History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 66

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716

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The officers of the church at present are as follows: Rev. O. D. Patch, pastor; L. W. Day and II. J. Coe, deacons; E. J. Holmden, clerk; W. H. Ferris, treas- urer; J. A. Motfett, E. J. Hohnden, HI. J. Coe, J. J. Ralya and Alfred Kellogg, trustees.

TRINITY BAPTIST CHURCH.

The edifice used by the society of Trinity Baptist Church was not completed until 1876, although the church was organized in March, 1872; then number- ing thirteen members. They held their meetings in Oviatt's Hall. At the dedication of the new edifice the society was entirely free from debt. Rev. F. Tol- hurst was the first settled pastor of the society, and still remains so. Under his charge the number of mem- bers has increased to one hundred and ten. The Sab- bath school has two hundred and seventy scholars, and is under the direction of Richard Coulton, super- intendent.

GARDEN STHEET MISSION.

The Garden street mission of the Second Baptist Church was organized and held its first session in the public school building on Garden street, August 11, 1872, with 1. P. Chandler as its first and present super- intendent. The first attendance showed eight teach- ers and fifty-eight scholars. In 1873 the mission society moved into a new chapel on Garden street,

where it still continues. The fourth annual report shows an enrollment of one hundred and seventy- seven.

EIGHTEENTH WARD DISCIPLE CHURCH.

The records of this church show that as early as 1828 a religions interest was awakened in Newburg, under the preaching of Ebenezer Williams, from which this church grew. In 1832 meetings were held in the town house, conducted by Elder William Hay- den, and in the following year under the ministry of Elders Hayden and Williams. John Hopkinson was elected elder and served in that capacity for over forty years, until his death. In 1835 an important " yearly meeting " was held on the farm of Colonel John Wrightman. Alexander Campbell, William Hayden, A. B. Green, M. S. Clapp, and other min- isters were in attendance. At this time a permanent organization was effected. On the 21st of April, 1842, the church was reorganized by Elder Jonas Hartzler with thirty-five members. Soon after, while the church was under the care of Elder J. D. Bene- diet, the chapel on Miles avenue was built, where the congregation still meets for worship. From that time the ministers who have served the church are Revs. F. M. Green, J. A. Garfield, O. M. Atwater, L. Cooley, John Pinkerton, J. M. Monroe, S. K. Sweetman, J. II. Jones, and E. D. Barclay. The church now has a membership of two hundred, and is under the ministerial care of W. R. Spindler. The Sunday school, superintended at present by Josiah Browning, numbers about one hundred and eighty.

FRANKLIN STREET DISCIPLE CHURCHI.

This church was organized February 20, 1842, in a small house of worship on Vermont street, Ohio City. John Henry was the officiating evangelist. Captain D. P. Nickerson and G. B. Tibbitts were appointed bishops or overseers. There were over thirty original members, and this number doubled the first year. The first services were conducted by J. P. Robison, A. S. and Wm. Hayden, John Henry, J. Il. Jones, and other pioneer Disciple ministers. After Decem- ber 10, 1843, the society met in Apollo hall, and still later in Empire hall, on Superior street. In 1846 the church, by mutual consent, divided, and the part constituting this church met at Sanford's hall, on Detroit street.

Lathrop Cooley, in February, 1846, was selected as the first pastor. In the spring of 1846 the Sunday school was started. A building lot was secured on the circle and Franklin avenne, and a house of wor- ship, forty by sixty-four feet, was commenced in 1847 and completed in 1848, the building and lot costing about two thousand dollars, and being occupied twen- ty-eight years.

In 1874 a new lot was secured on the south side of the circle, and the foundation of the present honse was laid. The Sunday school chapel and parlors were dedicated November 5, 1876. The present prop-

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erty has cost, thus far, forty thousand dollars. The edifice is one hundred and three feet long and sixty- four feet wide; irregular in contour. It is built of red pressed briek, laid in black mortar, and is trimmed with brown sandstone. The irregular shape of the material with which it is built, and the surroundings, make it one of the most attractive churches in the city.

The members of the Detroit street mission, in . East Rockport, belong to this church. The present en- rolled membership is three hundred and fifty. The average attendance at Sunday school is two hundred. Though this is not a church of wealthy members, it has always materially helped the educational and be- nevolent enterprises of the Disciples.

The pastors have been Revs. Lathrop Cooley, 1846 to 1852; A. B. Green, 1853 to 1855: Lathrop Cooley, 1856 and part of 1857; James A. Garfield, part of 1857 and 1858; Wm. Robison, 1859; W. D. Winter, 1860 and 1861; C. C. Foote, 1863 to 1864; B. A. llinsdale, 1865 and 1866; C. C. Foote, 1867: James Cannon, 1868; Dr. S. E. Shepard, 1869 to 1811: Lathrop Cooley, 1822 and 1823; Alanson Wilcox, 1874, and at the present time pastor.

The present officers of the church are Alanson Wil- cox, pastor; A. J. Marvin, James Cannon and Wm. Tousley, bishops; R. O. White, N. D. Fisher and Albert Teachout, deacons.

EUCLID AVENUE DISCIPLES CHURCH.

The Enelid Avenne Church of Christ (or Church of the Disciples) was organized on the 4th day of Sep- tember, 1843, at the residence of Colonel Gardner, near Doan's Corners, in what was formerly East Cleve- land township.

Meetings had been held the previous month. under a tent, by members of the church in Enelid, desiring to organize a branch church in this locality. There were some thirty additions, and a petition dated An- gust 7, 1843, was presented to the parent church in Euclid, signed by seventeen persons, asking to be set off as a separate church.

The request was granted, and an organization was effected, with W. P. IIndson and Theodore Stafford as the first officers.

Elder M. S. Clapp seems to have been the first minister who preached at regular intervals, and meet- ings were held in the old stone school-house near the corners. Revs. William Hayden, A B. Green, J. IT. Jones and Dr. J. P. Robison held meetings, and ministered during the earlier years of the church.

In 1847 a substantial framed building was erected as a house of worship on the old cemetery lot, corner of Doan and Euclid streets. In 186% this building was removed to the corner of Euclid and what is now known as Streator avenne, and, being remodeled, served as a chapel, Sunday school room and pastor's study. In 1866 an elegant and commodious church edifice was erected on the same lot, and is now used by the society. The building is of wood, in the Gothic style of architecture, and has a seating capac-

ity of four hundred and twenty persons. Its cost was abont twenty-four thousand dollars.

For donation of the lot and much of the means em- ployed in the erection of this building, the church is indebted to the generosity of Dr. Worthy S. Streator.

The church is now in a flourishing condition, and numbers about two hundred and twenty members. The Sunday school numbers over one hundred and fifty scholars.

The following have been the more recent pastors: Revs. J. B. Pinkerton. 1868; C. C. Foot, 1869; J. II. Jones, 1820; J. B. Johnson, 18;1; Jabez Hall called in 1872, who yet retains the pastorate.

The present officers are C. B. Lock wood and II. C. White, and Rev. Jabez Hall, elders; - Asa Hudson, J. W. Simpson. D. R. Whiteomb and Paul Hewitt, deacons; W. S. Streator, Ira Adams and B. F. Powers, trustees; B. L. Pennington, clerk and treas- urer.

THE DISCIPLES MISSION.

The mission on the corner of Erie and Hamilton streets, was first opened for church worship on Janu- ary, 1827, by Rev. Lathrop Cooley. No permanent church organization has ever been effected, and the pastor receives no fixed salary, his remuneration de- pending entirely upon voluntary contributions from the congregation.

CHAPTER LIII. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES, ETC.

St. Mary's (on the Flats) -St. John's Cathedral-Cathedral Association - St. Peter's (German) -- St. Mary's of the Assumption-St. Patrick's Immaculate Conception-St. Bridget's-St. Mary's of the Holy Rosary -St. Augustine's-St Joseph's (German)-St. Wenceslaus (Bohemian) Franciscan Convent and ('hapel -- St. Stephen's-St. Columbkill's -- Church of the Holy Trinity -Church of the Annunciation-St. Prokop's (Bohemiam).

ST. MARY'S CHURCH, (ON THE FLATS. )

THE first Catholic Church of Cleveland was organ- ized by Rev. John Dillon, who was the first resident. priest. The Catholies of the city then numbered but five families. Services were held for a time in Union lane, near where the Atwater building now stands.

Father Dillon took the first steps toward the eree- tion of a new church, and for that purpose collected about eleven hundred dollars in New York. He died in 1837, before the work of building had been com- menced. He was succeeded by Rev. P. O'Dwyer, who, with the aid of the funds raised by his predeces- sor, and the contributions of the few Catholic families and of generous non-catholics of the city, commenced the erection of the edifice, ever since known as "St. Mary's on the Flats."

In 1838, and before its completion, Father O'Dwyer left the diocese, and was succeeded the by Rev. P. MeLaughlin. The church was completed and mass celebrated for the first time, about December, 1838.

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THE CITY OF CLEVELAND.

The entire property, including furniture, etc., cost abont three thousand dollars. Among the laymen prominently connected with the church at an early day, may be mentioned the names of Detner, Golden, Wichmann, Filias, Wameliek, Duffy, Alivel, Hanlon, Fitzpatrick and Matthews. Of these Mr. Detner only is now living.

Soon after the edifice was completed, Rev. Mr. Melanghlin was removed and Rev. Maurice Howard appointed pastor in his stead. He remained in charge until November, 1847, when Rev. Amadeus Rappe, first bishop of the diocese of Cleveland, took pos- session of his see, made St. Mary's his cathedral, and appointed his vicar-general, Very Rev. Louis De- Goesbriand, pastor of the church. Father DeGoes- briand remained in charge until 1852, when the new cathedral on the corner of Superior and Erie streets was opened for divine service.

From that time until the year 1863, St. Mary's was used by the newly organized German congregation and known as St. Mary's of the Assumption. That society then took possession of their new church edi- five of the same name, on the corner of Carrol and Jersey streets. The French Catholics used the okt church from 1863 to 1865; St. Malachi's society from 1865 to 1868; the Bohemians from 1868 to 1872, and the Poles, from 1872 until the present time.

ST. JOIIN'S CATHEDRAL.

The most venerable Roman Catholic Church in Cleveland is St. John's Cathedral. It is situated on the northeast corner of Superior and Erie streets. Fronting on Erie street it has a width of seventy- eight feet, and runs east along Superior street one hundred and seventy-five feet. It is a gothic, briek structure, designed by Kiely, of New York. The interior is well lighted by fourteen deep-mullioned, stained glass windows, and consists of nave, side- aisles, chancel, organ-gallery and bell-tower. The auditorium is capable of seating nearly two thousand persons.

The lots upon which the cathedral and Bishop's pal- ace now stand were purchased in 1845 from the heirs of what was known as the May estate, by the Rev. Peter MeLaughlin, then the only Catholic pastor of Cleveland and the surrounding counties. Before the appointment of Father MeLaughlin an ordinary room in the old Mechanies' Block, corner of Prospect and Ontario streets, was the commodious chapel of all the Catholics of Cleveland and vicinity. But the city grew and the Catholics increased. "St. Mary's, on the Flats," was built and promised many years accommodation to every Roman Catholic who might sojourn near the month of the Cuyahoga. But this promise was not to be fulfilled. East from the river the city steadily spread itself out, and Father Peter, as he was called, resolved that he would run before it and prepare for the future by his purchase in the May woods. The development of northern Ohio and the growth of Cleveland kept rapid pace. The latter

was made the See of a Roman Catholic bishop, and, in the autumn of 1847, received its first chief pastor in the person of the late Right Reverend Amadeus Rappe.

Born near Bologne, in France, Father Rappe served the Ursuline Convent in that city as chaplain for some years before coming to this country. There he met Archbishop Purcell, and, hearing from him the wants of the American church, resigned his chap- laincy, bade adieu to friends and country, and accom- panied the Archbishop to the banks of the Ohio. After a short stay at Chillicothe he was appointed pastor at Toledo, and soon made his name a house- hold word by his labors through the valley of the Maumee. No sooner was Cleveland made an episco- pal see than the eye of the archbishop and those of the bishops of the province rested upon Father Rappe as the one most fitting to bear the burden of its mitre. Ile was recommended to Rome, and Pins IX. made the appointment.

Soon after his installation the title of lots in the May woods, upon which Father MeLaughlin had be- gun to build a modest church, was transferred to the new bishop. The plans of the church begun by Father Peter were set aside and those of the Cathe- dral, drawn by Kiely, adopted. In the autumn of 1848, one year after his consecration, Bishop Rappe laid the corner-stone of St. John's Cathedral.

In collecting funds for the new building, no small task in those days, the bishop was ably and zealously as- sisted by his vicar-general, the very Reverend Louis de Goesbriand, now bishop of Burlington, Vermont, who was the first pastor of the Cathedral. After the eleva- tion of Dr. De Goesbriand to the Episcopate, Bishop Rappe was successively assisted by the Rev. Fathers Conlan, Mareshal, Canaher, Walsh, Hannin, Thorpe, Carroll and Gallagher, the four first-named of whom are now dead; but continued himself to hold the im- mediate pastorship of the church until he resigned in 1870.

After the resignation of Dr. Rappe, Father Edward Hannin, of Toledo, was appointed administrator of the diocese, and being obliged to reside in Cleveland he managed the affairs of the cathedral until the ap- pointment of the present bishop, the Rt. Rev. Rich- ard Gilmour, D. D., in April, 1872. A few months after his consecration Bishop Gilmour resolved to give the cathedral, like other churches of his diocese, a pastor, and accordingly called to that office the Very Rev. F. M. Boff, V.G., then and for many years pre- vious pastor of St. Francis de Sales' church, Toledo. In the summer of 1872 Father Boff was installed pastor of the cathedral, and was the first priest ap- pointed to that office since the pastorship of Dr. De Goesbriand.

In 1875 Father Boff resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. T. P. Thorpe, then and for years previons rector of the Immaculate Conception Church in the eastern part of the city. From the cathedral had gone out fifteen Catholic parishes, some of them now

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having magnificent church edifices. Still the spire of the old cathedral remained unbuilt, while both the inside and the ontside bore the dimming marks of time. In 1878 Father Thorpe, generously seconded by the people of the parish, undertook the building of the spire, the remodeling and ornamenting of the front, the complete renovation of the inside, the re- placing of the old windows by richer and heavier stained glass, together with important changes in the chancel, the side chapels and the sacristy. The work of renovation on the inside is now complete. The graceful spire, surmounted by the cross. now shoots up two hundred and forty feet from the pavement. The work of renovating the exterior has commenced, and will be completed next year. When all is done St. John's Cathedral will be the most beautiful, as it is now the most venerable, Roman Catholic church in Cleveland.

CATHOLIC CENTRAL ASSOCIATION.

This association is made up of delegates from all the Catholic societies of Cleveland. It was organized by Bishop Gilmour in 1823, and has since grown steadily. At first, and for three or four years after its organization, its members were nearly all delegated by English speaking societies. But it has now a repre- sentation from every Catholic parish in the city, regardless of nationality, and a full delegation from every Catholic society, without respect to language. Social intercourse and a union of Catholics for Catho- lie interests are the primary objects of the association. Its members are bound neither by oath nor secret pledge. Their deliberations are generally open; but to prevent misunderstanding the press is often ex- cluded from their meetings.

ST. PETER'S (GERMAN).

St. Peter's parish was organized February 17, 1853, for the benefit of the German speaking Catholics of Cleveland, who had formerly worshiped with the other Catholic congregations in various parts of the city. For that organization a parcel of land was purchased at the intersection of Superior and Dodge streets, and a school house, pastor's residence and temporary place of worship erected thereon. They were ready for occupancy toward the latter part of 1854. The new parish comprised about seventy fam- ilies. The corner stone of the church edifice was laid August 17, 1857, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop A. Rappe, and the building completed and dedicated October 23, 1859, by Rt. Rev. De Goesbriand, Bishop of Burling- ton, Vermont., the Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, and the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell, preaching in German and English respectively. The extreme length of the edifice is one hundred and forty-tive feet; the width seventy feet; hight of tower and spire two hundred and fifty-four feet. Attached to St. Peter's is a spa- cions school building, erected in 1873 by Rev. F. Wes- terholt, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. Adjoining the parish school is a convent erected by

the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1822, of whom, including novices, there are fifty, this convent being their moth- er-house in America.

St. Peter's at present numbers four hundred fami- lies and twelve hundred communicants. The present pastor is Rev. F. Westerholt, assisted by Thomas Litterst. Present council, Messrs. John Kuhr, John M. Luew, Matthias Wagner, Frederick Twilling. The following have been pastors, with the duration of their charge from the time the Germans met for sep- arate worship: Rev. James Ringell, 1848-9: Rev. Matthias Kreusch, 1849-50; Rev. Peter Kreusch, 1850-51; Rev. N. Roupp, 1851-53; Rev. JJ. II. Luhr, 1853-68; Rev. F. Westerholt the present incumbent.

ST. MARY'S OF THE ASSUMPTION (GERMAN).

Previous to 1853 the German Roman Catholics of Cleveland had not been organized in separate parish churches, but worshipped in what was called the old "Flat church," on Columbus street, in common with the other Catholics. At the time of opening the Ca- thedral to the English-speaking Catholics by Bishop Rappe, the Germans of the society were granted the use of the "Flat church." Rev. Henry Luhr was appointed to the charge and organized the first dis- tinct German Catholic church in February, 1853. In 1854 the Germans divided into two smaller congrega- tion and Father Luhr was made vicar-general for all German Catholic churches in the diocese.

Early in the year 1857, under the pastorate of Rev. Louis Kramer, land was purchased and a school-house for temporary worship and educational purposes erect- ed on Jersey street. In September, 1852, Father Kra- mer left the parish and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. II. Obermaller. He left the church in 1861 and Father Hammer had charge until March, 1862, when Rev. Stephen Falk was appointed pastor. During his pas- torate the new church was commenced. The corner stone was laid September 13, 1863. It was completed and dedicated August 13, 1865, under the title of " St. Mary's of the Assumption Church." The dedicatory services were conducted by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rappe and assistants. The church has a seating capacity for eight hundred persons. Connected is a parochial school in six divisions, with about four hundred and thirty scholars, under the direction of three Christian Brothers and three Ursuline Sisters.

ST. PATRICK'S.

St. Patrick's congregation was organized and the first services held on the Sunday within the octave of Epiphany, 1854, by Very Rev. James Conlan, V.G., the first pastor, who remained in charge until his death, March 3, 1825.

The first church edifice built by this society was commenced in 1855 and completed in 1857, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars. The edifice was built of briek, plain, and amply large for the then small congregation. For more than ten years all the Eng- lish-speaking Catholics of the West Side belonged to

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St. Patrick's. To accommodate the rapidly increas- ing number of these people, new congregations were formed, viz .: St. Malachi's, St. Angustine's and St. Mary's of the Annunciation, the latter partly French.

Not withstanding these gradual separations from St. Patrick's, it was found necessary to build a larger church. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1871, by Archbishop Purcell, and the sermon on the occasion was preached by Bishop Gilmour, then pastor of St. Joseph's, at Dayton. The church is not yet completed, although services have been held there during the summer for several years past.

At the time of building the first church, schools were established which, owing to the zeal of the sev- eral pastors in charge, rank among the first parochial . schools of the city. Their attendance numbers about eight hundred scholars. taught by the Christian Brothers and Ursuline Sisters.

The several pastors of St. Patrick's, with their terms of service, have been as follows: Very Rev. Jas. Conlan, Epiphany, 1854, to March 3, 1875; Rev. J. V. Conlan, March, 1875, to April, 1877; Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan, the present pastor, appointed in April, 1872.

CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION.

The Immaculate Conception parish was organized as a mission chapel, attached to St. John's Cathedral, in the year 1856. Three city lots were purchased by Rt. Rev. A. Rappe, D. D., on the corner of Superior and Lyman streets, Mr. Joseph Lyman, from whom they were bought, at the same time donating one lot more. A framed building was moved to the spot and used for divine service, conducted by Revs. J. F. So- lam, F. Sullivan and A. M. Martin, respectively.

Among the oldest members were .James Watson, O. M. Doran, Joseph Harkins, Thomas Mahar, Daniel Mulcahy, Dennis Mulcahy, Dennis Sheridan, James Crotty, Daniel Taylor, Thomas Maher, Thos. O'Riel- ly, Patrick Fennell and Andrew McNally.

In the spring of 1865 Rev. A. Sauvadet was ap- pointed first resident pastor. He soon erected a rec- tory and a school building, the third story of which was used for some time for church purposes.

In October, 1870, Rev. T. P. Thorpe succeeded to the pastorate, receiving his appointment from Very Rev. E. Hannin, administrator of the diocese, and soon built the present temporary wood structure. On the 15th of August, 1823, the corner-stone was laid of the massive stone church now in course of con- struction on the corner of Superior and Lyman streets.

On the 23d of June, 1876, Rev. A. R. Sidley, the present incumbent, appointed by Rt. Rev. R. Gilmour, D. D., succeeded to the pastorate, continning the work of the church.

ST. BRIDGET'S.

St. Bridget's Church, on Perry street, was organized in May, 1857, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rappe. About twenty members met in St. Mary's Orphan Asylum,

on Harmon street. They resolved to buy a lot and build a church. The building was a small brick edi- fice, and cost ahont seven hundred dollars. Mass was celebrated there on Christmas, 1857. Services were conducted by priests from the cathedral and St. Mary's Seminary. Father O'Connor took a prom- inent part in the organization of the parish. Rev. Father Martin and Rev. John Quin attended the par- ish for some years.

Rev. Father Leigh was the first resident pastor. During his administration a building standing on the corner of Prospect and Perry streets was purchased and moved to the church lot, to serve as a school- house. Father Leigh died there in 1865. J. Storey, Mr. R. E. Mix and Mr. T. Hynes were the first coun- cilmen, continuing as such until 1865.

Rev. Jas. Monaghan succeeded Rev. Father Leigh. Under his administration a new school house was built. The lot and house adjoining the church was bought for about six thousand dollars. The house was used as the pastor's residence. Ground was also broken for a new church. Rev. Father Monaghan was transferred to a new field of labor in June, 1872.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 66

Author: Johnson, Crisfield Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co. Number of Pages: 716

Author: Johnson, Crisfield
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.B. Lippincott & Co.
Number of Pages: 716