History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 125

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

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+ James F.wood, CHP

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These were in such condition, owing to the magni- tude of the important ecclesiastical undertakings commenced, but not as yet completed, the then com- parative paucity and poverty of the Catholic popu- lation of the diocese, and a number of other circum- stances, that the administration of them required great exertions and skillful management. To this Bishop Wood specially devoted himself, and with great success. By judicious management and by vig- orously urging forward the system of diocesan collec- tions the means were secured for continuing the erection of the cathedral, and sustaining other im- portant religions works. Without waiting for the completion of the cathedral itself, Bishop Wood erected the present cathedral chapel, and organized the cathedral parish. The parish grew rapidly from the time of its organization and the erection of the chapel, and it is now one of the strongest parishes in the city.

On the demise of Bishop Neumann, Jan. 5, 1860, Bishop Wood succeeded to the title and full admin- istration of the diocese. Through his efforts the work of completing the cathedral was carried on with such vigor that it was dedicated Nov. 20, 1864. | little later to preside. The great event in the history The cathedral chapel was enlarged, a number of of the diocese and in the life of its prelate took place :in 1875, when the Holy See appointed James Fred- eric Wood archbishop of the new ecclesiastical prov- ince of Philadelphia. The date of his creation was the 15th of February. At the same time that a car- dinal was given to America and several of the far Western sees were raised to more important positions, Philadelphia was given an archbishop. On June 17th, with appropriate and elaborate ceremony, with distinguished prelates from other parts of the country around him, and with the assured reverence and affec- tion of the great body of the church, he received the sacred emblems of his office. churches partly erected were completed, and the building of others was commenced, and in the course of time finished and opened for divine worship. Additional religions orders were introduced into the diocese, and the charitable institutions already ex- isting were enlarged and strengthened. Among these may be specially mentioned the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, the Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis Assissium, the Little Sisters of the Poor, and others. The Catholic Home for Destitute Orphan Girls, 1720 Race Street, was established, and the orphan asylum known as St. Vincent's Home, Eighteenth and Wood Streets, was enlarged.

In 1862, at the invitation of his Holiness Pins IX., Bishop Wood went to Rome and was present at the canonization of the Japanese martyrs, and again in 1867, at the celebration of the eighteen hundredth anniversary of Sts. Peter and Paul. He was also present at the opening of the Vatican Council on Dec. 8, 1869, and participated in its deliberations for several months. He was then compelled by severe illness to leave Rome, and as soon as his health per- mitted he returned home, but before his departure from Rome he placed on record his belief in the in- fallibility of the Holy Roman Pontiff and his desire that it should be defined as a dogma of faith. lle arrived in New York, on his return, on April 4, 1870, and, after resting there a few days, proceeded to Philadelphia, where an enthusiastic public recep- tion was given him by the clergy and laity of the diocese, on the afternoon of April 7th, in the Cathe- dral of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Between 1870 and 1875, when the see was raised to i

a higher rank, and its prelate with it, Bishop Wood continued to give the full measure of his ability to the conduct of the affairs of the diocese and to de- velop that executive force and theological diplomacy for which he afterward became distinguished. The prudence which guided him in the ecclesiastical ! sphere was seen in his reserved and reticent attitude on many public questions, upon which there is a strong temptation for men in his position to pro- nonnce. Content with being a good citizen, he care- fully abstained from politics and forbade their pres- ence or discussion in the church. But he never flinched from taking a decided stand on questions or movements that threatened the church, the State, or society at large. There appears to be no doubt that in the wise adjustment of the boundaries of the sev- eral sees made from the original diocese of Philadel- phia, Bishop Wood suggested most of the plan, and was instrumental in the organization of the separate ecclesiastical districts. Much of his labors during the few years before 1875 appear to have been di- rected generally to the complete organization and equipment of the sees over which he was called a

In May, 1880, occurred the Provincial Council at Baltimore. In this Archbishop Wood took a promi- nent part, helping to shape its course, and sharing in those acts that were intended to solidify and harmon- ize the affairs of the church. On April 26, 1882, the silver jubilee of the consecration of Archbishop Wood was celebrated by a solemn pontifical mass and ser- mon at the cathedral. This was the twenty-fifth anniversary of his elevation to the bishopric of Phil- adelphia. Bishop Shanahan, of Harrisburg, deliv- ered the sermon on this occasion, which was a day marked with a white stone in the history of the Cath- olic Church in this city. Bishop O'Hara, of Seran- ton, was also present, and a host of lesser ecclesias- tical dignitaries. Congratulations came from all quarters, Rome, Ireland, and many parts of the United States. The students of the American Col- lege in Rome addressed the archbishop in felicitous Latin verse, and engrossed addresses came from the Lazarist Fathers of Germantown and from the Re- demptorist body of this city.

Though in his seventieth year and much crippled

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and debilitated by disease, the tireless prelate set about completing the work which would remain the crowning act of his busy and useful life. The cathe- dral on Eighteenth Street, though in use for divine service for many years, and to the casual observer seemingly finished, yet required much labor and great expenditure to make it all he wished to see it and had intended it should be. The grand altar was to be built, handsome pews take the place of the tem- porary ones, and the whole vast interior be fitly deco- rated. Besides, a debt of twenty-five thousand dollars remaining due on the building had to he paid. He set about accomplishing all this and hoped to see his task completed, and the noble structure then solemnly consecrated to God forever. Nigh half-way to the finish had the work progressed when death came upon him in the midst of his labors. Shortly before midnight on Wednesday, June 20, 1883, he breathed his last. He had completed his seventieth year on the 26th of April previous. The solemn obsequies of the illustrious archbishop took place in the cathedral on Tuesday, the 26th. They were the most impressive ever celebrated in this city.

Distinguished ecclesiastics in great numbers from every part of the country were in attendance. The presence of the mayor, presidents of Councils, judges of the courts, and prominent citizens, irrespective of creed, gave evidence of the high esteem in which Archbishop Wood was held by the entire com- munity.

Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is at Bustleton. The corner-stone was laid Oct. 2, 1870, by Bishop Wood. The ground was presented by John B. Williams.

On Dec. 11, 1870, it was opened for divine service by Rev. John McGovern, pastor of St. Joachim's Church at Frankford. It is forty-six by seventy feet, and cost five thousand five hundred dollars. Its pas- tors have been Revs. J. F. Kelly (died May 14, 1871), John Loughran, J. Ward, H. Garvey, J. O'Byrne, M. J. Armstrong, James A. Brehony, M. P. O'Brien, D. S. Bowes, B. J. Conway, and Rev. A. P. Haviland, the present rector.

St. Alphonsus (German) Church is located at the southwest corner of Fourth and Reed Streets. The corner-stone was laid June 19, 1853, by Bishop Neu- mann. Father Regis was the first pastor. On March 4, 1860, the church was dedicated by Bishop Wood ; sermon delivered by Very Rev. P. E. Moriarty, O.S.A. Father Nicola was then pastor. In July he was suc- ceeded by Father Alphonse, of Syracuse, N. Y. The year following, Rev. Alphonsus M. Zoeller and Rev. Anthony Rossadowski were pastors. Rev. Anthony Grundtner succeeded; he died Aug. 13, 1876. His successor was Rev. John B. Maus. On his transfer to Allentown, Rev. Hubert Schick, of Holy Trinity, was appointed rector, and is at present in charge.

Very Rev. F. X. Gartland, assisted hy Rev. P. Raf- ferty and Rev. D. McDevitt. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Manahan, of New York. Father McDevitt was the first pastor. In November, 1846, the church was dedicated by Very Rev. F. X. Gartland. Sermon by Bishop Hughes, of New York. In 1847, Rev. Hugh Mclaughlin was appointed pastor, and continued such until his death, in 1865. On December 21st a new organ was used for the first time, when pon- tifical mass was celebrated by Bishop Gartland, of Savannah. On July 29, 1866, the corner-stone of a new church was laid adjoining the old church.

The present rector is Rev. Thomas Kiernan, who succeeded Father Mclaughlin in 1865.

St. Stephen's Church (Nicetown) .- On Sept. 21, 1843, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop Kenrick, who also preached the sermon. On Monday, Jan. 1, 1844, it was dedicated by Rev. M. Maller, C.M., president of the Theological Seminary. Sermon by Rev. E. J. Sourin. In 1846, Rev. M. Domenec, af- terward Bishop of Pittsburgh, was pastor. On Feb. 21, 1848, the remains of Dr. John Michael Brown were removed from Miss Dickinson's field, on the road from Nicetown to Frankford, to St. Stephen's graveyard, Bishop Kenrick and other clergymen present at reinterment. This ceremony took place in the belief that the remains were those of a priest who died in 1750. Subsequent investigation proves that he was a physician. It is probable that in his house mass was celebrated, and thus came the tradi- tion that he was a priest. On May 11, 1856, Father Berrill, the pastor, died. In 1857 the pastor was Rev. Eden McGinnis, and in 1859, Rev. Dr. Bulfe. In 1861, Rev. John D. Davis was pastor. In 1871, Rev. E. J. Martin was pastor, and in 1875, Rev. John Kelly. The present rector is Rev. William A. Mclaughlin. He has purchased ground at north- east corner Broad and Butler Streets, on which to erect a new church.

The Church of the Annunciation is located at Tenth and Dickinson Streets. The corner-stone was laid April 15, 1860, and the church opened for ser- vice Christmas day, 1860. Rev. John McAnany was pastor until his death, Christmas day, 1880. Rev. M. A. Filan was appointed his successor, and is at present in charge. The church was completed and dedicated in 1863.

In 1881 the property northeast corner Tenth and Dickinson Streets was purchased, and a convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart founded.

St. Francis Xavier's Church (Twenty-fifth and Biddle Streets) was erected in 1839 under the direction of Rev. M. O'Connor, afterward Bishop of Pittsburgh, which see he resigned to become a Jesuit. He died in Baltimore Oct. 18, 1872. The church was opened for divine service on the first Sunday of Advent, 1839, when Very Rev. P. E. Moriarty, O.S.A., delivered the sermon. On June 6, 1841, the church was dedicated

St. Ann's Church (on Lehigh Avenue and Cedar Street) .- The corner-stone was laid July 4, 1845, by | by Bishop Kenrick. Father O'Connor was succeeded

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by Father Whelan. He was succeeded in 1842 by , dollars by Bishop Wood. On Oct. 10, 1865, Rev. Rev. P. Rafferty, who remained until his death, in 1863. In 1843 the church was enlarged. After the death of Father Rafferty, Rev. James Maginn, the present rector, was appointed. On Jan. 23, 1880, he celebrated with his people the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination.

John Fitzmaurice was appointed pastor, and has since continued in charge. On Oct. 20, 1865, the church was dedicated by Bishop Wood, assisted by Rev. M. F. Martin, Rev. John Fitzmaurice, and Rev. John P. Dunn. Bishop Wood preached. In 1870 the church was enlarged, and the congregation in- creased so that, in 1874, it was necessary to purchase The Assumption Church is situated on Spring Garden Street, below Twelfth. The corner-stone was laid on May 21, 1848, by Bishop Smith, of Glasgow, Scotland, then on a visit to this city. Bishop Kenrick preached. Rev. C. J. Carter was the first pastor and continued rector until his death, Sept. 17, 1879, when Rev. A. D. Filan, the present rector, was appointed. On Nov. 11, 1849, the edifice was dedicated by Very Rev. F. X. Gartland ; sermon by Rt. Rev. Ignatius A. Reynolds, D.D., Bishop of Charleston, S. C. On Sept. the site of the present church. The lot cost twenty- eight thousand dollars. The corner-stone of the new church was laid on the 18th of October, 1874, by Rt. Rev. James F. Wood, D.D., who preached the ded- icatory sermon. The edifice was completed in 1878, and was dedicated on the 18th of October, in that year, by Archbishop Wood ; sermon by Rt. Rev. J. F. Shanahan, D.D., Bishop of Harrisburg. The ded- icatory mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. William 11, 1859, the church was consecrated by Bishop Neu- | O'Hara, D.D., Bishop of Scranton. This church cost one hundred and sixty thousand dollars.

mann ; sermon by Bishop Spalding, of Louisville, Ky. The celebrant of the mass was Bishop Wood. Rt. Rev. R. P. Miles, Bishop of Nashville, Tenn., was present.

St. Teresa's Church (corner of Broad and Catha- rine Streets) was founded in 1853, the corner-stone being laid by the present rector, Rev. Hugh Lane. On May 29, 1853, Rev. Dr. Manahan, of New York, preached. On Christmas day of the same year the church was opened for service. Rev. Nicholas Cant- well, rector of St. Philip's, celebrated the first mass. In 1859 Rev. John P. Dunn acted as pastor until the return (in 1860) of Father Lane. In 1868 the large school adjoining the church was erected. It cost thirty thousand dollars, and was paid for in two years. In 1876 the Convent of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, No. 1514 Christian Street, was purchased, and a select school opened. A new convent is to be erected on Broad Street adjoining the parochial school.

The Church of St. Edward the Confessor (at Eighth and York Streets) was formerly a Protestant Episcopal Church. It was purchased by Archbishop Wood and dedicated as a Catholic Church by him on Nov. 26, 1865. Very Rev. Dr. O'Hara, Bishop of Scranton, Pa., preached. Very Rev. Edw. McMahon, formerly vicar-general of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, was the first pastor, and so remained until his death, Oct. 7, 1873. His successor, Rev. P. F. Sullivan, is the present rector.

On Sunday, May 6, 1883, the corner-stone of a new St. Edward's Church was laid by Very Rev. M. A. Walsh, V.G. Rev. Jos. V. O'Connor preached. Ten years' litigation resulted from the sale of the church to the Catholics, but the final decision was in favor of Archbishop Wood.

St. Agatha's Church (Thirty-eighth and Spring Garden Streets) .- The old church was at the corner of Thirty-sixth and Sycamore Streets, and was for- merly the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. An- drew, and was erected by Judge Peters and others in 1821. In 1865, it was purchased for nine thousand

St. Charles Borromeo Church is situated at the southwest corner of Twentieth and Christian Streets. The corner-stone was laid July 19, 1868. A tempo- rary frame chapel was erected for the use of the people until the parish church was completed. On April 9, 1871, the basement was dedicated, and used for church service until the completion of the church, in 1876. On May 7th of that year it was dedicated, the em- press of Brazil being among the number present.

Rev. James O'Reilly, now pastor at Keene, N. H., was the first rector, and continued so until May, 1877, when he was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Walsh, the present rector.

St. James' Church (at Thirty-eighth and Chestnut Streets, West Philadelphia) dates from 1850. On July 14th of that year the first meeting was held at the first house in Mary Street, below Chestnut, to receive subscriptions. Rev. J. V. O'Keefe was pastor. On Aug. 4, 1850, the corner-stone was laid by Right Rev. P. R. Kenrick. Rev. Richard O'Connor was pastor from 1854 to 1862, when he went to Rome, and became professor of English in a college. He re- turned to this country, and died Jan. 3, 1883, as pastor of St. Bridget's Church, Falls of Schuylkill. Rev. Michael F. Martin became his successor at St. James'. He remained until Nov. 9, 1874, when he became pastor of St. Mary's, on the death of Rev. George Strobel. Rev. Francis O'Neill then became pastor. He died suddenly at Saratoga, N. Y., Aug. 8, 1882. Rev. Patrick J. Garrey, D.D., then became rector, and continues to the present time.

Our Mother of Sorrows Church is situated at the Cathedral Cemetery, West Philadelphia. It is the second church built there. The first was called St. Gregory's. It was founded soon after the pur- chase of the forty-three acres for cemetery purposes, in 1849.

On Nov. 1, 1867, the corner stone of the present church (Our Mother of Sorrows) was laid by Rt. Rev. J. F. Wood, D.D. Rev. Francis A. Sharkey

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was its first pastor, and continued so until his death at Liverpool, England, on April 10, 1881. He was succeeded by Rev. John W. Shanahan, the present rector. The church was dedicated to divine service on Sept. 28, 1873. In September, 1879, the parochial school was opened. In March, 1882, a Sunday-school was opened in Haddington for the Catholie children of that loeality. It is attended to by one of the as- sistant priests. Father Shanahan has for assistants Rev. James F. Shields and Rev. John J. Denver.

St. Veronica's Church is situated at Second and Butler Streets, on a portion of the ground of the New Cathedral Cemetery. The cemetery contains forty-one aeres, and was on Aug. 30, 1868, conse- crated by Rt. Rev. William O'Hara, D.D., Bishop of Scranton. On June 2, 1872, the corner-stone of the church was laid, and on September 23d it was dedi- Toward the elose of 1845 the church was finished, cated. The church was erected by Very Rev. M. A. and on December 29th it was blessed and opened for Walsh, D.D., when pastor of St. Michael's Church. The present rector is Rev. W. A. Power, who sue- ceeded Rev. William F. MeLaughlin.

St. Peter's Church .- In 1841 there existed but one German Catholic Church in Philadelphia, that of the Most Holy Trinity, corner of Spruce and Sixth Two months after the consecration a mission was given by a number of Redemptorist Fathers, and thus the apostolic labors of the Fathers in the city of Phil- adelphia were effectually inaugurated. The work of - salvation was continued by the Fathers who suc- ceeded from time to time in charge of this congrega- tion up to the present day. The number of faithful continually increased. lu course of time, however, several other German parishes were formed as circum- stances required. The following are the Superiors who, in succession, had charge of St. Peter's Church : After the departure of Rev. Father Fey, 24th of August, 1848, Rev. Father Louis Condenhove was appointed. About the same time the Sisters of Notre Dame took charge of the girls' school, and in 1853 the Christian Brothers of the boys. Father Condenhove was snc- ceeded, in 1853, by Rev. Father Benedick Bayer, whose administration was, however, of short duration, as he died on March 16, 1854, after having rendered signal services to the order to which he belonged. His suc- cessor was Rev. John Hespelein, and toward the Streets. At that time a number of Catholic Germans, living in the northern part of the city, petitioned Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick for permission to build a new church in that part of the city and to ob- tain the services of a proper priest. The bishop granted the former permission upon condition that at least fifty men subscribed to the request. There- upon a much larger number of names was referred to the prelate. Seeing the necessity of organizing a new congregation, the bishop advised these men to send a committee to Rev. Father Alexander Czvit- kovicz, the Superior of the Redemptorists in America, to induce him to undertake the charge of the in- tended church and parish. Father Alexander showed himself willing, provided the new congregation col- lected at least one-third of the money necessary for building the church. The bishop on his part prom- ised the Fathers a sum of money which he was about to receive from Vienna for the support of German churches. Father Rumpler, who in absence of Father Alexander, then in Europe, had charge of affairs, ' close of 1855 Rev. Father Robert Kleineidaur suc- wrote, July 12, 1841, that he gave permission for the erection of the church, provided the title thereof be in the hands of the bishop.

In the following year the ground southeast corner of Fifth Street and Girard Avenue was bought for eleven thousand seven hundred dollars.

Toward the end of 1842, Rev. Father Louis Cartuy- vels came and began the organization of the congrega- tion. Two frame buildings which stood on the lot when purchased were converted into a temporary church and dwelling-house for the Fathers. But preparations were made at once for the erection of a new church. The corner-stone was laid on Aug. 15, 1843, by the Rt. Rev. Francis Patrick Kenrick. At the request

of the faithful, the new church was dedicated to the Apostle St. Peter. The first congregation that as- sembled in the temporary church numbered only about two hundred persons. Nevertheless, a paro- ehial school was started at the same time, thus secur- ing a Christian education to the children. About a hundred children formed the first school.

Rev. Father Cartuyvels, the first Superior, was in 1844 succeeded by Rev. Father Joseph Fey, C.SS.R., who had charge of this church and congregation until August, 1848, when he was recalled to Europe by his Superiors. During the anti-Catholic riot of 1844, during which St. Augustine's and St. Michael's Churches were burned by the mob, the building of St. Peter's was not interfered with; nevertheless watch was kept day and night.

service. In 1846 the decorations of the interior were finished, and on Feb. 14, 1847, the church was sol- emnly conseerated by Bishop Kenrick. The church is built in the Roman style, one hundred and sixty- six feet long and sixty-four feet wide.

ceeded. During the latter's administration the steeple of the church was finished and three bells placed therein.

In April, 1859, Rev. Father Lawrence Holzer be- came Superior, who displayed a special energy in bringing about the erection of the German Orphan Asylum at Taeony. On the 5th of January, 1860, the Redemptorist Fathers were most painfully affected by the sudden death of Bishop John N. Neumann, who was a member of their order, and as such doubly dear to them. In 1861, Father Holzer was replaced by Rev. Father Anthony Urban, and the latter's admin- istration closed in May, 1862, when Rev. William Luehrmann was appointed for the next three years.

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In August, 1865, Rev. Father John D. Dycker became Superior. He erected the new school-house in 1867, which accommodates over one thousand children. His successor, Rev. William Loewekamp (1868-74), had the church completely renovated and frescoed, and purchased a new organ, which cost twelve thou- sand dollars.

He was succeeded, in 1874, by Rev. Father George Sniet, who, at the most earnest request of the arch- bishop, and with the consent of the higher Superiors of the order in 1875, took charge of the church and congregation of St. Bonifacius, near Norris Square, on Diamond Street. Rev. Father Michael Holans took his place at St. Peter's until 1880, when the present incumbent, Rev. Father Joseph Wirth, was appointed rector.

St. Michael's Church is situated on Second Street, above Master, on ground of New Amsterdam, a town once projected there. The ground was purchased as early as 1831, and by notice in the United States Gazette lots for burial purposes were offered for sale. On Jan. 15, 1833, a public meeting in favor of building the church was held at Commissioners' Hall, when three thousand dollars were subscribed. On Easter Monday, April 8, 1833, the corner-stone was laid by Bishop Kenrick, assisted by Rev. Michael Hurley, Rev. John Hughes, and Rev. Terence J. Donaghoe (the pastor), Rev. Jeremiah Keiley, Rev. William Whelan, Rev. Nicholas O'Donnell, O.S.A., Rev. Tolentine de Silva, Rev. James Foulhouze, and Rev. F. X. Gartland.

When completed, the church was in the Gothic style of the twelfth century, according to designs of William R. Crisp.

The altar-piece was a rich and beautiful painting of St. Michael the Archangel, by Guido, and once the property of Cardinal Fesch, uncle of Napoleon Bona- parte.

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 125

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992