Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Chapter 53: Roman Catholic Churches, Etc, 1870

Chapter 53: Roman Catholic Churches, Etc

St. Mary's (on the Flats) - St. John's Cathedral - Cathedral Association - St. Peter's (German) - St. Mary's of the Assumption - St. Patrick's - Immaculate Conception - St. Bridget's - St. Mary's of the Holy Rosary - St. Augustine's--St. Joseph's (German) - St. Wenceslaus (Bohemian) Franciscan ;Convent and Chapel--St. Stephen's--St. ;Columbkill's - Church of the Holy Trinity - Church of the Annunciation - St, Prokop's (Bohemiam).

Tne first Catholic Church of Cleveland was organized by Rey. John Dillon, who was the first resident priest. The Catholics of the city them numbered but five fumilies. Services were held for a time in Union

Father Dillon took the first:steps toward the erection of a new church, and for that purpose collected about eleven hundred dollarsin New York. He died in 1837, before the work of building had been commenced. He was succeeded by Rev. P. O'Dwyer, who, with the aid of the funds raised by his predecessor, and the contributions of the few Catholic families and of generous non-catholics of the city, commenced the erection of the edifice, ever since known as «©St. Mary's on the Flats."

In 1838, and before its completion, Father O'Dwyer left the diocese, and was succeeded the by Rev. P. McLaughlin. The church was completed and mass celebrated for the first time, about December, 1838.

The entire property, including furniture, etc., cost about three thousand dollars. Among the laymen prominently connected with the church at an early day, may be mentioned the names of Detner, Golden, Wichmann, Filias, Wamelirk, Duffy, Alivel, Hanlon, Fitzpatrick and Matthews. Of these Mr. Detner only is now living.

Soon after the edifice was completed, Rev. Mr. Mclaughlin was removed and Rev. Maurice Howard appointed pastor in his stead. He remained in charge until November, 1847, when Rev. Amadeus Rappe, first bishop of the diocese of Cleveland, took possession of his see, made St. Mary's his cathedral, and appointed his vicar-general, Very Rev. Louis De- Goesbriand, pastor of the church. Father DeGoesbriand remained in charge until 1852, when the new cathedral on the corner of Superior and Erie streets was opened for divine service.

Irom that time until the year 1863, St. Mary's was used by the newly organized German congregation and known as St. Mary's of the Assumption. That society then took possession of their new church edifice of the same name, on the corner of Carrol. and Jersey streets. The French Catholies used the old church from 1863 to 1865; St. Malachi's society from 1865 to 1868; the Bohemians from 1868 to 1872, and the Poles, from 1872 until the present time.

The most venerable Roman Catholic Church in Cleveland is St. John's Cathedral. It is situated on the northeast corner of Superior and Erie streets. Fronting on Erie street it hus a width of seventycight feet, and runs east along Superior street one hundred and seventy-five feet. It is a gothic, brick structure, designed by Kiely, of New York. The interior is well lighted by fourteen deep-mullioned, stained glass windows, and consists of nave, sideaisles, chancel, organ-gallery and bell-tower. The auditorium is capable of seating nearly two thousand persons.

The lots upon which the cathedral and Bishop's palace now stand were purchased in 1845 from the heirs of what was known as the May estate, by the Rey. Peter McLaughlin, then the only Catholic pastor of Cleveland and the surrounding counties. Before the appointment of Father McLaughlin an ordinary room in the old Mechanics' Block, corner of Prospect and Ontario streets, was the commodious chapel of all the Catholics of Cleveland and vicinity. But the city grew and the Catholics increased. ''St. Mary's, on the Flats," was built and promised many years accommodation to every Roman Catholic who might sojourn near the mouth of the Cuyahoga. But this promise was not to be fulfilled. East from the river the city steadily spread itself out, and Father Peter, as he was called, resolved that he would run before it 'and prepare for the future by his purchase in the May woods. The development of northern Ohio and the growth of Cleveland kept rapid pace. The latter was made the See of a Roman Catholic bishop, and, in the autumn of 1847, received its first chief pastor in the person of the late Right Reverend Amadeus Rappe.

Born near Bologne, in France, Father Rappe served the Ursuline Convent in that city as chaplain for some years before coming to this country. There he met Archbishop Purcell, and, hearing from him the wants of the American church, resigned his chaplaincy, bade adieu to friends and country, and accompanied the Archbishop to the banks of the Ohio. After a short stay at Chillicothe he was appointed pastor at Toledo, and soon made his name a household word by his labors through the valley of the Maumee. No sooner was Cleveland made an episcopal see than the eye of the archbishop and those of the bishops of the province rested upon Father Rappe as the one most fitting to bear the burden of its mitre. He was recommended to Rome, and Pius IX. made the appointment.

Soon after his installation the title of lots in the May woods, upon which Father McLaughlin had begun to build a modest church, was transferred to the new bishop. The plans of the church begun by Father Peter were set aside and those of the Cathedral, drawn by Kiely, adopted. In the autumn of 1848, one year after his consecration, Bishop Rappe laid the corner-stone of St. John's Cathedral.

In collecting funds for the new building, no small task in those days, the bishop was ably and zealously assisted by his vicar-general, the very Reverend Louis de Goesbriand, new bishop of Burlington, Vermont, who was the first pastor of the Cathedral. After the elevation of Dr. De Goesbriand to the Episcopate, Bishop Rappe was successively assisted by the Rev. Fathers Conlan, Mareshal, Canaher, Walsh, Hannin, Thorpe, Carroll and Gallagher, the four first-named of whom are now dead; but continued himself to hold the immediate pastorship of the church until he resigned in 1870.

After the resignation of Dr. Rappe, Father Edward Hannin, of Toledo, was appointed administrator of the diocese, and being obliged to reside in Cleveland he managed the affairs of the cathedral until the appointment of the present bishop, the Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour, D.D., in April, 1872. A few months after his consecration Bishop Gilmour resolved to give the cathedral, like other churches of his diocese, a pastor, and accordingly called to that office the Very Rey. F. M. Boff, V.G., then and for many years previous pastor of St. Francis de Sales' church, Toledo. In the summer of 1872 Father Boff was installed pasté? of the cathedral, and was the first priest appointed to that office since the pastorship of Dr. De Goesbriand.

In 1875 Father Boff resigned and was succeeded by the Rev. T. P. Thorpe, then and for years previous rector of the Immaculate Conception Church in the eastern part of the city. From the cathedral had having magnificent church edifices. Still the spire of the old cathedral remained unbuilt, while both the inside and the outside bore the dimming marks of time. In 1878 Father Thorpe, generously seconded by the people of the parish, undertook the building of the spire, the remodeling and ornamenting of the front, the complete renovation of the"inside, the replacing of the old windows by richer and heavier stained glass, together with important changes in the chancel, the side chapels and the sacristy. The work of renovation on the inside is now complete. The graceful spire, surmounted by the cross, now shoots up two hundred and forty feet from the pavement. The work of renovating the exterior has commenced, and will be completed next year. When all is done St. John's Cathedral will be the most beautiful, as it is now the most venerable, Roman Catholic church in Cleveland.

Catholic Central Association

This association is made up of delegates from all the Catholic societies of Cleveland. It was organized by Bishop Gilmour in 1873, and has since grown steadily. At first, and for three or four years after its organization, its members were nearly all delegated by English speaking societies. But it has now a representation from every Catholic parish in the city, regardless of nationality, and a full delegation from every Catholic society, without respect to language. Social intercourse and a union of Catholics for Catholic interests are the primary objects of the association. Its members are bound neither by oath nor secret pledge. Their deliberations are generally open; but to prevent misunderstanding the press is often excluded from their meetings.

St. Peter's parish was organized February 17, 1853, for the benefit of the Germin speaking Catholics of Cleveland, who had formerly worshiped with the other Catholic congregations in various parts of the city. For that organization a parcel of land was purchased at the intersection of Superior and Dodge streets, and a school house, pastor's residence and temporary place of worship erected thereon. They were ready for occupancy toward the latter part of 1854. The new parish comprised about seventy families. 'The corner stone of the church edifice was laid August 17, 1857, by the Rt. Rev. Bishop A. Rappe, and the building completed and dedicated October 23, 1859, by Rt. Rev. De Goesbriand, Bishop of Burlington, Vermont., the Rt. Rev. Bishop Luers, and the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell, preaching in German and English respectively. The extreme length of the edifice is one hundred and forty-five feet; the width seventy feet; hight of tower and spire two hundred and fifty-four feet. Attached to St. Peter's is a spacious school building, erected in 1873 by Rev. F. Westerholt, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. Adjoining the parish school is a convent erected by

St. Peter's at present numbers four hundred families and twelve hundred communicants. The present pastor is Rev. F. Westerholt, assisted by Thomas Litterst. Present council, Messrs. John Kuhr, John M. Luew, Matthias Wagner, Frederick Twilling. The following have been pastors, with the duration of their charge from the time the Germans met for separate worship: Rev. James Ringell, 1848-9; Rev. Matthias Kreusch, 1849-50; Rev. Peter Kreusch, 1850-51; Rey. N. Roupp, 1851-53; Rey. J. H. Luhr, 1853-68; Rev. F. Westerholt the present incumbent.

Previous to 1853 the German Roman Catholics of Cleveland had not been organized in separate parish churches, but worshipped in what was called the old "Plat church," on Columbus street, in common with the other Catholics. At the time of opening the Cathedral to the English-speaking Catholics by Bishop Rappe, the Germans of the society were granted the use of the 'Flat church." Rev. Henry Luhr was appointed to the charge and organized the first distinct German Catholic church in February, 1853. In 1854 the Germans divided into two smaller congregation and Father Luhr was made vicar-general for all German Catholic ehurches in the diocese.

Early in the year 1857, under the pastorate of Rev. Louis Kramer, land was purchased and a school-house for temporary worship and educational purposes erected on Jersey street. In September, 1857, Father Kramer left the parish and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. H. Obermaller. He left the church in 1861 and Father Hammer had charge until March, 1862, when Rey. Stephen Falk was appointed pastor. During his pastorate the new church was commenced. 'The corner stone was laid September 13, 1863. It was completed and dedicated August 13, 1865, under the title of 'St. Mary's of the Assumption Church." The dedicatory services were conducted by Rt. Rey. Bishop Rappe and assistants. The church has a seating capacity for eight hundred persons. Connected is a parochial school in six divisions, with about four hundred and thirty scholars, under the direction of three Christian Brothers and three Ursuline Sisters.

St. Patrick's congregation was organized and the first-services held on the Sunday within the octave of Epiphany, 1854, by Very Rev. James Conlan, V.G., the first pastor, who remained in charge until his death, March 3, 1875.

The first church edifice built by this society was commenced in 1855 and completed in 1857, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars. The edifice was built of brick, plain, and amply large for the then small congregation. For more than ten years all the English-speaking Catholics of the West Side belonged to

St. Patrick's. To accommodate the rapidly increasing number of these people, new congregations were formed, viz.: St. Malachi's, St. Augustine's and St. Mary's of the Annunciation, the latter partly French.

Notwithstanding these gradual separations from St. Patrick's, it was found necessary to build a larger church. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1871, by Archbishop Purcell, and the sermon on the occasion was preached by Bishop Gilmour, then pastor of St. Joseph's, at Dayton. The church is not yet completed, although services have been held there during the summer for several years past.

At the time of building the first church, schools were established which, owing to the zeal of the seyeral pastors in charge, rank among the first parochial schools of the city. Their attendance numbers about eight hundred Scholars, taught by the Christian Brothers and Ursuline Sisters.

The several pastors of St. Patrick's, with their terms of service, have been as follows: Very Rev. Jas. Conlan, Epiphany, 1854, to March 3, 1875; Rev. J. V. Conlan, March, 1875, to April, 1877; Rev. H. M. O'Callaghan, the present pastor, appointed in April, 1877.

Church Of The Immaculate Conception

The Immaculate Conception parish was organized as a mission chapel, attached to St. John's Cathedral, in the year 1856. Three city lots were purchased by Rt. Rev. A. Rappe, D.D., on the corner of Superior and Lyman streets, Mr. Joseph Lyman, from whom they were bought, at the same time donating one lot more. A framed building was moved to the spot and used for divine service, conducted by Revs. J. F. Solam, F. Sullivan and A. M. Martin, respectively.

Among the oldest members were James Watson, O. M. Doran, Joseph Harkins, Thomas Mahar, Daniel Mulcahy, Dennis Mulcahy, Dennis Sheridan, James Crotty, Daniel Taylor, Thomas Maher, Thos. O'Rielly, Patrick Fennell and Andrew McNally.

In the spring of 1865 Rey. A. Sauvadet was appointed first resident pastor. He soon erected a rectory and a school building, the third story of which was used for some time for church purposes.

In October, 1870, Rev. T. P. Thorpe succeeded to the pastorate, receiving his appointment from Very Rev. E. Hannin, administrator of the diocese, and soon built the present temporary wood structure. On the 15th of August, 1873, the corner-stone was laid of the massive stone church now in course of construction on the corner of Superior and Lyman streets.

On the 23d of June, 1876, Rev. A. R. Sidley, the present incumbent, appointed by Rt. Rev. R. Gilmour, D.D., succeeded to the pastorate, continuing the work of the church.

on Harmon street. They resolved to buy alot and build a church. The building was a small brick edifice, and cost about seven hundred dollars. Mass was celebrated there on Christmas, 1857. Services were conducted by priests from the cathedral and St. Mary's Seminary. Father O'Connor took a prominent part in*the organization of the parish. Rev. Father Martin and Rey. John Quin attended the parish for some years.

Rev. Father Leigh was the first resident pastor. During his administration a building standing on the corner of Prospect and Perry streets was purchased and moved to the church lot, to serve as a schoolhouse. Father Leigh died there in 1865. J. Storey, Mr. R. E. Mix and Mr. T. Hynes were the first councilmen, continuing as such until 1865.

Rev. Jas. Monaghan succeeded Rev. Father Leigh. Under his administration a new school house was built. The lot and house adjoining the church was bought for about six thousand dollars. The house was used as the pastor's residence. Ground was also broken for a new church. Rev. Father Monaghan was transferred to a new field of labor in June, 1872.

Rev. B. B. Kelley succeeded Rev. J. Monaghan as pastor in June, 1872. Rey. B. B, Kelley was succeeded by Rev. P. J. McGuire in August, 1874. He remained until January, 1876. Rey. Wm. McMahon succeeded Rev. P. J. McGuire in February, 1876. During that year the congregation paid about four thousand dollars - the balance due on the old debt, and current expenses in addition. The field being now clear, the people went to work with a will to erect the new church. Many changes were made in the original plan. Work was begun in May, 1877, and the first services were held in the new church on Christmas of the same year. On the same day, twenty years before, mass had been said in the old building. 'The new church is one hundred and fiftytwo feet long and fifty feet wide; forty-eight feet to apex of ceiling. It is Gothic in style, built of brick, with stone trimmings. 'There is a commodious basement under the whole church. The total cost, not including furniture, was about thirty-five thousand dollars.

The congregution now numbers a little more than two hundred families. 'There are three divisions in the parochial school, and about two hundred pupils enrolled. About the same number attend Sunday school. The present church officials are Rev. Wm. McMahon, pastor; W. OC. Kelley, James Burden, Edward Madden and Thomas Ryan, councilmen.

In 1860 Rev. E. M. O'Callaghan organized in Newburg the church called St. Mary's of the ILoly Rosary, and after preaching for three years in the Town Hall and other available places, built a fine stoue church in 1863. From thirty families in 1860 the congregation has increased to the large number of five hundred in 1879.

The successors of Father O'Callaghan have been Revs. Francis Sullivan, J. Kuhn, John Daudet and J. F. Gallagher. Rev. Mr. Gallagher, the present pastor, is assisted by Rev. James Monahan, and has charge also of St. Columbus Academy, the church parochial school, numbering upwards of seven hundred pupils.

This parish comprises within its limits that portion of the city which is known as the Hights, South Side - a part of the Twelfth and the whole of the Thirteenth wards. Prior to 1860 the few Catholic families in this district were attached to St. Patrick's, West Side. In that year the Rt. Rev. A. Rappe, first bishop of Cleveland, purchased a large lot on the corner of Jefferson and Tremont streets, and built the front half of the present frame church. The Revs. T. Carroll, J. F. Gallagher, and T. M. Mahony attended the church from St. John's Cathedral, where they were successively assistants to the bishop.

In 1867 the growing congregation was provided with a resident pastor, the Rev. A. Grandmongin. After him Revs. T. W. Higgins and J. P. Carroll held pastoral charge for short terms until September, 1874, when Rev. W. J. Gibbons received his appointment. His health failing, he was obliged to relinquish his charge in July, 1875. The church was then placed, temporarily at first, under the care of the Rey. Edward Mears, and his appointment was soon afterwards made permanent. Under his administration the interests of the congregation were greatly advanced, all the old debts of the church were paid, and a new building erected.

February 1, 1877, the Rev. W. J. Gibbons was reuppointed pastor. In the same year the church was enlarged to its present dimensions, and the interior greatly improved. A neat chapel was also built in connection with the church, and both were dedicated Sunday morning, December 9th, by the Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour, D.D., bishop of the diocese.

The present church edifice of St. Joseph has long since superseded the framed one of the same name, _ built in the year 1862, for the use of the Bohemian and German Catholics, then under the pastoral care of Rev. Andrew Krasny. In the year 1867 the Very Rev. Kilian Schlosser (at that time commissary provincial of the Franciscan Fathers in America,) took charge of St. Joseph's Church and congregation. He soon after delegated the charge of the parish to the Rev. Capistran Zwinge, O.S.F., with an assistant, Rey. Dominicus Drossler, O.8.F. Not long after this the Bohemians separated from the Germans, and built a church for themselves.

the parish. He laid the corner-stone of the new church edifice in 1871, and dedicated it on the 5th of October, 1873, the Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour, bishop of Cleveland, officiating. The plan of the building is similar to the far-famed cathedral of Cologne. The church has a frontage of ninety feet on Woodland avenue, and extends on Chapel street one hundred and sixty feet, to which are added a sacristry-entrance, portal and school-house, making a total depth of two hundred feet. The front contains three entrances, the main one being in the form of a porch, supported on columns with carved capitols. In style of architecture the church is purely Gothic, and it can hardly be equaled by any other in the city either for outward beauty, or interior ornamentation.

Connected with the parish is a college, conducted by the Franciscan Fathers, and a parochial school, by the Brothers of the same order. The parish numbers about one thousand members, attended by Rey. Kilian Schlosser and assistants, all of the order of St. Francis.

Prior to the year 1867 the Bohemian Roman Catholies held their religious services in "'St. Mary's Church, on the Flat," afterward in the cathedral. At that time they organized meetings, and elected as trustees John Burck, John Kavelir, John WHavelicek and John Koenig. On February 27, 1867, lands on the northeast corner of John (now Arch) street were secured, on which they erected a brick church edifice, fifty by ninety feet in size. The corner-stone was laid October 20, 1867. The first pastor was Rev. A. Kresing, who served two years, and, on account of long illness, was superseded by Rev. George Beranek. He remained only three months, when Rey. J. Revis was called to the pastorate, and remained until 1873. Rev. Anthony Hynek, the present pastor, was then called. The society numbers about three hundred and seventy-five families and fifteen hundred communicants. In 1877 a parochial school, arranged for four classes, was built at an expense of four thousand dollars.

Convent And Chapel Of The Franciscans

In January, 1868, the late Right Rev. Amadeus Rappe, first bishop of Cleveland, called several members of the Franciscan order from the mother-house in Tentopolis, Effingham county, Llinois, to this city. After purchasing a suitable place, on the the corner of Hazen and Chapel streets, they erected a monastery, whose first superior was Rey. Capistran Zwinge, 0.S.F. The number of inmates being four, at first, it was called a residence, whose superior bears the name of preses. In course of time, however, its number being increased, it was raised to the rank of a convent in 1877 (one of fifteen of this class in the United States), whose superior possesses more extense rights, and for this reason bears the distinctive title of Guardian. The number of inmates belonging to the institution consists of ten priests and six lay-brothers. The present superior of the community is the Very Rey. Kilian Schlosser, O.S.F., who has been at the head of the institution since 1872. He is assisted in governing the convent by Rey. Bonaventure Machny, O.8.F.

There is also a small chapel connected with the convent, which is dedicated to St. Joseph. It was built in 1869, and was consecrated by the Right Rev. August M. Toebbe, Bishop of Covington, Kentucky, on the 13th day of November, 1870.

In 1876 the Very Rey. Kilian Schlosser erected a stately brick building on Chapel street, which bears the name of St. Joseph's College. It was chartered in 1878, and its average attendance numbers seventy students. Seven professors, of whom five are clergymen and two laymen, are engaged in this institution.

A chapel was erected on Courtland street, with rooms for parochial schools. T'wo hundred families belonged at that time to the parish, with about three hundred school children. On the 7th of September, 1873, the corner-stone was laid, by Rt. Rey. Bishop Gilmour, of the new stone church. The extreme length of the edifice is one hundred and sixty-five feet, and the width seventy-five feet, built in Gothic style with two transepts and stained glass windows. On the 2d of July, 1876, the first service was held. The parish numbers now about three hundred families with four hundred school children. Since the parish was founded, Rey. C. Reichlin has been pastor.

This church was organized by Father O'Reilly in 1870, and in the same year a brick house of worship was erected at the corner of Superior and Alabama ' streets. In 1872 Bishop Gilmour made of St. Columbkill's a '' Chapel of Ease," and attached it to the parish of St. John's Cathedral. arly services are held there once a week, by priests of the parish.

St. Malachi's was organized in 1865, and for three years the congregation worshiped in the old church of "St. Mary's on the Flats." In 1868 a fine brick church was built on Washington street near Pearl (West Side). Rev. J. P. Maloney, the founder of the church, is still, and always has been the pastor. His assistants have been Reys. T. Smyth, M. P. Kinkead and W. J. Fitzgerald. The congregation is a flourishing one, and includes four hundred and ninety families.

Church Of The Holy Family

year he built a brick edifice at the corner of Woodland avenue and Geneva street, and since that time the building has served for a house of worship, school and parsonage. A new church will soon be built upon an adjoining lot, and thus the school - a growing one in charge of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart - will enjoy enlarged accommodations. The congregation, which numbers now upwards of three hundred families, is in charge of Rey. P. Becker; Rev. Mr. Kuhn having retired in April, 1879.

This church on the southwest corner of Hurd and Moon streets was established in 1870, for the benefit of the French Catholics of Cleveland. 'The edifice is a framed building, forty by ninety feet in dimensions, and was erected at acost of about fourteen thousand dollars. The number of original members was about one hundred and fifty; the present number is nearly two hundred. The Sabbath school scholars, about two hundred in number, are all children attending the parochial school.

The first pastor was Rev. A. Sauvadet, who held the position until the year 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. Gerardin, the present incumbent.

In the year 1872, at the request of the Bohemian Roman Catholics living on the west side, the Rt. Rey. Bishop Gilmour granted permission for the erection of a church edifice and the establishment of a church for the Bohemian Catholics of Cleveland. Soon after four lots were purchased on Burton street and the erection of a house of worship commenced. The building was completed and dedicated in 1874 by the Very Rev. T. M. Boff, vicar-general. The number of families in this society is about two hundred. Rey. Joseph M. Koudelka, is pastor. The school, in connection with this society, numbers about one hundred and seventy children and is conducted by sisters of Notre Dame.