USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > A twentieth century history of Erie County, Pennsylvania : a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 89
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in the history of St. Patrick's. His first work, successfully accom- plished, was the building of St. Patrick's auditorium on East Fifth street in 1895-6. His greatest work was the building of the magnifi- cent new St. Patrick's church, on the site of the old church, which was dedicated August 2, 1906. Ground was broken for the new church August 2, 1902, four years being required for its completion. It is one of the handsomest places of worship in the state.
St. Peter's cathedral, begun in February, 1873, was dedicated August 2, 1893, twenty years having been required for its erection. Its cost was $250,000. It is 220 feet in length, 112 feet wide at the transepts, and 85 feet wide in the main portion. The center of the ceiling is 75 feet high. The three towers are of solid masonry to their apexes, the central being, to the top of the gilded copper cross, 265 feet in height. The seating capacity is 2,500. The organ was built for the Columbian Exposition and cost $10,000. At the opening of the cathedral, Very Rev. Thomas A. Casey was appointed rector, with Rev. John McCloskey and Rev. S. E. Aaron as his assistants, and upon Father Casey's death Father Aaron became rector with Rev. F. J. Decker assistant. The rectors since have been Rev. James P. McCloskey, Rev. James F. Fielding, Rev. D. A. Hanley and, in 1899, Rev. John J. F. Donnellan, A. M., who continues to fill the office at the present time. Bishop Fitz Maurice, the head of the Catholic church in the diocese of Erie, was appointed bishop coadjutor with Bishop Mullen, February 24, 1898, with the right of succession. Bishop Mul- len, consecrated at Sts. Peter and Paul, Pittsburg, in 1868, when he came to Erie, resigned as bishop of Erie on August 10, 1899, and died April 22, 1900. Right Reverend John Fitz Maurice became bishop August 10, 1899. Very Rev. J. F. Sheridan became vicar general of the diocese soon after the death of Father Casey.
St. Mary's church is the oldest church of the Catholic faith in Erie, dating its beginning to 1830, when Father Mosquelette cele- brated mass in a house belonging to Wolfgang Erhart. one of the first German settlers in Erie. In 1837 a small frame church was built on Ninth street, where St. Mary's church of the present day stands, and this was occupied until 1854, when, under Rev. F. J. Hartmann, the erection of a new church, sufficient in size to meet the demands of the future was undertaken. It was no light matter, for while the little frame church had been outgrown by the congregation, its num- bers were yet by no means great. A member of the building com- mittee approached Bishop O'Connor and asked his advice with reference to paying for so large a church. "How many rich men have you in the congregation?" the bishop inquired. "None," was the reply. "Then you need have no fears about the future; your church will be paid for," said the bishop. It was a judicious answer. It put spurs in the sides of the members. In 1858, by the consent of the
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bishop, St. Mary's came under the charge of the Order of St. Bene- dict, and has continued so ever since. From 1880 to 1895 the pastors were: Reverends Amandus Kramer, S. Demarteau, Emilian Wendel, Lambert Kettner, Paulinus Wenkmann, and Cassimer Elsesser. Very Rev. Athanasius Hintenach, O. S. B., became prior in 1896, and Very Rev. Theodore Schmitt, who became prior in 1900, continues in that office at the present time.
St. Joseph's congregation had its beginning in a school estab- lished by a number of Catholic families in 1855 on West Eighteenth. In that school occasional services were held by priests from St. Mary's. Soon a lot was bought on Twenty-fourth street, between Peach and Sassafras and a school built there, to which the school on Eighteenth street was transferred. A frame church was built in 1866, beside the school, and on October 2, 1887, the splendid church on the corner was dedicated. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Stumpe, and his suc- cessors have been, Rev. John B. Kuehn, Rev. E. J. Reiter, S. J., Rev. Father Mink, Rev. J. A. Oberhofer, and Rev. Bernard Kloecker, the present incumbent. Fathers Reiter and Oberhofer died while priests of St. Joseph's, the former in 1873, the latter in 1889.
St. John's church, in the southern part of the Fifth Ward. was founded in 1869, the first pastor being Rev. Bernard Mauser, O. S. B. Immediately work was begun on a church building, which was dedi- cated in August, 1870. It was a frame building but of considerable proportions, so that, with minor changes made in 1885 it served all purposes for thirty years. In 1899 the present fine edifice was begun. and it was dedicated in 1900. Its cost was between $65,000 and $70,000. In 1906 the school connected with St. John's was doubled in size at a cost of $20,000. There have been but two pastors of St. John's church, the third, Rev. E. A. Reiter, S. J., having, from March until his death in May, 1873, served both St. Joseph's and St. John's. Rev. Father M. J. Decker, who became rector of St. John's May 4, 1873, has ministered to this parish ever since, and at the present time is the oldest priest in the diocese, both in point of age and years of ministerial service.
Father J. A. McCabe, in 1871, formed a parish in the northwest- ern part of the city and named it St. Andrew's. It was composed prin- cipally of English speaking people at the time it was organized and though it has continued to be regarded as a church for those of the English language, there are many other languages represented and numerous races included in the congregation that worships at St. Andrew's. A frame church was built in 1871 on Raspberry street be- tween Sixth and Seventh, and a rectory hard by. On March 22, 1896. the church was destroyed by fire, and an immediate movement was started to erect a new church. The work was halted by the fact that the people of the parish felt that their circumstances in life would
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not warrant the necessary expenditure. The structure had been car- ried above the foundation to the water-table. Undismayed by the financial trouble, Father McCabe resolved to do the best possible, and, putting a roof over the basement began services in what has facetiously become known to the parishioners as the Catacombs, and there services are still held. After a service of nearly twenty years at St. Andrew's, Father McCabe was succeeded in 1890 by Rev. W. F. Dwyer, who still ministers to the parish.
About twenty-five years ago the Polish people began in Erie to assume considerable importance, and settling near the southern part of the Second Ward, established a colony, steadily growing, that soon numbered thousands. They were mostly of the Catholic faith, and soon set about forming a church. The effort resulted in a fair start toward success, the corner stone of a church being laid in 1884. The building was wrecked by a storm in the winter following, so that it was not dedicated until 1885. In 1886 Rev. Andrew Ignasiak came to Erie to take charge. It was his first pastorate and he was the first rector. He continues to be the faithful and well beloved pastor of the Polish church. The original building was of frame construction. It soon grew to be inadequate, and in 1895-6 a large and very hand- some structure of brick trimmed with gray stone was built at the corner of Thirteenth and Wallace streets. It is one of the finest churches in Erie, and is named in honor of St. Stanislaus.
During the flush times of the middle west of Erie, when the old Erie Car Works and the foundries and the forge in that vicinity were among the most important industries of Erie the region up the valley of Ichabod run filled up rapidly. Most of them were Germans, and a great majority were attracted by the prospects of fine gardens to be made out of the rich bottom land of the little vale. Among these Ger- mans there was planted St. Michael's church, begun in 1883, and dedicated in September, 1885. Its first and only pastor was Rev. James Lachermaier. Since the church was erected a school and rec- tory have been built, and the congregation has become a numerous and strong one.
St. Paul's Roman Catholic congregation was formed in the sec- tion of the city known as Little Italy in 1891. Soon afterwards, the building that had been used by the Chestnut Street Presbyterian church, vacated when the new building of that church was erected, was purchased and moved to the lot on Walnut street between Six- teenth and Seventeenth streets that had been bought by the parish. It was rebuilt and dedicated the same year. The priest in charge during the organization was Rev. Francis Becherini, who remained until July, 1894. On January 6, 1895, Rev. F. J. Bender was assigned to look after the welfare of the parish, and was succeeded, in 1896, by
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
Rev. Raphael Agreste, who in turn gave place, in 1908, to Rev. Louis Marino, the present pastor.
The Church of the Sacred Heart was organized, through the efforts of Rev. F. J. Bender, in 1894. The center of the parish is the handsome church property occupying the corner of Twenty-sixth and Plum streets. The church edifice was begun in 1894, and the first services were held in January, 1905. The rectory, handsome archi- tecturally and beautifully situated, was built in 1905. The school connected with this church was established about 1908, when the building that had been used as public school No. 16, then vacated, was removed to the northern end of the church lot on Plum street. Rev. Father Bender has ministered to the parish from its formation until the present.
In 1895 St. Ann's parish was formed in the eastern part of the city, a contract being let that year for a brick church on Tenth street, east of East avenue. At that time Rev. Hugh Mullen was rector. The church was dedicated June 21, 1906, Rt. Rev. Tobias Mullen, bishop, officiating. St. Ann's school was established in the same year. Rev. James P. McCloskey succeeded as rector of St. Ann's, and during his term, in 1899, the parochial residence was built. Rev. Benj. J. Ray- croft became pastor in 1901, and set about providing a larger church for the rapidly growing congregation. April 26, 1904, the stakes were driven ; July 24 of the same year the corner stone was laid; the cross was raised on the spire April 6, 1905, and on August 21, 1905, the beautiful church was dedicated, Bishop John E. Fitz Maurice offi- ciating, assisted by Father Raycroft (who made the discourse) and fifteen other priests. The architect of St. Ann's is W. P. Gunther, who also designed the new St. Patrick's church. Father Raycroft is still pastor of St. Ann's.
Holy Trinity church, organized in 1903, had for its first pastor Rev. Father Matysiak. It is the second congregation of Polish people in Erie. Immediate steps were taken to provide a church. A lot was bought on Twenty-second street between Ash and Reed, and the frame church lately vacated by St. John's was bought and removed from Twenty-sixth street. Father Matysiak was soon succeeded by Rev. Seweryn Niedbalski. In 1909 the erection of a large and costly school building, to be of fireproof construction, was begun.
The most recent church of the Roman Catholic faith to be erected in Erie was that for the use of the Slavic people who have settled here. The parish came into existence through the initiative of Rev. Father Ignasiak of the Polish church, who started the building fund, so that when Rev. Carl A. Smelko came to Erie from Johnsonburg in July, 1908, the way was clear. The parish was duly formed and work upon the Church of the Holy Family began at once. It is
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
located at the corner of Ninth and Fulton streets, in the Metric Metal neighborhood, and was dedicated November 20, 1908.
In 1833, Rev. J. Seibert, afterwards bishop, came to Erie a mis- sionary, to preach to the Germans who had become a part of this community. There were not then many original Germans in Erie, but of those Americanized, or natives of the eastern part of the state who had come into this section to colonize, there were quite a goodly number, and it was among these German-speaking people that Rev. Mr. Seibert came to labor, for he was a missionary of the German Evangelical Association. Later he was followed in Erie by Rev. E. Stoevers, Rev. D. Broeckley and Rev. J. Noecker. The success of these missionary efforts was not immediately apparent, but in time there was a gathering together, and about three years after the visit of the man who was later to be advanced to bishop, the families of J. Stelle, S. Zinn, P. Fendenheim and A. Schuerer, united with the Evan- gelical Association. In 1836, the new religious family was increased by the family of Conrad Doll, and in the year 1837 a class was organized and meetings were held alternately in the homes of C. Doll and M. Fendenheim until 1843, when a frame church was built on Four- teenth street between Peach and Sassafras. Rev. Samuel Heiss was then the circuit minister. In 1849 a parsonage was built adjacent to the church; in 1854 the church and parsonage were removed to the corner of Twelfth and Peach streets. and the Erie organization re- mained as a mission, until 1861, when it became a separate charge. In 1868 a brick church was built to replace the small frame one and in the beginning of the eighties the church was remodeled and a par- sonage built. The church served all purposes until 1902, when a beau- tiful modern church, with a rectory in keeping was erected at the corner of Eleventh and Myrtle streets. The pastors since Rev. Mr. Heiss have been Reverends P. Halın, P. Wist, J. Rockert, J. Nicolai, C. G. Koch, I. G. Pfeffer, A. Niebel, G. W. Fischer, P. Schnilly, J. Reihm, W. Schmitt, J. Bernhart, A. Staehley, C. F. Harting, M. Zirkel, W. W. Hampe, J. Dick, D. J. Honecker, Thomas Luhr, J. Lany, G. F. Spreng, G. Nerstecher, H. Wisgand, George Goetz, Ernest Koehne, T. A. Gaehr, Ernest Koehne, Andrew Woerner, and (again) Ernest Koehne. the present pastor.
The Unitarian church was founded in 1898, but it is in a sense, the successor of the Universalist church, which was organized in 1842, and erected a meeting house in 1844. Among the original mem- bers were Henry Cadwell, William Beatty, John Dodge, Clark and Wenlock McSparren, Porter Warren and John Galbraith, all promi- nent, and leading citizens of the time. The church was erected on a piece of ground on Ninth street, donated by Hon. John Galbraith. Rev. John Gifford, the first minister, was followed by Rev. A. G.
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
Laurie, of Edinburgh, Scotland, who served three years, until 1849. Rev. J. E. Forrester was pastor for ten years and after him, in 1865, Rev. Mr. Laurie returned for a term of ten years. Among those who succeeded, Rev. H. A. Westall was a declared Unitarian. For two years Rev. Margaret Brennan was pastor-the first woman minister to serve in Erie. The first Unitarian church of Erie was incorporated March 22, 1898, with Rev. Leon A. Harvey as pastor and including these members: Mrs. Mary A. Fitch, C. S. Marks, O. C. Gunnison, Mrs. E. Kies, Park Densmore, Mrs. Densmore, Mrs. J. B. Gunnison, WV. B. Flickinger, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Gordon, Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Joslin, M. E. Gunnison, Mrs. A. B. Elliott, Mr. and Mrs. John Depi- net, Mrs. E. Wagner, W. E. Wagner, Bessie B. Brown, Mr. and Mrs. Judson Coe, A. F. Joslin, Estelle Hutchins, Charles Gunnison, Caro- line Joslin, Geo. S. Sawdey, Mary Briggs, Alfred Gunnison, Mrs. C. Mowry, Mrs. A. G. Thayer, Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Conrader and Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Williams. Meetings were held in G. A. R. hall until the church on Ninth street was built in 1900. In December, 1904, Rev. Mr. Harvey resigned and was succeeded in September, 1905, by Rev. Thomas P. Byrne, the present pastor.
The Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) was found- ed about 1850, including the families of the Mohrs, Knodel, Evans, Rau, Metzler and Stearns. For a long period meetings were held at the residence of E. H. Stearns, on West Ninth street and until about 1871, when a hall at 721 State street was rented and services were regularly held by Rev. Mr. Goodner until 1873, when he removed from the city. He was the only resident pastor of the denomination in Erie. In 1875 a new organization was effected by Bishop Benade, and regular visits to Erie were made by the bishop's assistant. Meet- ings are held at the homes of the members. Dr. Edward Cranch, 109 West Ninth street, is the secretary in Erie.
On August 21, 1853, a congregation of the Hebrew faith was formed in Erie, the leading members being Moses Koch, the first Hebrew to settle in Erie (1845), Isaac and John Rosenzweig, I. W. Neuberger, Jacob Koch, H. Meyer, B. Baker and Henry Frank. Their first Rabbi was Mr. Weil, engaged in 1861, but remaining only one year. He was succeeded by Rabbi M. Wurzel, who served, first and last, fourteen years. The succeeding Rabbis have been Reverend Messrs. Fuld, Fluegel, Brandes, Stenple, Levi, Farber, Rosenau, and the present Rabbi Max C. Currick. The beginnings of the congrega- tion Anshe Chesed were small, and for many years meeting places were found in various halls, at first in the Lyon building on Cheap- side, the last in the Becker block on French. In 1882 a lot on Eighth street west of Sassafras was bought and on that was erected the synagogue, which cost $13,000. It has from time to time been greatly improved ; and, as the congregation grew in strength it increased in
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usefulness in the city. The administrations of Rabbis Rosenau and Kurrick have been especially marked.
The congregation Brith Sholom, organized in 1896, is composed of what are denominated orthodox Jews, in distinction with the earlier or reform congregation, and included among its founders Jacob Sem- uel, M. Padol, C. Rosin, B. A. Zacks, Saul Max and E. Rosin. This congregation in 1906 erected a handsome meeting house at 721 French street, where services are held and a Hebrew school maintained.
The First Christian church in Erie was organized November 19, 1888, and the same year, proving its faith by its works, bought a lot at the corner of Seventh and Chestnut streets for its future home. Its first pastor was Rev. T. W. Howard. His successor, Rev. Myron Tyler, whose service began in 1890, had the pleasure of dedicating the first church of the denomination in Erie which was erected in 1890-91. On March 1, 1895, Rev. Henry Crampton became minister and his successors have been Rev. J. W. Bolton, 1898; Rev. A. B. Kendall, 1902; Rev. D. L. Chase, 1906, being still pastor in charge. Early in 1908 the church was practically rebuilt.
The Church of Christ, commonly known as The Disciples, formed a congregation in Erie in March, 1889, when, at a meeting in Jarecki's hall an organization was effected with Rev. E. L. Frazier, pastor, and thirty-six charter members. At once steps were taken to provide a permanent place of worship. A lot was bought on Peach street oppo- site the Academy, and on this was erected a building of unique de- sign, but very convenient and serviceable, which was dedicated Janu- ary 12, 1890. It was known as the Tabernacle until sold and vacated in 1909. Having disposed of the old property a lot was purchased at the corner of Ninth and Cherry streets, March 5, 1909, and work begun on a new church building which it is expected will be completed within a year. The pastors, in succession after Rev. Mr. Frazier, have been, B. H. Hayden, A. B. Chamberlain. R. C. Sargent, M. B. Ryan, E. O. Irwin, F. A. Wight, R. A. Nichols, and the present minister, who began January 1, 1909.
"Christian Science" first came to Erie in 1889, and the year fol- lowing Sunday service was instituted by five students, and a Sunday school established at the same time. In September, 1890, a room was rented and a dispensary opened,. and in September, 1894, a church was organized and services held in rooms in the Exchange building. Subsequently rooms were taken in the Penn building where the dis- pensary has been established. with Clinton B. Burgess, C. S. B., in attendance.
Undenominational religious effort is represented in Erie by sev- eral Sunday schools and the Erie Bethel Association. This associa- tion is operated under the Western Seamen's Friend Society which
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owns property at the foot of French street that had been the old Himrod homestead. For many years J. F. Downing has been presi- dent of the Erie Bethel, and George E. Barger secretary. In 1839 there was started in his home, now owned by the Bethel, by William Himrod, a mission Sunday school, known as the Himrod mission. That Sunday school has been maintained ever since, and always under the direction of a Himrod. The founder was succeeded on his death by his son William, and he, when he died, by his son, Har- wood B.
The Christian Endeavor Union of Erie City was organized in 1884 with L. M. Little as president; C. E. Bacon as secretary, and R. Beebe as treasurer, and its constituents were the C. E. societies of the First, Park, Park Mission, Central, Chestnut Street and United Presbyterian ; First and German Baptist ; German St. Paul's ; A. M. E., Tabernacle and First Christian churches and Himrod Mission.
The Ministerial Association of Erie was organized in 1874 by Rev. Dr. J. H. Pressly of the U. P. church, aided by Doctors Fullerton and Carrier of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. W. W. Ramsey of the M. E. church on a broad plane that invited and has ever since received the cordial support of all the Protestant ministers in Erie. Regular weekly meetings are held.
The most notable religious gathering ever held in Erie was the state convention of the Christian Endeavor Societies of Pennsylvania, held August 22 to 25, 1895. No hall in Erie was large enough to ac- commodate, and the meetings were held in a mammoth tent that would seat 4,000 people. The convention was presided over by Rev. J. T. McCrory of Pittsburg. A feature was the chorus of 250 voices, con- ducted by Prof. J. T. Redman, choir master of the First M. E. church.
By a will dated January 30, 1907, duly probated upon his death, the late Hudson H. Hearn bequeathed $1,000 for a memorial window in North Presbyterian (Park) church to Sarah Hearn, his mother. And the will further directs the executors of his will, William Spen- cer, Robert H. Sternberg, and Chester Gordon Hearn not to sell the shares of N. Y., C. & St. L. railroad stock, held by the testator, "until they realize $115 per share." When these are converted into money the executors are directed "to organize a Presbyterian church in the city of Erie, to be incorporated under the name of The Sarah Hearn Memorial Presbyterian Church, and when so incorporated, I give and bequeath unto The Sarah Hearn Memorial Church the sum of $110,000 for the purpose of purchasing a suitable piece of land in a desirable location in the city of Erie and the building of a church thereon in memory of my mother, Sarah Hearn, late of the city of Erie, deceased. I also give and bequeath unto The Sarah Hearn Memorial Church the sum of $10,000 for a perpetual fund to be in- vested at interest and the income thereof to be used for the support and maintenance of said church."
CHAPTER XVIII .- SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
THE SEVERAL CLUBS, CITY, COUNTRY AND SPECIAL .- MUSICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES .- THE VARIOUS SECRET ORDERS.
The earliest comings together in a social way in Erie were not different from what they are in any other similar community, rural as it was. The gregarious instinct that impelled the grouping of dwellings into neighborhoods was the nearest to an organization of a social character that existed during the first years. No other was necessary, for, with dwellings nearby, neighborly calls could be fre- quent and the social instinct gratified. Early, however, it came to be understood that something was needed to supplement what neighbor- hood afforded. In 1806 thirty of the citizens organized themselves into a library company, Judah Colt being president, Thomas Forster, James Baird, John C. Wallace and William Wallace directors, and Thomas Forster librarian. The fund raised was $200, and the library was kept together for several years. It was not strictly a social or- ganization, nor was there yet room for this, but it was approximated in the gatherings around Knox's Lying Block at his store, which was the postoffice, and in the groupings of citizens on summer evenings, sometimes on packing cases or chairs at the outer edge of the side- walk where they smoked their cigars or whittled a stick as they ex- changed stories, or at others at one end of the store-if it was winter in a circle about the big wood heater-discussing affairs of the time in the dim light of the tallow dip.
At length there came organizations. These invariably took on the form of literary societies or benevolent associations-social clubs were then not even dreamed of. The first formed was the Franklin Literary Association, in 1826, which maintained a library-T. Moor- head, Jr., was the librarian-and it is probable though not so recorded, that the books in use came over from the library company of 1806. The Erie Academy Lyceum of 1835 that held its meetings in the court house, was followed in 1839 by the Apprentices Literary Society, and in 1841 by the Adelphic Literary Society, the two last named being in 1843 merged in the Irving Literary Institute. This was the strong- est and most enduring of the early societies of Erie. The library of 1806 came to it as an inheritance, and it was greatly added to, until it
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