History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 87

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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For some months in 1882 Rev. T. F. Delaney was in temporary charge of the congregation, and in the latter part of that year Rev. A. O. Walker was made pas- tor. During Father Delaney's time the interior of the church underwent many marked improvements under his supervision. The walls and ceilings were newly painted in beautiful designs and with handsome representations of the patron Saints of the Church. During Father Walker's incumbency he was appointed Vicar-General and continued pastor with Father Delaney as assistant until 1885. In the summer of 1885 the parish was given in charge to the Dominican Fathers

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with Rev. P. C. Coll, O. P., as pastor, assisted- by Fathers McManus and Spencer. Father Coll in 1886 had steam-heating apparatus put into the church and school. Father Hugh Lilly, O. P., succeeded Father Coll in the pastorate in the fall of 1886 and continued in that position until May, 1888, when Father McManus, O. P., the present pastor, was appointed, Father Lilly being transferred to New York. Father MeManus has been assisted by the following priests in succession : Rev. Fathers De Cantillon, Edelen, Leonard, Brewer, Towle, MeGovern, Logan, Dunn, Carr and O'Leary. Besides attending the parish of St. Patrick's these same Dominican Fathers have, since 1886, ministered to the spiritual needs of the Cath- olic prisoners in the Ohio Penitentiary and the patients of St. Francis's Hospital. Besides many improvements in church and school, Father McManus has this year purchased a magnificent new pipe organ.

St. Mary's Church .- The division of Holy Cross congregation by the forma- tion of St. Patrick's congregation in 1851 left ample accommodation for increasing membership in the former for many years thereafter. As early, however, as 1863, the German Catholics of the extreme southern portion of the city began agitating for a church of their own, as Holy Cross was becoming crowded and was at an inconvenient distance. With this object in view the present site of St. Mary's Church was purchased in 1863, under the direction of the pastor of Holy Cross, Rev. Father Hemsteger, and a committee selected for the purpose, consisting of Louis Zettler, Peter Hinterschitt, John Ranft, Frederick Weber, Frank Wagner, Peter Bochm and Cornelins Lang. Rev. Francis X. Specht, who came to the eity as an assistant at Holy Cross in March, 1864, became identified with the move- ment to build a church and schoolhouse, and under his supervision the school was first erected at a cost of $9,000. It was ready for occupancy in 1865. Early in 1866, the church was commenced and in August of that year the cornerstone was laid by Most Rev. Archbishop Pureell, assisted by Bishop Young and a large num- ber of clergymen. During 1867 the edifice was enclosed, and in the following year it was ready for dedication. On November 30, 1868, Right Rev. Bishop Rosecrans solemnly dedicated the church to Almighty God, under the invocation of St. Mary. Many priests were present at the ceremonies, and societies from the city and neighboring towns gave a street parade. Bishop Rosecrans preached the sermon. The church, which is of Gothic design, 623 feet wide, 140 feet in depth, 75 feet in height-60 feet clear - is constructed with all the conveniences found in Catholic churches, in a substantial and workmanlike manner. The walls and ceiling were richly frescoed and a main altar 45 feet high and 20 feet wide, of Gothic design and finish and costing $2,500, was erected. An elegant pulpit and confessional of the same material, white walnut, were purchased at a cost of $1,170. There is a seating capacity of about 1,000.

In March, preceding the church's dedication, Father Specht was duly appointed its pastor by Bishop Rosecrans ; he has continued in that position to the present time, August, 1892 much to the satisfaction and happiness of the very large congregation. A chime of three bells, costing 82,200, was hung in the tower in 1870. A priest's residence, costing $6,000, was built in 1872, and a house for the Sisters of St. Francis, who, in 1875, succeeded the Sisters of Notre Dame in charge of the schools, was completed that year. A grand pipe organ was purchased from a local builder in November, 1875, and was pronounced the best in the city at that time. To meet the requirements of the congregation's steady growth it was necessary to erect an additional schoolhouse in 1887, thus providing ample aecom- modations for the children for some years to come.

March 12, 1889, was a glorious holiday for the people of St. Mary's parish, for on that day their beloved pastor reached the silvery year of his priesthood. His friends among the clergy and laity joined in extending congratulations and bestowing substantial testimonials of their regard. Though Father Specht has not

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of late years been alone in his labors, being assisted by Rev. Father B. Horney for some time past, still the burden of the large parish is cheerfully borne by him, and in his labors in our city he has won the hearts of a host of friends and the respect of all who have ever had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Upon the retirement of Very Rev. Father Walker to the Dominican Monastery, and his con sequent resignation of the office of Vicar_General of the diocese in 1885, the Bishop appointed Father Specht to succeed him. In 1890 new stained-glass win- dows were put into the ehureh, adding much to its interior appearance.

St. Joseph's Cathedral .- Causes similar to those which brought about a divi- sion of Holy Cross congregation and the formation of that of St. Mary's con- spired to produce the organization of a cathedral congregation, namely : Lack of accommodations in the old church and a desire for a new one more centrally located. In the summer of 1866 the matter assumed a definite and positive form, and Rev. Edward M. Fitzgerald, then pastor of St. Patrick's, inaugurated measures looking to the erection of a new church. Father Fitzgerald was greatly encouraged by the generous subscriptions made, aggregating nearly $37,000 from about 250 donors. From the more influential members of the congregation was chosen a building committee, among the members of which were John Conahan, Theodore Leonard, treasurer, John Joyee, John D. Clarke, Thomas Bergin, William Naghten, secretary, John Caren, Michael Harding, William Wall, James Naughton, William Riches, John McCabe, Michael Hartman, John Duffy, Martin Whalen, Bernard NcNally and Michael Galvin.

These gentlemen heartily cooperated with their pastor in his efforts, and under his direction labored commendably in procuring the necessary means to assure a successful issue to the undertaking. A subcommittee to act in concert with Father Fitzgerald, was selected to examine and discuss favorable locations for the church. Many eligible sites were proposed, but the prevailing desire was to have the edifiee erected on Broad Street, which was then assuming the beauti- ful appearance which now makes it the pride of the city. The present site of the cathedral and the quarter square on the northwest corner of Broad and Fourth streets were for some time considered, but the choice finally fell upon the lot first named as the more advantageous, and through John Joyce land comprising two lots with a total frontage of 120 feet on Broad Street and a depth of 200 feet on Fifth Street was purchased of John Miller for $13,500. The deed was dated in April, 1866. Mr. Miller afterwards donated the odd $500.

A beginning was thus made and a grand church that should be a monument to the zeal and generosity of the Catholics of Columbus became an assured realty. A large meeting of the men of St. Patrick's parish was held and discussed, among other subjects, the name of the new church. The pastor left the choice to the meeting, which, on motion of J. D. Clarke, adopted the name of St. Joseph. Michael Harding, an architect who had been requested to prepare plans and speci- fications, submitted them and they were adopted. They projected a church 193 feet long and 90 feet wide. These plans were somewhat modified as to the super- structure as the work progressed, but the ground plan remained unchange ). Mr. Harding staked out the foundation on June 6, 1866, and John McCabe, contractor, immediately began the work of excavation, followed directly by John Stoddard who had the contract for the masonry. Work continued on the foundation until November, 1866, when everything was in readiness for the ceremony of corner- stone laying, which took place on November 11. The Most Reverend Arch- bishop Purcell and a large number of other distinguished prelates were expected to be present on the occasion, but a previous appointment prevented the atten- dance of the Archbishop and his place was supplied by Right Rev. Doctor Rose- crans, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati.

The Joseph tering

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The day was beautiful but chilly. The procession of societies formed at St. Patrick's at two o'clock P. M. with Captain William Riches as chief marshal and the following gentlemen as assistants : City Marshal Patrick Murphy, Thomas Bergin, James Joyce, J. C. Nevill, Patrick Dunn, George Burke, John Howard, William Naghten, John Caren. The procession moved in the following order : Hemmerbach's Band, St. Joseph's Mutual Benevolent Society, St. Boniface's, St. John's, St. Martin's, and St. Aloysins's societies of Holy Cross Church ; subdeacon, carrying processional cross accompanied by acolytes, twenty sanctuary boys in cassock and surplice, carriages containing the bishop and clergy, Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, Holy Angels' Society, the class of boys and girls who had received First Communion and Confirmation in the forenoon of that day, St. Patrick's Society from London, societies from Newark and Delaware, and finally St. Patrick's Society of Columbus. The procession, displaying brilliant regalia and beautiful banners, attracted large crowds of people as it moved to the site of the new church by way of Seventh Street, now Grant Avenue, and Broad Street. Arriving at the foundations, the societies formed a gnard on the outer wall. The windows of neighboring houses, the streets and every available portion of ground for a considerable distance ronnd about, were occupied by people anxious to wit- ness the ceremonies.

The stone was laid on the southeast corner of the building, at the intersec- tion of Broad and Fifth streets, and in its cavity was placed the usual sealed tin- box containing the name of the church, the names of the principal officers of the National and State governments, copies of recent Columbus newspapers, the names of the reigning Pope, Archbishop of Province, and pastor ; also the names of the officiating Bishop and assistants and numerous other articles to serve as mementos of the occasion. The bishop delivered an address from the temporary platform, and in eloquent and forcible language plead the divinity of the Catholic Church.

At the conclusion of the sermon the Te Deum was sung, Hemmersbach's brass band playing an accompaniment. The clergymen present were Rev. Father O'Reilly, of Valparaiso, Indiana ; Rev. John B. Murray, of Chillicothe ; Reverends Louis Cartnyven and Daily, of Newark ; Rev. E. M. Fitzgerald, pastor of St. Pat- rick's Church; Reverends John B. Hemsteger and Francis X. Specht, of Holy Cross Church ; Rev. Father Hildebrand, Chaplain of St. Francis Hospital. Spe- cial trains on different railways brought large delegations from adjoining towns, the number in attendance being estimated at fully 6,000.

The cornerstone being laid the foundation walls were covered over for the winter, the intention being to resume work on the building with the opening of spring. In the meantime, however, Papal Bulls were received naming Father Fitzgerald Bishop of Little Rock, Arkansas. He was consecrated in February, 1867, and was succeeded in the pastorate by Bishop Rosecrans, who in March, 1868, became the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Columbus. The Bishop immediately determined to continue the work of building the new church which was to be known as St. Joseph's Cathedral. Some changes were made in the plans and it was decided to construct it of stone instead of brick, as originally contem- plated. This necessitated firmer and deeper foundation walls in many places and the old walls were torn down to build new ones in their places. Another change made consisted in placing the tower and Baptistery in the southwest corner instead of in the centre of the front. The original plan, however, was substantialy pre- served.

The building is Gothic in architecture, and the outside finish is known as the boasted ashlar, the chiseling of the stone relieving the dead appearance of a yel- low stone wall. The stone, which possesses the property of hardening by expos- ure to the air, was obtained principally from quarries in Licking and Fairfield

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counties. The dimensions of the building are ninetytwo feet fronting on Broad Street and one hundred and eightyfive feet on Fifth Street. The outside walls are fortytwo feet in height from the ground level and thirtyfour feet from the floor line. The inside or clearstory walls have an altitude of seventy feet from the ground and sixtytwo from the floor. The main walls are three feet thick. The clearstory walls, supported by arches, rest on clusters of Gothic columns, standing on dressed limestone pedestals. Stone crosses surmount the outside walls at inter- vals and give a decided relief to their otherwise dullness. The windows are cased in freestone obtained in Pickaway County. The brackets are cut from Columbus limestone and are about the only stone articles in the structure procured at home. The seating capacity of the Cathedral is over two thousand. On Broad Street there are three main entrances and on Fifth Street one. Entrance is gained to the sacristies by a door at the rear on Fifth Street and from the pastoral residence. The arching of the windows and the supports of the clearstory carry out the direc- tions of General W. S. Rosecrans, who, in the summer of 1870, spent some time with his brother, the Right Reverend Bishop, assisting in the details of the construc- tion. The windows, all donated, are of stained glass in beautiful designs. The interior walls have only the sandstone finish, while the groined arches of the ceil- ing harmonize with them, being penciled in imitation of a vaulted roof. When the tower and spire shall have been completed they will attain a height of two hundred and fifty feet. Rev. J. A. Murray, at the time pastor of St. Patrick's Church, was of much service in the construction of the Cathedral. Being placed in the position of general supervisor, he brought to bear upon the work the busi- ness tact and shrewdness for which he was noted. He, more than anyone else, carried out the plans and ideas of General Rosecrans, making only such changes as were absolutely necessary in the course of construction. From 1870 until the completion of the building Mr. Michael Fahey was the diligent superintendent. In order to have the new congregation organized as well as to relieve the over- crowded condition of the other churches that would contribute membership to the cathedral, the Bishop decided to open a temporary chapel in a part of the city convenient for most of the congregation. With this end in view Naughton Hall, situated on the east side of High Street, between State and Town, was leased early in 1870, for religious services until the cathedral should be in readiness. The hall, after being arranged with altar, organ, seats and other furniture, had the appearance of a comfortable little church with a seating capacity of over 500. The bishop, assisted by Father J. A. Murray and other priests at St. Patrick's, attended the chapel. The choir, a very good one, was under the direction of Mr. M. Fahey, who has been connected with our Catholic choirs for more than thirty- five years. A few months after its organization the cathedral chapel congregation, as it was called, was placed under the care of Rev. J. F. Rotchford, O. P., whom the bishop secured for a few years service, from the Dominican Fathers of New York. In 1872, Father Rotchford was called by his superiors to duties elsewhere and the bishop, assisted by Rev. N. A. Gallagher, conducted the religious services in the chapel until the occupancy of the Cathedral.

On Christmas Day, 1872, the Cathedral was in readiness for divine services and Right Rev. Bishop Rosecrans had the happiness of celebrating Pontifical High Mass for the first time in the grand and imposing structure. The Bishop was assisted on this occasion by many priests of the city. Though cold and disagree- able the day, and quite uncomfortable within the edifice owing to some defects in the steam fitting, a large congregation filled all the available space in the audito- rium, remaining throughout the long and interesting service. Soon after the open- ing of the cathedral a large and costly main altar was erected. It was built mostly of marble donated by the late Cardinal McCloskey, from the quarries in New York State where the handsome marble for the famous St. Patrick's Cathe-

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dial in New York City was obtained. The side altars were afterwards added. They were of the same material.

The Right Rev. Bishop was himself rector of the Cathedral, being assisted in 1873 by Rev. N. A. Gallagher and Rev. H. Anderson. As there was yet no resi- dence for the Bishop and clergy at the Cathedral, they remained at St. Patrick's rectory until, through the agency of Father Anderson, the Bishop purchased the house of Joseph Gundersheimer on the south side of East Broad Street between Sixth and Seventh. Generous subscriptions were taken up to pay for the new pastoral residence and the furnishing thereof, and before the end of the year 1873 the clergy, with the Bishop, were comfortably located. But it was soon found to be at an inconvenient distance from the Cathedral and the Bishop arranged for the erection of a residence adjoining that structure. It was occupied by the priests in 1875, the Bishop disposing of the former property and taking up his own residence at the Sacred Heart Convent opened a few years previously at the southeast corner of Broad and Seventh streets and conducted by the Dominican Sisters. The following priests assisted the Bishop in the care of the large congre- gation : Rev N. A. Gallagher, present Bishop of Galveston, 1873; Rev. H. Ander- son, 1873-1875 ; Rev. F. J. Campbell, 1873-1876; Rev. M. M. Meara, 1874.1882; Rev. M. M. A. Hartnedy, 1875, and 1878-1879; Rev. J. Toohey, 1876; Rev. J. P. Daly, 1876; Rev. J. A. Murray, 1876; Rev. J. Meara, 1877; Rev. G. H. Ahrens, 1877-1878; Rev. T. J. Lane, 1878; Rev. F. M. Woesman, 1878-1879.

Until the summer of 1878, the congregation used the Cathedral with its interior in an unfinished condition, no plastering having yet been done. In May, 1878, John D. Clarke and Charles Nagel contracted as lowest bidders to erect a scaffold and put on a groined ceiling under direction of Rev. M. M. Mcara. As the Bishop witnessed the near completion of his grand Cathedral, he determined to have it solemnly consecrated with all the pomp and ceremony of the Pontifical. Accordingly Sunday, October 20, 1878, was set as the day which should become memorable in the history of the Diocese of Columbus, and preparations for the consecration were made on a very elaborate scale. All the clergy of the diocese were expected to assist at the sacred ceremonies and a large number of the hier- archy of the United States accepted invitations to be present.

Consecration of the Cathedral .- The twentieth of October was an ideal autumn day. The coolness of the advancing season was just sufficiently moderated by the genial warmth of the bright sun to render the day all that could be desired for the occasion so anxiously anticipated by thousands who came from far and near to participate in it. The faultless arrangement of the committees having the vari- ous portions of the celebration in charge insured perfect success. The consecra- tion ceremonies began at five o'clock in the morning and occupied nearly four hours. The consecrator was Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, Indi- ana ; Assistant Priest, Rev. J. B. Schmitt, Lancaster; First Deacon, Rev. G. H. Ahrens ; Second Deacon, Rev. H. B. Dues; Subdeacon, Rev. M. M. A. Hartnedy ; Chanters, Reverend J. B. Eis, Rev. P. Kenmert ; Rev. F. Moitrier, Rev. P. Thurhei- mer. Other offices were filled by seminarians and sanctuary boys. The beauti- ful and interesting ceremony was carried out in its entirety under the direction of Very Rev. N. A. Gallagher as Master of Ceremonies, assisted by Mr. L. W. Mul- hane, now the Rector of St. Vincent de Paul's Church, Mount Vernon. The dec- orations of the auditorium and the sanctuary were in keeping with the grand and festive occasion and elicited the admiration of all.

At eleven o'clock the Pontifical High Mass was begun with the following officers : Celebrant, Right Rev. Silas Chatard, Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana ; Assistant Priest, Rev. J. Donahoe; First Deacon of Honor, Rey. F. X. Specht; Second Deacon of Honor, Rev. J. Jessing ; Officiating Deacon, Rev. F. J. Camp- bell ; Officiating Subdeacon, Rev. D. B. Cull. The Most Reverend Archbishop

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Purcell, of Cincinnati, occupied the throne at the Gospel side, while Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans sat on another erected at the Epistle side. Right Rev. Bishops Gilmore, of Cleveland, Toebbe of Covington, Dwenger of Fort Wayne, Kain of Wheeling, and Spaulding of Peoria, assisted in the sanctuary, vested in rotchet and cape. Seated within the sanctuary railing were about fifty priests. After the first Gospel in the Mass had been sung, the Right Reverend Bishop of Peoria ascended the pulpit and read from manuscript a very learned discourse on Ceremonies and Symbols, in which he treated of their origin, nature and meaning in religious rites. Immediately after Mass Bishop Rosecrans announced the hour for Vespers in the evening and the funeral of the Vicar-General on Monday morning. That good priest's body was then lying in state in Holy Cross Church. The Bishop also stated that at his urgent solicitation the Archbishop would address the people. The venerable prelate, "the Patriarch of the West," then came forward to the sanctuary railing wearing his mitre and leaning on his crozier. In a voice tremulous with emotion and from the weakness of his age, nearly fourscore years, the Archbishop referred to the rapid progress of the Catholic Church in Columbus, its beginning and growth in this city being coeval with his labors in the priesthood. He heartily congratulated the Catholics of this city upon the completion of the noble structure that had just been consecrated to the service of God. This day is surely one that the Lord hath made. The build- ing of a Cathedral that reflected so much glory upon the Catholics of Columbus was one of the many admirable works that God had raised up Bishop Rosecrans to accomplish. Who would have thought that so much could have been done in so short a time ? He referred to the fact that Bishop Rosecrans was born of Protestant parents in Licking County and raised, almost, among the people here. The Archbishop sketched the early careers of the other Prelates present, stating that he was acquainted with the father and grandfather of the celebrant of the Mass, Bishop Chatard. The speaker contrasted the ceremonies of today with those and the attending scenes of early times in Columbus, one occasion particu- larly being recalled when he celebrated Mass in a place used as a saloon, down on the banks of the Scioto, and the small apartment was so crowded that he begged some of the people to go out lest he should smother. The case was entirely dif- ferent today as the large and imposing building testified. The Archbishop con- cluded his few remarks by urging Catholics to remain steadfast to that faith and its practices which will bring them to their highest and best place of worship- Heaven.

The musical portions of the Mass were rendered by a choir of fifty voices selected from all the choirs of the city, with a few volunteer professionals under the direction of Professor H. J. Nothnagel. The orchestral accompaniment had a magnificent effect. It was the opinion of all lovers of musical art that as a church effort it was never equaled in the city. The Prelates were entertained at dinner by the Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans at Sacred Heart Convent. In the after- noon a procession of the visiting and local Catholic societies took place. Forty- four societies, accompanied by nine brass bands, were in line. It was the greatest display that the Catholic societies ever made in Columbus, and the scene on East Broad Street as the procession moved on that beautiful thoroughfare was such as had never before been witnessed in Columbus. The handsome banners of gold, silk and satin, worked with numerous elegant patterns, their glittering mountings of gilded cross and golden cord and tassels, the many colored regalia of the dif- ferent societies, the graceful plumes waving from burnished helmets, with here and there at frequent intervals our national standard floating in the gentle breeze, all conspired to present a spectacle which will long be remembered.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 87

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