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 9
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A HISTORY OF CATHOLICITY
In August, 1880, Father Lindesmith was appointed chaplain in the U. S. Army, by President Hayes. His successor in the pastorate of Leetonia was the Rev. W. J. Fitzgerald, who shortly after his arrival began preparations for building a new church, as the congregation had outgrown the old. His parishioners sub- scribed quite liberally for that object, thus encourging their young and energetic pastor. In the fall of 1880 he had plans drawn for a Gothic brick church, for which he received Bishop Gilmour's approbation. In the spring of the following year ground was broken for the foundation, near the western line of the parish property, and on Sunday, July 3, the cornerstone of the new church was blessed and laid by Bishop Gilmour. The handsome structure was brought under roof by October, 1881, and with its interior un- finished was used for the first time, in December of the same year. Father Fitzgerald had intended to complete the church in 1882, but Almighty God, in His unfathomable wisdom, had decreed otherwise. During his brief career the good priest, by his amia- bility, earnestness and zeal, had won the hearts of his people, and the respect of all the citizens of Leetonia, without creed or class
distinction. After a short illness, when all looked bright and promising to him, the Angel of Death summoned him before his Maker, on March 22, 1882. His unexpected demise was a great affliction for his devoted people and a distinct loss not only to his parish, and Leetonia, but also to the diocese. His death was sincerely mourned by all who knew him and his sterling worth. Pending the appointment of his successor, the Rev. James O'Leary attended the parish from Alliance for six weeks. The Rev. John C. Desmond was appointed to the pastorate of Leetonia in May, 1882. He placed the parochial school in charge of four Sisters of St. Joseph. It had been organized during the administration of Father Lindesmith, in 1869, a part of the first church having been used for that purpose; it was conducted by lay teachers. Owing however to lack of means it was discon- tinued in 1872, and not re-opened until the advent of Father Desmond. During the summer of 1882, at an expense of about $1,000, he had the old church fitted up as a school, and the pastoral residence considerably improved. In the following year he enlarged the school, built a residence for the Sisters and had a furnace placed in the church. The building and improvements
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, LEIPSIC.
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cost $2,000. In October, 1884, Father Desmond was succeeded . by the present pastor, the Rev. Edward J. Murphy, who a few months later made arrangements for finishing the interior of the church. He called a meeting of the congregation for the purpose of getting their views on the subject. It was unanimously resolved to go on with the work, and the members responded generously with their subscriptions. Father Murphy, thus encouraged, had the carpentering. plastering, frescoing, stained glass windows, and elegant furnishings, such as altars, pews, etc., done by competent persons, with the result that the church (52 by 100 feet), beautiful and artistic in every detail, was ready for dedication in the fall of 1887. The ceremony was performed by Bishop Gilmour on Sun- day, October 23, of that year, and St. Patrick was chosen the patron of the new church. It has a prominent position, located as it is on one of the highest elevations in the town. The church cost about $20,000, inclusive of altars, pews, etc. At an expense of $1,600 a fine bell and an artistic set of Stations were secured in 1889, and in the following year the former heating apparatus was replaced by a steam heater. A stone wall, and a stone sidewalk run along the entire front of the church property, which, with its buildings, presents a very attractive appearance.
In September, 1892, the Sisters of St. Joseph were succeeded in the charge of the parish school by the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. They remained until June, 1900, at which time the school was discontinued. Father Murphy hopes however to be able to reopen the school in the near future.
The parish at present numbers about 120 families and has but a comparatively small debt as an incumbrance on its fine property.
LEIPSIC, PUTNAM COUNTY. ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
The present flourishing congregation at Leipsic has a com- paratively brief history. A few Catholics began to settle there about 1873, and were attended from New Cleveland by the Rev. Henry Kaempker, from 1874 until 1878. Under his direction the first church, a small frame building, 25 x 45 feet, facing Poplar street, was erected in 1876, at a cost of about $500. The two lots on which it stood had been bought in September, 1873.
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Leipsic continued as a Mission of New Cleveland until the appointment of the Rev. John Bertemes as first resident pastor, in February, 1891. He had attended Leipsic, from New Cleveland, as a Mission, since January, 1889. During the administration of the Rev. Joseph Rosenberg two additional lots, adjoining on the rear those already mentioned, were bought, in May, 1887, to serve as a site for the prospective pastoral residence and school. The former was built in 1888, during the time the Rev. Joseph Eyler had charge of Leipsic as a Mission; it cost about $1,400. Two years later, in October, 1890, Father Bertemes organized the present parochial school, the little church serving that purpose. It was in charge of lay teachers until 1899; since that time it has been conducted by Sanguinist Sisters.
On August 30, 1891, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. F. M. Boff blessed the foundation of the large frame church now in use. On the same day he also blessed the cemetery-a three-acre tract of land pur- chased in January of the same year. On January 17, 1892, a large church bell was blessed by the Rev. Chancellor Houck. During the same year Father Bertemes had the church brought to completion. It was not dedicated however until May 14, 1893; Bishop Horstmann performed the ceremony. The church cost $8,000, exclusive of altars, pews, and stained glass windows. It is 45 feet wide, 57 feet in the transept, and 102 feet long, with a seating capacity of 600, when the large gallery is also utilized. The interior height is 34 feet, and that of the spire is 125 feet. The church, frescoed in excellent taste, is one of the most prom- inent structures in the town of Leipsic.
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The school house (former church) was destroyed by fire on May 1, 1899. During the summer of the same year the present school, a brick building, containing four rooms, was built at a cost of about $3,200. It has been used since September, 1899.
The present pastor, the Rev. John Baumgartner, succeeded Father Bertemes in September, 1900. The parish now numbers about 85 families.
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LIBERTY, SENECA COUNTY. ST. ANDREW'S MISSION CHURCH.
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Three young unmarried men-Andrew Brückner, John Lang, and Michael Sendelbach, landed at Baltimore, in 1833. They had come from Germany to seek a new home in Ohio, which was then considered "the far West." While in Baltimore they learned that Government land was for sale in Seneca county. They made their way westward, as best they could, going on foot most of the distance, to Wooster, Ohio, where there was a Government land office. On arriving there they were informed that Government land could be bought near Tiffin, at which place, they were also told, there was a Catholic church. This was sufficient inducement for them to secure a homestead there. Each then "entered" a parcel of Government land. Reaching their journey's end they found themselves in a trackless wilderness, with neither house, nor cabin, nor even a road in sight. They went to work at once, like brave men, to make a gap in the forest, which surrounded them on all sides. Soon a few rudely constructed cabins were built, and the beginning of a new settlement was made which was increased the following year by the arrival of three Catholic families.
The first priest to visit them was the saintly Redemptorist Father, Rev. F. X. Tschenhens, who was then (1834) stationed at Peru, ard had charge of all the surrounding Missions. He said Mass in one or other of the humble log cabins of the settlers, and his visits gladdened the hearts of those pioneer Catholics of Seneca county. The settlement grew steadily year by year, most of the families coming from Rhenish Bavaria. A log chapel was erected, about 1842, but before the humble structure was finished a number of the families became discouraged and moved else- where. 'A few years later it was discovered that the chapel stood on ground which the Government had surveyed for a public road. The little Mission, then numbering 13 families, resolved there- fore to build a frame church on land deeded and donated for this purpose by Andrew Brückner, in May, 1845. The church was completed in 1846 and dedicated to St. Andrew, the Apostle.
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After Father Tschenhens' departure from Peru, in 1842, Liberty was attended as a Station, or Mission, from the following places : Tiffin, St. Mary's, 1842-45; New Riegel, by the Sanguin- ist Fathers, 1845-33 ; Tiffin, St. Joseph's, 1853-60; Findlay, 1860- 63; Millersville, (Greensburg), 1863-67; Fostoria, 1866-70; St. Patrick's Settlement, 1870-87; New Riegel, 1887-93; and again from St. Patrick's Settlement, since 1893.
During the pastorate of the Rev. Ehrhard Glück, C. PP. S .. the present very neat church was built. It was commenced in 1888, and dedicated on October 6, 1889, by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., as the Bishop's delegate. The church (34 by 58 feet) is built of brick, trimmed with sandstone. It is provided with three fine bells, very neat stained glass windows, and is tastily frescoed. In a word, the edifice is "a little gem," everything in and about it is complete, and its appearance cheerful and inviting. Its cost was about $5,000 and on the day of dedication the church was without debt. Father Glück and the Mission composed of about twenty families, all farmers, deserve recognition for having brought to completion so handsome a structure. One of the principal contributors, Mr. A. Scherger, also gave the one-acre lot on which the church is built, its location being directly opposite the old church, built in 1846. The neat oak pews were bought during the administration of the Rev. Thomas M. Kolb, who was succeeded by the Rev. John R. Forrer in June, 1898. He built the present one-story brick school (27 x 48 feet) in 1900. It cost $1,300, and is in charge of a lay teacher.
The Mission is steadily increasing and now numbers about 40 families. Generosity and a thoroughly Catholic spirit have at all times been its distinctive features.
LIMA, ALLEN COUNTY. ST. ROSE'S CHURCH.
Lima was surveyed and platted in 1831, by Captain James W. Riley ; it was named by the Hon. Patrick G. Goode, and desig- nated by Commissioner Christopher Wood as the county seat of Allen. Catholics began to settle at Lima and in its immediate vicinity about 1845. Among them was Lawrence O'Connell, in
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ST. ROSE'S CHURCH AND SCHOOL, LIMA.
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whose house Mass was said for the first time in the village of Lima, sometime during the year 1846. The celebrant was a San- guinist Father, but there is no record of his name, or of the date of his visit.
Between 1850 and 1855, the Catholic population increased very notably because of the construction of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne and Chicago, and the Dayton and Michigan railroads through Lima. These two important enterprises gave employ- ment for some years to a large number of Catholic laborers, many of whom settled at Lima. They were attended monthly by the Revs. Michael O'Sullivan of Tiffin, and Matthias Kreusch, C. PP.S., of Minster, Auglaize county. These two priests alternated their monthly or bi-monthly visits for about three years, until 1855, when Father Kreusch was given sole charge of the Mission. He continued to attend it until December, 1836, when for nearly two years he alternated his visits with the Rev. Patrick Henneberry, who was known as the "Irish Sanguinist," and spoke English, Irish, German and French with equal fluency. He was an eloquent · and forcible preacher and did great service to religion, especially by his severe denunciation of the prevailing vice of intemperance. Meanwhile in the face of many obstacles and disappointments Father Kreusch collected funds for a church, to be built on a lot, on the Ottawa road (now North-West street). The lot was donated for the purpose by Nicholas Gunckel, a member of the congrega- tion, at whose house all the missionary priests were welcome and treated with hospitality. His good wife also had charge of the altar linens and sacristy for many years.
The first church in Lima, a brick structure, 24 by 35 feet, was built in 1858. It was appropriately dedicated to St. Rose of Lima, America's first canonized saint, who lived and died in Lima, Peru. Here it is but just to record the fact that one of the pioneers of the parish, John Goebel, a cabinet maker, made by hand, and without compensation, all the windows and doors for the new church. At this labor of love he was engaged night after night, and often until the early hours of the morning, as he had to provide for the sup- port of his family during the day.
With the completion of the church ended the necessity of using private houses as places of worship. Father Kreusch con-
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tinued to attend Lima until the spring of 1861, when the Rev. Michael Prendergast, a secular priest, who resided with the San- guinist Fathers at Minster, Auglaize county, was given charge of the congregation. He was succeeded in October, 1861, by the Rev. Edward J. Murphy, who became the first resident pastor of Lima. Father Murphy concluded to purchase property for a priest's residence. An opportunity soon offered itself as Mr. J. Hover wished to dispose of his homestead-a good house and about five acres of land, bounded by North West, West McKib- ben, North McDonald streets and the P., Ft. W., & C. Railroad. Father Murphy, realizing that the property would, in time, become valuable and that part of it would be needed by the church, accord- ingly purchased it in March, 1864, for $2,500.
In June, 1862, Matthias H. Nichols, a non-Catholic, had donated to the church a parcel of land fronting 350 feet on North West street, and 360 feet on West Mckibben street.
Father Murphy laid out the larger part of the "Hover land" in lots, and from the sale of them put the congregation on a good financial footing. He built a frame addition to the little brick church, and in 1865 organized, built and paid for the first Catholic parochial school in Allen county. In September, 1869, he was transferred to Brier Hill, Mahoning county. The Rev. James O'Reilly was appointed his successor in the following month. At this time the growing congregation crowded the little church. which had once been enlarged. Father O'Reilly very soon realized the need of better and more ample church accommodations. He therefore determined to build a new church on the "Nichols property," at the corner of West and Mckibben streets. He also raised a building fund and had every preparation made for the erection of a new church when, in January, 1871, he was appointed pastor of St. Columbkille's parish, in Cleveland. He was succeeded at Lima by the Rev. A. R. Sidley, under whose supervision the present church was built. Its cornerstone was laid by the V. Rev. E. Hannin, administrator of the diocese, on Sunday, May 21, 1871, and the first Mass was celebrated in the new edifice, by Father Sidley, on January 1, 1872. The church cost about $30,000. Father Sidley removed the old school to the vacant lot, immediately west of the church. built a large addition
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to it and reorganized it entirely. In June, 1876, he was appointed pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church, at Cleveland, and the Rev. Francis J. Henry was sent to Lima as his successor. The necessities of the times forced the parish of Lima to contract a large debt. Father Henry's administrative abilities, seconded by the generosity of his people, cleared away the last vestige of that burden by the end of the year 1882. In the same year, at a cost of about $6,000, he built a brick residence for the Sisters of St. Francis, of Joliet, Ill., then in charge of the parish school. Dur- ing his busy pastorate of nearly ten years he greatly improved the church property, besides faithfully attending to the spiritual welfare of his people. When less than forty years old, and only about fifteen years in the ministry, his priestly career was cut short by death, after a brief illness, on February 22, 1886. His demise was deeply mourned, not only by his parishioners, whose love and confidence he had in a high degree, but also by the non-Catholic citizens of Lima, whose respect he had won.
The Rev. James O'Leary succeeded Father Henry in March, 1886. During the following year, at an expense of about $12,000, he had the church roof removed, and replaced by one of greater pitch, making it 22 feet higher than the old. He built the present graceful spire which reaches an altitude of 175 feet. He also added the improvements that made the interior of the church more attractive and in keeping with the size of the parish.
During the year 1888 the present handsome, commodious, and well appointed brick school was commenced, and completed the following year. It was dedicated by Bishop Gilmour on September 9, 1889, and opened for use on the next day. The building has a frontage of 82 feet, a depth of 72 feet, and is three stories high. It cost about $25,000.
The large influx of people, on account of the oil interests in Lima, forced Father O'Leary to consider either the enlargement of the church, or the erection of a second church in the southern part of Lima. The enlargement was finally decided upon. In August, 1892, work was begun on an addition to the church, and new windows, altars and pews were placed in position-all at a cost of about $25,000. In March of the same year a large pipe organ was bought at an expense of about $3,000. These improve-
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ments were paid for, and the parish debt reduced to a com- paratively small sum (about $3,500), when, in November, 1893, to the universal regret of the congregation, Father O'Leary was removed to Cleveland, to take charge of St. Patrick's church. He was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. Alfred E. Manning, on November 19, 1893.
In the fall of 1894 Father Manning provided a steam heating apparatus for the church, school, pastoral residence, and Sisters' house. In 1894 the Sisters' house was enlarged, and in the follow- ing year the priest's residence and the school were considerably improved. These improvements cost about $5,000.
As the parish and its work had now grown beyond the physi- cal ability of the pastor, he petitioned Bishop Horstmann for an assistant. The Rev. L. A. Brady was appointed to that position in August, 1894. He remained at Lima until July, 1896, when the present assistant, the Rev. J. B. Mooney, succeeded him.
The old cemetery, procured when Lima was a village and its congregation poor, was now too small to meet the wants of a larger and more affluent parish. It afforded no room for expensive monuments, or otherwise beautifying the resting place of the dead. There was a demand for a more spacious and attractive burial place. After long and careful study of the merits of all the avail- able places within easy reach of the city, Father Manning secured 63 acres of land, well adapted to the purpose in view. It adjoins "Woodlawn" cemetery on the west, and just outside the city ; there is a paved road to the very gate, and street car service as well. The purchase was made on June 1, 1896, for $6,310. A portion of it was improved at once, and most of the interments of the old burial place transferred. After a few short years it rivals "Wood- lawn" cemetery in beauty, and is a credit to the pastor of St. Rose's, and his people.
Father Manning began the present commodious and excel- lently appointed brick pastoral residence in July, 1897. It was completed and occupied in June of the following year and cost about $9,000.
The parish school, at all times under the watchful eye of the various pastors. since its organization in 1865, is in a very flour- ishing condition. The Franciscan Sisters were succeeded by the
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Dominican Sisters in September, 1885, and they in turn were replaced in September, 1888, by the Sisters of Charity, from Cincinnati, of whom ten now conduct the school.
For many years the Catholics living in South Lima and form- ing a considerable part of St. Rose's parish, had been clamoring for a church of their own. Efforts were frequently made by the people to that end, especially in the summer of 1895, but various circumstances however combined to render their efforts fruitless, At last, in April, 1896, Bishop Horstmann met a committee from South Lima, in the pastoral residence. The result of the meeting was that the Bishop directed Father Manning and the committee to secure a site for a church in South Lima. The Bishop also promised to send a priest to organize the new congregation just as soon as he had one at his disposal. Three lots, with a house on one of them, were bought on South Main street, in August, 1899. The property awaits the coming of the new pastor for South Lima, according to the Bishop's promise, which it is confidently hoped will be realized in 1901.
Such has been the generosity of St. Rose's parish, that not- withstanding all the expensive improvements, and large additions to the property, made within the last thirteen years, as above narrated, there is scarcely any debt upon the congregation. St. Rose's is as well equipped and well regulated a parish as there is in the diocese. It numbers at present about 600 families.
LISBON, COLUMBIANA COUNTY. ST. GEORGE'S MISSION CHURCH.
As early as 1820 the Dominican Fathers, who at that time had pastoral charge of Dungannon, made an effort to build a church at New Lisbon (by act of Legislature, named Lisbon, in 1894), the county seat of Columbiana county. Owing to the small number and poverty of those interested in the proposed church, and the deep-seated prejudice of the non-Catholic population of the town, who refused to give any assistance to their Catholic fellow citizens, the project failed. A number of Catholics, prompted by human respect, abandoned the Church, whilst others became lukewarm and indifferent to their religious practices. The
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few who remained true to the Faith had their spiritual interests looked after by the priests in charge of Dungannon. These visited Lisbon monthly. or thereabouts, and gathered their despised little flock for Divine service in a large room used by the Town Council of Lisbon. But as the colored Methodists also had the use of the same room in their turn the Catholics refused to go to Mass in the same place. The attending priests were obliged to arrange for the celebration of Mass in private houses, and for a time also in a vacant room in the county jail! Another attempt to build a church was made in 1835* but, for reasons similar to those above stated, it ended again in failure as did also a third, during the time Father Vattman was in charge. Finally, in 1887, during the pastorate of the Rev. J. G. Vogt, of Dungannon, a fourth effort in this direction proved successful. Father Vogt realized that the Catholics of the town would not be able to build the much needed church, without assistance; hence he appealed not only to Catholics elsewhere in the diocese, but also to the Protestants of Lisbon, whose good will he had gained by his zeal in the cause of religion, and his uniform kindness to all in the town.
The old spirit of antipathy for everything Catholic had also gradually died out, and prepared the way for success. The appeal met with a generous response in Lisbon as well as in many parts of the diocese, priests and parishes contributing liberal sums. One of the generous contributors to the building fund was Mrs. A. Basler, of Pittsburg; she gave $200. October 11, 1886, Father Vogt bought two lots, fronting on Chestnut street; they cost $600. On one of the lots he built in the following year a neat brick church, 30 x 50 feet, at a cost of $2,500. Before its interior could be completed Father Vogt was transferred, in January, 1888, to New Washington. His successor at Dungan- non and Lisbon was the Rev. E. F. Rohan, under whose direc- tion the church was plastered and provided with stained glass windows. In a short time the handsome little edifice was ready for Divine service. Its dedication did not take place however, until July 17, 1894, Bishop Horstmann performing the ceremony. In 1895 the Rev. J. Baumgartner, then in charge, had the seat-
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