Chicago City (part 28 of 57)

Avenue church and erect a new house of worship. Dr. Lorimer felt it his duty, in this denominational emergency, to yield to the emphatically expressed desire of the new congregation to become its pastor. Two hundred and fifty of the best known, most active and wealthiest members of his flock followed him to his new field, and there were those who feared that the parent church would be depleted to the point of peril. Some difficulty was encountered in securing a pastor. A call was extended to Rev. Dr. P. S. Henson, of the Memorial church, in Philadelphia, but was declined. Dr. Ilenson, however, later re-considered his declinature, and assumed the pastorate in March, 1882.

During the years that have since elapsed, the First church has moved steadily forward, with unchecked prosperity. During seven years there were added to the membership 1,089 - 449 by baptism - and the total membership in March, 1889, was 1,103, which has annually grown. The church debt has been extinguished; a new organ, costing $7,500, has been purchased; the church property has been renovated, at an expense of $10,000; and about the same sum has been expended in the establishment of two missions. In addition, individual members of the First church have subscribed nearly $100,000 toward the endowment of the Chicago University, with a view to raising the fund upon the subscription of which the munificent gift of $600,000 by Mr. John D. Rockefeller was contingent.

Tne liberality of the church has likewise been strikingly displayed in its support of its own city missions. Among these may be enumerated the following : The Shields Mission Sabbath school, on Twenty-fifth street, near Wentworth avenue; the Bremer avenue school, organized in 1860, and afterward removed to the corner of Division and Sedgwick streets; the Ward's Rolling Mills mission, organized in 1866, and which later became an independent Baptist church; the Raymond mission, on Poplar avenue near Thirty-first street; and the Wabash avenue mission, at the corner of that thoroughfare and Thirtyeighth street.

semi-centcnniai work in Chicago, there was celebration. celebrated the fifteenth anniversary of the organization of the church. As this was also the semi-centennial of the establishment of the denomination in this city, it constituted an event of no little importance. The attendance was large, and enthusiasm was almost unbounded.

Wednesday evening, October 17tb, Historical paper by Leander Stone, the clerk of the church, and addresses by Hon. John Wentworth, Cyrus Bentley, and others.

Thursday evening, October 18th, interdenominational services, at which addresses were delivered by Dr. J. H. Barrows, of the First Presbyterian church, Dr. H. M. Scudder, of the Plymouth Corrgregational church, Dr. E. M. Hatfield, of the First Methodist church, Bishop C. E. Cheney, of the Reformed Episcopal church, and Dr. Wm. M. Lawrence, of the Second Baptist church, the exercises concluding with a poem by Prof. Wm. C. Richards.

Friday evening, October 19th, ex-pastoral service, participated in by Revs. E. H. Hamlin, J. C. Burroughs, W. W. Everts and G. C. Lorimer, and by Rev. William M. Haight, who read a sketch of the life of Rev. Allen B. Freeman, the church's first pastor.

Sunday, October 21st, there was a reunion prayer meeting at ten a. m., in which there were many tender reminiscences, by old members of the church. At eleven, a. m., there was a memorial discourse by Rev. Dr. W. W. Everts, and an address by the pastor.

At three, p. m., there was a children's service, at which there were addresses by Cyrus Bentley, B. F. Jacobs, G. A. Marsh, the pastor, and others.

On Monday evening, October 22nd, Central Music Hall was densely crowded at the semicentennial celebration of the Baptist denomination of Chicago and vicinity. Rev. C. Perren, pastor of the Western Avenue church, the senior Baptist pastor in the city, presided. Addresses were made by Rev. J. Spencer Kennard, Rev. E. 0. Taylor, of the Central church, Rev. William M. Lawrence, of the Second church, Rev. Galusha Anderson, of the University of Chicago, Rev. P. S. Henson, of the First church, Rev. Duncan MacGregor, of the Ashland Avenue church, Rev. Geo. C. Lorimer, of the Immanuel church, and Rev. W. W. Everts.

been moved from the corner of Washington and La Salle streets to the southwest corner of Monroe and Morgan streets. The congregation still occupies the original edifice, which has, however, been enlarged and remodeled. During the thirty years of its existence the church (which is probably the largest, wealthiest and most influential among the Baptist congregations in the west division) has had but five pastors, whose names and pastorates are as follows: From 1864 to 1876, Rev. Drs. E. J. and T. W. Goodspeed; from 1876 to 1878, Dr. Galusha Anderson; from 1878 to 1880, Dr. John Peddie; since 1880, Dr. Wm. M. Lawrence. The congregation numbers some 2,000 persons, and the actual church membership is in the neighborhood of 1,560. The church supports a flourishing mission, established in 1870, at the corner of Noble and Ohio streets, the average attendance upon its services being 250. The church Sunday school is one of the largest and best organized in the city, the enrollment considerably exceeding 1,200. The general benevolent work of the church is far reaching, though not ostentatious in its methods. Several societies - some organ.

Baptist And Unitarian Churches Church And Denominational History

ized for practical charity and others for aims more distinctly spiritual - are connected with the parish, namely, the Pastor's Aid Society, the Baptist Young People's Union, the Women's Mission Circle and the Baptist Boys' Brigade. An Industrial School also forms a feature of the church work.

The early history of this church is replete with interest. Its organization was the result of the union of the members of the old "Tabernacle Baptist" with some of the parishioners of the "First." On a preceding page reference has been made to the disruption of the old First church on the then burning issue of slavery. The controversy began during the pastorate of Mr. Hinton, who was wont to conduct union meetings for prayer, at which earnest supplications were offered for the negro slaves in the southern States. No sooner was this known than the line of demarcation between the pro-slavery and the anti-slavery parties in the congregation was sharply drawn. On one occasion. Mr. Hinton read a notice for a prayer meeting "for the oppressed." A member of the congregation learned that the original writing contained the words "for the slaves." This discovery aroused very bitter feeling and led to the adoption of a resolution at a congregational meeting inhibiting the reading from the pulpit of political notices "under any guise whatever." This action at first seemed to render a dissolution of the congregation inevitable, but later a temporary compromise was effected. The pro-slavery faction was the wealthier, the abolitionists the more numerous. For some months feeling ran high, and at a regular meeting, held on August 8, 1843, thirty-four members of the original congregation were granted letters of dismissal, at their own request, and at once proceeded to form the Tabernacle Baptist church. Some twenty-five joined the ranks of the dissidents on August 14th following. On the same date the First church by resolution approved the formation of a second congregation of this creed, and the new church sprang into existence, full-fledged.

Eev. Charles B. Smith was unanimously chosen pastor, and the first trustees were Samuel Jackson, Vincent H. Freeman, H. G. Wells and Benjamin Briggs. Eeference has been already made to the selection of a site on the west side of La Salle street, opposite the present Chamber of Commerce building. The " Tabernacle " was received into full fellowship on Tuesday, October 3, 1843.

The hostility of the church towards secret societies in these early days was as pronounced and outspoken as towards slavery. With regard to the latter, the congregation adopted on May 17, 1844, a resolution of the following tenor:

" That slavery is a great sin in the sight of God, and we will not invite to our communion or pulpit those who advocate or justify, from civil policy or the Bible, the principles or practice of slavery."

Thirteen days afterward the members declared that " Secret societies retarded the best interests of humanity and conflicted with moral and civil laws; that their rites and ceremonies were solemn mockeries; and that they were hindrances to growth in grace." In accord with this deliverance, one member of the church, who contumaciously refused to renounce Odd Fellowship, was expelled.

The church building was burned on June 26, 1851, but steps were promptly taken toward the erection of a new church 44x72 feet, on Desplaines street, between Madison and Washington streets, at a cost of a little less than $6,000. The new building was dedicated early in 1853. The church property was subsequently sold. During 1864 an amalgamation of the Tabernacle congretion with fifty members of the First church was effected, and the history of the new parish, which was known as the Second Baptist church, has been given above. The pastors of the Tabernacle church, besides Eev. Mr. Smith, were Eevs. Ambrose (who filled the pulpit during an interregnum), Caleb Blood, William H. Rice, Lewis Eay- the southeast, to form an ecclesiastical organization of their own denominational faith. The congregation was formed on December 6, 1868. Not until two years later did it find itself financially strong enough to erect a building. The site of the first structure was on Thirty-fifth street,near Rhodes avenue. In 1882 the congregation moved its original building to Oakwood boulevard, between Cottage Grove and Langley avenues, when it was enlarged, remodeled and refurnished at a very considerable outlay. The successive pastors have been - Rev. Dr. J. A. Smith, from 1868 to April, 1869; Dr. William Hayne, from 1869 to November 12, 1870; Dr. J. B. Ja.ckson (and other clergymen, as supplies), from 1870 to 1873; Rev. A. J. Froet, from 1873 to 1875; Dr. J. B.Jackson, from 1875 to 1877; Dr. Alfred Owen, from 1877 to 1879; Dr. J. T. Burhoe, from 1879 to 1883; Dr. W. E. Wood, from 1884 to 1886; Rev. V. D. Burro from 1888 to 1891; and Dr. L. N. Grandall, the present pastor, since the last mentioned date. The roll of church membership embraces about four hundred names, and the average attendance is slightly in excess of that number. At 5127 State street the church conducts a mission. It was founded in 1891, and extends its beneficent influence to the suffering poor in that locality. The average attendance upon the mission service is about two hundred. The Young Peoples' Union stimulates church work among the younger members of the congregation, and some four hundred children attend the Sunday school. The Western Avenue is one of the foremost Baptist churches in the west division

Baptist Church, progressive, and "active in every good word and work." It was organized on January 23, 1870, and at first occupied a frame structure at the northwest corner of Western and Warren avenues. During the summer of 1886 this building was enlarged and remodeled, and the frame exterior surrounded by brick walls. During the twenty-three years of its existence only three pastors have ministered to the spiritual needs of the congregation ; namely - Rev. John Gordon, D.D., Rev. John J. Irving, and Rev. Christopher Perren, Ph.D. Dr. Perren's pastorate began June 17, 1877, and to his assiduous care during nearly seventeen years - under the blessing of God - the church owes much of its present prosperity. The church membership (1893) is 680, and the average attendance upon divine service on Sabbath is somewhat over four hundred. The Sunday school in this church occupies its true position, - that of a training school for effective Christian work, - and some five hundred children and young people there receive training in fundamental Christian doctrine as well as in denominational tenets. Interest in church and general charitable work is stimulated and fostered by various organizations of a practical character, such as the Ladies' Aid Society, the Woman's Mission Circle, the Young People's Baptist Union, and the Young Men's League. The Western Avenue church, in connection with Grace Baptist, has recently organized a mission on Sacramento street, which bids fair before long to become self-sustaining.

Baptist church. ^y. Haynes, D.D., the present pastor, being a pulpit orator of sufficient power to fill the large audience chamber. The society was organized less than a year after the great fire, and in 1873 the first church edifice was erected on Englewood avenue. The growth of the congregation necessitated the building of a new church in 1890, which was located upon an eligible site, at the intersection of Englewood and Stewart avenues. The first pastor was Rev. Edward Ellis (1873-74); following him came Rev.

Church And Denominational History

John Donnelly (1874-77), Rev. C. H. Kimball (1877-78), Rev. C. B. Roberts (1879-82), Rev. W. P. Elsdon (1882-88), and the present incumbent, Dr. Haynes. The active church members (1893) number 950, and the Sunday school enrollment is over 700. In 1891 the church took charge of a mission at 5720 Wentworth avenue, which under its fostering care, has been signally blessed. The average attendance upon the mission is 190.

Baptist Church Bayliss was called to the pastorate, which he accepted. The following year a church building was erected on Madison avenue, near Fifty-fourth street, and here the congregation has continued to worship until the present time. In 1876, Mr. Bayliss was folio wed by Rev. James Goodman, who ministered to the spiritual necessities of the people until 1878. The succeeding pastors have been as follows : Rev. J. B. Jackson, 1878 to 1883 ; Rev. W. C. Carr, 1883 to 1886 ; Rev. T. W. Powell, 1886 to 1891 ; and since the last mentioned date Rev. J. R. Gow. The church membership is 240, and the average congregation 200. The numerical attendance upon the Sunday school is about 125. The charitable and other practical church work is conducted upon a system which presents some unique features, being organized by committees connected with two departments, known as the Women's and Young People's departments. The LaSalle Avenue church was organized in 1884, a temporary chapel being erected

Baptist Church. was then a small congrega- . tion, on LaSalle avenue, between Goethe and Division streets. Three years later (1887) a permanent house of worship was built on the same site. The first pastor was Rev. T. B. Thames, who was succeeded by Rev. H. 0. Rowlands, D. D., the present incumbent of the pulpit. The present edifice is a handsome structure with a front of grayish stone, square hewn. The interior decoration is simple, yet attractive. The church membership on December 31, 1893, was 478, and the average congregation between four and five hundred. The attendance upon the Sunday school approximates 275. Connected with the church are the following societies: The Woman's Mission Circle, Dorcas Society and the Baptist Young Peoples' Union, which latter organization ha? cared for many poor families during the past winter (1893-4).

The Belden Avenue Baptist church (situated on the corner of Belden avenue and neide,, Avenue North Halsted street) was or- Baptist church. ganized in 1887, and during the following year the building at present used as a house of worship was erected. Shortly after the formation of the church Rev. H. H. Barbour was called to the pastorate, and has filled the office down to the present time (1893). Under his watchful and devoted care, the church has grown alike in membership and influence. The names of some three hundred baptized communicants are entered upon the roll, and some two hundred children and adults receive instruction each Sabbath in the Sunday school. Two societies - the Ladies' Aid and the Baptist Workers - hold up the hands of the pastor in the prosecution of charitable and other church work.

The building is of gray stone, square hewed, and presents an ornate exterior. On the north there is an addition, used for the Sunday school. A quadrangular steeple, surmounted by a spire, rises from the southwest corner. The auditorium is rectangular in form, and presents an appearance at once simple yet impressive. Opera chairs take the place of pews, and rise in successive tiers. A gallery runs all around the chamber, and numerous windows admit a flood of light.

Baptist church. tne cjtVj regolved upon the formation of a religious society formed of members of their own denomination. While not strong numerically, they were earnest of purpose, and an organization was effected on September 25th, of that year. Not until 1890, however, was a church edifice erected. It is located at the corner of Murray and 101st streets, and while not large is of attractive appearance. For two years the congregation was without any settled pastor, but in October, 1888, Eev. W. A. Waldo assumed the duties of the sacred office, and has remained in pastoral charge until the present time. The membership numbers seventy-six and the average congregation is about one hundred and fifty, the attendance upon the Sunday school being about one hundred and ten. Connected with the church, as auxiliaries to its general work, are the Ladies' Aid Society the Baptist Young People's Union, the Juniors, and the Boy's Brigade.

Bohemian, Rev. John Kejr, missionary; First German, Rev. G. Kuhlen, pastor; Galilee, L. K. Gillsori, superintendent; Hope, Ogden avenue, Raymond, Sacramento avenue, Wabansia avenue German, and the Wabash avenue.

The Catholic Church

The first religious services held upon or near the site of what is now Chicago were conducted by missionaries of the Catholic church, whose aim was the conversion of the Indians to Christianity. Of Father Jacques Marquette, whose gentleness and self-sacrifice equaled his integrity and intrepidity, one of his biographers relates that after returning from his voyage of discovery down the Mississippi in 1673, he " took up his residence and pursued the vocation of a missionary among the Miamis in the neighborhood of Chicago." It is not evident, however, that he ever celebrated mass or preached within the limits which constitute the present boundaries of the city. After the death of Marquette in May, 1675, the care of the Illinois mission devolved upon Father Claude Allonez, who, accompanied by Indian guides and native converts, appears to have landed upon the banks of Chicago river in the spring of 1676.

Upon disembarking, this intrepid missionary was greeted by a savage chief, who held in one hand the " calumet " and in the other a burning brand. Aboriginal symbolism thus reached it climax - the alternative being tendered between the pledge of peace and the gauntlet of war. The chief, whose name, unfortunately, has not come down to us, earnestly urged the Father to return with him to his village, giving as his reason that the missionary " bore the gospel and prayer,'' and that if he lost the opportunity of hearing it, he would assuredly be punished by defeat in battle. This reference to the gospel and prayer would seem to indicate that the natives then living in this vicinity were not totally ignorant, even at that early date, of some of the doctrines and practices of Christianity.

It cannot be told with certainty who followed Father Allonez in his work among these Indians. It is known that Father Claudius Dablon. superior general of Jesuit Missions, who founded Sault Ste. Marie, accompanied Allonez as far as the Wisconsin river, but there is no evidence that he came farther. In 1679, Father Louis Hennepin, in company with La Salle, sailed along the weste'rn shores of Lake Michigan, but if he ever visited the site of the present city of Chicago no record of the fact has been preserved. Twentythree years after the visit of Father Allonez, (1699), a party of explorers under the leadership of M. de Montigny visited the spot on their way to the Mississippi. Accompanying them was the eminent Father Francis Buisson de St. Cosine. The latter, in a report of his journey made to his ecclesiastical superior, describes a visit which he paid, in company with other members of the party, to the Jesuit fathers Pinet and Bineteau. He says that they were most cordially -welcomed by these clergymen, whose house was " built on the banks of the small lake, having the lake on one side and a fine, large prairie on the other." He describes the Indian village as being " of over one hundred and fifty cabins," and adds, "one league on the river there is another village almost as large. They are both of the liamis. Rev. Father Pinet makes it his ordinary residence, except in the winter, Then the Indians all go hunting, and which tie goes and spends at the Illinois." If

Father Pinet made this locality " his customary residence," it is probable that he had been in this section a period long enough to establish a custom, but St. Cosme is silent upon this point, which is one of no small interest. It is alleged, however, that De la Durantaye fortified the mouth of the Chicago river iu 1685, and that Father Allonez revisited the scene of his earlier labors at that time. If this allegation be authentic, it would seem probable that the original denizens of this locality were not long without religious instruction during the latter quarter of the seventeenth century. There is evidence that Rev. Fathers de la Ribourde, Membre, Gravier and La Source passed by or near the mouth of the Chicago river during this period, but how long they halted, or whether they ministered to the spiritual wants of the Indians is not known.

After Fathers Pinet and Bineteau, the next missionary to visit the site of the future metropolis of the West appears to have been Rev. Stephen D. Badin, the first Catholic priest who received holy orders in the United States. Father Badin was ordained in Baltimore, in 1796, and three years later made a tour through the western country, and, passing through this locality, tarried for a time at the trading post. He probably never made this point his home, but that he returned in 1822 is shown by an authentic record of the baptism, in that year, of Alexander Beaubien. As far as is known, this was the first administration of this sacrament to any white person within the neighborhood of Fort Dearborn.

The Catholics, Presbyterians and Baptists, each and all owned houses of worship, of modest proportions, in Chicago as early as 1833. The Catholic church was organized in May, the Presbyterian in June, and the Baptist in October. Immigration constantly added to the Catholic population, and in April, 1833, a petition was addressed to the Right Reverend Bishop of St. Louis - to which diocese the Chicago mission was attached - praying for the appointment of a local pastor. This document set forth that there were about one hundred Catholics in the settlement, that there was an open field in which to sow the seed of Catholic faith, that " other sects " were aggressive, and that the support of a pastor could be readily assured. The petition was signed by thirty-eight men, who, with their families (most of them being bachelors), represented one hundred and twenty-two souls. Among the signers were the Beanbiens (Jean Baptiste and Mark), who claimed to be the heads of families numbering fourteen and twelve, respectively, Joseph and Alexis Laframboise, Billy Caldwell, Alexander Robinson, Matthias Smith, Dexter Assgood, John S. C. Hogan, and others well known in the early days, when Chicago had scarcely reached the period of parturition.

Priest. thfi following day, by an episcopal letter, commissioned John Mary Irenaeus St. Cyr, the first priest to assume pastoral charge of a permanent congregation in what was then little more than an inchoate village.

The date of this commission, under the ecclesiastical regulations of the Catholic st Cyr's First cnurch> is the date from which Mass. should be reckoned the establishment of the church in Chicago, although St. Cyr did not reach the settlement until May 1, and celebrated his first mass in Chicago on May 5. The Holy Sacrifice was offered that day in a cabin, twelve feet square, built of logs and owned by Mark Beaubien, on Lake street, near Market.

Father St. Cyr himself deserves more than a passing notice. Born in France (at Lyons), on November 2, 1803, he left his native country at the age of twenty-eight years. He had been made conscious of his vocation early in life, and had studied theology in the French schools.

He was made a subdeacon at St. Louis, on August 1, 1831, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Rosatti, on April 6, 1833. The two years intervening St. Cyr had devoted largely to the mastery of English.

Seventeen days after his first mass in Chicago (i. e., on May 22, 1833) he administered the sacrament of baptism to George, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Beaubien.

had first celebrated mass. Col. J. B. Beaubien offered the lot to Father St. Cyr for two hundred dollars, but the congregation was too poor to raise even this moderate sum.*

Father St. Cyr, acting under what he conceived to be disinterested advice, next secured an option on a canal lot, near the corner of Lake and State streets. The poverty of his congregation once more check-mated his plans, and Dexter Graves bought the lot for $10,000. Meanwhile, a rude structure had been put up, the dimensions of which were twenty-five by thirty-five feet, and the cost four hundred dollars. The building was of that primitive description which was in harmony, not only with its surroundings, but also with the times. The walls were void of plaster; rough, unpainted benches took the place of pews; pine tables served as eltars, and the worshipers knelt upon floors bare and rough. It was dedicated in October, 1833, and its erection awakened no feeling of bigotry. John Wright, a deacon in the First Presbyterian church, of which Rev. Jeremiah Porter was pastor, personally aided in raising the frame; Indians cleaned and decorated the humble building in preparation for the first mass, at the celebration of which were present half-breeds, French Canadians, native Americans and aborigines.

* One year afterward Dr. William B. Egan bought the same lot for three hundred dollars, and in 1*36 Tertius Wadsworth, of Hartford, Conn., paid $6,000 for the same property.

Later a coat of paint was applied to the exterior, and a small, low belfry built at one end. In it swung the first bell which ever summoned worshipers to divine service in Chicago. It was not much larger than those used on locomotives, was far from melodious, and was not of the slightest utility for purposes of sounding an alarm.

The devoted Father St. Cyr was succeeded by a clergyman of a vastly different charac- Father o-Meara's ter-Father O'Meara. The Pastorate. latter is said to have been of intemperate habits, a .trait which rather endeared him to the Irish laborers on the canal, with whom, it was asserted by Hon. J. S. Buckingham, an English member of Parliament who visited Chicago, in 1840, "he drank whiskey freely." Father O'Meara secured, in some way, the vesting in himself of the title to all the real property owned by the congregation, and fancying that he could not be dislodged, virtually defied his ecclesiastical superiors. He was ultimately convinced, however, that it would be best for him to transfer the title to the church property and leave Chicago without delay. Father St. Cyr, alluding to him in a letter to Henry H. Hurlbut, dated February 8. 1875, says: "I was succeeded, for the English speaking congregation, by Father O'Meara, who proved to be a notorious scoundrel. May God preserve Chicago from such a priest!"

Father O'Meara determined - notwithstanding the earnest protest of a number of Removal of ^s parishioners - to remove the st. Mary's, church building from Lake and State streets to the southwest corner of Madison street and Michigan avenue. After being removed it was enlarged, but was soon again put upon rollers and transported one block east to Wabash avenue and Madison street. The recalcitrant members of the congregation declined to follow O'Meara's lead and rented a room on the upper floor of a building, owned by Mr. Charles Chapman, at the intersection of Randolph street and Wells (now Fifth avenue). Among the dissidents were Augustine D. Taylor.* A.M. Talley, Samuel Parry and John Davlin. Father Maurice de St. Palais assumed the pastorate of the new charge, and after the departure of Father O'Meara, became pastor of the reunited congregation.

Father St. Palais saw that a new church building had become a necessity, and on The second Christmas day, 1843, he celest. Mary's church, brated mass in a new brick church at the same location - Wabash avenue and Madison street. This structure was 55 by 112 feet and rested on a solid stone foundation. Nearly two years elapsed before its consecration, which ceremony was conducted by the Right Reverend Bishop William Quarter, D. D., on December 5, 1845. A bell costing $185 was donated to the church by Mr. Felix Inglesby, a wealthy merchant of New York.

spectable stock, his early training was the especial care of a devout and devoted mother. His first classical instruction was received at a Presbyterian academy and he later entered Maynooth college, where his grave, staid demeanor gained for him the sobriquet of ' the little bishop." Actuated by a desire to propagate the faith in a new country, he came to America in 1822, lauding at Quebec. On September of the same year he entered the theological seminary of St. Mary's college, at Emmetsburg, Maryland. After duly receiving minor orders he was made a priest, and became assistant pastor of St. Peter's parish, New York, and was subsesequently given charge of St. Mary's in that city. He was elevated to the bishopric, and consecrated by Archbishop Hughes, at St. Patrick's cathedral, New York, in the spring of 1844.

Bishop Quarter left New York with poignant regret. Chicago was a missionary see, and an accession of ecclesiastical dignity scarcely compensated for the physical and social privations inseparable from the discharge of episcopal duties in a new diocese. He found in Chicago one struggling Catholic congregation, heavily burdened with debt. With the assistance of his brother (Very Reverend Walter J, Quarter, V.G.), he discharged this indebtedness - nearly five thousand dollars - from his own private means. He found but twenty priests in Illinois, only two of them, Fathers de St. Palais and Fischer, being stationed in Chicago; at the assembling of the first diocesan synod, two years later, thirty-two clergymen were in attendance and nine were detained at home by sickness. Three priests were ordained by him (among them the Rev. Jeremiah Kinsella) during the first years of his episcopate, Fathers de St- Palais and Fischer having been peremptorily recalled by the Bishop of Vincennes. Father St. Cyr had removed to St. Louis in 1837, but from the latter part of October, 1836, Bishop Quarter had been assisted by Eev. Leander Schaffer, who ministered to the German-speaking Catholics.

st. Mary's. A charter was granted for the University of St. Mary's of the Lake in December, 1844, and the buildings were ready for occupancy in June, 1845. This institution (the first established in Chicago for the imparting of a higher education) was appropriately opened on July 4th of the same year. The nucleus of the college was formed as early as June, 1844, a portion of the church building being devoted to the hearing of classes. At first there were but two professors - Revs. Jeremiah A. Kinsella and B. R. McGorsk, whose duties as educators were limited to the instruction of six students. Among the early students of this institution were General James A. Mulligan and Rev. Dr.

John McMullen, afterwards Bishop of Davenport. In 1846 the faculty consisted of nine members, and the catalogue showed forty studentsin the humanities and fifteen in theology. Owing to a disagreement, in 1852, between Bishop O'Regan and three of the professors - Revs. Kinsella, Hoey and Clowry - the gentlemen named resigned their positions and left Chicago. The university remained in existence, under successive managements and with varying fortunes, until 1868, when the project was abandoned and the buildings thenceforward occupied by St Joseph's Orphan Asylum.

The building for the female seminary having been completed, the next step on the sisters of Part of the Bishop was to secure a Mercy. corps of competent teachers. Accordingly he applied to Bishop O'Connor, of Pittsburgh, for the sending to Chicago of a deputation of Sisters of Mercy. His request was favorably considered, and on September 23, 1846, five members of the order, with Sister Mary Francis Ward as superioress, reached this city in charge of the vicar general, Very Reverend Walter J. Quarter. The best accommodation which the bishop was able to place at their disposal was his own house, which he vacated for their use. It was a small, one story, frame building, with contracted, low-ceiled rooms, and the prelate was not without apprehensions as to how his guests might regard such a shelter. Poor as it was, however, it was almost palatial in comparison with the mean little residence in which he took up his own abode.

grant Society. organization was to extend a welcome to the immigrant, aid him in his necessities, protect him against the wiles of conscienceless schemers, and surround him with influences which might quicken and foster his religious faith . The organization proved beneficial not only to the Catholic church, but also to the community at large, inasmuch

Bishop Quarter's a "corporation sole" was sework and Death, cured largely through the efforts of Bishop Quarter. The power granted by the statute was to hold real and other property in trust for religious purposes. The bishop was probably impelled to this course in some degree bv his knowledge of the decidedly peculiar tactics (financial and otherwise) of Father O'Meara. The life of Bishop Quarter was a visible exemplification of selfsacrifice, hallowed by a spirit of Christian devotion. Like Bishop Myriel Bienvenu, with whom the genius of Victor Hugo has made the reading world acquainted, he recognized duty as his first obligation and self-abnegation as his rarest privilege. His devotion to his creed was parallelled by his love of mankind.

His last sermon, preached at high mass on Passion Sunday, related to the apostolicity Death of Bishop of the church whose advance- Quarter, ment had been as dear to him as had been the elevation and advancement of humanity at large. He entered into eternal rest on April 11, 1848, having fallen into a comatose state some hours after singing vespers and giving the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on the preceding evening. It was fitting that this servant of God should have died without pain. Appreciating the gravity of the sins which were known to himself better than to the general public, his last conscious utterance was " God have mercy upon my poor soul." Poor soul ! the tribunal of his own conscience was harsher in its judgment than the consensus of opinion of his fellow men. His body, which had been attenuated through years of self-sacrifice, was embalmed by Professor John E. McGin, of the University, and his remains, at his own request, were interred in the cathedral which he had himself dedicated, at a Jesuit of profound learning and eminently scholastic taste. Executive administration proved burdensome to him. His duties were distasteful, and in 1853 he was transferred to the see of Natchez, where he had larger opportunities for study and reflection. It was during the episcopate of this prelate that the corner stone of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, at the corner of State and Superior streets was laid.

Following this learned ecclesiastic came Right Reverend Anthony O'Regan, who as- Bishop sumed charge of the diocese on the O'Kegan. (\.A^e of hjg consecration as Bishop of Chicago, which occurred on July 25, 1854. Two years earlier the see of Quincy had been established, and Bishop (then Father) O'Regan had been made its administrator, the arduous duties of which position he still continued to discharge until the erection of the see of Alton in 1857. His conduct of affairs in this diocese was regarded by his clergy as savoring of arbitrariness, and he not infrequently found himself engaged in controversy with his ecclesiastical subordinates, as well as with prominent laymen. Fathers Kinsella, Clowry and Breen withdrew from the diocese; and the parishioners of St. Louis (French) church had a long contest with him, which lasted until the Bishop sought peace by resignation. He was assigned to a see in Ireland, and died at London in 1805.

Administrators. an(] the resignation of Bishop O'Regan, the affairs of the diocese were cared for by administrators. The first of these was the Rev. Matthew Dillon, a Chicago priest, who was much beloved by his brother clergymen. The second was the Right Rev- erend Clement J. Smythe, Bishop of Dubuque. The future Bishop Duggan, then pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, at St. Louis, also filled this post for a few years, commencing with 1853.

Besides those clergymen already mentioned as having been connected with St. Mary's in early days were the following: Fathers de Pontevieux, Quequew and Lawrence Hoey, in 1844; Fathers McElhearne and Fitzgerald from 1852 to 1854; Fathers Dillon, Hurley, Fitzgibbon and Carrol, in 1854 and 1855; Fathers Sherry, McGann and McGuire, in 1855; Fathers Waldron, Tierman and Bolger, in 185G; and Fathers Butler and Thomas Burke, in 1857.*

From the time when Father St. Cyr assumed the rectorate of St. Mary's until the Growth of accession of Bishop Duggan to catholicity. the see of Chicago, the growth of the Catholic church in this diocese was steady, even extraordinary. Some of the prominent parishes organized during those years were St. Patrick's, St. Peter's, St. Joseph's, and the Holy Name, in 1840; St. Louis, in 1850; St. Michael's (an outgrowth of St. Joseph's), in 1852; and St. Francis d'Assrsium, in 185 i. Sketches of the founding and growth of these parishes are given on succeeding pages, as are also brief sketches of parishes formed in later years. Charitable and educational institutions had been founded in various sections of the city before the accession of Bishop Duggan to episcopal control of the diocese, and the propagation and extension of Catholicity had received a strong impulse.

Right Reverend James Duggan was consecrated on May 3, 1857, his first episcopal post being that of co-adjutor to Duggan. the Most Reverend Archbishop of St. Louis. He became bishop of this diocese in 1859. He was a man of devoted piety, a scholar of profound learning and a virtuoso in art, being endowed, at the same time, with a natural amiability of temperament which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact - clergy and laity, Protestant and Catholic alike. He brought to his new field of labor a -carefully collected library of volumes devoted to Mies lettres, the classics and the fine arts, to which, after reaching Chicago, he made large and choice additions. His advent gave a needed stimulus to the liberal arts at a time when the worship of Mammon was virtually the chief religious rite which engrossed the attention of the rapidly growing city. He was cordially received and his first appointments gave eminent satisfaction. He nominated as vicar-general Rev. Dennis Dunne; as secretary, Rev. Thaddeus J. Butler; as chancellor, Rev. John McMullen.

Bishop Duggan gave great encouragement to religious orders, notably to the Jesuits, Religious ^e Benedictines, the Francis- Orders. calls an)j tiie Redemptionists. He had scarcely assumed charge of his new diocese before he invited the ladies of the Sacred Heart to establish in Chicago an institution to be devoted to the higher education of females. Reference to the introduction of the male orders will be made under the captions of particular churches, but the founding of the academy of the Sacred Heart deserves detailed mention. The religieuses, under charge of Madame Gallway, reached the city in 1859. After a brief stay on Wabash avenue, the sisterhood opened a school at the corner of Rush and Illinois streets, and later moved to their own convent and academy on West Taylor street.

Loyalty of war °^ t^ie Rebellion. While Bishop Duggan. not forgetting what was due to his sacred office, he personally encouraged enlistments, and lent his individual efforts to the collection of funds to aid the families of those who were fighting under the country's flag, or who had lost life, limb or liberty upon southern battle-fields. He was an orator of more than ordinary eloquence, as was demonstrated by his panegyric upon senator Stephen A. Douglas, upon the occa-

Episcopate. joj^ an(j being cordially welcomed home on each return. An unsuspected mental disease began to manifest itself during the latter years of his term of ecclesiastical office. His treatment of his clergy savored of harshness, and several of his most widely respected priests felt compelled tolay their grievances before the Holy See, which, while nominally sustaining the bishop, directed him to reinstate certain of the clergy whom he had adjudged guilty of contumacy and insubordination. He was removed in 1869, but when his true mental condition was learned all feelings of rancor evanesced, those who had felt themselves aggrieved preferring to cherish only the memory of the lovable disposition which he had early manifested and his constant zeal for the propagation and advancement of Catholic theology in Chicago.

The removal of Bishop Duggan necessitated the appointment of a diocesan administrator, for which post Father T. J. Halligan was selected. He had already served in this capacity during Bishop Duggan's visits to Europe. He was unpopular, and it was believed by many of the clergy that he was, to some extent, responsible for .diocesan disagreements. The period of his jurisdiction was short. The strong hand of episcopal authority was a recognized necessity. The choice for the successor to Bishop Duggan fell upon llev. Thomas Foley, a native American, who, on February 27, 1870, was consecrated Bishop in the cathedral at Baltimore, at llie age of forty-seven. He had previously been vicar-general and administrator of that metropolitan see.

Bishop Foley at once proceeded to take charge of the affairs of the diocese to whose control he had been appointed as administrator, his installation taking place in March, 1870. His first sermon was delivered before a mixed audience of Catholics and Protestants, and by its local references attracted no little attention. He chose for his text the salutation of Christ to His Apostles after His resurrection - " Peace be unto you. " In the course of his remarks the bishop uttered the keynote of his career as a citizen of Chicago. He said - "this city has already attracted the attention, not only of the people of this country, but also of foreign lands ; and is destined to be, if not the first, at least the second in the land. * * * * While I live and am able to labor, whatever I can give shall be freely, cheerfully and entirely given to Chicago."*

Bishop Foley 's career as prelate was marked by both conservatism and a neversleeping watchfulness. As a young man he had undergone severe privations as a missionary priest, and later he had learned how to exercise executive authority as assistant pastor of St. Patrick's, in Washington, and afterward as secretary to Most Rev. Patrick Kenrick, Archbishop of Baltimore. He early summoned to his assistance Rev. John McMullen, D.D., whom he made vicargeneral. The latter had graduated from St. Mary's in 1853, and completed his theological studies at Rome, where he received the degree of D. D. He returned to Chicago, and after a brief connection with St. Mary's cathedral was assigned to the parish of St. Louis, becoming president of the reorganized St. Mary's University in 1863. f t Dr. McMu'len was later elevated to the bishopric by Tope Le . XIII, and assigned to the see of Dubuque. He was conscrated in the Chicago cathedral on July 21, 1881, and received a royal welcome at Davenport the following month. He died on July 4, 1883, and a striking commen. tary on his life is afforded by the fact that on the day of his funeral the bells of every Protestant church tolled in harmony with those upon the cathedral in token of the universal sorrow felt in consequence of his demise. His memory is still held in reverence by all who had had the privilege of knowing him.

consumed the structure which was in itself the monument of Catholic devotion and liberality. With the approbation of Bishop Poley, Dr. McMullen started on a collecting tour in the East and in Canada, which proved eminently successful. The fatherhood of God, exemplified by the supremacy of one ecclesiastical head, is the basis of Catholic Christianity. The brotherhood of man is a logical sequence, and nowhere does this idea find a more perfect development than in the ecclesiastical body whose charities recognize distinctions of neither race, creed nor locality.

With the funds collected by Dr. McMullen and those subscribed by Catholics of the Rebuilding of diocese, the cathedral was rebuilt the cathedral. at a greater cost, the new edifice being more beautiful than that which had preceded it. Commodious buildings for the purposes of parochial schools were also erected, adjacent to the church. As the church was thus apparently entering upon an era of yet greater prosperity, however, Chicago was filled with mourning because of Bishop Foley's death, which occurred on February 19, 1879. The legislature of Illinois, which was in session at that time, unanimously adopted resolutions "recognizing the fact that the Catholic citizens of the State had lost * * * a prelate whose sanctity, piety and true Christian charity had made him beloved by men of all denominations," and closing with an expression of sympathy for the bishop's family.

(Then "Bishop of Nashville) being made the first Archbishop.* His arrival in the city was made the occasion of a grand demonstration. He found that his new field of ecclesiastical labor embraced the eighteen northern counties of Illinois, in which were one hundred and sixty parishes and one hundred

*A biography of Archbishop Feehan may be found else where in this volumeand eighty priests; while as metropolitan he was in charge of the entire State, which then embraced two other dioceses - those of Quincy and Belleville.*

Archbishop Feehan's administration has been marked by both earnestness and conservatism, and he himself has been honored in tnany ways by the Holy See and by his brother prelates in this country. He found the churches of Chicago suffering from the effects of the great fire, not only in their corporate capacities but also through the impoverishment of individual parishioners, many of whom had been well-nigh reduced to beggary. Nevertheless the work of rehabilitation was urged forward as rapidly as charity and prudence dictated. Old churches were rebuilt or restored (often with more than their former beauty), new parishes were organized as the formation of the same was demanded by altered conditions, and homes for the aged and the orphans, hospitals for the sick, shelters for unprotected young women, refuges for the fallen, asylums for the helpless and abandoned offspring of shame, industrial schools for the children of the poor - all these have attested not only the development of the church but the fervor of its charity and the sagacious administration of diocesan affairs by the ecclesiastical head.

The officers of the archdiocese at present (1894) are as follows: vicar general, Very Eeverend M. J. Dowling; chancellor and secretary, Rev. P, G. Muldoon.

The early history of St. Mary's, the first Catholic parish of Chicago, has been given, with a necessary condensation of detail, in those preceding paragraphs which relate to the formation and early growth of this diocese. Its church was the first cathedral, and while in comparison with the architectural pile of to-day, it was little more than a temporary shed; it has always been the focus around

* Later the province of Illinois w«s redistricted and four dioceses established - those or Chicairo,Spr.iiBtli-kl.<.>ui'ii-y and BellevMe - the territorial limits of the Chicago diocese being somewhat abridged j,j consequence ol the growth of the Catholic population ana the number ol parishes requiring episcopal visitation.

which have centered the most tender memories of those Catholics who were among Chicago's early citizens. In the list of its pastors may be found the names of some of those devoted clergymen to whose earnest zeal and self-sacrificing devotion Catholicism in the Northwest is indebted in no small degree for its extraordinary advancement. Besides Fathers St. Cyr and St. Palais, Bishop Quarter and others who have been already named, the list of pastors embraces the names of Rev. Drs. T. J. Butler, John McMullen and Thomas Burke, and of Fathers Matthew Dillon, F. McKeon, T. McGivern, J. Macken, Thomas J. Halligan, Edward W. Gavin, Patrick T. Butler (afterward chancellor of the diocese), John L. Fanning, M. M. McDermott, C. H. Gavin, D. D., II. M. McShane, arid Thomas L. Keating. At the time of the great fire the entire church property, including the house of worship, the bishop's residence and the convent of the Sisters of Mercy, which adjoined the church, were burned. In fact, everything of a perishable nature was destroyed with the exception of the parish records. In 1873 Bishop Foley purchased the house of worship of Plymouth (Congregational) church, at the corner of Wabash avenue and Eldridge ceurt. Mass was first celebrated here on October Gth of that year, the Sunday nearest to the anniversary of the great fire. St. Mary's was then used as a pro-cathedral until the rebuilding of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, in 1876.

The pastors of St. Mary's since the fire have been Revs. Patrick M. Noonan, Joseph P. Roles and E. A. Murphy. Among the assistant priests have been Fathers W.J. Madden, Edward J. Dunne, Maurice F. Burke, Dennis Hayes, Ambrose Goulet, Jr., James Sullivan, Arthur P. Lonergan, J. C. Gillan and P. Dwyer.

The strides of commerce have invaded this venerable parish, and the character of the congregation has undergone great changes. Immediately after the great fire the number of parishioners was very large and included , some of the wealthiest and most distinguished citizens of Chicago. The resident population of the parish, however, has been gradually reduced for the cause above indicated, although the attendance upon the church service is still great, being composed largely of strangers in the city and guests at the down-town hotels.

In 1881 a parish for colored Catholics was formed, who attended mass in the basement St. Monica's of St. Mary's, Father Lonergan, at that time assistant parish priest, ministering to their spiritual necessities. The collection of a building fund was soon undertaken, the colored congregation being anxious to have a church of its own. In 1890 Archbishop Feehan called into the diocese Rev. August Tolton, from Quincy, Illinois, and assigned him to the charge of St. Monica's, Monica, the mother of St. Augustine, being the titular saint of the new parish. Father Tolton enjoys the distinction of being the first native-born colored American ordained to the priest-hood. He was born a slave in Missouri, and freed by the Emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln. His theological education was received at the American College at Rome. He is an earnest worker, and in 1893 had the gratification of seeing a new church building for his parishioners sufficiently advanced to permit a portion of the same to be dedicated and occupied. It is located at 2251 Indiana avenue, and Father Tolton cherishes gieat hope that the twelve years of effort and sacrifice on the part of the colored Catholics of the city are destined to bear abundant fruit.

The first Catholic church erected in Chicago, after ^St. Mary's, was St. Patrick's, St. Patrick's wllicu parish was organized in Church. 1846, and at first included the entire west side. The vicar- general, the Very Reverend Walter J. Quarter, was placed in charge. Augustine D. Taylor put up the first church building, a modest frame structure, on Desplaines, between Washington and Randolph streets. The edifice was enlarged the following August, and in 1850 the present site, at the northwest corner of Adams and Desplaines streets, was purchased. The same year Bishop Van de Velde bought a house, in which a parochial school was opened under the care of Patrick Dillon, who afterward became president of the University of Notre Dame, in Indiana. The new church (although not finished) was sufficiently advanced for the celebration of the first mass within its walls in the summer of 1856, by Very Rev. Dennis Dunne, V. G. Vicar General Dunne had succeeded Rev. P. J. McLaughlin, who died of cholera in 1851, and who had followed the Very Rev. Father Quarter. His assistants, after September 11, 1854, when his pastorate began, were Revs. Michael Donohue, Patrick Terry, Edward O'Neil, Michael Downey, Edward Kenney, P. Gaffney, Michael P. Lyons, John Magan, Andrew Eustace, G. Prendergast, P. F. Glennow, F. Keenan, J. Brennan, S. O'Sullivan, P. M. Flannagan, Stephen M. A. Barrett and P. Maloney.

Thomas Dunne, blame as to win panegyrics from his theological opponents. He was made vicar general in 1855, and removed by Bishop O'Regan three years later. Perhaps his sturdy independence had something to do with his removal. In the eye of Bishop O'Regan, independence was a cardinal sin. In the dark days of 1862 he endeared himself to the citizens of the Northwest by his unswerving loyalty and by personally raising a regiment of Irish Catholics (the 90th Illinois) to serve during the war of the rebellion. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity at Rome in 1865, but his career was terminated by death on December 23, 1868. His funeral took place four days later, the church societies and the 90th regiment participating in the obsequies.

in the building were made. Before the great fire there was no basement. Father Conway caused the raising of the structure, and the building, underneath it, of a much-needed stone basement, the cost of the alterations approximating $20,000.

also in literature and science. He had previously (between September, 1850, and June, 1852) been assistant pastor of St. Patrick's. His generosity often led him to the verge of imprudence, but the trait which was almost a mark of weakness endeared him not only to his own parishioners, but also to his non-Catholic fellow-citizens. Bishop Foley, soon after being invested with episcopal authority, made him a dean; and he was thereafter known all over Chicago as "Dean Terry." He died in 1884, mourned not only by his congregation, but by the community at large. His body laid in state at the church of St. Patrick for two days, when it was placed in its final resting place, followed by a concourse of parishioners, many of whom felt as though they had sustained a personal loss. Dean Terry was succeeded by Rev. Thomas F. Galligau, who has endeared himself to his congregation in many ways by his administration of parish affairs, both spiritual and temporal. At present (1893), St. Patrick's is one of the wealthiest Catholic parishes on the west side in the point of its real estate holdings, as well as in the personal fortune of many of its individual members. The present church is a substantial edifice of brick, with two steeples, capable of seating between 1,200 and 1,500. Stone steps lead from the sidewalk to a basement chapel, which is utilized for congregational and other meetings, and for general parish purposes. Father Galligan is the spiritual director of the general conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the central head to which all the diocesan conferences of that noble organization owe allegiance. In 1875, during the pastorate of Father

Con way, a large brick school-house, for boys, was erected at a cost of $24,000. and one year Inter, at about the same outlay, a female academy. The boys' school is under charge of the Christian Brothers; the academy under that of the Sisters of Charity, who succeeded the Sisters of Loretto in 1871, who had followed the Sisters of Mercy ten years before.

Church. (a frame structure 65x35 feet in dimensions) was erected at the northeast corner of Chicago avenue and Cass street. Its seating capacity was six hundred, and its cost between $850 and $900. A low steeple surmounted the front gable of the building, and in this hung a rather unmelodious bell, which was a source of no little pride to the congregation. The first pastor was Rev. John Jung, who celebrated mass on alternate Sundays at St. Joseph's and St. Peter's. Father Jung's pastorate terminated in 1848, his successor being Father Anthony Kopp, who remained about seven years. Between September, 1856, and June 15, 1861, the parish was in charge of eight different clergymen, the duration of their respective pastorates varying from four months to a year. Their names were as follows: Revs. John Baptiste Mager (assisted by Rev. E. 13. Kilroy), Andrew Tusch, Bernard J. Force (assisted by Rev. J. Hoeffinger), H. Schnyder, N. H. Gillespie, Peter Hartlaub, Father Storr and Rev. Charles Schafooth. Under Father Kopp's administration the congregation had steadily grown, but the subsequent, frequent changes of pastors proved not at all beneficial, and while the number of parishioners did not sensibly decline, neither did it perceptibly increase. The Benedictine fathers took charge of the parish in June,- 1861, and have so continued ever since. A Sunday and a day school were organized by Father Jung, the latter being conducted in a one-story building, twenty by thirty feet, erected for that purpose upon a lot adjoining the church. The teachers, in order, were Messrs. Weinmann, Schmidt, Niehoff and Ketter. When the Benedictines assumed control, Mr. Ketter was succeeded by the Sisters of the Holy Cross. The first pastor under the administration of the order of St. Benedict was Rev. Louis M. Fink - afterward Bishop of Leavenworth - who remained in charge until May 30, 1868. He was assisted by Rev. M. Corbinian, who had accompanied him to Chicago in 1861. In 1862 was commenced the erection of a new church, at the corner of Cass street and Chicago avenue. A portion of the edifice was used for public service toward the close of the year, but the building was not wholly completed until 1865, the dedication occurring on March 19th of that year. It had a seating capacity of one thousand and cost $60,000. Father Fink's successor was Rev. Leander Schnerr, who continued in the pastorate until 1873. The congregation, in the fire of 1871, lost all the buildings connected with the parish, the loss being estimated at $100,000. A small frame building was at once erected on the former site at a cost of $6,000, and this was used until the new church, at the corner of Market and Hill streets, was completed. Its corner stone was laid in October, 1876, and the dedication took place on October 6,1878. It is of brick, in the early Gothic style, surmounted by an octangular spire springing from a quadrangular tower. Its cost was about $40,000. A four story brick school house was erected in 1874 and a fine parochial residence in 1882. The lower floor of the school building is used as a chapel, in which masses are said on week days and on Sundays during the winter months. The second and^third stories are used as school rooms and the fourth contains a large hall, which is utilized for giving entertainments and holding society meetings. Father Schnerr's successors in the pastorate have been Revs. Merinard Jeggle, M. Corbinian, Giles Cristoph, Suitbert Demarteau, Bernardine Dolweck and C. Engelbrecht. The congregation embraces more than six hun- dred families, and among the parishioners are some of the oldest, most widely known and most highly respected of the German citizens of Chicago. The principal societies connected with the church are those of St. Joseph, St. Benedict (a benevolent organization), St. John's (for young men), St. Aloysius (for the boys of the parish), St. Benedict's Court of the Independent Order of Catholic Foresters, the Society of the Holy Rosary (for married women), and two sodalities of the B. V. Mary (for young women and girls).

St Peter's was one of the first two churches erected in Chicago for the use of German st. Peter's Catholics. Its twin sister was St. church. Joseph's, also built by Germanspeaking parishioners. About thirty families constituted the original congregation. Father John Jung was the first rector, and it was under his pastorate that a lot on Franklin street, between Washington and Randolph, was purchased as a site for the inchoate church. The frontage of the lot on Washington street was eighty feet, its depth being one hundred and eighty. The first structure (which cost not more than $900) was of boards, one story high, and had seating capacity for about seven hundred persons. Father John Jung was the first priest in charge of St. Peter's, the clergyman alternating between St. Peter's and St. Joseph's, both congregations being poor and struggling. The parishioners, however, resolved to build a rectory and a school house on the land already purchased, t This they accomplished largely through the personal exertions and wise management of Father Jung. The immediate successors to the latter, in the chronological order of their respective pastorates, were Rev. S. Hermann Liermann, Antonius Volker, James Bernard Weikamp, G. H. Plathe, C. Schilling, G. H. Oslangerberg and Hermann Liermann, who returned on January 6, 1857, and remained three years. The pastorates of these incumbents covered more than a quarter of a century. While Father Plathe was priestin-charge, the buildings were removed to the southwest corner of Clark and Polk streets, the first mass after removal of the church being celebrated on Christmas day, 1853. At that time the locality around the corner of Clark and Polk streets was little better than a morass. During the succeeding decade the district became more settled and a large bricK church (the same edifice used today) was erected in 1863. A parochial school was early established and has since greatly flourished. In 1875 the parish was placed under the charge of the Fathers of the Order of St. Francis.

Father Lierman was succeeded, in 1860, by Rev. J. B. Mager, who was followed in November, 1864, by Rev. Peter Fischer, who continued in charge of the parish until after the conflagration of 1871. Many improvements to the church property were made during Father Fischers pastorate. A new brick building, on the same site, was erected at a cost (without furnishing) of $45,000. A school house costing $7,000 was commenced in 1864, and a residence for the clergy one year later. The cost of the latter, with some additions to the church building, was about $12,000. An organ was purchased in 1868. The same edifice is used at the present time, having escaped destruction in the great fire.

That memorable disaster, however, necessitated the removal of a large number of the parishioners farther south, and in 1873 Father Fischer was directed by Bishop Foley to organize a new parish and erect a new church at the corner of Hanover and Mc- Gregor streets, to be known as St. Anthony's of Padua.

The first Franciscans (who came, at the request of Bishop Foley, from the monastery at Tentopolis, Effinghani county, Illinois), to assume pastoral charge of St. Peter's, were Fathers Laborious Schaefermeyer, Maternus Mailman and Eusebius Muller. Later pastors have been Revs. Augustinus Henseler, Kilianus Schloeser, Nemesius Rohde, Anselm Duetz, Eustace Niemceller, Augustin Me.

Bernard Wcikamp, who was at one time the parish priest of St. Peter's. The first church building was put up at the intersection of Clinton and Mather streets. Like most of the buildings in Chicago at that time it was a frame structure. It contained seats for some 400 persons, and cost about $8,000. In 1857 Father Weikamp was succeeded byEev. G. II. Ostlanberg (also an ex-pastor of St. Peter's), who was followed, a year later, by Rev. Ignatz Schmirch. Rev. Ferdinand Kavelage became pastor on July 19, 1858. At that time there were some one hundred families in the congregation. By 1883 (Father Kavelage still being pastor), the number of families had grown to nearly eight hundred. Long before this date, however, the edifice was found to be too small, and the location was regarded as undesirable. In 1867 the old building was sold to St. Paul's Catholic congregation, and a larger, more substantial church was built at the southeast corner of West Twelfth street and Newberry avenue. Its dimensions were 66x166 feet, with walls rising to the height of about fifty feet. A steeple 190 feet high was erected in 1875, from which sounds a chime of three bells. The cost of the church was 165,000, and of the organ $5,000. The parochial school house stands on the southwest corner, opposite the church. Its cornerstone was laid in 1881, and in 1884 it was ready for occupancy. It is of brick, three stories high, contains sixteen rooms (besides a large hall), 70x130 feet in size, and cost $50,000. Various flourishing societies are connected with the parisli, prominent among which are the following: charitable - St. Francis', St. John's and St. Elizabeth's associations; devotional - St. Stanislaus' Young Men's Society, St. Stanislaus' boys' Society, St. Mary's Sodality, for married women, St. George's

Knights, St. Rose's and St. Agnes' Sodalities for young women, the Altar Boys' Sodality) and the Society of the Holy Child (for school children).

As early as 1846 the first two professors of St. Mary's of the Lake - Fathers Kinsella and cathedral or the Clowry - were accustomed to Holy Name. celebrate mass in public for a rather small number of worshipers in a small room fitted up for that purpose in the old college building. This was the origin of the church of the Holy Name of Jesus. Rev. Jeremiah A. Kinsella was rector of the college, and in 1848 he began the erection of a modest church building in one corner of the university grounds, at the intersection of Rush and Superior streets. The Holy Sacrifice was offered here for the first time on Sunday, November 18, 1849. A considerable number of Catholics were influenced to take up their residence on the north side in consequence, and by 1851 the congregation had so grown that a plain little church was erected under Father Kinsella's supervision at the corner of State and Superior streets. One year later it was found necessary to make an addition to this structure, and in 1853 Bishop Van de Velde authorized the building of a large brick church at the same corner, which he used as the cathedral. The corner stone was laid by the bishop on the afternoon of August 3d of that year, a sermon being preached by the Right Reverend Michael O'Connor, Bishop of Pittsburgh. Fourteen Chicago priests participated in the ceremonies. The edifice was ready for occupancy on December 25, 1854. The walls were of Milwaukee brick, and the style of architecture was Gothic. Its dimensions were 190x84, and it was crowned by a steeple two hundred and forty-five feet high. Light was admitted through windows representing scenes in sacred history. Its cost was $100,- 000, and the Catholics of the diocese were justly proud of it. The Very Reverend Kinsella, assisted by Fathers William Clowry and John Breen were in charge of the parish until January, 1855, when

Bishop O'Regan - whose episcopal relations with the clergy and laity of his diocese appear to have been particularly inharmonious - called for their resignation. The affection of the congregation for the pastor and his assistants could ill-brook this act, which the members regarded as arbitrary and unjustifiable. At a meeting of the parishioners held on the evening' of Wednesday, January 17, 1855, resolutions were adopted expressing confidence in the removed clergymen, pledging additional funds for the completion of the cathedral, if the bishop's action was rescinded, acknowledging, with deep respect, the supreme ecclesiastical authority of the church and bowing, for the time, to the decision of their immediate prelate, yet praying an appeal to the Holy See. It was f urtlier resolved to appoint a committee of eight to draft a statement of their grievances and prepare the appeal to Rome. This committee consisted of Messrs. Charles O'Connor, Patrick Connelly, John Murphy, Edward D. Colgan, Edward Kelly, James Duffy, Patrick McAlpin and John Prindiville. The result of the appeal was not altogether satisfactory, and Rev. Matthew Dillon, (administrator of the diocese after the resignation of Bishop O'Regan) became pastor in 1857. The succeeding pastors, down to the year of the great fire were, Very Rev. Dennis Dunne, Rev. J. P. Roles, Rev.T.Quigley * and Rev. Dr. John McMullen, the last named clergyman having been the able and trusted vicar general of Bishop Foley, who made him diocesan administrator upon his death bed. Amongthe assistant priests of the cathedral - some of whom subsequently attained greater prominence in this diocese - were Revs. John * H. Grogan, T. F. McGivern, Father Walsh, P. M. Flanagan, P. O'Neill and Joseph II. Doyle, who was priest-in-charge for a short time in 1570, prior to the appointment of Dr. McMullen.

The cornerstone of a new cathedral, Gothic in architecture and cruciform in shape, was laid on Sunday, July 19, 1874, and the completed structure dedicated on Sunday, November 17, 1876, by Right Reverend Bishop Ryan, of St. Louis. The walls were of stone, rock-faced, and the interior was rarely beautiful. Its most striking feature was the high altar, constructed of various kinds of marble - Italian, Tennessee, Irish green-and-black, Vermont and African yellow. The tabernacle, of pure white marble, is enclosed and mounted with solid gold, and crowned by richly carved pinnacles. In 1881 a handsome, stone clergyhouse was built on Superior street, adjacent to the cathedral, at a cost of $75,000. Handsome as was the cathedral, however, the pious zeal of the parishioners, like that of the royal psalmist, David, was not satisfied, and in 1891 extensive repairs and alterations were undertaken, which were carried on without interruption for two years. On Christmas day, 1893, they had been completed, and the sacred edifice was formally re-opened to the congregation, who felt themselves abundantly repaid for their many sacrifices by the magnificence and beauty of their virtually new temple. The outlay had approached a quarter of a million dollars, and Chicago can now boast of a cathedral which, in grandeur, surpasses any in America, with the possible exception of St. Patrick's, in New York. The ceremonies of the re-opening were imposing in the extreme. Pontifical mass was celebrated by Archbishop Feehan and a sermon preached by Bishop Ilennesej. The fine church choir was aided in rendering the music of the mass by a carefully trained choir of selected voices and supported by a fine orchestra.

Dr. McMullen's pastorate terminated in 1881. His successor was Very Reverend Patrick J. Conway, vicar general of the diocese, who was followed by Rev. M. J-

Church, gathered here as early as 1848. In that year Eev. Isidore A. Lebel, a French priest, arrived in Chicago. At that time his co-religionists of his own race were worshiping in the old St. Mary's church, which, after the erection of St. Mary's cathedral by Bishop Quarter, had been used as a convent. Father Lebel at once applied to Bishop Van de Velde for permission to raise funds for the building of a new church, for which purpose a lot was leased from Captain Bigelow, on Clark, between Adams and Jackson streets. A frame church, twenty-five feet wide and seventy-five feet deep, was erected here. P. F. Eofinot subscribed $2,000 for this purpose, which was two-thirds of the entire estimated cost. St. Louis' parish was organized in 1850, but the church building was not completed until two years later. The interior, while it would be regarded to-day as severely plain, was then regarded as artistically ornate. The walls were papered, and an organ was built into the structure by Mr. Helinkarnp. Father Lebel, on all sides, was conceded to have accomplished a great work, but the arbitrary policy enforced by Bishop O'Eegan resulted in his dismissal from the diocese shortly before January 1, 1857.*

In October, 1857, the pastorate of St. Louis devolved upon Father Le Meister, who, warned by the experience of his predecessor, declared that under no circumstances whatever would he have anything to do with the administration of the financial affairs of the parish, which was accordingly placed in the hands of a committee, consisting of Daniel Franchere, Toussaint Menard, Narcisse Lebeau, J. B. Valiquette and P. F. Eofinot. The last-named gentleman served

* It is due to Father Lebel to say that after leaving Chicaito he went at once to Detroit, where he waa promptly assigned, by the bishop of that diocese, to the pastorate of the church at Kalamazoo, a most desirable charge, remaining there as parish priest until 1878, when he died among parishioners by whom he was cordially beloved and deeply revered.

as chairman, and managed the finances of the parish with unswerving fidelity, and with the same sound judgment and assiduous care which he devoted to his own business. Early in 1858, Bishop O'Eegan objected to the church standing upon leased ground. A decidedly bitter controversy then arose between the diocesan prelate and some of the prominent parishioners of St. Louis. The latter were ready to consent to the removal of the church, but demurred to the location fixed upon by Bishop O'Eegan. His lordship was willing to waive this point, but insisted that the title to the site should be vested in himself as a "corporation sole." The congregation had appointed a committee consisting of Father Le Meister, Mr. Poncelet, the Belgian consul, Dr. Henrotin, Dr. Eoger and P. F. Eofinot, who had selected a different site from that chosen by the bishop and had entered into an agreement to pay one-fourth cash and the balance in three years. Of course the title could not pass until the last payment had been made, and this fact gave the bishop a powerful leverage. A stormy conference between O'Eegan and Eofinot was held. The latter sought to invoke the aid of the civil courts, but was advised that his chances of redress were small. The bishop lost no time. He had bought two lots on Sherman street, north of Polk, and thither the church building was moved, and on the first Sunday in May, by Bishop O'Eegan's instructions, the structure was elevated on timbers to a height of four feet above the sidewalk. The doors were closed against the parishioners, who had paid for the use of their pews, until the following November. Father Le Meister being a man of pre-eminently peaceful disposition, and having been silenced by his bishop, had turned over to Mr. Eofinot his subscription book, together with all the money collected, and left Chicago early in the controversy. Eev. Dr. MeMullen became pastor in October, 1859, but being elevated to the vicar generalship in 1860 by Bishop Foley, his pastorate thereupon terminated. His successors, with the dates of their appointment, were as follows: Rev. Joseph P. Roles, 1860; Rev. John Mackin, 1861; Rev. J. H. Grogan, 1862; Rev. A. Broderick, 1864 ; Rev. Patrick Con way, 1865; Rev. Patrick Noonan, 1866. Father Noonan remained in charge until the building was consumed in the great fire of October, 1871. Before this time there had been a large admixture of Irish Catholics in the congregation; and between the latter and the French there had not existed the utmost harmony. Partly in consequence of this lack of entente cordiale the parish of Notre Dame de Chicago was created for the French early in 1864, and on March 5, 1865, Bishop Duggan dedicated a new church for this congregation at the northwest corner of Ilalsted and Congress streets. The parish of St. Michael's was created, with the approbation of Bishop Van deVelde, st Michael's *n 1852. The German Catholics Church. jn t]le north division, early in that year, found their church accommodations too narrow to accommodate their needs. Mr. Michael Diversey generously offered to donate for the erection of a new German church a lot 130x87| feet in size, at the northwest corner of North avenue and Church street, afterward Hudson avenue. On June 20, 1852, at a meeting of those favoring the project (which had been called by Father Anthony Kopp, pastor of St. Joseph's and vicar general of the diocese for the German-speaking Catholics) contributions for the erection of a building were solicited. Seven hundred and fifty dollars were collected, all but twenty dollars of which was expended in putting up a frame building, 40x60 feet, on the lot donated. A belfry and small bell surmounted the structure. The church was dedicated October 17, 1852, by Father Kopp, and six years later an addition was built at the north end. Some eight years afterward a brick church was erected at the corner of Eugenie and Hurlbut streets, the congregation having grown to eight hundred. Other land had been purchased meanwhile, on which had been erected a rectory and school house. When the new church was completed the old one was devoted to school purposes and was so used until destroyed by the great fire of 1871. Father Kopp acted as temporary pastor for a few months until the appointment of Rev. August Kroemer, in November. Rev. Eusebuis Kaiser was in charge from May 15, 1853, to September 29, 1854, his successor being Rev. Joseph Zoegel, who left, under a cloud, in November, 1858. For the next four months Father Anthony Saeger was pastor, being relieved at his own request. Rev. Alois Hatala succeeded him, but, in consequence of difficulties with his parishioners his pastorate did not last longer than nine months. A considerable interregnum supervened, until, in February, 1860, the parish was placed in charge of the Reclemptorist Fathers. The first priest of this order to become pastor was the Rev. Joseph Muller, whose assistants were Fathers Jacobs and Roesch. The latter became pastor in 1863, with Fathers Schaofferand Ilahn as assistant priests. Rev. Peter Zimmer followed him in 1866, assisted by Revs. Stisebergen, Kuhln and Wissel, and later by Father Rosenbaner, Oberleand Majerus. By 1870 the congregation of St. Michael's had outgrown its old building, and a large brick church - 200x80 feet - was erected at the southeast corner of Hurlbut and Eugenie (then Linden) streets. A tower, surmounted by a low steeple, containing a chime of bells, added to its architectural effect. This edifice, on which some $200,000 was expended, had not been long completed before the fire of October, 1871, consumed its steeple, the bells falling to the ground, and very nearly ruined its ornate interior. The walls, however, had been sufficiently well constructed to withstand the assault of the red-tongtied demon, and remained standing. Father Zimmer continued rector until 1873, his assistants during the last two years of his pastorate being, besides Father Majerus, already mentioned, Revs. Hobzers, Van Emstede, Halm and Victor.

Immediately after the fire a temporary frame building was put up on the southern end of the church lot, which was used until the rebuilding and repairing of the old church were completed, in 1873, at an outlay of $40,000. Ten years afterward an additional sum of $11,000 was expended upon interior refitting and decoration. Thechurch having been furnished, the temporary structure was used for school purposes until 18S2, when it was sold and removed. One year before (1881) a large school house, capable of accommodating fifteen hundred pupils, had been erected at the corner of North and Hudson avenues, at a cost of $50,000. This school is under the care of the Brothers of Mary and the Sisters of Notre Dame. The clergy-house was partly rebuilt in 1872 and completed in 1876.

Not only is St. Michael's one of the most flourishing parishes in the city, embracing some two thousand families, but the church building is one of the handsomest and most imposing. The total value of the church property considerably exceeds $300,000. Among the societies connected with the parish are the following: St. Michael's, St. Matthias, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Alphonsus, Knights of St. George, the Casino, St. Mary's Sanctuary Society and the Confraternity of the Holy Family.

In 1857 a few Catholic families resided in the neighborhood of the unpretentious const James' ven^ °^ ^ie Sisters of Mercy, church. located at the corner of Calumet avenue and Twenty-sixth street. The spiritual wants of the community of the religions and of these few families were cared for by Rev. Thomas F. Kelly, who celebrated mass in the wash room of the convent. In 1858 it was resolved to erect a church building, and a frame structure was commenced on Prairie avenue near Twenty-ninth street. Prominent among the early lay promoters of Catholicism in this section of the city, who took an active part in the building of the first St. James church, were William Donahue, Robert Whalen, John Dorney and

Timothy Flannigan. The first named gentleman in particular gave liberally of time, materials and money and personally superintended the erection of the church which cost about $3,000. Father Kelly, who also had pastoral care of the infant church of St. Bridget, continued in the pastorate until made chaplain of the Ninetieth Illinois volunteers, a regiment which was raised largely through the personal efforts of Bishop Duggan. Fathers Carrigan and Peter O'Dowd took charge of the parish during the years of his service "at the front." Upon Father Kelly's return he resumed his pastoral duties,, which he discharged with fidelity until his death, which occurred in 1865. Father O'Dowd succeeded him, hut died in 1866. Immediately following him came Revs. P. J. R. Murphy and P. J.Conway, the latter being transferred to St. Patrick's church in 1871. During Father Conway's pastorate, the church was enlarged and a pastor's residence built. After his assignment to his new field, Rev. Patrick W. Riordan was assigned to St. James' parish by Bishop Foley. Father Riordan was a man of profound piety and ripe attainments as a scholar and a theologian. His early studies had been begun in the old St. Mary's university, and later prosecuted at Notre Dame, Indiana, the college of the Propaganda, at Rome, the college of the Holy Ghost, at Paris, and the American college at Louvain, Belgium. From the lastnamed institution he graduated in 1866, returning to Chicago in the autumn of that year. Bishop Duggan seated him in the chair of dogmatic tksology and church history connected with St. Mary's, which he filled until the doors of that institution were closed to students in 1868. After having successfully administered the affairs - both spiritual and temporal - of parishes at Woodstock and Joliet, he was, as has been said, installed at St. James'. For twelve years he continued to endear himself to his parishioners by his faithful devotion to their interests, to the laymen of the diocese by his able enuncia- tion and defense of Catholic truth, and to his fellow-citizens generally by his public spirit and broad humanitarianism. In 1883 Pope Leo XIII made him coadjutor to the venerable Archbishop Alemanny. of the see of San Francisco. It was with poignant sorrow that the congregation of St. James - while rejoicing at the honor conferred upon him - witnessed the sundering of relations which had been sanctified by faithful service and mutual affection.* During the pastorate of Father (now Archbishop) Riordan, the present magnificent church of St. James, on Wabash avenue, at the corner of Thirtieth street, was erected. The .necessary funds were raised by the parishioners .wholly through subscriptions and collections, the pastor setting his face firmly against " fairs," "picnics" and "bazaars" as agencies for obtaining money. When completed the church was one of the costliest and most ornate in the city. An extensive series of improvements and alterations was undertaken in 1890 and completed the following year, the outlay involved being very heavy. The result, however, was an interior of rare magnificence and beauty. The clergy of the parish at present (1894) are llev. Hugh McGuire, pastor, with S. P. McDonnell, B. Swanson and II. G. Van Pelt, assistant priests.

The Church of the Holy Family is under the care of the Society of Jesus. Prior to church of the 1857 the followers of Loyola Holy Family. ]]ad ]]0 clerical representative in this city. Early in that year, however, Bishop O'Regan invited Father Arnold Damen, S. J., of the diocese of Missouri, to take charge of the Cathedral of the Holy Name, then in process of building and nearly finished. Father Damen, after carefully looking over the field subsequent to his arrival, decided to decline the bishop's proposition and to venture upon the erection

*In 1885 Archbishop Alemanny closed a long career of usefulness, wnich had not been void of he oism, by les&ning his archepiscopal function. Most Rev. Patrick W. Uiordan was, under ecclesiastical 1 iw, his immediate successor, and WdS invested with the pallium in September of that year.

of a new church in a locality which at that time was unquestionably missionary ground. This determination was in direct opposition to the advice of Bishop O'Regan, but that prelate offered no active opposition. Father Darnen's choice fell upon the west side, which fact having been learned, he received offers of an eligible site near the present Union Park, with funds to aid in the erection of a building. But he preferred to go into the then sparsely inhabited district south of Van Buren street, and purchased property fronting on May street and occupying the entire block between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. Perhaps he foresaw that this location was destined to be the centre of a dense population, and had in mind the familiar lines:

He secured the title to the land in the spring of 1857, and a large, temporary wooden chapel on Eleventh street was opened on the fourth of the succeeding July. At the same time the building of a permanent house of worship had not been overlooked. The corner stone of a magnifient church on Twelfth street, between Blue Island avenue and May street, was laid, Father Damen being seemingly indifferent to the fact that 1857 was a year of financial panic. To collect the funds needed among Chicago Catholics would have proved an impossibility, and contributions were obtained from other American cities and from foreign countries. In I860, the grand church was dedicated by Bishop Duggan, ten bishops and thirty priests occupying seats in the sanctuary. Solemn pontifical mass was celebrated by Bishop Lafevre, of Detroit, Very Rev. Vicar General Dunne and Dr. Butler taking part in the ceremony. Archbishop Kenrick, of St. Louis, preached in English, and Bishop Henui, of Milwaukee, in German. The music was that of Mozart's Twelfth Mass.

clock with four dials. Two galleries ran across the rear wall, the upper one being for the choir and organ. The seating capacity on the ground floor was two thousand. The altars and statuary were especially handsome, and in 18G5 a new high altar was presented by Mr. Anthony Bucher, of Chicago. An organ costing $25,000, built by Mitchell, of Montreal, was formally opened on October 21, 1870, the funds for its purchase having been raised by the renowned pulpit orator and missionary, Rev. Cornelius F. Smarins. through lectures and personal solicitation. This magnificent house of worship passed, almost uninjured, through the great conflagration, and yet stands, in its imposing beauty, one of the chief architectural ornaments of the west side.

The Jesuit fathers have been long recognized as the champions of Catholic parochial education. Their attitude in this regard has been not only defined but aggressive. Its parallel is to be found only in the position of the Lutheran clergy. Their belief has been - from the beginning - that education, unless based upon religion, was apt to prove more dangerous than helpful to its recipient. It is not, therefore, a cause for surprise that the institution of the first Jesuit parish in Chicago should have been followed by the erection of a school-house. The growth of the parish necessitated the building of aresidence, in 1862, for the clergy and other members of the order, and in 1864 a large school-house was built a few blocks east of the church, intended for the boys of the parish. The fittings were in harmony with those of the best schools in Chicago at the period of the city's history, and the attendance was large from the date of its opening. Since that time the Jesuit fathers in charge of the parish have established five educational institutions. Not only have the parish schools been enlarged and multiplied, but an institution for higher education - St. Ignatius' College - was opened in September, 1870.

oidi)am.-n. some of its brightest ornaments and to the Catholic pulpit many orators whose eloquence has rendered them famous throughout the entire country. It would be difficult to speak extravagantly of the zeal, devotion, executive ability and effective oratory of Father Damen, the pioneer missionary of the Jesuit order in Chicago. When he purchased the site whereon now stands the grand edifice, which will ever form his monument, all that portion of the city was virtually unredeemed prairie. At present (1894) there are connected with the parish of the Holy Family church more than thirty thousand souls. He is a man of profound learning; a controversialist keen, yet fair and courteous; and a speaker whose power to reach and captivate the masses always fills, to overflowing, any auditorium in which it is known that he will speak. In 1892 his congregation celebrated his golden jubilee.

Father Cornelius J. Smarius was another of -the eminent men who have served as pasyather tor of this parish. He was a resmnrius. markably brilliant pulpit orator, and a volume of his lectures published under the title " Points of Controversy" passed through several editions. The last ten years of his life were spent in the conducting of missions. While thus engaged he frequently preached three times daily for weeks in succession during nine months of the year, the remaining three months being devoted to the holdingof retreats for the clergy and various religious communities in different dioceses. He was a man of commanding presence, weighing over three hundred pounds and well proportioned, but even his robust constitution gave way under the violence of such a strain as this, and he died March 1, 1870, in Chicago, at the early age of forty-seven. Two days later he was buried at Calvary cemetery, his funeral sermon being preached by Kev. F. P. Garesche, S. J., of Milwaukee.

The arduous zeal of the Jesuit fathers for the advancement of the spiritual and temporal welfare of the parish lias been unflagging, a striking evidence of which is afforded by the number of massive buildings erected through their efforts and under their wise guidance in the immediate vicinity of the parish. Besides those already enumerated may be mentioned the Sodality building, for the meeting of the various parish societies and guilds, erected in 1879, immediately in the rear of the church, at a cost of $40,000, which contains, besides halls for entertainments and rooms for gatherings, a reading room and two libraries, the latter containing some four thousand volumes. St. Joseph's Home, an industrial school and temporary refuge for homeless girls, situated at the corner of May and Eleventh streets, was commenced in 1870, and finally completed in 1885, after an expenditure of $10,000. St. Joseph's school, at the intersection of West Thirteenth and Loomis streets, furnishes instruction to four thousand pupils. The Holy Family school occupies a four story brick building, on Morgan street,south of Twelfth. It accommodates 1,050 pupils and cost $00,000. The convent school for girls, on West Taylor street, is in charge of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart. The building cost $30,000 and the preceptors instruct one thousand children. Other schools connected with the parish are the St. Aloysius, on Maxwell street, built at a cost of $40,- 000 and accommodating one thousand; the Guardian Angel, on Forquer, east of Ilalsted street; St. Joseph's, on West Thirteenth street, a primary school; and the convent of St. Aloysius, also on Maxwell street. St. ColumbkiU's is one of the early Catholic parishes of Chicago. It was organized in 1858, and its first following year. The first pastor was Father Ward, who died within a year after the dedication of the first house of worship, which was at Paulina and Indiana (then Owen) streets, in the northwestern section of the city. Rev. Ward was succeeded by Father Kenney, who died in December, 1801. The present church edifice was built upon the same site, at a cost of $150,000, in 1871. It is of great size and the style of architecture is Romanesque. The walls are of yellow stone, placed in alternate layers of smooth and rough-hewn blocks. The main entrance is on the south, and the facade is flanked by two massive quadrangular steeples. The vastness of the interior is grandly impressive. The high altar is of dark wood, richly carved and gilded, and the stations of the cross are represented by wood carvings decorated in colors. The present pastor is the Rev. Thomas Burke. Besides a Sunday school numbering 1,000 there are connected with the parish various benevolent and devotional societies, prominent among which are the following: St. ColumbkiU's Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, the Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society, the Sacred Heart Society, the Promoters of the League of the Sacred Heart, the Young Ladies' Sodality, the Young Men's Association, and St. ColumbkiU's Temperance Cadets.