USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 89
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CATHOLIC.
its alumni and the fame of its founder, Most Rev. Doctor Carroll, of Baltimore, the first American Bishop and a brother to Charles Carroil, of Carrollton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Father Watterson became known and respected throughout the country. In appreciation of his learning and position of honor, the faculty of Georgetown, D. C., University, at the annual commencement on June 24, 1869, conferred npon the youthful president the degree of Doctor of Divinity. It was during his incumbency of the office of President that Doetor Watterson was called by Pope Leo XIII to the Bishopric of Columbus in March, 1880. From that time on the Bishop's life has been identified with the history of the Columbus dio- cese, and everywhere we find evidences of the progress, spiritual and material, that characterize the reign of a devoted Bishop. The burden of a heavy debt was placed upon the young Bishop's shoulders, and he immediately inaugurated plans to lessen it. The diocese was reorganized and business methods were introduced, as required by the constantly increasing Catholic population.
A few months after his conseeration the Bishop appointed Very Reverend N. A. Gallagher his Vicar General, and Rev. L. W. Mulhane Secretary. In December, 1881, Father Gallagher was appointed Bishop to rule the see of Gal- veston, Texas, in matters spiritnal and temporal. The appointment was hailed with great delight by everybody. In April following his appointment, Father Gallagher left the city to take charge of his diocese and in the following October was succeeded in the office of Vicar-General by Rev. A. O. Walker, who had pre- viously been placed as pastor of St. Patrick's Church, a position also held by the Bishopelect.
Rev. M. M. Meara, who had been some years rector of the Cathedral, was, in April, 1882, transferred to the pastoral charge of the church of St. Joseph, Cireleville, and Rev. R. J. Fitzgerald, of MeLuney, was made rector of the Cathedral, assisted by Rev. L. W. Mulhane and Rev. J. P. White, the latter remaining at the Cathe- dral until the fall of 1890. Rev. T. J. O'Reilly succeeded Father Mulhane as Bishop's secretary in 1885, Father Mulhane being placed by the Bishop in charge of St. Vincent's Church, Mount Vernon. Rev. J. McDermott, 1887-89, and Rev. J. Cahalan, 1887-88, also assisted at the Cathedral. Father Fitzgerald was appointed pastor of St. John's Church, Bellair, in 1888, and from that date to the present writing, September, 1892, the Right Rev. Bishop has retained the title of Rector himself, having Rev. James P. White 1890, Rev. Charles Mulhane 1889-93, Rev. J. Weigand 1890, Rev. John S. Cawley 1890-92, and Rev. J. Mahoney 1890-92 as assistants. In September, 1889, Rev. Father O'Reilly was given the task of organizing the new parish of St. Dominic, this city, and Father Mahoney succeeded him sometime later in the office of Bishop's secretary.
During the past ten years besides directing improvements of the diocese in general, the Bishop has done much for the good of the Cathedral property and the beauty of the building. On December 31, St. Sylvester's Day, patronal feast of the late Bishop Rosecrans, he blessed with all the solemnity of the ritual a large sweettoned bell for the tower of the Cathedral. At the time it was hung this bell was the largest one in Ohio, its weight being over six thousand pounds. On April 7, 1886, the Bishop purchased his present residence, thus completing the balfblock on Broad Street and acquiring for the Cathedral a most valuable prop- erty. The priests attached to the Cathedral remain at the old residence now on the same premises, which afford commodious grounds. A lot immediately in rear of the Cathedral, but across the alley therefrom, was bonght in March, 1889, as a prospective site for a school. A new pipe organ of grand compass and propor- tions was built in 1889, taking the place of one that had long survived its useful- ness. Within the last two years the interior of the Cathedral has been renovated and further embellished by the addition of two handsome side altars, donations of members of the congregation. A costly set of Stations of the Cross relieve the
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cold, dull appearance of the bare stone walls. Lifesized statues from famous ateliers in Europe are placed about the altars. The Bishop has also added a large number of elegant vestments, rich ornaments for the altar, and many articles required in the exact performance of solemn ceremonies.
In October, 1886, Bishop Watterson made a visit to Rome, to comply with the obligations a Bishop is under, to make decennial reports in person to the Holy Father, stating the condition and needs of the Church within his jurisdiction. The Bishop remained abroad until the summer of the following year, making a tour of the Holy Land and visiting places of interest and famous shrines of devotion.
Sacred Heart Church .- About the year 1852-53, when Columbus was yet under the spiritual jurisdiction of Right Reverend Bishop Purcell, afterwards Archbishop of Cincinnati, William Phelan, of Lancaster, Ohio, willed to the diocese four acres of ground, the present site of Sacred Heart Church. The traet of land forms a square bounded by Summit Street, First Avenue, Second Avenue and College Street. In order to fulfil a condition in the will the land was successively offered by the Archbishop to several religious communities for the erection thereon of a charitable institution, but on account of its being outside the city limits at the time, the offer was rejected by all. Situated in what is called the Mount Pleasant Addition to the city, it came into the corporation with that addition and in 1875 was in the midst of a rapidly growing Catholic popula- tion which was seeking homes north of the Union Station. It was determined by Bishop Rosecrans, trustee of the property, with the consent of the heirs at law, to erect a school building which would serve also as a church. Accordingly, on May 27, 1875, the Bishop commissioned Rev. John B. Eis, who had been assist- ing at Holy Cross Church, to erect a suitable building for the accommodation of the new congregation. After consulting with the Bishop and several of the best business men of the city, Father Eis concluded to build a school with a large hall to be used as a church, and with room to accommodate the Sisters who were to teach. The contract for the building was made August 2, 1875, with John Harding. The cornerstone was laid on Sunday, September 5, by Right Reverend Doctor Rosecrans in the presence of an immense crowd of people. A parade of Catholic societies took place. The Bishop addressed the assemblage a few words. The structure was completed in the spring of 1876, and on Easter Sunday, April 16, Mass was celebrated in it for the first time, Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans performing the dedication. Only small congregations were present at the two Masses. The school was opened the following Monday with eightythree children, divided into three rooms. Before the end of the term, that is, in three months, the number of pupils had increased to 250. After the first vacation the school commenced with 305 pupils in charge of five teachers. From that time it steadily increased until at present there are over 600 children in attendance, with eighteen Sisters in charge.
The continual and rapid increase in the congregation demanded a correspond- ing increase in accommodations. Several additions were accordingly made to the original building from time to time. In 1877 a pastoral residence was added on the south side, and in 1886 a convent for the Sisters was built on the north end. Finished as it is now, the building is over 175 feet long and about 80 feet wide. It is two stories high with basement and garret; the main hall used for church purposes occupies the second story. There are 65 rooms and all apartments are heated by hot water. The cost has been about $60,000. The crowded condition of the schools has rendered another addition necessary and at present writing it is about ready for occupancy. Several priests acted temporarily as assistants to Father Eis in the care of this large and important congregation. Not, however, until March, 1890, was a regular assistant named and appointed by the Bishop
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who, at that time, sent the Reverend Hugh Ewing. Father Ewing continnes in the position to the present time. During sixteen years of its existence there were 1,423 persons baptized at the church, while 435 were buried from it, showing thus a gain of nearly one thousand souls by natural increase. One hundred and ninetyeight couples were married during the same period. The number of Yearly Communions increased from 2,430 in 1876 to 12,300 in 1891. Since the founda- tion of the church, fifteen young ladies of the congregation joined different religi- ous communities to devote their lives to works of charity and to Christian educa- tion. There are a number of societies of men, women and children connected with the church, the number of members in the aggregate being 400. Father Eis has plans for a grand church edifice to be erected when funds at his command will justify the undertaking of such a task. The congregation is composed principally of English-speaking Catholics, but there is a large proportion of French and Ger- man, and to these Father Eis addresses himself with equal ease in their own lan- guage.
Holy Family Church .- This church is situated in the oldest portion of the city, known as Franklinton, in the early days of Columbus the seat of justice of Franklin County. It now forms the West Side. The Catholie population of this section, however, consisted of only a few families and, for a short time, a small number of laborers engaged in constructing the National Road, now known as West Broad Street. Mass was occasionally said by missionaries, as stated in the beginning of this historical sketch, at the residences of one or other of the Cath- olic settlers. The new and growing city of Columbus on the opposite bank of the Scioto attracted those who came to make their home in this vicinity, and naturally the Catholics found it more convenient to locate their first churches there to serve the greater number.
The Sisters of the Good Shepherd had, in 1865, founded a convent on the Sullivant property, southwest corner of Sandusky and Broad streets, and here the Catholic services were regularly held, intended only for the members of the community. The few Catholic families in the immediate vicinity enjoyed the especial privilege of assisting at Mass in the private chapel on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation, but for the regular services of a priest they were com- pelled to apply to some one of the churches in the city to which they were sup- posed to be attached. In 1871 a diocesan ecclesiastical seminary for the prepara tion of young men for the priesthood was opened in property, also belonging to the Sullivant family, opposite the site of the Convent of the Good Shepherd In the chapel of the seminary daily Mass was offered, but this was exclusively for the inmates, yet it is another indication that Catholicity was steadily on the increase in this portion of the city. In a few years therefore we find preparations making for the formation of a congregation who were eager for a church and pastor of their own. The Sisters of St. Joseph, from Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, at the carnest solicitation of Bishop Rosecrans, took possession of the seminary property in the spring of 1877, it having been found necessary to close the semi- mary the summer preceding. The Sisters opened a day and boarding school for young boys, and Reverend R. C. Christy, also of Ebensburg, who had lately been received into the diocese, was appointed by Bishop Rosecrans in April, 1877, as chaplain of the Sisters of St. Joseph and of the Convent of the Good Shepherd. It was while serving in this capacity that Father Christy recognized the necessity of a church for the increasing numbers of Catholies. A building on the premises of the seminary was neatly fitted up to serve as a temporary chapel to accommo- date the young congregation. For two months divine services were conducted in this humble structure that had been formerly used as a barn, but the devout peo- ple who remembered that the first chapel in which the Redeemer of mankind was worshiped was also a cold, bleak stable occupied by the dumb brutes, were happy
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in their attendance here. Father Christy, who had served through the Civil War as a chaplain in the Army of the Cumberland, had the courage, energy and ambition of a soldier, and determinedly overcame many difficulties that beset his way in the organization of a parish.
After much trouble and negotiation the zealous pastor obtained possession of the church formerly used by the United Brethren, situated on the corner of San- dusky and Shepherd streets, adjoining the Seminary. A contract was entered into for the purchase of the church but the legal transfer was never made owing to a defect in the title, causing the property to remain in litigation for some years. In a short time Father Christy had the church remo.leled and arranged according to the requirements of a Catholic place of worship, and on Friday, June 8, 1877, blessed the church under the invocation of the Holy Family, and celebrated High Mass in it for the first time. The following clergymen of the city were present : Very Reverend J. B. Hemsteger, V. G .; Rev. G. H. Ahrens, Rev. F. X. Specht, Rev. J. A. Maroney, Rev. J. C. Goldschmidt, Rev. P. M. Heery and Rev. C. Rhode. The choir of Holy Cross Church furnished the music as a fitting tribute of the oldest Catholic Church in the city to the youngest. In compliment to Father Christy, who was a very warm friend of the officers of the United States Garrison, the military band stationed there discoursed appropriate music before and after the services.
Father Christy labored zealously and soon formed a large congregation, with a school under the direction of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Failing health, however, soon began to warn him that his labors were not to continue long, and after one year's service as pastor he was compelled to resign and seek treatment and care in St. Francis Hospital, where he died October 16, 1878, a few days previous to the death of Bishop Rosecrans. Father Christy was succeeded in June, 1878, by Rev. T. S. Reynolds, who remained in charge until January, 1879, when Rev. W. E. Hayes, formerly of Pittsburgh diocese, was appointed by the Very Rev. Adminis- trator, N. A. Gallagher, as pastor. Father Hayes immediately recognized two facts : First, that the congregation was the poorest in numbers and financial stand- ing in the city, and secondly, that the present property could not be legally beld by the congregation and must be sold to satisfy the claims of former mortgagees. The Catholics had as yet made no payments on the property but had spent much money in improving it. At the sale made by order of court, Father Hayes would not bid beyond the offer made by a representative of the mortgagees, thus leaving the church in the hands of that party. Arrangements were made to rent the prop- erty and continue possession of it for church and school purposes until a new building should be completed. An opportunity to purchase an eligible site for a church presented itself, and on April 1, 1881, Father Hayes came into possession of the property situated on the northeast corner of Broad and Skidmore streets where now stands the present church. The purchase price was so low that the pastor was congratulated on all sides for the favorable bargain made. Prepara- tions for building a church to serve the purposes of a school as well were immedi- ately begun and carried on as means allowed, the principal source of income being derived from fairs and house-to-house collection. So interested in the work was the pastor that he labored day after day alongside the workmen in excavating for the foundation and laying the same. His heart was in the enterprise and by his example he desired to win the cooperation of his parishioners.
On September 17, 1882, the cornerstone was laid by Right Reverend Bishop Watterson in the presence of an immense concourse of people. It was truly a gala day for the Catholics of the West Side, for never before had Catholicity made such a demonstration in that part of the city. The undertaking was a hazardous one but the undaunted pastor zealously labored on to complete the foundation, and when his brave struggles were finally rewarded with success, he covered the stone
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walls to await more prosperous times among his people for continuance of the construction. While the prospective church was in this condition Father Hayes built up his school, taking a very laudable pride in thus laying the foundations of a future congregation to occupy the church that would some day compare most favorably with other like edifices in the city.
The Bishop saw a wider and better field for the exercise of Father Hayes's abilities and transferred him to the pastorate of St. Francis de Sales's Church at Newark, Ohio, where he remained until his death, which occurred in June, 1892. Father Ilayes was succeeded as pastor of Holy Family Church in October, 1884, by Rev. Dennis A. Clarke, who had for some years been stationed at the Cathe- dral. After High Mass on Sunday, November 16, following his appointment, a meeting of the men of the congregation was held in the basement of the old church in response to a call made by Father Clarke. James H. Pender was made secre- tary of this meeting, the object of which was stated by the pastor to be to devise the best means for prosecuting construction of the new church, the foundations of which had lain covered over for nearly two years. Many suggestions were offered and a spirit was manifested which greatly encouraged the new pastor. On motion, a com- mittee to act with the pastor in an advisory capacity was elected as follows : James H. Pender, James Clahane, William T. Molloy, Martin Whalen and William Walsh. Michael Harding, who had drawn the plans for the basement, was invited to prepare plans and specifications for the superstructure complete.
During the winter and spring of 1884-5 the committee met occasionally at the call of the pastor to consult on plans and to receive bids. Slight changes were found necessary to be made in the foundations, and the plans for a plain, substan- tial church building to serve the needs of the parish were adopted and approved by the pastor. The contract for the carpenter work necessary to enclose the building was awarded to Michael and Thomas Harding and that for the brick work to Patrick Call, who were the lowest bidders. In May, 1885, the foundations were put in readiness and the bricklaying began. It was determined to finish the basement, which is airy, light and commodious, for a temporary chapel, with class- rooms separated from it by the main hallway running full length of the building. The upper part or main auditorium was floored and enclosed. Under the superin- tendence of W. T. Molloy the basement was plastered by the contractor, Charles Moeller, and everything was made ready for divine services, which were held in the basement for the first time on Sunday, March 7, 1886. Rev. Father Clarke, the pastor, sang High Mass and Rev. Father White of the Cathedral preached an appropriate sermon. At the end of Mass Father Clarke congratulated the congre- gation upon having their own church and urged them to continue their efforts until the structure should be finished. The basement chapel continued to be used until summer, when the church proper was arranged with an altar, chairs and other fixtures, and services were held in it during the warm weather. In Sep- tember, 1886, the Redemptorist Fathers gave a very successful Mission in the church. A system of monthly collections in sealed envelopes was inaugurated and this has been the source of means to continue the work of finishing the building.
In the antumn of 1888 contracts for - plastering the church and putting in a steel sheet ceiling with galvanized arches were made and the work of completing the whole interior went steadily on during the winter. Beautiful stained glass windows representing, on one side of the church, the Twelve Apostles, and on the other the principal patron saints of the societies, ete., were put in and hardwood finish in oak was used throughout. The window sills are of dark red marble. The Gothic style of architecture prevails and the harmony of all the parts is very marked The dimensions of the church are: Length 135 feet, width 55 feet. The gallery has a seating capacity of one thousand. The tower has been completed
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but the plans provide for a steeple to surmount it. Whether the spire will ever be built remains for time to determine.
On entering the church the visitor's attention is attracted by the beautiful finish of the vestibule with its ceiling in richly decorated steel panels, its walls of soft tints and its varnished hardwood wainscoting and casings. The sanctuary forms a Gothic vault faced with a lofty arch upon which is inscribed the song of the seraphim and cherubim: "Holy ! Holy! Holy ! Lord God of Hosts!" The ceiling is painted in azure blue which gradually fades away into the delicate gray of the dawn. The ceiling is of the basilican style, handsomely paneled in steel and artistically decorated in blue, gold and terracotta. Fourteen columns sup- port arches which reach to the ceiling of the centre nave, and others that meet between the columns. In the clearstory which rests upon these columns are twelve small stained glass windows corresponding with the lower and larger ones. The columns and arches are beveled in gold which adds greatly to the rich appearance of the interior. The altar, of Gothic design, is richly carved wood and embel- lished with numerous pinnacles and crockets. It is painted in a rich cream color with gold leaf adornments. The railing is a very handsome design carved in the natural white walnut.
Thus far completed, without side altars or pews, chairs taking the place of the latter, the edifice was solemnly dedicated to Almighty God on Sunday, June 2, 1889, by Right Rev. John A. Watterson, Bishop of Columbus. After the dedica- tion, solemn High Mass was sung in the presence of the Bishop by Rev. William F. Hayes, Rev. C. Rhode being Deacon, Rev. B. Horney Subdeacon, and Rev. A. A. Cush Master of Ceremonies. The Bishop preached a sermon bearing on the celebration of the day, speaking at length on the holiness of the Christian Temple. The choir sang Leonard's Mass in E flat in a most pleasing and devo- tional manner. In the afternoon the Catholic societies made the demonstration customary on such occasions, marching, in uniform and regalia, with brilliant banners and starry flags to the music of several bands, to the church and back to their halls. Solemn vespers were sung at three o'clock by Rev. Father Hayes, assisted by the same Ministers who officiated at the morning services. The Bishop again preached a long and interesting discourse on the general plan of the Catholic Church, concluding with words of instruction and earnest exhortation to the children who were about to be confirmed. After Confirmation, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament concluded the services.
In August, 1890, handsome redoak pews were placed in the church, side altars to harmonize with the general design were erected, and a grand pipe organ was built at a cost of $4,000. The organ has been pronounced the best and sweetest toned in the city. It is pumped by waterpower. It is contemplated to heat the church by steam, and plans to that end have been made, but the financial condi- tion of the people will scarcely admit of the necessary outlay at this time. There is an excellent parochial school attached to the church, with an attendance of about three hundred, taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph, which community has had charge of the Holy Family School almost continuously since the foundation of the parish. A convent for these Sisters was built on the church premises in 1888 at a cost of $3,000.
St. Vincent de Paul's Church .- The Orphan Asylum of St. Vincent de Paul is situated on East Main Street, corner of Rose Avenue, and has always had a chapel connected with it for the use of the inmates and such Catholics of the vicinity as could not attend Mass elsewhere without great difficulty. The limited space of the chapel and the growing wants of the increasing Catholic population prompted the Right Rev. Bishop Watterson to authorize the erection of a church on the asylum ground, which would at the same time serve as a chapel for the insti- tution and a parish church for the people. The cornerstone of the new structure
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