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 8
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CATHOLIC LOCAL HISTORY.
After the death of Frederick Brandt, the widow man- aged the farm, and priests from Conewago kept up religious service in the chapel of the house. She made her will Oct. 20th, 1829, in favor of Rev. Francis Neal and Rev. Francis Dzicrozynski, in accordance with the will of her husband. She had a schedule of articles excepted, signed by Rev. Mat- thew Lekeu, who on behalf of the devisees agreed to the conditions of the will, which made allowance for her support and inaintenance on the plantation until her death. March 9th, 1839, she executed another writing, by which she con- veyed to Rev. J. W. Beschter all her household goods and schedule of exceptions, for which Rev. Mat. Leken was ac- countable, and released him from further obligations. In this writing, all the articles in the front room and second room, which she occupied, were excepted. It is witnessed by F. W. Koehler and Jeremiah Harman. The relations of Mrs. Brandt were somehow under the impression, whether by word or promise, that the $200 worth of goods held by Mat. Lekeu were to become the property of Mrs. Heidler after Mrs. Brandt's death, but there is no provision to that effect in any of her legal transactions.
In 1838, Aug. 10th, Rev. Thos. Mulledy and Wm. Mc- Sherry, of the District of Columbia, purchased of Magdalene Brandt five acres of land for $200; Rev. J. W. Beschter, witness. This lot had been confirmed by the Commonwealth unto George Dressler, by letters patent, dated Jan. 7th, 1792; and sold in 1815 to Michael Dellone and Catharine, (Keens,) his wife, who sold to Magdalene Brandt, Sept. 9th, 1828. Mrs. Brandt died about 1840 ; the provincial's notice for the usual suffrages is dated Oct. Ist, of that year. The relations became very much dissatisfied with the provisions of the will. Frederick Brandt's will is a plain document, repeatedly ex- pressing his demand that religious worship should always be maintained on the farm, and that the property should be permanently vested in the successors of Father Neale as the
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legal representatives of the Society of Jesus, and that the revenue be exclusively devoted to educational purposes in the ministry of the Catholic Church, and the keeping up of the property. As far as the establishment of the school is con- cerned, there is a provision in case of impossibility to estab- lish or maintain one, for a time, but the ultimate object re- mains the same. The property is valuable, well located, with good buildings, a new barn having been lately erected, and the soil yields good crops. Some years ago it was almost surrounded by dense woodland, but the most of it has now been cleared out. The Jesuits, living in communities, can not serve this parish with much advantage. There would be sufficient income for a resident priest, but for the educational provisions, and such a one could build up a prosperous con- gregation at Paradise.
When the disposition of the property was in question after the death of Mrs. Brandt, some correspondence was carried on between the Society and Bishop Kenrick, who in certain events inclined to make a Diocesan Seminary there, but the location then was not convenient, there being no railroads near, and outside of the establishment of a school he consid- ered as too formidable the gratuitous education of two stud- ents. The Society, in October, 1840, through Rev. Francis Vespre, expressed a willingness to relinquish its right to the property, could any other legal claim be established that would insure the carrying out of the will as far as the good of religion was concerned.
The letter from Bishop Kenrick to Rev. N. Steinbacher, authorizing him to bless the new church, is dated Feb. 18th, 1845. Since the death of Mrs. Brandt the Paradise farm has been under the management of the Superiors of Conewago, who have it farmed. Mr. Allwine was the tenant under Father Lekeu, and after him Lewis Will lived there, about the time the church was built. Since then it has been oc- cupied by the Bradys. Paradise, Littlestown and New Oxford formed a charge until recent years, with alternate
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Sundays at the former and latter places, and on week days and certain festivals and odd Sundays at Oxford. Now Par- adise and Oxford are attended by Father Richards, with carly Mass and High Mass alternating. The Paradise church is a fine stone building, with large yards and graveyard. The church was built about 1843 or 4, by Mr. Kemp, contractor. Messrs. Frederick Dellone, Peter Noel, J. J. Kuhn, and others solicited subscriptions and aided in the work. Father Manns attended about that time, or shortly after the church was built. Mary Dellone (of Peter) had willed money for a bell, which was procured, leaving considerable money over. Fath- er Manns insisted that the money was left for a particular purpose for which it should be used, so another bell was add- ed and two bells were placed on the church. Father Beschter was pastor of Paradise several years and died there. Fathers Dougherty and Cotting attended occasionally while having charge of the Gettysburg church. Father Steinbacher was a true friend to Paradise, and took great interest in the congregation, and so did Father Deneckere after him. who served from about 1860 to his death, when Father Archam- bault succeeded him. Fathers Sacchi and Villiger were there for some time about 1850, and other priests from Con- ewago, as best suited the arrangements of the Superiors. Father Deneckere started a summer school there, taught by Misses Shane. Fink and others, but the congregation is too widely scattered to keep up a parochial school. Conewago was the burying place of the Paradise church for many years. Mrs. Elizabeth Hair is said to have been the first person buried at Paradise. As far as we know, no priests have been born at Paradise, though Fabian and Michael Noel and F. X. Brady, of Father Deneckere's school, are now novices in the Society, and Jos. Strubinger died a Seminarian at Frederick some years ago. A number of young girls have become Sisters. Catharine Dellone (Sister Ann), daughter of Fred. Dellone, went to be a Sister Dec. 5th, 1849, at Em- mettsburg, and died JJuly 16th, 1851, at Cincinnati, where
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she was buried. Henrietta Wise, in religion Sister Bona, and two Misses Kuhn, probably of the Berlin family, became Sisters ; also, Minnie Koehler (Sister John the Baptist), Sa- lome Noel (Sister Josepha), and Annie Brady (Sister Francis) ; the latter three took the veil at McSherrystown. Mary Shane also became a Sister.
After the death of Mrs. Brandt, Paradise was disturbed and excited by mysterious noises and appearances, that were attributed to supernatural agencies. The Brandt will matter was assigned as the cause of such unusual happenings, and it excited a great deal of interest. Mrs. Brandt's figure in life was well known to every person in the parish, -- a little, old woman, bent under the weight of years, and after her death imagination only needed a ghost story to set it in active work. There is no doubt, however, that there was room for serious thought, and it was so considered by the priests. The mys- terious actions were mostly confined to an old cupboard in the priest's room,-which served as a sacristy,-in which the vestments were kept. Father Steinbacher was a man of de- termined purpose, but failed to account for the disturbances by which he was troubled. At night he would call Mr. Will into his room, and stay together part of the night without hearing the least alarm, but as soon as he was alone the trou- bles were renewed. Mrs. Will. who then waited upon the priests and took care of the rooms, assures us that Father Steinbacher subjected himself to rigorous fasting and contin- ual prayers, until his health began to suffer and he was taken away. Father Deneckere came soon after him, and made in- quiry into the Brandt will affair. He then started a school at Conewago, in which he placed boys from Paradise, and besides he applied some of the revenues of the Paradise farm to the education of young men for the ministry. From his time on nothing more was heard of the disturbances. The old cupboard was placed in a rear cellar of the house where it yet stands or has decayed, like all else ever connected with it. Perhaps this account would have rested as well with the
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past, but the recital of such facts, attested by people of good character and reputation still living, can do no harm. The church daily asks for eternal rest unto the dead.
We say on page 89, that Mrs. Brandt had three sisters, and name one Magdalene ; that is a mistake. ยท Her own name was Magdalene. The third sister's name we are not able to give. Most of the families mentioned were intermarried, and it is almost impossible to trace the names and connections of a century ago. Also on page 91, the date of the purchase of the five acre lot from Mrs. Brandt by Fathers Mulledy and McSherry is given in some of the first pages printed as 1848. when it should be 1838 where not so.
THE LITTLESTOWN CHURCH.
Littlestown is one of the oldest of the Conewago mis- sions. The first Catholics in the valley around Littlestown attended services at Conewago Chapel, but were provided with a place of divine worship at an early period, they being the oldest religious congregation in the town. Erdman's Geography and History of America, published in Germany at the close of the last century, notes the existence of a Cath- olie Church at Littlestown ; and so the Boston " American Gazetteer " of 1797. The Fathers at Conewago, beginning with Fathers Pellentz and Gallitzin before 1800, attended the Catholics at Littlestown, and the church was supplied from that place until the fall of 1884 or spring of 1885, when it was given over to the charge of the Bishop of the Diocese of Harrisburg. The first priest under the Bishop was Father Gormerly, then stationed at Bonneauville, which two parishes were intended to be combined ; but both de- siring resident pastors, Father Crotty, of Columbia, became the first pastor under the secular administration.
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The first building used as a church, was situated on the northern corner of the lot, afterwards used as a burial ground. This building, occupied as a dwelling, was convert- ed into a church about the year 1791. The Trustees at that time were, Patrick McSherry, Joseph Flauth and Henry O'Hara. After the death of Father Pellentz in 1800, the Littlestown Church was attended by Fathers DeBarth and Lekeu, and their assistants. The present brick church was built in 1840, Michael Dougherty, S. J., being pastor ; and the trustees were, Henry Spalding, John Shorb, James McSherry, Jacob Rider, Dr. J. A. Shorb, Jacob Baumgard- ner, Joseph Fink and Joseph Riddlemoser. The old frame weatherboarded church was sold to Joseph Aker, Sr., and turned into a house on the Littlestown and Taneytown road.
From that period there was a succession of pastors from the Conewago Fathers. among others Fathers JJoseph Dietz, F. X. Deneckere, George Villiger, Peter Manns, Father Rei- ter. Father Deneckere attended Littlestown for nearly twenty years, and died there Jan. 8th, 1879. Father Villi- ger succeeded him, dying a few years later. Father Ren- ant was then assigned to the charge for a short time, and was the last pastor attending from the Society.
A very fine brick school house was erected in 1867, by Rev. Father Deneckere. The first teacher was Miss Mary Wilson. She was succeeded by the following teachers : Miss Ellen Heath, Joseph Smith, Frank Addelsperger, Miss Mary Fink, A. J. Smith. Miss Emma Shorb. The school is largely attended, and is under the direction of the pastor of the church. The interior of the church is very neat and attractive. The congregation seems to be growing slowly, and is composed of a right well-to-do class of people. One of the oldest Cath- olic families in the town is that of Hon. Wm. McSherry, the name of his father, James, and that of his grandfather, Pat- rick, appearing in this record. The Shorbs are also among the older families, and there are others, descendants of the early Catholics.
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The Littlestown Catholic congregation was incorporated by the Pennsylvania Legislature, April 19th, 1840, under the title of "The Congregation of St. Aloysius." The incor- porators and trustees were, F. X. Deneckere, S. J., J. A. Shorb, Henry Spalding, Joseph Fink, Jacob Baumgardner, Hon. Wm. McSherry, Sebastian O'Bold, Jacob Marshall, Andrew Little.
THE HANOVER CHURCH.
St. Joseph's Church, Hanover. is one of the most flourish- ing congregations connected with Conewago. Hanover being a growing town and a local railroad center of considerable importance, the church property is a valuable addition to the Society, and may in course of time be further improved by the Jesuits. Conewago had on several occasions been select- ed as the site of some Jesuit institution and as often abandon- ed for want of railroad facilities. Hanover is easy of access from any direction, is surrounded by a prosperous agricultu- ral community, and located in a healthy climate and in a beautiful section of country.
At an early date there were a number of Catholic fam- ilies, mostly Germans, settled in and around Hanover, attend- ing church at Conewago Chapel. When Father DeBarth came, he exerted himself in every direction to provide places of divine worship, around which Catholics would be induced to locate and grow up into congregations. From abont 1822 to 1826, he said Mass occasionally in a shop or old school house, on a lot owned by the Jesuits, along the alley east of Baltimore Street, now in possession of Luther Weigle, Wm. Grumbine and Henry Trone. Peter O'Neill, living with Father DeBarth at that time, remembers accompanying him to Hanover on such occasions. Besides, Mr. S. Althoff is in- formed by an old gentleman who has lived all his life in Han- over, that when a boy, he, with another lad, found the door
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of this old building open, and they entered. They found a few pennies in a drawer, which they appropriated to their use ; and further remembers that there were benches and an altar in the old building at the time.
After that we have no knowledge of Mass being celebra- ted in Hanover until about 1863, when a large room in the house of Jacob Hildt, on Carlisle Street, was used for that purpose by Father Domperio. Mass was continued to be said there and instructions given to the children, until 1864, when it became too small and the desire for a regular place of worship prompted such action as would secure that need. Rev. J. B. Cattani was then Superior of Conewago, to whom the trustees of the M. E. Church of Hanover conveyed their lot and church building on Baltimore Street, 60 feet front and 25 feet deep, for $900, in trust for the Catholic congregation. Rev. Father Manns became pastor, and services were held on the first and third Sundays of the month. He also started a Catholic school there, which soon had a large attendance. To this Father the Conewago settlement is greatly indebted for the establishment and support of parochial schools, under ad- verse circumstances and with many obstacles in the way of starting them. The first teacher of the Hanover school was A. J. Smith, succeeded by Miss Alice Dellone. The Sisters from MeSherrystown took charge of the school in 1873 ; Sis- ter Rose, present Mother. School had been kept in the old church building for a while ; now part of the Sisters' house, a fine building between the old and new churches, serves for that purpose. The ground occupied by this house and the new church, 90 feet front and 257 feet deep, was purchased by Father Enders for $4500.
The congregation gradually grew stronger in numbers. In 1865 an addition was made to the church, 35x40 feet, at a cost of $2,145. A cupola was also erected, and a bell costing $945, and weighing 1834 pounds, placed therein. The church, when dedicated, was called St. Joseph's. Then already the congregation desired more regular services. In Feb., 1874,
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a numerously signed petition was addressed to the Superior of Conewago, asking for the regular Sunday service at Han- over.
Rev. Father Manns continued as pastor until 1877. During this year, Rev. Father Jamison attended St. Joseph's for several months, and delivered lectures in aid of the new church, then proposed to be built. Rev. Father Enders, the venerable Superior of Conewago, also ministered to this con- gregation every alternate Sunday, during the close of Rev. Father Mann's pastorate. Rev. Father Emig, the present incumbent. became pastor in the fall of 1877 ; since which time the congregation is attended more regularly-there being the entire church service on Sundays, and Mass nearly every morning during the week.
The old church becoming too small, and being also need- ed as a school building, it was concluded to build a more creditable place of worship, and to carry on the work in ac- cordance with the means that could be commanded, so that when finished it would also be paid for. This resolution, we believe. has been faithfully carried out so far, through the great perseverance and energy of the venerable pastor, Father Emig. The building was begun in the spring of 1877. The corner-stone was laid Sept. 16th, of that year. There were nearly three thousand people present. A procession, with St. Joseph's, St. Mary's and St. Patrick's I. C. B. U. Societies, of York ; the Citizens' and Spring Garden Bands, in line, marched through the principal streets. Father Clarke, of Loyola College, Baltimore, delivered the address. The Fathers present were : Revs. Enders, Deneckere and Emig, of Conewago ; Revs. Clarke, of Baltimore ; Pape, of York ; Shanahan, of Bonneauville ; Boll, of Gettysburg ; and Koch, of New Freedom. The corner-stone is of marble, with the inscription "1877." The building Committee consisted of Rev. Joseph Enders, Chairman ; Joseph Dellone, Vice-Presi- dent ; Dr. J. P. Smith, Treasurer ; Wm. Overhangh, Secreta-
Lofe L.
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ry ; Joseph Althoff, John Clunk, Joseph Brockley and Am- brose Schmidt.
Only the foundations were raised in 1877. The build- ing was put under roof in 1878, the brick-work of the tower erected, and the bell removed from the old belfry into the new steeple, which is 154 feet in height. The interior of the church was partly finished that year. The building is 130x50 feet, with a neat yard in front and a large rear lot.
The new St. Joseph's Church was dedicated on All-Saints Day, 1880. The Fathers present were : Very Rev. R. W. Brady, Provincial of the Society of this Province ; Very Rev. M. J. McBride, Vicar-General of the Diocese of Harrisburg, (Bishop Shanahan being absent in Rome); Rev. Louis J. McKenna. of York ; Rev. Hugo Magevney, Professor of Sacred Eloquence in Woodstock College ; Revs. J. B. De Wolff, Ed. McGurk, Dewitt ; Rev. Joseph Enders, Peter Flanagan and . Francis Casey, of Conewago Chapel ; and Rev. J. B. Emig, pastor of St. Joseph's. Father MeBride performed the cere-
mony of dedication. A Grand High Mass followed; J. B. Emig, Master of Ceremonies ; Father De Wolff, Celebrant ; Father Casey, Deacon ; Father Flanagan, Sub-Deacon ; Fath- er Magevney preaching a very eloquent dedicatory sermon, from the Third Book of Kings, "Building, I have built a house for thy dwelling, to be thy most firm throne forever." The choir rendered the Kyrie, Sanctus and Agnus Dei, from Bollman's Mass ; and at the Offertory, " Justus ut Palma," by Lambilotte. The cost of the building up to its dedication The pews are of very fine finish and style, and was $17,000.
cost $1200. The interior of the church is roomy, and is now very attractively finished and furnished. The windows have stained glass ; a handsome set of station paintings grace the walls ; neat altars for St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin, and a fine main altar, with two sacristies.
A large organ, and other embellishments, make the church all that could be desired, and one that will compare favorably with the finest in the Diocese. St. Joseph's is the
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crowning work in the life of Father Emig, a monument to his judgment and labor, and a credit to the liberality of the congregation.
The Catholics of Hanover buried at Conewago until 1875, when a large Catholic Cemetery was laid out on the west side of Baltimore Street, adjoining Mt. Olivet. Four acres were purchased for this purpose in 1875, at a cost of $800.
Dr. J. P. Smith, a very wealthy and prominent Catholic of the congregation, died a few years ago, leaving all his means to the town for a public library. At that time Father Emig, aged and infirm, was going almost from house to house in his efforts to raise the money to build a church.
Mrs. Mary Smith, nee Dellone, died about the time it was proposed to build a new church, for which she left $1000, and $700 for Sanctuary purposes.
St. Joseph's Catholic Beneficial Society was organized March 7th, 1882, Charles Losman, President. J. A. Renaut succeeded him. The membership is 56.
Mary Elizabeth Barnitz, in religion Sister M. Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel J. and Maria L. Barnitz, joined the Sisters of St. Joseph at MeSherrystown, in 1875. Anastasia Hair, Sister M. Gertrude, daughter of Joseph and Caroline Hair, joined same order in 1874. Elizabeth Hildt, Sister Anacleta, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Hildt, became a religious in 1867, with the Sisters of Notre Dame, near Baltimore. There is another daughter of the same family a Sister of Charity, received about 1857 or 1858.
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THE NEW OXFORD CHURCH.
New Oxford is not quite half way between Conewago and Paradise, and the Catholics living there belonged to the Conewago congregation before they had a church of their OWI. The Conewago Fathers taught catechism in private
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houses there, long before the church was built. Mr. Jacob Martin donated a lot on Carlisle Street for a church, which was erected thereon in 1852,-Rev. F. X. Deneckere being the attending priest. The building is of brick, 75x35 feet in size. It was enlarged and improved several years ago. The church is under the invocation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Father Deneckere had charge of the Littlestown and Paradise Catholic Churches at the same time, holding services at those places on alternate Sundays, and at Oxford only on a week day at first and on certain holy-days. Fathers Reiter and Cattani also attended New Oxford the few years that Father Deneckere was away from Conewago, after which he returned and continued his attendance at Oxford until his death in 1879. New Oxford and Paradise were then formed into a charge under Father Francis Casey, with services on alternate Sundays at each place. Father Arthur Archan- bault succeeded him, until about 1884. There was a young German Father then in attendance for a few months. Father Richards is the present pastor. A parochial school was es- tablished in 1862, by Father Deneckere. The following are the teachers in successive order : Mrs. Trayer, Miss M. J. Felix, Joseph Smith, Miss Wager, John F. McSherry, E. G. Topper. School was held in the church until 1877, when a school building was added. Over one hundred scholars at- tend. The church membership is between three and four hundred.
THE BONNEAUVILLE CHURCH.
Bonneauville is a small village midway between Cone- wago and Gettysburg, and about four miles from Littles- town. Among the early settlers of the surrounding country, were many Catholics, who then belonged to Conewago. After
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churches had been built at Littlestown and Gettysburg, some attached themselves to those places, but for a number of years no strict line divided the congregations, and people went to the church nearest and most convenient. An effort was made about 1850 to build a church at Bonneauville : the undertaking was then thought too great for the Catholics, and was not advised by the Bishop or the Conewago Superior .- Rev. Basil A. Shorb became the founder of the Church of St. Joseph at Bonneauville, the corner-stone of which was laid Ang. Ist, 1859. He was born near Littlestown, educat- ed at Mt. St. Mary's, and ministered to several congregations before he chose Bonneauville for his field of labor. He had considerable inheritance, and donated much of it to the church work in which he was engaged. It was through him, and by this means, that he obtained the necessary encour- agement from his Superiors to form a congregation and build a church at Bonneauville. He died April 4th, 1871, in his sixty-first year and the thirty-first of his ministry. Father Pope succeeded him, and built a large brick school-house near the church in 1873. Sisters were engaged as teachers for a time. A house was purchased for their use, but was sold again after they left. The school had a large attend- ance. James W. Gubernator taught a short time. Miss M. Martin teaches this year. Father Pope's management was not as prudent as was demanded by the ordinary circum- stances of the congregation. He was enterprising in other directions, and succeeded in having a daily mail established, changing the old-time name of " Bonaughtown," and that of the Postoffice. "Square Corner," to the more modern name it now bears. The congregation passed through many trials about this period, partly from want of prudent management. Father Mellhenny succeeded and was followed by Father Shanahan. Father Gormerly is the present pastor. There is a fine parsonage adjoining the church, and several lots are owned by the congregation. The church belongs to the Harrisburg Diocese. In Nov., 1879, a mission was given at
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