and trainers of young men, is a sufficient guaranty.
The first president of the college was the Rev. P. Schnitzler, who was succeeded by the Rev. F. Heiermann, in August, 1900.
TOLEDO.
URSULINE ACADEMY AND CONVENT.
In compliance with Bishop Rappe's request the Ursuline community of Toledo was founded in 1854. At that time Toledo had a population of about 8.000, and only two Catholic parishes. A colony of five Sisters was sent from the Ursuline Convent at Cleveland. in charge of Mother M. des Seraphins as Superioress. They arrived at Toledo on December 12, 1854, and took posses- sion of the property which had been occupied by the Sisters of Notre Dame, from Cincinnati, between 1840 and 1848. The property, which is part of the present convent site, at the corner of Cherry and Erie streets, was the first gift of the Bishop to the Ursulines.
Four days after the arrival of the Sisters 200 children were entrusted to their care as teachers. The latter were reinforced in number from time to time, thus giving the community a steady even if slow increase. Braving Toledo's malignant "Maumee fever," then claiming many victims, these heroic women seemed to have merited health as a special blessing for themselves as,
URSULINE CONVENT AND ACADEMY, TOLEDO.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
during the first twenty years, there was not a death in their com- munity.
On the northeastern extremity of the convent grounds stood St. Joseph's chapel, familiarly termed "the French chapel." It was crected in 1854 by the contributions of the Catholics of Toledo, for the joint accommodation of the Ursulines and the French. The former used it until the dedication of their own convent chapel, December 8, 1874. A life-size statue of the Sacred Heart, placed on a picturesque mound, near the center of the convent grounds, marks the spot where for many years stood the sanctuary in which the first 29 professed members of the community pronounced their sacred vows.
In 1859 the small frame convent was replaced by a three- story brick building. It was commenced and completed under the direction of Mother des Seraphins, who, two years later, returned to her cherished convent home in Boulogne, France, where she died, on November 8, 1880. Mother M. Alphonsus succeeded her as Superioress on August 15, 1861. She was eminently fitted for her responsible position, but found her young community in a desperate struggle for existence. Her excellent judgment and fine intellectual acquirements were helpful in rais- ing the standard of the higher classes of studies, and in securing a larger attendance of pupils. She obtained from Bishop Rappe the privilege, previously denied, of opening a boarding school. In a few years, under her prudent management, the institution was placed on a firm basis. It has thus continued, and has long since been recognized as a strong educational factor in the diocese.
The original brick structure was considerably enlarged and improved in 1872, by the addition of the stately building fronting on Cherry street. In June of the following year the academy was chartered under the laws of Ohio, with authority to confer the usual academic degrees. These were given for the first time in June, 1874, by Bishop Gilmour.
Mother Alphonsus was called to her reward, July 19. 1874. Her death was a severe blow to the community which she had governed and served so faithfully for thirteen years. On the following 5th of October the first election held by the community · resulted in the choice of Sister M. Amadeus as Superioress, which position she filled with success.
In 1878, at Bishop Gilmour's request, seven Sisters were sent to aid the Ursuline community of Youngstown, Sister M. Lawrence being appointed their Superioress.
Mother Amadeus having completed her second term of office was appointed Superioress of the little band of Ursulines cliosen from volunteers in the Toledo community, to form a mission
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among the Indians in Montana, in response to Bishop Brondel's appeal. This offshoot, planted in the Rocky Mountains amid hard- ships and privations, has flourished and grown into prosperous communities, where the brave and self-sacrificing daughters of St. Angela are daily ministering to the children of the Red Man.
Following is a list of the Mothers Superior and their time of office since the death of Mother M. Alphonsus: Mother M. Amadeus, 1874-80; Mother M. Stanislas, 1880-87; Mother M. Aloysius, 1887-90; Mother M. Immaculate Heart, 1890-96; Mother M. Aloysius, 1896-99; and Mother M. Scholastica since August, 1899.
In September, 1900, a new era dawned on the Toledo Ursuline Academy, when the kindergarten and art school were transferred to the recently acquired stately mansion, beautifully located on Collingwood avenue. This valuable property is the ideal site on which, in the near future, it is hoped to erect a new academy that will be a credit to the community and an ornament to progressive Toledo.
The Ursulines are deeply grateful to the clergy of Toledo for their untiring interest and encouragement, and to the laity for unvaried generous support.
WEST PARK, CUYAHOGA ,COUNTY. ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY AND CONVENT.
The original community, known as the Sisters of St. Joseph, was founded in France, its canonical erection dating from March 10, 1651. The first colony of these Sisters came to the United States in 1836, at the solicitation of Bishop Rosati, of St. Louis. They established a convent at Carondelet, in his diocese, in 1837. The Motherhouse in the diocese of St. Louis established a branch foundation at St. Paul, Minn. It was from the latter that the Cleveland Sisterhood took its origin. At the request of Bishop Gilmour three Sisters came from St. Paul and founded the present flourishing community of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the diocese of Cleveland, in August, 1872. Their first house in this diocese was at Painesville, where they took charge of the parish school, under the direction of Mother M. George, then, and for many years after, Superioress of the community. A novitiate was established at Painesville, and on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, of the following year, two novices were given the religious habit by Bishop Gilmour. The Bishop's kindly and eloquent words of encouragement at the ceremony presaged a fatherly care and solicitude for the young community, which remained unchanged till his death.
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ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY, WEST PARK, CUYAHOGA COUNTY.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
Bishop Gilmour was desirous of having the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph established in Cleveland, where, he felt confident, they would soon get employment as teachers of parish schools, and where eventually they would be enabled to establish an academy for girls. For this purpose the frame building on Fulton street, formerly known as St. John's College, was rented, and the Motherhouse transferred from Painesville to Cleveland, in June, 1877. In 1880 the Sisters bought a five-acre tract of land on Starkweather avenue, to which they added five acres a few years later. The frame house on the land first purchased was remodeled to serve as a temporary Convent and private school; the Sisters moved thither from Fulton street in July, 1880. Ten years later they built a commodious two-story stone structure on the same site, for their Motherhouse and academy.
Meanwhile the community and its educational work grew. But the community's growth did not keep pace with the many calls made upon it for teachers of parochial schools. Fifteen schools in the diocese are now under their direction, and of that number eight are in Cleveland.
In a few years the Convent property on Starkweather avenue proved unsuitable for the purposes of an academy, because of its location. The Sisters therefore decided to secure a suburban site, near West Park, on the east bank of Rocky River, about midway between Detroit and Lorain streets. With the approval of Bishop Horstmann the purchase of a fifty-acre tract of land was effected in September, 1898. A commodious frame building, to serve as the new Motherhouse and as a temporary academy, was erected on the east end of the property, facing Riverside avenue. The building was ready for occupancy in August, 1899, and was dedi- cated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop on September 17, following. Many priests and a large concourse of the laity were present at the cere- mony, and their unanimous verdict was that the Sisters were indeed fortunate in securing a site for their new and permanent home so beautifully and romantically situated. A wonderful change, indeed, as compared with the first home of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in Painesville-a small frame house, devoid of even the ordinary conveniences and comforts of modern times, with , grounds that were small and with few possibilities for beautifying them. This change is indicative also of the growth of the com- munity, which began in 1872, with only three members, and now (December, 1900) numbers seventy-five Sisters of St. Joseph, all devoted to the training of the youth in the diocese of Cleveland, whether in parochial school, or academy.
Mother M. George was the first Superioress, and held that responsible office until December, 1892, when she was succeeded
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by Mother M. Evangelista. The present Superioress, Mother M. Teresa, has been in charge of the community since December, 1895.
As soon as means are available the community will erect a large and permanent building for an academy that will be a credit to themselves and to the diocese. -
HOSPITALS.
CLEVELAND.
CHARITY (ST. VINCENT'S) HOSPITAL.
The first hospital in Cleveland was organized in 1852 by the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, under the direction of Bishop Rappe. It was a small brick building, with a very simple outfit, and stood on the grounds of the present St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, on Monroe street. The hospital was closed in 1856 because of the imperative necessity of providing for the orphans. Lack of means, and the limited number of Sisters then in the community, made it impossible to conduct both the hospital and the asylum. But time brought its changes and rendered the estab- lishment of a permanent hospital a necessity in Cleveland.
Up to the time of the civil war the sick and wounded in Cleve- land-which in the early sixties had a population of less than 75,000-secured medical and surgical treatment in their homes. Emergency cases were few, and they had to be provided for as the circumstances of each case suggested. The sick and injured poor were dependent on the charity of well disposed friends and neigh- bors. But with the carnage of war came a change. Many of Cleveland's sick and wounded soldiers were brought home to their own city from southern battlefields and camp hospitals for medical and surgical care. Then it was that the absence of a hospital in our growing city was most keenly felt. Bishop Rappe, always on the alert where good deeds were to be performed, offered to build the much-needed hospital and furnish efficient nurses if the citizens of Cleveland would give him financial support. The Bishop's offer was promptly accepted, with the result that he bought, for the sum of $10,000, the Philo Scoville property, con- sisting of twelve lots, bounded by Perry, Marion and Garden streets (now Central avenue) ; the purchase of the lots was effected on June 23, 1863. In the following month the present main build- ing, fronting on Perry street, was commenced, and was ready for
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ST. VINCENT'S HOSPITAL, CLEVELAND.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
occupancy two years later. Charity Hospital (now known also as St. Vincent's) was dedicated by Bishop Rappe on October 5, 1865, the ceremony being witnessed by a large number of people. Prominent in the proceedings were eloquent addresses by Bishop Rappe, Governor Tod, the Hon. H. B. Payne and Judge Tilden.
For the erection of the first main building the citizens of Cleveland, Protestants as well as Catholics, contributed about $42,000. Of that sum Mr. W. J. Gordon gave $10,000, and ten of the churches gave about $4,000. The other donations ranged from $1,000 to $25 each.
The hospital was placed in charge of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, who, since its opening on the day of its dedication, have faithfully ministered to many thousands of Cleveland's sick and maimed. Race, creed or color have never been a barrier to the admission of patients. The only passport required of those desiring its benefits is: "Need of medical or surgical care." Thoroughly equipped, St. Vincent's Hospital, with its devoted Sisters, trained nurses, skilled physicians and surgeons, takes front rank with the hospitals of this country.
The medical and surgical staffs are under the direction of the Western Reserve University, and are appointed by the Medical College, which for many years has given its helpful aid and influ- ence to Charity Hospital.
The original cost of the main buildings was upwards of $72,000. Between 1873 and 1891 Bishop Gilmour authorized the Sisters to expend about $50,000 for interior renovation, steam- heating, boiler house, mortuary, clinic hall, electric bells, elevators, etc. The clinic and lecture room, in the form of an amphitheater, is in the rear of the hospital and communicates with a spacious and splendidly equipped operating room for surgical cases. In con- nection with the operating room are all the modern antiseptic arrangements and appliances approved by surgical science. At an expense of about $25,000 another large addition was built in 1898 to each of the two wings, extending eastward from the main building.
The number of patients received and treated averages nearly 1,000 each year. Of these some pay, in whole or in part, the usual hospital charges; others are treated free of charge, the latter out- numbering the former by far. Emergency and surgical cases are received at any time and without formality of any kind.
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A free dispensary in connection with the hospital was opened in 1892 and thousands of worthy poor have each year enjoyed the benefits of the best medical advice and prescriptions without charge.
Charity Hospital has never received a dollar of public money,
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
nor any personal, municipal or State endowment. For the pur- chase of land, erection and maintenance of its large buildings, and for the support of all its splendid works of benevolence and charity it has been ever, as it is now, dependent upon the generosity of the public, the donations of special friends of the institution and the revenue derived from pay patients. The late W. J. Gordon was a most generous benefactor of the institution. Bishop Horst- mann and his venerable mother also gave large sums to help the Sisters bear the heavy burden entailed by their grand work of charity. To these and all the other and many benefactors of the hospital, including also the Circle of Mercy, and the medical and surgical staffs, the Sisters feel profoundly grateful.
The average annual expenses of the hospital amount to about $20,000, and often a deficit has to be met at the end of the year. In recent years the Sisters have been allowed to collect in some parishes in the eastern and central portions of the diocese, and have met with a fairly generous response.
There are two large, cheery, well ventilated wards on the first floor of each wing, one for male, the other for female patients. The second floor of the entire building has rooms for private patients, many being fitted up with elegance and some even with luxury. The third floor of the main building is set aside for the use of the house staff. The very neat chapel, elegant parlor, offices and pharmacy are located on the first floor of the main building, and the ample basement is taken up with the kitchen, laundry, storerooms, etc. In every respect the hospital is equal to the best · appointed institution of its kind in the country.
A school for the training of lay nurses was opened in Septem- ber, 1898, and at once formed an important feature in the work of the hospital. There are now upwards of thirty young women enrolled in the classes which are taught by eminent physicians and surgeons.
A new building, with all modern appointments, will be com- menced in 1901 for the accommodation of female patients needing surgical care. According to the plans adopted it will be an imposing three-story brick structure, fronting on Central avenue, and will cost about $40,000.
Until 1879 the respective Mothers Superior of the Sisters of Charity had charge also of the management of the hospital. Bishop Gilmour made a change in that regard by directing the appointment of a local Superioress. Following is a list of the Sisters who, since September, 1879, have filled that position : Sister M. Alexis, to 1883; Sister M. Agnes, 1883-86; Sister M. Thomas, to 1892 ; Sister M. Helena, to 1895 ; and Sister M. Charles since September, 1895.
ST. ALEXIS' HOSPITAL (1902), CLEVELAND, 1
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The first chaplain of the hospital was the Rev. J. Stremler, D.D., from 1865, to the latter part of 1866. His successors until 1877 were the Revs. N. Moes, J. F. Gallagher, J. O'Reilly, C. A. Grandmougin, A. Caron, T. J. Conlan and E. Mears. The Rev. G. F. Houck, the present chaplain, has filled that position since July, 1877.
Since 1869 the Franciscan Fathers have faithfully attended to the spiritual interests of the patients, as also of the Sisters con- nected with the institution.
CLEVELAND. ST. ALEXIS' HOSPITAL.
The beginning of this flourishing and popular hospital was most humble indeed. In July, 1884, Sisters Leonarda and Alexia, members of the Franciscan Sisterhood (also known as the Poor Sisters of St. Francis), at Lafayette, Ind., came to Cleveland, in response to the invitation of Bishop Gilmour. He had been informed by the Rev. Kilian Schloesser, O.F.M., then pastor of St. Joseph's church, and Superior of the Franciscans, of the excel- lent hospital work of that community. These two Sisters had before them a great and needed work of charity in Cleveland. They had nothing with which to do that work save an unfailing purpose, and an abiding faith in Divine Providence. Father . Kilian had secured a home for them at the corner of Broadway and McBride streets. It was an eight-room brick building, formerly a public school, and later the first convent home of the Poor .Clares Sisterhood, and was without any of the mod- ern conveniences. Before the arrival of the Sisters a frame annex was added to the building, to serve as a temporary chapel. In a short time the most necessary hospital outfit was secured by donations from kind friends. Meanwhile also the building was remodeled to serve its new purpose. It was dedicated by Father Kilian on July 17, 1884, the feast of St. Alexis, under whose patronage it was placed. The hospital was opened for the recep- tion of patients on August 15th following. By the end of the year . 25 patients, all charity cases, had been received. In the fall of the same year another frame addition was built to the hospital at a cost of about $4,000, to afford additional room for patients, whose number was steadily increasing. Year by year the hospital grew in favor with the public, as its good work became better known. With that also its needs increased, as the Sisters were without means. These were in a measure supplied by fairs, pic- nics, concerts, and by collections made by the Sisters themselves.
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Bishop Gilmour published a letter of appeal to the Catholics of Cleveland, in the Catholic Universe, under date of June 21, 1888. Following are a few extracts taken from the letter: "About three years ago we called upon the Sisters of St. Francis to organize a new hospital, to be devoted entirely to the care of the sick poor. . These Sisters of St. Francis devote themselves solely to the work of the hospital. . The hospital will depend
entirely on public charity, collected by the Sisters, and on such help as may be otherwise given. So far, with the cramped and narrow limits of the present house, the work has been begun; but lots must be bought and buildings put up. At present we will begin with the purchase of suitable lots. A fair will be held in August, under the management of the Catholic Central Association, representing the entire Catholic body of Cleveland. The money raised at this fair will be devoted to the purchase of lots. Efforts later on will be made for the erection of buildings.
The work and the fair are most earnestly recommended to the kind care and generous charity of all."
In 1891 the Sisters bought a number of lots adjoining their hospital. Two frame buildings on the lots were connected with the hospital. This purchase and the remodeling of the buildings cost $19,000. The enlargement of the hospital afforded consid- erable additional room, and obviated for a time the necessity of erecting a large building. This however became a necessity in 1896, so crowded had the hospital become. In September of that year Bishop Horstmann authorized the Sisters to erect the north wing of the permanent hospital. It was commenced in October following, and was opened for the reception of patients on October 4, 1897. Private rooms, seventeen in number, for pay patients, were tastily furnished by a number of benefactors and benevolent societies. The new hospital is fitted throughout with modern improvements. It is equipped with a fine operating room. which is well ventilated and lighted, and has all the appliances and · facilities for surgical work of any kind. The wards in this build- ing are provided with every convenience for the care of patients. The handsome three-story brick structure cost upwards of $41,000. and now gives the hospital a capacity of 160 beds. Thirty-three Sisters are in charge. At present (1900) Sister Leonarda con- templates the erection of the main building and south wing of the permanent hospital, and hopes to have her expectations realized within the next two years. She has been in charge of the hospital since its opening, and has managed its affairs with great success. The hospital, as it now stands, represents a value of at least $75,000 -mainly the result of donations from its host of generous friends in Cleveland, without creed or class distinction.
ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL, CLEVELAND.
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IN THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND.
The hospital is owned by the Franciscan Sisters, whose Motherhouse is at Lafayette, Ind., and who own and control a number of similar institutions throughout the western part of the country.
Among the special and most generous benefactors, past and present, of St. Alexis' Hospital, the following deserve special mention: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kramer, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Buettner, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Beckmann, Mr. Herman Beck- mann, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Grasselli, Mrs. Catharine Horstmann, Mr. and Mrs. L. A. Russell, the Circle of Mercy, and the Leonarda Society. To all these and their many other benefactors, including the past and present medical and surgical staffs of the hospital, the Sisters of St. Francis feel deeply grateful.
CLEVELAND. ST. JOHN'S HOSPITAL.
This institution was the last public charity established in Cleveland by Bishop Gilmour. It is situated on Detroit street, and was intended by its founder to serve that part of the city known as the West Side.
The munificent donation of $5,000 from the late Mr. W. J. Gordon, in 1890, made it possible for Bishop Gilmour to purchase the land necessary for the erection of the hospital, which he had in contemplation for nearly ten years before he died. Lack of means alone prevented him from putting his long cherished design into effect much sooner. The Bishop bought the site for the hospital in September, 1890, and at once had plans drawn for a large two-story frame structure with lofty basement, to serve as a temporary building for the care of the sick and maimed. In March, 1891, a few days before he left for Florida, he approved the architect's plans for the proposed hospital, little thinking that he was destined never to behold it, as in fact he did not, for he died a few weeks later at St. Augustine, Florida.
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