USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 17
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The council or conference organized by electing Jacob Drake moderator and William D. Hendren clerk. Elder Jeffries explained the reasons for
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organizing a church in Columbus, and a resolution was unanimously adopted authorizing it. The following became members of the proposed church on presentation of letters: George Jeffries, from church at Marlboro, Ohio; William Whittimore and wife, Leah, Daughty Fork church, Coshocton county, Ohio; Elijah Tolle, Maysville, Kentucky; Patty Booker (colored), Petersburg, Virginia; Mary Broderick, Washington, Kentucky; George Butcher (colored), Petersburg, Virginia; Rosanna Bolin, Virginia; Sarah Garrison and Alpheus Tolle, converts under Elder Jeffries. After due delib- eration the above were admitted to fellowship in the Baptist church with all the formalities required for the important step.
The formal organization of the church took place December 7, 1825, but it was not chartered by the legislature until 1831. Nine additional members had been admitted. The church services were held at the houses of members for some time. The first officers elected were. Deacon. Daniel Huddleson ; clerk and treasurer, Elijah Tolle. The name bestowed was the First Baptist church of Columbus.
The church edifice was erected on Front street, just north of Mound, during the year 1831, and was occupied May 6, 1832. It was a plain, one- story brick, and when abandoned as a church in 1837 was used by Dr. Curtis as a medical college and later was turned into a private residence. The cap- stone was preserved as a relic in the second "First" church, at Third and Rich streets. The present beautiful temple on Broad street is the home of the "First."
For several decades there were dissensions on doctrinal points in the Baptist church; dismissals and withdrawals and division of counsels followed, but despite all these the general body of the church continued to grow and branch churches were evolved from the parent stem, so that before the close of the nineteenth century they comprised: The First Baptist church, the Russell Street Baptist church; the Hildreth Baptist church; the Memorial Baptist church and the Tenth Avenue Baptist church.
The Colored Baptist Churches covering the same period of the past cen- tury were: the Second Baptist church; Shiloh Baptist church, Union Grove Baptist church and Bethany Baptist church.
The Russell Street Baptist Church was organized January 24, 1881. by members fraternally dismissed from the First church. The first officers of the church were deacons, John J. Evans, William Downey, Thomas Hum- phries ; trustees, Nathan Wright, John S. Roberts, William D. Maddox, William Downey, Thomas Humphries; clerk, A. T. Stevens; treasurer, C. F. Hecker. The first pastor of the church was Rev. A. L. Jornan.
The Hildreth Baptist Church edifice was built at Twentieth and Atcheson streets in advance of the regular organization of the church, but with the view of consummating that event. The church was organized, the building was dedicated and the first pastor, Rev. J. S. Cleveland, was ordained on the same day-August 25, 1885.
The Memorial Baptist Church, corner of Sandusky and Shepherd streets, W. S., was the outgrowth of a mission of the First Baptist church, and the meeting to organize the church was held on the fourth anniversary
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of the organization of the mission, October 18, 1889. Rev. C. C. Haskell presided at the meeting and Z. P. Gilmore officiated as clerk. The congrega- tion came with letters of fraternal dismissal from.several of the local churches and some from distant states and localities. Officers: deacons, William J. Dawson, Z. P. Gilmore and Thomas Brown; treasurer, Wellsworth Dawson; trustees, Thomas Brown, Z. P. Gilmore, L. S. Upton and George H. Moores ; auditor, Mrs. H. Moores.
The Russell Street Baptist Church was also the outgrowth of the mis- sionary movement entered upon, in the immediate vicinity of the present church edifice in 1890. The church was duly organized in 1891, in regular council of the church, representing the churches of Columbus, Delaware, Central College and Sunbury. The first officers of the church were: trustees, Theophilus Reese, S. B. Nichols, C. M. Jaynes, D. J. Burnett, D. G. Snyder, J. D. Warner and F. W. Sperr; treasurer, F. W. Sperr; clerk, C. M. Jaynes; deacons, J. D. Warner, E. C. Green and D. G. Snyder. Rev. E. F. Roberts was the first pastor.
The Tenth Avenue Church was organized in 1892 on Tenth avenue, a short distance west of High street, of which Rev. E. E. Williams was the first pastor.
Church Locations.
First: South side of Broad east of Washington.
Hildreth: S. E. cor. 20th and Atcheson streets.
Memorial: Shepherd and Sandusky streets.
Parsons Avenue: S. W. cor. Parson's and Forest.
Russell Street : S. E. cor. Russell and Miami.
Tenth Avenue: Highland and Tenth avenues.
The Second Baptist (Colored) was set off from the First church in 1836, but was not organized until 1839. The original members of this church were Ezekiel Fields, Letha Fields, Miles Fields, Patsy Booker, George and Mary Butcher, Pleasant and Catherine Litchfield, William Gardner, Sarah Wood- son, Priscilla Flood, Phoebe Randall, Shubal Fields, David and Susan Sulli- vant and Susan Watson. The distinguished negro divine, Rev. James Poindexter was for a long period of years pastor of this church.
Other Negro Baptist Churches.
Antioch, located on Flannigan road.
Arlington, located on Oakley avenue.
Bethany, Fourth avenue, cor. of Sixth street.
Corinthian, S. E. cor. Mink and Mann streets. Ironton; cor. of Oakley avenue and Logan.
Macedonia, located at 573 Henry street.
Second, N. W. cor. Rich and Third streets.
Shiloh, west side Cleveland avenue between Spring and Naghten. Solid Rock, West Fifth and Dublin avenue.
Union Grove, Champion avenue north of Long street.
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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Organized 1838.
To the Dominican Fathers comprising an "Order of Preachers," founded in the thirteenth century, by St. Dominic, is attributable the foundation of the Catholic church in the city of Columbus. This order had previously established a nursery of the faith near the See of Dr. Flaget, in Kentucky.
They were noted for their active and self-sacrificing missionary life in Kentucky and this led the bishop to place the Ohio missions under their charge. With a view to pushing the work vigorously, the Very Rev. Edward Fenwick, provincial of the Dominican order, resigned his office that he might comply with the bishop's request to proceed to the new field of labor. He repaired at once to a point in Perry county, near the town of Somerset, where he founded the first permanent mission in Ohio, the cradle of Catholicity in the state and where, in 1818, Father Fenwick had the great happiness of dedicating in honor of St. Joseph, the first Catholic church in the state, and in founding a convent, whence went forth year after year active missionaries throughout not only the state but into adjacent states and territories.
Father Fenwick relates that in the years 1817-1818, during his missionary work in Ohio, he baptized into the church one hundred and sixty-two per- sons. both old and young, also, the statement of Father Dominic Young, while on a trip in 1818 to Maryland and return who baptized some thirty persons who came to him during the journey through the wilderness. This interesting bit of missionary history is recorded in Father Fenwick's hand- writing in the introduction to the baptismal register of St. Joseph's convent and is among the most rare and valuable specimens of religious history and church literature placed in original records, religious or otherwise, in the state, and which are a part of the state's history.
It was but natural, therefore, that Father Fenwick and his co-laborers and associates should visit Columbus and not only prepare the way, but lay deeply and securely the foundations for the subsequent growth of the church in the state capital in the borough period of its history.
The Columbus Mission-The Dominican Fathers, who had early founded the mission in Columbus, had come into possession of a lot by donation, the conditions being that a church be erected thereon within five years from date of the deed, which was May 15, 1833. This lot is the present site of Holy Cross church, on the northeast corner of Rich and Fifth streets, the donors being Otis and Samuel Crosby and Nathaniel Medbery. Religious services continued to be held, as in the past, by the Dominican Fathers from time to time, in different houses of Catholics, among them being the resi- dence of John McCarthy, on Main street, between High and Third. Mr. McCarthy was, at the time, an engineer on the Ohio canal and Columbus feeder. Previous to this time Catholic services were held in Franklinton, now the west side, where a number of Catholic families had settled. At such times the old courthouse-present location of the Franklinton public school building-the homes of Vincent Grate and Henry Nadenbusch, the
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latter situated near the state stone quarries, were honored by having the sacrifice of the mass offered up under their roofs. Laborers engaged in the construction of the national road composed for a time the major portion of the congregation.
Among the permanent settlers, however, who constituted the pioneer Catholic congregation that was the nucleus of the future churches of the city, we find record of the following: the families of Mrs. Russell, Cornelius Jacobs, John Jacobs, Michael Reinhard, Anthony Clarke and Owen Turney. Later on the following Catholics settled in the city and added to the member- ship of the congregation : John Ender, Clemens Baehr, J. Scherringer, P. Kehle, Jacob Zettler, Peter Schwartz, Henry Lutz, Lawrence Beck, Joseph Wolfel, Sr., Joseph Miller, Isidore Frey, Bernard McNally, John F. Zimmer, C. Kuhn, John Ury and several others whose names are not on record.
Bishop Purcell came to Columbus in June, 1836, with a view of pro- moting the erection of a church for the use of the Catholics of the city. He stopped at the National Hotel, the site of which is now occupied by the Neil House. He celebrated his first mass June 5, in what was known as the Paul Pry House, on Canal street between Main and Cherry alley, then occupied by the family of George Studer. Mass had formerly been celebrated there by the missionary fathers. Here he submitted to the men who were in at- tendance the proposition for the erection of a church. It was eagerly in- dorsed and carried into subsequent execution. The next mass was cele- brated December 23, by Rev. Father Hoffman, who paid a visit to the peo- ple. Not until August 4, 1837, was another mass celebrated. The number of Catholics were increasing and their spiritual wants must needs be looked after.
On the date last mentioned Rev. Henry Damien Juncker came to Co- lumbus, authorized by Bishop Purcell as pastor of the Catholic churches at Columbus and Chillicothe. This stimulated the efforts toward the comple- tion of the church originally planned by the bishop.
St. Remigius's Church-The process of construction went on as rapidly as possible. The middle of December, 1837, found the building under roof, and by the 20th of April, 1838, it was in condition to be occupied, though not plastered, painted nor seated. On the 29th of the same month Rev. Father Juncker held services in the unfinished church, singing high mass- the first ever celebrated in Columbus-and placed the edifice under the patronage of St. Remigius. Remigius, or Remi, was archbishop of Rheims, France, and died a holy death in the year 533, after a reign of seventy-four years, in the espicopacy-the longest on record. Rev. Stephen Badin, the venerable missionary of our western states, happened en route through Co- lumbus on the Sunday of the opening of the new church, and, learning of the joyous occasion, stopped over, preaching a learned discourse in English at the vesper service in the afternoon.
On December 8, 1839, Rt. Rev. Bishop Purcell administered the sacra- ment of confirmation for the first time in Columbus, and on the evening of that day preached a sermon on the Holy Trinity in the senate chamber of the old statehouse, the only available hall at that time. In November,
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL, EAST BROAD AND FIFTH STREET, Rt. Rev. James J. Hartley, Bishop of Columbus.
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THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY NAME, WEST SIDE, Rev. Father D. A. Clarke; the Leading Church Edifice in That Section of the City.
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1840, the bishop again visited Columbus, and on Sunday, the 21st of that month, celebrated mass, gave an instruction at the vesper service in the afternoon and lectured in the hall of representatives in the evening. Dur- ing the week he lectured each evening in the courthouse, which had been completed only a short time. On the following Sunday the bishop and Father Henni, afterward archbishop of Milwaukee, officiated at the church, and in the evening the father preached in German at the courthouse. Father Young, the pastor, having expressed a desire to reside in Columbus if a house were built for him adjoining the church, the congregation took prompt measures to comply with his wishes and within one year-that is by April 1, 1843- had a residence ready for occupancy.
Rev. Joshua M. Young was the first priest in charge after Father Juncker, but neither of them could be classed as resident priest. That dis- tinction fell to Rev. William Schonat, whom Bishop Purcell assigned to the mission in 1843, on the petition of his Columbus parishioners.
Already the little church was found inadequate to the needs of the rap- idly growing congregation, and Father Schonat was obliged to say two masses on Sundays and holy days of obligation to accommodate all who attended. The pastor was also solicitous for the spiritual condition of the children of his flock and was anxious to gather them under the shadow of the church, where worldly science could be taught in union with the science of God. One of his first undertakings, therefore, was the building of a school. His efforts were heartily seconded by the congregation, and in a short time he had a frame building erected on the church lot. It was the first parochial school in Columbus and was taught by secular teachers. The present Catholic churches of Columbus are :
Holy Cross-The necessity of a larger and an additional church was apparent in the early '40s, and the plan of building the Holy Cross church was evolved and taken up with great enthusiasm. There were occasional discouragements and delays, but they were met and overcome.
The church lot on Rich street was purchased and transferred Novem- ber 10, 1845, by M. J. and L. T. Gilbert to the bishop of the diocese in trust, etc. Shortly after the work was commenced, under the direction of a building committee consisting of Maurice McGuire, John Duffy, Jacob Schoeringer, Fredolin Mutter, Anton Rolling, Cornelius Jacobs, Joseph Sattler, Peter Ury, John F. Zimmer and George Entered. The work was completed by and the edifice was dedicated January 16, 1848. Rt. Rev. Bishop Purcell was officiant at the ceremonies, assisted by Father Schonat and Fathers Young and Juncker, and Fathers Wood and Hammer. Father Wood became archbishop of Philadelphia and Father Young died bishop of Pennsylvania.
The name "Holy Cross" was conferred upon the church at the earnest desire of Father Juncker, in honor of the sacred instrument of redemption. He was the first pastor of the church but was soon after promoted to a more important place at Cincinnati by Bishop Purcell.
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On Sunday, June 3, 1877, after the services commemorating the Golden Jubilee of Pope Pius IX, a fire originated at the high altar, destroying it and the three thousand dollar organ and doing half that amount of other damage. The congregation set to work and gathered the means necessary to repair the damages sustained. The church was enlarged and improved and again dedicated September 23, 1877, Rt. Rev. Bishop Toebbe, of Cov- ington, Kentucky, officiating. Vespers were sung by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans.
When the Columbus diocese was formed Bishop H. S. Rosecrans, the first bishop, appointed Father Hemsteger, a native of Westphalia, born Sep- tember 24, 1827, as his vicar general. Very Rev. Father Hemsteger, during his pastorate of Holy Cross, was assisted by Rev. Francis Karrell, 1859-60; Rev. Casper Wiese, 1860-1861; Rev. Jacob Rosswog, 1861; Rev. Joseph Seling, 1861-1862; Rev. F. X. Specht, 1864-1868; Rev. G. H. Ahrens, 1868- 1872; Rev. J. B. Eis, 1873-1876; Rev. A. Weber, 1876-1877; Rev. C. R. Rhode, 1877-1878. Very Rev. J. B. Hemsteger passed away from the scene of his labors, Friday, October 18, 1878.
St. Patrick's-Holy Cross church is called the mother church among the Catholic churches of Columbus, being the first that was fully and sym- metrically organized, with a resident pastor when services were being held in the original St. Remigius church.
From Holy Cross came later the leading congregations in other parts of the city. Its congregation was divided into German and English speak- ing people, the Irish predominating among the latter. More room was needed to properly accommodate the Holy Cross congregation. The English- speaking formed the basis of the movement for St. Patrick's church, not upon lines of prejudice, however.
Through the enthusiastic labors of Father Meagher, who followed Rev. John Furlong, assigned to the mission by the Right Rev. Bishop a tract of land one hundred and eighty-seven feet square on the northeast corner of 7th (now Grant avenue) and Naghten streets was secured, and on this St. Patrick's, named for the good Irish saint was erected. The cornerstone was laid Sunday, September 5, 1852, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Purcell, and the same venerable prelate officiated at its dedication September 25, 1853. Later school buildings were erected adjoining on Mt. Vernon avenue and the Sisters of Notre Dame, Cincinnati, were put in charge of them. These sisters were the first religious community to have a home in Columbus.
In 1877, St. Patrick's was repaired and largely remodeled and was duly dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans, assisted by Rev. M. M. Meara, Rev. R. J. Fitzgerald and Rev. T. J. Lane, seminarians.
St. Mary's Church, on South Third street, became a necessity because of the renewed crowded condition of Holy Cross, and the second overflow peopled St. Mary's as the first had peopled St. Patrick's. In 1863 a com- mittee, selected for the purpose by Rev. Father Hemsteger, consisting of Louis Zettler, Peter Hinderschitt, John Ranft, Frederick Weber, Frank Wagner, Peter Boehm and Cornelius Lang to supervise the erection of a church and schoolhouse on the present site of St. Mary's. The school was
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first erected and was ready for occupancy in 1865. Work was begun on the church in 1866 and was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans, November 30, 1868. This church is located at 694 South Third street.
Sacred Heart-In 1852-3 William Phelan of Lancaster transferred to Rt. Rev. Bishop Purcell, (then having spiritual jurisdiction of Columbus) by will, four acres of land in North Columbus forming the square bounded by Summit street, First avenue, Second avenue and College street for such disposal as his discretion might direct. In due course of time and disposal it became the site of Sacred Heart church, and its allied educatory institu- tions. When it came within the corporate limits of the city, Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans, trustee, in 1875, commissioned Rev. John B. Eis to erect a suit- able building to accommodate a new congregation that awaited such an edifice in that part of the city. Father Eis, after full consideration, decided to build a school with a large hall to be used as a church, with room to ac- commodate the Sisters who were to teach. The corner stone was laid Sep- tember 5, 1875, by Rt. Rev. Dr. Rosecrans, and on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1876, mass was celebrated for the first time, Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosecrans performing the dedication. In later years a pastoral residence was added and many extensive additions have been made to the original buildings.
Holy Family-This church is situated in the oldest portion of the city, originally known as Franklinton. The present popular designation is the west side. Long before the organization of the city, when the canal and national road were being constructed, the missionaries occasionally visited the spot and said mass at the house of some resident Catholic. In 1865 the Sisters of the Good Shepherd founded a convent at the corner of Sandusky and Broad, and here Catholic services were regularly held, intended, how- ever, only for the members of the community. Immediate Catholic fam- ilies were privileged to assist at mass in the private chapel. In 1871, a diocesan seminary was opened adjacent to the convent, for the fitting of young men for the priesthood.
In the meantime a local congregation was spontaneously growing up. A temporary church was provided. On September 17, 1882, the cornerstone of the present edifice was laid. The building grew slowly, but none the less surely, so that on Sunday, June 2, 1889, it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. John A. Watterson, bishop of Columbus, although the side altars and pews were not in place. These and all the other accessories, in handsome red oak and side altars to harmonize with the general design, were later emplaced. The Right Rev. Bishop was assisted in the dedicatory mass by Rev. William F. Hayes, Rev. C. Rhode being deacon; Rev. B. Horney sub-deacon; and Rev. A. A. Cush, master of ceremonies.
St. Vincent de Paul-Originally at Rose avenue and East Man street the orphan asylum of St. Vincent de Paul was erected. A chapel was at- tached and here Catholics of the vicinity, who found it inconvenient or im- possible to do so elsewhere, could participate in the celebration of mass. The demand for greater opportunities grew so that on Sunday, July 27, 1884, the cornerstone for the present church was laid by Right Rev. Bishop.
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Rev. Father John C. Goldschmidt, chaplain of the asylum and rector of the new church made wonderful efforts toward bringing the work to a happy issue, which eventuated August 9, 1885. When Rt. Rev. Bishop Watterson solemnly dedicated the edifice,, mass was sung by Father Gold- schmidt and the address delivered by Rev. J. Larkin, Ph. D.
St. Dominic-In April, 1889, Rt. Rev. Bishop Watterson, in anticipa- tion of a new congregation as well as for purposes of education, purchased six lots on the corner of Twentieth and Devoise streets. Rev. Thomas J. O'Reilly was commissioned by the Right Rev. Bishop to take supervision of the whole plan and purpose of providing for the new congregation of which he would be rector. Benninghoff Hall, on the third story of a large block at Twentieth street and Hildreth avenue, was selected for temporary occu- pation and Father O'Reilly sang high mass in it for the first time on Sun- day, September 1, 1889. The cornerstone for the new school building to be used also for church purposes was laid by the Right Rev. Bishop, as- sisted by nearly all the clergy of the city. The building was completed and ready for occupancy within a year. Father O'Reilly purchased several other adjoining lots to meet the wants of the future.
St. Francis Assissi-To Rev. A. M. Leyden was committed the prelim- inary work of organizing this congregation and providing for all suitable ac- commodations and shelter. To this end the Rev. Father leased the Neil Chapel, hitherto used by the Methodists at the corner of Neil avenue and Goodale street and reconstructed to meet the reverend father's ideas. On Sunday, June 19, 1892, the church was ready for Catholic services and Father Leyden celebrated high mass therein. The Right Rev. Bishop was present and delivered a suitable and inspiring address. The growth and prosperity of the church has been continuous.
Churches and Rectors.
St. Joseph's Cathedral, Broad and Fifth streets. Rev. M. M. Meara, rec- tor; Revs. C. J. Norris and James Nevin, assistants.
St. Aloysius', W. Broad street and Clarendon avenue. (Hill Top). Rev. J. J. Cahalen, rector.
St. Dominic's, Twentieth and Devoise streets. Rev. T. J. O'Reilly, rector. St. Francis of Assisi, Buttles and Harrison avenues Rev. A. M. Leyden, rector; Rev. Francis J. Clarke, assistant.
Holy Cross, Fifth and Rich streets. Rev. C. R. Rhode, rector; Rev. W. Robben, assistant.
Holy Family, W Broad and Skidmore streets. Rev. D. A. Clarke, rector; Rev. W. M. Sullivan, assistant.
. Holy Name, Patterson and Adams avenues. Rev. W. McDermott, rector. Holy Rosary, Main and Seymour streets. Rev. F. W. Howard, rector. St. Leo's, Hanford and Leo Place. Rev. C. F. Kessler, rector.
St. Mary's, S. Third street near Sycamore street. Rt. Rev. Mgr. Specht, V. G., rector; Rev. A. Domm and Edmund Burkley, assistants.
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