USA > Pennsylvania > Adams County > Conewago in Adams County > Conewago : a collection of Catholic local history : gathered from the fields of Catholic missionary labor within our reach. > Part 15
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F. X. Deneckere, S. J., who greatly improved the interior of the church and established a Library and also a Rosary Society. This holy priest was the last regular Jesuit pastor, and about the time he left, (November 2, 1858,) the Jesuit Fathers gave over the congregation and church property into the care and control of Rt. Rev. James F. Wood, Bishop of Philadelphia. A new charge was now formed out of St. Ignatius Church in Buchanan Valley, Im- maculate Conception, of Fairfield, and St. Francis Xavier's, of Gettysburg, with but one pastor residing in the latter place. About Nov. 14, 1858, Rev. Basil A. Shorb was appointed the first secular pastor. He remained until about the 24 of Feb., 1860. He was followed by Rev L. J. Miller, who was in charge from about March 14, 1860, to August 15, of the same year. The Rev. F. P. Mulgreu was stationed here from Sep. 16 to Dec. 27, 1860. Then came Rev. Michael F. Martin. who was here a short time. The next pastor was Rev. A. M. McGinnis, who was in charge from July 16, 1861, to about Oct. 27, 1863. In commou with the other churches of the town, St. Francis Xavier's was used as a hospital during the Battle of Gettysburg. It was first occupied as such before noon of July 1, 1863, and was used for this pur- pose for several weeks. While the church was so occupied, Mass was said in a room at the house of Nicholas Codori. Father Joseph A. Boll assumed charge of the congregation Jan. 4, 1864. He at once repaired the damage done the church during the battle. In June following his coming, he had the church frescoed and ornamented with shadow statuary painting, repre- senting the twelve apostles. The work was done by Mr. George Seiling, of Reading, Pa., and was finished in the following Sep. Mr. Philip Doersom had purchased the Crucifixion. (painted by Mr. Gephart, of York,) which hung in the old church, from Father Deneckere. He had it newly framed and the painting repaired. Father Boll desired to purchase it, but Mr. Doer- som declined to sell ; but consented to its being placed in rear of the altar. if a proper recess were frescoed for it. This was done, and the words " Co- piosa Apud Eum Redemptio " forming a suitable arch were painted above it. The picture is still there. but owned by Mr. Doersom. The large paint- ing was removed to a side wall of the sanctuary and is still there. About the same time an elegant walnut pulpit, designed by Mr. Seiling. but made in Gettysburg, was placed in the church. During August of 1865, the last cent due by the church was paid. Gas was first used in the church in 1871. In the latter part of the same year a lot was purchased almost opposite the church and the building of a parsonage was commenced theron Dec. 1, 1871, and completed Oct. 5, 1872. It is a fine large brick dwelling, and cost, com- pleted and furnished, over $7000. It was mainly paid for by monthly con- tributions, lasting four years. In the spring of 1873, the Mountain Church was detached from the Gettysburg charge, aud since Mass is celebrated the first three Sundays at the latter place, and the fourth Sunday at Fairfield, other church days being divided. The parochial school house was commenc- ed in June and finished in August, 1877. It is a roomy frame building fur- nished in modern style, and is located in rear of the parsonage. The first school session began Sep. 1, 1877. Father Boll took charge personally and taught the classes. His assistant was Miss Kate Marley, of Columbia, Pa. The following year he continued to teach, being assisted by Misses Mary Kummerant and Emily L. Martin, of Gettysburg. The school continued under the same control until Feb. 1880, when Mr. Martin F. Power took
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charge of all the classes, the pastor still being the nominal head, but no lon- ger teaching, excepting Christian Doctrine. It was a success from the be- ginning, and still continues so. Its course is high, full and practical. There are about 90 pupils. In Dec., 1877, the old bell was exchanged for a new one weighing 1233 pounds. On the 8th of the same month-the feast of the Immaculate Conception-its sweet notes rang forth the Angel's Salutation of 4000 years ago-being the first time the Angelus was regularly rung in Get- tysburg. In the fall of 1880, Fathers Bouch and Trimple-two Redemptor- ists-gave a mission which resulted in much good. They also erected a mission cross, which is attached to the inside wall of the church near the Confessional. In the summer of 1881. Father Boll replaced the old church windows by beautiful burnt memorial ones, which are historical and of su- perior workmanship. They were made by F. Hoeckel, of Baltimore, and cost about $1000. Father Boll having obtained a nine months' leave to trav- el in Europe and Palestine in the fall of 1881, Rev. Henry Relt was appoint- ed to take his place. He remained in charge until the following summer. His gentle and dignified manner at once wou him the affection and respect of the congregation. Father Boll resumed charge after his return from abroad. He had only returned a few weeks when he was appointed pastor at Lebanon, Pa Rev. John J. Shanahan was then appointed pastor. He was only here a few months, long enough to arouse a new spirit of devotion among the people, and by his eloquence and learning fill their hearts with in- creased love of God. There were many links that bound Father Boll to the earliest charge he filled, and at the first opportunity he returned to the scene of his early labors, in Dec., 1882. Jan. 3. 1885, the last debt due by the con- gregation was paid. St. Francis Xavier's Catholic Beneficial Society was or- ganized Jan. 4. 1885, with about 35 members. It has about 50 now. The Library was re-organized in April of the same year, and has about 600 (hun- dred) books and 40 members. There were 5 acres, 29 perches of land bought June 4, 1885, and laid out for a cemetery. Ex-Sheriff Jacob Klunk, Esq., was the first buried, on September 8, 1885. The cemetery was blessed by Rt. Rev. J. F. Shanahan, Bishop of Harrisburg, Sunday, September 13, 1885. The school children, society, and congregation went in procession from the church to the grounds before High Mass. The congregation numbers about 600. The title to the church property is in the Bishop of Harrisburg in trust. It is worth about $18,000. The congregation do not owe a cent of debt. They have the finest parsonage, the best bell, and the handsomest church in the town. Among the present members are found some of the wealthiest and best citizens of the county. The liberality of the past generation has de- scended to the present, and as the generous contributor looks about him and sees what he has helped to accomplish for the church, he recalls the words of the Psalinist : "I have loved. Oh Lord, the beauty of Thy House and the place where Thy glory dwelleth." WM. MCSHERRY, JR.
Gettysburg, Oct. 12, 1885.
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GATHERING UP THE SCRAPS.
A. M. D. G. ET B. M. V. H.
We gather up the fragments that remain. " LEST THEY BE LOST." They may seem trifling to some ; others can appreciate their importance. to whom such scraps of our early church history that is lost and forgotten would in- deed be valuable. So with these : they will grow in interest. They might be put in better shape, and come in more consecutive order, but time will not allow. The object we have most in mind is their PRESERVATION.
Rev. James Stillinger, a priest in Western Pennsylvania, (see LAMBING'S Hist. of Western Pa., p. 402), died Sept. 18, 1873. His father was born in York Co., Pa. Fr. S. worked as a printer in Chambersburg and Gettysburg, when a boy ; entered St. Mary's College through Father Dubois, and became a priest in 1830. Lambing mentions a priest at Conewago in 1789, named John B. Causey, who did missionary work in Western Pennsylvania. He came from Philadelphia to Conewago and from there was called to attend the death-bed of Father Browers, in Westmoreland Co., Pa. This Father, among other bequests, willed some personal property " for the use of the Poor Roman Catholic Irish, that does or shall live at the Chappel, on Cone- wagga." There is no record of what became of Father Causey, (see LAM- BING, p. 364.) Rev. Francis Fromm came from Germany in 1989, and from Conewago he went to the Western Pa. Missions. Father Pellentz visited these missions from Conewago. Rev Peter Heilbron was among the early priests in Western Pa. He died at Carlisle about 1816. Father Brosius. while at Conewago, also visited McGuire's settlement, in Cambria Co., and after him came Father Gallitzin. Rev. Jas. Bradley, a priest in Blair Co., was ordained at Conewago, Sept. 20th. 1830, by Bishop Kenrick. Father O'Brien, one of the first priests in Pittsburg, spent a short time at Conewago about 1820. when his health compelled his retirement from active labor in the ministry.
Rev. A. A. Lambing's father was baptized at Conewago April 12th. 1807, and became one of the pioneer Catholics of Western Pennsylvania. Father Lambing is widely known for his valuable and extensive research in Catlio- lic history, and also as a learned writer on Catholic subjects. His labors in the interest of Catholic local history have been very successful. The most landable effort of his life is the establishment of a publication devoted to the early history of the Catholic Church in this country. Catholics should en- courage it, and make it permanent,
Fragments of names and dates, gathered from the old account books at Conewago : Among those employed as laborers when the priests yet farmed the land. we find the following : John Strasbaugh, blacksmith : Henry Small. Alex. Robinson, Peter Majors, George Nace, Julian Plunket, Mary Koch. Cath. Chambers, Mary O'Neil, Susan and Mary Will, Eliz. Dellone, Mary Major, Cath. Baker, Mar. Strasbaugh : Peter O'Neil. who entered the house on Monday, July 23d, 1827 ; Madalene Shaffer. John Adams. 1833. Aug. 23d, to Rev. Mr. Curley, of Georgetown, for expenses to return to col- lege. May 19th. Father Vespre on stage to Georgetown. 1834, paid to Rev.
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Mr. Divin on account of the Masses discharged for Father Provincial. 1835, March 20, to Trappist Brother, of Nova Scotia, for Father Docherty. July 13, for the voyage of Father Helias ; when he arrived, Father C. Paul Kohl- man was recalled to Georgetown. The sketch of Conewago heretofore allud- ed to, thought to have been written about 1830, is of a later date, as the fol- lowing scrap, which belongs to it, clearly shows : " Father Barber arrived here to make his retreat. and will probably stay with us. Father Helias re- ceived orders of our Father Provincial to go to Missouri ; he started the 6th of Aug., 1835, with the stage of Littlestown." Father Helias died in Mis- souri in 1874, at an old age. He came from Europe with Father De Smet and his companions, for missionary work in the West, and was one of the first priests west of St. Louis. 1850, Rev. Wirzfeld collected for Waynes- burg. The collection for Episcopate fund of that year sent by Brother Lan- caster. 1851, collection for " Milwauki " by Rev. Latzman. 1852, Rev. Moore visitor at Conewago. 1845, collection by Father Dietz for Rev. Wacth- len. 1852, loan to Fr. Early, sent by Bro. Redman to St. John's. 1853, Nov., boarded Bro. Logan ; at Conewago for his health. 1854, Feb. 6th, boarded Fr. Kreighton ; most likely there for his health. Thomas Will entered our house April 1st, 1830 ; was to be furnished with " cloth of our own man- factory." 1844, names of Brothers Quinlan and Cavanaugh. About this time, a painter named Gephart, was at Conewago : painted picture of Miss Sally Lilly's father. one of Mr. McSherry's father, and Mr. Bange's father ; also, picture of St. Ignatius, long on B. V. altar, and picture of St. Francis Regis ; a little painting for Nippero's Valley ; and a painting to be sent to Gettysburg, " which shall remain in my possession until that congregation pays $30." Clotilda Stigers mended priests' vestments and attended altar. Sister Ann. Superior at MeSherrystown. There is a list of young ladies who attended the school at that time, as follows : Mary E. Adelsperger ; Adeline, Catharine and Susanna Kenney : Louisa Maria Shorb, Harriet Linco Walms- ley. Catharine Baker, Alphonsia Walsh, Catharine Stephens, Margaret Col- gan, Anna Mary Linn, Catharine Sneeringer ; book for M. Euphrosina. It is gratifying to see that the young ladies of that time, from about 1834 to 1840. had real solid christian names, and no fancy prefixes like young ladies now have. 1844, Thos. Lilly Proc. Prov., settled accounts of Fr. Lekeu. Names of Steinbacher, Dietz and Kendler, the latter no Jesuit. 1845. Revs. Dietz, Kendler and Philip Sacchi. April 8th of that year, P. J. Verhaegen, S. J .. signed as Visitor. There is mention of a Mother Boilvin among the first Sis- ters at McSherrystown. Dec. 30th, 1845, " Madame " Boilvin gave $20 to Mr. Kendler at his departare for Milwaukee. 1847, May 18th, Father Ver- haegen. Visitor. 1850, Oct. 17, Ignatius Brocard, Visitor. Sept. 16, 1865, An- gelus M. Paresce, Visitor.
Rev. J. B. Causey, or Cause, came to Conewago from Philadelphia, be- tween 1787 and 1789.
Nov. 10th, 1845, letter from Francis Patrick Kenrick, Bishop of Phila., to Rev. N. Steinbacher, Superior of Conewago, in regard to Sisters leaving McSherrystown. He submits the matter to the judgment of the Sisters, who, notwithstanding the great sacrifice to them, incline to remove on account of the difficulty of access to McSherrystown. 1860, Father Manns attended Par- adise. Petition from Paradise congregation to Superior for permission to haye court grant a road from the Berlin Turnpike to the church, through
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farms of A. W. Storm, Joseph Clunk and church. Road was made, and comes out immediately in front of church.
When the Hanover and Baltimore Turnpike was built, $1000 stock was entered in the name of Charles Neal, 1811, Superior of the Maryland Mis- sions. The Conewago priests from time to time drew the dividends, which at first were a fair per cent., and towards later years did not amount to much and the matter was entirely lost sight of for some years. Father Bell- walder was about the last to draw a dividend. Father Emig, of St. Joseph's, Hanover, took up the matter and writes to Father Enders, Superior, March 27th, 1882, as follows : Says he attended to the business as good as if a law- yer had been employed. Wants nothing for it but a habit, " mine is wear- ing out ; " health has been very bad, coughing day and night, with pains in the head.
The following names and dates are gleaned from the letters of the Super- iors of the Society :
1858, Oct. 20th, shall be obliged to diminish priests at Conewago-Father Reiter probably be taken.
To Father Cattani, Superior at Conewago, Feb. 23d, 1858 : We have lost Brother Marshall, in his Ist year in God's holy service in the Society.
1852, Brother Mattingly sent to replace Bro. Doyle. Father Manns re- called to Frederick in 1853, to make a year of Third Probation. Father Dom- perio succeeded Father Cattani as Superior for a short time, between 1865 and '66. Father N. Steinbacher did suddenly at St. Mary's, Boston, Feb. 14th, 1862. Father Roger Dietz died in 1860, He was "a man of prayer." In Oct., 1861, Father Sheerin was called to Baltimore from Conewago. Jan., 1863, Father Barrister sent to Conewago, to rest a while from the great labors and exertions, both of body and of mind, which he has endured for the past two years. He took Fr. Deneckere's place, who went for a short time to Boston to assist Father Reiter. Feb. 24th, 1863, Father Domperio sent to Conewago from Balto. In Jan., 1862, Mr. J. Shorb, architect. was sent from Balto. to superintend building at Conewago : the plans were soon after changed, and he was recalled. 1841, Thomas F. Mulledy, S. J., on a visit to Nice, appointed Father McElroy his attorney.
There is a scrap of a letter of introduction from a Conewago priest for a Protestant gentleman about to start for Rome, to Padre Trasset. No date or name ; says it is his seventh year on this continent ; came in company with Fathers Rey and Dietz, the former gone to receive his reward, the latter " with us at Conewago." Anthony Rey was Socius Prov. in 1845.
John H. Nipper writes to Father Steinbacher from Frederick, April 6, 1845 ; sends respects to Bro. Quinlan ; says Father Sacchi is well, and he and Bro. McFadden send respects to the Fathers.
Release, Feb. 28, 1816, Lewis DeBarth and successors. By will of John Anselm, dec'd, of Hanover, he ordered 200 pounds to be given to Rev. DeB., for which he was to pay to Eve Anselm 6 per cent. interest ; she having mar- ried James Dullehide, of Berwick Twp., they gave release.
Father Deneckere writing from Frederick, 1858, says Latin class there is not superior to the few boys of the same category at Conewago. Bishop Neumann, 1859, paid Mother Magdalene $50 a year for each of the orphan girls at McSherrystown. April 23d, 1863. Bishop Wood acknowledges re-
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ceipt of $236.15, from Rev. J. B. Cattani, collection for poor Ireland, " with our little share added." Florence J. Sullivan, S. J., Santa Clara College Cal. ; baptized at Littlestown by Father DeBarth, 1823 ; his father was Tim- othy, and his mother Joanna O'Neill ; Archbishop of San Francisco unwill- ing to confer orders unless certificate of baptism be produced. He was a Novice at Frederick about a year, when his health failed.
Father Villiger writes in 1858 : Father Deneckere gave liberal subscrip- tion toward establishing a free school for girls with the Sisters, and for boys at Conewago : of which Father Enders was President and German ; Deneck- ere Prefect and Latin ; Bro. Redmond, Disciplinarian and English : Mr. Gross, History and Mathematics. He says, Father Dougherty attends Lit- tlestown ; myself and " Billy," Paradise and Millerstown. "Tom," poor thing, was run blind by Fr. Wigget, at St. Thomas'. The priests always had good horses, and valued them highly. Father George Villiger, who died at Conewago, was called " Little Father Villiger," and Fr. Burchard Villiger, now at St Joseph's, Phila., " Big Father V.," because they were the oppo- site in stature. These trivial items, seemingly of little account, are given with the best intentions : to many they will recall vivid recollections ; and outside of their priestly character, they show the kind heart and cheerful spirit in the every-day life of the missionary. Father Enders attended Mil- lerstown four years without any compensation, and gave $50 to silence some claims. In 1863, Father Enders writes from Leonardtown to Fr. Cattani at Conewago, for small picture of the Nativity, by Overbach, and St. Stanis- laus by Stecher ; desires to get copies for St. Joseph's, which was built chief- ly through the exertions of Fr. Cotting. St. Joseph's, Phila., Jan. 13, 1860. -Father Ryder died yesterday morning at 10}, after six days' severe ill- ness. We are only two for work now, Father Barbelin and myself. Thos. Lilly, S. J. His remains were taken to Georgetown. Father Stonestreet al- ludes to the apportionment of the funds from German benefactors, between German missions of Boston and Richmond : and in 1855, by " Rev Mr. Mul- ler's express order. I sent a crumb to Conewago."
Feast of St. Mark, April 25, 1858, Father General constituted Rev. Bur- chard Villiger Provincial of Maryland, to succeed Chas. H. Stonestreet, who writes : " In this, my last official communication to the ever dear Province of Maryland, I cannot forbear to mention for encouragement and edification, that while Provincial I have never been disobeyed ; and, moreover, have been always humbled personally, but aided officially, by the superior virtues of my brethren in Christ." He died suddenly of heart disease at Holy Cross College. Worcester, Mass., July 4, 1885, aged 72. He was a native of Mary- land, stationed at Washington, Georgetown and Frederick. 1860, Fathers Enders. Deneckere and Cotting were at Newtown, St. Mary's Co., Md. Loyo- la College, Ap. 9, 1862 .-- The Bishop of Boston left here to-day with Father Early for Phila. Father Emig, from St. Louis, has been attached to our Province, and is now at St. Mary's, Boston. C. C. Lancaster, S. J., to J. B. Cattani, S. J. Phila., Dec. 30, 1859 .- Rev. Father Sopranis will visit you (Conewago), Jan. 4. Father Ciccaterri and myself (C. C. L.) will accompa- ny him.
April 11. 1858 .- Thomas Lyndon, Pastor of Chambersburg, to Father En- ders, Superior of Conewago, for priest to hear German confessions during Pascal season. Loyola. July 25, 1862, Fr. W. F. Clark sends by Fr. Vassi,
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&c., to J. B. Cattani, Sup. at Conewago. July 18, 1858, Fr. Clark sends Bro. Riordan to Conewago for his health. Mother Ignatius, of St. Joseph's, Mc- Sherrystown, has in her possession a chair, which once belonged to Fr. Gal- litzin. It was purchased of an aged lady, who in her childhood was a pro- tege of that saintly man. It is said to have been the most pretending article of the kind in his household, and was even used by the Bishop when admin- istering Confirmation.
William Arter did the plastering of the Conewago Chapel when first built. He was a peculiar man and did some very foolish things. At one time he kept a tavern at Hanover, and was well known.
Among the pewholders in 1820, were : Edw. Reily, Elizabeth Steigers, Nicholas Ginter, Margaret Storm, Samuel Lilly, Samuel Brady, Martin Clunk, John Dellone, Denis Carnahan, Michael Dellone, John Cook, Henry Lilly, Francis Marshall, Ignatius O'Bold, Michael Gallaher, John Smith, Adam Smith, Jacob Will, John Shenefelder. John Strasbaugh. The descendants of a few of these yet occupy the same pews, or at least the corresponding lo- cation, as new pews were put in by Fr. Enders.
Father Villiger, writing from Paradise in 1855 : Buried John Dellone last Dec., and early in the spring old Mrs. Noel from the Pigeon Hills. Old Mr. Alwine returned to his duties. Miss Cath. Strasbaugh, at Mr. Wise's, a conyert, desires to become a religious. Aug. 9, 1856 .- Fr. Stonestreet ap- points J. B. Cattani Sup. of the church at Boston, of which we have charge for the Bishop, to succeed Rev. Ryder (also spelled Reiter, but no doubt the same) ; Father Lachat to take Fr. R.'s place. To have nothing to do with anything but spiritual matters. 1834, June 25, Joseph Wehrner, son of Ben- edict W., of Phila., born July 27. 1822, apprenticed to Mat. Lekeu, Rector and manager at Conewago, until he is 17. 1855 .- Paradise Church robbed of its remonstrance, chalice and ciboriam. Blessed Sacrament not there.
Fr. Villiger, pastor. Michael Noel and old Mrs. Brieghner gave him money to replace them. Jos. Kuhn, Frederick, Peter and Michael Dellone presented chandelier, worth $60. Peter Noel will pay the half for stations ; Pius Fikk the other half. Father V. adds : If we can we will make Paradise look like a paradise. Writing to a friend at Frederick, Father Villiger says : Freder- ick and Peter Dellone send respects ; also Mr. Will and his amiable family. He is getting rich, notwithstanding his liberality ; and fat, in spite of his chewing so much tobacco. Father Moranville, one of the early priests of Baltimore, went with Mrs. Harper, daughter of Charles Carroll, of Carroll- ton, to Berkeley Springs for his health. Wrote Aug. 20, 1823, health not much improved. In 1784, Charles Sewell. S. J., became first resident pastor of St. Peter's, Balto. He was a faithful and zealous priest, but no orator. He was at Conewago with Father Pellentz.
Near the church stands a large mission cross, erected in 1857, by the great missionary, Father Weininger. Father Maguire, and others, gave missions at Conewago. The galleries at Conewago were erected about Fath- er Lekeu's time. They were removed by Father Domperio, on account of the opportunities they afforded for those inclined to distraction. The old bell at Conewago bears this inscription : " Andreas Vanden Cheyn, me fudit Lovanii Anno 1816; Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Dei Paroque Virginis Mariae." It is no doubt one of the many confiscated church and convent bells brought to this country in the revolutionary days of Europe. Some of
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them found their way to Protestant churches. One so in use at Gettysburg, has the inscription : " Maria de la Concepcion, per tvam immaculatam Dei Genetrix, Virgo defende nos ab hoste maligno, 1788." When the new steeple was finished at Conewago, the bell was pulled up into its place with ropes, by the boys then at Father Deneckere's school. Conewago is more or less connected with the mystery of Wizard Clip, in Virginia, but as we have nothing new to throw additional light on the affair, not much account will be given of it ; Father Finotti has left full particulars in his Wizard Clip. Father Gallitzin wrote an account of it when at Conewago, after having giv- en it a full investigation. His sketch was given out to read, and has never been heard of since. Some of the clipped clothes were brought to Conewa- go, and attracted so much notoriety that to avoid the importunities of the curious, Father Lekeu had them burned. Father Mulledy, when a scholas- tic at Conewago, saw them ; so did Mr. Peter Smith, now dead, and others. Father Finotti was an Italian priest, with considerable patrimony, which he employed in his Catholic history researches. His collection of Catholic books and authors of America is a valuable work. and it is to be regretted that the second part was never finished. He had written a history of the church in Virginia, unfortunately destroyed by an accident. What a valuable addition it would be to our Catholic history ? what labors it cost ? what sad regrets to him who valued it more than gold or silver ? Father Finotti died from an ac- cident. in California, about 1878-see sketch in his Wizard Clip. His library, a valuable collection of rare books and pamphlets, treating on Catholic local history,-the work of a life-time at a cost of nearly all he possessed,-was sold at public auction in New York in 1879, and scattered to the four winds of the earth. Though a stranger to this country, he sought under many dif- ficulties to reclaim our early history, and by his interest and labors did a great deal to create a taste and a desire on the part of Catholics to have the early history of their church preserved. Let the name of FINOTTI stand among the first of our Catholic historians.
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