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 9
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St. Joseph's by Fathers Bausch and Kolp, of Boston, during which a mission cross was erected on the east side of the church. A cemetery was laid out about 1870, with a vault in the center for the burial of priests. There rest the remains of Rev. Basil A. Shorb, founder and first pastor of St. Jos- eph's. The churchyard served as a burying ground until the cemetery was secured, into which most of the bodies were then removed. When a boy we served Mass at Bonneau- ville, and also at Paradise and Conewago ; we shall never for- get the fear entertained for Father Shorb, but in many ways he was a kind man, whom the Bonneauville Catholics will ever gratefully remember.
THE GETTYSBURG CHURCH.
For many years the Catholics in and around Gettysburg attended divine service at Conewago, a distance of about twelve miles. They were few in number in the beginning of the present century, and not possessed of much of this world's goods, but were devoted to their religion with that character- istic devotion of Catholies the world over, which induced them to go to Conewago to hear Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. notwithstanding the distance or inclemency of the weather. The erection of the first church building was commenced about 1826, on ground given by Jacob Norbeck on Washington Street. The church was built under the di- rection of the Superiors of Conewago Chapel -- first Father Louis De Barth, then Father Matthew Leken; though it is not certain that Father De Barth visited Gettysburg often, as he left Conewago in 1828 for. St. John's (now St. Alphonsus') church in Baltimore. The church was not yet completed in 1831, for on the 18th of May in that year, dur- ing a heavy thunder storm, the church was struck by light- ning. "The fluid passed down the cupola and the wall of the church to the front door, marking its progress by forming a
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groove to the ground. A plasterer and several other work- men were prostrated, and remained unconscious for some time.
The congregation at Gettysburg, while it belonged to the Jesuits of Conewago, had no regular pastor. Conewago had many missions to supply- more so then than now-to which ministers were sent according to the best convenience and judgment of the Superiors. Father Michael Dougherty offi- ciated at Gettysburg alternately with Father Leckeu, who was Superior of Conewago until 1843. After him came Father Joseph Dietz, and some of the older members re- member Fathers Kendler, Geo. Villiger, V. H. Barber, and F. X. Deneckere among the priests who held services in the old church at Gettysburg, between 1831 and 1850. The new brick church on High street was built under Father J. B. Cotting, in 1852. Father Brocard, as Provincial, authorized Father Enders, Superior of Conewago, to build the Gettys- burg church. The agreement between George and Henry Chritzman, John Gilbert, (or Gailburt), A. B. Kurtz, David Ziegler and Joel B. Danner, and Fathers Enders and Cotting, is dated Feb. 10th, 1852. John Martin, Nickolas Codori, Joseph Smith and Jacob Case were the Building Committee. The contractors were to receive $3870, and the old material. Payment was made in full, June 27th, 1853. Up to this time the church was under the jurisdiction of the Jesuits, who also supplied a small congregation at Millerstown. These churches were then handed over to the Bishop of Philadel- phia, and were formed, with the Mountain Church, into a charge-the minister being resident at Gettysburg. The congregation was now served in turn by Rev. Messrs. B. A. Shorb, L. JJ. Miller, A. McGinnis, until 1860. Rev. Joseph A. Boll became pastor soon after the battle of Gettysburg, and as such serves yet. Gettysburg and Fairfield form the present charge-the mountain church having been later join- ed to the Chambersburg charge-and is under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Harrisburg. A handsome parsonage was built nearly opposite the church in 1870 or 1871, and about
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three years ago a fine school building was erected. The name of the church is St. Francis Xavier's. Father Boll trav- eled through Europe and the Holy Land, in 1881 or '82. On his return he delivered several lectures on the subject for church benefits. Several years later he was appointed to the Lebanon church, but shortly after he was returned to Get- tysburg again.
THE "MOUNTAIN CHURCH."
St. Ignatius' Catholic Church, better known as the Mountain Church, is situated in the Buchanan Valley, five miles from Graeffenburg, near Mr. Kimple's Mill, on the road to Corwell's. It is about ten miles west of Gettysburg, in Franklin Twp., Adams Co., almost on the Franklin County line. This church was originated by a Mr. Lostetter, who gave 150 acres of land, and the money to build a church was collected through the adjoining counties. The corner-stone was laid Oct. 10th, 1816. There was an old Catholic grave- yard on the tract long before the church was built. The first settlers of the Valley were Irish and named their estates according to the baronial system of Great Britain. Mr. F. Cole's tract was originally called " Armagh." The first church consisted of nothing but the walls, a table being used for an altar. Mr. Lostetter failing in business, the traet was sold at Sheriff's sale, and was purchased by the Jesuits of George- town and Conewago Chapel. The first services at this place were held in Mr. Andrew Noel's house. The ministers serv-
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ing this congregation from Conewago Chapel, were, Revs. Louis De Barth and Matthew Lekeu until 1829 ; Rev. Mich- ael Dougherty from that period until about 1840 ; Rev. Fath- er Kendler in 1843 ; Rev. Joseph Dietz from 1844 to 1850 ; Rev. Father Cattani then attended the congregation for a. short period ; Rev, J. B. Cotting from 1850 to 1853 ; Rev. F. X. Deneekere until 1858. These Fathers also attended Get- tysburg and Millerstown, the latter congregation being few in numbers had as yet never been asked to contribute anything for the support of the pastor. They now petitioned the Bishop of the Diocese of Philadelphia to supply them with a pastor, which was complied with on condition that Gettys- burg, the Mountain Church, and Millerstown formed one charge-the pastor to reside at Gettysburg. The ministers supplying the charge from this time (1858) were, Rev. Messrs. Basil A. Shorb, to 1859; L. J. Miller. 1860 ; A. MeGinnis until 1863 ; Joseph A. Boll from 1864 to 1873. The congregation was then connected with the Chambersburg charge-Path Valley, Waynesboro', Chambersburg, and the Mountain church-J. M. Boetzkes and D. A. Riley serving from 1873 to 1875. and T. J. Fleming and Joseph Kaelin from that time until 1880, and since that time attended by the Chambersburg priests. Services were held once a month under the Jesuits, and since then twice a month. Father Cotting was desirous of selling the land, but Mr. George Cole suggested that it be laid out in lots, and sold only to Catho- lies, in order to strengthen the congregation and keep them together, which was accordingly done, in lots of ten, fifteen and twenty acres. Messrs. George Cole and John Brady purchased eight acres of woodland, and donated it to the church, to be used only for supplying firewood. The first re- pairs of the church were made by Father Dietz, who built the first altar. Father Cotting put pews in the church, pro- cured a bell and an organ, and made other improvements. Father Fleming repainted, and otherwise remodeled the church during the summer of 1880.
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CONEWAGO-A COLLECTION OF THE TANEYTOWN CHURCH.
This is the oldest town in Carroll Co., Md. It was laid out about the year 1750, by Frederick Taney, who came from Calvert Co., Md. He was a Catholic, and a member of the family of Roger B. Taney, the late Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. By the way, Roger B. Taney, Catholic, and Anne P. C. Key, Baptist-Protestant, (a sister of F. Scott Key,) were married Jan. 7th, 1806, by Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, Pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Taneytown. As far back as 1790, there are records of Mass having been celebrated at private dwellings by Fathers Frambaugh, Pellentz, Brosius and Cerfoumont, S. J., all of whom came hither from Cone- wago. Prince De Gallitzin, who was ordained by Bishop Carroll, March 18th, 1795, although a Sulpieian, was located for a time at Conewago, and also attended this mission, as well as Hagerstown and Cumberland in Md., Chambersburg, Path Valley and Huntingdon, in Penn. Rev. A. A. Lambing. in his History of the Catholic Church in Western Pennsylva- nia, says that Father Gallitzin left Taneytown and went to the Alleghany Mountains because he was opposed to the pew- rent system. This statement is inaccurate, for pews were first rented here in 1876, when the present St. Joseph's Church was built. Previous to that time the subscriptions for the support of the priest, (and they were very meagre,) were collected by the Trustees.
Prominent among the early Catholic settlers hereabouts, were the Taneys, Coskerys, Brookes, Hughes, Spaldings, Boyles, Elders, Adlespergers, Diffendals, Gougers, Toppers, Riffles, and others. About 1796, Mr. Brookes built the first Catholic Church here, at his own expense. It was of brick, made near the town. Father Gallitzin was the first pastor of St. Joseph's. From a letter of Bishop Carroll to the Rev. Pastor, dated Washington, March 1st, 1799, (Brownson's Life of G. p. 111,) we infer that Father Gallitzin left here about that time. From 1799 to 1804, Taneytown was again at-
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tended by priests from Conewago. Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, a secular priest, was born in Rome, Italy, in 1773, and was or- dained at Milan, probably in 1797. He came to this country and was appointed pastor here in 1804. He is said to have been a priest of great learning, and remarkable executive ability. In addition to the places mentioned, he visited Mar- tinsburg, Va., (now W. Va.) and Westminster, Md. At the latter place, in 1805, he built a neat brick edifice, called " Christ Church ; " the first church, a frame structure, was built in 1785, four acres of land having been given to the Catholics by John Logston, after the Revolutionary War. The church built by Father Zocchi, made way in 1866 for the present handsome brick church, built by the zealous and be- loved Father John Gloyd, P. P.
After a pastorate of 41 years, good Father Zocchi died at Taneytown, Dec. 17th, 1845, and was buried here on the 20th inst. The celebrated Rev. Dr. McCaffrey, then Presi- dent of Mt. St. Mary's College, preached the sermon. The funeral was the largest ever seen here,-Catholies and Pro- testants coming in their sleighs from all parts of the county. One may form some idea of the extent of his labors, when it is known that at least twelve priests are employed on those missions. It is true that Catholics and Churches have multi- plied, but Father Zocchi had to travel over that vast territory in the interest of the few Catholics (comparatively speaking) seattered over his several missions. It was certainly no small labor to go a distance of 150 or 200 miles at times to attend a sick call, especially as the journey had then to be made on horseback or in some unwieldy conveyance.
From the death of Father Zocchi until the close of the year 1851, this mission was served by the secular priests, Flautt, McCaffrey, D. D., Elder, of Mt. St. Mary's College ; and Rev. Messrs. Stelzig, Tapput, and Krutel, Redemptorists, of Baltimore. Frequent visits were also made by Father Dietz, S. J.
In Dec., 1851, Rev. Thos. O'Neill was appointed pastor,
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and remained in charge until Nov., 1862. He also attended Westminster and New Windsor, in the same county. At the latter place, in 1861, he built St. Thomas' Church. Leaving here in 1862, Father Tom became pastor of St. Paul's Church, Ellicott's City, where he remained several years, zealously discharging his duties. He then retired to Mt. St. Mary's College, where he died Nov. 21st, 1874, aged about 72 years. A tall marble monument, of beautiful design, marks his grave, placed there by his friend and executor, Rev. John Gloyd.
In Nov., 1862, Father Gloyd succeeded to the pastorate here, and in 1869 removed to Westminster, which then be- came the headquarters of the mission. This was done in ac- cordance with the wishes of Archbishop Spalding,-West- minster being the county-seat. In May, 1871, Rev. R. W. Hazeland, a native of England, was appointed assistant to Father Gloyd, and they attended Taneytown, Deer Park Chapel, and St. Mary's, Union Mills, Carroll Co. Father Hazeland left for the West in Jan., 1873, and was succeeded by Rev. Casper Schmitt, who was ordained in Baltimore, Dec. 21st, 1872. In Nov., 1873, Rev. John T. Delaney was made assistant to Father Gloyd ; and in 1876, St. Bartholo- mew's, Manchester, was added to the missions. This church was built by the Redemptorists, and served by them until placed under the care of the priests at Westminster. In Jan., 1879, the mission was divided,-Father Gloyd retaining charge of St. Jolm's, Westminster, and St. Bartholomew's, Manchester, while Rev. John T. Delaney took charge of St. Joseph's, Taneytown, and St. Thomas', New Windsor. He is a kind and zealous Father, deeply interested in his church work.
The present church at Taneytown was built in 1876, when the old church built by Mr. Brookes was torn down. The church is a neat brick building, 40x70, and was erected by Father Gloyd, who raised the amount necessary for its completion before the work was begun.
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The remains of Father Zocchi rest in the cemetery at Taneytown. A plain marble monument about five feet high, marks the spot and has the following inscription : Sacred to the memory of Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, late pastor of Taney- town Catholic Church, who departed this life Dec. 17th, 1845, in the 72d year of his age. Christian, say "May God have merey on his Soul."
Rev. Henry B. Coskery, V. G., D. D., who died in Bal- timore in 1872, was born here in the house adjoining the par- ochial residence, July 19th, 1808. He was ordained at Bal- timore in 1834, and in the same year assigned to missionary duties in Belair, Md. In 1837, he was transferred to Elli- cot's Mills, and there built St. Paul's Church, and discharged the various and laborious duties of the missionary priest in the most edifying and efficacious manner. In 1839, he was called to the Cathedral by Archbishop Eccleston, and in that important field labored late and early for 32 years. He died Feb. 27th, 1872, and was buried at Bonnie Brae Cemetery.
A sister of his, Matilda Coskery, became a Sister of Charity, and died a few years ago at St. Joseph's, near Em- mitsburg. She was a Sister fifty years and more, and was born here March 25th, 1805. Sister Helen Josephine (Swope), now at St. Joseph's, was born here April 11th, 1826. Sister Elizabeth (Case), born near Taneytown, Oct. 13th, 1832, and died at New Orleans. Josephine Baumgartner, born near Taneytown about 1830, became a Sister of Mercy in 1849. Matilda Sullivan, born near Taneytown, also became a Sister of Mercy.
Pastors of St. Joseph's, Taneytown : Demetrius A. De Gallitzin, born on the Hague, in Russia, Dec. 22d, 1770 ; or- dained at St. Mary's Seminary, Balto., March 18th, 1795 ; died May 6th, 1840. Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, born at Rome, Italy, 1773, ordained about 1797, at Milan, died Dec. 17th, 1845, at Taneytown. Rev. Thos. O'Neill, born in Ireland about 1802, ordained in Balto. 1830 ; died at Mt. St. Mary's,
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Nov. 21st, 1874. Rev. John Gloyd, born in Montgomery Co., Md., Oct. 22d, 1831 ; ordained at St. Mary's, May, 1858 ; now pastor at Westminster. Rev. John T. Delaney, born in Balto., Feb. 1843 ; ordained at St. Mary's Seminary Dec. 21st, 1872 ; now pastor of St. Joseph's, Taneytown.
THE WESTMINSTER CHURCH.
The church property at this place, consisting of four acres, was donated by John Logston. Upon this a frame church was built about the year 1789. There is nothing to show who had charge of the church at that early period ; probably the Fathers from Frederick and Conewago. The second, called Christ's Church, a brick building, was erected by Rev. Nicholas Zocchi, in 1805. This venerable priest was ordained when he was twenty-two years and six months old. He visited Westminster once a month on Sundays until his death in 1845. The entire mission was then without a resi- dent pastor until 1851. During this interval, irregular visits were made by different clergymen- Revs. John F. Hickey, Henry Myers, Joseph Dietz, Francis Krutel, and others. In 1851, Rev. Thomas O'Neill was placed in charge of the mis- sion, with residence at Taneytown. He was succeeded by Rev. John Gloyd in Nov., 1862, who also resided at Taney- town until Westminster was made headquarters in 1869. The third, St. John's Church, brick, was commenced in 1865, and dedicated Nov. 22d, 1866. Mr. John Orendorf gave all the bricks for the building. The assistants until the mission was divided in 1879, were Revs. Richard Hazeland from 1871 to 1873, Casper Schmidt from 1873 to 1874 ; John T. De- laney from 1874 to 1879. The parochial school house was built in 1872. Rev. John Gloyd is the present beloved and zealous pastor.
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THE FREDERICK CHURCH.
Many Catholic families, among them the Carrolls, were connected with the earliest settlement around Frederick Town, now in Frederick Co., Md. When first founded it was in Baltimore Co., and was an important point on the princi- pal stage routes which then traversed the country. Frederick is an old Catholic mission, and being the location of the Jesuit Novitiate, has a very interesting history and should have valuable records. All that we are able to give is taken from Scharf's History of Western Maryland.
Many Catholics had settled on Carroll's Manor, on the Monocacy, at the close of the last century. They were at- tended by Rev. John Dubois, from Mt. St. Mary's. The ground on which the original chapel was built, was deeded to Father John Hunter, by John Carey, Oct. 2d, 1765. Fred- erick was attended by priests from St. Thomas' Mission, near Port Tobacco, for a long time the residence of the Superior of the Jesuits in Maryland. From this was supplied all the adjacent country, from the headwaters of the Potomac to the Eastern Shores. The German Fathers from Conewago also attended the mission at Frederick. The first residence and chapel were built in 1763, by John Williams, an English Jesuit, who came to the Maryland Missions June 9th, 1758, with Fathers James Frambach and James Pellentz. He re- turned to Europe about 1774. There is reason to believe that Father George Hunter succeeded Father Williams. He was Superior of the Jesuits in Maryland in 1765, and Super- ior and Vicar General in 1794. Father James Frambach was pastor of Frederick in 1773, according to Campbell. He had the whole of Western Maryland and part of Virginia, and traveled far, visiting the sick and administering the Sac- raments. Many a time he slept near his horse, on the banks of the Potomac and its tributaries, and early in the morning
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was up and off again. He was succeeded by Father James Walton, an Englishman, who came to Md. in 1776, died at St. Inigoes 1803, aged 65. The chapel was then attended by Father Dubois. The residence forms part of the Novitiate. The small chapel of Father Williams was for nearly forty years the only place of worship for the Catholics of Freder- ick. The Jesuits remained during the Suppression. Father Dubois began to administer at St. John's about 1792. He also attended the Western Missions, Hagerstown, Cumber- land, Martinsburg and as far South as Winchester. Scharf says he " was for a long time the only priest between Balti- more and St. Louis." We do not wish to contradict the cele- brated historian, but Father Lambing's Researches furnish much information on early Catholic settlements. The Cone- wago Fathers themselves attended the western missions from Frambach's time, 1760, to Father Gallitzin's, 1800. The history of the Carroll families in Maryland would also throw additional light on early Catholic missionary work.
Father Dubois began the erection of a church at Fred- erick in 1800. It was of brick, 82x45 feet. The building was partly torn down and changed in 1859, and has since been used for other purposes. After he removed to Emmetts- burg in 1806, he visited Frederick once or twice a month. Francis Maleve, S. J., took charge in 1811. He had the church repaired in 1812, as the congregation was then increas- ing. He was born Dec. 1, 1770, a native of Russia. He be- longed to the order of St. Francis Assisi, but when the Order was dispersed he labored as a Secular priest. Father Maleve entered the Society in Russia in 1804 : came to this country while a Novice, and took his last vows June 29th, 1815. He commenced the building of St. Joseph's Church on the Manor, about seven miles from Frederick, which was completed in 1820. The lot and part of the funds were gifts from Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Father Maleve died Oct. 3d, 1822.
In 1821, Mr.Coale gave land on which to build a church,
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at Liberty, twelve miles from Frederick. The old church was torn down several years ago and a new one built by Gen. Coale, a son of the donor of the original lot.
Father John McElroy took charge after the death of Father Maleve. He built churches and schools, and is well remembered for his zealous labors in the cause of religion. He died in 1877 at the Novitiate. He was the oldest priest in America, aged 95 years, having been born in the town of Innis Killin, Ireland, in 1782.
In 1824, five Sisters came to Frederick from Emmetts- burg, and were lodged in a log cabin. St. John's Academy was opened Jan. 3d, 1824. In 1825, a larger establishment was built. Rev. P. W. Walsh was assistant in 1825. A church was built at Petersville in 1826, on land given by Mr. West, a Protestant. Ang. 7th, 1828, St. John's Literary In- stitute was begun ; opened in 1829. It has given many great men to religion and the professions. The new church was contemplated as early as 1830. The corner-stone was laid in 1833. It was finished after many difficulties in 1837, consecrated April 26th. The steeple was completed in 1854, by Burchard Villiger, S. J. Father Peter Kenney was Su- perior at that time. Father Wm. McSherry succeeded him. In 1833, a large addition was made to the residence. A wing and the chapel were added by Father Samuel Barber. Improvements were made by Father Brocard, and in 1859 by Father Parasce. The Sisters' building was burned down in 1845, and was rebuilt. In 1839, Father James Ryder was assistant to Father MeElroy, and teacher of French and writing. Thomas Lilly, S. J., succeeded Father MeElroy in Sept., 1845. The assistants were Revs. George Villiger, Stonestreet, Meredith, Jenkins, Finotti, and Bogue. In 1846, the Sisters of Charity withdrew, and the Nuns of the Visita- tion from Georgetown took their place. In 1848, Rev. Charles H. Stonestreet succeeded Father Lilly. The assistants were Revs. Bogue, Finotti and Ciampi. When Rev. Stone- street had charge, Rev. Francis Dzierozynski, a saintly man.
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died there. He was a native of Orsani, in Poland, born June 3d, 1777. Father Thomas Mulledy succeeded in 1850. After him came Revs. Villiger, Barber, Hippolyte Deneck- ere, Blenkinsop and McAtee ; the two latter, with M. Tuffer, S. J., being there in 1860. From 1853 to 1860, the assis- tants were Revs. Bogue. Duddy, and Tuffer. Father Sourin was in charge from 1860 to 1870; the assistants were Revs. O'Kane, Smith, Jenkins, Ciampi and Fulmer. After an ab- sence of twenty-five years, Father Stonestreet returned as parish priest.
THE HAGERSTOWN CHURCH.
This sketch of Catholicity in Hagerstown is nothing more than the interesting and valuable data collected by Father Jones when he was pastor, and left by him as a church record. The Hagerstown Church was long attended by the early missionaries of Conewago, Taneytown and Frederick. A very full and interesting history of the church might be written from these records, but as it serves our purpose of preserving names and dates, we give them as they appear :
The deed of the old Catholic graveyard, from Jonathan Hagar to Rev. James Frambach, for three lots (Nos. 319, 320, 321,) in Hagar's addition to Elizabethtown, is dated Ang. 16th, 1786, recorded in liber E, folio 38. The deed of the present church property, from Adam Miller, of Bedford Co., Pa., to Luke Tieman, of Baltimore Co., Md., Charles Carroll, Denis Cahill (priest,) James McClellan, John Adams, James McCardell, Jos. Clark and Wm. Clark, of Washington Co., and to the survivors and their heirs in trust, is dated May 25th, 1794 ; recorded in liber H, folio 847 to 849 ; property given for the nominal sum of five shillings. From this time until about 1820, the church was at first served by Father Cahill and other priests who did missionary work in the country bordering the Potomac and Shenandoah ; after them
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