USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 39
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH was formed in 1846 by the English-speaking Catholics withdrawing from Emanuel church and organizing themselves into a separate body. Two lots were purchased on the northeast corner of Madison and Second streets at a cost of $2.000. The corner stone of the new church was laid July 12, 1847, by Bishop Purcell, and was dedicated in October of the same year. The church was 88 by 45 feet with a handsome spire. The structure thus erected con- tinued to serve the congregation until 1909, a period of 62 years. On Easter Sun- day, 1909, the descendants of the pioneer Catholics assembled for the last ser- vice in old St. Joseph's. The growth and improved condition of the parish made the erection of a new church a duty as well as a necessity. The second St. Joseph is a building of the Italian Renaissance design, very stately in character. It is ex- pected the new church will be ready for dedication in July, 1910.
The founder and first pastor of the church was Rev. Patrick O'Meally, who served from 1847 to 1849. He was succeeded by : Rev. Joseph O'Meally, 1849; Rev. Thomas J. Boulger, 1852; Rev. D. J. Kelly, 1857; Rev. Wm. F. O'Rourke, 1867; Rev. Richard Gilmour (afterwards Bishop of Cleveland, Ohio) 1869; Rev. Wm. M. Carey, 1872; Rev. Gerald Grace, 1878; Rev. James O'Donoghue, 1879; and Rev. Patrick Cusack, 1883.
The present pastor, Rev. William D. Hickey, has been with the church since 1891. He found various improvements necessary, chief among which was the building of a parochial residence. The public school property joining the church property on the east was purchased and on the site was erected one of the finest parochial residences in the west. This is now known as the Dayton Deanery, for on the death of the Very Rev. Dean Sedley of St. Raphael's church, Springfield, the deanery was transferred to St. Joseph's with Father Hickey as dean. He is also a member of the Archbishop's council and a member of the Archdiocesan school board. In civil affairs, he takes an active interest, being one of the directors of the chamber of commerce.
The activities of St. Joseph's congregation may be understood from the char- acter of its schools and various societies. Its schools, in charge of the Sisters of Charity, have an attendance of over four hundred pupils in a congregation num- bering five hundred and forty-three families. Among the societies which flourish in the parish are the Young Ladies' Sodality and Altar societies, the A. O. H., Knights of Columbus and the Thread and Needle Guild. In his care of the parish, Dean Hickey is aided by his capable young curate, Rev. William Egan.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH. Owing to the great increase of Catholics in the city, it was found necessary in 1859 to make another division of Emanuel church. The location selected for the new church was the corner of Xenia avenue and Allen street, the grounds for the church, schoolhouse and pastor's residence
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being donated by Allen McClure. The corner stone of the new church was laid by Archbishop Purcell, April 25, 1859. The church was dedicated August 15, 1860, by Rev. Doctor Juncker, Bishop of Alton, Archbishop Purcell conclud- ing the ceremonies. The building was of brick, 110 by 50 feet. Rev. Peter Schiff was the first pastor of the congregation, serving until 1869. He also built the schoolhouse and, in other ways, laid a substantial foundation for the par- ish. He was succeeded by Rev. H. L. Stuckenborg. The pastor's residence was built by Father Stuckenborg in 1871. On account of ill-health, Father Stuck- enborg resigned in 1901, and was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Lutz, who, in turn, was compelled by failing health to withdraw after a pastorate of three years.
In September, 1903, Rev. Charles S. Kemper was called from the chap- laincy of the National Military Home to assume the pastorate of this important congregation. He found conditions favorable for the building of a new church to meet the enlarged requirements of the congregation. No one could have been better suited to this work than Father Kemper. For the church the Romanesque style was chosen, and the plans, including heating plant and complete furnish- ings, called for an expenditure of over one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. The corner stone was laid July 2, 1905, by Archbishop Moeller, assisted by a large number of the clergy. November 18, 1906, the new church was dedicated by Archbishop Moeller. No religious event ever witnessed a more sympathetic outpouring of the people gathered from all parts of the city and the surrounding towns. There are six hundred and seventy-five families com- posing the congregation. There are six hundred and twelve pupils in the parish school. The societies of the congregation are numerous and flourishing. Rev. George J. Steinkamp, one of the youngest priests of the Archdiocese, is Doctor Kemper's assistant. Doctor Kemper was the first permanent chaplain at the National Military Home at Dayton. For twenty-three years, he filled this high position with eminent satisfaction to all concerned. He is one of the best known and highly esteemed members of the Catholic clergy of Dayton.
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, an off-shoot from Emanuel church, was organ- ized in 1860. Ground for the church was secured on the corner of Fifth and Bainbridge streets. The corner stone was laid May 17, 1860, by Archbishop Purcell. The church was dedicated August 15, 1861, by Right Rev. Bishop Juncker. The church is 130 by 60 feet, is Romanesque in style. Like the mother church, this church was for German Catholics. Rev. Francis Goetz, held in great reverence by the older Catholics of Dayton, was the first pastor of the congregation. He entered Dayton in 1860 to take charge of the new parish and, with the exception of one year when the pastorate was filled by Rev. Father Press, remained its pastor until 1899. During that time it grew from a small parish to one of large size. Father Goetz built the school for boys and girls in 1860 and the handsome school for boys in 1883. It is also worthy of men- tion that the organization known as the Knights of St. John was founded in Holy Trinity parish, under the guidance of Father Goetz, becoming in his life- time a national organization. Because of the infirmities of age, he resigned in 1899. He died the following year. In 1899, Rev. Charles H. Hahne was ap- pointed pastor. He is a native of Dayton, having been born in this city July 2, 1858. He attended Emanuel Parochial School and St. Mary's Seminary, and
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later attended St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee. Holy Trinity schools are attended by 195 boys and 190 girls, the number of families in the parish being 400. Among the flourishing parochial societies are the Knights of St. George, Knights of St. Martin, Catholic Gesellenverein, St. Lawrence Society, St. Helena Altar Society, St. Catherine Ladies' Society, and Sodalities for young ladies and young men.
THE CHURCH OF THE SACRED HEART was established in July, 1883, by a number of members of St. Joseph's church, the withdrawal being in part due to the want of accommodations at that church. The work of establishing the con- gregation was placed in the hands of Rev. Hugh J. McDevitt, at that time as- sistant pastor at St. Joseph's church. During his administration, the congre- gation worshiped in Gebhart's hall. Lots for the church building were bought at the corner of Fourth and Wilkinson streets for $19,000, and June 17, 1888, the corner stone was laid by Archbishop Elder. In 1889, the exterior of the church was finished. Four years later, the interior work had sufficiently pro- gressed to admit of services being held in the auditorium. The cost of the build- ing and furnishing was about one hundred thousand dollars. The building is 115 by 92 feet, is two stories high, one story being a basement, and the upper one being what is known as a clear story. The entire height of this story is seventy- five feet. The building is an imposing structure and is of the strictly Roman- esque style of architecture. It is constructed of Dayton limestone and trimmed with Berea brownstone.
The dedication took place November 10, 1895, the ceremony being performed by the Right Rev. Camillus Paul Maes, Bishop of Covington. The solemn high mass on the occasion saw four priest-brothers at the altar-the Rev. pastor, Father Charles Hickey officiating, assisted by the Revs. William, John and George Hickey. Rev. R. A. Finnerty succeeded Father McDevitt as pastor in 1887, and remained until December, 1890. In May of the next year, Rev. Wil- liam D. Hickey was made pastor, but was in charge only until August, when he became pastor of St. Joseph's church. He was succeeded August, 1890, by Rev. Charles A. Hickey. After the liquidating of the last of the church debt, he directed his attention to the schools. These were built in 1903, and in the following year, he erected a high school. There are in regular attendance at the schools one hundred and seventy-five boys and one hundred and ninety-one girls. In 1904, Father Hickey purchased a parochial residence. The parochial property represents a value of two hundred thousand dollars. The parish num- bers five hundred families. The societies, which are in a flourishing condition, are : the Altar, Young Ladies', Boys', Girls' and Holy Family societies, the League of the Sacred Heart and the Ladies' Aid. Father Hickey has the efficient aid of the Rev. Francis J. Reilly.
HOLY ROSARY CHURCH. The organization of the Holy Rosary Catholic church was sanctioned by Archbishop Elder December 12, 1887. Ground was purchased on Hanover street, North Dayton, for the proposed church. The work of building commenced in April, 1888, and services were held for the first time in the chapel on December 25, 1888. The church building was dedicated by Rev. F. J. Goetz, May 26, 1889. The building is of brick and of Dayton lime- stone. It is fifty by one hundred feet in size. The first floor is used for school
SACRED HEART CHURCH
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purposes and the second floor for church purposes. The plans of the new church followed the Romanesque style of architecture. At the same time that the parish was formed, the school was established, which now has two hundred boys and two hundred girls as pupils. Its societies include the Young Ladies' Sodality, the Altar Societies and the Young Men's Sodality. The organization of this parish and the care of it for twenty-one years fell to the lot of Rev. John B. Frohmiller, who still serves as pastor. His administration of the affairs of the congregation is much praised. He has for his assistant Rev. George H. Meyer, the capable assistant pastor.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH was established in 1893, its founder being Rev. Carl J. Hahne, the pastor of Emanuel church. A site for a church building at Krug and Hartford streets in Edgemont was generously donated by John Krug, and the construction of a combination church and school building at once commenced. A year later, this was ready for occupancy and on January 15, 1894, it was dedicated by the venerable founder of the parish, Father Carl J. Hahne. The parish received its first permanent pastor November 8, 1894, in the person of Rev. W. B. Mig- geel, who remained in charge until June 24, 1895, when he was succeeded by Rev. B. Luebbermann, who continued in charge for twelve years. He was succeeded by Father J. George Franz, who is the present pastor. Father Franz, who had as assistant pastor of Emanuel church endeared himself to the congregation, received a warm welcome, when he was sent to be their pastor.
HOLY ANGELS' CHURCH. The parish of the church of the Holy Angels, South Park, Dayton, was canonically established by Archbishop Elder in 1901 with the appointment of Martin P. Neville as pastor. In January, 1902, the campaign for funds was begun. Sufficient money was secured to erect a small church on Stewart street. Father Neville had been fourteen years chaplain at Notre Dame Academy. He was replaced in the chaplaincy in the fall of 1904 and thereafter gave his whole energy to work in the new parish. In 1906, it was necessary to remove the location of the church from the first location on Stewart street to South Brown street, where extensive ground was purchased for church, school and parsonage purposes. A model school house has been erected at the rear of the church. While the church is only in its infancy, it shows manifest elements of strength.
ST. ADALBERT'S CHURCH. When the Polish Catholic people began coming to Dayton and making here their home, they were kindly received by Father Carl Hahne and made welcome to Emanuel church. Until they should have a church of their own, they were offered the use of the Emanuel school chapel. A Polish congregation was formed October 17, 1902, by Rev. D. F. Stirzelczok. After wor shiping in the Emanuel chapel for two years, they purchased ground in North Dayton and here on September 4, 1904, laid the corner stone of their new church, Archbishop Moeller officiating. The church was dedicated April 30, 1905, by Archbishop Moeller. The church follows the Romanesque style of architecture as to its exterior, and the gothic style in its interior workmanship and decoration. The total cost of the church property was $40,000. The St. Adalbert's congrega- tion numbers sixty-five families. Its parochial school has an attendance of sev- enteen boys and sixteen girls. It has a number of societies.
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HOLY FAMILY CHURCH. The parish of the Holy Family, the latest for Eng- lish-speaking Catholics in Dayton, was founded July 1, 1905, by its present pastor, Rev. John Patric Downey. Worship was at first conducted in temporary quarters at Fifth and Philadelphia streets. A desirable location was secured at May and Monmouth streets and work was immediately commenced on a com- bination church and school building. The corner stone was laid with impres- sive ceremonies July 15, 1906. The church was dedicated May 12, 1907, by Archbishop Moeller. The church building cost $40,000. The present num- ber of families in Holy Family parish is about two hundred. In the school, are one hundred and seventeen boys and one hundred and thirty-five girls. The pastor is much commended for his zeal and skill in administering the affairs of the parish.
HOLY NAME CHURCH. The increasing Hungarian population of Dayton of the Catholic faith up to 1906 attended the St. John and Holy Rosary churches. In September, 1906, the work of forming a Hungarian church was devolved upon Rev. Bernard Sommer, who entered zealously upon his duties. . The site selected for the church was at the corner of Dale avenue and Blaine street. The corner stone was laid by Rev. Dean Hickey. Father Sommer was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, Rev. Adam Bliesz. On May 9, 1909, the church was dedicated, Archbishop Moeller officiating. Many of the clergy of the city were present. In 1908, the Holy Name parish school was built and placed in charge of the Sisters of Notre Dame. It has an attendance of nineteen boys and twenty-seven girls. It has a full complement of parish societies.
JEWISH CONGREGATIONS.
There are three Jewish congregations in Dayton of which one is the Re- formed and the other two the so-called orthodox congregations.
REFORMED CONGREGATION. The Reformed Jewish congregation was organ- ized from families that emigrated from Germany in the late forties and early fifties of the last century. Upon their arrival here they, too, worshiped accord- ing to the orthodox ritual but gradually adopted the reforms in the service that were being suggested by Dr. I. M. Wise and others. In 1854 the congregation received its charter, being incorporated as the Kehillath Kodesh (Holy Congre- gation ) B'nai Yeshurun. The thirty-one families of which it was composed met for some time in what had been the old Dayton Bank building on Main street, which was afterwards the residence of Joseph Bimm, and in other places. In the early part of 1863 they purchased the Baptist church building on the corner of Fourth and Jefferson streets. This building was put in repair and, under the name of the New Jewish Synagogue, was dedicated in October, 1863. This served as their place of worship until 1892 at which time the new temple on Jefferson street near First street, was built.
In 1875, the congregation was enabled to engage the services of its first rabbi, Rev. E. Fisher. Prior to this time, the congregation had been served by cantors and teachers. Rev. Fisher was followed in 1880 by Rev. Taubenhaus ; Rev. Becker, 1884; Rev. Saenger, 1885 and Rabbi Max Wertheimer, 1889- 1899. Upon the resignation of Rabbi Wertheimer, various students of the
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Hebrew Union College occupied the pulpit for nine months, at the end of which time the present head of the congregation, Rabbi David Lefkowitz, was elected.
One hundred and thirty-five families are now affiliated as members, though many others not so affiliated worship with the congregation. The Sunday-school has one hundred and fifty children. The Post Confirmation class meets every two weeks for study. Other educational and religious work in the congregation is carried on through a Jewish Chautauqua circle and a council of Jewish women. The Ladies' Aid Society does philanthropic work.
The present officers of the congregation are: President, Solomon Rauh; Vice-President, Adam Lessner; Treasurer, Solomon Strauss; Secretary, Joseph Schwab; Trustees: Ferd J. Ach, Benjamin Israel, Moses N. Jacobs and Harry Lehman.
ORTHODOX CONGREGATIONS.
The two orthodox congregations are composed of the families that emigrated from Russia and Poland during the religious persecutions in those countries in the early eighties of the Nineteenth Century and since that time.
The congregation known as "The House of Jacob Congregation" worships on Wyoming street. It was organized in 1886, built its synagogue in 1893, and now has about one hundred and ten families affiliated with it. The reader of the congregation is Rabbi Finkelstein and its officers are: President, Nathan Bader ; Vice-President, Phillip Weismann; Treasurer, Nathan Factor; Secretary, Joseph Cohen ; Trustees : Charles Weismann, Abraham Cohen and M. Gradsky.
The other orthodox congregation, called "The House of Abraham," has its house of worship on Wayne avenue opposite Jones street. It was organized in 1902, acquiring its present home on Wayne avenue soon after. Its member- ship includes seventy-five families. The rabbi and cantor of the congregation is Rabbi Burick. The officers are as follows: President, M. Cohn; Vice-Presi- dent, Jacob Horn; Secretary, L. Sachs; Treasurer, M. L. Bayer; Trustees: I. Rosenbloom, I. W. Sachs and S. Cohen.
CHAPTER X.
CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATIONS.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION- YOUNG WOMEN'S LEAGUE.
The growth of the Young Men's Christian Association as an institution is one of the notable events of the world's history in the past sixty years, and the Dayton Association has shared the increase and has contributed much to the total of great results of the movement.
It was in London, in 1844, that George Williams, a junior clerk in the dry goods house of Hitchcock Co., with eleven other fellow clerks organized the first Young Men's Christian Association for the "spiritual, mental and physical welfare of young men in the drapers' trade." That junior clerk be- came the head of the house and an honored and titled citizen of Queen Victoria's realm. The little room in the great business house in which the first meetings were held was preserved for sacred purposes and became the center of world-wide move- ments for the blessing of mankind, for the brotherhood then formed is now a world-wide organization.
In 1851, in Boston and Montreal the work was first organized on this conti- nent, spreading to many of the leading cities of this country and reaching Dayton in 1858. In 1854, there were enough of these associations to hold their first con- vention in Buffalo. In 1855, the associations of the world united in a conference at Paris, at which time there were fifty-seven associations in the United States and Canada.
During the Civil War the work of these associations was largely represented by the Christian commission. After the war, new work was undertaken; a test of active membership was adopted (being membership in some Evangelical church) ; an international committee and various state committees were formed and the brotherhood idea was enlarged. The growth has continued to the pres- ent time, the Dayton organization being an active and influential element in the enlargement, while it has received great assistance from the brotherhood at large.
Early in the fifties, there were a number of associations in Ohio ; that at Cin- cinnati being one of the leaders. A delegation from that city came to Dayton and succeeded in interesting a number of men in organizing a society for the help of
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young men. On the evening of July 8, 1858, a little company of men met at the old Wesley chapel, on Third street near Main, for the purpose of considering the organization of a Young Men's Christian Association "to promote the social, in- tellectual and spiritual welfare of young men." . One week later at the First Presbyterian church, an organization was effected and the constitution adopted. This constitution and the plan of organization were prepared by a committee consisting of Messrs. Henry Stoddard, Jr., A. B. Leaman, C. W. Chamberlin, Alexander Gebhart, L. Woodhull and G. G. Prugh.
According to the plan there were three classes of members-active, associate and honorary-and attendance at the monthly meetings was required under penalty of being dropped from the active membership. The officers were: President, O. A. Lyman ; Vice-President, A. B. Leaman; Recording Secretary, W. J. Comly ; Corresponding Secretary, T. O. Lowe ; Treasurer, Henry Stoddard, Jr. ; Directors : E. A. Daniels, G. G. Prugh, D. L. Rike and C. J. Green. These officers served for six months at which time a final election was held, Mr. A. B. Leaman being made president and Messrs. E. A. Daniels, E. C. Ellis and Joseph Holmes, being directors.
The association had no permanent headquarters and only irregular meetings seem to have been held. . It undertook spiritual work in the public institutions of the city and the surrounding towns of the county and in the mission Sunday schools and church services in the townships, but no work seems to have been exclusively for young men. The minutes of the meetings of the association still preserved are brief and quite incomplete.
Early in 1860, record is made of a communication from the association at Richmond, Virginia, asking that the last Sunday in January be observed as a "day of special prayer for our country, that differences might be harmonized and the Union preserved."
With 1861 came the Civil War and the crowd of other interests seem to have ended the work of this young association. So far as the record shows, it never had a home. but it is evident that its members were in earnest in their desire to do something for the betterment of Dayton.
There seems to have been no further effort toward organization until 1870. During this time, however, a number of associations sprang up in the state of Ohio, and Cincinnati was particularly active in encouraging similar organiza- tions in this part of the state. Early in 1870, the organization of a Young Men's Christian Association in Dayton was proposed again by a number of gentlemen from Cincinnati, who came to the city on invitation to try to enlist Christian men in the movement. A conference was held in the home of Mr. Patterson Mitchell on East First street near Jefferson. This was following a great religious revival, which occurred during the winter of 1869 and 1870, during which time large num- bers of young men were added to the churches of the city. Following the con- ference in pursuance of a call by the pastors of the city a meeting was held on Sunday afternoon, February 13th, at the First Lutheran church on: Main street. Mr. J. Harry Thomas presided and Colonel Francis W. Parker was secretary. After consideration a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by- laws. On the 2d of March, another meeting was held in the same place and a formal organization was effected. The first directors were : R. W. Steele, G. G.
NEW Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, DAYTON
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Prugh, J. E. Gilbert, C. G. Parker, Josiah Gebhart, J. Harry Thomas, E. T. Sweet, W. K. Eckert, G. W. Hoglen, J. C. Kiefaber, John H. Winters, T. O. Lowe, H. E. Parrott, Eugene Wuichet, J. A. Shauck and E. M. Wood. The last six are still living, all except Mr. Lowe being citizens of Dayton. At the end of six months, S. E. Kumler and A. C. Marshall took the places of J. A. Shauck and G. W. Hoglen. Mr. Robert W. Steele was chosen as first president. Rooms were rented on the upper floors of the old Journal building on Main street, just across the alley from the courthouse. Mr. H. P. Adams of Manchester, New Hamp- shire, was called to be the first "superintendent" and he began his work May 27th, 1870.
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