History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 67

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

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Rev. B. B. Kelley succeeded Rev. J. Monaghan as pastor in June, 1872. Rev. B. B. Kelley was suc- ceeded by Rev. P. J. MeGuire in August, 1874. Ile remained until January, 1876. Rev. Wm. McMahon succeeded Rev. P. J. McGuire in February, 1876. During that year the congregation paid about four thousand dollars-the balance due on the old debt, and current expenses in addition. The field being now clear, the people went to work with a will to erect the new church. Many changes were made in the original plan. Work was begun in May, 1877, and the first services were held in the new church on Christmas of the same year. On the same day, twenty years before, mass had been said in the old building. The new church is one hundred and fifty- two feet long and fifty feet wide; forty-eight feet to apex of ceiling. It is Gothic in style, built of briek, with stone trimmings. There is a commodious base- ment under the whole church. The total cost, not including furniture, was abont thirty-five thousand dollars.

The congregation now numbers a little more than two hundred families. There are three divisions in the parochial school, and about two hundred pupils enrolled. About the same number attend Sunday school. The present church officials are Rev. Wm. Mc Mahon, pastor; W. C. Kelley, James Burden, Edward Madden and Thomas Ryan, councilmen.

ST. MARY'S OF THE HOLY ROSARY.

In 1860 Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan organized in New- burg the church called St. Mary's of the Holy Rosary, and after preaching for three years in the Town Hall and other available places, built a fine stone church in 1863. From thirty families in 1860 the congregation has increased to the large number of five hundred in 1879.

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ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES, ETC.

The successors of Father O'Callaghan have been Revs. Franeis Sullivan, J. Kuhn, John Daudet and J. F. Gallagher. Rev. Mr. Gallagher, the present pastor, is assisted by Rev. James Monahan, and has charge | also of St. Columbus Academy, the church parochial school, numbering upwards of seven hundred pupils.

ST. AUGUSTINE'S.

This parish comprises within its limits that portion of the city which is known as the Hights, South Side-a part of the Twelfth and the whole of the Thirteenth wards. Prior to 1860 the few Catholic families in this district were attached to St. Patrick's, West Side. In that year the Rt. Rev. A. Rappe, first bishop of Cleveland, purchased a large lot on the corner of Jefferson and Tremont streets, and built the front half of the present frame church. The Revs. T. Carroll, J. F. Gallagher, and T. M. Maho- ny attended the church from St. John's Cathedral, where they were successively assistants to the bishop.

In 1867 the growing congregation was provided with a resident pastor, the Rev. A. Grandmongin. After him Revs. T. W. Higgins and J. P. Carroll hell pastoral charge for short terms until September, 18:4, when Rev. W. J. Gibbons received his appoint- ment. His health failing, he was obliged to relinquish his charge in July, 1875. The church was then placed, temporarily at first, under the care of the Rev. Edward Mears, and his appointment was soon after- wards made permanent. Under his administration the interests of the congregation were greatly ad- vanced, all the old debts of the church were paid, and a new building erected.

February 1, 1877, the Rev. W. J. Gibbons was re- appointed pastor. In the same year the church was enlarged to its present dimensions, and the interior greatly improved. A neat chapel was also built in connection with the church, and both were dedicated Sunday morning, December 9th, by the Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour, D. D., bishop of the diocese.

About five hundred and fifty communicants attend the church regularly, and four schools are main- tained.

ST. JOSEPH'S (GERMAN).

The present church edifice of St. Joseph has long since superseded the framed one of the same name, built in the year 1862, for the use of the Bohemian and German Catholics, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Andrew Krasny. In the year 1867 the Very Rev. Kilian Schlosser (at that time commissary provincial of the Franciscan Fathers in America, ) took charge of St. Joseph's Church and congregation. Ile soon after delegated the charge of the parish to the Rev. Capis- tran Zwinge, O.S. F., with an assistant, Rev. Domin- ieus Drossler, O.S.F. Not long after this the Bohe- mians separated from the Germans, and built a church for themselves.

The Rev. Capistran Zwinge died in the year 1874, and the Rev. Kilian Schlosser again took charge of

the parish. He laid the corner-stone of the new church edifice in 18:1, and dedicated it on the 5th of October, 1873, the Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour. bishop of Cleveland, officiating. The plan of the building is similar to the far-famed cathedral of Co- Jogne. The church has a frontage of ninety feet on Woodland avenne, and extends on Chapel street one hundred and sixty feet, to which are added a sae- ristry-entrance, portal and school-house, making a total depth of two hundred feet. The front contains three entrances, the main one being in the form of a porch, supported on columns with carved capi- tols. In style of architecture the church is purely Gothic, and it can hardly be equaled by any other in the city either for outward beauty, or interior orna- mentation.

Connected with the parish is a college, conducted by the Francisean Fathers, and a parochial school, by the Brothers of the same order. The parish numbers about one thousand members, attended by Rev. Kilian Schlosser and assistants, all of the order of St. Francis.

ST. WENCESLAU'S ( BOHEMIAN).

Prior to the year 1867 the Bohemian Roman Catho- lics held their religious services in "St. Mary's Church, on the Flat," afterward in the cathedral. At that time they organized meetings, and elected as trustees Jolin Burek, John Kavelir, John Havelicek and John Koenig. On February 22, 1867, lands on the north-

east corner of John (now Arch) street were secured, on which they erected a brick church edifice, fifty by ninety feet in size. The corner-stone was laid Octo- ber 20, 1867. The first pastor was Rev. A. Kresing, who served two years, and, on account of long illness, was superseded by Rev. George Beranek. He re- mained only three months, when Rev. J. Revis was called to the pastorate, and remained until 1873. Rev. Anthony Ilynek, the present pastor, was then called. The society numbers about three hundred and seventy-five families and fifteen hundred com- municants. In 1822 a parochial school, arranged for four classes, was built at an expense of four thousand dollars.

CONVENT AND CHAPEL OF THE FRANCISCANS.

In January, 1868, the late Right Rev. Amadeus Rappe, first bishop of Cleveland, called several mem- bers of the Franciscan order from the mother-house in Tentopolis, Effingham county, Illinois, to this city. After purchasing a suitable place, on the the corner of Hazen and Chapel streets, they erected a monas- tery, whose first superior was Rev. Capistran Zwinge, O.S. F. The number of inmates being four, at first, it was called a residence, whose superior bears the name of præses. In course of time, however, its num- ber being increased, it was raised to the rank of a convent in 1872 (one of fifteen of this class in the United States), whose superior possesses more extense rights, and for this reason bears the distinctive title of Guardian. The number of inmates belonging to the

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institution consists of ten priests and six lay-brothers. The present superior of the community is the Very Rev. Kilian Schlosser, O.S. F., who has been at the head of the institution since 1872. He is assisted in governing the convent by Rev. Bonaventure Machny, O.S. F.

There is also a small chapel connected with the convent, which is dedicated to St. Joseph. It was built in 1869, and was conseerated by the Right Rev. August MI. Toebbe, Bishop of Covington, Kentucky, on the 13th day of November, 1870.

In 1876 the Very Rev. Kilian Schlosser erected a stately brick building on Chapel street, which bears the name of St. Joseph's College. It was chartered in 1878, and its average attendance numbers seventy students. Seven professors, of whom five are clergy- men and two laymen, are engaged in this institution.

ST. STEPHEN'S,

St. Stephen's Roman Catholic Church was founded by Rev. II. Falk, by dividing St. Mary's parish, in the year 1869.

A chapel was erected on Courtland street, with rooms for parochial schools. Two hundred families belonged at that time to the parish, with about three hundred school children. On the 7th of September, 1873, the corner-stone was laid, by Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilmour, of the new stone church. The extreme length of the edifice is one hundred and sixty-five feet, and the width seventy-five feet, built in Gothic style with two transepts and stained glass windows. On the 2d of July, 1876, the first service was held. The parish numbers now about three hundred families with four hundred school children. Since the parish was founded, Rev. C. Reichlin has been pastor.

ST. COLUMBKILL'S.

This church was organized by Father O'Reilly in 1820, and in the same year a brick house of worship was erected at the corner of Superior and Alabama streets. In 1872 Bishop Gilmour made of St. Co- Inmbkill's a " Chapel of Ease," and attached it to the parish of St. John's Cathedral. Early services are held there once a week, by priests of the parish,

ST. MALACILI'S.

St. Malachi's was organized in 1865, and for three years the congregation worshiped in the old church of " St. Mary's on the Flats." In 1868 a fine brick church was built on Washington street near Pearl (West Side). Rev. J. P. Maloney, the founder of the church, is still, and always has been the pastor. Ilis assistants have been Revs. T. Smyth, M. P. Kinkead and W. J. Fitzgerald. The congregation is a flour- ishing one, and includes four hundred and ninety families.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY.

In 1820 Rev. J. Kuhn organized the Church of the HIoly Family, whose congregation was abont equally

divided between the Irish and Germans. In the same year he built a brick edifice at the corner of Wood- land avenue and Geneva street, and since that time the building has served for a honse of worship, school and parsonage. A new church will soon be built upon an adjoining lot, and thus the school-a growing one in charge of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart-will enjoy enlarged accommodations. The congregation, which numbers now upwards of three hundred fami- lies, is in charge of Rev. P. Bæcker; Rev. Mr. Kuhn having retired in April, 1879.

CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION (FRENCH).

This church on the southwest corner of Hurd and Moon streets was established in 1870, for the benefit of the French Catholies of Cleveland. The edifice is a framed building, forty by ninety feet in dimen- sions, and was erected at a cost of about fourteen thousand dollars. The number of original members was about one hundred and fifty; the present number is nearly two hundred. The Sabbath school scholars, about two hundred in number, are all children attend- ing the parochial school.

The first pastor was Rev. A. Sanvadet, who held the position until the year 1878, when he was snc- ceeded by Rev. A. Gerardin, the present incumbent.

ST. PROKOP'S (BOHEMIAN).

In the year 1872, at the request of the Bohemian Roman Catholics living on the west side, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilmour granted permission for the erection of a church edifice and the establishment of a church for the Bohemian Catholies of Cleveland. Soon after fonr lots were purchased on Burton street and the erection of a house of worship commenced. The building was completed and dedicated in 1874 by the Very Rev. T. M. Boff, vicar-general. The number of families in this society is abont two hundred. Rev. Joseph M. Koudelka, is pastor. The school, in con- nection with this society, numbers about one hundred and seventy children and is conducted by sisters of Notre Dame.

CHAPTER LIV. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

The First Congregational-Euclid Avenue Congregational-Plymouth- Centennial Welsh Congregational-University Hights-Mt. Zion- Welsh Congregational-Harbor Street Mission-Madison Avenne Con- gregational-Franklin Avenue Congregational.

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

THIS church was organized December 21, 1834, in pursuance of a resolution adopted at a meeting held on the 18th of the same month. Rev. John Keep was chosen moderator, and thirty-eight names were taken of persons disposed to unite with the new church. Of these, six are still members, viz: Mrs. Ursula M. Taylor, Miss Catharine Taylor (Mrs. Luffkin), Mrs.

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Jane Metinire, Miss Esther Taft (Mrs. Robinson), Miss C. H. Buxton (Mrs. S. H. Sheldon) and Miss M. A. Buxton (Mrs. Skinner). While adopting the l'resbyterian name and form, the Congregational prin- ciple of annual election was distinctly recognized by the church.

A temporary house of worship was erected and dedi- cated May 3, 1835. The same day Rev. John Keep commenced his pastoral labors. On January 7, 1836, he was dismissed, and on November 9, following, Rev. J. D. Piekands took charge, and remained until April, 1839. Meanwhile, in February, 1838, a por- tion of the church (forty-four in number) withdrew, by letter, to organize a Congregational church. In the summer of 1841 a reunion of the two churches was effected on a Congregational-Presbyterian basis, the eldership being dispensed with and a committee sub- stituted, and the church continuing its connection with the presbytery.

Prior to this reunion, Rev. H. A. Read was chosen stated supply, in June, 1839, and served the church until October 4, 1840. On the 12th of the same month, Rev. William P. Russell became the minister, closing his labors in April, 1841. With the reunion com- meneed the pastoral labors of Rev. S. B. Canfield. who came with the Congregational church, of which he had been pastor. His ministry closed in the fall of 1844. He was succeeded in September by Rev. C. L. Watson, whose pastorate lasted till September, 1848.

The church, having ceased from 1848 to send dele- gates to the presbytery, stood unassociated till October 18, 1852, when it voted to send a delegate to the Cleveland Congregational Conference.

In December, 1848, Prof. J. A. Thome, of Oberlin began his labors as pastor, although he was not in- stalled till February 27, 1856. Under his leadership, and prior to the last date mentioned, the society built the edifice now occupied on the corner of De- troit and State streets. It was dedicated August 14. 1851. His labors ceased in July, 1871. Since 1857 the society has changed its named to " the First Con- gregational Church of Cleveland." In April, 1822, Rev. S. Il. Lee, previously of Greenfield, Massachu- setts, entered upon the duties of pastor. Ile was in- stalled June 9, 1872. He accepted another call, and was dismissed, September 24, 1878. The church numbers three hundred and forty-seven members. The deacons of the church are J. B. Palmer, S. H. Sheldon, W. HI. Newton, II. J. Brooks, C. T. Rogers and T. S. Newton.

EUCLID AVENUE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

This church was organized November 30, 1843, by Rev. Dr. S. C. Aiken and Rev. S. C. Cady. Nineteen persons constituted the society, viz: Cyrus Ford, Clarissa Ford, Horace Ford, IToratio C. Ford, Sam- nel Cozad, Iletty Ann Cozad, Elizabeth Walters, Ed- win Cowles, Almena M. Cowles, Jonathan Bowles, Samuel F. Baldwin, Lydia Baldwin, Rhoda Clark,

Cornelius Cookley, Harriet Cookley, Jarvis F. Hanks, Charlotte Hanks and Romelia L. Hanks.

The articles of faith and covenant of the First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland were adopted, and the infant church was christened the " First Preshy- terian Church of East Cleveland." Cyrus Ford. Jarvis F. Hanks, and Samuel W. Baldwin were elect- ed elders.

During the winter of 1843and the succeeding sum- mer, when a preacher could not be secured, Bible services were held Sabbath mornings in what was known as the "old stone school house," situated in a back lot between Republic and Doan streets, near Euclid. In the autumn of 1844 the Methodist Church was secured, where Bible services with occa- sional preaching were held for several months, Dur- ing the summer of 1845 Rev. Benjamin Gage fre- quently supplied the pulpit on Sabbath afternoons. In the autumn of 1845 Rev. A. MeReynolds-em- ployed by the Cleveland presbytery as county mis- sionary-was given charge of the church, with which he continued to labor for nearly three years, About this time the society occupied the school-room in the old "Railroad Hotel," corner of Republic and Euclid streets. In the summer of 1846 the foundation was laid of the "little brick church," still standing on the corner of Doan and Euclid streets. On Septem- ber 20, 1849, the church was dedicated, the building costing but three thousand dollars.

In 1852, on account of the attitude of the Presby- terian Church toward the institution of slavery, this church withdrew from the presbytery and became an independent Presbyterian church, remaining such for a few years, until it united with the " Congregational Conference of Ohio." On entering the " little brick church " there was a large increase in the Sabbath congregations, and also in church membership, and in 1865 the church edifice was found too small for the accommodation of the worshippers. After free discussion a resolution was unanimously passed to build again.

At this time Dr. W. S. Streator generously donated the lot on the corner of Logan and Euclid streets, and contributed three thousand dollars toward the erection of a new church editiee. Subscriptions were raised, and the building of the new house began in the spring of 1866; it was completed and dedicated January S. 1868. In 1842 the small chapel in rear of the main building was torn down, and a large and beautiful chapel erected, which was dedicated June 8, 1813.

Again the audience room of the church was found too small, and in 1824, by the liberality of Justus L. Cozad, it was enlarged, and the sittings increased to nearly eleven hundred. The membership of the church at its organization, 1843, was nineteen; in 1846, forty-nine; in 1855, sixty-one; in 1870, one hundred and eighty-four; in 1875, four hundred and fifty; present membership, six hundred and sixty-tive.

The following have been the pastors: Revs. S. C. Cody, A. McReynolds, C. L. Watson, C. W. Torry,

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A. D. Barber, A. M. Richardson, J. E. Twitchell, D. D., who began his labors in the winter of 1869. The superintendents of the Sabbath school have been 1. F. Hanks, who served ten years; Horace Ford, five years; Horatio C. Ford, seventeen years; J. W. Closke, six years. The following are the present church officials: Rev. J. E. Twitchell, D. D., pastor; Horace Ford, W. II. Doan, J. W. Closke, S. C. Hale, C. M. Preston, E. R. Taylor, deacons; Henry Taylor, Julius King, Justin Snow, Henry Ford, Byron Fay, church committee; W. H. Doane, Thomas Wilson, L. N. Camp. A. Bradley, A. II. Stone, trustees of the society; Henry Ford, treasurer of the church; 11. Clark Ford, treasurer of the society: B. F. Whit- man, superintendent of the Sabbath school; S. C. Hale, assistant superintendent.

PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

This church was organized March 25, 1850, with thirty members, and adopted the name of the Third Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, standing inde- pendent of other ecclesiastical organizations. A ma- jority of the members preferring the Congregational order of worship and government, in August, 1852, its ecclesiastical polity was changed, and the church became "Congregational," adopting the name of " The Plymouth Church of Cleveland."

The place of worship occupied by the church for three years from its organization, was the building on Wood street, known as the Tabernacle, or Round Church. During the summer of 1853 the church moved into the editice erected on the corner of Euclid and Erie streets, which was subsequently sold to the First Baptist Society of Cleveland, and vacated in the spring of 1855. For two years thereafter the Wesleyan Chapel, on Enclid street near the Park, was occupied as a placeof worship. In January, 1857, the society purchased the building on Prospect street, known as the Prospect Street Church, which was enlarged, re- modeled, and in November, 1857, dedicated to the worship of God. Here the society worshiped for fifteen years. Its last meeting in this church was July 28, 1872, after which, the Prospect Street Church having been sold to the Homeopathie Medical College, the society repaired, and until the erection of Ply- mouth Chapel occupied, the school house, corner of Prospect and Perry streets. The first and dedicatory service in Plymouth Chapel took place April 26, 1874.

Rev. Edwin II. Nevin was the first pastor, whose ministerial labors lasted four years.

In November, 1854, the Rev. James C. White ae- cepted an invitation to supply the pulpit. He received an unanimous call in the January following to become pastor, and was installed in August, 1855. He re- signed September 23, 1861.

The successor of Mr. White was the Rev. Samuel Wolcott, D. D., who was installed February 5, 1862, and who, after a faithful pastorate of twelve years, was dismissed by council February 12, 1874.

The present pastor, Rev. Charles Terry Collins, was installed January 27, 1875.

The church at present numbers three hundred and thirty members. It has a prosperous mission chapel (Olivet) on Hill street, corner Commercial. In its two Sunday schools it has an average attendance of nearly five hundred children. The present officers of the church and congregation are S. II. Cowell, J. G. W. Cowles, A. F. Holmes and L. M. Pitkin, deacons; S. P. Churchill, A. C. Kendel, R. N. Williams and the pastor and deacons, ex-officio examining commit- tee; Axahel Strong, clerk; S. II. Stilson, treasurer; George Hall, A. C. Kendel, J. G. W. Cowles, II. A. Tuttle and B. S. Cogswell, trustees; S. P. Churchill, superintendent Sunday-school; L. P. Hurlburd, su- perintendent Olivet Sunday-school; E. S. Abell, sex- ton.

CENTENNIAL WELSH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

This church had its inception in a series of prayer- meet ngs held at the house of William E. Jones, at Newburg, as early as the year 1858. Prominent among the originators of these meetings and the subsequent growth and organization as a church society were David I., John, Thomas D., George M., Evan and William E. Jones and Morgan Harris, and their families.

During this year the church was organized under the temporary ministerial service of Rev. D. Davies, of Portage county, Ohio, assisted by Rev. Richard Richards and George M. Jones, of Newburg. The original number of communicants was about twenty. Thomas D. and William E. Jones were elected dea- eons.

The first church edifice, a framed building twenty by thirty feet, was built on Wales street in 1859, and in 1861, on account of rapid increase in the church, was enlarged to twice its original dimensions. In 1862 the Calvinistie Methodist members of the church withdrew, and organized a separate church on Can- non street. Again, in 1863, the Baptist members also established a church on Wire street, and sepa- rated themselves from the mother society. These losses at the time considerably weakened the church, but the vacancy was soon filled, and it has now a membership of about one hundred and sixty.

In 1876 a large and beautiful brick editice was erected on Jones avenue at an expense of sixteen thousand dollars. As this was built during the hun- dredth year of American independence it was dedi- cated as the "Centennial" Welsh Congregational Church.

The several pastors, with their terms of service, have been as follows: Rev. Wm. Watkins, 1864; Rev. John E. Jones, 1866 to 1870; Rev. Wm. Lewis, 1871 to 1874; Rev. John Jones, 1875 to 1877; and Rev. W. P. Edwards, called 1878.

The present church officials are Rev. W. P. Ed- wards, pastor; Thomas D. Jones, David I. Jones, David F. Lewis, Richard Thomas and Thomas

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Thomas, deacons; George Russcle, David M. Rich- ards, Thomas D. Jones, Richard Thomas, David I. Jones, David F. Lewis and Thomas Thomas, trustees; Thomas Thomas, treasurer.

THE UNIVERSITY HIGHTS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

was organized by a regularly called council on the 13th day of November, 1859. It was originally in- tended that the church should be independent or undenominational. Accordingly the council was composed of pastors and delegates from three denom- inations, viz .: The First and Plymouth Congrega- tional, Second Presbyterian and St. Clair street (now First) M. E., churches, while the pastor was a Wes- leyan Methodist. It was soon found, however, that the church had unconsciously adopted some of the leading principles of Congregationalism, and there- fore, in 1862, application was made to, and the church was received and recognized by, the Cleveland Con- gregational Conference. This step placed it in full accord with that branch of the church militant. The regular services of the church were held for two years in a school house on University Hights, and for four years following in what was then known as the Cleve- land Institute. In 1866 the church removed into a house of worship erected (of brick) on the corner of Jennings avenue and Howard street. This building cost nearly sixteen thousand dollars. In 18;7 this building was enlarged and remodeled at a further ex- pense, including furnishing, of over twenty thousand dollars. The edifice is now pleasant and commodions, cruciform in shape, and has a seating capacity of tive hundred and fifty. Since organization, with an orig- inal membership of thirty-four, the church has had upon its roll the names of four hundred and twenty- six communicants, of which death and dismissals leave a membership of two hundred and forty-seven.

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History of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Part 67

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