USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > Loretto > Souvenir of Loretto centenary, October 10, 1899 : 1799-1899 ,Saint Michael's Catholic Church > Part 19
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- of Mercy in Loretto, one cannot but note its almost phenom- enal growth: and although there have been hours and moments of sadness and trial (for what human life was ever exempt from these?) yet through all is manifest the special protection of Divine Providence over those who nobly work for God on the spot consecrated by the labors of the sainted Father Gallitzin.
REMINISCENCES OF FATHER LEMKE.
CONTRIBUTED BY HON. JAS. J. THOMAS. .
Rev. Peter Henry Lemke, the immediate successor of the illustrious Father Gallitzin in the pastorate of St. Michael's Church, Loretto, was born in the town of Meck- lenburg-Rhona, Germany, July 27, 1796. All the members of his family were Lutherans, and they seem to have been dis- tinguished in the middle class of German citizens for their wealth and superior educational attainments. His father filled the position of village magistrate-an honorable one in that country. His mother was the daughter of a schoolmas- ter; hence it may be inferred that she was an educated woman. It seems from his autobiography that his carly religious training had been very much neglected. His father's time being mostly taken up with official duties, and
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his mother being sickly and apparently indifferent or care. less as to the future of her son, it is not to be wondered at that in his youth he knew little, and cared less, abont religion. Fortunately his grand father and an old physician who boardod with the family, took some pains to imbne his mind with some little knowledge of the eternal truths. Ho early devel- oped extraordinary talents; and being studions, he, with the assistance of his grandfather and the old physician, acquired even in his early youth a considerable amount of knowledge
Much as religion was neglected in his own family it was even more so in those evil days in the great world around him, so that his associations and environment were not cal enlated to imbne his mind with religions principles. But these adverse conditions could not suppress the innate rolig ious instincts of his nature, or, rather, could not alter the destiny of one fore-ordained to carry the saving and consoling truths of Faith to his wandering and neglected follow country men and others on the mountains and amid the primeval for- ests of faraway North America.
Reverses in his father's business affairs made it impos sible for him to acquire an education at home, so he resolved to run away and search for it elsewhere. He went to Schweren where there was a good school, applied for admis sion, and, after a snecessful examination, was admitted as a student, supporting himself by giving lessons in mnsie. This was in 1810.
While at Schweren he became acquainted with a Catholic family who persuaded him to attend church with them. This was his first opportunity of becoming acquainted with Catholics or their religion. By listening to the sermons and observing the pious and moral condnet of his Catholic av. quaintances he soon became so deeply impressed that he could offen be seen during services kneeling and praying with devotion.
He continued in this school until 1813, when war broke out between France and Germany. Although only 18 years of age, Lemke, with many other students, responded to the call to arms to repel the French invaders nnder Napoleon.
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and he remained in the service of his country until the close of the war. He belonged to the cavalry, and his training in the army made him a wonderfully expert and fearless horse- man. It was his delight, during his career as a missionary, to give to the admiring settlers exhibitions of his skill in rid- ing and subdning wild and untrained colts.
The writer had once the privilege of witnessing one of these exhibitions in the little town of Munster. Father Lemke was on his way to JJefferson (now Wilmore), and stopped for dinner at the tavern kept by Peter Collins. When the time came for him to resume his journey, the horse, a spirited young sorrel, was brought out in front of the tavern in readiness for the priest to mount. From the
MUNSTER. FOUNDED AS A RIVAL TO LORETTO IN 1806.
actions and appearance of the animal the bystanders judged that this would be no easy matter; yet Father Lemke, taking the reins from the hostler and refusing all proffered assist- ance, jumped like a flash into the saddle. Then commenced the display of horsemanship. The animal had apparently
REAR VIEW OF ST. MICHAEL'S PASTORAL RESIDENCE, CHURCH AND PAROCHIAL HALL,
LORETTO, PA. - 1899.
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made up his mind that he would throw Father Lemke, and that he would not go to Jefferson that day: yet during the whole scene of rearing, plunging and kicking the priest maintained his seat in the saddle as if he were glued to it, all the time refusing to permit any of the spectators, who feared for his safety, to interfere. Despite the determination of the horse to have his own way he was compelled to yield to the stronger will and superior skill of his master: and eventually both he and his rider disappeared in a cloud of dust on the road to Jefferson.
After receiving his discharge from the army young Lemke entered the University of Rastock in order to prepare himself for the Lutheran ministry. Of his life in this school he writes: "But I did not study much, and I thank God that I did not, for the teaching of theology was of that sort that all sentiments of Christianity must have been extinguished in my soul then and there. We had professors of theology who would not blush to ridicule before an audience of beardless youths the most sacred mysteries of religion." As for the life of the students it was nothing but continuous rioting, gambling, dueling and drinking. Lemke was like the other students he describes, but for a short time only. Fortun- ately he became acquainted with a Catholic student named Adler, older than himself, who had also been a soldier. They became intimate friends, and Lemke placed himself under his tuition. Adler prescribed for his young friend a course of reading which, with the close intimacy that grew up be- tween them, resulted, later on, in the latter's conversion to the Catholic faith.
In 1819 he finished his studies, passed his examination and was admitted to the ministry of the Lutheran Church. He went to his native village of Rhena to preach his first ser- mon, which, despite the trepidation that overcame him in the beginning, is said to have been a very eloquent one.
While he was assistant he found in the library of his su- perior some old writings of Luther, and asked permission, which was readily granted, to take them to his rooms. With all the ardor of a religious student wearied of unsettled be-
STRY
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liefs, he pored over these works. When he had finished road- ing the last volume he had nothing but contempt, as he says. for the reformer; in fact, he was no longer a Lutheran. True to his conception of conscientious duty he resigned his posi- tion, although by this actien ho was left without any means of a livelihood.
What was now to be done? He might enter the profes- sions, any one of which by his talents and education he was fitted toadorn, or embark in commercial life and succeed. but to none of these did he turn for his vocation. He must first satisfy his determined purpose to find truth, if it was to be found, in religion, and afterwards subscribe to its practicos.
He thought of his Catholic friend of the University- Adler, but before seeking him began again with stubborn pa- tionce a thorough research through the Prostestaut field of doctrine. But the further he went, and the more he investi- gated the teachings and practices of the various seets, the .more he was convinced that for conviction and peace he must look'elsewhere. He rononneed forover all adherence to Prof- ostant belief and set out to seek Adler.
He found him at Ratishon, was graciously received, and the same evening was introduced to Diepenbrock. Diepen. brock, like Lemke, had been in the army, and was in his yonth somewhat careless in religion, but from reading Bishop Sailor's works he saw the error of his ways, and from that time had become a most zealous religions teacher.
Being of the same age and their previous lives having been in many ways similar, they naturally became warm friends. After months of association with Adler and Diepen- brock, who meanwhile had become a priest. Lemke found himself in belief a Catholic, and applied to Bishop Sailer for instruction and admission into the Church. The Bishop sent him to the Seminary to receive the necessary instructions under its saintly rector, Father Wittman. On the 21st of April, 1824, he was received into the Church and confirmed by Bishop Sailer, his friend, Father Diepenbrock, being his godfather. Bishop Sailer, fully understanding the religions character of young Lemke, sent him to one of his old priests
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in the conntry to take a conrse in theology. Ile made such progress that on the Ith of April. 1826, he was ordained to the priesthood, less than two years after his reception into the Church. After his ordination Father Lemke served for three years under his old preceptor. Father Bnehmer, as as. sistant.
In 1829 his friend. now Cardinal Diepenbrock, called him to Ratisbon, where he was made Vier and intrusted with the duties of preaching to the garrison of the city and giving religious instruction to the students of the high schools. In 1831 Father Lemke was. on the recommendation of his Bishop, appointed chaplain to one of the great old churches on the estate of a rich nobleman.
This was a very desirable position, with large salary and little to do, but in no way satisfactory to the missionary spirit of Lemke, for, as he says himself, the duties entailed the care of the agricultural interests of the estate more than of the souls of men. However, these agricultural experiences of Nonborg did much to make him the successful farmer he afterwards proved, and stood him in good stead in developing the lands of his various settlements in America.
During the fall of 1-33, while engaged in superintending the work in a vineyard on the estate, he received a visit from his Friends Diepenbrock. Clement Brotano and Dr. Raes. During the conversation Dr. Raes read a letter from Bishop Kourick, in which he deployed the lack of German priests in his diocese.
"This would be something for von, Lemke, " said Bro. tano, sarcastically: 'a young man endowed, soul and body. with all required for a laborer in the vinesard of the Lord, and hore yon are like an article of Inxury growing fat and lusty whilst our poor Catholics in America starve for want of spiritual food." This remark gave to Amerier one of her most zealous and successful missionaries. On the spot all his impulsive nature was aroused and be resolved to go to America.
In the spring of 1831, after completing all his arrange. ments, armed with his passport. a letter from Dr. Raes to
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Bishop Kenrick, and his Bishop's Excat, he started for the United States.
Sending his baggage ahead he started on foot with a knapsack on his back for Paris, expecting to find there means of transport to Havre, the port he meant to depart from. When he arrived at Havre he found a packet ready to sail for New York, but to his discomfiture his baggage had not yet arrived, which delayed him for a considerable time. What must have been his feelings, when, arrived at New York, he learned that the packet he had missed, with all on board, had been lost at sea. He reached New York Angust 20, 1834, and a few days after took a steamer for Philadelphia.
On reaching the city he went to the house of Rev. Mr. Guth, who, the same evening took him to the house of the Bishop. Bishop Kenrick was delighted at his coming and forthwith appointed him assistant at Holy Trinity Church. He soon found it necessary to acquire a knowledge of the English language. Fortunately for him Bishop Kenrick and his brother were engaged in the study of the German lan- guage. Father Lemke went daily to the Bishop's house and exchanging service with his illustrions pupils, gave lessons in German, receiving from them in return instruction in English.
An incident happened while he was assistant that caused him to leave Philadelphia. He used to enjoy telling the story which was as follows: A special celebration was being held by the Lutherans commemorative of Luther, and as Father Lemke had been a Lutheran, and posted about the reformer, he took occasion on the following Sunday to preach a sermon on the life of Luther from his point of view. After his return to the pastoral residence he was waited upon by a committee of the trustees that was ushered into his room where he was eating his dinner. The spokesman commenced by saying:
"That was a fine sermon you preached to-day, but as we wish to live in peace with our Protestant neighbors we come to tell you you must not preach any more such sermons in our church."
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Springing to his feet and seizing the poker he thundered: "Yon blacksmiths, you carpenters, you tailors! How dare you come here and tell me how to preach! Get out of here;" and they did get ont.
On the following day he related the occurrence to the Bishop and asked to be relieved. The Bishop then gave him permission to engage in missionary work in other parts of the diocese. Father Lemke took his course to the mountains, visiting and ministering to the scattered Catholics on his way. His main object was to visit Prince Gallitzin at Loretto. He reached Monster in the month of September, 1834. The records show that he took the first steps necessary to being naturalized as an American citizen by filing his first papers Jannary 2, 1835. On October 7. 1840, he took out his natural- ization papers, Michael Dan Magochan and John Murray swearing to his residence.
The story of his arrival in Monster and of his meeting with Callitzin is best told by himself, and reads as follows:
"I arrived at last in safety at Munster, a little village laid ont by Irish people on a tableland of the Allegheny mom- tains, only font miles from Gallitzin's residence. The stage stopped at the house of a certain Peter Collins, a genuine Trishman, who kopt the postoffice and hotel. The next moru- ing, for it was evening when I arrived, and they would not on any account let me go on, a horse was saddled for me, and Thomas, one of the numerous Collins children, now a man of influence and reputation, stood ready with a stick in his hand to show me the way, and to bring back the horse. We had gone about a mile or two in the woods when I saw a sled coming along drawn by two strong horses, N. B. In Sep- tomber. in the most beautiful summer weather.
"In the sled half sat and half reclined a venerable looking man, in an old, much worn overcoat, wearing a peasant's hat which no one, it is likely, would have cared to pick up in the street, and carrying a book in his hand. Socing him brought along in this way I thought there must have been an acci- dont, that perhaps the old gentleman had dislocated a limb in the woods, but Thomas, who had been on ahead. came run-
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FIRST MEETING OF FATHER LEMKE AND FATHER GALLITZIN. SEPTEMBER. PAL.
LORETTO CENTENARY. 279
ning back and said: "There comes the priest,' pointing to the man in the sled. I rode np and asked: 'Are you really the pastor at Loretto?' 'Yes, I am he,' 'Prince Gallitzin?' 'At your service, sir, I am that very exalted personage,' saving this, he langhed heartily. "Yon may porhaps wonder,' he continued, when I had presented to him a letter from the Bishop of Philadelphia, 'at my singular retinne. But how can it be helped? We have not as yet, as von see, roads fit for wagons; we should be either fast or upset every moment. I cannot any longer ride horseback, having injured ingsoff by a fall, and it is also coming hard for me to walk; besides I have all the requirements for mass to take with me. I am now on my way to a place where I have had for some years a station. You can now go on quietly to boretto, and make yourself comfortable there, I shall be at home this evening: or, if you like better, you can come with me, perhaps it may interest yon.' I chose to accompany him, and after riding some miles through the woods we reached a gennine Pon sylvania farm house.
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THE OLD PARRISH HOMESTEAD, WHERE FATHER CALLITZIN USED TO HOLD "STATIONS
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"Hore lived Joshua Parrish, one of the first settlers of that country, and the ancestor of a numerous posterity. The Catholics of the neighborhood, men, women and children, were already assembled in great numbers around the house, in which an altar was put np, its principal materials having been taken from the sled; Gallitzin then sat down in one cor- ner of the house to hear confessions, and I, in another corner, attended to a few Germans. The whole affair appeared very strange to me, but it was extremely touching to see the sim - ple peasant home, with all its honse furniture, and the great fireplace, in which there was roasting and boiling going on at. the same time, changed into a church; while the people, with their prayer books and their reverential manners, stood or knelt under the low projecting roof or under the trees, going in or out, just as their turn came for confession. After mass, at which Father Gallitzin preached, and when a few children had been baptized, the altar was taken away, and the dinner table set in its place. In a word, all was so pleasant, and friendly that involuntarily the love-feasts of the first Christians came to my mind. In the afternoon we wont slowly on our way, Gallitzin in his sled and I on horseback, arriving at nightfall at Loretto."
After this visit to Loretto it appears that Father Lemke went back to Philadelphia, but his stay there was brief, for on his return to Loretto he was immediately conducted by the venerable Father Gallitzin, to Ebensburg, and on Decen- ber 23, 1834, installed there as pastor, This appointment, 'surprised Father Lemke, for he had expected to reside with Father Gallitzin, and so he told him. "Oh, no," replied the latter, "these people (in Ebensburg) have built a church and want a resident priest, and besides I have no room in my house for you. And what is more, " he continued. "the win- tors are so severe on these mountains that, it would be impos- sible for you to get here from Loretto. You will come to me once a month to care for my Germans, and for that I shall contribute something to your support." And so he left him.
Father Lemke thus describes his first experience in his new charge:
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"I am now, since the 23d of December, here in Ebons- burg, which is the principal town in Cambria County. But lest yon get a wrong impression of what is meant by 'the principal town,' I must at once tell you that there is nothing to be seen here resembling a town except one large walled np building with a tower, the court-house of the county or cir- enit, and very few houses which resemble the dwellings of Europeans; but mostly log and clap-board honses. As to paved streets and such like it is not to be thought of here: but instead one is compelled evenings to feel his way with a stick in order not to break his neck falling over stumps.
"Prior to twenty years ago all this country round about was woods, and if one will now go one thousand steps away he will find himself again in the primitive forest. For those reasons the place looks more like a bivonac than a town, as for example such things as kitchens, collars and other rooms and conveniences, which, according to our ideas of human comforts, are necessary, are not much to be thought of here: and I am willing to bet that in this entire principal town there are not tive doors to be found which can be locked.
"My host is one of the first magistrates, that is, the col- lector and accountant of public rovennes of the entire district covering a territory of abont four hundred square miles, and. besides, he carries on the carpenter trade and farming busi- ness withont an apprentice: for apprentices and maid serv. ants are unknown here. The 'squire, also called the district judge, met me yesterday with a load of wood, which he him self had ent down and loaded.
"When I return from my horseback frip throagh the woods I load my horse to the stable, unsaddle him and give him the attention which he needs: then I hang up my boots and coat, which are covered with several pounds of clay, to the fire, and seat myself before it while the children climb up on my knee and the housewife busies herself getting me something to cat. On the following morning the dried coat is rubbed ont: the boots and harness are cleaned and so on. That I do these things does not strike any one as strange: but, on the contrary, I would be looked upon as singular if I
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did not do them. In the place itself there are but few Cath- olic families and not one German soul. I can, therefore, not get a drink of water without asking for it in English, and I am thus compelled to learn what the different things are used for. It is this very necessity which is of the greatest im- portance to me. In Philadelphia, or any other place among German surroundings, I might have remained for years and days without learning English: but here it comes withont effort: methinks, indeed, the very winds blow here in En- glish. I would wish that every missionary would find himself so situated as I am here. With a dictionary, grammar, and English Classics, one may torment himself dreadfully, and yet when he gets among these people he understands as much about their English as if he had never seen a letter of it.
"I already hear confessions and administer the other sacraments in English, and on last Sunday I even read the Gospel and gave a short exhortation in English before the German sermon. I have here a wooden church just like a large Bavarian barn. In a circnit ronnd abont live a great many Germans, most of whom are Catholics, and, as is gon- . erally the case, the Germans, according to long-established custom, prefer to settle in the woods, while the Irish, French and other emigrants locate with the Americans in the cities. on the highways, and along the canals, and carry on trade and hotel business.
"These Germans come diligently and gladly to church. although they often have to leave home at night in order to get here. On one Sunday of the month I go to Loretto, six miles from here: and on a second Sunday I go to the new settlement, twelve miles, "Hart's Sleeping Place, " where there are fifty-four German Catholic families, mostly Alsa- tians and Rhenish Bavarians who have thrown their resources together and built a church.
"During Easter time I will have to make a trip to Erie. I am already anticipating the pleasure of it, for [expect to make a detour to see the Falls of Niagara. Now you will probably want to know what resources I have here. I have none but what the people give me, and as the people have
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very little I likewise have very little: and I can really say that I have never in my life been so poor and at the same time so rich. For here I feel satisfied and happy and have everything in abundance that is necessary for the mainte. nance and support of life: and for what purpose should I want money ? My health becomes better with every hard- ship. In Philadelphia I was sick a good deal and thought several times I was going to fall a victim to cholera. In re gard to food and drink it certainly faros badly with me: and since I came to America I cannot think so hard of the chil- dron of Israel for having, in their journey to the promised land, frequently become dejected and discouraged when thinking of the flesh pots of Egypt."
From Ebensburg Father Lemke visited "Hart's Sleeping Place," so-called from its being the camp or stopping place of llart, the trader, sitnated on the old Indian frail from the East to Kittanning, on the Allegheny River. It is abont three miles north of Carrolltown, and at the time we write of. was the centre of a small settlement of Catholics who worshiped in a little church built and dedicated by Father Gallitzin a short time before Father Lemke's arrival. During his stay in Ebensburg, until the year 1837, his time was spent in visit- ing and ministering to the scattered Catholics throughout the county. At that time he and Father Gallitzin were the only resident priests within its limits. Much of his time, also, was given to the pastor of Loretto, who had now become old and feeble.
It was abont this period that Lemke's active mind de- vised the project of a settlement and home in the northern part of the county. The influx of German emigration, he foresaw, would, if a church were created, make the place the conter of a large Catholic population. Accordingly be pur- chased lands at Hart's Sleeping Place and moved there some time in 1897. Then with a pious old widow as housekeeper, and her children as helpers, he began confidently to apply his knowledge of agriculture, acquired at Nenburg, to the eniti- vation of his farm in the wilds of Cambria Connty. It was not long until he saw that Hart's Sleeping Place was not the
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