History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 86

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

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On April 28, 1846, contracts for the necessary brick, stone, and other mate- rials were awarded and the work began with commendable earnestness. On Sun- day, May 18, the cornerstone was blessed and placed in position with the pre- scribed ceremonies by the Bishop, Right Rev. J. B. Purcell, assisted by Rev. Fathers Schonat, Young and Juncker. The Bishop addressed the immense con- course of people, speaking most eloquently and interestingly on the Catholic Church and her divine commission, for over an hour and a half. He was followed by Father Schonat, who spoke in German on the same subject. By the end of the year the building was under roof and the doors and windows were closed with boards. Owing again to the want of necessary funds the structure was left in this condition, until the summer of 1847, when work on the interior was resumed and continued until it was ready for dedication, which took place Janu- ary 16, 1848. Right Rev. Bishop Purcell was the officiant at the ceremonies, being assisted by the pastor, Father Schonat, and Fathers Young and Juncker, and Fathers Wood and Hammer. Father Wood became Archbishop of Philadelphia and Father Young died Bishop of Erie, Pennsylvania.

Sincerely Yours Dermis A. Colonke

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Rev. Casper H. Borgess .- It was Father Juncker's desire that this new church be dedicated to Almighty God in honor of the sacred instrument of redemption, and hence it was named the Church of the Holy Cross. But the zealous pastor, after witnessing the fruits of his anxieties and toils, was promoted by his bishop to the charge of an important congregation in Cincinnati. He sang his last High Mass in Holy Cross Church on the first anniversary of its dedication and was immediately succeeded by Rev. Casper Henry Borgess, the future Bishop of Detroit. During the pastorate of Father Borgess the tower was completed and the steeple built at a cost of about 87,000, and a chime of three bells, the first in the city, was placed therein. A new pulpit, side altars, and a grand pipe organ were also among the improvements made by Father Borgess. The old stone church which had been converted into a tworoom schoolhouse, was enlarged by a twentyfoot addition to the rear and a second story of brick, thus providing a school building with four large rooms. In September, 1856, Father Borgess obtained the services of the Sisters of Notre Dame from Cincinnati, and put them in charge of the girls' school which had previously been taught by secular teachers.

Rev. John B. Hemsteger .- For ten years Father Borgess administered the affairs of the parish, assisted most of the time by his uncle Rev. Otto Borgess. In May, 1859, he was appointed Chancellor of the diocese of Cincinnati, and was succeeded as pastor by Rev. John Bernard Hemsteger, May 5. Father Hemsteger had previously attended the missions at Piqua. Improvements commensurate with the growth of the congregation, and according to the advancing financial condition of the people, were continued under the administration of the new pastor. He caused the old frame residence of the priest to be torn down, and in its place erected the commodious house that the pastor at present occupies. Sev- eral improvements were made in the church, among them being the reconstructing and enlarging of the gallery, changing the stairs thereto, painting the interior and putting in new doorways. On March 28, 1866, the lot adjoining the church property to the east, 31 feet on Rich Street by 1783 feet along the alley, was pur- chased of Thomas Agnew for the purpose of enlarging the church building aud obtaining more room for a new school. The school was completed in 1870 and was dedicated by Bishop Rosecrans on August 20, that year, with a grand celebra- tion by Catholic societies. The building contains eight large class rooms and a fine lecture hall. In 1874 a handsome main altar was erected at the cost of $3,300.

On Sunday, June 3, 1877, after the services of the day were over commem- orating the Golden Jubilee of Pope Pius IX, a fire originated at the High Altar, which was completely destroyed, as was also the grand organ costing $3,000, and the church was damaged to the extent of $1,500. The congregation set to work with commendable zeal to repair their losses, and in the meantime services were held in the school hall. The church, enlarged and improved under contract with Valentine Merk, was dedicated on Sunday, December 23, 1877, Right Rev. Bishop Toebbe, of Covington, Kentucky, officiating and preaching the sermon. The clergymen assisting in the ceremony and at the solemn High Mass were Very Rev. J. B. Hemsteger, and Reverends F. X. Specht, C. R. Rhode, G. H. Ahrens, R. C. Christi, J. C. Goldschmidt and J. J. Jessing. In the afternoon Pontifical Vespers were sung by Right Rev. Bishop Rosecrans assisted by Very Rev. J. B. Hemsteger and Rev. R. C. Christi, C. R. Rhode and G. H. Ahrens. The Bishop gave a short sketch of the history of the congregation. The music on the occa- sion was under the direction of the organist, Professor H. J. Nothnagel. Father Hemsteger, though a constant sufferer from an incurable ailment, worked unceas- ingly among the people, who were devotedly attached to him, and contemplated

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still further improvements in his church. But his declining health admonished him to prepare for death, and on Friday, October 18, 1878, he passed away from the scenes of his labors. No pastor was more deeply mourned. Father Hemste- ger was born in the Province of Westphalia September 24, 1827. Beginning his studies in his native place, he came to this country and completed them at Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati, where he was ordained priest by the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell on March 12, 1854. His first mission was at Piqua, this State. In 1859 he was appointed pastor of Holy Cross Church, succeeding Father Bor- gess. When Columbus diocese was formed in 1868, Right Rev. S. H. Rosecrans, the first Bishop, appointed him his Vicar-General, which office he held until his death. Right Rev. Bishop Toebbe, of Covington, saug the solemn requiem Mass at the funeral and the Most Rev. Archbishop of Cincinnati preached the sermon. Very Rev. Father Hemsteger was assisted during his pastorate of Holy Cross by Rev. Francis Karrell, 1859-60 ; Rev. Casper Wiese, 1860-61 ; Rev. Jacob Rosswog, 1861 ; Rev. Joseph Seling, 1861-62 : Rev. F. X. Specht, 1864-68; Rev. G. H. Ahrens, 1868-72; Rev. J. B. Eis, 1873-76; Rev. A. Weber, 1876-77 ; Rev. C. R. Rhode, 1877-78.

Rev. George H. Ahrens .- In November following the death of Vicar General Hemsteger, Rev. Father Ahrens was transferred from the Cathedral to the pas- toral charge of Holy Cross where he remained until his death, which occurred March 25, 1884. Father Ahrens was born in Cincinnati, in 1841. His prepara- tory studies were made in his native city, and at St. Vincent's College, Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania. He completed his studies at Mount St. Mary's Semi- nary, Cincinnati, where he was ordained by the Archbishop. He was sent to take charge of the German cougregation at Ironton, but when the diocese of Col- umbus was formed, Bishop Rosecrans appointed Father Ahrens Chancellor in 1867, and placed him as assistant at St. Patrick's Church, where the Bishop had taken charge as pastor pending the building of the Cathedral. In 1868 Father Ahrens was sent as assistant to Father Hemsteger, where he labored with com- mendable zeal for four years, much of the parish work devolving upon him owing to the pastor's illhealth. The handsome and commodious school building was erected under the supervision of Father Ahrens. On the opening of St. Aloysius's Seminary, on the West Side, Columbus, in 1871, Father Ahrens was made a pro- fessor in the institution and most faithfully discharged his duties up to the time of the closing of the Seminary in 1876. He was then stationed at the Cathedral and attended the Catholic prisoners in the Ohio Penitentiary, where he said Mass every Sunday morning for nearly two years, when, upon the death of Father Hcm- steger he was appointed pastor of Iloly Cross by the Administrator, Very Rev. N. A. Gallagher.

Rev. Clement R. Rhode. - Soon after the death of Father Ahrens, Right Rev. Bishop Watterson appointed Rev. Clement R. Rhode pastor, who continues the good work inaugurated by his predecessors and enjoys the devoted love of a large congregation. Many excellent improvements have been made in the church ; the whole interior has been decorated in beautiful designs and embellished with numerous mural paintings. The exterior has also been tastefully painted. Sep- tember 7, 1888, the congregation celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of its founda- tion. Solemn High Mass in the presence of the Bishop was celebrated by the pastor, assisted by some of the city clergy. Rev. Joseph J. Jessing preached the sermon. In the afternoon Bishop Watterson sang Pontifical Vespers assisted by the same priests who were present at the morning service. Right Rev .. Bishop Watterson preached an eloquent sermon reviewing the growth of the church in Columbus during the half century. As pastor Rev. Father Rhode is assisted by Father Joseph J. Jessing, founder and director of the Josephinum, whose histor-

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ical sketch appears further.on. On July 1, 1892, the congregation bought a piece of property on Walnut Street opposite the church site for $1,500.

St. Patrick's Church. - Holy Cross enjoys the distinction of being the mother of the Catholic churches of Columbus. It was the first fully organized congrega- tion with a resident pastor, at the time when services were held in the original church of St. Remigius. From Holy Cross congregation, composed of early Catholic settlers and their families with many later accessions, were formed other large and important congregations. The German element, which constituted fully threefourths of the whole number of families, predominated and had contrib- uted the greater amount towards erection of the church and support of the pastor. As there was growing need of another church building, Holy Cross being too small to accommodate the congregation, it was agreed, with the approval of the Bishop, to build a church for the English-speaking Catholics of the city. These latter were mostly of Irish descent, with a number also, of American families. Accordingly, a separate congregation was formed in February, 1851, by Rev. John Furlong, sent by the Bishop for that purpose. Father Furlong had many difficul- ties to contend with, and made little progress in his mission. The congregation formed under his pastorate arranged the times for their services at Holy Cross Church so as not to interfere with the congregation of the latter. This arrange- ment was continued until the new church was ready for occupancy. After a year's stay in the city Father Furlong was succeeded by Rev. James Meagher who entered upon his labors with an enthusiasm that inspired his entire flock. Father Meagher immediately began negotiations for the purchase of an eligible site upon which to erect a church. His efforts were successful, and a lot 187 feet square on the northeast corner of Seventh Street - now Grant Avenue - and Naghten Street was purchased of Robert E. Neil for one thousand dollars. Holy Cross congrega- tion contributed twelve hundred dollars towards the new church in lieu of paidup subscriptions made by English-speaking Catholics to the old church.

The plans of a church 125 feet long and 52 feet wide, in the Norman style of architecture, were adopted and the contract for erection of the building was awarded to John D. Clarke and Michael Harding. The new church was placed under the patronage of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, and the cornerstone was laid on Sunday, September 5, 1852, by Right Rev. Bishop Purcell, assisted by all the local clergy, and in the presence of a large concourse of people. Father Meagher well understood the magnitude of the work before him and he labored zealously and with heroic courage to accomplish it. The obtaining of means was a wearying task among the Catholics, who were generally in very poor circum- stances. Here and there and everywhere along the lines of railroads, on the streets, in the houses of rich and poor went this indefatigable worker collecting money to pay for his church. Within one year the edifice was sufficiently com- pleted to be occupied, and on Sunday, September 25, 1853, it was solemnly dedi- cated to Almighty God by the same Right Rev. prelate who had the previous year laid its cornerstone. High Mass was sung by Rev. M. Blake, of Xenia, assisted by Rev. Fathers Borgess and Meagher. The choir of Holy Cross Church, under direction of Professor Kronenbitter, sang Buchler's Mass. The Bishop preached an eloquent sermon on the occasion, alluding to the happy growth of the Catho- lic Church in this city. The following year a brick school building was erected beside the church on Mount Vernon Avenne. In August, 1865, Father Meagher engaged the services of the Sisters of Notre Dame, from Cincinnati, who took immediate charge of the girls' school. Lay teachers were employed in the boys' school. These Sisters were the first religious community to have a convent home in our city. A bell, noted for its sweet tones, was purchased and from the tower of St. Patrick's was the first in the city to peal forth the joyous " Angelus " at morning, noon and evening. A residence for the pastor was begun in 1857, but

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was not quite completed by Father Meagher, though he occupied it previously to the appointment of his successor. Rev. Edmund D. Flaherty was sometime assistant pastor.

Early in the fall of 1857 Rev. Father Meagher, much to the regret of his devoted floek, was transferred to Cincinnati by his Bishop, and Rev. Edward M. Fitzgerald was sent to take charge of the congregation. Father Fitzgerald had just been ordained, and brought to this his first field of labor all the energy and zeal of a young and fervent priest. In a very short time he had won the affections of the large and rapidly increasing congregation. His labors were signally suc- cessful. He gave careful attention to the improvement of the school which had already a good beginning, and introduced the Brothers of the Holy Cross from Notre Dame, Indiana, who were put in charge of the boys' department. The pas- toral residence was completed, making it one of the finest in the eity, and an addition was put to the school building just doubling its former capacity, provid- ing for four rooms for the boys and as many for the girls. The structure was com- pleted in 1864 and has supplied the school needs of the parish to the present time. The interior of the church was beautifully frescoed, the walls displaying lifesize representations of the apostles, which are still preserved. A pipe organ and new altars added much to the embellishment and attractiveness of the interior.

Father Fitzgerald's pastorate extended through the trying and exciting times of the Civil War, and he very emphatically testified his unflinching loyalty to the government by floating the Stars and Stripes from the most prominent tower of the church. Under his auspices the Irish-Catholic military company - the Montgomery Guards - was organized. He fostered the organization with a feel- ing of laudable pride, and encouraged them to be among the volunteers to offer their services when the first call was made for defenders of the flag. He was a frequent visitor to Camp Chase, located west of the city, where he ministered to the sick and dying, whether Union soldiers or Confederate prisoners. In 1862-65, the Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis were struggling in the establishment of the hospital which bears the name of their saint. Father Fitzgerald cooperated with Father Hemsteger, pastor of the German Church, in assisting these selfsacrificing Sisters in their great work of charity, and the result is known today by all our citizens in the grand hospital which has done so much for suffering humanity. It was owing to Father Fitzgerald's individual exertions, too, that the Sisters of the Good Shepherd seeured a permanent and beautiful convent home for their charitable work in Columbus.

The present imposing Cathedral was the outgrowth of plans first devised by the pastor of St. Patrick's, who wished to meet the demands of increasing num- bers of Catholics in the more central portion of the city. It had long been pre- dicted that Columbus would be a Bishop's see and thus it was anticipated that the new church should become a Cathedral. Father Fitzgerald bent all his ener- gies towards its erection. Having purchased the grounds on favorable terms and proceeded with the foundation, the cornerstone was laid in the fall of 1866. Further particulars of this event will be given in the historical sketch of St. Joseph's Cathedral. But Father Fitzgerald was not destined to realize his hopes. The hardworking and popular pastor found favor in the eyes of his eeclesiastieal superiors, who, appreciating also his deep learning and piety, called him to a membership in the hierarchy of the Church in America. In December, 1866, Pope Pius IX named Father Fitzgerald as Bishop of the see of Little Rock, Arkansas. St. Patrick's congregation felt that they were about to sustain a great loss, though they rejoiced in seeing their pastor so much honored. Petitions were circulated to have him retained in the city, which was about to become a Bishop's seat. But their importunities were of no avail, and on February 3, 1867, Father Fitzgerald was consecrated Bishop of Little Rock by Most Reverend

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Archbishop Purcell, assisted by Bishop Lynch, of Toronto, and Bishop Rosecrans of Cincinnati. The sermon was preached by Rev. Patrick J. Ryan, now the illustrious Archbishop of Philadelphia. The beautiful and impressive ceremony of consecration was witnessed for the first time in Columbus by a vast congrega- tion of people from the city and neighboring towns which filled all available space in St. Patrick's Church and completely surrounded the sacred edifice during the entire function. The young Bishop in taking leave of his flock, to whom he had ministered for ten years, was made the recipient of many testimonials of their affectionate regard, and the citizens of Columbus, without regard to creed, joined in expressing regrets at his departure. During the years of his pastoral charge, Father Fitzgerald, or " Father Edward," as he was familiarly called, was assisted by the following priests in succession : Rev. J. Coppinger, 1861-2; Rev. John B. Murray, 1863-5; Rev. Joseph Fitzgerald, his brother, 1865 6; Rev. F. C. Mallon, 1866-7.

When Bishop Fitzgerald was leaving the city, in February, 1867, the diocese of Columbus had not yet been formally ereeted by Rome, though it was definitely settled that this city should be a Bishop's see. The preliminary step in this direc- tion was taken when Right Rev. Sylvester Horton Rosecrans, D. D., was transferred to Columbus as pastor of St. Patrick's, succeeding Father Fitzgerald. Doctor Rosecrans was consecrated in 1862 as Bishop of Pompeiopolis, a forsaken see in possession of infidels, to act as auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati. He arrived in Col- umbus February 28, 1867, and announced that he came simply as pastor of St. Patrick's Church under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Cincinnati. The Bishop continued to act in this capacity for over one year.

Diocese of Columbus .- In July, 1868, the Apostolic Letters creating the diocese of Columbus were received by the Archbishop of Cincinnati. They prescribed the boundaries and extent of the new diocese as follows: The territory of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati is divided in such wise that the part of the State of Ohio which lies between the Ohio River on the east and the Scioto River on the west, with the addition of the counties of Franklin, Delaware and Morrow as far up as the southern limits of Cleveland diocese, shall belong to the new division ; and the rest of the State south of Cleveland diocese, including Union, Marion and Hardin counties, remain in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We will also that the see of the new Cathedral be fixed in the city of Columbus and its diocese be called Colum- bensis, and possess all the honors, rights and privileges which other Episcopal sees possess and enjoy. These letters were dated at Rome, March 3, 1868, and named Right Rev. S. H. Rosecrans as first Bishop of the new diocese.

Bishop Rosecrans remained at St. Patrick's as pastor, and with that church as the pro-Cathedral, while St. Joseph's Church, now determined upon as the Cathe- dral, was in process of construction. He was assisted in 1867-8 by Rev. George H. Ahrens, Chancellor, and upon the latter's removal to Holy Cross, Rev. P. J. Daily and Rev. F. Gonesse became assistants in 1868-9. During 1869 Rev. N. A. Galla- gher, Rev. J. McPhilips and Rev. J. A. Rotchford, O. P., were also stationed at St. Patrick's, attending parochial duties. Father Gallagher remained until the fall of 1871, when he became President of St. Aloysius Seminary, just established on the West Side, as a diocesan institution for the preparation of young men for the priesthood. Father Rotchford continued to assist until 1872. Father Gallagher was succeeded as assistant by Rev. Jeremiah A. Murray and later by Rev. William T. Hawe.

In the meantime work on the Cathedral had progressed to such a stage that it was ready for occupancy in December, 1872. Rev. Father Murray was then appointed pastor of St. Patrick's. In 1873 Rev. J. A. Casella succeed Father Mur- ray in the pastorate, having for assistants Rev. Henry Anderson in 1873, Rev. Killian Coll, Rev. J. F. Boulger and Rev. J. B. Schmitt in 1874. During the tem -

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porary absence of Father Casella in 1874, Fathe Schmitt solicited funds and pur- chased therewith the sweet-sounding bell that now swings in the tower, the old bell having become worthless by cracking. Rev. H. J. McDevitt and Rev. Joseph M. Toohey were assistants in 1875 and 1876, respectively. In July, 1876, Rev. Father Casella returned to his native France to remain, and Very Rev. N. A. Gallagher became pastor, the Seminary over which he presided having closed for want of funds. Father Gallagher was assisted by Rev. J. M. Toohey and Rev. R. J. Fitzgerald.

By this time old St. Patrick's began to show the ravages of time and Father Gallagher determined upon making muchneeded repairs and improvements. In the spring of 1877 the work of renovation began. The walls, which had begun to weaken, were strengthened by buttresses, a wellbraced slate roof took the place of the shingle one ; new stained-glass windows with remodeled frames were put in, and the whole interior was beautified. The contractors for these improvements were John D. Clarke and Charles Wolfel. On Sunday, December 23, the building was ready for rededication. The ceremony was performed by Right Rev. Bishop Rosecrans, assisted by the pastor, Rev. M. M. Meara, Rev. R. J. Fitzgerald, Rev. T. J. Lane, and Seminarians. After the dedicatory ceremonies Solemn High Mass, in the presence of the Bishop vested in Cope and Mitre, was celebrated by Very Rev. N. A. Gallagher, with Rev. T. J. Lane as deacon, Mr. L. W. Mulbane subdeacon and Mr. John McGirk as master of ceremonies. Fathers Meara and Fitzgerald assisted at the throne The Right Rev. Bishop preached on the duty of supporting the church and referred to the hardships and struggles of the early Catholics in erecting this House of God. In the afternoon Bishop Toebbe, of Cov- ington, Kentucky, who had officiated in the morning at a similar ceremony at Holy Cross Church, sang Pontifical Vespers, assisted by the same clergymen who were present at the morning services. The good Bishop spoke of the glorious day just closing for Columbus Catholics - the dedication of two Churches. He paid a fine tribute to St. Patrick and his children. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament closed the day's exercises. The following societies were present in regalia : Knights of the Red Cross, St. Joseph's Benevolent Society, St. Patrick's Total Abstinence Society and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Upon the death of Bishop Rosecrans in October, 1878, Father Gallagher was appointed administrator of the diocese by the Most Rev. Archbishop of Cin- cinnati. As soon as Rome had confirmed the .appointment, the administrator entered upon his duties and to do so more advantageously took up his residence at the Cathedral, leaving Rev. John Madden in temporary charge at St. Patrick's. Rev. J. E. McGirk was appointed assistant in 1879 and remained until 1882. In August, 1880, Right Rev. J. A. Watterson was consecrated Bishop, succeeding the late Bishop Rosecrans, thus relieving Father Gallagher as administrator, who again assumed direct pastoral charge of St. Patrick's Church, with Fathers Mad- den and McGirk as assistants. But other and higher honors awaited Father Gal- lagher. Soon after Bishop Watterson's consecration, he was appointed Vicar- General, which office he held only a little over a year, when Pope Leo XIII named him Bishop Administrator of the Diocese of Galveston, Texas, in December, 1881. Thus was another faithful pastor called from St. Patrick's to receive the mitre.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 86

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196