Brown County, Ohio - Chapter 9: The Catholic Church of Brown County., 1883

Chapter 9: The Catholic Church of Brown County.

WHEN war, ambition and avarice fail, religion pushes onward and succeeds. In the discovery of the New World, wherever man's aggrandizement was the paramount aim, failure was sure to follow; but when this gave way, the followers of the Cross came upon the field, and the result was success. Years before the Pilgrims anchored their bark on the cheerless shores of Cape Cod, " the Roman Catholic Church had been planted, by missionaries from France, in the eastern moiety of Maine; and Le Caron, an ambitious Franciscan, the companion of Champlain, had passed into the hunting-grounds of the Wyandots, and, bound by the vows of his life, had, on foot or paddling a bark canoe, gone onward, taking alms of the savages, until he reached the rivers of Lake Huron. " Through the religious zeal of Catholic missionaries for the salvation of souls, the rivers and lakes of the Great Northwest were discovered and explored, and as long as time shall last, the history of those sainted missionaries will be honored and revered.

The Jesuit and Franciscan fathers were the pioneers in this holy work, and the names of Fathers Mesnard, Dreuillettes, Gareau, Allouez, Dablon, Marquette and others are enrolled high upon the imperishable records of religious conquest. Later on came the order of St. Sulpice, with the immortal La Salle at the head of this devoted band of priests. Subsequently, he secured the services of Fathers Hennepin, Ribourde, Membre and others, whose names are familiar to every school-boy in the land. These devoted servants of Christ spread themselves over the then unknown Western territory, preaching the Gospel of their Master to the red savages of the forest, and often yielding up their lives at the hands of those they came to save; yet the " Black Gown" was soon a favorite among the Indians, his coming hailed with joy, and his words listened to with respect and veneration. If one fell by hunger, cold, or a more terrible death, others stood ready to take up the Master's work, and, if need be, to give their lives at the martyr's stake, and receive a martyr's crown.

The history of Catholicism in Brown County, Ohio, begins with the donation of a tract of 200 acres of land in 1823, for the purpose of Catholic education, by Gen. William Lytle, who was at that time Government Surveyor of the Virginia Military District. He was a man of noble character, as generous as he was brave, and fought the Indians, side by side with Boone in Kentucky, and Kenton and Washburn throughout Ohio. His name is one of the most illustrious in the annals of Indian warfare. Another tract of 100 acres, adjoining that of Lytle'3, was donated by Michael Scott, for a similar purpose, these grants constituting the present site and property of the Ursuline Convent at St. Martin's. About the same time, a tract of 100 acres was given by William Bamber, for the purpose of erecting a church in the southwestern part of Perry Township. A log house was accordingly built, and, soon after its completion, the few faithful Catholics then in the settlement were made happy by the presence of a priest in their midst.

*The history of the Catholic Churches and schools of Perry Township was prepared by Dr. T. M. Reade, while the whole chapter on Catholicism was corrected and revised by R. C. Brown,

This was the Rev. Father Hill, an English missionary, who was traveling from Lancaster, Ohio, to Cincinnati. He administered the sacrament of baptism to Elizabeth, infant daughter of Edward and Mary Boyle (Mrs. Hugh Breslin); also to Edward, son of William Boyle, these being the first children of Catholic parentage born in Perry Township. He celebrated the first mass in the little log church, devoutly assisted by the families of William and Edward Boyle and William Bamber - all there were in the vicinity at that time. After attending to the spiritual wants of the little flock, Father Hill departed on his mission.

Three years afterward, in 1826, Rev. Father Mullen visited the settlement and celebrated mass in the old schoolhouse of John H. O'Connor. From time to time, a missionary would appear and offer up the sarrifice of the mass at this point, thus keeping alive the spark of Catholic faith in the hearts of these sturdy pioneers of the church, but no regular pastor was appointed until 1830, in which year the Rev. Martin Kundig was sent to take charge of this mission, by the Rt. Rev. Edward Fenwick, Bishop of Cincinnati, He was the first priest who volunteered to undertake the arduous task of laying the foundation of the church in the new settlement.

He was a young man of extraordinary zeal and indomitable courage. Although a stranger in a strange land, with nothing to aid him but that spirit of self-sacrifice characteristic of the pioneer priests whose footprints mark the onward march of civilization and Christianity, and a firm reliance on the providence of God, he chose from among the few scattering missionary stations then in Ohio the most unauspicious and uninviting - that of Brown County. Father Martin Kundig was a native of Luzerne, Switzerland. He founded the first Catholic Church in Brown County in the fall of 1830, and dedicated it in honor of his patron, St. Martin. He was transferred, in 1832, to Milwaukee, Wis., and at the time of his death, in 1876, he was Yicar General of that diocese. A few years previous to his death, he wrote a letter to one of his old friends at St. Martin's, in which he tells the simple story of his early struggles. A few extracts will serve to throw light upon the character of the man and the times in which he lived.

I found within ten miles about eight families, poor, forlorn and isolated in their little log houses. There were 100 acres of woodland at Bamber' s, and, four miles from it, 300 acres more, all covered with woods, as the property of the church. No sooner was 1 there than I heard a voice - ' To this neighborhood you have come; stay here and lay the foundation.' Bishop Fenwick laughed at my proposition, and compared me to a young horse without a bridle. He considered the proposition foolish, so I had to drop it. When, however, the Yicar General came from Europe, I renewed to him my plan, and he forthwith removed every obstacle. So, asking a few articles from the ladies, such as some plates, a knife and fork, two pans, a kettle, a blanket and a mattress, I set out for Brown County, without money or expecting a congregation to support me. After living six months in a log cabin without a window, I succeeded in furnishing my residence.

" It took me six weeks to bring my first palace into order. It was about ten by twelve feet, where I had my study, parlor, kitchen, bedroom and cellar altogether, with a window of six panes of glass Yery often I love to go back to the days which I spent in my little hermitage in St. Martin's, wTherc I lived in solitude and apostolic poverty It was a school where I learned to live without expense, for I had nothing to spend. I built eleven houses, without nail or board, for I. could not. buy them without money, and I cooked my meals without flour, fat or butter, for I had them not."

The first mass in the log cabin church of St. Martin's was an event in the lives of the pioneers never to be forgotten. They were for the most part Irish Catholics, who, having bravely struggled through the rigors of religious persecution in Ireland; after the perilous voyage of thousands of miles over ocean, river and mountain ; after years of the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life ; after many vain efforts, were finally successful in the realization of their fondest hopes. A new era was dawning upon them. Their children were to be educated in the faith of their fathers. The dark night of persecution had passed away forever, and they beheld with grateful hearts the bright future of peace and good will which was to follow under the benign influence of civil and religious liberty. So the pastor and his little flock gathered at their first mass, in the rude cabin in the wilderness. The bell was rung and the candles were lighted on the altar. The giant oaks of the forest re-echoed for the first time the sound of sacred song. The people bowed down in adoration, and, as their prayers ascended like incense to the Throne of Grace, the green sod upon which they knelt was moistened with their tears.

Thus it was that the seed was sown at St. Martin's, which, after the lapse of half a century, has borne fruit a thousand fold. The eight families mentioned by Father Kundig were those of William Boyle, William Bamber, John Scanlan, John Savage, Sr., Edward Boyle, Hugh McDonald, Edward Brannan, Edward McCaffrey. The choir was composed of two Indian boys; also two men, John Ballard and John Mueller, and two girls, Margaret McCaffrey and Betsy Bamber.

Of Catholics who were in this vicinity at that time, or soon afterward, we might mention the following well-remembered names, some of whom assisted in erecting the log church where the convent stands: Patrick Savage,

Thomas Ballard, Thomas Bamber, Sr., Peter Bock, Michael Barnes, Nicholas Halpin, Mrs. Crosson, James Murray, Michael O'Connor, John Bogers, Nicholas Breason, Thomas Kelly, William Shaysgreen, Michael Crone, Mr. McGroty, Mr. Neill, Barney Kelly and James Hughes, of Highland County, the two latter of whom helped to build the log cabin church spoken of previously.

How changed the scene to-day! The little log church has passed away, and upon the site of its ruin stands, in stately magnificence, the far-famed Ursuline Convent. All is changed. The congregation and its pastor have gone to receive their reward. The woods have disappeared, and the wilderness has been transformed into an agricultural garden. Of the choir who chanted for the first time the sacred anthems which have never ceased since that date, all but one have passed away. Margaret McCaffrey alone remains, and she is

Bev. James Beed succeeded Father Kundig in 1832, remaining in charge of the parish for a few years. During this time, he organized and conducted a day and boarding school for the benefit of the children of the surrounding country, and replaced the log church, which stood on the convent grounds, by a brick structure. He was followed by Father Masquelette, who remained until 1839, in which year Fathers Gacon and Cheymol were appointed by Bishop Purcell to take charge of this and five adjoining counties.

be recounted here. Always ready for the call of duty, they traveled through the unfrequented woods, sometimes making sick calls fifty' miles distant from their humble residence at St. Martin's, where, like their venerable predecessors, they lived in apostolic poverty. They sought neither wealth nor fame. The former they never possessed. The latter can add nothing to their merits. It formed no part of the object of their lives. But, as long as the church which they labored to establish holds her place in Ohio, the names of Father Gacon and Father Cheymol will be revered and honored by her devoted children. Rev. Claude Gacon and Rev. William Cheymol, natives of Bas Auvergne, Department of Clermont, France, were life-long companions until the death of Father Gacon, which occurred in 1865. Father Cheymol is still in the performance of his duty as Chaplain of the Ursuline Convent. After forty-three years of unremitting labor, he bids fair to remain many years in the future to guide and direct his devoted children.

In 1865, Rev. F. X. Dutton was appointed parish priest of St. Martin's. Soon after his arrival, he undertook the erection of a new church, which he carried to a successful completion. It is a handsome brick structure, modern in style and finish, and the interior will compare favorably with city churches. Father Dutton is an earnest, zealous pastor, who has done much toward building up God's kingdom on earth since his ordination to the priesthood, and the beautiful edifice of St. Martin's will ever stand as a monument of his faithful stewardship in this parish. The congregation at present is in a prosperous condition, and embraces a membership of 750 souls. Close to the church is a cemetery, with many handsome headstones marking the last resting-place of those who are asleep in the Lord.

In connection with the history of Catholicism and Catholic institutions in Brown County, we deem it appropriate to give a brief sketch of the Most Rev.. John B. Purcell, the venerable Archbishop, who, having devoted his whole life to God, is now spending his few remaining days at the beautiful retreat of St Martin's. He was born at Mallon, in the county of Cork, Ireland, February 26, 1800, and is a son of Edmund and Johanna Purcell, natives of that land. His early years were passed under the care of pious parents and in the service of his parish church, receiving as good an education as could be obtained in his native place. His hopes of a collegiate course at Maynooth were unexpectedly blasted, and, at the age of eighteen, he emigrated to the United States. Soon after reaching Baltimore, he applied for and received a teacher's certificate from the faculty of Asbury College. He began his duties as tutor in a private family, who were living on the eastern shore of Maryland, w'here he remained two years, at the end of wThich time he entered, as a student, Mt. St. Mary's College, near Emmitsburg, in the same State.

In 1824, ho went to Paris, France, in company with the Rev. Father Brute, subsequently Bishop of Vincennes, Ind., to complete his studies at the Seminary of St. Sulpice. On the 21st of May, 1826, he was ordained priest by Archbishop De Quelen, in the cathedral of Notre Dame, Paris. Upon his return to America, he was appointed Professor of Philosophy in Mt. St. Mary's College, Emmitsburg, Md. His learning and ability soon attracted the attention of his superiors, and, on the death of the Rt. Rev. Edward Fenwick, Bishop of Cincinnati, who was stricken down by cholera in 1832, Rev. John B. Purcell was selected by the Pope to fill the vacancy, and, October 13, 1833, was consecrated Bishop of the Cincinnati Diocese. This ceremony took place at the Cathedral of Baltimore, Md., and was performed by Archbishop R. Whitfield. The week following his consecration, he took part in the Second Provincial Council of Baltimore, after which he set out for Cincinnati, the seat of his bishopric. The diocese then comprised the whole State of Ohio, and contained sixteen small churches, while Cincinnati possessed but one. In 1847, the diocese of Cleveland was erected, and in 1868, that of Columbus.

In 1850, Bishop Purcell was appointed Archbishop, receiving the Pallium from the Pope's hands the following year. It will not be out of place to here give the names of the religious, educational and charitable institutions that this venerable prelate established or founded during his administrative career. Under his direct administration came into life the following institutions, viz. : The Theological Seminary at Mt. St. Mary's of the West; St. Xavier's College; the Passionist Monastery, Mt. Adams; the Catholic Gymnasium of St. Francis Assisium; St. Joseph's Academy; St. Mary's Institute; six literary institutes for young ladies, three of which are conducted by the Sisters of Notre Dame, the others by the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, Sisters of Charity and Ursuline nuns; six convents; the Foundling Hospital and Lying-In Hospital of St. Vincent de Paul; the Protectory for Boys; St. Mary's Hospital and the Hospital of the Good Samaritan; St. Peter's, St. Joseph's and St. Aloysius' Orphan Asylum; besides parochial schools in every parish throughout his diocese where such could be supported.

In 1862, Archbishop Purcell visited Borne for the fourth time, at the invitation of the immortal Pope Pius the Ninth. In 1867, he repaired once more to the " Eternal City, " and again in 1869, to take part in the great Ecumenical Council of the Vatican, whose voice was heard throughout the world. The fifty-sixth anniversary of his elevation to the priesthood was celebrated at St. Martin's on the 21st of May, 1882, while the forty-ninth of his consecration as Bishop occurred October 13 of the same year. He has been twenty- two years Archbishop, and has always been loved and venerated by his priests and people, as well as by those outside of the Catholic Church. His standing as an able theologian and scholar is far-famed, while his gentleness and humility of spirit are emblematic of the worthy servant of God.

Theological Seminary

The Brown County Theological Seminary was established on the Lytle Grant in 1840, by the Bt. Bev. John B. Purcell, with Bev. Joseph O'Malley as its first President and Superior. The object of the institution was the education of young men for the priesthood. Father O'Malley was succeeded by Father Boriando, Superior of the Lazarists, who served as its President about three years. In 1845, it was abandoned and turned over to the Ursuline Sis ters, Bishop Purcell providing a place for the students at the Athenaeum, near St. Xavier's, Cincinnati, and .subsequently at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary. Among the students were Bt. Bev. John H. Luers, who was consecrated first Bishop of Fort Wayne, Ind. , January 10, 1858; Bevs. Cornelius Daly, Thomas Boulger, Patrick O'Malley, J. V. Conlon, William MeCaliian, James Kearney and James Cahill.

The Ursuline Convent

This well-known institution is beautifully situated on a large farm about forty-five miles from Cincinnati, and has convenient railroad and telegraphic communication with all parts of the country. It was founded in 1845 by a colony of French nuns from the convents of Boulogne Sur Mer and Beaulieu, presided over by Mother Julia Chatfield, an English lady and convert to the Catholic faith, who had entered the community of Boulogne.

Archbishop Purcell had invited the Ursulines to his diocese, and, on their arrival, he gave them a fatherly welcome with the choice of locating in Chilli - cothe, Ohio, or on the 300 acres of land in Brown County, Ohio, that had been deeded to him by Gen. Lytle for educational purposes. Their choice fell upon the latter, and, on the 21st of July, 1845, the daughters of St. Ursula arrived in the parish of St. Martin's, three miles from Fayetteville; where they were kindly received by the Reverend Fathers Gacon and Cheymol, and the modest buildings previously used as a seminary for the training of young men for the priesthood of the newly formed diocese of Cincinnati were vacated to give the nuns a temporary home.

School opened the following September, and the small brick building and adjacent frame house gave but scant accommodation for thirteen pupils and the religious; accordingly, with the assistance of the mother-house, in France, and under the supervision of the Reverend Fathers Gacon and Cheymol, the present main building was erected and opened as an academy, in the year 1847.

In this early period, the Rev. Superior, Father Gacon, by his saintly counsels, sustained and encouraged the young community, amid the hardships inseparable from missionary life, and, when death removed him from the scene of his labors, he was replaced by his life-long friend, Father Cheymol, the present chaplain of the convent, who, for nearly half a century, has devoted himself entirely to the spiritual and temporal interests of the community.

Soon the fame of the " Brown County Convent " spread beyond the limits of the neighborhood, as could be seen on Commencement Day, when, to accommodate the visitors, who came from near and far, a large tent was erected, and the grand old woods resounded with the voice of song, while from every village of the surrounding country the people thronged to make it a gala day.

But the inconvenience attending open-air commencements made it necessary to have a permanent commencement hall. To meet this exigency, the chapel building, as it is called, was erected in 1859, and it was not long before Mother Julia and her industrious co- laborers received a palpable proof of the popularity of their institution in the increased number of pupils that flocked from all parts of the Union. Still fresh in the memory of many are those days in which Mother Julia gave such abundant proofs of her excellent administrative ability, and few, if any, who knew her, can forget the charming grace and sincere piety of Mother Stanislaus, who was, for so many years, the cherished and trusty assistant of good Mother Julia.

The academy was chartered in 1846, with the privilege of conferring graduating degrees. A well-selected library, cabinet of physics and natural history were added, the curriculum of studies brought up to the highest standard, offering to young ladies the advantages of a thorough English and French education, including training in music, the fine arts and the modern languages. Owing to the continued increase of patronage, the music hall was built in 1867. Here the musical department receives the most exact attention. A monthly examination, in presence of teachers and pupils, forms an interesting feature in this academy, and the proficiency of the pupils on organ, piano, harp and guitar, in vocal music and the elements of thorough base, bears evidence of a high musical standard.

The sequestered situation of this lovely spot removes young ladies from the allurements and distractions of city life, while the extensive and pure country air render it still more favorable to the pursuits of study. Careful cultivation and natural wildness have been interestingly mingled in the laying out of the convent grounds, and whether the pupils ramble in the wood, where at day-dawn the song of birds announces the rising sun, gather wild flowers by the creek or lake, stroll down the dear old graveyard walk, or pause to pray at the shrine of the Sacred Heart, everywhere they are made sensible of the beauty and tranquility which distinguish this home of learning and religion.

In a little volume entitled " Snatches of Song," dedicated by its gifted authoress "to my friends at St. Martin's, Ohio, whose care and valuod lessons

This church was founded by Rev. Joseph O'Malley in 1841. Father O'Malley was one of the most energetic and successful of the pioneer priests of Ohio, having founded churches and schools in various parts of the State. He remained but a short time in charge of the new congregation, and was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Butler, who was transferred here from Hamilton, Ohio He had previously occupied the eminent position of President of Mount St. Mary's Seminary, at Emmittsburg, Md.

Father Butler was a good scholar and a brilliant orator. He encountered great difficulties on account of the rude and lawless state of society which existed at that time, but he bore opposition and poverty with Christian fortitude and heroic devotion to his sacred calling. He was appointed Vicar General of the diocese of Covington, Ky., in 1849, and occupied that position until the time of his death.

Rev. Cornelius Daly succeeded Father Butler in 1849. He was born in the County of Cork, Ireland, came to this country at an early age and received his education at St. Mary's of the Barrens, Missouri, and at the theological seminary, Brown County. His first mission was in Perry County, Ohio, where he spent six years, established a congregation and from thence was removed to Fayetteville. He built St. Mary's Church, Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1856, and established several missions in this and adjoining counties. In 1860, he founded St. Patrick's Academy, and established the Sisters of Charity in Fayetteville. His death, which occurred at his residence adjoining the church in Fayetteville, on the 24th of January. 1876, was regarded as a public calamity by the entire community, and his funeral was attended by thousands of people of every creed and denomination.

The life and character of Father Daly, is so indelibly engraven upon the hearts and minds of the people of this community, that it would be vain to attempt to speak of him in a manner that would meet the expectations of those who, during his lifetime, had never ceased to honor and to love him; but, when the generations who followed him in the paths of duty, and learned the word of God from his sainted lips shall have passed away forever, let their children road in the words of the poet the character of Father Daly:

As an illustration of bis high standing throughout the county, we give verbatim the notice of his death as published in the Brown County New s of January 26, 1876: "Rev. Cornelius Daly, of Fayetteville, this county, died on last Monday morning, after several weeks' illness, of a pulmonary disease. Father Daly was one of the best and most gentlemanly men we evor knewu He had charge of the Catholic Church at Fayetteville for over a quarter of a century, and was sincerely loved by his parishioners and by all who knew him. He always had a kind word for every one, and especially for the afflicted and the needy poor. In life and conduct he exemplified the true character of his high calling. The people of that neighborhood have sustained a severe loss in the death of Father Daly." Thus passed away one of God's chosen ones, who lived and died faithful to his Lord and Master.

Rev. Francis Mallon was appointed pastor of St. Patrick's in 1876, where he remained until 1878, when he resigned his charge and is now residing in Cincinnati.

Rev. John Bowe, the present pastor, succeeded Father Mallon. In 1879, he was instrumental in having a monument erected to the memory of Father Daly. In 1880, he established the Fayetteville Total Abstinence Society, and continues to labor earnestly in the cause of temperance. Father Bowe has served many years as a priest of God, and has always labored zealously in behalf of Christ and His church. The present membership of St. Patrick's is about 1, 500, and the church is a substantial brick structure, nicely painted and frescoed within. The pastor's residence adjoins the church on the rear. A cemetery lies to the right of the church in the same lot, and the whole is well shaded with forest trees.

The object of this school is to provide for boys between the ages of five and twelve years a place where they may enjoy all the comforts of home and care of parents, together with the benefits of salutary discipline and careful teaching in the usual English branches. In addition to the boarding-school, a parish school is maintained, under the efficient management of the Sisters of Charity. This institution was founded in 1860 by Rev. Father Daly. A new building is now being constructed outside of Fayetteville, on the Georgetown road, occupying a beautiful site, upon which the academy is to be located in the future. The growth and progress of this school will compare favorably with like institutions throughout the State, and in it the Catholics of Perry Township have one of the strongest evidences that education and religion should go hand in hand. In their liberal support of this institution, they are carrying out and obeying the precepts of their church, as well as forwarding the true principles of civilization.

Church Of The Holy Ghost, Vera Cruz

This church was founded by the Rev. Father Stehle, of Cincinnati, and dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in 1863. Andrew McQuillan donated two acres of ground for the church, and Patrick McConn a like amount for a cemetery. The following pastors have served this congregation since its organization : Revs. Father Schmidt, Father McMahon. Francis Mallon, Bernard Roesner, Thomas Boulger and Henry Kiffmeyer, the present pastor.

Father Kiffmeyer was educated at *Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, and ordained in 1868, by Archbishop Purcell. His first mission was at St. Philomena's Church, where he remained several years, and was then transferred to St. Rose's Church, where he labored until 1880, when he took charge of the Church of the Holy Ghost. The congregation numbers about 500, and their church is a beautiful brick edifice in keeping with the age and progress of the country. There are few, if any. townships in Ohio, where Catholicism has taken such deep root as in that of Perry. Their churches and schools are all in a flourishing condition, and from the mustard-seed of faith planted here nearly sixty years ago, the tree has grown until its spreading branches cover hundreds of faithful Catholics, who are imbued with a firm faith and ardent love for the church of the early fathers.

Some time between the period of 1833 and 1836, several Catholic families settled in and near the village of Ripley. Prominent among them were Michael Waters. Joseph Helbling and Jacob Bellinger, of whom the last two were Germans. Mass was occasionally celebrated at the houses of Messrs. Waters and Helbling by visiting and traveling priests. In the summer of 1840, an effort was made by these few devout Catholics to erect a house of worship, which they succeeded in doing that year, and the little frame building still standing on the east side of the Ripley and Hillsboro pike, within the corporate limits of the village, is the monument of their enterprise. This church was erected upon ground given for the purpose by Michael Waters, who, it is said, was mainly instrumental in its construction, which fact seems quite evident from the following: On a sandstone in the foundation of the building is this inscription: "Michael Waters, Ripley, Ohio, September 22, 1840." It is said that the church was built by the contributions of six families, the bulk of the money being given by Mr. W aters, who was partially reimbursed by future Sabbath collections. This building was dedicated to the service of God by the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell.

Among later members of St. Michael's Church were Frank Chevalier, Jacob Ernst, John Schwallie, John Greiner, Jacob Lauth, Ignatius Spiller, Joseph Tamme, Joseph Sertel, Andrew Lang, Sebastian Rubenecker, John Ficliter, Frank Vogel, Conrad Ebensteiner, Fred Fleig, George Finnin and the Brisbois brothers - Michael, Andrew and Joseph. After the completion of the church, the congregation was occasionally visited by the parish priests of the city of Portsmouth, who administered to their spiritual wants, christened and baptized their children and performed marriage ceremonies. In the absence of records, the names of the many visiting priests who came to this congregation to preach God's word to the faithful few cannot be given. However, among the number were Fathers Thienpont and Herzog. From 1840 until 1849, the priests were from Portsmouth. During the latter year, a visit was made to this people by Rev. Tobbe, then the parish priest at New Richmond, now Bishop of Covington, Ky. He subsequently visited this congregation and fixed his visitations at every fifth Sabbath, and thus continued from December, 1854, until November, 1856. His successor was Father Fuchs, whose visits were during the year beginning in November or December, 1856.

The year 1858 marked a new era in Catholicism in Ripley, for it was then that the first resident priest came here to dwell. This was the Rev. Father H. Bocker, who, as parish priest, served the congregation until some time in the spring of 1861. He subsequently died at Aviston, III., at the age of forty six years. The second pastor of St. Michael's Church was the Rev. Father Casperus Wiese, who was born in Callenliardt, Kreiss Lippstadt, Westphalia, in 1801, ordained priest at Padaerborn in 1830, and died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Covington, Ky. , July 1, 1881.

The successor of Father Whesewas Rev. J. D. Kress, who assumed the pastorate in the spring of 1864. Father Kress is a native of this country. He served the congregation until 1867. His successor was the Rev. Father Lewis J. Schrei ber, who resigned the pastorate of the church on account of ill health, after a stay of a few months, and died in St. Mary's Hospital, Cincinnati, in the summer of 1868. After the resignation of Father Schreiber, the church was without a pastor until the latter part, of the year 1868, when Father Bartholomew Schmitz was placed in its care, and remained until the close of 1870. He was a native of Luxembourg. The Rev. Father Geyer, a native of the city of Dayton, this State, succeeded Father Schmitz, and entered upon the church work here in May, 1871, and, in the summer of 1873. while bathing in the Ohio

Biver, he was drowned. Father Geyer was ordained to the priesthood in the city of Borne, Italy. The Bev. Father Lawrence Klawitter succeeded Father Geyer, commencing his labors with the church December 24, 1873, and served the congregation until November 22, 1878. His ordination took place in Cincinnati in 1868, and he was first stationed at St. Stephen's Church, Columbia. The nest and last pastor of St. Michael's is the Bev. Father Andrew Fabian, who succeeded Father Klawitter. Father Fabian was born at Alsace, March 27, 1828, and was ordained priest in Strasburg in 1853, and, in 1874, came to America.

The congregation continued to worship in the frame building before described until the increasing membership made it necessary to build a more commodious structure, and, in 1864, the one-story brick house, now occupied by them, located on the north side of Fourth street, near Market, was erected at a cost of about $5,000. The interior of the building comprises one large audience room, with a seating capacity of about four hundred persons. The room is supplied with a reed organ and the walls are decorated with scriptural paintings representing the different stations of the cross. The altars, three in number, are of modest design, the lesser ones being those of St. Mary and St. Michael. The dedication of this church took place January 6, 1865, the Bight Bev. Sylvester H. Bosecrans officiating. The congregation has been from the beginning almost entirely a German one, and now is composed of about one hundred and twenty families.

A new church building is now in process of construction just west of the present one. It is to be of brick, in size 90x45 feet, with a tower 120 feet high, in which is to be suspended a chime of bells. The edifice will cost about $12,000, and will be an ornament to the village and a credit to the congregation. The architect is George Brink, of Cincinnati. One of the oldest and most devout members of the church, who, for nearly fifty years, was a faithful worker in the church at Bipley, and one of the most respected citizens of the place, was Joseph Helbiing, who died April 20, 1882, in his eighty-second year.

The first Catholic school was taught in a frame building, which stood on the present site of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, by a Mr. Trapp, whose given name is supposed to be Christian. Subsequently, a Catholic school was conducted in a little brick building, which stood several hundred yards south of the old frame church on the Bipley and Hillsboro pike. A Mr. Cruikencamp and John Butland were among the early teachers. In 1864, the present schoolhouse, a two-story brick building, situated next to the church, was erected, at a cost of about $3,000, in which the youth of the congregation have since been instructed. There is one teacher employed, and the average attend - ance is eighty. The common branches only are taught. The pastor of the congregation is furnished with a neat little house situated in the rear of the church, and the teacher of the school resides on the second floor of the school building.

Among the first Catholics who settled in Franklin Township were W endal 1 Klein, John Ernst, John Lauth, Peter Gabberdenn, George Klockner, John Ernst, Jr., Jacob Lauth, Frederick Keller, Balthazer Yecko, Joseph Wegman, Joseph Weber, John Berger and John Schwallie. Previous to 1837, they were visited twice or three times a year by missionary priests who said mass at the house of Wendall Klein. In 1837, Wendall Klein, who then owned the farm which is now the property of Louis Schwalm, donated half an- acre of ground for a cemetery and church, on which the above-named settlers, together with

Frederick Kerwald, John Ferdinand and John Goodin, who were then living in Georgetown, erected a log building, 22x30 feet. It was located one-half mile north of the present village of Arnheim, and received the name of St. Wendall's Church, in honor of the donor. In 1844, this building was weatherboarded and the interior plastered; also a sacristy added to the church.

Here divine services were held from 1837 to 1848, by priests located at Fayetteville and Cincinnati; from 1848 to 1851, by those at Stone Lick, and from the latter date up to 1858, the priests of New Richmond had charge of this congregation. In 1856, Rev. M. A. Tobbe received subscriptions toward the erection of a new church, which was accordingly built, in the village of Arnheim in 1858. It is a brick building, 40x60 feet, and was dedicated as St Mary's Church. The ground on which the building stands was purchased from Jacob Arnby by John Weisbrodt, and donated for church purposes. -The old church was abandoned, and, in 1874, sold to Peter Forthoffer, who moved to Arnheim, and now uses it as a wagon factory.

The present pastor, Rev. F. Mesner, is the first resident priest of Arnheim, and to him we are indebted for the history of St. Mary's Church. Prior to 1882, service was held but once a month. August 1 of that year, Bishop Elder formed a parish from the mission of Arnheim, embracing the central townships of Brown County, southwest townships of Highland and northeastern portion of Adams County. This parish contains sixty familes, or three hundred members, who attend divine service at Arnheim.

In reviewing the history of Catholicism in Brown County, the reader will be forcibly reminded of its steady, healthy growth. In comparing the present condition of the church with what it was fifty years ago, he will discover a fair illustration of the Gospel parable of the mustard seed. The three handsome churches in Perry Township, with a membership of 2,750 souls, the church at Ripley, with 600 members, and the Arnheim Church, with 300, is surely a showing that the Catholics of Brown County may well be proud of; but when we add to these the parish schools, St. Patrick's Academy and the far-famed Ursuline Convent, we may safely conclude that God has blessed the labors of His servants in this field, and crowned them with the diadem of success.