History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 46

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

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Mrs. Catalina Bail, one of our older communicants, made a beautiful gift of brass altar vases, and also gave generously to the needs of the Sunday school. The Misses Margaret and Sallie Dooris are ever zealous in the progr .ss and growth of the church, Miss Sallie being the organist and has the supervision of the Sunday school, which sends annually, a generous offering for missions.

Mrs. Shields has for many years shared these duties. Mrs. Guy Underwood, during her residence, has accomplished much and given her voice in the music which forms such an important part in the services. Mrs. May M. Rowland, the president of the woman's auxiliary, with the aid of the members, has done good work in making and sending boxes of clothing and assisting in other ways smaller and needy missions. The writer has not given the names of the officiating clergymen, as the record seems to show only a succession of activity, change and apathy, and for lack of space has omitted the names of many persons who were ardent in the work of the church during their limited residence in London. The Rev. Dr. Jacob Streibert of Kenyon College, came for services continuously each Sabbath for some years, and has an abiding interest in Trinity church, making many lasting friendships both amongst his parishioners and citizens. For years Doctor Streibert celebrated holy communion monthly, while Mr. Frank Nel- son, lay reader, conducted services the remaining three Sabbaths. His untiring energy and conscientious ability were greatly appreciated. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, their family and Miss Gertrude Dun entwined themselves into all hearts. Mr. Nelson felt with his many duties he had not the time needed for the growth of the church and urged that we have a resident priest. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson presented in loving memory of the mother of each, a most beautiful and exquisitely embroidered altar cloth, the design being the passion vine. A resident priest was appointed in the person of Rev. Charles F. Oswald, who was followed by the present rector, Rev. C. C. Schmeiser. The outlook for the future is most encouraging. Theodore Irving Reese, D. D., bishop, with Mr. John Pancake, senior warden and treasurer, faithful and efficient in all duties pertain- ing to the church, purchased the beautiful lot, corner of Main and Fifth streets, to which the church was moved in the summer of 1915 and improved to the extent of several hundred dollars. There are at present one hundred and four communicant members.

DUN LAWN EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The lot upon which this church was built was given or leased by Mrs. Mary A. Thurman for the purpose of a church which should be open and free for all denomina- tions in which to worship. It was deeded in trust to D. W. C. Sawyer, Walter A. Dun · and Robert G. Dun, the lease to be perpetual as long as the church remained in use for the specified purpose. In 1858, a neat frame building was erected by the following persons : Jolin G. Dun, James Dun, R. G. Dun, D. W. C. Sawyer, W. A. Dun, Mrs. Mary A. Thurman and Mrs. Nathaniel Sawyer, and the first minister who preached there Rev- erend Finley, of London. The church stood in the extreme northern part of Deer Creek township on the Urbana, Mechanicsburg and Jefferson pike. Services in this church have long been discontinued. The Protestant Episcopal church came to have control of it about 1885. and for a time it was served by the pastor of the London church, services having been held in the church up to June, 1890.

ANTIOCH MISSION UNION CHURCH OF WEST JEFFERSON.

The Antioch Mission Union church began its work on the streets of West Jefferson in October, 1907. In November of that year, the weather becoming too cold for street

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work, the old colored church was obtained for the repairing. After giving it a good clean- ing-it had been unoccupied-repairing the roof and putting in new window lights, a four weeks' revival was held, during which more than one hundred came to the altar at the call of Rev. Mrs. Jenny Lind and professed their faith in God. After the revival the old church was rented at the cost of four dollars a month and there services were held until June 1, 1910. At the first preaching service of this mission there were but six present ; at the second meeting there were ten; at the third, twenty-five. The first Sunday night of the revival mentioned above the old church was crowded to its doors. On moving into the old church building a Sunday school was organized and fifty children were there to enroll on the first day. In 1910 a campaign was started for the building of a church. This campaign was very successful and on June 26, 1910, the new mission house, to be known as Antioch mission, was dedicated to the services of God. This building is a comfortable, neat, frame structure, thirty-six by sixty feet, with a seating capacity of about five hundred people. The material in the building cost about two thousand dollars, and nearly all the labor of construction was donated. This debt was all paid off within sixteen months.

There are at present two hundred and sixty-eight members of the mission. There are one hundred and sixteen names enrolled on the cradle roll, and one hundred and seventy-five enrolled in the Sunday school. The Sunday school is conducted by a super- intendent, a treasurer and nine teachers, Elmer Rhodes being the superintendent. Since the dedication of the church, a primary room has been added to the building, at a cost of a little over three hundred dollars; also a vestibule at the front of the building, which cost one hundred and sixty-five dollars. The church recently has been papered and the interior varnished, and now presents a very pleasing interior. The secret of the great success of the mission has been the great zeal and interest mani- fested by its leaders. No officer-from the preacher to the janitor-receives even the smallest salary. Rev. Mrs. Jennie Lind, the founder and the leader of the mission, has been faithful to her call for nearly seven years and her mission is steadily grow- ing in numbers and strength.

UNION CHURCH AT AMITY.

About 1866-67, by the combined efforts of the citizens of that community, led by Rev. George Hathaway, who labored diligently, a sufficient sum of money was raised, a good, comfortable, frame building was erected and a union church was organized at Amity, the same being dedicated to service the year in which it was built. The building remained a "union" church, in which various denominations held services, and where at one time a union organization was maintained for many years. The building still stands, in a very dilapidated condition. There have been no services held in it since 1910.

BOSEDALE UNION CHURCH.

The Union church at Rosedale was first started, it is thought, about twenty-five years ago, the lot on which the building is erected having been donated by Charles Phellis. It was built originally as a "union" church, but was in the hands of the Methodists for many years and was on the same circuit as Irwin, Milford Center and Lewis Chapel. The church is without a regular pastor at present, Rev. Frank Tooton having been the last who served the congregation. A Sunday school is maintained, of which M. E .. Thomas is the superintendent. The trustees of the church are Mrs. Lily McCarty, Eugene Thomas, Lewis Burnham, Pearl Stoddard and Charles P. Guy.

ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH OF LONDON.

The absence of records or any other documentary sources makes it impossible to state with any degree of accuracy the date of the first Catholic services that were held

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in London, or the names of the persons participating. The building of the Columbus & Xenia railroad through London took place during the years 1848-49, and about that time several Catholic families located in this neighborhood. From scattered sources there seems to be positive assurance that mass was first celebrated in London in the year 1849, and though there is much room for doubt, there is reasonable data to establish the fact that Father Kelliher is the one to whom that honor belongs. How- ever, it should not be forgotten that there is respectable authority for the statement that Father Borgess, later bishop of Detroit, preceded Father Kelliher.

The workmen engaged in the construction of the railroad mentioned above, as was common in those days, lived in camps or sought lodging accommodations where most convenient. At that time a man of the name of McGuire kept a boarding house in what is now commonly known as "The Porch" property, corner of Second and Walnut streets, and it seems to have been in that dingy dwelling that the first mass was cele- brated in London, with the few. Irishmen and their families assisting.

This service was participated in thereafter, at intervals of three months, from 1849 to 1851. In the latter year the Catholic population increased so rapidly that the attention of Father Maurice Howard, of Springfield, was arrested, and he was awakened to the necessity of making more generous and regular provision for the spiritual wants of the newcomers. During the four or five following years mass was read monthly, and the sacraments administered as occasion demanded in different private dwellings; but most frequently, according to tradition, in the home of Thomas Singleton. Early in 1852, among the families residing in the town and neighborhood were John Dwyer and family, Philip Lackey and family, Thomas Singleton and family, Michael McCarty and family, Edward Donahue and family, Daniel Graham and family, John Fogerty and family, Thomas Kennally and family, Patrick Masterson and family and James McCarty and family.

During the two years, 1851-52, Father Maurice Howard had undivided supervision . of this mission. From 1852 to 1856, Father Thomas Blake, of Xenia, attended to the duties connected therewith, and was assisted at various times by Fathers J. N. Thisse and D. J. Cogan, both of Springfield. After the building of the Phifer House, on the corner of Main and High streets, mass was celebrated in the Phifer House hall until 1856, in which year a lot was purchased on Center street, near Main, and a small frame church was erected thereon, the same being dedicated in the fall of that year. This modest edifice was used as a house of worship in St. Patrick's parish until the completion of the second church building, in 1866.

On Christmas Day, 1864, Rev. Father John M. Conway became the first resident priest of the London parish. Father Conway was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1842. At the age of nine he accompanied his parents to this country, the family settling at Blanchester, Clinton county, Ohio. After some years spent in the local school, in 1856 he entered the seminary to prepare himself for the priesthood. Father Conway, as report has it, was well equipped mentally, and after a brilliant course was on the 17th of December, 1864, ordained and was immediately assigned to London. His first mass was celebrated in the frame building on Center street, which at that time was in a rapidly decaying condition. He at once set himself resolutely to the task of securing a location and erecting a church in a more central part of town, and as a result of his labor, soon was able to build, on the site of the present church, an edifice more in keeping with the time in which he lived. The ground on which this building stood and upon which the present beautiful church stands, situated on the corner of Second and Union streets, was purchased of James Dwyer and building was begun in the summer of 1865: The church was of Gothic style of architecture, one hundred (21)

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feet in length by fifty feet in width, with a thirty-eight-foot ceiling; at the west end was a gallery for the choir and organ, extending the whole width of the building; the tower was one hundred and ten feet in height, slated at the top, and the windows were twelve feet high, filled with beautiful and costly stained glass. The cost of this build- ing, with organ and bell, was twenty-two thousand dollars. In its day it was the largest church in the county and would seat about one thousand persons.

The cornerstone of this edifice was laid on September 17, 1865. Bishop Sylvester H. Rosecrans delivered an explanatory discourse on the Catholic faith, immediately after which he administered confirmation to about fifty persons. A small tin box, con- taining the date of the ceremonies, the names of the bishop, pastor and other facts relating to the church, was deposited in the cornerstone. The building was dedicated by Archbishop John B. Purcell on Sunday, November 18, 1866. Many visitors came from the neighboring cities, and at eleven o'clock a grand procession was formed at the old church, headed by a Columbus band, and proceeded to the new church. It was impossible for one-half of the crowd to get within the walls of the building. The arch- bishop delivered a short discourse outdoors, after which the crowd was admitted inside. The building was not yet seated, but it was supposed that fifteen hundred persons were admitted. The music on the occasion was furnished by the choir of St. Patrick's church of Columbus. The following church dignitaries were in attendance 'from abroad : Archbishop John B. Purcell, from Cincinnati; Rev. Father Edward Fitzgerald, of Columbus; Rev. Father Joseph Retcker, D. D., Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati; Rev. Father Thomas Blake, of Xenia, and Rev. Father J. N. Thisse, of Springfield.

Never of a rugged constitution, Father Conway, in 1877, was compelled to seek restoration of his health in a more congenial climate and went to California. His health rapidly improved and in a short time he was assigned to a parish in the distant West. His efforts permanently to regain his health were not rewarded, however, and he died in California and was buried on the 13th of August, 1896, from the church he built in London, his first love.

In a short sketch of his life from the pen of the Rev. Father P. H. Cusack the following is found: "When we consider the almost impassable condition of the roads of Madison county during the first years of Father Conway's labors, the long distances he had to journey by day and by night to visit the sick and the dying, the slender resources on which he had to draw, and that his work was done almost single-handed, we marvel at his courage and perseverance."

Rev. Father John Conway was pastor of St. Patrick's church from Christmas, 1864. until June, 1877, his assistants having been the Rev. Fathers J. Maroney and Rowe- kamp. During Father Conway's absence from the church while in Europe, the priests of St. Patrick's church were the Rev. Fathers P. H. Cusack, J. J. Kennedy and B. F. Mueller. Rev. Father Michael Hayes served from June, 1877, until August, 1878. Rev. Father James Burns, from August, 1878, until January, 1881, with assistants, Fathers Michael Hayes and Charles McCallion. From January to October, 1881, Rev. Father Brummer. Rev. Father Clement M. Berding, October, 1881, until 1884; assistant, Rev. Father James O'Kieffe. Rev. Father William D. Hickey, 1884 until 1891. Rev. Father Francis M. Wimsey, 1891 until 1894; assistants, Fathers Shea and Denning. Rev. Father Patrick Cusack, 1894 until 1906; assistants, Rev. Fathers Connelly, William Clark, Cotter and Dennis M. Halpin. Rev. Father Abraham McNamara took charge on January 1, 1906, and is the present priest.

During the interim intervening between the pastorate of Father Conway and the advent of Father McNamara, in 1906, scarcely any improvement was made on the property of the church; the property of the parish bore approximately the same rela- tion to the times as it did upon the arrival of Father Conway. To the remedy of these

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conditions Father McNamara devoted years of industry, energy and perseverance which bore fruit in the present becoming, modern and beautiful structure at a total cost, in money, of the sum of forty-six thousand eight hundred and sixty-three dollars and sixty-two cents. For the purpose of liquidating this indebtedness, the regular monthly collection was established, and the generosity of the parishioners and of Father McNa- mara is manifested in the fact that at present this debt is very small, and the day is not far distant when the people of the congregation may proudly boast that they owe no man anything but their love.

SKETCH OF THE PASTOR.

Rev. Abraham McNamara, the pastor of St. Patrick's, was born in Belfast, Ireland, and was one of a large family of children, seven of whom are still living. His father. James McNamara, was a prosperous and successful linen merchant in the city of Belfast.

At the age of ten Abraham McNamara entered St. Michael's Seminary, afterwards pursuing his studies in St. Colman's Seminary, County Down. When seventeen years of age he entered the Grand Seminary of France and completed his studies at St. John's in Waterford, Ireland. Thus receiving a brilliant and classical education, he was ordained to the priesthood at the early age of twenty-three. After serving as pastor of different churches in Ireland, Father McNamara crossed the Atlantic to Amer- ica, coming to archdiocese of Cincinnati, and has been. priest at Urbana, Dayton and Eaton parishes; on January 1, 1906, he came to London.

The old brick church of St. Patrick's is now no more; a glance at the exterior reveals to the eye a perfect stone structure; as its stands today, the church is one hundred and twenty-five feet long, fifty feet wide and the tall spire, surmounted by a gold cross, is one hundred and fifty feet high. Built in pure Gothic style of the four- teenth century, it is a triumph of architectural and decorative art, this style of archi- tecture being carried out in the interior even to the smallest detail.

On entering the church the eye rests first on the beautiful and costly sanctuary lamp, then to the marble main altar, with its two adoring angels, up to the transept window on which is seen the ecclesiastical dove and on higher to the matchless gold ceiling.

The interior decorations are dignified warm tones of French Caen stone, worked out by hand, deeply carved in Gothic detail, the artist having followed the grape-leaf and fruit motif, typical of the antique school. The band above the Carrara marble wainscot is worked out in purples, grays and gold, while a fitting climax of color is found in the treatment of the sanctuary. The entire ceiling of the sanctuary and side altars is laid in gold leaf and glazed over in gold mosaic effect, giving that beauty and richness to the dull gold only obtainable by this method of treatment. Below the gold mosaic and extending to the floor is worked out a soft velvet hanging in royal blue, giving a beautiful background to the altars. The two side altars are similar in design and appearance to that of the main altar and standing out in relief on one is the Annunciation and the Visitation, while on the other is the Flight into Egypt and the Home of the Holy Family; each altar's tabernacle door of gold has the chalice and Sacred Host, which can be plainly seen throughout the church.

The sanctuary is approached by three steps and the marble-like floor is old rose in color. Across the front is the massive sanctuary rail with pillars of onyx, and tastefully carved on the entire rail, in relief, are the emblems of the Holy Eucharist, namely, sheaves of wheat and bunches of grapes. The pews are all new, oak, Gothic in design, golden green in color, a color which is rare and costly; the confessionals are of the same material and color.

The church has life-size statues of St. Patrick (a gift of the pastor) and the

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Sacred Heart in the sanctuary; in niches on the wall statues of St. Anthony and St. Aloysius, while in the arch beneath the winding stairs to the gallery is the lovely Pieta. The stations of the cross, representing the journey of Christ to Calvary are done in statuary work.

It is seldom that in a town the size of London such lovely decorative work is seen The weekday chapel, frescoed in chaste designs, and two sacristies, are in the rear of the church. Not only has Father McNamara remodeled the church, but he has also built a handsome pastoral residence of pressed brick, renaissance in architecture, con- taining fourteen rooms, finished in quartered oak, and up to date in all its departments

Since his arrival in London, Father McNamara labored with unremitting and indefatigable energy until at last he had the great satisfaction of seeing his efforts crowned with complete success, when the church was consecrated to God on April 23, 1911.

STS. SIMON AND JUDE'S CATHOLIC CHURCH OF WEST JEFFERSON.

Although the settlement of Catholics between Columbus and Springfield dates quite early, the communicants of this faith were very sparse in number for a long time. However, about every three months they were visited by different clergymen, who held services in the respective dwellings of the members, and subsequently in the town hall of Jefferson. In this manner was Catholicism nursed in its infancy in Jefferson town- ship, but not until about the year 1864 was the subject of a church edifice agitated, when Rev. John M. Conway took the matter in charge. Soon afterward a subscription was begun and was well patronized. In 1866, Edward Buck donated a lot for the church, and in the spring of 1867 the foundation was begun and the cornerstone was laid on May 19, of the same year, by the Rt. Rev. Sylvester H. Rosecrans, bishop of Columbus, Ohio. The building is of brick and was completed to the tower under the management of Father Conway. It was dedicated by Bishop Edward Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, Arkansas, October 31, 1869, and was later served by the Revs. F. McGrath, J. M. Thisse, J. A. Burns, H. Kiffmeyer and W. F. O'Rourke, under the supervision of Father Conway, but in March of 1873, Rev. B. M. Müller took charge and continued to serve the church for many years. In the meantime the standing debt had been released, and, during 1879, a tower and belfry, ninety-one feet in height, was erected and furnished with a bell of one thousand two hundred and thirty-four pounds, at a total cost, building and all, of about seven thousand dollars. Since Father Müller's time there have been several changes in the pastoral direction of the parish. Rev. M. E. Heintz was in charge in 1904. He was succeeded by Father Dickhouse and he in turn by the present priest, Father Russell. The parsonage was built during the pastorate of Father Heintz, at a cost of about four thousand dollars.

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CHAPTER XXVI. SECRET SOCIETIES.

MASONRY IN LONDON.

The ancient order of Free and Accepted Masons has had many zealous adherents in Madison county from the very earliest period, and the history of the various lodges over the county show one long line of loyal members who have earnestly studied and transferred the ever-increasing circle of the arts and sciences. In this field of endeavor London, the county seat, has naturally taken a leading part, and has assisted mate- rially in continuing and passing on to succeeding generations the mysteries of the ancient craft.

CHANDLER LODGE NO. 138.

Chandler Lodge No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, occupies commodious quar- ters, especially built for its accommodation, on the west side of South Main street, London, Ohio, on the third floor of the Farrar building. This lodge is now, and ever since its organization, has been in a flourishing condition.

Its original charter bore the date of May 8, 1846, but as the lodge suffered the fate of so many buildings and organizations in "the great fire" of the fifties, when its charter, books, records and its all (materially considered) were consumed in the flames, it is now impossible to furnish a correct or complete list of its charter members. The "new" charter was granted on October 18, 1854, and authorizes John Dungan to act. as worshipful master; Foster L. Downing as senior warden, and Albert R. Phifer as junior warden.

The present membership of the lodge is two hundred, and its present (1915) off- cers are: Worshipful master, Ralph Van Dorn Coons; senior warden, Richard H. Robison; junior warden, Joe A. Gardner; treasurer, Omer E. Jones; secretary, George W. Clark; senior deacon, Downing Beach; junior deacon, Ben Van Wagener; tyler, Stanley Reed.

ADONIRAM CHAPTER NO. 73.

Adoniram Chapter No. 73, Royal Arch Masons, works under authority of a charter dated October 18, 1856, which bears the names of the following charter members: John Melvin, O. P. Crabb, David Haskel, Thomas J. Stutson, Toland Jones, Israel Fisher, Jeriah Swetland, Robert Alkire, William Mcclintock and B. H. Moore, and which authorizes David Haskel to serve as the first high priest, John Melvin as king, and O. P. Crabb as scribe.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 46

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207