Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 48

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 48

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Bishop Bedell visited Youngstown on November 29, 1859, and the requisite number of names having been signed to the petition, he advised a notice to be given for a meeting to be held for organization.

On December 13, of the same year, the Vestry met, and after electing Mr. Jewell their secretary, took steps toward having a Church of their own by starting a subscription paper to obtain subscriptions "for the purpose of pur- chasing a lot and erecting thereon a suitable Church edifice."

BUILDING THE FIRST CHURCH.

On Easter Monday of the year 1861 the Vestry appointed Messieurs W. J. Hitchcock, F. O. Arms, John W. Ellis and M. T. Jewell as the building committee, and on May 27, | of that year, the corner-stone of the Church

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was laid by the then Assistant Bishop, Gregory T. Bedell, assisted by the Rev. . A. T. McMur- phy, of Boardman.

The building was completed in the early part of the year 1862, and consecrated by Bishop Bedell, October 21. 1863. Rev. Wyllys Hall, of Portsmouth, Ohio, came to the Parish on invitation in October, 1861, and on Decem- ber 15. of that year was elected rector. On September 15, 1865, he resigned, and his re- signation was accepted, to take effect on the 25th of the same month. This was Mr. Hall's first charge, but he is favorably spoken of by those who knew him and remember the good work he did when the Parish was new and struggling for existence. Mr. Hall is now re- tired and lives at San Mateo, California.

REV. SAMUEL MAXWELL, RECTOR.

church room, there were commenced in 1879 a series of improvements, all under the super- vision of Mr. Maxwell. The thoroughly re- modeled Church was opened with appropriate services by Bishop Bedell on May 20, 1880. Mr. Maxwell built up St. John's Church from a small Parish to a vigorous, self-sustaining. aggressive institution, and when his energies

and ability had finally excited the interest of other Parishes and a call was given him to extend his labors into the wider field of Trin- ity Church, of Pittsburg, his people were com- pelled reluctantly to give him up. After many years in Pittsburg. Mr. Maxwell went to a Parish on Long Island, New York, and in the Autumn of 1896 was stricken with apoplexy while conducting services. He never regained Consciousness, dying in a few hours.

On March 20, 1883. the Vestry elected the Rev. F. B. Avery, who accepted and held his first services Sunday, April 8, 1883. In 1883-1884 St. James' Chapel was built on a lot given by James and David Mackey, at the southwest corner of Albert and State streets, near the mills of the Mahoning Valley Iron Company. The Chapel was opened February 24, 1884.

Mr. Avery resigned February 12. 1880, to take charge of St. Mark's Church, Frank- ford, a suburb of Philadelphia.

Mr. Maxwell was born August 6, 1839. at Albany, New York. He graduated as an A. B. from College of the City of New York. September 23, 1889. the Vestry extended a call to Rev. Robert R. Claiborne, of Silver Spring. Maryland, who accepted at once, and hell his first service on Sunday, October 13, 1880. After a post graduate course, he received de- gree of Bachelor of Science. He then took a course at the Theological Seminary in Alex- andria, Virginia. In 186t. he was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Horatio Potter in the During the rectorship of Mr. Avery a movement was started for the erection of a new Church edifice as it was felt that the old building was insufficient for the needs of the Parish, but no practical measures were adopted to that end until. in April. 1891, a building committee was appointed which recommended the purchase from Dr. Woodbridge of his lot on Wick avenue. On the approval of the ves- try, the purchase was made for $1 4.000. Ow- ing, however, to the period of financial depres- . sion which followed, no steps were then taken Church of the Epiphany and became Assist- ant Rector at St. Mark's Church, New York. In 1863 he went to Akron, Ohio, and on March 23, 1866. the Vestry of St. John's Church, Youngstown, unanimously elected him as Rec- tor. He accepted the call and entered upon his duties May 1, 1866. During Mr. Maxwell's administration of seventeen years'the Parish prospered exceedingly, making it possible to extend the work and add improvements to the Parish. The increased growth of the Parish having made it very necessary to have more i for the erection of the building. The immedi-

ate necessity for such action became apparent when in December, 1895. the old Church was serionsly damaged by fire. On January 6, 1896, the Vestry appointed a building com- | mittee consisting of James Mackey, J. I .. Bots- ford. W. J. Hitchcock and Henry Tod. Messrs. Tod and Mackey resigning in the May following, their places on the committee were

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taken by E. L. Ford and J. M. Butler. Plans were obtained from Mr. William H. Wood, the architect and accepted. The contract for the superstructure was let in April, 1897. The Church, though not quite completed, was for- mally dedicated by the Bishop, the Rt. Rev. William A. Leonard, D. D., May 22, 1898, with appropriate ceremonies, the Bishop's ad- dress being listened to by an audience of nearly one thousand people.

From the time Mr. Claiborne resigned February 4, 1892, until the autumn of the same year, services were conducted by Lay-reader Mr. J. M. Reno, and Clergy from Kenyon Col- lege and surrounding Parishes. On invitation of the Bishop, the Rev. A. L. Frazer, Jr., of Lima, Ohio, held services on Sunday morning, August 14, 1892, and after services the follow- ing Sunday, the Vestry extended a call to him, which he accepted, entering upon his duties on All Saints Day, of the same year.

Mr. Frazer was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, July 20, 1858, where he received his education, until he entered Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio. Graduating in 1880, he entered upon a business career, which was pursued until 1886. At that time he began his theological course at Bexley Hall, Kenyon College, remaining there two years. He served as lay-reader the second year of his course at Berkshire. Galena, and at Trinity Church, Columbus. September 28, 1887, he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Peterkin, of West Virginia, and ordained to the priesthood September 30, 1888, at Par- kersburg, West Virginia. Immediately there- after he went to Kalamazoo, Michigan, as As- sistant Rector of St. Luke's Church. In Octo- ber, 1889. he became Rector of Christ Church, Lima, Ohio. In 1895 he was elected Dean of the Northeast Convocation, which office he now holds.

Mr. Frazer's work with us is better told by its visible results, in the enlarging of the Parish and many progressive ideas introduced. Through the succeeding years of his ministry. our Church History has accumulated very rap- idly. Mr. Frazer has been very intimately identified with it all, watchful. energetic, and enthusiastic.

ASSISTANT RECTORS.

At different times during Mr. Avery's min- istry, he had as assistants the Reverends H. L. Gamble. C. W. Hollister, Douglas I. Hobbs, and Edwin S. Hoffman.

For a short time Mr. Claiborne had as As- sistant Rector the Rev. Henry J. Beagen, and Mr. Frazer had for a brief period Rev. C. Gaylord. Most of these men also assisted in the work at Boardman, which Parish for a time was without a Rector.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. ST. COLUMBA'S CHURCH.

The history of the Catholic Church in Youngstown begins as early as 1826 when missionary priests began to visit the scattered Catholic families in the vicinity. Among the first of these was Father Thomas Martin, who came in that year from the Dominican con- vent at Somerset. Perry county. His mission- ary duties brought him to the Catholic settle- mient 'at Dungannon, Columbiana county, whence he extended his labors to Youngstown. Soon after he made a second visit and after that at long intervals, between 1830 and 1840, visits were made by the Revs. John H. Mc- Grady, V. De Raymacher, A, Fahey, N. D. Young and E. P. Montgomery. The Very Rev. E. T. Collins of Cincinnati, came once in 1834: the Rev. James Conlon of Steubenville, ouce or twice in 1835. For many years these

priests said Mass in private houses, principally in the homes of Daniel Sheehy, William Woods and Neal Campbell-pioneers of Ca- tholicity in the Mahoning Valley. From 1840 to 1847 Youngstown was regularly attended as a station by the Rev. James Conlon, resi- dent pastor of Dungannon.

The number of Catholics was increased soon after 1835 by the laborers on the canal. In 1843 James Moore and his family settled here. and about the same time some members of the Kessiker family became converts to the Church, so that the first nucleus of a congre- gation may he said to have been found about

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that time. Between 1847 and 1858 Youngs- town was visited by the Revs. M. Howard, of Cleveland, until January, 1848; James Moran, of Dungannon, 1848-49; J. Ringele, C. PP. S., of Randolph, 1850-51 ; F. McGann, of St. Vin- cents, Akron, 1851-52; William O'Connor, of Dungannon, 1853; F. Stroker, of Summitville, 1853-54; P. Flinn, of Dungannon, 1855-56; and M. Prendergast, of Summitville, 1856-58. In July, 1858. the Rev. William O'Connor was appointed the first resident pastor of Youngs- town.

The small frame church then in use was commenced by Father McGann in 1851, but owing to the poverty of the few Catholics then in Youngstown, it was not brought to comple- tion until 1853. It stood at the corner of Wood and Hazel streets.

From Youngstown Father O'Connor also attended a number of missions and stations, and by his zeal and earnestness endeared him- self to all who were under his pastoral care. He resigned his pastorate in 1861 and was succeeded by Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan, who was pastor of St. Columba's Parish from May, 1861, until January, 1871.

The congregation had outgrown its little frame church some years before this, and Fa- ther O'Callaghan was therefore obliged to pro- vide better Church accommodations. He at once began to raise funds for the erection of a new edifice, taking the site of the old Church for that of the new one. The structure was of brick. 135 feet in length by 50 feet in width, and with a belfry tower 104 feet high. It was first used in the summer of 1864, before its interior had been finished. Whatever the cost, it required munch generous giving on the part of the laity and prudent management on the part of the pastor to defray the cost of such a structure in those days. Father O'Callaghan lived in a rented house for some years. Hle afterwards bought a lot on West Wood street, nearly opposite the Church, and moved on it the old frame Church which he fitted up as his residence.

The Parish School was established in 1860 by Father O'Connor. Lay teachers were em- ployed until 1868, when they were superseded

by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Mary. From June, 1871. until 1876 lay teachers were again employed. In September, 1864, the school was transferred from the old frame building, erected by Father O'Connor, to the basement of the newly erected Church. But with the in- crease in the size of the Parish ampler quar- ters for school purposes became necessary. Father O'Callaghan therefore bought a large lot at the corner of W. Rayen avenue and Elm street and began the erection of the present three-story brick school. In 1870 he was absent for some months on a visit to Rome, his place being filled for a part of the time by Rev. E. J. Murphy. On his return he resumed his pastoral charge in which he continued until August, 1871, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Gibbons, who completed the school. With its furnishings it cost about $30,000.

In August, 1872, Father Gibbons was suc- ceeded by Rev. P. H. Brown. Father Brown in 1876 put the school in charge of the Ursu- line Sisters and they have conducted it ever since. In July. 1877, Father Brown resigned on account of ill health and his death occurred in the following year. The Rev. Edward Mears succeeded him as pastor of St. Colum- ba's Church in July, 1877. He applied him- self to pay off the large debt of $40,000 which burdened the Parish, and in doing so was most generously supported by his parishioners. This debt was entirely cancelled by the close of the year 1881.

The large increase of population in Youngstown which had continued since its re- covery from the financial panic of 1871 had by this time made the formation of a new parish a necessity. Accordingly with Bishop Gilmour's approval the Immaculate Concep- tion Parish was organized in 1882. St. Co- lumba's Parish paid for the Church lot besides giving $5,000 towards paying for the erection of the new Church.

In 1884, in accordance, with a decree of the Diocesan Synod and also because St. Colum- ba's Parish cemetery had become nearly filled with interments, Father Mears purchased for $6,000 twenty acres of land for a "Union Cem- etery" for the use of all the Parishes. Six

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years later he purchased for $1,700 an adjoin- ing tract of ten acres. This land was subse- quently graded, put in proper shape and named Calvary Cemetery. In May, 1886, was begun the foundation of the present substantial brick rectory, which was campleted in January, 1887 at a cost of $12,000.

In order to obviate the danger to the chil- dren attending school from the South Side in crossing the growing network of railroad tracks, it was resolved to established a school in that part of the city. Father Mears there- fore, in the spring of 1887, purchased four lots at a cost of $2,600 and in September of the fol- lowing year a commodious six-room frame school costing $3.000 was ready for occupancy.

In July, 1887, a lot adjoining the pastoral residence at the corner of Wood and Elm streets was bought for $6,000 as a site for the future Church. After paying off existing debts the new Church was commenced in April, 1893. Soon after, owing to the effects of the financial panic and the consequent closing of mills and the stagnation of other local indus- tries, work had to be stopped; but not until the walls were raised high enough to make a very commodious hall of the basement, a temporary roof being also constructed. This hall was used for six years. many of the Church entertainments being held therein, and it was also the source of much revenue to the Church rentals.

In May, 1900, the building of the new Church was resumed. The corner stone was laid by Mgr. F. M. Boff, V. G., on Sunday July 1, 1900. When completed the total cost was about $100,000. This structure which is at present easily the most imposing ornament of the city is in Gothic style of architecture. It is 75 feet wide by 175 feet long, and is one of the largest and handsomest Churches in the diocese of Cleveland. The Parish is also one of the largest in the diocese, now numbering about 1000 families, and is noted for its gen- erous response to all calls of religion and char- ity. Its long history has never been marred by discord, or want of respect for those charged . with its spiritual or temporal interests. In

January, St. Columba's Parish was made a rectorate and its pastor was appointed its first irremovable rector, both well merited distinc- tions.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH.

The Parish of the Immaculate Conception which has been already casually referred to was organized in July, 1882, by the Rev. W. J. Manning, who erected the first Parish build- ing. This was a combination School and Church built on lots bought on Oak street by Rev. E. Mears in March, 1881. The two-story frame building, 40 by 100 feet, was com- menced in August, 1882, and was ready for use early in December. The Parish School was opened on the first floor in February, 1883, being in charge of three Ursuline Sisters and a lay teacher.

Both church and school were soon found inadequate to the rapid increase in the growth of the parish, and Father Manning therefore bought two additional lots on Oak street op- posite those secured in 1881, the purchase price being $2,600. The present brick church commenced in the fall of 1887 was brought to completion in the Spring of 1891, although used for the first time on Christmas, 1890. It was dedicated on May 10. 1891, by Rt. Rev. Mgr. F. M. Boff, then administrator of the diocese. The church cost about $40,000, and is of Gothic architecture. its length being 140 feet and its width 60 feet. A part of the large basement is used for a primary school and part for society rooms. The handsome and com- modious pastoral residence, was commenced by Father Manning in 1891 and was ready for occupancy in December of the following year.

Father Manning's health gave way under the care and strain of his arduous pastoral duties and he died on July 2, 1899. His loss was deeply felt by his parishioners whose love and respect he had won in a high degree. The Rev. D. B. Crotty, who had been sent to assist him in June, 1898, took temporary charge of the parish until the appointment in August of the Rev. M. P. Kinkead, the present pastor.

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ST. ANNE'S CHURCH.

Up to 1869 the Catholics residing in the vicinity of Brier Hill were identified with St. Columba's Parish, but in September of that year Bishop Rappe authorized the formation at Brier Ilill of a separate congregation, ap- pointing Rev. E. J. Murphy as the first resi- dent pastor.

Purchasing a lot on Federal street for $1,000, Father Murphy bought for the sum of $700 a frame building which had been formerly used as a store. This building he moved onto a lot and had it fitted up as a temporary place of worship and as a school. In September, 1870. he bought on the same street, for $1.550, an additional let. the frame house on which he made his residence. He was succeeded in October, 1870, by Rev. Patrick McCaffrey, who in the following year built the first church. a plain frame structure 45 by 65 feet, at a cost of about $3.000. Father McCaffrey was soon obliged to resign his charge on account of ill health. He was succeeded by Rev. F. J. Henry, who. notwithstanding the financial depression following the great panic of 1873. reduced the debt contracted by his predecessor. Father Henry was succeeded in July, 1876, by Rev. Francis MeGavern who added by improve- ments to the value of the church property. He «lied in Angust, 1887, and St. Anne's Congre- gation was attended from Hubbard until the following December, when the present incum- bent. Rev. J. P. Barry, received his appoint- ment as pastor. In 1888 Father Barry built a frame parish house at an expense of about $2.300. Ile also remodeled and enlarged the frame school and placed it in charge of the Ursuline Sisters. It having been found that the church was situated too far away from the majority of the parishioners, Father Barry ob- tained permission in 1892 to secure another and better location ; and in March of that year he purchased four lots with a frontage of 200 feet on Federal street and t42 feet on Jeffer- son street. In April, 1803. the foundation of the present church on the new site was com- menced. Owing, however, to lack of means dne to the financial panic of 18)3, tite build-

ing progressed but slowly. The basement was used for the first time on April 25. 1897. The church was finally completed at a cost of about $40.000. It is a brick structure, trinuned with sandstone, with two towers, in keeping with the Norman style of architecture.

In 1808 Father Barry built near the church a two-story school and a neat pastoral resi- dence, both frame buiklings, the former cost- ing $2.400 and the latter $3.500. The old church and lot on which it stands were sold in 1808 to the Italians who were organized in that year under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua. In 18g8 the balance of the former property was also sold, the proceeds from both sales amounting to nearly $6,000. The parish now numbers over 225 families, all dependent on the iron industry of Youngstown

ST. ANTHONY'S ( ITALIAN ) CHURCH.

Prior to 1808 the Itabans in Youngstown attended divine service at St. Anne's and St. Columba's churches. They were occasionally visited by Rev. P. Capitani of St. Anthony's Church, Cleveland, and by other priests of their own nationality. In May, 1808. Rev. Anthony Petillo was appointed their resident pastor. In June of that year he bought for the sum of $2.500 the former church of St. Anne's Parish, in which he made various improvements. The present pastor is the Rev. Charles Doria.

ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.

The Catholic Germans of Youngstown were identified with St. Colomba's Parish until March, 1870, when Bishop Rappe appointed Rev. Peter Becker as their first pastor. They then numbered about 50 families. Father Becker secured for $3.500 the lot. 90 by 150 feet, at the corner of Wick and West Rayen avenues, a notolesirable location. The frame house on the lot was made the pastoral resi- dlence. At an expense of about $3.000 Father Becker built a small brick church on the rear end of the lot facing West Rayen avenue, which was dedicated to St. Joseph, in the sum- mer of t870. Father Becker was succeeded in

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WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. YOUNGSTOWN

HELEN CHAPEL, YOUNGSTOWN

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, YOUNGSTOWN

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. YOUNGSTOWN

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the pastorate of St. Joseph's by the Rev. H. D. Best, who. however, only remained until May of the following year, when St. Joseph's was attended from Hubbard. Then for a short time until April, 1873. the Rev. C. Barbier was resident pastor, after which St. Joseph's was again made a mission of Hubbard, with Rev. T. T. Shaffield in charge. In July. 1873. the Rev. Joseph Eyler was appointed resident pastor, in which position he labored in spite of ill health until he resigned his pastorate in May, 1881, when St. Joseph's for a few weeks again became a mission of Hubbard, with Rev. J. Klute as attending priest.

The Rev. Charles Seltzer was the next resi- dent pastor of St. Joseph's Parish, from June, 1881, to December, 1882. He took up the pro- ject of building a new and much larger church. whuch by this time was greatly needed. and for which a subscription of $2,000 had already been raised by Father Eyler. The corner stone of the new church was laid by Bishop Gilmour on September 4, 1881. The church was ready for use in September, 1882. although its in- terior was far from being complete. The Rev. M. Becker, who succeeded Father Seltzer in December. 1882, had the church plastered and furnished with stained glass windows. His pastorate ended in August, 1883, when the present ineumbent. the Rev. John Klute. was given pastoral charge of St. Joseph's Parish.

Father Klute at once set to work to finish the interior of the church and to supply it with the necessary furnishings. This task was grad- ually but finally accomplished and the building was dedicated by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, July 20. 1884, in the presence of a large con- course of people. It had cost about $30,000, exclusive of its furnishings and had a debt on it of less than $5,000 when it was dedicated- a result alike ereditable to the eighty families composing the parish and the several pastors who had been concerned in it. The church. which is of Gothic architecture. is built of brick with stone trimmings. It has a frontage of 56 feet im Wick avemte and a depth of 116 feet on West Rayen avenue : the height of the spire is 171 feet.

"The Parochial school was established by

Father Becker in 1870. In 1883 the first church was remodeled to serve as a temporary school. A large lot 75 by 175 feet was bought in June, 1890 for a school site at a cost of $8.500. The two-story frame house on the lot was fitted up for school purposes; its four large class rooms were ready for use in September of that year, and placed in charge of two Ursuline Sisters and two lay teachers. The former school building was then changed into a parish hall. which purpose it served for some years. In 1843 the present brick school was erected on the site bought in 1900, as above mentioned. It is a three-story building, has four well ven- tilated cheery class rooms, a fine parish hall on the third floor, and all the appliances and conveniences found in a modern school." Its cost was $15.000. Four Ursuline Sisters are now engaged as teachers and the school has a large attendance.

The fine pastoral residence adjoining the school lot was built by Father Klute in July, 1900. for $10,000, the former residence being both inadequate and unsanitary. St. Joseph's congregation now numbers about two hun- dred families.

SACRED HEART OF JESUS CHURCH.

The parish of Haselton was formed by Bishop Gilmour in October, 1888, at the re- quest of Catholics in that vicinity who found it difficult to attend Mass on account of their distance from the nearest church and the al- most impassible condition of the roads at cer- tain times of the year. Two lots, at the corner of Montgomery (now Wilson avenue) and Walnut streets, were purchased by the Rev. W. J. Manning at a cost of $1.500. In October. 18X8. the Rev. George W. Leeming was ap- pointed as pastor. The first services were held in a class room in the village public school. The site purchased in 1887 being found un- snitable, Father Leeming with Bishop Gil- mone's consent bought, at a cost of $1.500, a tract of land fronting on Wilson avere. Here the present frame church was crected and used in its unfinished state for the first time on Christmas morning, 1888. In the follow-

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 48

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993