USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > A history of the Catholic church in the dioceses of Pittsburg and Allegheny from its establishment to the present time > Part 14
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There are few churches in the county capable of being compared with St. Philomena's in point of purity and harmony of architectural style and appropriateness of the decorations that are added to increase the effect; and the stranger who visits the city without entering this magnificent temple has deprived himself of a treat not to be seen in half a dozen cities of the country.
If there be one trait more conspicuous than another in the character of our German coreligionists, it is their ardent devotion to the cause of religious education. With them it is second in importance only to the profession of their faith itself ; and the German congregation must be very small and poor, as we shall have ample evidence in these pages, that will not be found able and willing to support a parochial school. This important accessory to the church claimed the early at- tention of both the pastors and people of St. Philomena's ; and a school was opened in the basement of "the factory" long before the erection of the present school buildings. The lots on Penn Avenue, where the schools now stand, were pur- chased by Rev. Jos. Müller, and that part of the building occupied by the girls' department and the Sisters was com- menced about the year 1848. In that year a colony of School Sisters of Notre Dame arrived from Baltimore and took charge of the girls, who prior to that date had been under the care of lay teachers. The boys were also taught by lay in- structors until 1860, when a number of Brothers of Mary Im- maculate, from Ohio, was secured as teachers. To afford them suitable lodging, as well as to accommodate the increas-
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ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.
ing number of children, Fr. Dold about the year 1864 erected that part of the school-house that stands at the corner of Penn Avenue and Fourteenth Street, thus finishing all the buildings necessary for the congregation. The school-house, which ap- pears to be but one building, is in reality two having no com- munication with each other. In St. Philomena's schools, as in those of all the German congregations of the two dioceses, it may be stated once for all, the German language is taught during one half the day and the English during the other.
St. Philomena's congregation, although not of a great age, was originally the nucleus of what is now fifteen German congregations that were at different times cut off from it or formed from those that were cut off. Two of these are much larger than the parent congregation, and two more are about equal to it in numbers. St. Philomena's is not so large as is generally supposed, and will not count more perhaps than five hundred families. This decrease is due to the fact that while congregations are cut off from all parts there can be but little increase from purely internal sources; on the contrary, many of those who formerly resided within the limits of the parish have moved to the suburbs of the city. The congregation must for the same reason continue to decrease slowly in the future; but this diminution will be almost imperceptible.
ST. MICHAEL'S GERMAN CHURCH, PITTSBURG, SOUTH SIDE.
The nucleus of the present immense congregation was formed in a small frame building, consisting of a single room, which stood near the site of the present church, most proba- bly in the year 1846. At that time the number of Catholics was not sufficient to fill this single room. No regular pastor was yet appointed, and no one thought that a church would be needed for years to come. But the congregation immedi- ately increased with great rapidity ; and in the spring of 1847 Rev. A. Schifferer was appointed pastor. Bishop O'Connor donated the ground for a church from the farm which he had lately purchased there, and of which mention will be made hereafter ; and a church was undertaken. The corner-stone was laid by the Bishop July 16th, 1848; and the church was
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A NEW CHURCH UNDERTAKEN.
· dedicated by the same prelate November 24th, under the in- vocation of the Archangel St. Michael. The original chapel is yet standing, but this church was torn down to give place to the present edifice. Suffice it then to say, by way of de- scription, that the church was frame, was 90 feet in length by 50 in width, and chaste and simple in style and finish. Fr. Schifferer withdrew in 1851, and the congregation was minis- tered to at intervals by Rev. N. Hores, of M.Keesport, till, after a few months, Rev. J. Hartman was appointed pastor. During his pastorate he built a brick residence, which having since been enlarged is still occupied. He remained until the arrival of the Passionist fathers at the close of the year 1853. Fr. Stanislaus, one of their number, was then appointed pas- tor, and remained for five years; and since that time the congregation has always been under the care of a member of that order. The rapid increase of the congregation soon necessitated the appointment of an assistant. But it was to little purpose. The increasing stream of emigrants from Fatherland was such as to demand more ample accommoda- tions than such a church could afford. A larger one must be built. But the people, coming so lately into the country, were destitute of the means, notwithstanding their proverbial economy and frugality. In order to lessen the burden, Fr. Stanislaus divided the work; and having had plans of the whole prepared, erected that part of the church comprising the sanctuaries and sacristies against the rear of the existing building, about the year 1857. But the circumstances of the congregation improved so rapidly that no further delay was required, and the erection of the entire church was com- menced in the following spring. The corner-stone-the first for a Passionist church in the United States-was laid with imposing ceremony by Fr. M.Mahon, V.G., and Adminis- trator in the absence of the Bishop, July 18th, 1858. The new church was built around the old until it became necessary to tear down the latter, after which the congregation accom- modated themselves as best they could. In the mean time Fr. Stanislaus was succeeded by Fr. Luke. The new church was finished in the fall of 1861, and preparations were made on the grandest scale for the dedication. The ceremony took
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DESCRIPTION OF ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH.
place on September 29th, feast of St. Michael, patron of the church, and was the first dedication performed by Bishop Domenec. Rev. F. X. Weninger, S.J., preached on the occasion.
St. Michael's Church stands on Pius Street, at the head of Twelfth, and is about one and one half miles south-east of the Point. The location is commanding, and exhibits the church to great advantage. Standing at the foot of the hill, but on a terrace nearly a hundred feet higher than the plane upon which the surrounding portion of the city is built, it com- mands an extensive view-when the smoke permits. The church is brick, and is 160 feet in length by 65 in width, hav- ing a tower in the centre in front about 175 feet high. It is a good specimen of the Romanesque style of architecture. There is a basement under the whole building, although at the front and upper side it is wholly beneath the level of the street. The nave is 60 feet to the ceiling and the aisles 40 ; the former is separated from the latter by two piers and three columns on each side besides the pilasters at the front and rear. The piers and columns are placed alternately, as this style of architecture requires, and are furnished with cush- ioned capitals. The windows of the clerestory are arranged in pairs. The ceiling of the nave is groined from the piers, and that of the aisles from these and the columns, making the nave double the width of the aisles. There are three altars, those on the right and left being dedicated respectively to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph. The sanctuary of the high altar is the half of an octagon, an arrangement which re- quires less to be taken from the body of the church. The altar is surmounted by a well-executed statue of St. Michael. The baptismal-font occupies a-recess in the wall on the left near the entrance. The tower contains a clock and a chime of bells. Since the frescoing of the church by the present pastor, Fr. Sebastian, in the summer of 1876, it is one of the most beautiful in the diocese.
From the date of its organization St. Michael's was blessed with a good Catholic school. At first it was taught in the little chapel, then in the frame church, both of which became school-houses during the week; and with the completion of
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ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
the present edifice it was transferred to the basement. Here it remained until 1872, when Fr. Frederick, then pastor, erected a large brick school-house to the rear of the church, on the opposite side of Pius Street. This building contains ten large rooms, besides a spacious hall fitted with a stage, etc., and is without exception the largest and best Catholic school building in the two dioceses. The schools were under the control of lay teachers until the fall of 1867, when the Sisters of St. Francis, from Buffalo, established their mother- house in the parish and took charge of them.
An interesting feature of St. Michael's is the number of sodalities and Catholic societies, nearly a dozen in all, con- nected with the church ; and almost every man, woman, and child in the parish is a member of one or more of them.
Since the organization of St. Michael's congregation four others have been formed from it, yet the parent church is crowded at several Masses on Sundays. Unlike some other city parishes, there is no fear of a diminution of its numbers ; and should half of them leave, it would still be large enough for the church. Three priests are required to minister to it, and they are barely sufficient ; and assistance has frequently to be asked from the monastery. It is without exception the largest German Catholic congregation in Western Pennsyl- vania, and will number nearly, if not quite, 7000 ; while in point of provision for Christian training, care of the desti- tute, and the general spiritual welfare of its members, it is not equalled, much less surpassed, by any other.
ST. JOSEPH'S GERMAN CHURCH, MOUNT OLIVER, ALLEGHENY COUNTY.
St. Joseph's Church is not within the city limits,-although a large portion of the congregation is,-but stands like a sentinel on Mount Oliver, about one and a half miles south of St. Michael's, from which it was originally taken. The idea of erecting a church on this spot had long been enter- tained by the Catholics residing in the vicinity ; and a com- mittee of them purchased three fourths of an acre of ground as a site, before the breaking out of the civil war. No selec-
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DESCRIPTION OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
tion could have been better. It is a round knoll large enough for a church and the other necessary buildings, and is the highest spot of ground in the vicinity of Pittsburg. Lying to the south, it is free from the perennial cloud of smoke that hangs like a pall over the city.
But the civil war broke out before it was thought neces- sary to undertake the erection of a church; and Pittsburg was for a time thought to be in danger. The little church property was too commanding a spot to escape the attention of those who planned the earthworks that were thrown up at different points around the city, and a fortification known as Fort Jones was constructed upon it. The danger passed, the fort mouldered away, the temporal gave place to the spiritual, and instead of the booming of cannon, the clatter of musketry, and the glitter of polished swords are the peal of bells, the tones of the organ, and the bloodless thrusts of the sword of the spirit. It is now a citadel for the soldiers of Christ.
The time at length arrived for the division of St. Michael's congregation and the organization of a new parish. Father Luke, then assistant at St. Michael's, assembled the people on Sunday, July 12th, 1868, and discoursed to them on the necessity of erecting a church on the Mount, on which a large number of Catholic families then resided. This done, he set out at the head of a procession which advanced to the spot, that appears to have been lost sight of by its purchasers. All were pleased with the site. Work was commenced, and the corner-stone was laid by the Bishop October 4th of the same year. Father Luke, to whom the organization of the congregation was confided, and who is still its pastor, pur- chased additional lots adjoining those already held. The church was finished at the end of two years, and dedicated by the Bishop, under the patronage of the chaste spouse of the Blessed Virgin, November 20th, 1870. It is of brick, fronts to the north, and is 155 feet in length by 80 in width in the transept and 55 in the nave ; and is built in the Roman style of architecture. It is very beautiful in the interior. The ceiling is 55 feet high, and rises somewhat higher at the point where the nave and transept intersect. No pillars rise
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ST. MARTIN S CHURCH.
to intercept the view ; but a beautiful cornice supported by pilasters extends around the whole of the interior walls at the spring of the roof, adding greatly to the appearance. The head of the nave ends in a semicircular apse forming a sanctuary for the high altar. There are three altars, all of which are as yet temporary. The style of the pulpit, pews, confessionals, and organ is in harmony with that of the church. Contrary to the style of the present day, the win- dows are not filled with stained but frosted glass, which af- fords better light and presents the interior of the church to better advantage. The building is without a steeple, but has in its stead a simple belfry in which is a chime of bells. It would be difficult to find a church better calculated by its style and finish to please than St. Joseph's. No pastoral residence has yet been built ; but the rooms over one of the sacristies serve as a lodging for the pastor, who takes his meals elsewhere.
A school was opened perhaps twenty years ago near the spot where the church now stands, and was conducted by lay teachers under the superintendence of the pastor of St. Michael's. Father Luke placed it under the care of the Sisters of St. Francis, who have a convent there. A small school was also opened by a lay teacher at Spiketown, about a mile south-west of the church. The congregation is com- posed principally of miners, many of whom own their hum- ble homes, and a few farmers ; but the number of persons in independent circumstances is small. It is gradually but slowly increasing and must continue to increase. A con- siderable part of it was taken off to form St. Wendeline's congregation in 1875; but it will still number perhaps two hundred and fifty families.
ST. MARTIN'S GERMAN CHURCH, PITTSBURG, SOUTH SIDE.
This church is situated in the extreme south-west of Pitts- burg, in what was known as Temperanceville before its con- solidation with the city; and is located about half a mile south of the Ohio River. The congregation cannot with strict propriety be said to have been formed from any other.
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CHANGES OF PASTORS.
Part formerly attended St. Michael's Church, part St. Philomena's, part St. Mary's, Chartier's Creek, and the re- mainder heard Mass in St. James' English Church near by. When the number of families had sufficiently increased to form a congregation, the church was undertaken by the inde- pendent movement of a self-constituted committee in the summer of 1869. As the most influential of these lived on the side of the hill, they determined to consult their own convenience and build the church there. This is much to be regretted, for the hill is steep and there is neither street nor thoroughfare passing near the church. The corner-stone was, however, laid by the Bishop August 15th of that year; and the church was dedicated in his absence by Father Hickey, V.G., May Ist, 1870. It is a frame building 85 feet in length by 40 in width, and is furnished with a neat little spire over the entrance. It cannot be said to be of any par- ticular style of architecture, but like the greater number of our smaller churches is constructed after the independent style, which leaves greater scope than any other for the dis- play of native genius. The interior is neatly finished and frescoed. The inclination of the ground upon which the building stands secured a basement-room about half the length of the church, and here a school was immediately opened.
Rev. F. X. Paulitigi was appointed first pastor. After re- maining about two years he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bæhm, who at the end of a year gave place to Rev. Edward Hanses. The latter built a brick pastoral residence in the summer of 1874. Father Hanses withdrew from the congre- gation and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. H. Gobel, September, 1877. The Sisters of Divine Providence, a branch of the house at Sts. Peter and Paul's Church, Pitts- burg, came to take charge of the schools at the appointment of Father Gobel.
The congregation is composed of a variety of elements- rolling-mill hands, miners, farmers, and gardeners-and will number about one hundred and fifty families, with fair pros- pects for a future increase.
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ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
ST. PETER'S GERMAN CHURCH, PITTSBURG, SOUTH SIDE.
The growth of the German Catholic population of the South Side was very rapid during and after the war, and was confined principally to Brownstown, as the eastern portion of that part of the city was then called, because here the land was level and well suited for building. St. Michael's Church began, as has been said, to be crowded to excess ; and although the erection of St. Joseph's afforded a relief, it was only tem- porary. Seconded by the pastor of the parent church, the Catholics of Brownstown purchased lots at the corner of Twenty-eighth and Sara streets, February 21st, 1871. True to the cause of Catholic education, they planned a building the first story of which should furnish school-rooms, and the second a temporary church; and when the congregation should increase so as to require a larger church, the tempo- rary one could be converted into additional school-rooms. The building was undertaken in the latter part of 1871, and the corner-stone was laid by the Bishop on the 8th of October. The congregation was not as yet an independent organization, but was under the care of the pastor of St. Michael's. But Rev. J. B. Döffner was appointed pastor November 7th of the same year, and he still continues to preside over the con- gregation. Upon his arrival he found only the rising walls of a building upon which little could be done before the opening of spring. To supply a temporary place of worship he rented a hall. The new building was completed early in the spring of 1872, and was dedicated by the Bishop March 17th. It is a substantial brick structure, 55 feet in length by 27 in width.
The congregation, which daily increased in numbers and ability, soon required more ample accommodations; and in the summer of 1873 the pastor commenced the erection of what was to be their parish church. The Bishop laid the corner-stone July 13th. The church was finished in the autumn of the following year, and dedicated by the same pre- late with unusual pomp November 24th. Fr. Döffner could now contemplate a finished work upon which indeed he had
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DESCRIPTION OF ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
expended much time and toil, but in which he had been ably seconded by a generous people; and although a heavy debt was necessarily contracted, it is gradually melting away, and must after a few years entirely disappear. The church is brick, and approaches more nearly to the Gothic than to any other style of architecture. It is 170 feet in length by 70 in width, and has a steeple in the centre in front 180 feet high. There are no columns, but the ceiling is ribbed with stucco- work, and rises from the sides to the centre, which latter is 59 feet from the floor. The high altar as well as those of the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, to the sides of it, are wood, but of superior workmanship. The organ, which cost $4700, is an instrument of unusual power and sweetness of tone. But the frescoing of the church has not been executed in good style : it is crowded, and, the darker shades predominat- ing, has a tendency rather to lower and contract than to ex- pand the prospect, which latter painting should be made to do.
The school, as has just been said, was opened simultane- ously with the organization of the congregation, and was under the direction of lay teachers. But in the autumn of 1876 an arrangement was made by which the girls and smaller boys are taught by the Sisters of St. Francis, who come daily from St. Joseph's Convent. A large brick pastoral residence was built to the rear of the church in the summer and fall of 1877. During the time that St. Wendeline's Church was attended from St. Peter's the pastor had an assistant, but at present he performs the onerous work of his congregation unaided.
When it is remembered that in less than four years from the organization of St. Peter's it was one of the leading Ger- man congregations of the city both in numerical strength and in the style and finish of its buildings, an idea can be formd of the rapid growth of the Catholic population. Being in the outskirts of the city, the congregation must continue to increase until such time as it becomes necessary to form others from it. It is composed principally of persons employed in the rolling-mills, glass-houses, and mines. The American Iron Works, which employs about twenty-five hundred men, and
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THE AMERICAN IRON WORKS.
is said to be, with one exception, the largest rolling-mill in the world, is situated within the limits of this congregation. Its condition is a fair criterion by which to judge that of the con- gregation. If the mill is in active operation, the congregation is flourishing; if not, it is seen in the reduced circumstances of many in the parish. Fr. Döffner still presides over the parish, which will now number perhaps four hundred families.
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CHAPTER XI.
GERMAN CHURCHES OF PITTSBURG AND ALLEGHENY CITY (CONCLUDED).
St. Mary's Church, Allegheny-Death and sketch of Rev. John Stiebel-St. Joseph's Church-Church of the Holy Name of Jesus-St. Winceslaus' Bohemian Church-Holy Trinity Church, Pittsburg-Death and sketch of Rev. Francis Grimmer-and of Rev. Charles Schuler-The Carmelite Fathers -Sts. Peter and Paul's Church-Death and sketch of Rev. Aloysius Hune, D.D .- St. Augustine's Church-Death and sketch of Rev. Philip Schmidt- The Capuchin Friars-St. Joseph's Church-St. Stanislaus' Polish Church- Recapitulation.
ST. MARY'S GERMAN CHURCH, ALLEGHENY CITY.
ST. MARY'S congregation was the third in point of time to be cut off from St. Philomena's. The first steps toward the organization of the parish were taken by the Redemptorist fathers from the mother-church. They selected the site upon which the church now stands ; but a number of members in- sisted strongly upon having it built a few squares further back from the river. The Bishop, however, decided in favor of the present location - between Washington and Liberty streets, to the south of North Street. Very Rev. John E. Mosetizh, V.G., was appointed pastor, and immediately com. menced to build the church. The building, which has since been torn down, was frame, 90 feet in length by 40 in width, but without attempt at architectural display, and was dedi- cated by the Bishop December 17th, 1848. The school-house and pastoral residence were next to engage the attention of pastor and people, and a plan was formed that should embrace both in the same building. A brick house, two stories high, was commenced in March, 1851, the first floor of which should be divided into two small school-rooms, while the second should be the pastoral residence. It was finished and occupied
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ST. MARY'S CHURCH, ALLEGHENY.
in July. Fr. Mosetizh was succeeded early in October by Rev. John Stiebel, in whom were united in a remarkable degree the learning, prudence, and virtue which constitute the saintly priest. Though young, he soon gave evidence of unusual energy and administrative ability, which won for him a high place in the esteem and affection of the Bishop and his brethren in the sacred ministry.
The congregation increased and a larger church was ere long demanded. Work was commenced upon it, and the corner-stone was laid by the Bishop April 17th, 1853. It was finished in the autumn of the following year, and dedicated in the absence of the Bishop by Fr. M.Mahon, V.G., December Ioth. The church, which is of brick, cannot be said to be of any particular style of architecture. It is 150 feet in length by 65 in width, and has a small Byzantine dome on each corner in front; and between these is a porch supported by columns. The nave and aisles are arched with the tunnel or barrel vault, and supported by two rows of columns with cushioned capitals. A transverse arch crosses the ceiling in the middle, and at the point of intersection with the nave a small dome is erected. This dome, added to the peculiar construction of the interior, so affected the acoustic properties of the church that it was with difficulty a speaker could be heard. To ob- viate this difficulty the pulpit was afterwards moved to a spot near the middle of the church. There are three altars, all of which are wood. That in the centre occupies an apse at the head of the nave, and is one of the most artistically finished in the diocese. It was erected by Fr. Celestine, O.S.B., and dedi- cated by the Bishop April 7th, 1872. The interior of the church is finished in chaste and simple style, the object having been to erect a spacious and substantial rather than an elegant structure.
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