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 4
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The school, which was opened contemporary with the church, continued its good work and kept pace with the growth of the parish in providing for the intellectual and moral needs of the young. Additional room was provided as the needs of the congre- gation required it, and nothing was ever left undone to make St. Joseph's school the peer of any in the city. The Notre Dame Sisters of Cleveland supplanted the lay teachers in the schools in 1876, and have sustained their well-established reputation as teachers ever since. (An unusual feature in St. Joseph's school is the class in fine needlework for girls-a womanly art, sadly neglected in our times).
While the material growth of the parish was so carefully fostered, the spiritual side, by far the most important, was in no wise neglected. Altars and bells and beautiful statuary and fine windows and golden copes and smoking thuribles are very desir- able indeed; they help to give honor and glory to God, but they are only means to an end, and that end is to draw hearts to Him. And to draw them nothing was left undone by the pastor of St.
*At the time the church was destroyed, Hessville belonged to the jurisdiction of the pastor of Greensburg-the Rev. F. Ankly.
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Joseph's. Religious societies and confraternities were established to satisfy the needs of all. The children were provided for by the Society of the Holy Infancy, established in 1878, and the Court of Mary for young girls, established in 1881. A sodality for young ladies was organized in 1871, and for young men in 1872. A society for young men and boys, from twelve to twenty years of age, the St. Stanislas' Union, was formed in 1889. The Confra- ternity of the Blessed Sacrament for married women and widows, established in 1873, by its prayers and devotion to our Divine Lord in the Sacrament of His Love has been the occasion of countless blessings to the people of St. Joseph's. The oldest and, in many respects, the principal society of the parish is St. Joseph's Society, for men of mature years. It was organized in 1867, ex- clusively for the spiritual benefit of its members. and has flourished from the beginning-the noble guard of the pastor of St. Joseph's. It became affiliated with the Roman Society, for Catholic interests. in 1872. The Confraternity of the Living Rosary was also organ- ized in the parish in 1867, and today has over one thousand members.
The Devotion of the Forty Hours was held in St. Joseph's Church for the first time, in Holy Week of the year 1864, and has been held there annually ever since. Father Bauer was mainly instrumental in introducing this devotion into the diocese in the year 1863, and St. Joseph's was privileged to be among the very first parishes to be blessed with this religious exercise now so com- mon. He also introduced the blessing of St. Blase into the parish in 1868, a blessing that has proved so beneficial to many troubled with affections of the throat, and which the faithful are so eager to receive. Other parishes have followed this laudable and pious practice, sanctioned by the Church in her ritual.
In the year 1870 a beautiful Calvary was constructed in the cemetery, with an image of the Crucified on His cross surmount- ing it. Father Bauer blessed it on the Feast of All Souls of the same year, surrounded by a large concourse of people.
The two lots on which the present church stands were bought in 1873 for $4,000. A fine brick house was erected in 1878, intended to be a pastoral residence at first, but used as a school ever since. It will be converted into a residence for the Sisters
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when St. Joseph's has its new school, which it contemplates build- ing in the very near future.
Repairs and improvements of various kinds were made on the old church and the property during these years-sewering, grad- ing, sidewalks, etc. In 1874, new windows were put in to replace the old ones which were destroyed by a hailstorm. The old organ was renovated and practically rebuilt in 1876, a new slate roof put on the church in 1878, an addition to the Sisters' house was built in 1880, and many other useful improvements that cannot be enumerated here.
For years it was clear that the old church had become inad- equate to the wants of the congregation. While in its day it gave expression to the faith and devotion of a struggling, pioneer people, it was no longer in keeping with the means of a large and well-established parish; hence, a beautiful church, with lofty and graceful spire, and fine architectural proportions, to supplant it, was the dream of all. Large sums of money were collected for that object, and on the 8th day of September, 1881, the feast of Our Lady's Nativity, ground was broken for the present impos- ing structure which graces the spacious grounds of St. Joseph's congregation. Bishop Gilmour blessed the cornerstone of the new edifice, April 30, 1882, and an ex-President of the United States, the late R. B. Hayes, set the stone in place. The church was put under roof that year at a cost of about $50,000. Year after year the work went on until it was brought to completion. This splendid edifice was dedicated to the service of God on July 9, 1893, by Bishop Horstmann. Mass had been said in the new church, however, in its unfinished condition since March 8, 1891, the interior of the old church having been destroyed by fire on February 28, of the same year. Complete in every detail St. Joseph's Church cost not less than $100,000. In solidity and beauty of finish it is second to none in the diocese. The three fine altars and pews are of quartered oak, and Canadian cherry birch. The sanctuary windows and the Stations of the Cross are choice types of Munich and Innsbruck art. The costly stained glass windows of the nave are from the Art Glass Co., of Chicago, and the beautiful statuary was imported from Europe, as were the vases for the altars and the rich vestments, of which there is a large
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supply. A grand ostensorium was imported from Paris in 1894, and is a beautiful specimen of exquisite workmanship. All the appointments are in perfect keeping with the structure itself, which will remain a lasting monument to the rector and people of St. Joseph's parish. Its width is 71 feet, and its length 162 feet. The beautiful and ornate spire is 250 feet high; its grace- ful outlines are the pride of Freniont and are seen from far and wide.
In November, 1893, the old church was converted at con- siderable expense into a hall for the use of societies, and answers the purpose admirably. A handsome residence was built for the parish sexton in 1898.
All that is wanting now to make St. Joseph's complete in every respect is a modern, first-class school building, to take the place of the several buildings that serve for that purpose at present, and such a building will grace the large, well-kept grounds before many summers. The splendid site for the pro- posed school covers three lots, adjoining the rectory lots and facing the present church. They were bought in June, 1893, and cost $8,250. The brick residence, located on the corner lot, was fitted up in 1895 as a temporary school, to accommodate the steadily increasing number of pupils. An addition was also built to the rectory in 1900 at a cost of $7,000, making it one of the finest parish houses in the diocese.
St. Joseph's parish is composed of about 325 families. Its school enrollment numbers over 300 children, taught by six Notre Dame Sisters.
St. Joseph's was made an irremovable rectorate in the Dio- cesan Synod of 1889, and Dr. Bauer its first rector. He was honored by the Holy See in receiving the Doctorate in Theology from the Sovereign Pontiff in 1895 and was invested with its insignia by Bishop Horstmann on February 7 of that year, to the great joy of his people, who were sharers in this· exceptional privilege accorded their pastor.
The parish was absolutely free from debt when the new church was dedicated, in 1893, and this has been its history for over thirty years. It has been singularly blessed by Almighty
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH, SCHOOL, AND PASTORAL RESIDENCE, FRENCH CREEK, LORAIN COUNTY.
Nul to me
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God, both in temporals and spirituals in the past. May the same unerring Hand guide its destinies in the future and keep its people as they are at present, contented and happy children of Mother Church.
FRENCH CREEK, LORAIN COUNTY. -
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH.
In 1841 French Creek received its first contingent of Catholic settlers. For several years they were identified with the congrega- tion at Avon. From 1844, until 1857, with the exception of a few months, in 1850, they were attended from Thompson, by the Sanguinist Fathers. Among these were the Revs. Jacob Ringele, Peter Kreusch, J. Van den Broek and M. A. Kramer, all of whom said Mass in a wagon-shop which had been fitted up in 1844 by Father Ringele as a temporary place of worship. In 1849 Father Ringele was appointed a second time to take charge of French Creek. He then built a frame church (35 by 60 feet) on a plot of land he had secured about that time, but for which the deed was not given until February, 1850. The Rev. A. Gelaszewski was the first resident pastor of French Creek, he had charge from March to December, 1850, when, for nearly one year, it was again attended from Thompson as a Mission. Father Van den Broek was the next pastor-1851-53. He built the first pastoral resi- dence, a small frame structure, in 1851. He was succeeded by the Revs. P. Weber, M. Kreusch and M. A. Kramer. As resident pas- tors they had charge of French Creek, besides attending neighbor- ing missions, until the appointment of the Rev. A. Dambach, in January, 1857. The Rev. E. Henzler was assistant at French Creek, for one year, from June, 1859. The following priests were Father Dambach's successors: The Revs. V. Haussner, January, 1860, to August, 1861; H. Behrens, September, 1861, to March, 1862; J. M. Rötzer, March to September, 1862; J. Hackspiel, to March, 1864; T. Frauenhofer, to January, 1867. French Creek was then without a resident pastor until the appointment, a second time, of the Rev. A. Dambach, in May, 1867. He remained in charge until September, 1880, when he was succeeded by the Rev. S. Falk, whose most successful pastorate ended with his
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edifying death, August 26, 1899. His successor is the present incumbent, the Rev. J. G. Vogt, who entered on his new charge in the following month. During the pastorate of Father Hack- spiel the first of the present school lots was bought in April, 1862, and in June. 1879, Father Dambach bought the lot on which the teacher's residence formerly stood. In June, 1881, Father Falk secured the lot adjoining the one bought by Father Hack- spiel, the two large lots affording ample room not only for school purposes, but also for an addition to the parish cemetery which adjoins the old cemetery. In November, 1891, Father Falk bought another parcel of land next to the lot he had secured ten years before, for the purpose of enlarging the site for a much needed new church, commensurate with the size and means of the parish. But he felt that the children of the parish had a prior claim, as the school, built in 1854, had become unfit for use, and was entirely too small. Therefore, in May, 1885, he began the erection of the present handsome school building. It was fin- ished by fall of the same year, and cost nearly $8,000. One of the two lay teachers in charge of the school resides in the rear portion of the building. Even today it is not excelled in appearance and outfit by the schools of any country parish in the diocese of Cleve- land, and would be a credit to any city parish. It may be stated here that the congregation of French Creek is composed almost entirely of German farmers, most of whom are well-to-do.
Hardly was the school paid for, when, in 1892, Father Falk began to make preparations for building a church that would be a credit to the parish. At the advanced age of 67, this was no small undertaking for him. But filled as he was with indomitable zeal for God's glory, he went to work to raise a subscription. His appeal met with a generous response, which greatly encouraged him. He had plans drawn for a brick church, of Gothic architec- ture. The foundation was commenced in August, 1892. On Sunday, May 28, 1893, the Rev. Chancellor Houck, as the Rt. Rev. Bishop's delegate, laid the cornerstone. By November of the same year the church was enclosed and the handsome spire completed. During 1894 the interior of the church was plastered. frescoed and nearly finished. In the spring of 1895 the altars and pews, of white oak, and the stained glass windows were placed in
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position. All was now ready for the solemn dedication. That impressive ceremony was performed by Bishop Horstmann on Sunday, August 6, 1895. Then, as on the day when the corner- stone was blessed, a vast multitude of interested spectators was present. It was an occasion for rejoicing for the venerable pastor as well as for his people, who with very few exceptions contributed generously and thus made it possible to give to God on that day a beautiful church that cost about $25,000, without a dollar of debt to mar the gift. Complete in every detail, and provided with a steam-heating apparatus, the church is one of the best appointed country churches in the diocese. Its dimensions are : width, 50 feet; length, 120 feet ; height of spire, 156 feet. It is a monument to good Father Falk, and will perpetuate his memory among the people of French Creek whom he served so well and unselfishly.
For years Father Falk had been urged by his Bishop to build a residence for himself, and his people would gladly have furnished the means, as they felt that the old pastoral residence, a very antiquated plain frame building, was no longer a fitting house for the pastor. It was only in the spring of 1899 that he finally yielded to their oft expressed wish. As Father Falk was a draughtsman of no mean ability he drew the plans himself for the much needed residence, but before they could be materialized the Angel of Death summoned him from his long years of ardent labors to the eternal reward he so well merited. Sincerely mourned by all who knew him, he gave up his soul to God, after a short illness, on August 26, 1899. The congregation of French Creek owes him a debt of gratitude it can never fully repay ; for, during his pastorate it arose from comparative insignificance to importance as a country parish, at present numbering about 120 families. Most of its splendid property was the result of his prudent judgment and excellent management; he made the best possible use of every dollar contributed by his people, who were thus encouraged to give liberally.
For a few weeks after Father Falk's death the Rev. J. B. Alten had temporary charge of French Creek, until the appoint- ment of the Rev. J. G. Vogt, the present pastor. Shortly after entering on his new charge Father Vogt obtained permission to
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build the pastoral residence, contemplated by his revered pre- decessor. The building material has been secured, and the resi- dence will be completed before the end of 1901. According to the plans adopted it will be an attractive brick structure, worthy to be ranked with the adjoining beautiful church and handsome school; its estimated cost is $7,000.
As a matter of record the writer here states that for its size the congregation has given more priests to the Church than any other in the diocese of Cleveland. There are at present no fewer than eight priests in the diocese, whom French Creek claims as her sons.
The congregation of French Creek has also a chapter in its long history that is not to its credit. For a number of years there had been more or less of a turbulent and non-Catholic spirit in the parish, fomented by a few would-be leaders. It caused much trouble, and accounts in part for the frequent changes of pastors. Happily that baneful spirit has disappeared; peace. harmony and good will now prevail.
FRENCH SETTLEMENT, WAYNE COUNTY.
ST. ANN'S MISSION CHURCH.
In 1855 a few Catholic French families, belonging to the Mission of Marshallville, were authorized by Bishop Rappe to organize as a separate Mission, under the direction of the Rev. E. W. J. Lindesmith, who at that time was pastor of Doylestown. He said Mass for them on weekdays in the log cabin of Peter Rauch. The present church, a very plain frame building, 28 x 40 feet, was not built however until the summer of 1858. Bishop Rappe blessed the foundation on the feast of St. Ann, July 26, of that year. Francis Petit donated the half acre of land on which the little church stands, although the deed was not given by him until December, 1859. The Mission is now composed of about 12 families (all farmers), and has no promising future. Since its organization it has been attended monthly, mostly from Doyles- town, as it is now, with the exception of some years, viz., from 1858 to 1866, and between 1881 and 1891, when it was a Mission of Canal Fulton. In 1886 and 1887 it was attended from Medina.
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GALION, CRAWFORD COUNTY.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
The Sanguinist Father, Rev. Matthias Kreusch, was the first priest to visit the few Catholic families settled at Galion. He visited them for the first time in 1854, while stationed at Shelby Settlement. Until 1855 he held services in the house of Joseph Rüdiger, an excellent Catholic, at whose home the clergy were always welcome. In April, 1854, he donated a lot to Bishop Rappe for a church site. It was located on East Main street. Father Kreusch collected sufficient funds for the erection of a very plain frame church on the lot. Although small it was amply large at the time and for some years after to accommodate the Mission of Galion. Shortly after the church was built Father Kreusch was assigned by his Provincial to another field of labor. The resident pastors of Shelby Settlement attended Galion from the time Father Kreusch left, until the appointment of the Rev. John P. Pütz as first resident pastor, in July, 1865. He found the location of the church unsuitable and the building too small for his con- gregation ; hence he bought several lots on Union street and erected on them a combination church and school, of brick, and disposed of the first church and lot. Father Pütz was removed to Crestline in November, 1868, and was succeeded by the Rev. A. Gerardin who served the congregation for nearly ten years-until April, 1878. The steady growth of the parish forced him to pro- vide for better and more ample church and school facilities. This he did by securing three fine lots on Liberty street, at the inter- section of Church street, in exchange for the property on Union street. A large brick building, formerly used as a Public school, stood on the corner lot. He had the upper story remodeled as a temporary church, and the lower story fitted up as a pastoral residence. He also changed the brick boiler room in the rear of the building to serve as a school. Thus, the church, school and pastoral residence were under one roof.
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Father Gerardin was succeeded in April, 1878, by the Rev. H. Kaempker. St. Joseph's had now grown strong enough to shoulder the burden of building a handsome church, worthy of
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the parish. Father Kaempker accordingly took up a subscription for that purpose and was most generously seconded by his people. In the fall of 1880 the foundation for the proposed brick church, 47x106 feet, was begun. Bishop Gilmour blessed the corner- stone on July 10 of the following year. The beautiful edifice was dedicated by the same Prelate on Sunday, July 9, 1883. The architecture is Roman, the exterior and interior of the church are very pleasing and all in perfect harmony as to details. The church is a credit indeed to Father Kaempker, and to the parish as well. With its handsome furnishings, and the three fine bells, bought in 1897, it cost about $25,000.
As the parish cemetery, opened in 1859, had become filled with interments, Father Kaempker purchased, in August, 1888, a fine ten-acre tract of land near the outskirts of Galion, and had it platted for a cemetery, along modern lines, and put into excel- lent condition. It is known as Mt. Calvary Cemetery, and is used by St. Joseph's and St. Patrick's parishes, Galion. It was blessed by Mgr. Boff, V. G., on October 10, 1888.
In 1890 Father Kaempker built the present commodious and very neat pastoral residence of brick; with its furnishings it cost about $5,000.
The parish school was organized during the pastorate of Father Falk, in 1859, when he attended St. Joseph's from Shelby Settlement. Until 1882 it was conducted by lay teachers. Since then it has been in charge of three Sisters of St. Francis, of Joliet, Ill. The building bought by Father Gerardin, as above stated, is now used entirely for school purposes, with apartments in it arranged for the Sisters' residence.
The present pastor is the Rev. A. H. Schreiner, who suc- ceeded Father Kaempker, in January, 1899.
Although in its early history St. Joseph's parish manifested at times a spirit of insubordination to lawful authority there is now no trace left of this, nor has there been for many years past. St. Joseph's now numbers about 75 families. The parish property is in excellent condition with but a very small debt remaining.
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GALION, CRAWFORD COUNTY. ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH.
Until about 1869 the English speaking Catholics of Galion were identified with St. Joseph's church. Owing to want of harmony in the then "mixed" parish, Bishop Rappe allowed them to form a separate congregation. June 15, 1866, the Rev. John P. Puetz, then pastor of St. Joseph's, bought a lot at the corner of Payne avenue and Washington street, for $330, on which he intended to build a church. About two years after this purchase Father Puetz was transferred to Crestline and the Rev. A. Gerardin was appointed his successor-November, 1868. But it was not until 1871 that the church, a brick edifice, 40 by 70 feet, once begun, was soon pushed to completion. It was dedi- cated to St. Patrick in the fall of the same year. The members of the congregation, though few in number and most of them poor, contributed generously of their means toward building the church and supporting their parochial school, so that at the time Father Gerardin was transferred to Cleveland, in April, 1878, there were but $500 due on church and school. In July, 1877, a second lot, adjoining the first, on Washington street, was bought for school purposes. In September, 1877, ground was secured for a ceme- tery at an expense of $750. Previous to this time St. Joseph's cemetery had been used by St. Patrick's parish.
In April, 1878, Rev. H. Kaempker was appointed successor to Father Gerardin, and attended St. Patrick's church from St. Joseph's, as did his predecessor.
A few members of the congregation, bent on sowing the seeds 'of discord, had succeeded in instilling their un-Catholic spirit in the parish, to the scandal of the faithful members, by far in the majority, to the grief of the pastor, and to the injury of religion, so that in consequence of the turmoil caused by these few disaffected members, Catholic only in name, Bishop Gilmour was obliged to close the church. For just one year, from September. 1879, to September, 1880, the church remained closed, the faithful portion of the congregation meanwhile attending St. Joseph's church. Order having been restored again the church was
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reopened by the Bishop in September, 1880. Since then peace and harmony have prevailed.
In November, 1900, St. Patrick's ceased to be a Mission of St. Joseph's church, by the appointment of the present first resi- dent pastor, the Rev. L. A. Brady.
Since 1876 St. Patrick's has had a parochial school. It is in charge of two Sisters of St. Francis, of Joliet, Ill., since Septem- ber, 1880.
The parish numbers about 70 families.
GENOA, OTTAWA COUNTY. OUR LADY OF LOURDES' MISSION CHURCH.
Genoa, a small town on the southern division of the Lake Shore railway, is located about 12 miles east of Toledo. The first Catholic settlers in this locality were attended from Toledo, by the pastors of St. Francis de Sales' church, from 1855 to 1858; then, until 1872, from Fremont, Kelley's Island, and again from Toledo. In June, 1872, the Rev. J. Davy was appointed first resident pastor of Elmore, with charge of a number of Missions and Stations. Among the latter was also Genoa, which was attended from Elmore until September, 1889, when the Rev. J. P. O'Connor was appointed first resident pastor. He was succeeded in July, 1891. by the Rev. W. S. Kress, who remained in charge until January, 1892, when Genoa was again made a Mission. It was then attended from St. Mary's, Toledo, and for a short time by the Rev. T. F. McGuire, until April. 1896. Since that time Genoa has been attached to Gibsonburg as a Mission. Mass was said in private houses, and for some years in the home of John Kelley.
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