Clark County, Indiana - Chapter 25: History of the Holy Roman Church in Clark County, 1909

Chapter 25: History of the Holy Roman Church in Clark County

There are many difficulties in the way of writing an accurate history of the Catholic church in Clark county, since its organization as a countv in 1801. Ever since 1783. when the State of Virginia ceded one hundred and fifty thousand acres of land to Gen. George Rogers Clark and his soldiers, for their \-alor in reducing the British Post at Vincennes, in February. 1779. there have been members of the Catholic faith resident in Clark countv.

In Clark's "army" of one hundred seventy men. there were seventy privates and eighteen officers of Irish birth or descent, and quite a number of French. It is but fair to presume that many of these were of the Catholic faith. They took up the lands allotted to them by a grateful state, in what is known as the "Illinois Grant," which comprises most of Clark county, soon after 1784, when the lands were divided and alloted to each officer and soldier. Both the surname and Christian name of these soldier settlers, in many instances, indicate that they were of the Catholic faith.

Jesuit and other missionaries frequently passed through Clark county on their way from Bardstown to Vincennes. It is recorded that Father Benedict Joseph Flaget, afterward the first Catholic Bishop of Kentucky, read mass in a log church located at the foot of the Knobs, at St. Mary's, in what is now known as Lafayette township, Floyd county, soon after the year 1800. This was then a part of the county of Clark, for Floyd county was not organized until 1819. Father Theodore Stephen Baden, also made trips thmugh Clark county on his way to Post Vincennes along about 1800, but whether he stopped to minister his divine office, or to shrive those of his communion, history does not record. There were Catholic churches, or at least Catholic priests, all the time in the early days, between 1702 and 1850, in Vincennes and Bardstown and at Louisville, Kentucky, and the devout Catholic residents of Clark county, in all probability either went to Kentucky or to Vincennes when they desired to perfonn their annual religious obligations.

It was not until 1850 that the Catholics of JefTersonville requested the church authorities to send them a priest to offer up the holy sacrifice of the mass. In response to their request the Rev. Father Daniel Maloney came to the city and read mass at what was known then as the Hansley House, on the river front. It belonged to Capt. James Wathen, who operated the ferry line, and who was at that time the most prominent Catholic in the town. In

August, 185 1, the Rt. Rev. ^Martin John Spaulding. Bishop (jf Louisville, laid the cornerstone of the first Catholic church in Jeffersonville. It was located on what was then known as Canal street, now Meigs avenue, near Maple street, and was a hrick structure twenty-fi\-e by fifty feet. It was named in honor of St. Anthony. The first mass was said by Rev. Father Otto Jair, a Franciscan priest, from Louisville. In this church the English-speaking and also the German Catholics worshiped for years. Among the pastors of this unpretentious church, and who was really the first Catholic pastor in Jefi^ersonville, was Father August Bessonies, who afterward became vicar general of the diocese, and who took a prciniinent part in the civic affairs of the city of Indianapolis and of Indiana until his death. Father Bessonies came to Jeft'ersnnville in ^larch, 1834, and was accompanied by Bishop de St. Palais, who begun to take a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of the Catholics of Jeft'ersonville. Father Bessonies, who also attended seven other stations in Clark and Floyd counties, remained until 1857. when he was succeeded by Rev. ^^'illiam Doyle, who remained a year, and was succeeded by his brother. Father Philip Doyle, who remained until October, i860. After that date the spiritual wants of the congregation were attended to by Franciscan priests from Louisville until December, 1861. when the Re\'. G. Ostlangenberg was appointed pastor. B)- this time it became apparent that the little church on Canal street was inadequate to accommodate both the German-speaking and English-speaking Catholics, and by direction of Bishop de St. Palais, Father Ostlangenberg took steps to build a new church for the Irish or English-speaking Catholics, on ground donated by the Bishop and Father Bessonies, at the corner of Chestnut and Locust streets. On October 10, 1863, Rt. Rev. Bishop Martin John Spaulding, of Louisville, laid the cornerstone, and the Veiy Rev. Bede O'Connor preached the sermon. Father O'Connor, by the way, was an Irishman, educated in Germany, and a member of the Benedictine order. He spoke German with great fluency and pow'er, and on several occasions gave missions in Jeffersonville, converting many to the faith and bringing back wayward church members to a sense of their religious obligations.

Father Andrew Michael became the pastor April 16, 1864, having succeeded Father Ostlangenberg, who left in December, 1863. the interim being filled by the Rev. William Doyle. As soon as Father Michael took charge he set to work to complete the foundation of St. Augustine's, and he accomplished the task during this year. In the meantime small-pox broke out among the soldiers in Jeffersonville, and in ministering unto them, he contracted the disease, but recovered, but his sister who was his housekeeper died of it. In 1866 the Bishop directed the Rev. John Mougin, of New Albany, to attend to the pastorate in connection with his other duties, and under his direction the walls of St. Augustine's were completed, and the first mass was said within the unfinished building by Rt. Rev. Bishop de St. Palais, on March 17, 1868. Rev. Father M. Fleischmann became pastor of St. Augustine's for a short time in that year, when the Bishop appointed the Rev. Ernest Audran, rector, on December 3. 1868. who remained pastor until his death, December II, 1899. The name of Father Audran will forever be an inspiration to the Catholics of Clark county. For thirty-one years he looked after the spiritual, and at many times the temporal affairs of his flock. Born in France, of distinguished ancestry, Father Audran came to Vincennes when a young man, and studied theology under his uncle, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Celestine de la Hailandiere. For fifty-four years he was a priest, laboring incessantly in the cause of religion and morality. When he came to Jeffersonville there was nothing but the bare church walls. He built up schools, beside practically rebuilding the church. He was a man of strong individuality ; firm, but kindhearted. He had the respect of the entire community, and was loved by Catholic and non-Catholic alike. At his death there was widespread sorrow throughout the city and throughout the county of Clark.

On the night of December 9, 1903, fire destroyed the church building" completely, causing a loss of about forty thousand dollars, but Father O'Connell and the trustees, John B. Murphy, Dennis O'Heam, Martin Fogarty, Redmond Stanton, James Marra and Thomas Donahue, pushed the movement to rebuild, and the result was the present handsome building designed by D. X. Murphy, of Louisville. The building is commodious and will seat about nine hundred persons. It is in the Spanish Renaissance style. The beautiful towers in the front are seventy-four and ninety-six feet high. On Sunday, October 2. 1905, the Rt. Rev. Bishop Francis Silas Chatard conducted the services of dedication, and once more the congregation of St. Augustine's had a home.

The little church of St. Anthony continued to prosper. In 1871 Rev. Avelin Szabo took charge, and during his time did much in the way of reducing the indebtedness contracted in the purchase of the new building site. In 1875 Father Leopold Mozygamba, who succeeded Father Clements Luitz, commenced the erection of the present place of worship on Maple street, just above Wall street. The church was built at a cost of between eight thousand and nine thousand dollars, under the supervision of Henry Nagle, Ferdinand Voigt. George Unser, Michael Recktenwald, Engelbert Spinner and Theobald Manny, building committee. The priests after Father Leopold came in the following order: Caesar Cuchiarian, 1877-78; Joseph Liesen, 1878-79; Pius Koetterer, 1879-81 ; Anthony Gehring, 1881-83; Bernard Ettensperger. 1883- 87; Avelin Szabo, 1887-96; Francis Newbauer. February, 1896, to July. 1896; Lucius Matt, 1896.

Two school-houses, one for boys and the other for girls, have been built on the church lot, and the schools are flourishing under the supervision of the

Baird S History Of Clark Co., Ind

During the pastorate of Father Liesen the cemetery just above the eastern cemetery was purcliased. and also the lot at the corner of Maple and Wall streets.

In 1889 the church had ninet}'-nine families, and in 1909 has one hundred twenty-five families. The societies are the Knights of St. John, the Ladies' Sodality, the Poor Souls Sodality and the Young Ladies' Sodality. The Spanish has furnished two members to the priesthood, both of whom have joined the Franciscans, O. M. C. One is the Rev. F. M. Voigt and the other is the Rev. Otto Recktenwald.

The early settlers were from Gennany, coming to this countrv in 1846, and by their industry gained a Imme. .\fter having p'"ovided for their bodies, they provided for their souls, mindful of the words of our Savior, "What does it profit a man. if he gain the whole world and loses his own soul?" by erecting a church in their midst. The building was of frame, eighty bv thirty feet: it was commenced on the iith day of June, 1853, and finished the same year. Martin Koerner and Joseph Eringer were the carpenters and contractors. They received for their labor two hundred seventy-fi\-e dollars. The leading men were Peter Biesel, Sr., Peter Renn, Sr., Frank .\ckerman, Andrew Rank, Sr., Philip Strobel and Ludwig Herbig.

Rev. Father Neyron, the well known priest and physician, was the first missionary attending to their spiritual wants. He resided at St. Mary's, Floyd knobs. Father Bessonies, vicar general, attended to them afterwards. St. Joseph's was then attended by Rev. Ed Faller. of New Albany. After the congregation numbered about seventy families, they petitioned the Right Rev. Bishop for a residing priest, but their petition was not heard immediately, for the want of priests. Li the year i860 the first resident priest. Rev. Andrew Michael, arrived at St. Joseph's Hill. His arrival was announced by the ringing of bells, and the people rejoiced at the arrival of their spiritual director. He remained with them for four years. During his time he erected a large two-story brick parsonage, valued at one thousand five hundred dollars, he himself working like a laborer quan-ying rock. His successor was Rev. Father Pauzer. He remained with them nearly nine years, and erected two large frame buildings, the one for a school-house, and the other for a teacher's dwelling.

members to quarry rock for the foundation and haul logs to Peter P. Renn's mill, only a few hundred yards from the church, where all the lumber for the building was sawed. On the i8th day of October, 1880. the cornerstone was laid of the new church with great solemnity, by the Right Rev. Bishop. The foundation was completed that fall by Joseph Zipf. of Clark county, and Louis Zipf, of Floyd county. The new edifice, which is one hundred fourteen by fifty-two feet, and crowned by a spire of one hundred and thirty feet, was completed in 1881. It was dedicated by the Right Rev. Bishop, assisted by Rev. Joseph Dickman, the pastor: Rev. J. Stremler, D. D., of St. Mary's; Rev. J. P. Gillig, of St. John's, Clark county; Rev. Ubaldus, O. S. F.\ of Louisville, and Rev. J. Klein, of New Albany, on the 20th day of November, 188 1. The cost of the building is estimated at twenty-seven thousand dollars. The congregation numliers one hundred families. The trustees who assisted the pastor deserve credit for their activity. They were Mathias Renn, Jacob Strobel, Lorenz ^Veidner, Joseph Zipf, Max Zahner and J. C. Schmidt.

St. Joseph's is the largest Catholic church in the county, outside of JefYersonville. The situation is well adapted for regular religious growth. Everything is in a prosperous condition. Industry and public-spirited enterprise have made for St. Joseph's Hill a name which many other religious communities may well strive to attain.

The schools at St. Joseph's are taught by the Sisters of St. Francis, and about one hundred ten children attend them. There are over one hundred thirty families in the parish, mostly German.

The Catholic Knights Of America

Since the organization of the branch the beneficiaries of deceased members in Jeffersonville have recei\-ed fifty-eight thousand dollars. At present the membership is about fifty.

The Catholic Knights and Ladies of America Branch No. 13 was organized in Jefifersonville March 19, 1892. The following members have served as president since that date: John B. Murphy, 1892-93-94-95-96-97 and 98: Patrick Tracy. 1 899-1 900-1 901 and 1902; Miss Maggie Ash. 1903; L. Con-

The Ancient Order Of Hibernians

Division No. i of Clark county was organized in Jeffersonville September 15, 1890. William McDonald was president: John Donahue, vice-president: George O'Neil, recording secretary: Stephen Hogan, financial secretaiy and Richard Flood, treasurer.

The Knights Of Columbus

Jefifersonville Ciiuncil No. 1348 was organized June 28. 1908, with a charter membership of fifty-four. It is a subordinate council of the Knights of Columbus, incorporated at New Haven, Connecticut, March 29, 1882, and whose purpose is to more closely unite practical white, male members of the Roman Catholic church. It has insurance as well as social features, \\nien organized Jeffersonville council elected the following officers, who are still holding office : Grand knight, James W. Fortune : deputy grand knight, John A. Kennedy : chancellor, John J. Hines : financial and recording secretary, Conway C. Samuels: warden, Lawrence Ford; advocate, Matthew Dolan; lecturer, Frank A. Lang : treasurer, Frank J. Braun : trustees, Martin Fogarty, Richard J. Kennedy, IMartin A. Conroy : guards, Thomas F. O'Hern, John E. Cole, Jr.

Knights Of St. John

St. George Commandery, No. 141, Knights of St. John, was organized May 2, 1882, with Anthony P. Karbel as its first president. This society is a semi-military, social Roman Catholic order, offering benevolent and insurance rates to its members. It has a present membership of fifty-four of the leading German Roman Catholics in Jeffersonville. It has paid out a sum exceeding eight thousand dollars for sick benefits to its members, besides doing a vast amount of charitable work. Its members belong to St. Anthony's Roman Catholic church. August Gatterer is the present president.