rr*
MOST REVEREND P. A. FEEHAN,
ARCHBISHOP OF CHICAGO.
THE
GOLDEN JUBILEE SOUVENIR.
THE HISTORY
OF
CATHOLICITY
IN STEPHENSON COUNTY,
ILLINOIS.
FREEPORT :
F. CHAS. DONOHUE, BOOK AND COMMERCIAL JOB PRINTER.
1896.
TO THOSE
BRAVE HEROES AND HEROINES OF FAITH AND PATRIOTISM,
THE CATHOLIC PIONEERS
OF STEPHENSON COUNTY,
THIS SIMPLE RECORD OF THEIR FIDELITY AND
ITS NOBLE RESULTS
IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
Freeport, Illinois.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception, 1896.
PREFACE.
THEN introduced to a stranger, who is henceforth to be an
lAl acquaintance, and perhaps a friend, one's impulse is to
^ study the individual's countenance, to learn from each
feature a trait of his character, and to judge from the expression
gleaming in the eyes and lingering about the mouth, what sort of a
moral and intellectual existence he has based upon that character.
A preface should not only introduce the book to us, but it
should aid in that scrutiny of features and of expression which
will make the book more than a mere acquaintance, so that we
shall begin and continue its perusal in that spirit of friendliness
which kindly overlooks imperfection, and, with affectionate pride,
slightly magnifies excellence.
What, then, are the features of this little volume, between the
covers of which you are about to glance, kind reader ? Plain and
homely it may be, but clear-cut, and bearing the impress of that
honesty of purpose without which no face is truly attractive, no
work truly noble. The expression that lights up these features
and gives them a beauty, not intrinsically theirs, comes from the
spirit of faith, and hope, and charity.
This book is to dwell in each home in St. Mary's parish ; it
is to be one of the household, a friend who cheers, by recalling
sweet and sacred memories of the past, basing on them the still
sweeter and more sacred hopes of the future.
If it enters homes in other parishes, it will be as a messenger
bearing good tidings of exceeding great joy, and its voice will pro-
claim the worthy deeds of a noble people, urging those who wel-
come its message " to go and do likewise."
Thus it is sent forth, as a loving friend to one, as a kind
messenger to another ; may the welcome accorded it, by one and
all, be as heartfelt and sincere as are the sentiments and motives
that have given it an existence among the creations of the great
literary world.
CAROL A MIL AXIS.
FACTORS
In the Life of the Catholic Church.
In the wonderful life of the Church of God, we find three
grand factors : the militant, the suffering, and the triumphant
armies of immortal souls. Of widely different characters, yet of
almost equal powers, these magnificent factors, through the
beautiful alliance of spiritual forces called the Communion of
Saints, have effected glorious results which to-day illumine the
world, radiating, as they do, from great beacon fires set blazing,
(in many a critical epoch of the world's history) by saintly hands
on towering mountain heights, and fanned, in our day, to a
glowing heat and brightness by the profound thought and sacred
eloquence of His Holiness, Leo XIII.
Revelation, that ineffably precious gift of an Infinite Intel-
ligence to finite minds, has granted us much knowledge of that
supreme factor in the Church's sacred activities, the triumphant
souls in. heaven, also of the powerful band of holy sufferers
undergoing their purification. Faith assures us and we proclaim
in the words of the Creed, our belief that the triumphant and
the suffering souls fail not to fulfill, in behalf of the militant,
many an office of grave import, while a union of the activities of
the three mighty divisions of the Church furthers the grand
work of religion. Though we shall ever bear in mind the silent
workings and hidden influences of the other two, it is with the
efforts, the struggles, and the labors of the militant factor that
we are now concerned ; these we are to study and to describe,
these we hope to glorify.
More efforts are made, by the ordinary men and women
^
10 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
about us, with a direct intention to please God and to increase
His ultimate glory, than we permit ourselves to believe. The
Church Militant rests on its arms less frequently than we think ;
it is on guard more frequently than we realize. Much of the
noble strife is silent ; many of its shouts of victory are so clear
and high that only the angels hear them.
Fascinating indeed is the study of the world's mighty con-
flicts; delightful is it to trace the great events of history to their
sources, to unveil their causes, to discover their tendencies, to
develop their results and to guage the full importance of their
effects. Such studies are replete with interest and profit at any
time, but the fascination, the delight, the interest and the profit
are a hundred-fold increased when the events dwelt upon concern
religion, when the influences under consideration effect changes
in the moral world, when the causes lie mysteriously hidden in
the Infinite Mind, when the results affect the destiny of immortal
beings and all the tendencies are heavenward. Well indeed
may the interest of such studies be thus increased tenfold and
the profit thus become immeasurable.
The history of a locality comparatively insignificent, among
earth's widespread nations and princely cities, might, if purely
secular, be deemed somewhat unimportant, its value doubtful
and its necessity a disputed point ; but once introduce the factors
mentioned above, but once let the Church and her mighty hosts
of triumphant, suffering and militant souls enter into the con-
sideration, then no locality is insignificant, no event of its history
is unimportant. The value of such history, as giving glory to
God and edification to souls, will be undisputed, hence our pages,
devoted to the progress of Catholicity in Stephenson County,
will bear information of superlative interest to the mind filled
with the light of faith, and of immense value to the heart that
is full of hope and charity. To the mind of God, and in the
science of the saints, the souls existing in Stephenson County
are of as great value as those enjoying life and its activities in New
York, London, or Paris.
The loss of a soul in mountain solitude, or the triumph of
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 11
a soul in desert wilderness, the offering of Holy Mass in darkest
Africa, or the giving of the sacraments to the savages of the
Pacific islands, are events that far surpass in importance the
victories of an Alexander or the triumphs of a Buonaparte.
Thus it is that matters which relate to the vast interests of
immortal souls are not limited in importance, or lessened in
value, by mere distances or boundary lines. Where souls are
concerned, Heaven touches very closely upon earth ; it is a trans-
forming touch, too, causing temporal affairs to expand into
eternal results, and the finite to gain everlasting possession of
the Infinite. These noble, fundamental principles must be borne
in mind by him who reads our simple account of more than fifty
years in the life of the Church among simple, God-fearing peo-
ple, in a locality unknown, perhaps, beyond the boundaries of
our own State.
'
Introduction of Catholicity into Illinois.
Can we doubt that the Church Triumphant, seeing all
things in the Beatific Vision, watched, in ecstatic joy, the pro-
gress of the frail canoe that carried adown the great " Father
of Waters " the weight of a nation's spiritual inheritance ? We
may well believe that never did king or queen, however great
and powerful, make so royal and magnificent a progress through
mighty kingdoms and rich cities, as that of the precursor of
Christ in the Valley of the Mississippi, as that of the heaven-
appointed bearer of glad tidings, as that of Father Marquette
through primeval forests, over virgin prairies, and on the waters
of unknown rivers. Since all worldly pomp and ceremony were
lacking, the more were heavenly visitants attracted. The greater
the simplicity, from a human point of view, the greater the
invisible glory of the joyous guard of angelic beings established
about the sainted missionary and, the more lonely his pathway,
the more magnificent were the winged processions of glad spirits
that followed him, as in the name of God most high, he took pos-
session of the virgin soil of Illinois. Here, amid bands of scat-
tered savages, he planted the tiny seed that, among civilized
growths, has become so stately a tree. Of its fruitful development
we have evidence in the prosperity of the Archdiocese of Chi-
cago and its dependent dioceses of Alton, Belleville and Peoria,
for not only to the savage children of the forests did Father Mar-
quette bring his heavenly message ; sacred tradition, that never
failing voice of the Holy Spirit, bore it down through the centuries
to the white settlers. They had brought with them their faith, it
was strengthened by words and hymns still re-echoing through the
sweet, untainted air which the saintly one had set in vibration.
14 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
And now where once were Indian farms, are flourishing dioceses ;
where wigwams stood, tower the steeples of stately cathedrals.
We read, in books of varied titles and by different authors,
the same sweet story of Father Marquette's journey down the
Mississippi ; of his return, in 1673, with his companion, Joliet, a
Canadian merchant, and of their brief stay with the tribe of the
Peorias.
His promise to this tribe that he would return to establish
a mission among them and " the gentle Illini " was kept, late in
the year 1674. With that admirable courage that always dis-
tinguished him, the devoted priest started from the Straits of
Mackinaw, crossed Lake Michigan and then passed along its
western shore until, worn out in body, but indefatigable in soul,
he reached the mouth of the " Chicagou." Not being able to pro-
ceed on his way to the expectant tribes of the Illinois valley, he
sent a messenger to inform them of the fact, and many of them
hastened to his side, happy to be of service to him, until such
time as his restoration to health should enable him to become of
infinitely greater service to them. His holy ministrations brought
spiritual joy, and the peace of God, to the inhabitants of many an
Indian village, before he again turned his face towards the north
and began his last journey through the wilderness. Illinois was,,
at that time, a wide, uncultivated territory, teeming w y ith rich
promises of the agricultural wealth of the future. It had then no
white inhabitants, but they were not to be long in coming nor
were they slow, when once arrived, in rendering this one of the
fairest and richest of the great states ; neither did they fail to
devote part of its noble resources to the support and to the prop-
agation of the faith.
Illinois is now dotted, over all its extent, with church edi-
fices, and, everywhere that the number of children requires it and
means render it possible, a school stands beside the church, as-
outworks beside a citadel, for mutual support and protection.
titepkenson County, Illinois, 1896. 15
Early History of Catholicity in Chicago.
Like the gleam of the fire-fly in the twilight, was the brief
delay of Father Marquette at the mouth of the " Chicagou ;" the
light of faith and fervor did not again illumine the spot, until
one hundred and fifty years had elapsed. The locality became
known, successively, as a traders' point, a government reservation,
and a frontier outpost. Here Fort Dearborn was built, for the
protection of the few white settlers against their red enemies. In
times of peace, to this point came the Indians to claim the sup-
plies of goods and of money promised them by the government
in exchange for their lands. Here too came the Jesuit mission-
aries, also Father Baden and others, from Bardstown, Ky., and
A 7 incenues, Ind., the religious priests seeking to convert the In-
dians, and the secular clergy endeavoring to give temporary
spiritual comfort to the Catholic soldiers and traders stationed at
this outpost.
The missionary period of the seventeenth century passed
away ; but not until 1833 did the church in Chicago become perma-
nently established. Its present life and strength originated in
the efforts of Father St. Cyr, authorized by Bishop Rosati of St.
Louis, to take charge of the two hundred souls constituting the
Catholic population of the town growing up at that time on the
spot where Father Marquette had paused to preach and to pray
in 1674. It required two weeks of unpleasant traveling for
Father St. Cyr to reach the mission at Chicago, nor did he find
much at his journey's end to rest or comfort him. From Bishop
Rosati he had recived a letter of appointment, commanding him
to " report to the Bishop of Chicago, w y hen Chicago should have
a Bishop " ! None but a prophetic soul could have seen, at that
16 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
time, in the wild little town, any of the characteristics of a
bishopric.
The first episcopal visit to Chicago was that of Bishop Brute
of Vinceniies, Ind., who gave confirmation to the few persons
who had presented themselves to Father St. Cyr for preparation.
The congregation comprised, at that period, the paschal season of
1835, four hundred souls of various nationalities, French, Irish,
German, American and Canadian, all of whom attended the ser-
vices in the poor little frame edifice called "St. Mary's of the
Lake " ; to these services there likewise came, quite frequently,
the Commandant, accompanied by his staff and by the garrison
of the fort. This was the embryo, as it were, of the towering and
wide-spreading tree, to whose rich growth we have already referred.
Later in the same year, 1835, came the famous rush of Irish
emigrants, from seaport towns, to the village beside the great lake.
This was caused by the proposed construction of a canal to join
the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Illinois river.
The numbers who came so greatly increased Father St. Cyr's
flock that he was obliged to appeal to the bishop for help in min-
istering to so great a number of souls. Assistance was granted
him and to his own were joined the labors of Rev. Fathers de St.
Palais, Fischer, Schaefer and Dupontavice. The last named took
charge of Joliet, and two Vincentian Fathers of the Mission de-
voted themselves to the faithful residing at LaSalle. The other
Rev. Fathers named above, together with Father St. Cyr, found
plenty to do along the course of the canal, the construction of
which brought the Catholic laborers to a different point almost
daily, making of them a sort of wandering or pilgrim congrega-
tion gathering in camps, in cabins and in log huts to assist at a
service no whit different, in essentials from, that which is to-day
celebrated, with so much pomp and glory, in the handsome ca-
thedral of the Holy Name. Sore need had the poor people of the
sacred comfort that only religion could afford them, for those
were the dread days of the cholera, which were followed by the
financial disasters of 1837.
In 1844, when its population had become 12,000 and a num-
TOTS' tw
Stephenson County, IllinQis, 1896.
^!!!GLE
ber of small towns had sprung up in ^Tfjifljty,, fjjhri'*ng~ was
raised to the dignity of an episcopal see, with Rt. Rev. William
Quarter as bishop. The varied events of his administration are
the subjects of very interesting chapters in " The Souvenir Volume
of the Silver Jubilee of Archbishop Feehan." St. Mary's Church,
in Chicago, which was to have been Bishop Quarter's cathedral,
was in an unfinished condition, at the time of his arrival, and
even lacked the requisite furniture for sanctuary and altar ; more-
over, there was a considerable debt on it, for the payment of
which there seemed absolutely no provision. However, the Bishop
and his brother, Very Rev. Walter Quarter, having united their
personal funds, to pay off the three or four thousand dollars due
on the work already accomplished, the people were encouraged
to contribute sufficient amounts to complete the structure. Not
long after the bishop's arrival, then, the cathedral was finished,
and it was his happy privilege to send towering to the sky, its
cross-laden steeple, the first to point heavenward from a church
in Chicago. It is needless to dwell upon the rapid and marvel-
lous changes in the diocese, since that time. The advancement
and improvement that edifies and delights us, at this hour, began
in Bishop Quarter's administration, and though he continued
only four years his sacred duty to the young flock scattered
throughout Illinois, yet the ordination of twenty-nine priests, and
the erection of thirty churches, constituted but a small part of his
arduous labors during that brief, but exceedingly fruitful period.
" He began with six clergymen in his diocese, and not even one
ecclesiastical student ; he left after him forty priests, besides twenty
students preparing for the priesthood, while on the many im-
provements which he had originated there was not a cent of
debt." Poverty and privation had been the portion of priests and
people, this had been cheerfully shared by their bishop, and he
united with them in transforming hardships, by patient endur-
ance, into the unfailing riches and abundance of eternal dwelling
places.
Our space will not permit us to enter into details regarding the
administrations of Bishop Quarter's successors, but we hope our
18 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
readers will not fail to become acquainted with the contents of
the volume we have already recommended, where they will find
the labors of Rt. Rev. Jas. Van de Velde, Rt. Rev. A. 0. Regan,
Rt. Rev. Jas. Duggan, Rt. Rev. Thos. Foley, and Mt. Rev. P. A.
Feehan, eloquently portrayed.
The diocese of Chicago now enjoys the spiritual services of
three hundred and fifty-five priests ; its churches number two
hundred and twenty-eight ; of chapels there are one hundred and
six ; one hundred and forty institutions afford educational ad-
vantages to Catholic youth, and seventeen are devoted to charity.
Forty-three thousand pupils attend the Catholic schools,,
academies and colleges and the population of the diocese num-
bers four hundred and eighty thousand souls. Among them
many nationalities are represented, Irish, German and Bohemian
predominating.
A quotation from one of the many eloquent addresses pre-
sented to His Grace of Chicago, on the occasion of his Silver Jub-
ilee will correctly indicate the origin of the present prosperity of his
important charge, "These churches, schools and charitable insti-
tutions stand as monuments to the earnestness and generosity of
the Catholic population. They are built by the voluntary con-
tributions of the people, by the personal sacrifices and savings of
zealous priests, by the untiring industry, self-denial and economy
of devoted brothers and nuns. They evidence the influence
which the Catholic faith exercises, where people are in possession
of civil and religious liberty. They testify what can be accom-
plished, by a believing flock, when unhampered by state influence
or interference what can be done by a free church in a free
state."
Perhaps in no diocese has the truth of the above been more
evident than in that of Chicago. The church, in our county, is an
off-shoot of that great tree of which our parish of St. Mary's is a
sturdy, healthy, fruitful branch, and now we will do a little rev-
erent botanizing tracing from soil to root, from root to tree, from
tree to branch, the sacred life of religion in Stephenson County,
Illinois.
Stephen son County, Illinois, 1896. 19"
THE EARLY HISTORY
Of Catholicity in Stephenson County.
The nature of the soil, if only it be watered by the dews of
divine grace, or by the crimson floods of martyrdom, matters lit-
tle to the* growth of the Church. So watered, and with men of
truly apostolic spirit to till it, richly productive has been the soil
of every part of our great country, from ocean to ocean, and from
gulf to great lakes.
Each locality, in that wide expanse, has its beautiful history
of suffering and self-sacrifice, joyfully offered in behalf of religious
prosperity ; our own region is no exception ; many a beautiful
incident might be recorded in proof of the devotedness of the
Catholics of Stephenson County in early days. The angels of
God keep the record of these deeds, though earth may bear no
memorial of them.
A monument marks the spot where occurred the Black Hawk
War, but no stately shaft or noble pile of stones marks the place,,
in the immediate neighborhood of this memorial, where occurred
an event infinitely greater than any war, however serious in its
results. All devout souls will agree in regarding the celebration
of the sacred mysteries as immeasurably greater in importance
and value than any event in profane history. Yet the solid
memorial of the dread Indian war has no companion monument
to tell the passer-by that here was offered, for the first time in
our county, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The sacred cere-
mony took place in the house of one Simon Brady, near Kel-
logg's Grove, and Father Stephen Vincent Baden was the cele-
'20 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
brant. This was in October, 1827, as the good priest was on his
way to visit Galena and Prairie du Chien, in which places miners
were even then seeking for lead.
Six or eight years later, the Bishop of St. Louis, under whose
jurisdiction the western part of Illinois had been placed, sent
Father John McMahan to locate his dwelling in Galena and to
attend the spiritual needs of the Catholics scattered throughout
this section of the State. After a brief visit to Dubuque, Iowa,
Father McMahan devoted himself to the service of the eight hun-
dred Catholics in aod about Galena. Authorities differ as to the
date, but it was either in 1833 or 1834. The devoted priest's pastor-
ate was short indeed, for he had labored only nine months among
his flock, when God took him to his everlasting rest. .His suc-
cessor, Father Fitz Morris, was even a shorter time among the
sorrowing people ; in three months he followed his predecessor to
the realms of eternity. His successor was Father Shanahan, who
likewise departed this life while attending the spiritual needs of
tlie early settlers of Galena. The bodies of these three priests,
the first to die in our part of the country, were buried in the pub-
lic cemetery, where they still lie, though it was proposed, in 1843,
to remove them to the Catholic cemetery, that year opened for
the burial of bodies consecrated by the sacraments of the Church.
Previous to the coming of Father McMahan, in 1832 or '34,
Galena and Dubuque had been visited by Rev. Samuel Mazzu-
chelli, an Italian Dominician missionary, so well known and so
beloved, in Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois, that his life and labors
constitute a sacred tradition rendering it unnecessary to repeat
the events of the one or to describe the extent of the others in
this work. Suffice it to state, in this relation, that one of the
many church edifices built by him was St. Michael's in Galena,
in which our brief history has an interest, because, from 1827 to
1843, the Catholics of Stephenson County were dependent upon
the priests located at Galena for occasional opportunities to assist
at the Holy Sacrifice and to receive the sacraments.
It was in 1835, after the death of Fathers McMahan, Fitz
Morris and Shanahan, that Father Mazzuchelli laid the -corner
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
21
THE NEW CHURCH AT IRISH GROVE.
THE OLD CHURCH AT IRISH GROVE.
THE OLD CHURCH AT LENA.
THE CHURCH AT NEW DUliLIN.
22
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
stone of St. Michael's church in Galena; he then went to Wis-
consin and his place in Galena was successively filled by Fathers
Petiot, Brady, Oslangenberg and McCorick. It is well remem-
bered by old settlers, that, in 1841, Father Petiot said Mass in the
house of Michael Walsh, for the Catholic people of Irish Grove.
The house is now owned by James Spellmann. From 1841 to
1846 Irish Grove was attended by the priest residing at New
Dublin, and the services were held in private houses. Then a
church was built which continued in use until 1895, when Rev.
Michael Sullivan, the present pastor, replaced it by the fine frame
.structure of which the present congregation are so justly proud.
MARY HOGAN, OF NEW DUBLIN.
Our special interest in the Galena congregation ceases with
the year 1843, in which Stephenson County received the services
of its first resident priest, Father Derwin, appointed by the Bishop
of St. Louis to the parish of New Dublin. The welcome pastor
made his home with a family named Murphy and offered the
Holy Mass in a log church, " 16 ft. x 24 ft. and seven logs high,"
which had been erected in 1836. In 1844, the Bishop of Chicago
was given jurisdiction over all Illinois, and, in 1846, he appointed
Rev. Jas. Cavanaugh to the charge of New Dublin and the mis-
sions in its vicinity. This clergyman was succeeded by Rev. F.
Kalvalege, who erected, in 1855, the church now in use in New
Dublin.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 23
THE EARLY
Catholic Settlers in Stephenson County.
Heroism has many phases and is variously developed by
courage and by fortitude. The heroism of the battlefield is easily
recognized and rarely fails to meet with the reward of fame ; the
brave soldier, the sturdy sailor, the gallant fireman these are
heroes whose right to applause is never questioned, and among
them any manly man would gladly be classed, but there is a si-
lent heroism, a hidden fortitude, an unproclaimed courage in
many spheres of human action that escape the ordinary observer
and are seldom recorded on the pages of history, Such was the
heroism of the explorer, such the fortitude of a pioneer's wife,
such the courage of the pioneer himself. Ah, those early settlers !
those brave men and women who severed the ties of kindred and
of friendship, who uprooted the fondest affections for place and
people to go into strange lands and among savage tribes in search
of a home, in search of a support denied them elsewhere. If we
pause to reflect upon the condition of things, in the early part of
our century, we will not hesitate to recognize the heroism it re-
quired to settle on the prairies of Illinois, or in the forests of Wis-
consin, and to make one's way, sometimes with nature, and more
times against her, towards the foundation of a home. A thous-
and difficulties, unknown in our day, and therefore not to be
realized by us, rose up in the pathway of the first settlers striving
to gain mere subsistence, where prosperit} 7 now offers freely the
richest gifts. We would be ungrateful indeed, were we to forget
those whose sacrifices and labors secured for us an inheritance of
24
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
faith and prosperity. All honor then to the early settlers of our
county and our town ! We fain would see their names, not only
recorded in this little book but inscribed upon monuments of
marble in letters of gold ! Think of the absence of physical com-
forts, of the dearth of mental food, of the loneliness and even des-
olation. Above all and before all, with the Catholic pioneer^
ranked spiritual comforts and food for the soul, yet how frequent-
ly these were lacking, so that we find him, with his family, walk-
ing long miles over rough country roads, to assist at Holy Mass,.
THE LATE GEN. GEO. W. JONES, OF DUBUQUE.
or selling his last cow in order to donate his share towards the
erection of a log church, near his own farm and amid the simple
homes of his neighbors, each of whom had made similar sacrifices
to gain benefits ranked by him above all other blessings.
In 1832, when the late lamented General Jones, of Dubuque,
visited the Black Hawk battle-fields, in search of the remains of
Col. Dufresne, his brother-in-law, he met with Father E. Brady
a pioneer priest of Michigan, and they together visited what re.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
25
mained of the house in which was celebrated the first Mass offered
in Stephenson County.
This, as we have elsewhere stated, was the home of Simon
Brady, the first Catholic settler in our county, he having located
here in 1827. He was a cousin of Father Brady, mentioned
above, and is remembered as a devout and faithful son of the
Church, esteeming himself more highly honored by the offering
of the Holy Sacrifice under his roof than if he had entertained
all the kings of Europe.
THE LATE MR. AND MES. THOMAS BARRON.
Some of our citizens may remember Freeport's first court
house, also the fact that its foundation was laid by James Burns
and William Kilpatrick, who came here in 1836. The former
bought from the U. S. government forty acres of land, bordering
on the river, on a portion of which the Brewster House now
stands; the latter purchased a hundred and sixty acres upon
which the greater part of Freeport is built. James Burns, having
sold his property, went to Ireland, about 1841, and was there
married to Miss Kate Barry, in 1845. Returning to Freeport in
26 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
1850, he made here his home and proved himself a worthy mem-
ber of St. Mary's parish.
William Kirkpatrick remained in Freeport until 1844 or
'45, after which he resided in Canada, where he went in company
with the Cavanaugh Brothers of Dublin.
Edmund Mullarkey and family came from Indiana in 1836,
and settled in Irish Grove. Daniel and Anthony, sons of Ed-
mund Mullarkey, are still prominent members of that parish and
identify themselves with every religious and charitable under-
taking. Mrs. Sartori, nee Kate Mullarkey, a descendent of Ed-
mund's, is a resident of LeMars, Iowa, where she takes an active
part in religious, charitable and educational affairs. She was
this year elected president of the Ladies' Auxiliary Committee of
the Western Summer School at Madison, Wis. She was educated
at St. Clara's Academy, Sinsinawa, Wis. Portraits of Messrs.
Anthony and Daniel Mullarkey and of their wives will be found
in this work.
In the same year, 1836, the following old settlers and their
families came to Stephenson County, viz : Thomas, Patrick and
Michael Flynn, Robert and George Cavanaugh, John Glynn,
James, Nicholas, Michael and Peter Fenlon.
Rev. Father Petiot said Mass in Michael Walsh's log house
in 1841 ; this was the first time the Holy Sacrifice was offered in
Irish Grove ; the house now belongs to James Spellmann.
In 1842 there came to the county, with their families, Mich-
ael Stenson, Martin Mullin, Thomas Brie, Thomas Cuff", Thomas
Fox, Thomas Flemming, Thomas Howley, Patrick Richardson,
John Blaney, Patrick Bradley, Matthew Reedy, Michael Blimm,
Peter Mullin, Austin O'Malley, Thomas Slack, Martin and James
Fitzpatrick, James Owens, Denis O'Donavan, Denis and Edward
Doonan, Patrick O'Malley, Matthew Doyle, John Ginnenwein,
John Spellmann, William Marlow and Maurice Hyland.
The last named settled in Rock Run township in 1846, where
he now possesses a fine farm which he purchased, in those old
days, directly from the government. Many a time his log dwell-
ing was not only the abiding place of the priest of God but the
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
27
PATRICK FINN.
AIICHAEL KENNEDY.
MIOHAEL NOLAN.
JAMES O'BRIEN.
ANDREW FAY.
MICHAEL MOONEY
MICH
[AEL STACK
' LIBRARY
28
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
shelter under which was offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
During the time that elapsed between the years 1842 and
1850, homes were built in Stephenson County, for themselves and
families, by the following faithful members of God's Church :
MES. CATHERINE EGAN.
Sister of the lamented Rev. John Cavanaugh, the pioneer Priest.
John and Michael Graham, Denis Hawkins, M. Muligan, John
Carty, John Maloney, J. Daley, Edward Crowe, Thomas McDon-
ough, M. Geary, Martin Sughrove, Edward Kealy, James Murry,
James Cullen, Charles Hopkins, Edward McNally, W. Rowen,.
Steplienson County, Illinois, 1896. 29
William Gray, John Tracey, James Sullivan, Michael O'Leary,
James Cox, John Herrington, Thomas Cashman, Thomas Kee-
nan, Thomas McGuire, William McGurk, John Barron, Philip
Hogan, Michael O'Boyle, Moses McGrath, Patrick Callen, Mary
O'Sullivan, Patrick Moulton, Richard Gould, Elizabeth Cavan-
augh, Lawrence Murphy, John Scanlan, John Kennedy, Robert
Mo ran, Robert Franey, Catherine Murphy, George Murphy,
Thomas Summers, John McNamara, Dennis Cavanaugh, Wm.
Dunn, Bart Doyle, Francis Higgins, Christopher Hughes, Mary
Murphy, John Menlove, Stephen Byrne, John Mullarkey, Dennis
Quinlan, Edward Higgins, J. B. Vale, A. Malloy, H. Collins, W.
Kinney, W. T. Cox, James Murphy, Pat Parron, Pat O'Brien,
James Campbell, Frances Foley, Robert Wall, A. Hawley, Thomas
Hawkins, Patrick Hawkins, Daniel Hawley, John Walsh, Joseph
Carey, Charles O'Neil, Joseph Hays, James Hays, Jacob Burns,
John Murray, James McCauley, C. Curnmings, J. Cooney, Wm.
Hamilton, Miles O'Brien, Ellen Doran, David Graham, John
Graham, John Daley, Thomas Flemming, Peter Began, Jane
Kelly, Thomas Howley, Annie Kern, A. McKenny, Thomas Kelly,
Patrick Giblin, Dan Cavanaugh, John Howe, Patrick Lucy,
James Kugan, James O'Brien, John O'Brien, Mat Carmody, James
Cavanaugh, William Gould, Dan Brown, Andrew Farrell, Dennis
Meagher, Michael Donovan, John Flanagan, Michael Reed,
Thomas Reed, Michael Bowler, Pat Burns, Martin Byrnes, John
Eagan, John McLaughlin, Bernard McCarthy, John Howes,
Michael Laugh liu, John Gannon, John Buckly, Patrick McGrane,
James Barry, Joseph Pere, Windel Miller, Michael Mitchell,
Matthias Kishermer, Matt Hettinger, John Hettinger, George
Lamm, Philip Hamm, Andrew Hamm, William Hamm, Mr.
Nohe, Henry Pifer, Joe Miller, Henry Lichtenberger, George
Lichtenberger, Michael Bangasser, George Bangasser, Adam
Rippberger, Peter Altes, Anthony Schaedel, Dony Schaedel, Joe
Rapple, George Bruehler, Thomas Barron, William Barron,
James O'Brien, John Foley, Patrick Hanafin, Bernard Coyle,
Walter Barry, James Cavanaugh, Mrs. Carroll, Mr. Vail, John
Loftus, John Martin, James Sullivan.
30 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
1850 TO 1860. Wm. Osborne, Patrick Lacey, J. J. Sweeney,
Dennis Sweeney, James McCarthy, John O'Brien, Dennis O'Con-
nell, John O'Connor, Michael Cowley, Michael Ryan, John Lane,
Patrick Carrigan, Michael Kennedy, Patrick Silk, Thomas Glavin,
Bernard McGuire, John Collins, James Hart, John Crossen, Peter
Bordaux, Patrick Kelly, John Keenan, Anthony Gavin, Morris
Wingert, Bernard Devy, Patrick Hannifan, John Fanon, Patrick
Riley, William Power, Thomas O'Connor, John Rapp, John Hen-
sing, Robert Moran, Peter O'Regan, Dennis Murphy, Patrick
Henry, Edward Connelly, Brien Casey, John Mithony, Carroll
Fitzgibbons, Michael Nohe, John McGinnis, Richard Drever,
George Shady, Michael Madegan, Dennis Haskens, Joseph Bar,
John Lammon, Martin Lally, Patrick Mnyly, Patrick Naton,
Wm. Mannin, Thomas Fitzpatrick, Thomas Hollis, Martin Crowe,
Wm. Lawler, Andrew Williams, Thomas Cashmau, Edward
Lynch, Robert Welsh, James Cox, Laurence Lyons, James Len-
ard, Thomas Keily, Michael Flar, John Power, John Sullivan,
Thomas Hasset, Richard Hughes, John Sheehan, John Mahan,
Martin Sordan, Michael Cowley, Thomas Ryan, James Kane,
Michael Maher, James Casey, James Boyle, John Regan, Martin
Fitzpatrick, Patrick McGrane, Patrick Mackin, Peter Grady,
William Sheehan, George Scott, Matthew O'Neal, John Vail, Pat-
rick McGrath, Pat McGuinnis, Thomas Gordon, Michael Brod-
erick, Thomas Mooney, Joseph Rapple, Philip Steffen, James
Hanahan, Thomas Grant, Patrick Silk, Richard Goff, Wm. Hyde,
Richard McCale, Pat Dougherty, Thomas Gray, Martin McAn
drews, James Darrah, George Blust, John Lyons, Jarnes Nolin,
Thomas Lane, James Hogan, Bernard Casey, Richard Madigan,
Anton Rodemeyer, Patrick McCoy, John Loftus, James Welch,
Daniel Allen, Moses Burns, James Kane, John McDonnell, Rob-
ert Welch, Thomas Craton, Patrick Garreton, Thomas O'Connell,
Joseph Brewster, Pat Hanafin, Pat Casey, Wm. Gallagher, M.
Mullin, Cornelius Murphy, John McCalligot, Bernard Deery,
James Keogh, James Cavanaugh, Patrick Root, Martin Lawless,
Tom Barry, John McGinity, Pat Farrell, James Flanagan, John
Wall, James McCarthy, Andrew Williams, John Reddington,
titephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
31
THE LATE MRS. MARGARET WALL.
32
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Patrick Cawley, Patrick Hamilton, John Lahey, James Lahey,
Joseph Lambert, James Hanagan, Timothy Coffee, Michael Dady,
James Simson, Nicholas Glynn, Wm. Coimell, Patrick Laly, Den-
nis Sweeney, Patrick Brennan, John Carr, Stephen Rigney,
Christopher Skelley, Richard Dunn, Edward Mullaney, Pat Mc-
Govern, Dan Brown, Lawrence Seifert, M. Schneider, Pat Keenan,
James Grace, Wm. Lahey, Thomas Brady, James Daley, Owen
McCarthy, Pat Ward, Dan Kane, John McNerney, Edward Joyce.
These are a part of the great number of families that settled
in this county before 1860.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 33
The Foundation of St. Mary's Parish,
FREEPORT, ILL.
" An old meadow can be ploughed in straight furrows, but
in 'a clearing' the plough must be turned aside for stumps and
be lifted over rocks." There is much homely wisdom in this
assertion of an author whose name we cannot now recall, and it
contains a figure suggestive of the work done in pioneer days for
religion as w r ell as for agriculture. The devoted priests who
dwelt in our county, from 1836 to 1855, worked in "the clear-
ing "; they felled the trees, as it were, and prepared not only the
harvest fields, but the pathways which were to become, ere long,
highways to a then undreamed of prosperity. The soil has
proved good, but in the " 30's " and " 40's," and the " 50's," only
.a divinely enlightened eye, or prophetic spirit, could have
discerned its value, for during that time the " clearing " was full of
the stumps of human difficulty and of rocks of providential plac-
ing, such as God uses to test the strength of His chosen servants,
.but there were never wanting skillful, willing hands, under the
guidance of wise heads, to turn the plough around the stumps or
to lift it o'er the rocks.
The pastors of St. Mary's Church, from the earliest date to
the present time, were Rev. Ferdinand Kalvelage (July, 1854-
July, 1859), Rev. Thomas O'Gara (August 1859-March, 1866,)
Rev. Fathers Westkamp and Fischer (assistants to Father
Kalvelage), Rev. Thomas Kennedy (March, 1866-Septernber,
1866), Rev. George Rigby (September, 1866-March, 1867), Rev.
M. J. Hanley (March, 1867-August, 1869), Rev. P. L. Hendricks
(August, 1869-February, 1870), Rev. F. J. Murtah (February,
34
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
1870-May, 1871), Rev. M. Stack (May, 1871-April, 1877), Rev.
Thomas Mangan (April, 1877-October, 1887), Rev. M. Welby
(October, 1877-February, 1890), and Rev. W. A. Horan (February,.
1890 ).
REV. FERDINAND KALVALAGE,
The second Pastor of St. Mary's Church.
In 1854 Rev. Jas. Cavanaugh caine to Freeport as its first
resident pastor, and in 1855 the first Catholic church, "old St.
Mary's," a plain frame building, was erected by the joint congre-
gation of Germans and Irish. Father Kalvelage, as was men-
tioned above, took charge of the parish in 1859, and when the
MR. AND MRS. P. M GRATH.
MR. AND MRS. WM. VAIL.
MR. AND MRS. HUGH CLARK.
MR. AND MRS. D. o'CONNELL.
MR. AND MRS. M. FAGAN.
36 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
parishes were divided, iu 1862, he continued in charge of the
German congregation, which had, in the meantime, completed
another church and had it dedicated under the patronage of
St. Joseph. Father O'Gara became pastor of St. Mary's after this
separation.
For Rev. Father Hauley, the people erected a comfortable
brick residence, which Father Stack, with unselfish zeal, gave to
the Sisters for a dwelling place, while he took up his abode in the
attic of the school building. In course of time he caused the
original St. Mary's Convent to be constructed, also the first
St. Mary's Parochial School. The Sisters, Dominicans from Sinsin-
awa, numbered four, a music teacher and two teachers for the
school, also one to oversee household affairs. During Father
Stack's pastorate there was a vigor in the life of the parish that
had excellent results.
Father Mangan's ten years were distinguished by several
excellent improvements ; the cemetery was surveyed, plotted and
beautified, the church was raised and otherwise repaired, and an
addition was built to the pastoral residence.
Rev. Father Welby, who was highly revered by his people,
died while absent from his parish, on a journey taken for the
benefit of his health. Father Horan, who had taken charge of
the parish during Father Welby's absence, succeeded him as
pastor.
Such, in brief, is the history of the " old St. Mary's "; simple
indeed, but nothing is great in itself; it is only the doing of it
that makes it great, and to such greatness the simplest deeds lend
themselves. God does not care for mere results ; what He does
care for is the nice workmanship which our human personality
has the power to lavish on the indifferent materials of an ordin-
ary life and from which the finest results may originate.
Our readers will find it interesting, we do not doubt, to
review the biographical sketches that appeared in a local paper,
at the time of the dedication of the present church, hence we
repeat them here, in addition to the brief statements made on
the previous pages, regarding the labors of St. Mary's pastors:
MRS. M. MAHAN.
MRS. HANAFIN.
MRS. M. UKLANEY.
MRS. HAGERTY.
MRS. GARVEY.
MRS. O ROURKE.
MRS. R. CASEY.
MRS. JOHANAH NOLAN.
.38 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
RECORDS OF THE PASTORS.
In the modest home of James Cavanaugh and Mary Keogh,
his wife, in county West Meath, Ireland, was born a son in the
year 1823. He was christened John, and his early days were
spent in rural simplicity, for his father was a farmer and toiled
early and late for the sustenance of his little flock. It was in
this atmosphere that the boy took on the lines of character which
characterized him as a man. It was here, too, that he received an
education in hardihood eminently fitting him to take up his life
work in a new section of America.
When seven years old the lad began attending school near
his home. Three years later, he started for Mellingar, Carlow
college, at which institution he studied until thirteen years of
age. Next he attended college at Rheims, France, for seven years,
and then entered the All Hallows College, near Dublin, where he
remained about three years. During his entire school life, he
showed himself to be an earnest student and made rapid progress
in pursuing the course of study prescribed in each institution
that he attended.
In 1846 he set his face westward, landing at New York city
and going directly from there to Chicago. At the latter place
he was ordained a priest, by Bishop Quarter, in 1847.
Soon after his ordination Father Cavanaugh came west to
this county and located at New Dublin. His mission included
New Dublin, Freeport, Irish Grove and the Fenlon settlement,
north of Davis. Of these places only two New Dublin and
Irish Grove had church edifices. Besides the parishes named,
he filled occasional appointments at Elizabeth, Rockford, Mt.
darroll, Plum River, Savanna, Warren, what is now called
Durand, and to all parts of the present congressional district,
where families or congregations of Catholics had settled. He
had four distinct residences: with Mrs. Catharine Egan, his
sister, at Freeport ; Mrs. Murphy, New Dublin ; Edward Mullar-
key, Irish Grove, and Peter Fenlon, at the Fenlon settlement.
His time was fully occupied in going from mission to
mission, administering, with unfailing energy and zeal, to the
MR. AND MRS. MOSES BURNS.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN VAIL. MR. AND. MRS. CHAS. M'COY.
MR. AND MRS. WM. OSBNRNE. MR. AND MRS. PETER MULLEN.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN LANE.
40 Golden Jubilee Souvenir,
spiritual needs of the scattered Catholic families. Numerous-
sick calls, requiring long journeys, by night as well as by day,
were faithfully attended, his sacred powers, as a Catholic priest,
making it his imperative duty to respond, at any hour, and
under any circumstance, to the call of persons in danger of death.
He continued in the discharge of his laborious duties at
Freeport, until the summer of 1854, where, as directed by his
Bishop, he took charge of St. George's, the only church, at that
time, in Joliet, Illinois.
He was a man of great natural talent and many acquired
gifts. His sympathetic nature and his ardent zeal made him
untiring in his efforts for the temporal and spiritual welfare of
those committed to his care.
He was in Joliet but a year and a half, when he was ap-
pointed to Alton, from which place, after a short stay, he departed
to take charge of a church in St. Joseph, Mo. After a brief
pastorate there, he returned to this section of the country, to bid
his old parishioners good-bye. In 1859, intending to set sail for
France, he went to New Orleans, but having stopped there to
attend the Yellow fever victims, he fell a martyr to charity, and
was found dead at his post.
Soon after his death, Mrs. Egan, who still lives in Freeport,
received from the pastor, and from the Archbishop of New Or-
leans, kind and sympathetic letters, in which Father Cavanaugh's
great zeal and his devotion to duty, in the midst of the plague, as
well as his edifying death, were vividly described. He was
greatly attached to his sister and her husband, and while in
Joliet sent them several volumes of " Lives of the Saints," in
which is written on the fly leaf, in a bold, flowing hand, " A gift
from the Rev. John Cavanaugh, P. P., of Joliet, to his brother-in-
law, Thomas Egan, and Catharine, his sister."
Besides superintending the building of the first Catholic
church in Freeport, and raising funds to meet the expense, he be-
gan a fine house of worship at Alton, 111., which was finished by
his successor.
* * *t^ A
. ^.sGH
PASTORS WHO HAVE SERVED IN
UfcNTS' LIBRARY
REV. FR. WALKER. REV. FR. STACK. REV. FR. MURTAUGH.
RKV. FR. MANGAN.
REV. FR. WELBY.
- *y
'
REV. FR. RYAN. RKV. FR. KEARNEY. REV. FR. SULLIVAN.
42 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
During Father Cavanaugh's pastorate in Freeport there were
no railroads. Early in the fifties, the Illinois Central was not yet
completed, and he had to travel almost constantly with horse and
buggy. The cholera made his work yet more laborious, because
of the great number of sick people he was called upon to see. He
met with many ludicrous and sometimes very dangerous adven-
tures, in his travels over the wild country. Everywhere he found
open for him opportunities for earnest work, and it is no wonder
that he was greatly beloved by the members of his flock, for he
was untiring in his efforts in their behalf.
FATHER FERDINAND KALVALEGE was born at Lohne, Olden-
burg, Germany, June 27, 1829. He is a son of Henry and Cath-
arine Kalvalege, and is an uncle of Father Clement Kalvalege, of
St. Joseph's Catholic church. He attended school at his home
and after coming to this country, in 1847, pursued his studies at
Girardeau, Mo. Later he took up the course at St. Mary's of the
Lake, Chicago.
He was ordained June 11, 1854, and his first mission was at
Freeport, which place he reached July 22, 1854. He remained
in charge of St. Mary's congregation until July 18, 1859. It was
during his administration that the brick church, a decided im-
provement upon the little frame structure, was built.
At the same time he secured a suitable building and estab-
lished a school for the children of his parish, though, at that
period, parochial schools were not obligatory.
On leaving Freeport, Father Kalvalege went to Chicago,
where he erected St. Frances' church, also its commodious school
building and comfortable parochial residence.
Of fine abilities, greatly improved by an excellent education,
Father Kalvalege was ever an earnest and successful worker in
behalf of any good cause that enlisted his sympathies. His death
was widely lamented and his memory is held in high esteem.
FATHER THOMAS O'GARA was Father Kalvalege's successor.
Coming to St. Mary's in August, 1859, he showed himself, during
the seven years of his pastorate, to be an indefatigable worker
and a most zealous pastor.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 43
Not being acquainted with the German language, he en-
gaged, from time to time, the services of a German priest, for the
benefit of those members of the congregation who spoke or un-
derstood that language better than they did the English.
Rev. Father B. Herderer, Rev. J. Mehlman, Rev. J. Uhlaua,
Rev. P. Fischer, and Rev. J. Westkamp were among those who
gave Father O'Gara assistance in this manner.
It was during his pastorate that the congregations separated,
the Germans building St. Joseph's church, and the Irish retain-
ing the use of St. Mary's, after having given a certain sum to aid
in the building of St. Joseph's.
The frame church, which had been vacated in Father Kal-
valege's time, was immediately and effectively converted into a
parochial residence, through Father O'Gara's efforts. He like-
wise secured property for St. Mary's cemetery.
The period during which Father O'Gara was St. Mary's
pastor was marked by trials and difficulties, yet he always met
them squarely, and displayed an admirable zeal, promptness,
and diligence in the discharge of his duties. Agreeable to meet,
witty in conversation, and edifying under all circumstances, he
was highly esteemed by his people, who felt for him a warm
friendship, for "to know him was to love him," as somebody said
recently, in referring to his remarkable qualities.
Not less remarkable was his success in raising funds ; besides
paying on? the entire indebtedness of the parish, and keeping its
buildings in a respectable state of repair, he collected a sum suf-
ficient for the purchase of the pipe organ which has ever since
afforded St. Mary's excellent choir with equally excellent accom-
paniments.
Father O'Gara was transferred, in 1866, to Bloomington, 111.,
a much more important charge, and there he erected a magnifi-
cent church which a cyclone demolished, almost immediately
after its completion.
FATHER THOMAS KENNEDY succeeded to the pastorate of St.
Mary's church, coming here in April, 1866, and leaving again in
November of that year. He did not like the position from the
44 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
first. His brief pastorate does not permit the chronicling of any
changes in school, church or parochial house.
FATHER GEORGE RIGBY was the next pastor of St. Mary's,
coming here in November, 1866, and leaving in the early part of
the year 1867. Neither written nor traditional historical re-
ources furnish authentic data regarding the events of Father
Rigby's pastorate, and there seems to have been no changes in
church affairs during the few months that he was in Freeport.
FATHER MICHAEL J. HANLEY came to St. Mary's to take-
charge of the parish in 1867. Zealous and self-sacrificing, he-
spared no effort to effect a satisfactory arrangement of parish af-
fairs. Possessed of great energy and an undaunted perseverance,
he accomplished much good in a brief space of time.
The old frame parochial residence having become unfit for
the purpose, it was moved out of the way, and, on a newly pur-
chased lot, was erected a two-story brick which continued in use
until vacated by Father Stack for the accommodation of the Sis-
ters. Father Hanley also had fences erected and shade trees-
planted. On his departure from Freeport in 1869,
FATHER P. L. HENDERICK succeeded him. The new pastor
remained but a short time, during which there were no changes,,
and left in February, 1870, to be succeeded by
REV. F. J. MURTAUGH, a pastor ever zealous and active in
the discharge of his duties. He desired to have a parish school,
connected with the church, and no sacrifice was too great for him
to make in accomplishing that object. A fine two-story brick
school house, capable of accommodating two hundred pupils,,
stood on a lot almost in front of the parochial residence and had
been advertised for sale. It was purchased and the lot near it
was soon after bought for school purposes. It was also during
his time that the interior of the church was painted. He was
highly esteemed by his people, who appreciated his efforts in be-
half of both church and school. In June, 1871, he was suc-
ceeded by
FATHER MURICE STACK. Father Stack first turned his
attention to the school, which he set to work to improve and
, ? m I-*
MR. D. SWEENEY.
MRS. J. CAMPBELI .
MR. P. LAHEY. MRS. LACEY.
MR. P. LACY.
MRS. P. GLEASON.
MRS. D. SWEENEY,
MV. JOHN CAMPBELL.
MRS. P. LAHEY.
MR. P. GLEASON.
46 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
bring up to a high standard. Money was raised with which the
building was repaired and duly furnished. Application was then
made to the Dominican mother house, at Sinsinawa Mound, for
instructors, who were supplied and immediately took charge of
the school. He vacated his own house that the sisters might
have a home, and then began to build them the present convent,
which at that time was considered one of the most comfortably
furnished structures of the kind in the north-west. In March,.
1877, Father Stack was transferred to St. Mary's church, Aurora,
Illinois. It was during Father Stack's administration that the
church and the community sustained a serious loss in the death
of Charles McCoy, brother to ex-Alderman A. J. McCoy. His
devotion to the interests of St. Mary's is kindly remembered by
many of the old timers.
No pastor of St. Mary's parish was more highly regarded
than Father Stack. During his career, in Freeport, he never
ceased to labor to improve the condition of St. Mary's church
and school, and he contributed one of the handsome windows
that adorn the new edifice. He is now in charge of the church
at Fulton, Illinois, where he is universally respected.
FATHER THOMAS F. MANGAN was the successor of Father
Stack. The new pastor soon realized that both the church and
school needed costly repairs and he went to work immediately to
make them. The very foundations, no less than the roofs and
intermediate parts, required immediate attention. The roof of
the church needing shingles, advantage was taken of the oppor-
tunity to raise it to a higher and more imposing pitch. The cost
was considerable, but was not regretted, when the dark wooden
gables were replaced by well lighted brick ones, in keeping with
the rest of the structure. When the great improvement in the
appearance of the church was manifested, all felt that the
money had been well invested. During Father Mangan's admin-
istration of affairs a piece of land, containing about two acres, was
purchased and added to the cemetery, which is now in a very
respectable condition. Father Mangan was a diligent worker,
who labored industriously for the congregation and the school,
MRS. P. JORDAN.
MRS. P. GRANT.
MRS. V. HOGAN.
MRS. J. B. J. DU FOUR.
MRS. P. CAREY.
MRS. J. CAVANAUGH.
MRS. JOHANAH BURNS.
MRS. T. GRANT.
48 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
raising more money for necessary expenses and improvements
than would have been required for a new building, had all the
congregation agreed to erect one. Father Mangan was pastor
ten years, or until 1887, when he was assigned to Joliet, where
he is in charge of a large congregation, and is holding likewise
the responsible position of dean of the diocese.
FATHER MICHAEL WELBY reached Freeport Oct. 28, 1889,
from the cathedral in Chicago. He was a man of great learning,
who had long been connected with the church in America, and
was warmly welcomed by St. Mary's parish. It was during his
time that the matter of building a new church was considered,
and a fair was held to create a fund for the purpose.
Father Welby was not a man of robust strength, and early in
January, 1890, he made a trip to the City of Mexico, with a view
to improving his health. Father Horan came here from Chicago
to take charge during the pastor's absence. Soon after his de-
parture on the 18th of the same month, indeed Father Welby
died. The sad information reached the people through Father
Kalvalege, and their sorrowful surprise was indescribable. A
meeting of the principal parishioners was immediately called and
they requested Father Horan to represent them in showing proper
respect to their deceased pastor, hence he, accompanied by Father
Hayes of Chicago, was to have proceeded to the City of Mexico
and to have brought with them, on their return, the revered body
of the dead priest. Owing to opposition on the part of the civil
authorities, the object of Father Horan and Father Hayes was
defeated ; they were not permitted to remove the remains from
Mexico. Prior to his departure Father Welby had made a will,
and when proofs of his death arrived, it was learned that Father
C. Kalvalege was named as executor. Among the bequests was
that of $1,000 for the use of St. Mary's church, which gave evi-
dence of his appreciation of the good people of St. Mary's congre-
gation and was a token that his heart was in his work. Father
Welby had many friends outside the pale of his own church, and
his people valued him highly for his many excellent traits of
character, as well as for his zeal and kindness.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
49
Father Welby was a native of Ireland, from which country
he came to America when he was quite young. He was ordained
in Santa Fe, N. M. , about twenty-five years before his death,
which occurred in his sixtieth year. He had traveled extensively
and had officiated in many celebrated Catholic churches and
cathedrals of America. During his last years, but before coming
to Freeport, he spent much time in Aurora and at the Chicago
cathedral.
The people could not gain possession of his remains, but they
cherished their pastor's memory and celebrated his funeral serv-
ices with all the pomp and solemnity possible.
In these brief sketches of the pastors of St. Mary's there is
much to edify, much to remember with pious pleasure and affec-
tionate respect.
PIONEER CATHOLICS OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 51
History of St. Mary's Neto Church.
We have already outlined the origin of St. Mary's parish
and referred to the churches which preceded the present hand-
some structure, but before beginning an account of the remark-
able history of the new St. Mary's, it may be well to lightly scan
the record of the
FIRST CATHOLIC CONGREGATION AND CHURCH IN THIS CITY.
Father Cavanaugh was the first priest to be permanently
stationed in the county, and his territory was almost unbounded
in extent. His main station, however, was at New Dublin, but
in 1853 he was transferred to Freeport.
It was in the little parlor of the home of Thomas Egan,.
where Montague & Hoyman's store stands, and at a time when
there were but few houses in the new town of Freeport, that a
number of Catholics met one afternoon to form a congregation.
It was in that same little parlor, thanks to the generosity of Mrs.
Egan, that services were held by her good brother, Father Cav-
anaugh. The congregation soon outgrew the place and larger
quarters had to be found. Among those at the meeting were:
Father Cavanaugh, Richard and Thomas Barron, Robert Balow,
Mr. Tuhey, Edward Cavanaugh, James Manion, George Cavan-
augh, Thomas and John O'Connor, Thomas Egan, Mr. Nagle,
William Barron and Mrs. Catharine Egan. They had assembled
to take action in regard to building a church, and all put down
their names, for contributions, in accordance with their means.
Thus were a few hundred dollars raised, but the sum was inade-
quate to the building of a new church.
52 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
In the meantime, the brave little congregation was granted
the use of a hall belonging to J. K. Brewster, now of Colorado,
who is kindly remembered in this connection by all of St. Mary's
parishioners. The hall proved large enough for the Catholic
citizens to assemble there to assist at the Holy Sacrifice on Sun-
days, and there they worshiped, until the little frame church, be-
gun nine months later, was completed.
Various materials were voluntarily furnished and thus the
expense was considerably lessened. Robert and Thomas McGee
furnished the sills, others gave shingles, glass, nails, putty, etc.,
and so, after much labor and self-denial, the little structure was
completed, and who shall express the happiness of a devout peo-
ple, such as these, when they knelt once more in a real church,
however poor and plain ?
THE SECOND CHURCH.
It was during the pastorate of Rev. Father F. Kalvalege
that the second church, a brick structure, was built. The new
edifice was a decided improvement on the old one and was con-
sidered a grand building at that time, yet its low roof and dark
wooden gables greatly detracted from the interior appearance.
The corner-stone was laid in July, 1855, and in it was placed
& tin box w^hich contained copies of the weekly papers of the city,
some manuscript, 3, 5 and 10 cent pieces and a copy of the New
York Catholic Zeitung.
The lumber used in the building was brought down the
Mississippi to Savanna and hauled from there by oxen. The
material was hewn out with the ax. The structure was 40 x 80
feet, with basement, and was finished on the common sense style.
From time to time improvements were made on the building,
which stood thirty-five years, or until the present grand structure
was begun.
BUILDING OF THE NEW CHURCH HOW IT WAS ACCOMPLISHED.
The people of St. Mary's congregation long desired and ex-
pressed a wish that they might have a new church. The old
FACES THAT ARE FAMILIAR.-
> ".'DENTS' LIBRARY
54 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
edifice, at the time it was built, thirty-five years before, was no
doubt a, very beautiful structure, but it had not only outstood its
time but was not large enough to seat comfortably the growing
congregation that gathered within its portals.
There had been considerable church talk, during the time of
Father Welby's pastorate and before it, but nothing definite had
been done. The task of building a church was considered very
great and many members of the congregation argued that they
were too poor to erect a suitable structure, hence they were in
favor of waiting for a better opportunity and more abundant
means. The one was nearer and more easily attainable than
they supposed, for a master mind was at hand. Rev. William
A. Horan, on coming to Freeport to take temporary charge of
St. Mary's parish, was requested by the pastor, Father Welby, to
ascertain the sentiment of the people regarding the erection of a
new church. All they had done towards it, under Father Welby's
direction, was to appoint a committee and to hold a fair to secure
funds. On acceding to Fr. Welby's request, Fr. Horan met with
nothing but apathy and indifference, on the part of the people.
Nothing more was done for awhile. In the meantime, Father
Welby died and Father Horan was assigned to the charge.
Father Horan came to Freeport that he might escape the
poison-laden atmosphere of the great city, and enjoy health-giving
air of the country. He had planned for himself a thorough course
of reading, but the field presented greater work than he had antic-
ipated, hence, with that unselfishness characteristic of him, all
thoughts of reading, and all other plans that he had made, were
brushed aside, that he might enter, heart and hand, into the work
of building the new St. Mary's church. He met with success from
the start. The mighty obstacles that seemed at first to threaten
the project melted away, as snow before the sun, and the expecta-
tions of even the most imaginative were exceeded by what he
accomplished. It is a wonderful work the work of an enthusiastic
church builder, and it has not been excelled, all circumstances
considered, by the achievement of any other clergyman in the
country.
MR. ED. NOLAN.
MR. J. FENLON.
MR. J. PECK.
MRS. M N01.AN.
MRS. R SHERIDAN.
MR. G. ROTZLEK.
MR. BANGASSER.
MRS. BANGASSER.
MR. H. LICHTENBERGER.
56 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
When the members of the congregation discovered what they
could do, if united, they grew enthusiastic. A meeting of the old
church building committee was held. Father Horaii explained
to them what might be done on the monthly donation plan, and,,
in order to secure perfect unity among the members of the
congregation, a mission was conducted by Dominican Fathers.
In January, 1890, it had been decided to publish, each month,
statements of the money contributed, and in April, 1890, at the
close of the mission, Father Horan announced, one Sunday morn-
ing, that if forty families gave $250 each, they could begin and
finish the church that year. Those who would make this contri-
bution should bear, he smilingly said, the highly honorable title,
" The Forty Martyrs ! " He further remarked that it was simple
folly to begin the erection of a church, without several thousand
dollars in the bank. That afternoon there was a meeting of the
congregation held in the church. And what a meeting it was !
Father Horan presented a check for $250, and called on the
others to do likewise. That day tested the generosity of the Irish
heart, for $10,000 in solid cash was raised, and Father Horan
announced that he would immediately begin the erection of the
required edifice.
The proceedings of that Sunday proved that St. Mary's con-
gregation meant business.
THE WORK BEGUN.
The required amount having been raised, the contract w r as
let, by the building committee, in May, 1890, to William Ascher r
who began his work by pulling down the old parochial house
and the old church. During the time of construction, the school
house, with a temporary wing, was used for church purposes.
The following building committee was selected : Rev. Father
Horan, president ; John Tracy, treasurer ; Thos. D. Osborne, sec-
retary ; Patrick Grant, Thomas Grant, Michael Scanlan, Robert
Casey, Richard Sheridan, F. Chas. Donohue, Michael Cowley,
Jeremiah Riordan, Michael O'Brien, Wm. R. Barron, Michael
Root, George W. Farnum, J. B. J. DuFour, James Darrah, John
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 57
E. Hogan, R. R. Hughes, A. J. McCoy, Thomas J. Foley, John
Sullivan, Chas. McNamara. A few months afterwards, much to
the regret of all, Patrick Grant, of the committee, always one of
the most earnest of workers, was called from this world to his
eternal reward.
The work of razing the buildings progressed rapidly. The
house was torn down, and the church was being demolished, when
the whole city was shocked to hear that the walls had fallen and
killed many of the workmen. Later it was found that none were
killed, but that five had been more or less seriously injured.
Father Horan himself had a narrow escape; he was standing, at
the time, at the door of the church ; while there, he noticed the
absence of supports, and was about to call attention to the fact
when the crash came. Had he entered the building, he could not
have escaped being killed.
THE CONTRACTS.
The tearing down and clearing away was continued rapidly,
and in June, Wm. Ascher, who had secured the stone work for
$1,900, began the foundation. R. D. Dirksen had taken the
carpenter work for $6,000, and began it in the latter part of July.
The super-structure of stone was awarded to Wm. Ascher for
$8,000, so he continued that work right along from the foundation,
with Herman Hanke in charge. The other contracts were : M.
Scanlan, plastering, $1,400 ; Janssen & Son, painting, $1,800; D.
Dasso, Chicago decorating, $500 ; Bartlett Hardware Co., steam
fitting, $1,860; J. J. Wade, Chicago, gas piping, $170; William-
son & Schroeder, gas fixtures, $380 ; Bartlett Hardware Co.,
plumbing, about $400 ; pews, $1,105 ; Waddell Bros., altars,
$275; pulpit, $75; confessionals, $60; sanctuary furniture, $80;
carpeting and matting, $360.
SOME MONEY MATTERS.
To the cost of the building, Father Horan contributed over
$3,500. Every cent of church revenue he devoted to the one
grand purpose, besides being a liberal contributor to it from his
58 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
personal bank account. The following is a list of the principal
donations, besides which there were many special offerings :
1890 1890
January $ 144 00 November $1,390 80
February 276 00 December 927 00
March 437 00 Christmas offering 340 00
April 349 00 1891
May 10,027 00 January 1,478 00
June 532 00 February 2,667 25
July 371 00 March 1,715 75
August 749 00 April 692 00
September 1,031 75 Easter offering 573 25
October...: 1,69350 May 37000
SOME SPECIAL DONATIONS.
The stained glass windows, presented by zealous and generous
persons, are numerous and costly. They are valued at $1,800.
The price of each window and the names of its donors are
recorded as follows: Rose window, over sanctuary, $312, Mar-
ried Ladies' Sodality ; beautiful front window, $375 or $400,
children of the parish ; support window, beneath that of children,
$45, nine of the oldest men of the congregation ; window, $150,
Holy Name Society. The ladies contributed liberally to the
beautiful oil stations of the cross, valued at $600. The Young
Ladies' Sodality bought the sanctuary lamp for $110. The
statues of St. Joseph and the Blessed Virgin, valued at $200, were
given by ten ladies of the congregation.
KECENT DONATIONS TO ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
In addition to the above, which refers to donations made
when the church was first built, we will here mention the many
gifts presented at various times since then. Individual married
ladies gave the following costly objects : A statue of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus, a statue of the Sacred Heart of Mary, a commod-
ious, hard-wood vestment case ; a marble and onyx credence table,
for the sanctuary, and a gold plated chalice, used two hundred
years ago in Ireland, by a Dominican priest. The credence table
was presented by a young lady, in her mother's name, to be a
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 59
memorial of that dear parent, when she shall have gone to her
eternal reward. This manner of commemorating the beloved
friends, who have departed this life, is eminently more touching
than the erection of lofty monuments in the grave-yard.
Rich laces, beautiful altar linens, handsome albs and other
valuable altar furnishings, were donated by the Married Ladies'
Sodality.
A beautifully sculptured, white marble baptismal font, ex-
quisitely ornamented, with carvings of graceful design, was pre-
sented by a gentleman and his wife. Another gentleman paid
the entire cost of the Blessed Virgin's altar of marble and onyx,
and a third, aided by his sister, did the same for the altar of
St. Joseph, which is of the same costly material, and was given as a
memorial of a beloved sister, at that time, recently deceased. This
is another noble example for those of our parishioners who have
means to erect expensive memorials to honor deceased relatives;
let them glorify God at the same time.
A handsome, life size statue of St. Patrick was presented,
soon after the erection of the church, by a gentleman who thereby
mingled piety and patriotism. About the same time, the children
of St. Mary's school donated the statue of St. Thomas Aquinas,
their especial patron.
Among the early presentations made to the church was one
of the most sacred and most valuable, an offering from twenty-
five ladies. This is still in use, and is the exceedingly beautiful
gold plated " Remonstrance " that holds so important a place in
the Benediction service.
The large brazen crosses that were attached to the doors of
the grand entrance, during the consecration ceremonies, were
donated by the Young Ladies' Sodality and by the St. Thomas
Sodality. The young ladies had previously given the eighteen
brass candle sticks of Gothic design that ornament the three
marble altars.
An exquisitely embroidered preaching stole was presented
by eighteen young ladies of the parish, at the time of the Jubilee
celebration. The gold plated wine cruets were also a present,
60 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
and, on the same occasion, many costly personal gifts came to the
reverend pastor of St. Mary's, from friends in Chicago, and in the
East and South.
THE CORNER STONE.
The corner stone was laid on Sunday, August 3, 1890, at 5
o'clock. There were 3000 people present, including a large
delegation from abroad, Rockford sending her full quota. The
procession, headed by the Henney Buggy Company Band, includ-
ed St. Joseph's Society, and St. Pius Society, of St. Joseph's Church r
the Holy Name Society of St. Mary's Church, and the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, of Rockford, in command of P. W. Welch r
and the last named were accompanied by a drum corps.
The inscription on the stone is : "I say to thee that thou
art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it." St. Matt, xvi : 18; A. D.
1890." The box enclosed in the stone contains city and other
papers, coins, manuscript, etc. Father McLaughlin, of Rockford,.
made an eloquent address, at the conclusion of which Rev.
Father Horan spoke a few words of thanks to the contractors, the
architect and others, after which the exercises closed.
A GRAND EDIFICE.
The church, 53 x 137 feet, is built of stone quarried near
Freeport, and the trimmings are terra cotta. It fronts on State
street, and is placed near the north end of the lot, with the parochial
house, 38x40 feet, about ninety feet from the front and attached to
the church, leaving a pleasant lawn in the angle, with south and
west exposure. The design of the church is modern Gothic. A
tower, sixteen feet square at the base and 110 feet in height, caps
the northeast corner of the main front, while a smaller tower
graces the southwest corner. The larger one has been heavily and
substantially built to receive a chime of bells at some future date.
The approach to the main entrance to the edifice is by three
stone steps to a broad stone platform extending across the front
from tower to tower. Two pairs of wide double doors, set in stone
and surrounded by terra cotta, give, entrance to a commodious
MR. AND MRS. P. O CONNOR.
MR. AND MRS. JAMES FLANAGAN.
MRS. H. GLENNON. MRS. J. RIORDAN.
62 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
vestibule, 10 x 30 feet. Above the main entrance, a row of entresol
windows forms an imposing effect as the base of a large window.
This window has a fine Gothic tracery and is filled with art glass
in appropriate designs. The side walls of the structure are twenty
feet in height with heavy buttresses between the windows. The
height of the nave is thirty-five feet. The roof is covered with
metallic shingles in Gothic pattern.
The main auditorium has 665 sittings, with broad six-foot
aisle in the center, and two four-foot aisles, with seven feet between
the front seat and altar rail.
Above the vestibule and extending three feet into the church r
with handsomely curved panel-front, is the organ and choir loft,
with appropriate furnishings.
The wood work throughout is of southern pine, finished in the-
natural graining of the wood. The ceiling is adorned with
partially exposed trusses, and is handsomely frescoed. The artist
was David Dasso, of Chicago. Back of and higher than the altar
is a handsome rose window, containing a representation of the
Immaculate Conception.'
The main altar span is raised two steps above the floor of
the nave and occupies 24 x 25 feet of space ; the side altars, 7x18
feet. The pulpit, of different woods, is handsomely finished and
durably constructed.
There is a large sacristy at the north of the main altar, and
a robing room for the boys is on the south side. In the basement
of the church there is a large winter chapel, also furnace rooms,
coal rooms, etc.
The parochial house has two stories and a basement in
height; it contains twenty-one rooms and four closets. In the
basement there are two pantries, a dining room, a store room and
wine vaults.
Owing to the grade of the lot, which slopes to Union Street,
the basement rooms, both in the house and church, have pleasant
open frontage.
The first floor of the parochial house has an ante-hall seven
feet in width, separated from the foyer hall by a stairway ; in the
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 63
latter there is a handsome oak staircase, the balustrade of which
contains 3,000 pieces. On the right of the hall is a reception
room, an entrance to the church and a west chamber ; on the left
are two libraries. There is also the pastor's bedroom, and a closet
on this floor. The windows in the east and west ends of these
rooms are set in curved fronts.
The second floor has a library and living room over similar
rooms on the first floor, with assistant priest's chamber, bath room,
clothes closet, etc.
On the third story, there are four large rooms ; one for a
store room ; another for a general room and two large bright
rooms for the housekeeper.
The house, like the church, is built of stone, with terracotta
trimminngs. The entire expense of the church, when completed
and furnished, was over $40,000.
For convenience in all its parts and good taste in all its
appointments, it is not surpassed by any church, outside of Chicago.
Well lighted with gas, comfortably heated with steam in winter
and admirably ventilated in summer, worshipers find it free from
distracting discomforts, and come to it as to a haven of rest and
peace.
The parochial house adjoins the church, and communicates
with it, by means of a vestry. It is comfortably, though not
expensively furnished ; all the pieces are of hard wood, upholstered
with plush or with leather. The mantles are elegant and below
them are' fine fire-places, beautifully tiled, some of them con-
taining gas logs which, when lit, on a chilly evening, give de-
lightful warmth and " a dim religious light " provocative of
reflection and meditation.
On the walls of the parlor are two pictures, highly prized by
the pastor, to whom they were personally presented, one, of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus, by the Sisters of Mercy of St. Xavier's
Academy, Chicago, and the other, a life size portrait of Cardinal
Gibbons, by the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, Wis. Both are
painted in oil and are the work of artists belonging to the com-
munities that presented them.
64 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The Cardinal sat especially for the portrait and considers it
one of his best pictures.
Aside from its excellent furnishings, St. Mary's Rectory is one
of the prettiest and pleasantest dwellings imaginable ; there is not
a dull, ill-lighted or, in any sense, unpleasant room to be found
in it, from basement to garret.
The interior of the church is grandly furnished. The altars
of marble and onyx are very beautiful ; the walls are frescoed in
water colors, the work of David Dasso of Chicago, and the aisles
are matted. The sacristy memorial windows bear the names of:
Revs. John Cavanaugh, Ferdinand Kalvalage, Thomas O'Gara,
Thomas Kennedy, George Rigby, M. J. Hanley, T. L. Hendricks,
F. J. Murtaugh, M. Stack, Thomas F. Mangan and M. Welby.
The plans for the new church were drawn by G. Stanley
Mansfield, of Freeport, the architect, and being found perfectly
satisfactory, by the committee who had the matter in charge, were
accepted. Everything connected with the building of the new
edifice has been creditable to the designer.
One of the very satisfactory features of the affairs of St. Mary's
Church is the harmonious completeness with which every thing
was arranged, from the very first. There has been no lack of proper
and suitable altar furnishings, no shabby, half-worn vestments,
no defects or deficiencies anywhere ; everything essential to the
ceremonial of the Catholic Church has been present, and all
things have been new together.
The choir, which has an excellent name, for fine voices and
good work, comprises the following young people : Miss Mary
Brennan, organist ; Mrs. Leo Thro, Miss Maggie Carey, Mrs. M.
Ellsworth, sopranos ; Miss Jennie P. Tracy, mezzo soprano ; Miss
Nonie Reardon, contralto ; John P. Lawless, tenor ; Edward
Lawless, baritone; John Rau, Frank Rogers, bassos. J. E. Car-
roll, the able director, drills the choir and keeps it up to its high
standard.
That there should have been a universal sentiment of joy
among the parishioners, on the completion of the church, was
quite natural, and it is needless to state that its dedication was a
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
65
matter of speual interest to each of them, for the occasion was one
of personal as well as general satisfaction.
THE SOLEMN OPENING OF ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC
CHURCH.
In the presence of a large number of clergymen and other
friends and spectators, from home and abroad, the first solemn
SIDE VIEW OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
opening of St. Mary's new Catholic Church occurred on Wednes-
day, October 28, 1891.
It was the intention to dedicate the sacred edifice on this
occasion, but in consequence of the illness of Archbishop Feehan,
and the non-arrival of Bishop Cotter of Winona, Minn., whom
the archbishop supposed to be present to act in his place, the
66 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
dedication was necessarily deferred. The disappointment was
greater than words can express, for every man, woman and child
had been actively engaged in making grand preparations for the
occasion, and all were generously interested in its success, towards
which all had contributed both labor and money.
The Catholics of Freeport have every reason to be proud of
the work accomplished by them in the year 1891, and Rev. W-
A. Horan is to be congratulated on the grand success which, in
union with his devoted people, he has achieved.
In one short year, he caused the erection of a church, also of a
parochial residence, freeing both of them, in the same brief period,,
from every cent of debt. Nor is this all ; the school house was
enlarged and a beautiful hall, for public purposes, was constructed
above the school rooms. Too much praise cannot be accorded
the superlative energy that accomplished so much in so short a.
time. The expressions of appreciation and admiration that the
speakers of the day lavished on the pastor of St. Mary's were richly
merited by him and were music to the ears of his devoted flock.
At 10 o'clock, on the eventful day of the solemn opening of
St. Mary's new church, an immense throng of parishioners and
guests was present in the handsome edifice. The altars appeared
even more beautiful than usual, plants and flowers being used in
great quantities as decorations. The services throughout, were
very impressive and in perfect keeping with the occasion. Rev.
Father F. Kalvalege of St. Francis' Church, Chicago, the veteran
clergyman, who was the second pastor of St. Mary's Church, was
the celebrant of the Mass; Father White of Wisconsin, was the-
deacon ; Father Flaherty of Rockford, sub-deacon ; Father Byrne
of Rockford, master of ceremonies. The sermon, which was elo-
quent and appropriate, was delivered by Rev. P. J. Muldoon,.
chancellor of the archdiocese of Chicago, a man of great ability,
a brilliant orator and a zealous priest, who could not fail to be
inspired by an occasion so entirely in accord with his own desires
and aims.
The speaker based his remarks on the words " His house
will be the house of prayer," and said : " No words can be too
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
67
strong, too expressive, with which to thank the people for their
generosity in giving this noble gift to God. It is, indeed worthy
to be a house of prayer, emblematic of all that is good. What is
prayer, but speech with God ? And where may we so fittingly
speak with Him, as in the temple erected to His honor, by a lively
faith and supernatural charity ? Then we must believe in some
REAR VIEW OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH AND RESIDENCE.
higher being, else we cannot have prayer, and not having prayer
we would not need a house of worship. It is from God we receive
all kindness and mercy ; to Him we owe, for that reason, the
unbounded thanks that will be offered unceasingly in this His
temple.
" In the building and erection of every church there is shown
a belief in God. It is not from earthly vanity that these temples
are reared. We realize there is a God from whom we receive all
68 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
blessings. Our hopes are not on the earth, for we have not our
abiding city here. We understand that there is a home above,
and it is for that reason that we give loud acclamations in tones
of joy, when such temples are built. These buildings declare that
there is a God and that we are held responsible for our deeds
with regard to our neighbor and to our God. The erection of
such a structure must be based on a desire to love and serve God.
" We are here to-day and away to-morrow. We must account
for the things in our possession. We are to use our abilities for
God. We cannot prepare for heaven in a moment. It is our
duty and we are expected always to do good.
" I can say no words too strong in praise of the work of St.
Mary's congregation. I do not say it with flattery, and I say it
after having seen all the churches of the diocese, that there is none
more beautiful than this. There may be some grander and
larger, none are more complete, none more artistic. You have
seen great changes in your parish in a year. The old church,
which stood so many years, has been replaced by an edifice com-
plete and furnished throughout.
" In olden times the people were not allowed to present any-
thing to God that was defiled or imperfect. You seemed to have
this object in view when you prepared your church to give to Him.
You have brought it to Him without a blemish. Your work is
wonderful, when you consider the size of the parish and the size
of the city itself. It is always easy to build a church, but many
times it is difficult to pay for it, when finished.
" When we see this people carry their gift to God, we call it
wonderful. It shows love for Almighty God and it recalls visions
of the olden time, when the people came bearing their- most
precious gifts. It is not the mechanic nor the designer who has
done this, but the spirit which has opened the hearts in generosity.
May you live long to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
" Some of you may have heard thirty years ago the same
voice asking blessing upon the seed he had sown, that you hear
to-day blessing the growth thereof.
" Here is where your children will receive their first blessing.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 69-
It is here that you will be carried on your journey to your last
home.
" In all that has been done you should be thankful to God.
Nobody can do much unless there is some guiding star. You
have had your guiding star. He has led you to become an ex-
ample of zeal to the people of the diocese. Pray for him, that he
may be spared to you and may be led on to complete his great
work.
AN INTERIOR VIEW OF ST. MARY'S PAROCHIAL RESIDENCE.
" God will return a hundredfold what you have given Him.
With a church, home and school, you have all that goes to make
up a great congregation and to fit your children to become true
American citizens. In all this, love and thank Him, for no
praise can be too much, in return for such favors."
Hayden's Imperial Mass was rendered by ladies and gentle-
men of Chicago, Mr. Winder presiding at the organ. It was a
magnificent treat in the church music line. Mrs. Dr. Hemmi
70 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
rendered a soprano solo, " Salutaris," Mr. A. E. Dasso gave the
" Veni Creator " as a tenor solo, and Miss Coffee, Mrs. Hemmi and
Mr. Dasso sang a trio.
After mass, all repaired to the new hall which had been
handsomely decorated with flags, bunting and pictures. There
at noon a banquet was given to the clergymen and others in at-
tendance.
Great credit was given the ladies of St. Mary's Church,
both young and old, for the magnificent spread they prepared, as
well as for the beautiful arrangement of the tables and the elegant
serving of the repast.
A number of toasts were proposed and happily responded to
by several clergymen in attendance, who were loud in praise of
Freeport and Freeporters.
The Chicago choir and the members of the home choir were
entertained at the parochial residence.
The clergymen who were in attendance at the solemn open-
ing were :
Rev. Thos. F. Cashman, Chicago. Rev. P. J. Muldoon, Chicago.
Rev. Daniel McGuire, Chicago. Rev. F. Kalvalege, Chicago.
Rev. F. W. Pape, New Vienna, la. Rev. J. E. Shanahan, Apple River.
Rev. D. B. Toomey, Polo, 111. Rev. M. Luby, Maytown, 111.
Rev. L. Erhard, So'monack, 111. Rev. A. O. Walker, Sinsinawa.
Rev. J. J. Flaherty, Rock ford, 111. Rev. P. F. Byrne, Rockford, 111.
Rev. Stephen Woulfe, Rockford, 111. Rev. A. J. Carroll, Rochelle, 111.
Rev. W. White, Hammond, Wis. Rev. G. Brady, Portage, Wis.
Rev. J. Nicholas, Elkhorn, Wis. Rev. C. Hudt, Hampshire, 111.
Rev. A. Beuter, Shannon, 111. Rev. F. Antil, Savanna, 111.
Rev. H. M. Fegers, Sterling, 111. Rev. J. F. Power, Spring Valley, 111.
Rev. O'Connor, chancellor Peoria Rev. Weldon, Bloomington, 111.
diocese, Peoria, 111. Rev. Shannon, Brimfield, 111.
Rev. F. L. DuFour, Niagara, N. Y. Rev. C. Kalvalege, Freeport.
Michael Horan, father of Father Horan, Miss Horan, a sister,
Michael and Thomas, brothers, all of DeKalb, and Stephen,
another brother, of Rockford, were also in attendance.
Many letters of regret were received by Father Horan from
all over the country. Bishop J. Shanley of Fargo, North Dakota,
wrote as follows :
Steplienson County, Illinois, 1896.
71
DEAR FATHER HORAN: I cannot tell } T OU my disappoint-
ment at being unable to be present at your church consecration
Oct. 28th. Over a month ago I promised to begin a week's
mission in Fairbault, Minn., on Oct. 25th. I have tried to change
the time of the mission, but without success. Your good people
and yourself deserve all honors for your wonderful work, and for
that reason, as well as for my deep regard for yourself, I would
wish to be with you on that great day. With best wishes,
Fraternally yours,
J. SHANLEY.
AN INTERIOR VIEW OF ST. MARY'S PAROCHIAL RESIDENCE.
His grace, Bishop M. F. Burke of the Cheyenne Diocese, writes
from St. Mary's Cathedral under date of Oct. 21. He says :
DEAR FATHER HORAN: I have been away from home at
the Indian mission in the interior of the State for the past two
weeks, and on my return I found awaiting me, your very kind
letter of invitation to be present at your dedication, on the 28th
inst. I thank you very much for your kindness and sincerely
regret that it will be quite impossible for me to be with you on
the happy occasion. I am engaged this week ; next week
72 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
will be all alone and could not possibly get away even if the dis-
tance were not so great. Trusting to have the pleasure of visiting
you on some other occasion, and wishing that you may be long
spared to your good and generous people to enjoy your beautiful
church, I am with great respect,
Very kindly yours,
M. F. BURKE.
A sacred concert was given at St. Mary's Church after the-
opening ceremonies and was in all respects worthy of the ladies-
and gentlemen from Chicago who participated, and highly ap-
preciated by the very large audience that had assembled. There
were present many of Freeport's representative citizens, and none
but words of praise were heard regarding the efforts of those who-
were on the program.
The first number was the gloria from Mozart's 12th Mass,
given with fine effect and in good chorus by the choir. This was-
followed by an alto solo, " Dreams," by Streliski, rendered by
Miss Frances McCaffrey, a lady who has a beautiful voice that
she knows well how to use. Later in the evening, she sang a
selection from Handel's Messiah, " He was despised and rejected,'^
displaying to good advantage the remarkable strength of her
voice. Agustin E. Dasso, who belongs to the choir of St. Patrick's
Church, sang " Cujus Animam," by Rossini, in a clear and high
tenor voice, and in a highly acceptable manner ; this was followed
by a solo, " Aria Attilla," given by Mrs. Dr. S. Hemmi, in a soprano-
voice of wide range, cultivation and sweetness. She quite capti-
vated the audience. " Inflammatus," by Rossini, was a soprano-
solo and chorus that made a good impression, Mrs. E. G. Stevenson
taking the solo part. This was followed by a bass solo, " Pro-
Peccatis," F. A. Langlois singing for the first time in Freeport.
This gentleman is a member of the cathedral quartette and it is
always a pleasure to hear him, for he is a favorite everywhere..
Mr. Langlois and Charles Moore, the well known tenor of St.
Mary's, Chicago, sang " O Salutaris," by Verdi, in a manner
that was highly appreciated. Carl Bernhard, the baritone-
soloist of St. James', was also with the party, and his rendering
of " The Jewess " evinced talent of high order. The trio " Te-
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
73
Prego Padre," gave ample scope for the excellent voices of Mrs.
Hemmi, A. E. Dasso and F. A. Langlois. The last number on
the program, " Good Night," was the finale to a concert that was
richly enjoyed by every one whose good fortune it was to attend.
Should these ladies and gentlemen appear in a concert in Freeport
again, it is certain they will be warmly welcomed.
G. STANLEY MANSFIELD,
Architect of St. Mary's New Church and Parochial Residence.
John H. Winder, the organist of St. Patrick's church, Chicago,
a gentleman eniment in his profession, played the accompaniments
on the pipe organ. David Dasso made the arrangements for the
concert, and his efforts were sincerely appreciated by the people
of St. Mary's and by other interested citizens.
74 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
ST. MARY'S HALL AND ST. MARY'S SCHOOL BUILDING.
Next to the church, Father Horan and his people hold the
school to be the most precious possession of the congregation.
To its progress the pastor has ever devoted an untiring energy
and an unceasing vigilance. Hence there was no surprise when,
in the spring of 1891, he announced that a new school building,
with a hall for public purposes, would be erected during the sum-
mer, and that the expense would be met with the proceeds of
entertainments, lectures and concerts. The work was immediately
begun and energetically pushed forward.
The hall was built under the direction of the following com-
mittee : J. P. Younger, president ; John E. Hogan, secretary ; F.
Chas. Donohue, treasurer; Charles McNamara, John M. Peck,
Martin Flanagan, James O'Rourke, Patrick Reedy, John J.
Sweeney.
The contracts for the construction of the building were made
with R. D. Dirksen, carpenter work ; E. Bamberger, mill work ;
M. Scanlan, plastering ; Kruze & Metzgar, brick ; Bongye &
Schwartz,. painting and glazing; Win. Ascher, stone work ; Free-
port Water Co., steam heating.
The structure is of brick and stone, two stories and a half
high, and 54 x 104 feet in dimensions. The first floor comprises
four school rooms, two class rooms and a library. On the second
floor is the hall referred to above. A movable partition enables
the Columbus Club to separate their part of this extensive audi-
torium from that devoted to entertainments, but on a great occa-
sion, when the audience is likely to be large, this barrier is
removed.
Heated by steam, lighted by electricity, and admirably
ventilated, St. Mary's Hall, with a seating capacity of six hundred,
can be adapted, by removing the chairs, to any parish purpose
required. Within its walls, since it was first opened, on the
evening of Thanksgiving day, in '91, there have been school
exhibitions, dramatic entertainments, lectures and concerts,
parties and bazaars. It has saved the parish hundreds of
dollars of hall rent, always exorbitant, and has indirectly
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
75
brought to the congregation a handsome profit, for many an
honorable money-making scheme has been carried out, with
marked success, that could never have been undertaken had
there been no St. Mary's Hall. To sell a hundred dollars' worth
of tickets is a profitable matter, when there is no hall rent to pay ;
not so, when at least forty dollars of the hundred must be given
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL AND HALL.
for the use of a hall, inconvenient, perhaps, as well as unsuitable.
The corner-stone of St. Mary's Hall was laid on Sunday, July
19, 1891, at 5 p. m., amid a large concourse of people, who listened
with eager attention, to the eloquent and thoughtful address of Rev.
E. J. Dunne, since consecrated Bishop of Dallas, Texas. The stone
76 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
bears the inscription "Religion, Science, Peace, 1891," and encloses
a box containing papers, coins, and other objects indicative of the
laws and customs of our age.
Hon. Wm. Onahan of Chicago, addressed an immense audi-
ence, on the occasion of the opening of the hall, and he but
headed the procession, as it were, of distinguished men who have,,
at short intervals, in the past five years, presented, for the consid-
eration of St. Mary's people, their noblest sentiments, delivered in
their best style.
John Lawless and Leo Thro were appointed stage managers,,
and all entertainments presented in the new hall, were conducted
under their direction.
A series of enjoyable social events occurred during the
winter that followed the opening of the hall, and both dramatic
and literary programs were presented, " The Shamrock and the
Rose " being particularly successful, as was also a varied enter-
tainment given by the Young Ladies' Literary Association. The
pupils of St. Mary's school, likewise, afforded pleasure by the
frequent presentation of interesting and original programs.
The hall is, in fact, admirably adapted to the presentation of
dramatic entertainments. The stage is wide and deep, and bril-
liantly illuminated with electrical border-lights and foot-lights.
The several sets of scenery, parlor, prison, forest and landscape,
are easily arranged and give suitable environment for almost any
sort of drama. The drop curtain, which represents the origin of
the " Star Spangled Banner," was painted by David Dasso, a
gifted Catholic citizen of Chicago. It presents a picture of the
Bay of Baltimore, with Fort McHenry, and its battered flag, in
the distance ; the waves are lapping against the sides of a noble
ship, a British man-of-war, on the deck of which stands Francis
Key, the author of our national song, in the midst of a group of
British tars. He has been captured and brought on board, where
in the " dawn's early light," he beholds the star spangled banner,
begrimmed indeed, but proudly floating over the fort. This he
is triumphantly saluting, with hand and voice. At the top and
left side of the picture appears a mammoth flag, gracefully
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
77
draped, while at the right there stands a large vase of flowers.
The curtain as a whole, is very pretty and effective.
During the winter season, there is a social gathering of
Catholic citizens in St. Mary's hall, every two weeks, except, of
course, in Advent and in Lent. A musical program is followed
by dancing and refreshments. Thus are Catholic young people
brought together, instead of being left to wander about among
those not in religious sympathy with them, and therefore likely
to be dangerous companions.
The first school connected with St. Mary's Church was in
existence during the time of Father Kalvalege's pastorate. It was
MR. AND MRS. P. H. MURPHY.
intended, principally for the German portion of the congregation
and was discontinued soon after being established. The next
effort to institute a school was made in the time of Rev. T. J.
Murtaugh who, with the assistance of ex-Aid. A. J. McCoy and
others, raised money and purchased the two story brick building
which is still standing, and forms a part of the new school house
and hall. The lot adjoining was also purchased, thus enlarging
the grounds. The building was found to be well suited for school
purposes, and capable of accommodating two hundred and fifty
pupils. It was Father Stack who went to the Mother House of
the Dominican order at Sinsinawa Mound and secured the num-
78 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
ber of Sisters necessary to conduct the new school, which opened
in August, 1873.
The Order of Dominican Sisters was established six hundred
years ago, by St. Dominic, a Spanish nobleman of great sanctity
and wisdom. His Order, both of priests and nuns, has given
many saints to the church, and was approved and confirmed by
the learned Popes, Gregory IX., Boniface IX., Innocent VII. r
and Eugene IV. The object of the Third Order of Dominican
Nuns is to provide religious instruction for girls living in the
world and exposed to its trials and temptations. From Spain,
the Order spread rapidly through Italy, France, and other parts-
of Europe. About 1812, it was established in Ohio and Kentucky,
and, a few years later, in Wisconsin. For a year before and a
year after receiving the religious habit, the noble women belonging
to this Order remain in the training school, at the Mother House,
Sinsinawa, Wis., preparing for their important duties as religious
teachers, duties demanding the acquirements of the best secular
teachers and, in addition to them, the ability to give religious
instruction by word and example.
St. Clara's Academy supplies teachers for schools in thirty
cities, the farthest west being Denver and the farthest south
Washington, D. C. The Dominican Sisters are widely spread in
the United States and have several Mother Houses, each with its
many branch houses. It was at Memphis, during the raging of
the yellow fever, that Dominican Sisters left their schools to help
care for the sick ; many of them never returned to their schools,
because the dread disease which they might easily have escaped,
gave them a martyr's death. The services of Sisters of this
Order have been long devoted to St. Mary's precious heritage, the
little ones of the flock, two hundred and fifty being the average
enrollment of pupils.
The school is free and well graded. The pupils are classed
in four departments, viz.: Primary, having four grades and two-
teachers ; the Intermediate, having two grades and one teacher ;
the Grammar Department, four grades and two teachers ; the
High School Department, two grades and one teacher.
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.
80 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The text books and the course of study are the same as used
in the public schools of the city, but half an hour is daily devoted
to instructions in Christian Doctrine.
Three grades of honors are conferred on the occasion of the
annual commencement of St. Mary's School : first, the laurel
crowns, given to those who have been examined by the county
superintendent, and have received from him a second grade
certificate ; second, diplomas, conferred on those who have been
examined by the county superintendent in the additional studies
required for a first grade certificate, and have attained the average
required for graduation from the city High School ; third, a gold
medal, conferred on graduates whose deportment has been exem-
plary in all particulars.
Each year, since Father Horan has required the members
of grades eleven and twelve, both boys and girls, to take the
" teachers' examination," at the court house, under direction of
the county superintendent, there have been from two to eight of
St. Mary's High School pupils, not above eighteen years of age,
successful in gaining second grade certificates, and an excellent
standing for the first grade. A first grade certificate is conferred
only after the applicant has taught for a certain time.
Instrumental and vocal music receive careful attention.
The pupils of the school are given lessons daily in singing by
note. Special attention is given to literature, interest being
aroused and preserved by duly organized reading circles, of which
there are three, namely, " The Feehan Circle " comprising the
high school pupils, " The Bryant-Whittier," to which belong the
girls of the grammar department, and " The Longfellow." consist-
ing of the boys of the same department. The ladies of the parish,
a chosen few of them, are banded under the title of " The
Aquinata Reading Circle," and since the above were established
the higher grades in the primary department have united under
the title of " The Father Horan Reading Circle."
The Young Ladies' Sodality has a fine library of nearly four
hundred volumes. Many of those were donated by the pastor ;
others were obtained by paeans of entertainments.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
81
Several volumes in the Sodality library being considered
rather childish for such a collection, the young ladies donated
them to the school library in the grammar department.
ST. MARY'S CONTENT.
"The Longfellow Circle" collected, during the first year of
their association, over eighty volumes. These were donated by
non-Catholics as well as Catholics, so agreeable is the spirit that
governs the social relations of Freeport's citizens.
The school children edit a monthly journal, the "Santa
Maria," and the profits it brings in are devoted to the purchase of
books and periodicals. This little monthly edited by the children,
whose compositions constitute its literature, luis Ixrn ranked by
STUDENTS' LIBRARY I
6V f
82
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
competent critics, with the best college journals. That St. Mary's
pupils are earnest parishioners in other particulars is proven by
the following facts.
When the new church was in the process of erection, the
children of St. Mary's school were as interested as their parents
in all that concerned it, and they wanted to do something to help
CHARLES DUNS.
JOE G. ALLEN.
LIZZIE F. COlirORAN.
KITTIE KILLION.
JOHN MANION.
JOHN FLANAGAN.
EDITORS AND MANAGERS OF THE SANTA MARIA FOR 1896.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 83
on the good work. Their teachers suggested having a bank in
which the pupils could place their donations. These were to be
the fruit of self-sacrifice ; money given the children by their
parents to spend on sweet meats was dropped into the bank
instead, and, when the pennies and nickels amounted to many
dollars, the sum was devoted to the purchase of a magnificent
stained window representing the Holy Family. This beautiful
donation has a place of honor over the front entrance, and bears
an inscription stating that the little ones of the flock contributed
this handsome addition to the very beautiful and costly set of
windows that adorn St. Mary's Church.
A PAGE FROM FATHER HORAN'S LIFE.
Here we think it well to give a brief biographical sketch of
him, to whom, under God, all this success, so honorable to religion,
is due.
His life has been crowded with zealous activity and crowned
with remarkable success. Rev. W. A. Horan, pastor of St. Mary's
Church, is a son of Patrick and Mary (Hanaughan) Horan, and
was born at DeKalb, 111., Feb. 2, 1851. His father was, for some
years, a dry goods merchant in Chicago ; this he abandoned to
engage in farming at DeKalb, 111. There were eight children in
the family. William, upon attaining the proper age, was en-
rolled in the public school, near his home, where he pursued his
studies, with marked interest and earnestness. His aptitude in
pursuing the branches of a higher course, is apparent, when it is
learned that he graduated from the high school, with honor, at
the age of fifteen.
Having decided to fit himself for the priesthood, he went to
that celebrated institute of learning, the University of Niagara,
New York, at which place he spent ten years, six in classical
studies and four in theology. He finished the university course
in 1877, and on May 26th of the same year, was ordained to the
priesthood, by Bishop Ryan of Buffalo, N. Y.
The training of a Catholic priest is very exacting, and re-
quires many years of the hardest kind of mental exertion. The
$4 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
fact that Father Horan completed his studies and was ordained
a priest at the early age of twenty-five, shows that he was possessed
not only of unusually fine abilities, but also of the spirit of deter-
mination and of habits of application.
His first mission was at St. James' Catholic Church, Chicago,
tinder Father P. W. Reardon, the present Archbishop of San
Francisco, Cal. Here he remained from 1877 to 1879. His
abilities becoming recognized, he was assigned to duty at the
Cook County hospital, a position not only teeming with oppor-
tunities for doing good, but also, attended by lurking dangers
that threaten the ruin of the strongest constitution. He resided
with Rev. Thomas F. Cashman, assisting him in his manifold
duties. It was a life of busy activity for the youthful priest, and,
though the time spent amid the foul air of the hospital had
Impressed its biting seal upon his robust constitution, he would
not have had those years spent otherwise, for he considers the
difficult duties there fulfilled to have been the greatest work of
his life. He was engaged almost incessantly in attending the
sick, smoothing the pillow of the dying, and in performing the
last offices for the dead. From the lips of the sufferers he learned
many of life's experiences that awoke his interest and sympathy,
and brought him in close relation with people from various and
even distant parts of our country, for, in the great city of Chicago
it is strangers, persons from other parts of the United States, who
are carried to the hospital, in case of accidents or sickness.
Within its walls are found many people who have no homes,
and others whose homes are too distant to admit the patient's
removal to them. Much to his regret, Father Horan was obliged
to give up his work at the hospital, and, in 1882, he was appointed
pastor of St. Thomas' Church, Hyde Park. The parish then
included not only Hyde Park, but also Auburn. While stationed
there he raised funds and erected St. Lawrence Church at Grand
Crossing, St. Leo's Church at Auburn, and began the new church
of St. Thomas at Hyde Park. A fine parochial house in connec-
tion with the latter was erected, besides the school building and
a convent for the Sisters. One hundred feet of ground had been
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 85-
purchased, and the walls of the church had been erected, when
Father Horan was obliged to relinquish his work and travel for
the benefit of his health. The vicinity of the lake had a tendency
to aggravate his disease, which continued to grow worse, until.
KEV. FATHER HORAN.
the patient was compelled to seek other climes. By advice of Dr.
Murphy, and other prominent physicians of Chicago, he spent
the winters of 1887 and 1888 in the south, much of his time
being occupied in New Orleans, La., and Jacksonville and Pen-
sacola, Fla.
86 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
In the summer of 1888 he went to Minnesota, and part of
the next winter was spent in Chicago, after which he enjoyed a
trip to Denver and Salt Lake City in company with his warm
friends, Judge Pendergast, of Chicago, and Father White, of Wis-
consin. The next fall he arranged to go south after the holidays,
but was requested to proceed to Freeport to take charge of St.
Mary's congregation during the absence of Father Welby. The
death of the latter, while in Mexico, created a vacancy in St. Mary's
parish. When it became necessary to appoint a successor to the
deceased pastor, it was not strange that universal sentiment was
in favor of the young priest who was in temporary charge of the
congregation ; he had so greatly endeared himself to the people
that they were unwilling to part with him, and petitioned the
Archbishop of Chicago to appoint him to the vacant pastorate. It
was a happy day for all concerned when he was assigned perma-
nently to Freeport.
Since then he has worked indefatigably for his people. No
sacrifice has been too great, no effort too mighty for him to make
in their behalf. He has given them a magnificent parochial
residence and a commodius hall and school, besides the hand-
some church.
Father Horan has also been benefited by his appointment,
for during his sojourn in Freeport, he has improved wonderfully
in health. The sick spells that were frequent, when he first came
here, occur but seldom, and. he appears to grow stronger with
each dawning day. He has done a world of good, and has won
the everlasting love and gratitude of every member of his church
and every child in the parish.
The father of Rev. W. A. Horau is still living and is a hale
and hearty gentleman 93 years old. One brother is in the real
estate and dry goods business at DeKalb, 111., one is farming, and
the youngest, Stephen, is a druggist at Rockford. Only one of
his sisters is living, she was present on the occasion of the dedi-
cation. Another was a sister of Charity, Sister St. Vincent, who
died some years ago at the Mother's House at Emmetsburg, Va.
Father Koran's mother and Cardinal Gibbons were first cousins.
Steplienson County, Illinois, 1896.
REV. FATHER DU FOUR.
87
Rev. Father Du Four, who came to Freeport to assist Father
Horan, had but recently arrived, at the time of the dedication,
but has participated enthusiastically in all parish affairs s'nce
REV. FATHER DuFOUR.
that occasion. He is noted for his eloquence as a pulpit speaker,
for his culture and his wide range of information. A native of
St. Genevive, Mo., his earliest recollections are of St. Louis, where
he was a student during his youth. There he attended the
88 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Christian Brothers' school, and later went to the institute at Cape-
Girardeau. In 1878 he entered the well-known St. Vincent's
Seminary at Germantown, Pa., and afterwards returned to Cape
Girardeau as an instructor, where, in 1882, he was ordained
to the priesthood. For several years he was connected with
the celebrated Niagara University as professor of mathematics,
came west a short time since, and will doubtless not return
to the east. He has occupied St. Mary's pulpit frequently, and
his discourses have been listened to with a great deal of pleasure
and satisfaction.
THE RECORD OF ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
It is fitting that we here introduce to our readers St. Mary's
noble sister-church, St. Joseph's, a handsome edifice erected and
used by an eminently pious and respectable German congregation^
organized thirty years ago.
As we have elsewhere stated, in the early times the German
and the Irish Catholics were members of one congregation, but
many of the former being ignorant of the English language, it
was deemed advisable to form tw r o parishes. Father John
Westkamp set about selecting a suitable place of worship for the
Germans, and, on June 4, 1862, purchased the old Baptist Church,
on the present site, for $2,000. The congregation at that time
numbered 125 families. This old church was repaired and fitted
up in good style, but in 1868, finding that it was too small to
hold the rapidly growing congregation, a large gallery was built
in it, and in the fall of 1871 it was decided to erect a new build-
ing. During the winter, the members living in the city quarried
stone and the farming class hauled it to the site for the new
edifice. Early in the spring, the old building was moved back
to Pleasant Street and used for church purposes until the new
structure was completed, after which it was torn down, and the
lumber sold. The new church was immediately commenced.
The contracts were let as follows : Carpenter work, Straub
& Baumgarten ; brick, L. Metzgar ; mason, Shoeb & Bruehler ;
plastering, Heitzman & Snyder ; frescoing, D. Adamson.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
89
Early in June the corner stone was laid by Bishop Foley, of
Chicago, in the midst of a large number of priests and people.
It was completed in December, 1872, and dedicated on the fourth
Sunday of Advent by Bishop Foley, in the presence of a great
many priests from all parts of the diocese.
REV. FATHER KALVELAGE.
The building is of modem Gothic, its dimensions are 50 x 140
feet, and the cost was $35,000. The church is built of brick with
stone trimmings and faces northeast. John Dillenburg, of
Chicago, was the architect. The seating capacity including the
90 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
gallery is 850. It is lighted with gas and heated by means of
large furnaces. The windows are of stained glass.
In 1881 the appearance of the sacred structure was greatly
improved by the erection of the steeple, which is 175 feet high,
and is of beautiful design and finish. Four bells, weighing 5,000
Ibs. and costing $1,000, constitute a set of chimes that ring out joy-
ously and solemnly on all religious feast days and on every Sun-
day. Their tones are E, F sharp, G sharp and A. They were
purchased and hung during the pastorate of Father Kalvelage.
In 1886 new altars were put into the church, at a cost of about
$1,500. They were consecrated by Archbishop Feehan, May 20,
1886. The lower part has three reliefs, representing the marriage
of the Blessed Virgin to St. Joseph ; the nativity of our Lord, and
the death of St. Joseph. There are three niches in the sub-
structure. The larger one contains the crucifixion group, Christ
on the cross and Mary and John beneath. In the right niche is
the statue of the Immaculate Conception, and on the left, the
statue of St. Boniface.
It was during the same year that the side altars and pews
were purchased and put in. The interior furnishing and decorat-
ing are complete and choice, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church,
from basement to steeple, is a structure of which our German
citizens may well be proud.
Scarcely had the new church been completed and paid for,
when efforts were made to improve the educational advantages.
At first a small frame building, which had been purchased of
St. Mary's congregation, and which stood on the present site, was
used, but this became too small and was unsuited for the purpose,
hence, in 1883, the new structure was begun.
The contracts were let as follows : Brick, John Trunck ;
stone, Bruehler & Eberle Bros.; carpenter work and plastering,
D. Weary. F. E. Josel was the architect.
The building is fifty feet square. It has two stories and a
basement, and is built of brick and stone. There are four school
rooms, each 24 x 36 feet, with 12 foot ceilings. The basement is
divided into a coal room and a room used for the various societies
titeplienson County, Illinois, 1896.
91
connected with the church. The cost of the building was $5,500.
The school is divided into eight grades, there being four
rooms of two grades each. Father Kalvelage superintends the
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
92 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
school and teaches catechism. The enrollment of pupils is 250,.
and the attendance is very regular, absence being occasioned
only by sickness. Father Kalvelage has been very earnest in his,
efforts to improve the school, and bring it up to a high standard
of scholarship and thoroughness. The parishioners very highly
appreciate the excellent work done in St. Joseph's School. It is
taught by Franciscan Sisters from Joliet.
The congregation of St. Joseph's Catholic Church have left
nothing undone that might tend to make them better men and
women in all directions ; they have established a number of
societies for social and benevolent purposes, each of which has
been doing a grand work for God and for souls. Father
Kalvelage has directed and assisted very materially in the forma-
tion of these societies, and it is due to his assistance and the deep
interest taken by the members, that each one has made such
progress, financially and numerically.
St. Joseph's Benevolent Society was organized March 4 r
1866, by Rev. Father Baluff. Its purpose is insurance, which
ranges from $500 to $1,000. A sick-benefit of $4 per week is
paid. The membership is sixty. Meetings are held on the last
Sunday of each month.
The St. Pius Benevolent Society was formed June 20, 1880,
by the young men, and its insurance and sick-benefits are th&
same as in the St. Joseph Society. Both organizations belong to-
the German Catholic Central Society. They meet on the third
Sunday of each mouth. The membership is seventy.
St. George's Branch of the Catholic Knights of Illinois wa&
organized a few years ago. It furnishes insurance $1,000 to
$2,000. Its membership is thirty-five, and meetings are held on
the first Sunday of the month.
St. Mary's Society originated Oct. 30, 1867. The object is to-
assist in getting ornaments for the church. Rev. Father Kalvelage
is the director.
St. Cecilia's Society, which began Aug. 10, 1870, is composed
of the young ladies of the parish, who assist in decorating the-
StepJienson County, Illinois, 1896.
93
church, and in maintaining a circulating library. There are
forty-five members,
St. Aloysius Society, for boys between the ages of twelve and
eighteen years, dates from Jan. 18, 1891. The membership is
twenty. They also have a sick-benefit.
m 8. (
'--.
ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL.
St. Agnes Society for girls was established March 31, 1891,
and numbers thirty members. They assist in decorating the
church and keeping up the library. One of the Sisters acts as
president.
The admirable progress of St. Joseph's German Catholic
Church has been due to the good work done by her pastors.
INTERIOR OF ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 95
They have left monuments of devotion and zeal that make brief
sketches of their lives worthy of perusal.
Father John Westkamp was the first pastor. He was born
in Westphalia, Germany. In his youth he came to America, and
studied at the St. Vincent College, at Beatty, Pa. He was
ordained at Chicago. His pastorate here continued until 1863,
and it was during his charge that the congregation was organized
and the first church property purchased.
Father Ignatius Baluff was born in Europe. He emigrated
to America in his younger days, and studied at St. Vincent's
College. His course was finished in Chicago, where he was
ordained. He served as pastor from June, 1863, to January,
1874. The new church was built under his direction, and the
parsonage, a substantial and commodious brick building, was
purchased. The cemetery, containing four acres, was also secured
during his pastorate.
FATHER CLEMENT KALVELAGE.
Father Kalvelage, the present pastor, was born at Lohne,
Germany, Nov. 23, 1845. He is a son of Herman and Mary
(Dekmann) Kalvelage. His father was a weaver by trade. He
attended a Catholic school near his home until thirteen years
old. On Oct. 20, 1858, he reached this country with his mother,
his father having died when he was but a mere child. They
went to Milwaukee, Wis., and there for five years he studied at
the St. Francis Seminary. At the end of that time, four years
were occupied in study in St. Mary's of the Lake, Chicago. Then
another year was spent in study at Milwaukee, and on Jan. 29,
1869, he was ordained at Milwaukee by Archbishop Henni.
His first pastorate was at the St. Francis Church, Ottaw r a,
where he remained five years. He took charge of the congrega-
tion in Freeport, March 11, 1874, of which he has since been the
pastor, doing a world of good. During this time the new school
house was built, the steeple erected, the bells purchased and the
hospital built. He has officiated at 1,000 baptisms and per-
formed 300 marriage ceremonies as pastor of St. Joseph's Church.
96 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The financial condition of the church is very good. The
debt on the church and school is paid. The property, not includ-
ing the hospital, is valued at $60,000. The
remaining debt on the hospital is $8,800. The
congregation held a jubilee in 1887, celebrat-
ing their twenty-fifth anniversary.
The assistant pastor of St. Joseph's Church,
Rev. Father Meyer, is a man who has rendered
efficient service to Father Kalvelage since he
came here, a few years ago. He is a man of
fine attainments, an excellent pulpit orator, and
a priest who is devoted to his calling, and he
is a prime favorite with the members of the
f Ix. MIL \ r. K .
large congregation.
THE ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL.
AN INSTITUTION OF WHICH FREEPORT IS PROUD A NOBLE WORK.
Connected with St. Joseph's Catholic Church is the St. Francis
Hospital, an institution of which all Freeport is proud. And it
has already done a noble work, which cannot be estimated by
dollars and cents, but rather computed in that great city above,
where the treasures are much more precious than gems or gold.
It was through the efforts of Father Kalvelage that the
hospital was erected and fitted up. The story of the Stoneman
bequest is familiar to all our readers and need not be recounted.
We have referred to the good work done by the building com-
mittees and the members of the congregation, in helping the
project in various ways. The building was begun on a beautiful,
commanding site, on South Walnut Street, in the year 1889.
It is a handsome brick, tastily planned and substantially
built. The cost was $20,000, to which was added $10,000 for
furnishing, bedding, etc. The building is 44 x 104 feet ; it is
three stories high with an eight foot basement. The interior is
lighted with gas and has water in all rooms where necessary.
Large steam boilers heat the rooms and ventilators and dust
shafts are ranged throughout the building. A fine feature is the
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
97
large porch on the east side, where convalescents may greet the
rising sun, and draw hope and strength from its genial beams.
The building was dedicated Feb. 12, 1890.
Everything, from basement to dome, is kept exquisitely neat,
and the good Franciscan Sisters in charge are untiring in
ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL.
their efforts in ministering to those under their charge. One
room is set apart for old soldiers who may be ill, and the John
A. Davis Post, G. A. R., have fitted it up in an appropriate style,
which any old soldier would most certainly appreciate. Not
only have a great many patients of this city been taken care of
at the hospital, but also a number of traveling men, and the
inhabitants of the surrounding country and towns have added to
the roll of patients.
98
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The hospital is sustained partly by a moderate charge and'
partly by the charitable contributions of friends and benefactors.
The first annual report of this noble institution furnishes some
interesting data. For instance, we find that the religious beliefs
of the sixty-eight patients were as follows: Catholics, 28; Pro-
testants, denomination not given, 25 ; Lutherans, 4 ; Episcopalians,
2 ; Shaker, 1 ; Methodists, 3 ; Presbyterians, 1 ; Evangelical, 1 ;
Congregational, 1 ; no religion, 2. It would seem, from these
statistics, that a greater number of non-Catholics than of Catholics-
have profited by this excellent institution, which owes its existence-
and continuance to Catholic charity and enterprise.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 99
Golden Jubilee Celebration and Solemn
Consecration of St. Mary's Church.
Only a reflective mind, inspired by a lively faith and a
fervent piety, can appreciate fully the grand significance of a
Golden Jubilee Celebration. Whether it be for an individual or
a parish, it is an occasion of great joy in heaven, as well as on
earth. Fortunately for the success of St. Mary's celebration, her
people are capable of understanding the importance of such an
event and were generous in giving to every plan their hearty
support and perfect sympathy.
Early in September, arrangements were completed to carry
out a programme, which for interest and magnificence could not
be surpassed, even in cities of greater importance than Freeport.
The' grandeur of the ceremonies and the exalted dignity of
the officiating ecclesiastics contributed to the imposing character
of the occasion and made a deep impression upon all the citizens,
irrespective of creed, who assisted in honoring the event thus
recalled.
The celebration of the golden jubilee anniversary of the
establishment of Catholicity in Stephenson County took place on
the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th of September, 1896, the congrega-
tions of St. Mary's and of St. Joseph's Churches uniting to render
everything as impresssive as possible. St. Mary's being the first
church in the county to have a resident pastor, he was appointed
by the Bishop of Chicago, in 1846, naturally, it became the
100 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
centre of interest during the celebration, and next to it ranked
St. Joseph's, since in the early days both congregations had
attended service in the same church.
Rev. W. A. Horan, pastor of St. Mary's, took a very active
part in the preparations for the jubilee, and for nearly a year
previous to the great event he worked almost incessantly at his
plans for its fitting celebration. Certainly the four days men-
tioned above will be red-letter days henceforth in the memory of
St. Mary's people, and the events that distinguish them will still
form part of the traditions of the city, as well as of the parish,
when another century shall have passed away.
Special excursion trains brought great numbers of guests
from various towns in Wisconsin and Illinois. The array of the
church dignitaries in attendance was most impressive and
encouraging, delighting the people, as giving a proof of the high
esteem in which their beloved pastor is held by his ecclesiastical
superiors and confreres.
September 12th was a busy day ; everyone belonging to a
committee was rushing about with pleased activity, worthy of the
good cause, and Saturday evening found everything in admirable
order for the opening of the celebration on Sunday morning.
Certain remote preparations, full of mystical meaning, had
been made for the important ceremony of consecration. Among
others was the erection of the twelve brazen crosses that distin-
guish consecrated churches. Symbolical of the twelve apostles,
the foundation upon which rests the See of Rome, similar crosses
are fixed upon the walls of but one church in the archdiocese and
that is St. James' of Chicago, of which the distinguished Rev.
Hugh McGuire is pastor. There are two prerequisites of conse-
cration : the church must be entirely free from debt and built of
stone or other lasting material. When once consecrated, the
building stands forever as a holy place, until dismantled beyond
recognition. The magnificence and pomp of the ceremonial of
consecration are as splendid as the great resources of the most
powerful ecclesiastical organization can make them. The clergy-
men and the church are dressed in their richest vestments, and
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
101
102 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
as a prelude, the archbishop, with his mitre, bearing his crosier,
followed by a train of lesser dignitaries and priests, marches
solemnly three times around the church. At the completion of
each circuit of the building, he raps on the door of the church
with the crosier, and the third time enters with his attendants.
Within, a cross of ashes is strewn upon the floor, in which the
archbishop marks with his staff of office the Greek and Latin
alphabets, the languages of the church. The four walls are then
annointed with holy oil, and the sign of the cross made on each,
and then, one by one, the twelve brazen crosses are affixed with
attendant ceremonies.
On the outside of each of the two doors of the main entrance
to the church, a large brazen cross was also fastened during the
ceremonies of consecration. These crosses were purchased and
donated, in advance, by the Young Ladies' Sodality of the Blessed
Virgin and the School Children's Sodality of St. Thomas.
The nave of the church was decorated with drapery and fes-
tooning of yellow and white, the effect being that of a sunburst.
The organ loft was trimmed with the same colors, which swathed
the rail, and depending were over-lapping festoons that hung in
graceful folds. On account of the consecration ceremonies, no
flowers could be used on the altars, the only dressings being the
altar cloths of white waxed linen. During the services on
Monday, masses of flowers gave color to the scene, and their per-
fume blended with that of the incense. The sanctuary was left
severely simple in its adornments, since cheap decorations could
only detract from the beauty of the costly altars of marble and
onyx.
A great deal of activity was shown in and around St. Mary's
Church and Hall, preparatory to the solemn services that were
held there on Monday and Tuesday, in connection with the golden
jubilee celebration. The work going forward, so far as it could
be seen, was that of arranging the decorations, but there was
much more in progress than was visible, the ladies' committee
being particularly active in arranging for their share of the
program.
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Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
104 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The lunch, lemonade and badge counters were erected under
green bowers, in the school yard, and the three committees in
charge of them exercised much energy and good taste in their
decoration, so that by Saturday evening they presented so pleas-
ing an appearance as to tempt customers, even before there was
anything to buy. A heavy rain, that continued until about six
or seven o'clock Sunday morning, somewhat impaired the beauty
of the booths, but did not dampen the ardor of the ladies
in charge of them, for they instituted, and continued, until the
close of the jubilee, a brisk sale of badges, cigars and refreshments,,
the proceeds being designed for pious and charitable purposes.
The part of St. Mary's Hall that is used by the Columbus
Club was most elaborately and tastefully decorated, in patriotic
and religious designs and colors. This really artistic work was
done under the direction of Mr. Leo Thro, who has a genius for
such decoration.
The dramatic part of the hall was in readiness for the chil-
dren's reception ; the stage was decorated at the expense of the
Feehan Reading Circle.
The banqueting hall was a scene of beauty, a joy forever^
a delight to the feminine heart, and a surprise, no doubt, to the
reverend masculine eyes that beheld it, in all the glory of its
graceful drapery of damask and lace ; its tasteful decorations, in
papal and in union colors; its gleaming silver and glittering
china; its flower decked tables groaning under their loads of
viands. The jubilee dinner was a triumph of Freeport house-
keeping, and Chicago caterers were left in the shade.
In an adjoining hall, of smaller size, a fine dinner was spread
for the members of the Madison Band, which had been engaged,
' at a high price, to " discourse sweet music " on the street, before
the church, in the hall during the banquet, and at intervals dur-
ing the reception.
The climax of beauty was reached, however, in the triumphal
arch that spanned State Street, in front of St. Mary's Church.
About fifty feet high, double in construction, a space six feet in
width between the two parts, and terminating at the top in points
Stepltenson County, Illinois, 1896.
105
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106 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
and spires, as required by the gothic style of its design, the frame
work was the support of gracefully arranged drapery in papal and
union colors, of pictures of the reigning pope and of the present
archbishop, of flags, garlands and three hundred incandescent
lights. Many of these lights were arranged on a large cross that
crowned the summit of the arch. The sacred symbol thus out-
lined, in vivid electric light, against a starlit sky, was one of the
most striking features in the rich and varied jubilee decorations.
The work of preparing for the celebration was divided ; each
part was given to a separate committee which worked faithfully
to make it a success. The committees and their members were
as follows :
Finance Jere Gordon, Sr., chairman ; Thomas Grant, John
P. Coffey, P. O'Conor, J. B. J. DuFour.
Invitation and program F. Chas. Donohue, chairman ; John
E. Harrington, Jere Gordon, Jr., C. A. McNamara, John GofF.
Music John L. Carroll, chairman ; John P. Lawless, Frank
Rogers, John Coyle, John Rau.
Reception P. E. Cox, chairman ; John Tracy, M. Scanlan,
P. Reedy, Thomas Carroll, John Sullivan, B. Coyle, Edward
Lawless, Owen Brady, James Moore, Robert Casey.
Decorations and fire works Jere Gordon, Sr., chairman ;
James J. O'Rourke, A. Lagron, T. D. Osborne, P. Wall, W. R.
Barren, Henry Murphy, T. M. Darrah.
Transportation E. Scanlan, chairman; M. G. Flanagan,
T. M. Darrah.
New Dublin M. McGurk, Gus. Medike, Ed. Maulove, Owen
Carmody, Ed. Ledwith, Maurice Hughes.
Irish Grove A. Mullarkey, James Spellman, D. Mullarkey,
Andrew Flynn.
The ladies who labored so well and served so elegantly were :
Dining room Mesdames James Manion, Jere Reardon,
George Hornberger, Louis McGovern, Jennie Markey, Owen
Brady, Mrs. M. Madigan, John Sullivan, A. Clermont, P. Ryan ;
Misses Mary McGovern, Nora Hogan.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 107
Lunch counter Mesdames John Rau, John Harrington, J.
E. Moore, John Burns, John Leary, Jas. McCabe, Misses Maggie
Brenuan, Maude Gleasou, Kate Shay, Maggie Nolan, Kate O'Mara,
Mary Wilson, Rose Carey, Maggie Carey, Mabel Moore, Kate
Dinley, Alice Goff, Nellie Sweeney, Mary Riley, Anna Nolan,
Julia Barren, Lizzie Darrah, Naomi Lagron, Mary Wheeler,
Nellie Killion, Lillian Egan, Annie Summers, Mamie Vail, Nellie
Burns, Blanche Knipschild, Agnes Dolan, Lillie Dolan, Clara
Barren, Kate O'Brien.
Lemonade, etc Misses Rebecca Vail, Kate Grant, Lizzie
Cavanaugh and Sadie Burns.
Badges Misses Mamie Darrah, Nellie Fagan, Statia Camp-
bell, Nonie Reardon and Rose Gleason.
Church decorations Miss Mary Darrah, Mesdames J. P.
Younger, John Burns, Fanny Cox, P. J. Ryan, J. B. J. Du Four
and M. L. Parker.
Reception Mesdames Fred Kuehner, Robert Casey and John
Tracy.
Soliciting out of town Mesdames John Rau, Jennie Grant,
John Rodemeier, F. Fee, A. Clermont, M. Kelley, J. E. Moore ;
Misses Lucy Barren, Clara Barren and Mary McGovern. In the
-city Mesdames Robert Casey, James Manion.
Too much praise cannot be given to the members of the
various committees for the efficient manner in which they carried
out their .plans.
The most important of the jubilee ceremonies was of course
the consecration of the church, which took place at seven o'clock
-on Sunday morning and required nearly three hours' time. The
Archbishop of Chicago, Most Rev. P. A. Feehan, officiated, assisted
by three bishops and a great number of priests. This ceremony
has been of such rare occurrence in the history of the Catholic
Church in the west, that in Illinois it has been celebrated but
once previous to the occasion under consideration.
The chief requisite that a church may be consecrated, is that
it shall be entirely free from debt. The next is that it shall be
.so located that there is no probability of its ever having to be
108 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
abandonQd and used for some other purpose than the public
worship of God. By the ceremonies to which we refer, not only
was the church devoted most solemnly to the divine service, but
the three altars of marble and onyx were also solemnly conse-
crated and richly privileged.
On Sunday morning, a succession of low masses were offered,
from five o'clock until seven, and at half past ten, a solemn ponti-
fical high mass was sung. The account given in the local
papers was interesting and exact ; the Democrat gave the follow-
ing description :
" The first services, in the series prepared for and arranged so-
carefully by the Rev. Fr. Horan, to be presented at St. Mary's,.
and which were of great significance to the people of the parish,
were successfully and happily carried out, in spite of many mis-
givings, on the part of those interested, because of the down-pour
of rain Saturday night, which threatented to spoil all the prepar-
ations and even to cause a postponement of the services. Beyond
causing the pastor, and his distinguished guests who were to help
him in the celebration, some trepidation, and injuring the appear-
ance of the triumphal arch to some extent, the heavy rainfall did
no harm, and ceased in time to allow the performance of the
sacred rites of consecration, without interfering with that part of
them which occurred outside the church."
" The day which had such an unpleasant beginning became
later almost perfect ; the skies cleared, the sun quickly dried the
streets and by the time the people began to arrive for the ponti-
fical mass, at 10:30 o'clock, the weather had become all that could
be desired. On account of the threatening appearance of the
morning, there were fewer people came on the excursions from
Madison and Rockford, and along the line between the two places,
than had been expected, still the number the two special trains
brought was considerable, the Rockford delegation bringing a
band, which headed the procession as it marched to the church,
reaching it just in time for the public services. There were
besides, many visitors from the country, who drove in for the day
and a great number of families in the parish had guests from
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
109
a distance who came to attend the jubilee. The visitors were
agreeably entertained during the time of their stay by personal
friends and members of the reception committee."
" The day's program began at 5 o'clock in the morning, and
lasted, with but short intervals, until after vespers in the evening.
The first of the services were masses in the chapels of convent and
THE CROWNING OF THE MAY QUEEN AT ST. MARY'S.
church, which were continued until the beginning of the conse-
cration ceremonies at 6:30 o'clock. Though it was barely day-
light when the ceremonies commenced, there was a crowd in
front of the church to witness the unusual rites, the proceedings
being watched w r ith interest. The exterior part of the service
occupied half an hour, Archbishop Feehan and those assisting
him entering the church at seven o'clock, no one else being ad-
mitted, and the service was not concluded until ten. Those taking
110 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
part in the consecration were the Most Reverend Archbishop-
Feehan, consecrator ; the Reverend Fathers F. S. Henneberry, of
Chicago, deacon ; B. P. Murray, of Chicago, sub-deacon ; E. A.
Kelley, of Chicago, M. Foley, of Dixon, and L. X. Du Four, of
Mary's, chanters ; F. J. Barry, of the Cathedral, Chicago, master
of ceremonies, assisted by St. Mary's altar boys."
" After singing the litany of the saints, the archbishop blessed
the Gregorian water, which derives its name from Pope St. Greg-
ory the Great, who first ordered this manner of blessing. With
the water are mingled salt, ashes and wine, all previously blessed.
The water symbolizes : First, the effects of the sacrament of the
altar water, purity of heart ; salt, wisdom ; ashes, penance, and
wjne, spiritual joy*. Second, Jesus Christ Himself, who is sym-
bolized by the altar ; the wine His divine, the water, His human
nature, the ashes, His death, the salt His incorruptibility and
resurrection."
" The archbishop made the sign of the cross with the blessed
water on the altar table, in the center and at the four corners,.
Walked seven times around the altar, sprinkling it with the same
water. He mixed cement with holy water and with it sealed the
relics in a sepulchre made in the altar stone. Then the arch-
bishop anointed the altar in the center and at both ends with oil
and chrism, meanwhile making five signs of the cross over it and
incensing it. Out of the blessed incense he made, on the altar,
five crosses, each one consisting of five grains of incense, and then
covered them with wax. All these crosses were then kindled and
allowed to burn away. The incensing, the anointing, and the
burning of the crosses have the following meaning: Incense
symbolizes favor before God ; the holy oil, strength ; the chrism,
holiness ; the burning candles, purifying power ; the pouring out
together of the holy oil and the chrism, the fullness of every
blessing in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which, in renewal of the
cross, is to be solemnized on this altar."
" Once again, amid prayer, the altar is anointed. Finally the
altar cloths are blessed. On these the holy sacrifice was immedi-
ately offered up."
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
Ill
" The ceremonies of the consecration of a church consist of
the following : On the preceding day, a fast is observed in
the parish, and certain prayers are said. In front of the church^
the clergy recited the penitential psalms and litany of the
ARCHBISHOP HENNESSEY, OF DUBUQUE.
saints. The archbishop blessed salt and water, with which he
sprinkled the outer walls, passing in procession around them
three times. At each return, he knocked at the door and asked
that it be opened ; at the third time, he made on it the sign
of the cross, and then it was opened, to show forth that the cross
112 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
triumphs over all opposition and closes to us the gates of hell."
"The interior is consecrated in the following manner : Utter-
ing the greeting, " Peace be to this house," the archbishop entered
and knelt down and invoked the Holy Spirit. While the litany
of the saints and the benedictus, Zachary's Canticle of praise were
sung, the bishop strewed the floor with ashes, and in them, with
his crosier, he wrote the Greek and Latin alphabet. He anointed
with chrism, the twelve crosses placed on the walls, called the
apostolic crosses, with a lighted taper attached to each. The
Greek and Latin alphabets inscribed in the ashes signify that the
church is consecrated on the foundation of one Catholic, apostolic
faith, which, in the beginning, was proclaimed chiefly in the
Greek and Latin languages.' The anointing of the walls at the
twelve apostolic crosses, signify that in the edifice the faith will
be taught and preached as preached by the twelve apostles."
DESCRIPTION OF THE ALTARS.
" The altars are pure gothic in style. G. S. Mansfield, of this
city, was the designer, and the work was done by Schrader &
Conraddi, a St. Louis firm. The materials from which they are
made are Serravegg or statuary and Blanco marbles, Fredura
onyx, agate, Mexican onyx and jasper. The base of the main
altar is twelve feet square; the mensa table eight feet long. The
altar stands twenty-three feet high from the base and at its widest
is sixteen feet. The reredos is of marble, with panels and columns
of onyx and the panels are ornamented with jasper. At each
side, supporting the tabernacle, are three gold columns which
cost $300. On either side of the altar, as it rises above the
mensa table, is a Gothic tower, occupied by a representation of a
golden winged angel. The side altars are constructed like the
main. On altar of the Blessed Virgin is inscribed on a silver
plate, "Donated by John Tracy and Family"; on St. Joseph's,
" Donated by Joseph Barron and His Sister Lucy." The inscrip-
tion on the main altar reads, " Donated by the Young Ladies'
and Married Ladies' Sodalities."
" The ceremony of consecration having been concluded, the
doors were opened and those holding tickets were allowed to pass
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
113
in. The scene within was indeed beautiful, and words fail to
give a true description of the charming decorations. There were
draperies of yellow and white looped from the ceiling of the church
to the walls on either side, and numerous gold wreaths and loop-
BISHOP BURKE, OF ST. JOSEPH, MO.
ings of the predominant colors on the walls. These loopings
were entwined in garlands, and yellow and white flowers were in
profusion. Those who were privileged to enter sat in silent con-
templation, feasting the eye on the beautiful surroundings until
time for the service to begin. The latter was postponed about
114 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
an hour awaiting the arrival from Rockford of the Catholic Union
and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, who came 400 strong as
organized bodies, and at 9:30, a half hour later, a delegation of
250 arrived from Madison. The former were accompanied by a
band, which discoursed music all the way to the church from the
depot. Immediately after the consecration, Archbishop Feehan
said low mass at one of the newly consecrated altars."
" Shortly after 10 o'clock, the doors of the church were opened
and the people who attended the solemn pontifical mass at 9:30'
o'clock began pouring in. Admission was by tickets, with which
all the pew holders were provided, and the capacity of the church
was increased by crowding chairs as closely together as possible
in the aisles. There were many Protestants in the congregation,,
to whom the services were more impressive on account of their
novelty. The limits of the seating capacity were reached fifteen
minutes before the orchestra sounded the first note of " Kyrie
Eleison," or before the candles on the altar had been lighted.
The mass was celebrated by the Rt. Rev. M. Burke, D. D., Bishop
of St. Joseph, Mo., assisted by the Very Rev. Father A. 0. Walker,.
O. S. D., of Sinsinawa Mound, archpriest ; Rev. Father E. A.
Kelley, of Chicago, deacon of the mass; Very Rev. Father Philip
O'Connor, of Carroll City, la., sub-deacon; Rev. Fathers F. S.
Heneberry and B. P. Murray, of Chicago, deacon and sub-deacon
of honor ; Rev. Father F. J. Barry, master of ceremonies. Arch-
bishop Feehan assisted, with Rev. Fathers Foley and Du Four as
chaplains."
" The choir, assisted by Gibler's orchestra, caused the church
to resound with such melody as was never heard there before.
Generali's grand military mass was rendered ; the music was
arranged by J. J' Carroll and consisted of the following program :
Kyrie, Andante Full chorus
Christe, Andante Mrs. Thro, Mis.s Tracy, J. P. Lawless, Frank Rogers
Gloria, Allegro Full chorus
Gratias, Moderato John P. Lawless, Ed. Lawless
Domini, Fili, Moderato Misses Carey and Reardon
Domini Deus, Moderato Full chorus
Qui Tollis, Larghetto Mrs. Thro, J. P. Lawless, J. Rau
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
115
Qui Sedes, Allegro Moderate Tutti bassos and chorus
Quoniam, Allegretto Miss Cunningham
Dei Patris, Allegro Moderate Finale, full chorus
Credo, Allegretto Unison, full chorus
Genitum, Moderate '. Miss Tracy
Descendit, Moderate Full chorus
GOLDEN JUBILEE ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR,
Et Incarnatus, Lento Full choous
Crucifixus, Lento John and Ed. Lawless
Et Resurrexit, Allegro Full chorus
Et Iterum, Moderate Mrs. Thro
Et Inspiritum, Moderate J. P. Lawless
Qui Com Patre, Moderate J. P. Lawless, Frank Rogers
Et Unam Sanctam, Moderate Misses Carey and Reardon
Et Expecto, Moderate
"The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Father D. J. Riordan,
of St. Elizabeth's church, Chicago, an eloquent and brilliant
116 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
speaker, his address being closely and logically reasoned, and
though extemporized, was perfect in point of rhetoric, his phrases
fell gracefully and he spoke with the force of inspiration. Father
Riordan arose from a sick bed to attend the jubilee services and
at times his voice trembled from weakness, but was not less clear,
distinct or musical."
SERMON OF REV. FATHER RIORDAN, SUNDAY,
SEPTEMBER 13, 1896.
" The people rejoiced when they promised their gifts willingly, be-
cause they offered them to the Lord with all their hearts."
I have chosen this text, my dearly beloved brethren, not in-
deed with an$ reference to the subject proper of my remarks
to-day, but as expressing, no doubt, the feelings experienced by
this congregation of St. Mary's, when some years back, at the
invitation of their zealous and devoted pastor, they came together
to devise some means of building up a new church to the honor
and glory of the eternal God.
It is not well, perhaps, on any occasion to indulge in words
of extravagant praise or flattery, yet I fail to see a parallel any-
where in the diocese to the work accomplished here, within the
past few years. Whether it be due to your pastor or to your-
selves, or to the spirit enkindled and fostered by the devoted, reli-
gious Sisters who have charge of your schools, I cannot say, but I
think I can say, without giving offense to any one, that it is due
to all three combined. To the energy and zeal of your pastor,
the generosity of the people, and to the piety and devotedness of
the Sisters who have charge of the little ones of this flock. I
offer to you, therefore, in my own name, and in the name of the
clergy, my heartiest congratulations.
This whole morning, my dearly beloved brethren, was spent
in rededicating and in consecrating your church to God. Whatever
may have been said of it in the past, from now on, for many
years to come, it will be a building dedicated wholly to the ser-
vice of the Almighty, in which to praise His name. I congratu-
late you, above all, upon the fact that you can now truly say to
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 117
God, that it is His Church. You have paid for it, no man owns
it, and it is God's, God's from now on, forever. Accept, therefore,
my congratulations, and I trust the people of this parish will
always continue to manifest the same spirit of zeal in behalf of
their religion ; that theirs will not be a religion of faith or belief
merely, but that it will be a religion of charity and good works.
This church has been built what is the object of it why
have the people spent so generously of their means in order to
erect a building to the service and worship of God ? Is it not,
my brethren, because they believe in the truth of their religion
is it not because they are fully convinced that their church is the
true church, founded by the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, him-
self? It would be well for us, during the few remarks I am about
to make, to dwell principally upon the reasonableness of the claim
of the Catholic church to the acceptance of the faithful Christian.
There is perhaps no charge more frequently made, than that the
Catholic religion is wholly out of joint with the demands of right
reason. It is asserted that no Catholic can accept the teachings
of his church without doing violence to the demands and require-
ments of sound sense. It seems rather strange to us, my breth-
ren, who are members of the fold, that such a charge as this can
be made; in fact, we Catholics find it very difficult to acquit
thoughtful and religiously disposed people of all blame in refus-
ing to examine, personally, into the astounding claims of a church
that has been connected with almost every important event of the
past 1900 years every event that was fraught with weal or woe
in the early history of the world.
Let us dwell on these facts briefly this morning, my brethren ;
briefly I say, because this is due you, on account of the lengthy
services of the day, and due perhaps also, in a measure, to myself.
Let us dwell briefly, then, upon this subject of the reasonableness
of the Catholic faith. Let me endeavor, first of all, to give you
some idea of the Church. Starting out with a belief in God, and
looking out into the world, we see a condition of things that fills
us with distress. Cardinal Newman describes it as full of lament-
ations, misery and woe, and the apostle, in a few words, describes
118 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
the condition of the human race, as it passes before us, as being
without hope and without God in the world.
Man, my brethren, did not come from the hands of God in
the condition in which we find him, and it is not unreasonable
to suppose that some great calamity came upon the human race
at an early day. Shall we continue by our own unaided efforts
to try to remedy this calamity, or shall we seek assistance some-
where else? To say nothing of the impotency of human efforts
to right a wrong, such as we suppose must have been committed
against the omnipotent God, by the first sin, it is absolutely fool-
ish to expect that man, without the assistance of some superior
being, could have come to the relief of the human race. In the
first place, the reason of man, unaided by the grace of God, in
an environment created by human passions, tends to unbelief, that
is to say, the mind of man left to itself, in the condition in which
it was created, and subjected to the cravings and demands of the
low animal appetites and the sensual passions of human nature,
the mind of man, under such circumstances, tends to the elimin-
ation of goodness and truth. This appears to be certain when
we study the history of the past. What was the outcome of the
old pagan religion, but the rejection of all true ideas of God ?
Many of our unassisted, advanced thinkers of to-day, have
adopted a new idea of religion, and they are preaching the un-
knowable and humanitarianism as the outcome of their best in-
dividual efforts.
It is not unreasonable, therefore, to suppose that the Almighty
<*od himself came to the rescue of the human race ; there is a
fitness in this, all the greater when we come to consider the great
goodness of God. He first made man in His own image and
likeness, and what was more, was determined that the great work
of the Creator of the world and of man should not come to naught.
This brings us, therefore, to the incarnation of the Son of God.
Man being unable to remedy the great defects and overcome the
calamity and consequences of the first great disaster, God comes
to his rescue. The Eternal Son of God himself became man.
Why did Christ become man ? Only a Catholic, it seems to me,
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
119
can answer that question satisfactorily. Let us bear in mind,
my brethren, that our divine Lord is the Saviour of all mankind, of
you and me, as well as of those who shall come after us, and we can
say, with the same truth as the apostles of old, " My Lord and my
God."
Christ is the one Saviour of the world, and there is one God,
and Lord, so one faith and one baptism.
EEV. D. J. RIORDAN,
Pastor of St. Elizabeth's Church, Chicago, 111.
Now, our Lord lived but a short time on this earth, then He
was crucified and He died. How was His work to be perpetuated ?
He established a church a church that was to endure throughout
all the ages of the world and to continue the work which He came to
accomplish. The Church is the witness, and Jesus Christ is the
teacher of the truths which He made known to His apostles. This
is the means by which the sanctifying grace of Christ is brought
home to the individual, and by which each and every one
of us can hope to save our souls. That is the nature
and the object of the Church. How does it accomplish its
120 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
purpose ? Founded by Christ, and by Him invested with His own
authority, the Church is not a creation of men, or any number of
men ; it is not the work of the Pope, the Bishops or the
Priests, but the work of Christ. In the sense in which you say
God made the earth, and that He spread the sky over our
heads, in that same sense do we say that Christ, with His own
divine authority, without respect to the wishes of man, without
counseling with him, founded the Church, which was to take
His place, and be to all people, to the end of the world, what
He himself was to the people of His own day ; what He would
have been to the people of this day, and to the people to come,
had He continued to live on in the world. Is there any other
religious denomination that claims this divine authority ? Well,
in theory there is, but hardly in practice, and the great funda-
mental truth after all, is the divine establishment of the Christian
Church, with the authority of the divine Founder, to preach and
teach in His name. The Church does not argue with the people,
the apostles did not argue, they announced the truths of their
God, they commanded people to hear them, they bore in mind
the words of the Divine Master himself, who said, " He that
heareth you heareth Me, and he that despiseth you, despiseth
Me."
Sometimes I hear people say, " Well, there is not so much
difference between your church and ours. We have vestments,
we have lights and acolytes, yes, we have even the confessional,
with few, I fear, of the awful secrets." Now, why should similarity,
or dissimilarity in these things constitute a resemblance or dis-
semblance between the various churches? The great difference
between the Church, and all other churches is this that the
Church stands instead of Christ, that she preaches in God's name,
that she comes with authority from the eternal Son of God, the
Founder of the Christian religion.
She does not ask, and does not permit people to inquire into-
her teachings ; of her own authority, she announces the truths
taught by the Divine Saviour of the world. The controversy, in
the past 300 years has been, for the most part, upon side issues ;
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
121
little, or comparatively little, has been said upon this vital funda-
mental thought, namely the authority of the Church. Now,
my brethren, is there anything unreasonable in the claim of
the Church to the authority of Christ, since Christ founded
BISHOP JANSEN.
it to be a witness to Him, and a teacher of His truths
throughout all ages? We are not without authority, of course,
in the treatment of this subject, but we now confine our-
selves wholly to what may appear reasonable to the mind, es-
pecially, if debating with those who are not in accord with us in
122 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
religious matters. If we fell back upon the inspired word of God,
and then found that this book, which gives the history of the life
of Jesus Christ, the Founder of the Church, was silent upon this most
salient point, it would be most disappointing to us. But, as we
read this inspired book, we see many pages, where we find accept-
able reference to this very point, and we are told, again and again,
by the apostles, that they were sent out into the world to teach,
in the name of Christ, that they have His own authority, and
that of the Eternal Father who sent Him. So, also, He sent
them to teach the universal world, and to proclaim to all mankind
the great tidings of the Gospel. Here, therefore, according to this
scriptural teaching, here is a picture of the Church. A body of
men, appointed by public ceremony, invested with divine author-
ity, inculcating the truths of religion, not in their own name, not in
the name of advanced thinkers and scientists, but in the name
of the Founder of Christianity, and declaring that all men must
believe them, under pain of an anathema. " He that heareth
you, said the Lord, heareth Me, and he that despiseth you,
despiseth Me."
I merely claim, my brethren, that it is not unreasonable to
suppose that Christ founded the Church ; it is not unreasonable to
suppose that the Church is invested with the authority of its di-
vine Founder.
It is said of us : " Catholics will believe anything "; " not
only do members of the Church claim authority to preach in the
name of God, but they claim infallibility for the Church "; they
say " ' the Church cannot err in matters of religion ; ' how can a
fallible man become infallible, how can a man, subject to all the
weaknesses of human nature, one who, like all others, has felt the
heavy hand of the first curse laid upon our first parents how can
such a man expect to be exempt from error?"
If you and I are obliged to believe in a Church, why that
Church must be protected in some way, by Almighty God, from
leading you and me astray. Is it impossible for God to confer
on man the gift of infallibility ? I can imagine a thousand ways
in which God is able to protect a human mind from error ; He
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
123
BISHOP S. G. MESSMER.
124 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
can reveal himself to each and every one of us, so we will be
absolutely sure of the teachings of our minds. He can bring
about such a result by external means.. Did not God make the
human mind can He not guide it, and direct it, and lead it
wherever He will ? The discussion is foolish from every point of
view. How can people find fault with the bestowal of such a
gift? We have to admit the inspiration of the Scriptures. Who
wrote the Bible did God ? Did God take a pen in His own hands
and write the words which I have read for you to-day ? The
authors and writers were men, God's chosen disciples, and yet you
and I, and all of us, accept it as the written word of God. Now,
if God could protect them, by means of special inspiration, from
falling into any error while they were writing the sacred pages
of the Gospel, why can He not protect one or more men, and
guard them, against all error, in matters appertaining to the most
important of all, the salvation of their souls ? In fact, what would
be the good of establishing a church, and authorizing that church
to preach the Gospel, unless the seal and stamp of the Divinity
was put upon the work itself? Those He had appointed not only
claimed authority to preach in His name, but were assisted by
some special aid of the Holy Ghost to enable them, at all times,
to declare the truth, the whole truth and nothing more.
I must not, my dearly beloved brethren, detain you too long
this morning. The subject is certainly an inviting one and a.
most attractive one, and I might, did time permit, enlarge upon
many of the most disputed points of the Catholic doctrine, in order
to show you how reasonable, from the information imparted by
the Holy Scriptures, are these various teachings of the Catholic
Church. As to the claims of the Catholic Church, they may be
illustrated by the following example :
Suppose we were about to take a long journey ; at first our
way led by a broad avenue through an open country, but soon we
come to the foot-hills in the mountain range, where we find dif-
ferent roads, and then, as we are about to enter, certain guides
present themselves. One claims to know the way he is abso-
lutely certain he can lead us to our destination. The others
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 125
claim only a probability, they are not sure they are right, they
think themselves sufficiently familiar with the way not to lead us
astray, but are not quite certain. I ask you which one of these
guides would you choose, did you feel bound to reach the objec-
tive point? Why, surely you would choose the guide who claims
to know the way. He may be mistaken, he may not be able to
lead you aright, but you cannot act according to the claims of
sound sense and prudence if you select the guide who tells you he
is not sure he is right. If you select him, you act unreasonably*
at the start ; you will dispute with him every step, and at
every turning point in the way you will stop him. What is
this but a picture of the blind leading the blind, and both falling
into the pit? If you select the guide who claims to know the way,
once you have placed yourself under his guidance, you will follow
him quietly, never interfering, feeling assured that he will lead
you aright. Is not this, then, the relative position of the Catholic
Church with all other churches? The Church claims to know
the way.
" I am the Church of the living God." She says : " I
am the Church founded by the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I was not born yesterday, or the last century I have a history
that goes back through all ages ; if you will follow me, I will lead
you in the road that will take you to eternal life."
Are we not apt, brethren to believe this honest, direct and
forcible presentation of the claims of the Catholic Church, even
though it be made by ourselves?
Strangers, who are not in our communion, have sometimes
drawn very forcible and vivid pictures of the Church.
I will ask your permission to read to you what the distin-
guished author, Mallock, has written on the subject now being
treated. (Here the Rt. Rev. speaker read an extract, of which we
have no copy.)
Here is a picture of the Church drawn by a stranger; he
draws it well, but it does not satisfy the Catholic ; it does not
satisfy the man who has been born in the Church, who looks into
the eyes of his living mother, with a heart full of tenderness and
126 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
keen sense of the weighty debt he owes her. The faith of the
Catholic is something akin to that gift which nature bestows upon
the childish heart, a faith abounding in love.
The true character of the Church cannot be perfectly de-
scribed ; it must be felt in the heart. The Church, my brethren,
is the road to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and, through
Him, to heaven. In her, the Christian hears the voice of the
Lord himself.
In the heavenly picture of the world to come, he feels a sense
of security, and is overjoyed by a participation in the feeling ex-
perienced by the apostle on Mount Thabor when he exclaimed,
" Lord, it is good for us to be here." In life's experiences, the
Catholic always feels secure ; he knows the Church will lead him
aright. Knowledge and power are the two great requisites for the
success of every enterprise. The Church possesses them in all
their fullness. She is the truth she has the strength of God to
lead her aright.
Therefore, my brethren, when we kneel down in this Church
to worship Almighty God, first professing our faith in God, the
Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, we will ever exclaim in all
the fullness and love of our heart, " I believe in the Holy
Catholic Church."
THE JUBILEE CHOIR.
Tht musical part of the service was of unusual merit, and
would have rendered the occasion memorable, even if there had
been no other attractions. The best singers of both congrega-
tions, St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, joined under the significant
title, " The Jubilee Choir," and, by diligent practice, fitted them-
selves to produce magnificent results. On the great days that
were successively celebrated, they were assisted by Gibler's or-
chestra. At the mass that followed the consecration of the church,
Generali's grand military mass in G was sung in parts as follows :
Kyrie Full Chorus
Christ! Quartette
Soprano, Mrs. Leo Thro ; alto, Miss Jennie Tracy ; tenor, J. P. Lawless
bass, Frank Rogers.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 127
Gloria Full Chorus
Gratia Duet
Tenor, J. P. Lawless ; baritone, Ed. Lawless.
Domine Fili Duet
Soprano, Miss Maggie Carey ; alto, Miss Nonie Reardon.
Domine Deus Full Chorus
Qui Tollis Trio
Soprano, Mrs. Leo Thro ; tenor, J. P. Lawless ; bass, John Rau.
Qui Sedes Basses and Chorus
Quonian Solo
Miss Cunningham.
Dei Patris Full Chorus
Credo Full Chorus
Genitum Mezzo Soprano Solo
Miss Jennie Tracy.
Descendit Full Chorus
Et Incarnatus Est Full Chorus
Crucifixus Duet
Tenor, J. P. Lawless ; baritone, Ed. Lawless.
Et Resurrexit Full Chorus
Et Interum Soprano Solo
Mrs. Leo Thro.
Et In Spiritum Tenor Solo
J. P. Lawless.
Qui Cum Patre Duet
Tenor, J. P. Lawless ; bass, Frank Rogers.
Et Unam Sanctam Duet
Soprano, Miss Maggie Carey ; alto, Miss Nonie Reardon.
Et Expecto Full Chorus
Finale . . . : Full Chorus
Offertorium O Cor Amoris Victima
Full chorus with soprano solo obligato by Mrs. Leo Thro.
Sanctus Full Chorus
Pleni Full Chorus
Benedictus Alto Solo
Miss Jennie Tracy with cello obligato by Oscar Wagner.
Hosanna Full Chorus
Agnus Dei .... Full Chorus
With tenor solo by J. P. Lawless ; soprano solo by Mrs. Leo Thro.
Dona Nobis, Finale Full Chorus
The members of the Jubilee Choir were : Director, John L.
Carroll ; organist, Miss Mary E. Brennan ; orchestra director, W.
128 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
H. Gibler ; soloists : W. H. Gibler, violin ; Mrs. Leo Thro and
Miss Maggie Carey, sopranos ; Miss Jennie P. Tracy, mezzo so-
prano ; Miss Nonie Reardoii, contralto ; Miss Cunningham, alto ;
John P. Lawless, tenor ; Edward Lawless, baritone ; John Rau
and Frank Rogers, bassos. Chorus : Sopranos, Mrs. M. Ellsworth,
Misses Susie Ellis, Anna Summers, Gertrude Loos, Josie Wilson,
Blanche Knipschild, Loretta Knipschild, Mamie Vail, Agnes
Dolan ; altos, Misses Theresa Loos, Josie Nohe, Anna Darrah,
Theresa Miller, Helen Miller; tenors, Herman Straub, Frank
Burns, John Loos ; bassos, John Coyle, Leo Thro, Clem Gordon
and Ed. Dubs.
ARCHBISHOP FEEHAN'S ADDRESS.
Archbishop Feehan also spoke briefly at the morning service,
congratulating the congregation upon having that day given to
God so magnificent a temple, and praising highly the Pastor, the
Sisters of the school and the members of the congregation for
their work. " This day," he said, " will be long known as one of
the greatest in the history of the parish. Fifty years to the
church, or to history, are but a span, but in the lives of individ-
uals, or congregations, they are a great deal. The celebration of
this Golden Jubilee is an occasion of much pleasure. Sincere is
the joy afforded by the knowledge that the Catholics of this dio-
cese have been able to make such an offering to God as this
church. The consecration gives it to Him forever ; it can never
be given for any other use, or destroyed, except by some great
calamity.
" How different is the congregation of to-day from the one that
first met fifty years ago ! The few who assembled for the first
mass have grown and multiplied to a great congregation, like a
tiny seed that has grown to a great tree. Those pioneers who
first came here, and among whom the faith was so firmly estab-
lished, deserve all honor from us. They have nearly all gone to
their rest, and we can hardly realize the trials and struggles they
have endured. They brought with them the one priceless pearl,
their religious faith ; they were loyal to it, in all their hardships,
and bequeathed their loyalty to their children and their chil-
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 129
dren's children, who are here to-day to celebrate this Golden
Jubilee. We must not forget the priests who labored in the
building up of this church, who came with the pioneers, and,
suffering what they did, earned a share in the result. There was
-another element of success, the daughters of Ireland, who, as re-
ligious teachers, and as faithful mothers of families, followed the
teachings of priests and missionaries and cared for the young.
All worked together to build up the Church all through this new
land. Fifty years is not long, but see the result ! Who could
have foretold, when they were planting the seed, that the harvest
would be so splendid ? The congregation of this church may
well rejoice.
" There is another thought : we ask ourselves, ' What kind
of people will come after us? Will they be loyal and cling to
the high principles of the pioneers ; will they be men of char-
acter, true to their religion and cherishing their faith ? ' To-day
finds the answer. The praise given to-day is well deserved. It
is a source of great gratification to see the success of the Church
and the school. Upon the latter rests the future of the Church ;
in the training of the young, the planting of good seeds and the
awakening of a lively faith in the minds of the children, lies the
secret of large, zealous congregations for the future."
The mass was not ended until after one o'clock, but nothing
further took place at St. Mary's until evening, when there was a
pontifical- vesper service, at which Bishop Janssen presided, and all
the visiting clergymen assisted. A short sermon was delivered
by Bishop Burke, who spoke of the sacredness of the church, since
it had been anointed, with holy oil, and consecrated to the service
of God.
The vespers, the sermon and the benediction of the Blessed
Sacrament, in the glory of lights and song, constituted one of the
most impressive services held during the week. The sanctuary
was filled with richly vested clergymen of various ranks ; the
altar boys, in their pretty robes, were present, in full force, and
sang the vespers, alternately with the grand choir, in a style never
before equaled by them. Finally, so inspiring was the scene and
130 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
the music, all the clergymen joined in chanting the psalms and
hymns, making a magnificent chorus of supplication and adora-
tion, that seemed to the listeners a foretaste of heavenly harmony
and celestial song.
The gleaming tapers and the flashing gas lights, with the
steady radiance of electricity, brought out all the beauties of the
altars and their surroundings, so that sight, as well as hearing r
was enthralled.
Between the vesper and the benediction services, Bishop
Burke, of St. Joseph, Mo., delivered his eloquent discourse, re-
ferred to above. In beautiful language, he told the story of the
cross, what Christ had done for mankind, and urged all to follow
in His footsteps. He also spoke words of praise in regard to the
beautiful house of worship which the members of St. Mary's con-
gregation had erected. He said it was a lasting monument to
their devotion and their zeal for the cause of Christ, and admon-
ished the members ever to remember that it was a sacred place,
which they should enter with only pure thoughts in their hearts.
He complimented Rev. Father Horan, on the great work he has
accomplished, since coming to Freeport, and said that the reverend
gentleman could not have accomplished this, were it not for the
fact that he possessed the Confidence and love of his people, in a
marked degree. Bishop Burke is a dignified and polished gen-
tleman who makes a fine appearance in the pulpit. He is noted
for his piety and scholarly attainments. There was a congrega-
tion present that overflowed the church, and great numbers of
people sought admission who could not find a place to either
sit or stand.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 131
The Golden Jubilee Day.
With all the pomp and splendor of the highest functions of
the Roman Catholic Church, the Golden Jubilee of the establish-
ment of the Catholic religion in this county was celebrated on Octo-
ber 14th. The first few of the fifty years that have intervened were
filled with struggles, cares and hardships, with disappointments
and heavy trials ; the last few have been marked by thrift and
ultimate success, but, at all times, there have been unremitting toil
and dogged perseverence. This day's celebration is the climax of
the pious events of the past half century, and the realization of the
most sanguine hopes of the early priests and their pioneer con-
gregations. Their zeal and loyal perseverence prepared the way
for this day, and made its celebration possible. Through their
efforts, in the almost barren days of the county's early history,
was sown a great part of the seed that has grown into the rich
harvest of to-day.
The la-rge, respectable and attentive congregations that as-
sembled in St. Mary's each day, during the great celebration, the
church itself, with its chaste and beautiful altars, the soft, religious
light, beaming through rare stained windows, the roll of the organ,,
the swell of the orchestra and the volume of fifty voices in choir,
the number and high rank of the ecclesiastics, in rich and
gorgeous vestments, celebrating the mass, all this contrasted,
strongly and strangely, with the first congregation of twenty de-
vout souls, assembled in a log cabin, or in the simple home of the
pioneer priest and his sister. No organ, no choir rejoiced their
ears ; neither acolyte nor altar boy served the priest standing at
the improvised altar, and no rich vestments, or costly altar furni-
132 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
ture, added impressiveness to the sacred ceremonies. Faith,
simple, fervent and unquestioning ; piety, warm and enduring ;
charity, prompt and generous these were the sole riches of the
pioneer, and who shall say whether he were not a millionaire,
compared with Catholic Christians of our day ? The contrast in
externals was great, indeed ; perhaps it was surpassed, in an op-
posite sense, by the interior differences.
In the early times, there was little of the magnificent show
of symbolism, little display of the power and grandeur of the
Roman Catholic Church, as seen in these festival ceremonies.
There existed then none of the conditions so essential to the pomp
and dignity of the pontifical mass, that was offered each morning
during the three days' celebration. These pioneers brought with
them into the wilderness, they were to conquer and make fruitful,
the early faith, which took root and flourished, until it has come
to have as much force and influence, as in olden countries, where
much longer established.
The services, on Sunday, Oct. 13, were only indirectly con-
nected with the jubilee celebration ; they were preparatory, and the
consecration of the church previous to the celebration of the Jubilee
Mass, added to the grace and thankfulness with which the latter
was offered, on Monday morning, Oct. 14. The elements were kind
on Sunday, the sky clearing, after the night's rain, but Monday
morning the rain, that unexpectedly began to come down in sheets
before daylight, continued to fall until noon, and, though it did
not interfere with any of the church arrangements, it kept a great
many people at home, who would otherwise have attended the
ceremonies.
The services began with the low masses at 5 o'clock, as on
Sunday. At 9:30, Archbishop Feehan confirmed a class of
about fifty boys and girls, who remained, after confirmation, to
assist at the Jubilee Mass. By 10:15 o'clock the church was com-
fortably filled.
Bishop Dunne, of Dallas, Texas, was to have sung the ponti-
fical mass for the Golden Jubilee Day, but illness kept him at home,
hence Bishop Burke was the celebrant, Archbishop Feehan being
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 133
present in the sanctuary. The number of priests in attendance
was much larger than on Sunday. The Jubilee Sermon was
preached by Archbishop Hennessey, of Dubuque. His discourse
was a forceful, logical, argumentative one. He is a powerful and
graceful speaker. The following is a somewhat imperfect repro-
duction of his sermon :
SERMON BY ARCHBISHOP HENNESSEY.
Allow me to congratulate you on the fiftieth anniversary of
the Roman Catholic Church in Freeport, and on the magnificence
of the ceremonies of this festival.
To-day the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the
Exaltatioa of the Holy Cross, which commemorates the restora-
tion of the Holy Cross, taken from Jerusalem early in the seventh
century by the Saracens and restored later in the century by
Heraclius, emperor of Constantinople.
St. Paul tells us we should glory in the Cross of Christ, and
the restoration of the Cross to the Church commends it. I deem
it my duty to endeavor to show you the relations which you bear
to the Cross of Jesus Christ, and your dependence on it, in time
and in eternity.
Brethren, we were made for heaven. We were made for
happiness. When God made man, He united the body and tha
soul ; the -soul was the life of the body ; it was the intelligent
force, but there was another element, which was the light of the
soul ; it is the light of the Lord within the soul. These three
elements constitute the man of God, and, brethren, without
these three elements, no man can enter into the kingdom of
heaven. If there is no life in the soul, no soul within a soul, the
individual shall never know the happiness for which he is made.
The life of the soul shall shield the life of the body, and if it had
been preserved, there would have been no death, either of the-
soul or of the body, in time or in eternity. But the life of the
soul was unfortunately lost, and then was broken that special
bond by which God united man to himself. Man fell ; he fell
134 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
dead, as to his soul, and under sentence of death, as to his body,
he was dead also in all the powers and faculties of both soul and
body.
The condition of the first man passed to his descendants, just
as children are born into slavery ; the condition of the father
passing to the children, so the condition of Adam passed to all
his descendants, for Adam was the father of the human race ; and
the human race was in Adam, as the oak is in the acorn, and
when he fell, when he broke the bond that united him to God,
the whole human race fell with him, dead as to their souls, crip-
pled in all their faculties, and, being subject to the power of evil
spirits, became strongly inclined to the commission of evil deeds.
So much, brethren, for the effects of one little sin ; it is quite
common amongst us to treat it as such, but to the all holy God,
who sees sin as it really is, it is infinitely hateful. Evil is of the
world, and not of God ; it is an uprising against God ; an act in
defiance of the omnipotence of God ; it is using God's gifts against
himself.
By sin, we practically deny the sovereignty of God, an attri-
bute which is essential to God. Deprive anything of an essential
property, and you thereby destroy it. Deprive a triangle of one of its
three angles and the triangle is gone. Deprive a quadrangle, having
four equal sides, of one of the right angles, and you have a quad-
rangle no longer. Deprive God of His sovereignty, and there is
no God ; then, if it were possible for God to die, sin would have
caused His death. When God became man, took upon Himself
our mortality, sin struck Him the fatal blow, in His humanity,
since it might not attack His divinity.
Read the history of the human race, behold the work of the
black passions of the human heart ; how man hates man, how
man wreaks his vengeance upon man. Wars, famines and other
ravages, have come into every land, and the Gospel is everywhere
torn into shreds.
Listen to the groans of sinners ; listen to their lamentations,
which will be unavailing through all eternity. Look, then, at
the Son of God ; See Him in the Garden of Gethseinane, bleeding
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
135
in every pore, covered with blood ; His heart is breaking and
He cries to God, " O Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass
from me ! " Then He is dragged through the streets of Jerusalem,
and, after enduring further indignities, He hangs to the cross,
crying out in His pain, " My God, my God, why hast thou for-
saken me?"
Again, God did not deal with man as He dealt with the
angels, He did not leave man in the fallen state ; He decreed
that man should be reborn and restored to the dignity for which
he was created ; and how was this to be done ?
MR. AND MRS. R. BARRON.
God might have forgiven the debt, as a creditor forgives the
debt his neighbor owes him. God might have accepted partial
satisfaction, but He did not do it. In His justice and His wiS-
dom, He saw it was better for man that He demand full satisfac-
tion for the outrage offered Him, and He made that demand of
man. The demand was for infinite satisfaction ; man could not
make it; the whole human race could not make it; how, then,
was it to be made ? God's Son came to earth ; " It is written that
I shall do thy will, God ! " So God's eternal Son came down
to earth ; He united man to God ; He became a man with a body
like ours ; He had a man's nature and being, that He might go
to the altar and offer sacrifices and atone for our sins, and He
did go, and satisfied the most rigorous demands of justice, and
won for us merits of infinite value. He won life for us by His
136 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
death. He bequeathed His infinite merits to us; they are our
legacy ; they are our all. I wish you could realize the solemn
fact that no man has ever entered heaven, that no man has ever
escaped death, except through these merits. It is not enough
that He won these for us, that He bequeathed them to us, we-
must appropriate them, must make use of them. A man may die
of thirst, beside a fountain, if he will not stoop down to drink ; he
may die of hunger, in a banquet hall, if he will not eat. We are
debtors, indeed, for rich and freely given treasures, and we have
no right to find fault, if we make no use of what the Lord has-
tendered us gratuitously.
How are these merits communicated to us ? This is a most
important question, one which you should thoroughly consider.
You will say, perhaps, that they will be communicated to us in
the manner in which He wills.
He made us as we are ; without Him, nothing was made ;.
He made us composed of a soul and body, and such is our nature
that spritual things come to us through the bodily senses. Our
senses are the avenues of the soul ; so there is nothing in the
finite human being which has not been received through the
senses.
Look at the children in school ; how do they learn ? One-
man has knowledge that another has not ; he wishes to com-
municate it ; how will he do it ? He will put his thoughts and
ideas into w r ords, and then he will give utterance to his words - r
he exercises certain parts of his body, and thus sends forth his-
words. They are received into the ear, and are presented to
the intellect of his hearer, who then accepts them and the knowl-
edge that comes with them. Thus an idea passes through two
bodies before it reaches the soul of the person taught. Such is-
nature of man ; in this way does he learn and receive the truth.
God classified the spiritual wants of the human race under
seven heads, and then He instituted seven channels through
which these needs could be supplied. By one of these seven cere-
monies, He gives the soul life, makes a soul within a soul, as it
were ; by another, He perpetuates men who are to demonstrate
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 137
these ceremonies and minister them for Christ, as Christ's repre-
sentatives ; by another, the bond of marriage, He perpetuates the
Church and her children, that in her and for them, these wonder-
ful works may take place.
Why should any one man profess to know more than another,
to have greater powers than another, and why should any man
bow down his head before another man, while praying to the
Father, Son and Holy Ghost, to cleanse his soul from sin, unless
there was a divine reason for it ?
Why should he throw himself upon his knees before the son
of a neighbor, whom he may have known years before, as a school
boy ? Why, on bended knees, and with weeping eyes, does he
make known to this man the secrets of his life, unless he is con-
vinced that his neighbor's son can do something for him? To
conduct these ceremonies, human teaching and human agency is
required. Human agency has been employed because the service
of God is always a reasonable service. From among His disciples,
then, Jesus Christ chose twelve to be teachers, and He placed one
of these, St. Peter, at the head of the others, and, with St. Peter at
the head, He formed a living body. Just as you do when you
form a society ; you always elect a president. In order that the
effect of their teaching should last to the end of time, they were
authorized, even commanded, to teach to the end of time.
Brethren, seventy years from that time, every one of these
twelve had passed away. How were their places to be filled ?
Christ made a corporate body ; a corporate body ne\er dies. It is
like the city council ; you have aldermen and a mayor ; when they
go out of office, others take their places ; the council is continued
as a living corporation. Thus was this corporation to continue
in the future, and our Lord determined the manner in which the
corporation was to continue ; how the places of those who had
passed away should be filled ; He made them teachers, and com-
manded them to teach the nations ; there were to be none left
out. They were to teach in the name of Jesus Christ ; they were
to be free from error ; that is to say, in delivering His message,
they delivered it just as they received it. He made them infalli-
138 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
ble. The message He gave to this corporation of twelve was
needed by the nations. It was His message, and, as it came from
the corporation, was no counterfeit, but the message as it came
from the lips of Jesus Christ.
Brethren, if you were sending a message to a friend, and his
life depended upon the receipt of it and compliance with its re-
quirements, would you not choose a messenger whom you could
trust to deliver it? The lives of those whom Jesus Christ taught
depended on receiving His message, Was He not able to send
His message so it would surely be delivered ? Was He not will-
ing to do it ? If He had not delivered it to reliable persons, the
message would have been lost, and the whole work and labor of
His life would have been lost. But He did not leave His mes-
sage to chance He did not leave it to any family. He sent an
escort with it to guard it, and that escort was Himself. He had
said, '' I will send the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Truth, to abide
with you forever," and, having thus guarded His message, He can
say to His ministers, " He that hears you, hears Me ; your words
are my words ; you teachings are my teachings ; your message is
the message I gave you. I give it to you for my people, and to
the peril of their souls they must receive it. He that hears and
believes shall be saved, but he that hears and believes not shall
be damned."
"They dare not refuse my teachings, for if they do, it shall be
at the peril of their souls ; they shall be damned." Who but a
God of Justice could pronounce such a sentence? This corpora-
tion was the infallible teacher of the Gospel for all time. St. Paul
said of the apostles that they were ministers of Christ, and dis-
pensers of the mysteries of God.
Teaching did not sanctify men ; teaching did not make them
holy, or fit them for heaven, or put into them that soul within a
soul, existing to the honor of God.
When men had received their teaching, what did the apos-
tles do ? They baptised them. St. Paul baptised in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. " Unless a man
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 139
be born again of water and of the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter
the kingdom of God."
You go through the ceremony of baptism and become new
creatures, children of God and of His Church. Baptising in the
Holy Ghost, that is what St. Peter and St. John did, and thus did
the soul receive life, true life ; every life that is, comes from God and
every life that comes from God bears life. Every life that comes
from God needs sustenance, and the just God provides it. The
plant lives, but not without nourishment ; the flowers in the field
must have nourishment. Man eats three times a day to preserve his
bodily life. There is the same need in his spiritual life, hence God
furnishes bread for the soul, that is life and that gives life. He said,
" And the bread I will give is my flesh, and the wine is my blood,
shed for the life of the world, and unless you eat of the flesh of the
Son of man and drink His blood, you shall not have life ever-
lasting." Thus He gave His apostles His own flesh and blood,
saying, " Do this in commemoration of me ; do what you have
seen me do ; change bread into my body and wine into my blood,
and minister to the people, as you have seen me do." They did
this and went from house to house, breaking bread and giv-
ing the flesh of Jesus Christ and the blood of Jesus Christ to His
followers. Thus they fed the soul, that its life might not be lost.
Adam had lost it by his sin against God ; they were to forgive
sins ; it was said to them, " Men's sins you shall forgive. You have
power of forgiving sins and of refusing to forgive them." This
twofold power could not be exercised reasonably, without a knowl-
edge of the sins to be forgiven : without a knowledge of the sin-
ner. This knowledge must come from himself, must come from
his own lips, and that communication from his lips is what we
call confession, and thus the faithful confess their sins, knowing
they will be forgiven. Some one will say, " How can man for-
give sins ? " That has been said a thousand times, but we must
remember these were not ordinary men ; they were ministers of
Jesus Christ, officers of His mysteries. To forgive sins is to
restore life ; God alone can do that ; God alone lives and is the
source of life ; He alone can restore life when it is lost.
140 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Sts. Peter and Paul did this by the power of God. They re-
stored the dead to life, and if God employed human agency to re-
store dead bodies, why may He not do the same to restore dead
souls? To raise a dead soul is not more difficult than to raise a
dead body. He does this work through His ministers: they
likewise anoint the sick with oil and prepare them to meet their
God.
And the bond of marriage ; it is the very foundation of soci-
ety. It, too, has the seal of Jesus Christ, and its object is to make
one grand family, uniting in the world all who are Christ's, and
uniting, likewise, the Church and the State.
The acts, whereby these great powers were conferred on the
apostles, were public ; they were done before men. This teach-
ing was heard ; these ceremonies were seen, and the effects of
both will continue until the end of time. That corporation will
ever exist to carry on, to the consummation of the world, the work
assigned it. That body has never lost its identity ; it is the same
to-day, as it was when our Lord formed it. It will be the same
to the end of time. James or John may be thirty years old, forty
years old, or fifty years old, but he does not lose his identity ; he
remains the same individual. So does this body, whether it is
twelve months or five hundred years old.
Brethren, where is that body to-day ? It exists and will exist
to the end of time. Where is it ? It is public and ought to be
known. It is not hiding ; it is on the hill-tops, and it is very active.
The Bishops of the holy Catholic Church are members of this
body ; they have been in the world for 1800 years ; they have
been doing all the apostles did in their day. You can trace them
back as easily as you can trace the presidents, from Cleveland
to Washington ; you can trace them back from Leo XIII. to St.
Peter. Every link in the chain is complete ; not one is wanting.
When one head of the body has passed away, another has taken
his place ; just like the mayor and the council. The Bishops, with
the Pope of Rome at their head, have ever claimed infallibility
in their teaching, and they are the only body of men who have
it, moreover they challenge the world to disprove their claim.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
141
JOHN L. CARROLL,
LEADER.
EDWARD LAWLESS.
MISS M. BRENNAN,
ORGANIST.
JOHN H. RAIT.
JOHN P. LAAVLESS.
142 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Brethren, look over the history of the world ; does it show
you any other body or corporation that has existed for 1800 years,
teaching and dispensing the mysteries of God, as the Bishops of
the Roman Catholic Church do ? No, ten thousand times no*
As there is but one sun in the heavens to light the earth, there is
but one sun of justice, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, to light the
Church ; one Lord, one baptism, one Church and one corporation
which is to work until the end of time.
Verily, brethren, there are no persons, members of a corpora-
tion, among those around you, who are ready to serve you at all
times, except the apostles and their successors. They will deliver
to you the message Jesus Christ sent you ; they will give you the
truth of the Holy Ghost, and redeem your soul, through the merits
of Jesus Christ. Have you that life of the soul that comes through
Jesus Christ, through the ceremonies He has instituted to be ad-
ministered by His chosen ministers ? Now is the time to receive
these ministers ;to hear these words that give life to the soul. Why
not receive them now ? They alone can forgive sins, and thus
restore the life to the soul, through the merits of Jesus Christ.
Will you then allow your souls to remain dead ? It is an all
important question that I leave you to consider.
To appreciate this discourse, the reader should have heard it
delivered in that decisive and convincing manner which char-
acterizes the public utterances of His Grace of Dubuque.
The music given by the Jubilee Choir on Monday, during
the ceremonies of confirmation, was as follows :
Veni Creator
Mezzo Soprano Miss Jennie Tracy
Tenor J. P. Lawless
Baritone Ed. Lawless
With full chorus.
At the celebration of the Golden Jubilee " Missa pro pace "
(mass for peace), by T. Von La Hache, was sung as presented in
this programme :
Kyrie Full Chorus
Gloria Full Chorus
Et in Terra . . . . Full Chorus
Step h&nson ] County, Illinois, 1896. 143
MISS M. CAREY.
MRS. LEO THRO.
Al4*4AI4*
MISS J. P. TRACY.
MRS. M. ELLSWORTH.
MISS N. REARDON.
144 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Gratias, soprano solo Mrs. Leo Thro
Qui Tollis Bassos and Chorus
Quoniam, soprano solo Miss Maggie Carey
Finale Quoniam Full Chorus
Credo Full Chorus
Visibilium, soprano solo. Mrs. Leo Thro
Genitum Bassos and Chorus
Et incarnatus est, soprano solo Mrs. Leo Thro
Crucifixus, soprano solo with full chorus Mrs. Leo Thro
Et Resurrexit, duet with full chorus
Soprano, Miss Maggie Carey ; tenor, J. P. Lawless
Et in Spiritum, bass solo John Kau
Qui Cum Patre, soprano solo Mrs. Leo Thro
Finale Full Chorus
Offertorium, Ave Maria, violin obligato. ..W. H. Gibler, Miss Jennie Tracy
Sanctus, soprano solo, obligato Mrs. Leo Thro
With full chorus.
Benedictus, soprano solo obligato Mrs. Leo Thro
With chorus accompaniment.
Agnus Dei
Baritone Solo Ed. Lawless
Soprano Solo Miss Maggie Carey
Tenor Solo J. P. Lawless
With full chorus accompaniment.
Dona Nobis and Finale Full Chorus
While all who were connected with the jubilee services mer-
ited the heartiest congratulations for the magnificence and splen-
dor of the ceremonies, high praise is due to those who prepared
the music rendered at the Sunday morning service. Generali's
military mass was beautifully sung by the Jubilee Choir, assisted
by Gibler's Orchestra, and was one of the most important parts of
the musical programme. On Monday, La Hache's mass was no
less satisfactorily given, and added impressiveness to the solemn
ceremonials. The chief credit for the excellence of the music is
due to John L. Carroll, who worked indefatigably, for three
months, to get the masses ready for satisfactory production. They
were all long and difficult, but they were mastered, and both the
solos and choruses were sung with precision and good effect, being
altogether the most beautifully rendered sacred music ever heard
in this city.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 145
The music at St. Joseph's Church was also of a high order,
particularly the Millard Mass, by the Jubilee Choir, and St. Pius'
Choir.
THE CHILDREN'S RECEPTION.
One of the prettiest events of the jubilee festival was the re-
ception for Archbishop Feehan arranged by the Feehan Reading
Circle of St. Mary's High School. Illness prevented the Arch-
bishop from attending, but Bishop Burke was present, and the
program was carried out as intended. At its close, the Bishop
spoke briefly, praising the work and intentions of the circle.
The program was given in St. Mary's Hall, which was prettily
decorated, and there was a large audience present, including
nearly all the clergymen who were Father Horan's guests for the
day. The entertainment was opened by an address by Clement
Gordon, as follows :
" MOST REV. AND DEAR FATHER : It is with the deepest
sentiments of affectionate reverence, mingled with a joyous grati-
fication, that we behold you in our midst to-day. The affectionate
reverence needs neither explanation nor comment ; the joyous
gratification is caused by the fact that we, the members of the
Feehan Reading Circle, have long anticipated the pleasure that
this hour realizes, the pleasure and honor of addressing Your
Grace, and of presenting before you one of our exercises, that you
may judge for yourself whether we are keeping the promises made
to you, when you granted us the privilege of banding ourselves
together under your honored name.
" All the year round Your Grace's portrait smiles down upon
us High School boys and girls ; from this time, onward to your
own Golden Jubilee, may the remembrance of us ever call to
your venerable living face a smile of approval.
" It is with varied emotions that we greet Your Grace, on a
many-sided occasion, such as this Golden Jubilee day presents,
and we rejoice that it is not necessary, amid so much harmony,
for us to decide which affords us the greatest happiness, the glory
of our parish, the success of our pastor, or the presence of our
Archbishop.
10
146 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
The second number was a literary garland of original essays,.
with the following readers and subjects : " Modern Progress,"
Frances Fee ; " True Advancement," Laura Steffen and Mary
Reardon ; " Ancient Poetry," Kittie and Clara Killion ; " Lit-
erature," J. Allen ; " Modern Poetry," Helen Burns ; " Woman's
Pen," Lorine Byrne ; " Oratory," John Flanagan ; " Shakespeare
and Milton," John Scanlan ; " Scientific Writers," Louis Knip-
schild ; " Historical Writers," C. Dubs ; " Philsophical Writers,"
John Manion ; " Aesthetic Writers," Lizzie Corcoran ; " Religious
Writers," Clement Gordon and Edward Dubs. These essays were-
delivered as orations, without paper, and embellished with graceful
and appropriate gestures.
The pupils of the school joined in singing a patriotic song,,
after which Edward Dubs spoke the following Jubilee Greeting to
all present :
" As the universe lies pictured before us, by that magic
household artist, our imagination, we behold its suns in blazing
glory, its planets and satellites in soft radiance, its mighty sys-
tems in admirable harmony, all moving majestically in circles ;
each about its grand centre, each satellite about its primary, each
primary about its sun, each sun, with its stupendous system of
planets and moons, about some greater sun in distant space, and
so on, almost infinitely, circles within circles, until the whole
magnificent universe moves, in stately harmony, about the
throne of God !
" Circles within circles ! this is the universal plan this, the
unfailing arrangement; this, the prevailing law that all things
shall have a centre about which they shall unceasingly revolve.
Had we sharper sight, we could discover, everywhere, an obedi-
ence to this law, not only among the vast orbs of space, but
among the countless atoms, of which all material things are com-
posed ; not only above and around the earth, but on it and in it,.
would we find this mystic revolution of circles within circles, in
obedience to an attraction at the centre. We would behold it in
the unfolding of the flowers of spring, in the waving branch of tree
and shrub, in the murmuring leaves and in the bending blades of
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 147
grass, in the rippling stream and in the bounding, crested waves.
Motion everywhere, fleet, graceful motion, in obedience to some
powerful central attraction.
" Not only in the material world does this beautiful law have
force ; in the invisible world of thought and sentiment it likewise
prevails. The ever-circling thoughts and the ever-revolving
emotions of humanity have, too, their powerful attracting centres,
exerting an irresistible energy in opposing, with a beneficent cen-
tripetal force, the baleful centrifugal force of foreign and danger-
ous outer attractions.
." Now, in events like those of the past few days, where shall
we find the animating principle of all the energy and enthusiasm ?
What constitutes the centre of all the circling virtue and piety,
beneficence and prosperity ?
" Turn to what page you will in history, whether sacred or
profane, you will find that of every series of events, some one man
is the centre, be he king or general, pope or emperor. Now, who
is the centre of all that has delighted and impressed you during
your sojourn among us? ' The man at the centre ' in this case
has been, and is, our reverend pastor, the leader of his people, in
all enterprising affairs, their model in piety, their guide in all the
pathways of civil and religious advancement. Rev. William A.
Horan is the ' man at the centre ' of all St. Mary's present suc-
cess and prosperity. Under God, he has been to his people a
special providence.
" In making this public announcement of our appreciation
of this fact, we, the pupils of the school he has sacrificed so much
to establish, desire to honor him and to gratify our illustrious
guests, by voicing the sentiments that we feel assured are filling
their hearts and minds.
" We most cordially thank our distinguished friends for their
presence among us, and we accord them, from our heart of hearts,
a thousand loving and reverent greetings."
148 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
THE GOLDEN DIADEM; OR, THE JUBILEE CROWN.
(Written expressly for the occasion by a Dominican Sister.)
DRAMATIS PERSONA E.
The Spirit of the Past Miss Mary Vail
The Spirit of Memory Miss Annie Summers
The Spirit of Zeal Miss Alice Cummisford
The Spirit of Holy Vocation Miss Lizzie Corcoran
The Spirit of Holy Infancy Miss Kittie Killion
The Spirit of Divine Grace Miss Clara Killion
The Spirit of Baptism Miss Laura Steffen
The Spirit of Penance Master Clement Gordon
The Spirit of the Tabernacle Master John Manion
The Spirit of Confirmation Master Joseph Allen
The Spirit of Matrimony Miss Lorine Byrne
The Spirit of Holy Orders Miss Helen Burns
The Spirit of Extreme Unction Master Louis Knipschild
The Guardian Angel Miss Mary Riordan
The Messenger from the Nations Master Chas. Dubs
The Messenger from St. Thomas Master John Flanagan
The Messenger from the Sacred Heart of Jesus Master John Scanlan
The Messenger from the Sacred Heart of Mary Miss K. Kavanaugh
The Spirit of Time Master Edward Dubs
FINALE.
SPIRIT OF THE PAST DELIVERED BY MISS MARY VAIL, '95.
In hours of meditation, in chance moments of deep reflection,
it is upon the Past that the mind dwells ; it is from the Past that
humanity learns the grave lessons of moral responsibility, and
acquires the wisdom wherewith to meet its difficulties, or to sup-
port its weight. The consideration of the past brings to human
hearts the greater portion of their joys and of their sorrows. It
is the past that we celebrate to-day ; a past full of sacred signi-
ficance ; a past that gives to our present all its higher meanings ;
a past that must give to our future its richest values.
Come, then, holy spirits, sister spirits, join me in weaving a
memorial crown in St. Mary's honor, on this, St. Mary's Jubilee
Day. Since, of precious metals, or of precious stones, we cannot
make it, we will give the gems of noble thoughts, in a golden
setting of loving and enthusiastic expression.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 14D
R. SHERIDAN.
JOHN TRACY
A. J. MCCOY.
JAMES DARRAH.
THOMAS GRANT.
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.
150 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
I am the Spirit of the Past, ever within call of the beautiful
faculty of the soul named Memory, and ever obedient to her
behests. Does she wish to warn the heedless, or caution the guile-
less ? She turns to me to picture for them the fate of others, like
unto themselves. Does she wish to recall some wanderer, who
has wofull} 7 strayed to dreary pathways ? She demands of me
to picture for him the darksome consequences that have befallen
others, who have walked in the shadows of sin. Does she long to
comfort, strengthen and encourage the despondent soul? She
entreats me to depict, with my magic brush, the scenes of a life
and a death that were devoted entirely to man's temporal and
eternal welfare ; a life that was a divine model, a death that was
an infinite ransom.
On this occasion, I may surely claim the first place, I and
my sweet interpreter, Memory. Our friends are here assembled
to celebrate events that we have cherished for half a century, and
all the sacred ceremonies of the Church have been presented, with
stately solemnity to commemorate them. Come, then, fair spirits,
let each one contribute to the universal joy that pervades St. Mary's
parish, by the utterance of holy greetings and sacred histories, of
joyous behests and happy promises.
What has my guardian spirit, sweet Memory, to say on an
occasion that is all our own ?
SPIRIT OF MEMORY DELIVERED BY MISS ANNIE SUMMERS, '95.
As I look backward, through the magic glass of reflection,
each beautiful division of the half century, so memorable for St.
Mary's people, lies bathed in the golden light of God's special
love and benediction, and gleams, with the splendid flashing of
brilliant gems, of earnest human endeavor and saintly effort.
Fifty years in the life of a parish constitutes a majestic rec-
ord for Memory to keep ! Only God and His angels might gratify,
to the full, the holy inquisitiveness of a devoted people, as to the
lives and the deeds, whence came the princely value of those years.
That the half century has glided into eternity, laden with im-
measurable merits for many a faithful soul, we may not doubt.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 151
G. W. FARNUM.
C. A. McNAMARA.
T. D. OSBORXE.
J. B. J. DuFOUR.
F. CHAS. DONOHUE.
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.
152 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
It is my sweet privilege, as the Spirit of Memory, to recall
the sacrifices of the early missionaries, the sacred memories of
St. Mary's pastors, holy men of valiant lives and noble deeds ; the
earnest efforts of the Sisters, devoted women, animated with lofty
zeal ; the generosity and fidelity of St. Mary's good, whole-souled,
pious people, men and women, known far and wide for a living
faith, supported unflinchingly by a sublime hope and an ineffable
charity.
Ah, the visions that Memory pictures, in each mind, to-day^
are they not wonderful, in their transitions from log huts, with
deal tables for altars, to stately stone temples, with tabernacles of
marble and onyx and beaten gold transitions, from the congre-
gation of ten or twelve individuals to that of two or three hundred
families? Ah, yes, this is Memory's own fair feast and joyous
festival, and the angels of heaven join with her, in chanting glad
hymns of thanksgiving and hosannas of exultation.
THE SPIRIT OF ZEAL DELIVERED BY MISS ALICE CUMMISFORD, '95.
What were this earthly home of ours did not the blessed
sunlight warm it into life and beauty ? Where then the verdure ?
Where then the glowing hues of flower and fruit? Where the
thousands of life-supporting products ? A wide waste of desola-
tion and horror would lie, where now are spread smiling plains
and gleaming waters, where now are grass-grown, snow-capped
mountains and sunny, fruitful vales.
What the sun, with its life-giving, life-sustaining warmth
and light, is to the world of nature, that Zeal is to the world of
earthly spiritual existence. Zeal warms the heart, enlightens the
mind, inspires the free will of man and fructifies his soul. Where
Zeal radiates its blessed light and heat, there will there be noble
growths, of exalted virtue, and a rich abundance of the fruits of
true charity.
This band of gracious spirits would be imperfect indeed, with-
out the presence and active assistance of the fervid, the enthusi-
astic, the dauntless Spirit of Zeal.
Without Zeal, there would not now exist even a priesthood^
much less a hierarchy, in this broad, new land. Had Zeal not
fttephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 153
breathed her spirit into human hearts, there would be no Arch-
bishop of Chicago to-day, to receive our loyal greetings ; no Rev.
Fathers to represent religion, in our Jubilee Celebration ; no mis-
sionary priests, and no first Mass to be recalled with joy and
veneration ; no succession of revered pastors, at St. Mary's, each
to be remembered, on this occasion, for having aided, with all
his heart, mind and soul, in the gradual advancement of St.
Mary's Church, from the small frame building of '45, to the
present beautiful structure.
The new St. Mary's, in particular, had its origin in the Zeal,
the wondrous Zeal, of a united priest and people. But even Zeal,
with all her ardor and her strength, could not have accomplished
the grand work that receives it crown to-day, had there not been
the closest and holiest union between priest and people, pastor
and parishioners.
Let it be my part, then, in the memorial meeting of Jubilee
Spirits, to inscribe on the tablets of future fame, with the name,
"St. Mary's Church," the significant words, " Zeal " and " Unity."
SPIRIT OF LIFE SUSIE STEFFEN.
To me, the Spirit of Life, belongs the noble office of attend-
ing newly created souls ; immortality's beginning, it is mine to
bless.
It is an hour of solemn import that marks the beginning of
a human life, a mysterious hour when, from nothingness, the
soul springs forth, in obedience to the divine voice, and enters a
frail human body to abide there, during the brief span of infancy
only, or for some longer portion of the promised three score and
ten years of earthly existence.
From those dread regions, whence the creative power of the
heavenly Father calls the animate and the inanimate, the mortal
and the immortal, there came forth the happy, blessed band of
noble souls who, as an especially privileged congregation, have
wrought the Golden Diadem of St. Mary's honor. Animated by
me, and making the best use of the gifts that I offer to all with
whom I dwell, they have merited, and have received, certain
priceless treasures, reserved for a certain few, who make of life a
154 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
holy joy to themselves, and a precious benefit to others. With
delight do I join this band of radiant spirits assembled to honor
St. Mary's Jubilee Day.
GUARDIAN ANGEL PERSONATED BY MARY RIORDAN.
When you, fair Spirit of Life, having committed to human,
mortal bodies ineffably precious, immortal souls, winged your
way in return to heaven, we, Guardian Angels, left the celestial
abode, and, having taken our flight to earth, stood, in obedience
to God, as a guard about those beings to whom you, great Spirit,
had brought the royal gifts of life and immortality. In memory
of that sweet mission, and of the sacred intimacies of the human
soul with our spiritual being, during the years of nobly spent
lives, I stand among you to-day to aid in forming St. Mary's
Jubilee Crown.
SPIRIT OF BAPTISM REPRESENTED BY LAURA STEFFEN.
Dear Angel, representative of the guardians of highly favored
souls, I am sure that you forget not that, until Baptism had been
administered to those souls, celestial spirits could but stand beside
them, guarding, indeed, but not embracing. There was a dark-
ness that repelled your brightness ; there was a stain that your
spotlessness abhorred ; but when the mystic waters of Baptism
washed away all imperfection, making the soul a child of God
and an heir of heaven, how eagerly you and your companions
spread, about these infant possessors of priceless treasure, your
radiant, snowy wings of pure devotion, of unfailing love and
care. Yes, now you could love those souls, as well as guard them.
In memory of that sacred cleansing of the souls of St. Mary's
parishioners, I offer my jewels for the adornment of the Golden
Diadem.
SPIRIT OF HOLY INFANCY PERSONATED BY KITTIE KILLION.
Holy Angel Guardian, when the spirit of Baptism had
worked the marvellous change in the child's soul, did you not,
ever after, find me in his heart, me, the pure spirit of his child-
hood, and were you not happy to meet my inspirations in the
Stephenson County, Illinois, l^j- y i
early thoughts of his tender mind, my impulses ^^fneC^^l^a^ c?
emotions of his youthful heart ?
Ah, with what joy do I contribute to the celebration of this
great day, and to the memory of the children of St. Mary's parish
who are now grown men and women, earnest, self-sacrificing
parishioners. Happy am I to recall the memory of the infants
who have been summoned to heaven, ere they lost their baptis-
mal innocence, and joyously do I congratulate those who have
lived to become St. Mary's happy, favored school children.
THE SPIRIT OF PENANCE PERSONATED BY CLEMENT GORDON.
A heavenly companionship is that of the Guardian Angel
with the Spirit of Baptism, but alas, it does not continue. With
youth there comes the awakening of strange new powers, in both
the spiritual and physical being, strange new impulses fill heart and
soul. The war of life begins. In passive bliss of innocence and
in perfect peace, the infant has been growing stronger, in all those
qualities that are to make its youth a warfare, wherein the soul
is often wounded. And where or how shall spirit, invisible and
intangible, be healed ?
Our band of militant souls, and our choir of triumphant
spirits, the subject of to-day's joyous greetings, met in their sim-
ple forest or prairie homes but few spiritual enemies, and they
were but feeble ones. Yet slight as were the wounds, from them
received, only one healing was permitted, and that was sought in
the Sacrament of Penance. Sweet is the memory of those hum-
ble accusations and of those bravely fulfilled penances which
purified the souls of the faithful men and women of olden times,
when log huts were our temples, and the sacraments were con-
ferred amid the simplest surroundings. Let these memories find
an emblematic place in the Jubilee Crown, which, without them,
would have only one gem, that of Baptism.
SPIRIT OF THE TABERNACLE REPRESENTED BY J. MANION.
True, sadly true, gracious Spirit of Penance, is it that in
every human life there comes a day when the Angel Guardian,
glorious, heavenly spirit though he be, has no longer the power
156 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
to shield the human soul from danger. Over man's free will, he
has only the power of whispered persuasion ; he cannot, unaided,
still the tempest, nor stop the deadly strife, that youth and its
attendant circumstances arouse. In early life, the war of the
flesh begins, and only with death will it end.
Though frequently wounded in life's battles, in penance the
soul is healed ; but something more is needed ; to be a victor in
strife, to earn the conqueror's crown, the soul must be not only
purified but strong. Strong, not only in the power of external aid
be it that of angels even but with the strength of holy, interior
grace, the invincible strength of God-given power. This strength,
this grace, comes to the soul in the reception of the Holy Eucharist.
The First Communion means to the faithful soul the begin-
ning of an eternal communion with God in heaven. Among
your memorials, then, none will be so magnificent as mine, that of
the Spirit of the Holy Eucharist, that w r hich finds a place in the
Golden Crown as a sacred memorial of the many souls that have
received their First Communion in, both the old and the new
St. Mary's Church.
THE SPIRIT OF CONFIRMATION PERSONATED BY J. ALLEN,
A child of God, an heir of heaven, a communicant in God's
choicest gift, the Body and Blood of His divine Son, it would
seem, surely, that even divine generosity could go no further, but
it is infinite, and has for the human soul another great gift.
Life is a season of strife ; the child of God must be likewise a
soldier of Christ ; the heir to heaven must fight for his birth-right ;
for these reasons is the Holy Paraclete sent to abide in the soul ;
for this reason does the Sacrament of Confirmation present to the
soul its special graces and blessings. In the Golden Crown, then,
do we place remembrances of the visits made to St. Mary's Church
by holy bishops, to call down into her parishioners' heart-temples,
the Holy Spirit of God, in Confirmation.
THE SPIRIT OF DIVINE GRACE PERSONATED BY CLARA KILLION.
A wondrous office is mine ; to await the divine choice, and
then to carry, to the favored soul, God's message ; to await the
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 157
selection made by the Eternal King, from among the children of
men, of certain highly favored souls, to be marked for special ser-
vice on earth and a special throne in heaven.
The divine selection having been made, I, as did the Angel
Gabriel, centuries before me, make his glorious visit to the blessed
Mother of God, took my flight to earth, and remaining invisible,
yet tried, in many a mysterious way, to gain the chosen soul's con-
sent to God's design in its behalf, for even the choice of God will
not constrain the soul's free will.
In memory, then, of the ready consent of holy missionaries
and faithful priests to my widespread calls and inspirations, I
place, in the Jubilee Crown, my sacred memento.
HOLY VOCATION REPRESENTED BY LIZZIE CORCORAN.
When, after her successful mission to earnest young hearts,
the Spirit of Divine Choice returned to the throne of God, and
showed there that she had found, in those hearts, naught but loving
reverence for the divine will, then was I, the Spirit of Holy Vo-
cations, sent to whisper the divine message, to the favored souls,
that my sister spirit had selected, in accordance with the divine
command.
In the beauties of nature, in the loveliness of art, in the seri-
ous expressions of spiritual books, and in the simplicity of private
prayer, as well as in the splendor of public ceremonials, I por-
trayed, whispered or wrote the divine inspiration, and impressed
upon heart and soul, the glowing characters of a most holy, most
noble and most happy selection, the vocation to the priesthood.
The response to the call was immediate and generous ; the
vocation was welcomed, with joyous reverence, was received into
the deepest depths of holy, grateful love. A tribute, then, do I
pay to the hour of choice, and to the ready response of the faith-
ful priests who have, in the past fifty years, served at God's altar,
in St. Mary's Church.
THE SPIRIT OF ORDINATION PERSONATED BY HELEN BURNS.
Since the moment of man's fall, since the beginning of his
immense debt to God, there has been need of a form of religious
158 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
service presenting, not only adoration, but reparation; expressing
not only love, but penitence ; offering not only worship, but sacri-
fice.
This was not attained in the offering of finite victims, on
altars of fire, but, in the old law, such worship was the best that
man had to offer. After the coming of the Redeemer, this was
changed ; priceless riches were at man's command, the Body and
Blood, Soul and Divinity of the Saviour ; thenceforth, man was
enabled to offer a sublime sacrifice, the eternal Son of God being
the infinite victim, first on Calvary's cross, and, ever after that, on
the altar, in the daily Mass.
For the offering of this superlatively acceptable worship r
only highly favored and singularly gifted beings might be chosen
chosen to be ordained priests priests of God and of His holy
Church men to be, thenceforth, stamped, in the soul, with a
special character, which neither time, nor eternity, might oblit-
erate.
None know, better than I, the Spirit of Ordination, what are
the wondrous changes, interior and exterior, which are wrought
in the honored soul by the consecrating hand of the Bishop. All
previous graces and blessings were granted, with a view to this
mystic hour, the hour of ordination. To this peculiar consecra-
tion had the purification by Baptism referred, so that where
another was simply freed from the stain of original sin, this soul
was further adorned with special graces and blessings, whereby
it might, from infancy to manhood, be always fitting itself for its
high destiny. In the reception of the Holy Eucharist, for the
first time, this soul received its call ; the Divine Guest, in the
boy's heart, whispered the sacred message, the first inspiration,
awakening the first inclination towards the noblest and holiest
of vocations.
For the hour of ordination, the Holy Ghost, likewise, in
Confirmation, gave special light, grace and strength to the soul,
and, for that same hour, the Guardian Angel set about it special
safe-guards, to shield it from everything that might impair its fit-
ness for its high destiny.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 159
Fifty years have passed since that glad morning, when the
Holy Sacrifice was offered, for the first time, in our county.
Fifty stanzas of a noble psalm have since been chanted in the
church of God, chanted in tones low and faint, at times, when the
burden of life was pressing heavily ; faint, but discordant, never !
Solemnly, reverently, harmoniously have the fifty stanzas suc-
ceeded each other, delighting the ear of God ; and loud, clear and
musical have been the voices of St. Mary's reverend pastors, as
they have joined in this wondrous psalm. Some of them are
now chanting the triumphant hymns of heaven ; all have been
true to the grace of Ordination, loyal to their chosen vocation and
faithful in the fulfillment of its sacred duties.
THE GUARDIAN SPIRIT OF THE SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY
REPRESENTED BY LORINE BYRNE.
Since we are all assembled here, we, the Spirits of the Sacra-
ments, it were not well for the voice of holy Matrimony to be
silent. Let it, then, be mine to recall the many occasions, in fifty
years, on which the golden bands of a heaven-appointed union
were clasped with the Church's most solemn benedictions, and
most vigorous powers ; a union never to be severed, by man be-
low, or angel above. Blessed forever be the marriages that have
taken place in St. Mary's sanctuary, during the fifty glad years
that we celebrate to-day ; blessed the families, the excellent par-
ents and happy children, that have formed, and do now form, a
part of St. Mary's highly favored parish.
EXTREME UNCTION PERSONATED BY LOUIS KNIPSCHILD.
Gloriously have you all portrayed the special and sacred
beauty of the sacraments of which you are the Guardian Spirits,
and I would not wish that a single word were weakened, or that
a single expression were less enthusiastic, for wonderful are the
Sacraments of God's Church, but the beautiful chain that you
have formed would be imperfect without my link yes, sadly,
deplorably imperfect for without this link the chain may not
reach, beautiful and holy as it is, to heaven's portals, for though
Extreme Unction is not absolutely necessary to salvation, yet is
160 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
most efficacious in procuring for the Christian, who receives it, the
grace to die well.
How consoling is the thought of the great numbers of de-
vout souls to whom that holy sacrament must have been admin-
istered in St. Mary's parish during fifty years administered by
those who have themselves, long since, departed to the happy
realms of eternity.
My spoken tribute is paid to the memory of those of St.
Mary's parishioners who went to meet their judge with the
blessing of Extreme Unction purifying each of their senses ; to
the memory, likewise, of those faithful priests who, by means of
this sacrament, conferred, through the pow r er given them by God,
the stupendous grace of forgiveness of sins and of spiritual health.
MESSENGER FROM THE NATIONS PERSONATED BY CHARLES DUBS.
This grand meeting of Jubilee Spirits w r ould be imperfect
without my presence, and your memorial greetings would lack a
distinctive feature without my message.
I bear, to each and all, the greetings of the nations, Ireland,
France, Germany and America, which have given of their noblest
and their best to afford to St. Mary's her bands of saintly priests
and her assemblies of devoted people, during the long space of
fifty years.
From patriotic, suffering and poetic Ireland ; from brilliant,
enthusiastic and ever friendly France ; from strong, thrifty,
philosophical Germany, and from vigorous, free and generous
America, I present greetings, most joyous and most significant,
as seen in the light of those past years, when the sons of these
countries were St. Mary's pastors, and both sons and daughters
were St. Mary's parishioners.
MESSENGER FROM THE SACRED HEART REPRESENTED BY
JOHN SCALNAN.
From the very throne of God, come the inspirations and
messages of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and only the glowing
Seraphim may bear them to the Guardian Spirits, w r ho pass be-
tween heaven and earth. Be it mine, then, to repeat w r hat a
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 161
Seraph has sweetly uttered, in token of the loving regard of the
Sacred Heart for St. Mary's people, so many of whom practice,
with unfailing fervor, the pious requirements of the Holy League.
May not much of the parish's prosperity, and the congrega-
tion's fidelity, be traced to the wonderful promises made by our
Lord, through the Blessed " Margaret Mary," to those who shall
faithfully follow the practices of devotion to the Sacred Heart?
Many are the wise deeds of true friendship which your pastor's
love for your immortal souls has prompted him to do for you,
but in none has he been wiser than in having established among
you a branch of the League of the Sacred Heart, for, thereby,
he has afforded you the means to .become spiritually strong, and
has set about you a fortification against the enemies of your souls.
To-day, we doubt not, there has come, from the glowing
-depths of that all-loving Heart, special greetings and special
blessings to St. Mary's pastor and his people.
MESSENGER FROM ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PERSONATED BY
JOHN FLANAGAN.
St. Thomas Aquinas, " Angel of the Schools," and special
patron of St. Mary's children, sends greeting, glad greetings, to
-all assembled here. With tender watchfulness, he has seen the
approach of this memorable day ; with special and heavenly de-
light does he behold its celebration, replete with the logic of events,
full of the -philosophy of history's best elements. Honored am I
to be the bearer of his august message, wherein he, the mighty
wielder of magic words, expresses his high regard for the noble
philosophy upon which the government and teaching of St. Mary's
parish and congregation are based.
Some words of peculiar solemnity and holy meaning has he,
on this occasion, for our Rev. Pastor's private ear; these it is not
for one like me to repeat nor interpret ; to our Rev. Father's
heart, will the great and holy Doctor whisper them, and sweet
tokens will they be, not only of the Saint's fond regard for a
favorite client, but of the sacred love of the Saint's Divine Master
for His faithful and truly devoted priest.
162 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
MESSENGER FROM THE SACRED HEART OF MARY
REPRESENTED BY KATE KAVANAUGH.
" Unseen, yet seen," choirs of angelic spirits have hovered,,
in and about St. Mary's Church, during these glad days of con-
secration and celebration ; unseen by men, yet seen by God, they
have done the will of their Immaculate Queen, and have joined
their celestial tones with the harmonies of terrestrial voices, in
those solemn psalms and hymns, whereby human hearts seek to
express their deeper and holier emotions of love and adoration.
Patroness of our church, powerful Protectress of our congre-
gation and our parish Mary, " Blessed among all people," sends
greetings that are echoes of those from her divine Son, and sec-
ond only to them, in their joy-producing power, and in the sacred
effects of their united benedictions.
THE SPIRIT OF TIME REPRESENTED BY EDWARD DUBS.
The greetings have been all presented ; the spiritual history,
as it were, of St. Mary's parish has been given; joys and sorrows
have been recorded ; graces and blessings have been symbolized,
and now Time sounds the hour for parting. Each beautiful Spirit
will leave gifts of priceless value to be cherished, in the human
hearts that have been gladdened by this occasion, or have, which
is more blessed, aided to make the hearts of others glad.
May the Spirit of the Past never be called upon to record,
regarding St. Mary's people, anything that might tarnish the
brightness of Memory's pictures, or dampen the ardor of Zeal's
earnest endeavors.
May the Spirit of Life have no cause to regret having brought
immortal souls to St. Mary's homes and home-keepers. May there
be, in the midst of St. Mary's parish, as many Guardian Angels
as there are human souls, and may the Spirit of Holy Infancy
dwell with all the little ones of the flock. May the Spirits of
Divine Grace and of Holy Vocation be ever busy among St.
Mary's people, both young and old. May the Spirits of the Seven
Sacraments be as active as, even the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and
Mary can desire. May St. Thomas find every member of the
congregation obedient to his teachings in all things. May the
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 163
Nations be proud of St. Mary's record, and may Time close, for
her people, in a blessed eternity.
Let us join in a hymn of thanksgiving, and then take our
flight, for which I offer you " the wings of Time."
(TheTe Deum.)
THE JUBILEE POEM.
At the close of the above drama, Miss Mary Vail, a post
graduate of St. Mary's, read very prettily, the Golden Jubilee-
Poem, which had been composed for the occasion, in imitation
of Sidney Lanier, and ran as follows :
A rainbow span of fifty years,
Painted upon a cloud of tears,
In blue for hope and red for fears,
Finds end in a golden hour to-day.
Ah, to us in our childhood the legend was told,
" At the end of the rainbow lies treasure of Gold,"
And now, in our thrilling hearts, we hold
The gold that will never pass away.
Gold crushed from the quartz of many a crystal life,
Gold hammered, with blows of many a human strife,
Gold burnt, in the love of Christian man and wife,
Till it is pure as the very flame ;
Gold spun from the love of daughter and son,
Gold with which every good gift is won ;
Gold that the patient and the brave
Amass, in realms beyond the grave ;
Amass, neglecting praise and blame.
O golden hour is this, that crowns the time,
Since, heart to heart, like rhyme to rhyme,
Good people knelt to hear the chime
Of holy mass, by spirits rung,
That tinkled many a sacred secret sweet,
Concerning how God and holy souls should meet ;
And whispered of the Saviour's lingering feet
With a most sacred, silver tongue.
O golden day, of that first sacrifice ; O golden crown,
For kingly heads and royal hearts, then bowed down ;
To you no smile, to you no frown,
Except the smile and frown of heaven ;
164 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Dear heads, some white, some dark with raven hair ;
Dear hearts, some gay, some weighted down with care,
What thoughts, what feelings had you there ?
Old settlers of this favored place,
To-day you miss full many an honored face,
That would have smiled, with joyous grace,
At this, our Golden Jubilee feast.
But God is good, and God is great,
His will be done, if soon or late,
Our dead stand happy, in the golden gate,
And call our jubilee blessings not the least.
So, friends most dear, and friends most wise,
Look to your jubilee rainbow in the skies,
Grasp the full meaning of the many-hued prize.
Then, with souls as full of joy, as souls may be, we gladly say,
" Holy hearts that wrought with smiles through tears,
This rainbow span of fifty years,
Behold how true, how bright God's love appears."
His holy grace, His priceless gifts, His tender care,
True gold, bright gold, gold most rare,
To make you rich, to make you glad, without alloy,
On this, your Golden Jubilee day, of highest joy.
A pleasant feature of the occasion was the presentation to
Rev. Father Horan of $400 in gold, a sum donated by several
ladies and gentlemen of the parish. Rev. Father Du Four made
the presentation speech, which was feelingly responded to by the
pastor, who was the recipient also of a goodly number of other
gifts from home and abroad.
A LITERARY CHAPLET.
Woven in honor of His Grace of Chicago, by the Feehan
Reading Circle, of St. Mary's High School, on the occasion of the
Golden Jubilee.
THE SUBJECTS AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVES.
" True Advancement " Laura Steffen
" General Literature " Joseph Allen
" Poetry of the Past" Kittie Killion
" Minstrelsy " Clara Killion
"" The Lvric Muse " . . . . Helen Burns
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 165
ROBERT CASEY.
THOS. CARROLL.
MICHAEL SCANLAN.
PATRICK GRANT
RICHARD HUGHES.
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.
166 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
" The Epic and the Drama " John Scanlan
' ' Names Known to Fame " Kate Kavanaugh
" Historical Writers " Charles Dubs
" Scientific Writers " . Louis Knipschild
" The Power of Oratory " John Flanagan
" American Writers " Mary Reardon
" Woman's Pen " Lorine Byrne
" Aesthetic Writers " Lizzie Corcoran
" Philosophic Writers " John Manion
" Religious Writers " Clement Gordon
" The Literature of the Church " Edward Dubs
" Modern Progress " Frances Fee
MODERN PROGRESS : Well, well, I wonder when we will
have done with these old-fashioned entertainments, these dull
" Open Meetings," these silly so-called " Literary Programs " !
I wonder when, instead of this awkward, feminine costume and
this poor little stage, we will have a manly garb and rostrums.
A poor way this for displaying feminine ability ! Here we
^re, like so many demure, " Puritan Maidens," prepared to make
the prosiest of speeches and the dullest of impressions, yet, in
these electric days, there is need of woman's electric tongue to in-
spire the public and to direct the councils of the nation ; need of
woman's magnetic influence to govern the national impulses, to
guide the national will, and to direct the national strength.
Here we are at the nation's footstool, when we should be
gracing the nation's throne. Study, study, study ! and what
comes of it all ? What use is it to know that Julius Csesar and
Scipio Africanus, and others like them, were not only great leaders,
but learned men since, however learned we may become, we
shall never be leaders ?
TRUE ADVANCEMENT : How absorbing, how blinding is the
desire for power ! What matters it that we cannot lead ? Were
it not better that our aim should be knowledge? That the
glorious desire " to know " should animate heart and mind ?
True Christian advancement consists, in applying our knowl-
edge to the acquisition of those things which benefit man physi-
cally, morally and mentally. What are the needs of this lofty being
we call man ? His magnificent intellect, it must be developed ;
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
167
JOHN E. HOGAN.
E. J. SCANLAN.
M. O'BRIEN.
JAS. P. YOUNGER.
J. RIORDAN.
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.
168 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
his stupendous powers, they must be governed ; his admirable
abilities, they must be made to benefit himself and all his race.
" Progress " ? " Advancement " ? Thought carries us to the
very throne of the Omnipotent, in the hollow of whose hand man
lies, infinitely small and utterly insignificant. Yet, so high is
man placed, in the scale of creatures, he is ever tempted to ad-
vance, rather than to mount.
Dazzled by the magnitude of his own works, he would be-
come a worshiper of himself, only that nature, yielding her secrets
with reluctant hand, makes him feel that she is conquered, not by
his will, but by his exertions, and that there is a limit to his
power, infinitely short of what it might be, did he but aim up-
ward, as well as onward.
Realize, then, human soul ! that true Christian Advance-
ment is not merely the dream of a visionary. Scan the earth ;
consider the various legitimate employments of its human inhabi-
tants, is there one of them that precludes the idea of an upward
movement, as well as an onward ?
Piety does not deaden activity ; nature's noblemen are not
idlers ; they labor, but they do not confine their thoughts to the
subject of loss or gain. They are found in all stations of life, and
their distinguishing characteristic is loftiness of purpose.
MODERN PROGRESS: Wonder if she means all that lecture
for me ? Quite eloquent and interesting, but by no means con-
vincing. " Christian Advancement," indeed an old fogyism of
the middle ages ! Haven't I " a glorious desire for knowledge " ?
Don't I read the newspapers and all the periodicals ?
As for " nature's noblemen " why, they'd starve in our day.
What political party would be so mad as to propose one of
" nature's noblemen " as a candidate for any office ?
Oh, we have no manner of use for them, in practical life.
They do very well in poetry, and we build monuments to their
honor, good, solid monuments, that will keep them, and their
lofty ideas, from rising up against the true interest of the world !
LITERATURE : Ours is said to be an age of thoughtfulness.
Thinkers are rife in all departments of knowledge, and, so prolific
fttephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 169
are the writers, the deadly work, of all swords ever wielded in
battle, could be buried six feet deep, beneath the work of the pen.
" Who is it that, divested of his robes of flesh, with vision clear
and pure, scans the firmament, from star to star, catching inspira-
tions from each gleaming orb ? Who is it that, in mental flight,
passes from mossy dell to mountain height ; from sunlit cloud to
running stream ; from smiling vales to ocean depths gathering
J. P. COFFEY. JERRY GORDON. M. FLANAGAN.
MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES.
beauties, everywhere, and imprisoning them in a mesh of tuneful
words ? "
" It is a mighty mind, with swift, yet solemn sweep of magic
wings, with intellect of purest fire, accompanied, as is better far,
for us and earth, by a human heart, a heart that feels, that weeps
and trembles, that speaks our language and responds to our
emotions." It is the poet. It is he who grasps a noble pen for
a noble purpose.
Literature has not been the least delightful of our studies
during the past two years ; rather has it been the most interesting
and profitable. Let us, then, honor this occasion, and the pres-
ence of His Grace, our beloved Archbishop, by weaving a garland
in memory of all successful wielders of the magic pen.
MODERN PROGRESS : Oh, yes ; let's talk about literature !
Modern Progress has freed Literature from the bondage of former
170 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
centuries, when Superstition was the counsellor of the nations,
and Literature, in return, has become the inspirer of Modern
Progress. Why, our very strikers, the leaders of our mobs and
riots, have written letters which will be inscribed, henceforth, on
the tablets of fame. Oh, yes, Modern Progress approves of Lit-
erature ; she works for progress ; she scatters newspapers far and
wide, and makes the world think as Modern Progress thinks.
SPIRIT OF LITERATURE : Silence, saucy intruder ! We must
fain notice you at last, and beg you to discriminate between the
vile productions of a free-press and those grand eminations of the
human mind which the educated and refined call literature.
Dear companions, you who have assembled here, to honor
true literature, let us weave our beautiful, symbolic chaplet, in
honor of the great minds of the literary world, with flowers culled
in their own fragrant thought-gardens, and bedewed with gems,
from the deep mines of their profound reflections.
The first offering should be made, in honor of the poetry of
the glorious past.
POETRY OF THE PAST : God said, " Let there be light, and
there was light." Thus opened the grand epic of creation. " It
is consummated ; " thus closed the tragedy of the Redemption,
and, from the entoning of the first, to the final note of the last,
how many solemn psalms were chanted ; how many mystic songs
and holy canticles were sung ! The poetry of the remote past
breathes in the words of Scripture, and bears, as all true poetry
should, a message to mankind.
Turning from these sacred themes, and passing, as out of out
our sphere, the poetry of Asia, of Greece, and of ancient Rome,
we find, in Western Europe, the earliest poet was the minstrel,
Troubadour, Trouvere, or bard. Minstrelsy had its birth, not in
Italy, land of song ; not in Spain, home of chivalry ; not in Ger-
many, abode of music ; but amid the ruggedness of Scandanavia,
the green hills of Erin, and the highlands of Caledonia.
In France, the Trouveres of Normandy, and the Troubadours
of Languedoc, sang of daring deeds and of the heroes who did
them.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 171
" While the Skalds of Scandanavia celebrated their dwarfs and
giants, dragons and monsters, the Troubadours, filled with the
genius of Gothic fiction, constructed many a tale for nothern
wonder, from fragments of Homer. Imagination pictures an
Anglo-Norman court, or baronial hall, with its minstrel holding his
listeners entranced as he sings his metrical romances. How natural
our sympathy and bond of alliance with the men and customs of
feudal times. They were our chivalric forefathers, and, with all
their stern, warlike qualities, they wove much of poetry in with
their struggles for liberty and justice."
All honor, say I, to the minstrels of old, far above any modern
writer of song or play, sonnet or hymn. [Begins the chaplet by
placing flowers on the little table in the middle of the stage.]
A TRIBUTE TO THE BARDS : Yes, and every heart melted as
the bard recited the woe of stricken knight or forsaken captive,
widowed mother or fatherless daughter.
What modern poet has been the inspirer of his people ? Who
would now dare to sing of past glory, present woe, or future re-
dress, with the hope of being heard in the councils of a nation ?
He would be expelled from the senate chambers of modern
nations, as a madman.
But, in those olden days, the bards were the most honored
of the nation's sons. The bards excited armies to bravery and
preceded them in battle, when the cause was just. The bards
were the heralds of princes, the mediators of peace, the welcome
guests of lords and kings.
The voice falters, choked with tears, as we endeavor to por-
tray the pathetic memories associated with the bards of ancient
Ireland. Would that Turlough O'Carolan, last of his race, might
appear before us, to tell us what it meant to be an Irish minstrel,
to have his part, in the home-life and the heart-life, of all whose
thresholds he crossed.
Sweet and sad are the tales, he would tell us, of the tears
which he had caused to flow, tears refresing to human hearts. How
many the aching heads he soothed, as did all his class, with the
sweet music of the harp and the rich tones of his fine voice.
172 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Many, too, were the hearts that beat, high arid warm, at his re-
cital of deeds of reckless heroism or of gentle benefaction.
Joyously were the bards everywhere greeted, sheltered and
fed ; their presence a blessing ; their songs a delight ; their per-
son sacred from harm, at the hand of even the deadliest foe.
Proudly, enthusiastically, do I make an offering to your
memory, sweet poets of the past. [Places flowers in the
chaplet.]
THE Music OF THE LYRE : Gazing, with my companions,
down the aisles of Time's grand memorial hall, listening to her,
as she apostrophizes the last of the Irish bards, I seem to see, in
the distance, a wonderful procession, headed by one whose brow,
like the faces of the knights he has pictured, glitters with the
light of noble thoughts.
" So mannerly is he and full of gentle grace,
Of him every tongue is compelled to say,
Here's the noblest of a noble race."
Father of the sons and daughters of the lyre, with Spencer,
I greet thee
" Great Chaucer, well of English undefiled,
On Fame's eternal bead-roll worthy to be filed."
And now my eye is gladdened by a view of him of pure
character, elegant culture and genius rare, the " Fairy Queene "
at his side and about him the knights of holy names. He stands,
as it were, in the light of some rare stained window, glowing with
the beauty and the wealth of his own descriptions and imagery.
Following this brilliant group, comes one bowed with grief,
but, on the luminous face, sit enthroned genius and resignation,
proclaiming him to be Robert Southwell, the martyr-poet.
O wonderful, beautiful procession of lyric poets ! Note
them, as they pass along this mystic pathway of recollection,
Young, his mantle gemmed with the stars and the radiance of
of " Night Thoughts " on his brow ; Thompson, with the flower-
garlands and snow-wreaths of " The Seasons " about him ; Collins,
with the " Passions " writhing beneath his gifted pen; Dry den,
with his matchless flow of language, is hastening to " The Feast
of Alexander," while St. Cecilia hovers near. There is Gold-
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896, 173
smith, " object of our laughter and our love, of our pity and our
admiration " ; there is Gray, mournful, stately and wise, and Burns,
singing his songs of perennial freshness, in the sweetest of dia-
lects ; his songs :
" Which gushed from his heart,
As showers, from the clouds of summer,
Or as tears from the eyelids start."
Slowly wending his melancholy way, comes Cowper, dear bard of
the hearthstone, his morbid sensitiveness shrinking from the very
fame that is, to the poet's heart, so dear.
We know them all so well, these dear spirits ; their names
household words ; their Sentiments part of our mental being ; it
seems scarcely possible that it is almost a century since the last
named closed his melancholy career and found in death a peace
and rest unknown to him in life.
Once more let us look upon the thrilling pageant behold !
noble, magnificent, scoffing, sneering Lord Byron, the clouds
about him, one while darkened by misanthropy, again, illumined
by the lurid lightnings of base sentiments and violent passions ;
yet there is sweetest music, as he passes, so charmingly do the
words flow from his magic pen.
Byron gives place to Shelly, another " archangel with his
heavenly light obscured " ; he is the embodiment of the spirit of
poesy, an ungrateful man, using the great gifts of a generous
Creator against himself. Then comes Moore, magic song-singer,
whose notes thrill every heart, in every land, where the English
language is known ; Keats, of promise fair and death too early ;
Wordsworth,
" To whom the meanest flower that blooms can give
Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears " ;
Tennyson, so great, in his poetic gifts, that even a queen's attempt
to honor him did but cast a shadow upon his illustrious name, for
Alfred Tennyson will ever be almost infinitely greater than Lord
Tennyson.
174 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
We are to make offerings in memory of these imperishable
names? Ah, lilies and pearls would I place on Chaucer's
breast; glowing roses and flame-like rubies would I cast at
Spencer's feet ! and thus, as the wondrous procession passes,
would I throw, in the pathway of each inspired one, the flowers
and gems most like his thought and mode of expression.
THE EPIC AND THE DRAMA : In your love for the lyre, me-
thinks you have failed to see some of the grandest figures in the
wonderful procession of poets. The world is indeed happier,
nobler and more heaven-like for the magic gift of song, but could
we spare the majesty of the Epic, or the grandeur of the Dramatic
poetry ? Lo, in the procession you have described, as Spencer's
brilliant group, and Southwell's heavenly face pass away, there
appears a king ! ruler in a world sublimely intellectual, yet a
world where exists the affections, the passions, the moralities and
the anxieties of real life. A king? We might more aptly
call him a creator, who waves the magic wand of his literary skill,
and calls into existence beings of every grade of human intelli-
gence and social standing ; beings actuated by every degree of
human feeling, from the wildest paroxysms of passion, to the
softest delicacy of emotion. Volumes would not contain all that
may be said of his genius and its wonderful achievements.
We need not name him ; all recognize the supreme poet and
dramatist, Shakespeare ; and who is this that follows Shakespeare
so closely? Who is it that, with bowed head, sightless eyes, and
a face like one of his own archangels, comes surrounded by visions
so magnificent that we may well believe that when overwork
closed the eyes of his body to the beautiful things of earth, God
opened the eyes of his soul to the sublime realities of heaven.
Milton ! Homer and Dante combined (with much that is
all thine own), to thee, and to the matchless dramatist of all time, I
pay my tribute of admiration, praise and love. [ Places flowers
in the chaplet.]
OTHER GLORIOUS NAMES . The young lady who spoke so
eloquently on " The Music of the Lyre." omitted many illustrious
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 175
names, noted for their owners' skill in lyric verse. As the blind
bard is hidden from our view, by his angels and archangels ; as
they surround him, in passing down the aisles of Time, he dis-
appears, and other forms of dignity and grace present themselves
to the imagination.
There is Pope, the brilliant, witty, satirist ; Addison, the pure
and exquisite, with poor Dick Steele, who is always somewhere
near him ; Johnson, mighty wielder of stentorian words ; Scott, dear,
noble Scott, great in poetry, great in prose, and great in misfor-
tune ; Coleridge, deep thinker and most instructive and entertain-
ing talker ; DeQuincey, unfortunate " opium eater," of wonderful
genius and learning ; Lamb, with the peculiar charm and subtle
beauty of his style ; Macaulay, with his magnificently rounded
periods, and a host of others. Scatter flowers and gems if you
will, but let some of the choicest of your offerings fall at the feet
of these giants of the intellectual world.
HISTORICAL WRITERS : The poets and dramatists do indeed
fulfill a beautiful mission, but how dull the world, how useless
the faculty of memory, were the voice of the historian silenced.
Behold that man one moment erect, strong, confident in
the years stretching peacefully before him ; the next, bleeding,
helpless, doomed to silence and the grave. Great in life, sur-
passingly great in death, how long would this hero be remem-
bered, did not history inscribe his name on the tablets of fame ?
" Visi-t some field after battle, look upon the dead and the
dying; they are thrust from this world's interests, from its hopes,
its aspirations and its victories, into the visible presence of death.
What blight and ruin meet the anguishing eyes of these dying
men; what brilliant, broken plans ; what lofty, baffled ambitions ;
what sundering of manhood's strong, warm friendships; what
bitter rending of sweet, household ties, yet they go forth,
from this world that is so dear to them, sacrifice these affections
that fill them with happiness, and die on the battlefield."
" Should not the hearts of their countrymen thrill with in-
stant, profound and universal sympathy, esteem and honor?
Masterful in their triumph over human feeling, should they not
176 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
become the centre of a nation's love, be enshrined in the prayers
of a world ? "
It is the historian who records these deeds, and keeps the
memory of them beautiful, undimmed and sacred. I pay my
tribute, with all the enthusiasm of my heart, to the world's his-
torians. [ Place flowers.]
MODERN PROGRESS : La me ! how he does go on. One
would think it the most delightful thing in the world to be bleeding
and dying, with your limbs lying scattered about promiscuously
on the battlefield !
Modern Progress is going to stop all that nonsense ; if the
nations will not submit to arbitration, why, in our next war, we
shall have electrified automatons do our fighting, while we con-
template the bloodless field, from an air-ship.
SCIENTIFIC WRITERS : Your impertinent interruption re-
minds me of a class of authors that we have, thus far, overlooked.
Is it just to forget the writers on science ? Writers whose pens
have been as keys, unlocking for us the gateways to discovery
and invention? With what sublime simplicity they dwell on
the grand phenomena of natural philosophy and astronomy, on
mathematics, Godlike science of numbers almost infinite, on geol-
ogy, thrilling history of our planet's growth.
I lay my tribute at the feet of the scientists ; mighty dis-
coverers of nature's secrets and wonderful powers ; masters are
they of the magnificent forces that are daily making and remak-
ing the world.
MODERN PROGRESS: Scientists? Why, yes; they are my
best friends, and the deadly enemies of my old enemy, Supersti-
tion. Yes ; I approve of Science and its waiters.
SPIRIT OF SCIENCE : What do we care for your approval ?
The science of which you approve is not the hand-maid of Re-
ligion, mother and queen of all true Sciences.
The masters, to whom we have referred, esteem it their
noblest privilege, and highest honor, to sit at the feet of Religion,
and to be taught by her.
THE POWER OF ORATORY : It is claimed that the pen is
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 177
the mightiest instrument in the world, and, indeed, its power is
great, but no writer has exerted the same irresistible influence as
the great speaker.
" What can surpass the power of an orator ? How he cap-
tivates the understanding ; impels or restrains the will of whole
assemblies."
" Give a man earnestness of purpose, and an eloquent tongue,
the inclinations of the people bend before him, as the grass before
the wind. Give him enthusiasm and eloquence, he will inflame
the heart, fire the will, illuminate the understanding of each
listener in a multitude, and at the bidding of this one man, many
men will die, for the cause which his magic tongue has told them
is just."
A tribute of honor to the English-speaking orators, in every
land, and in every age, it is my happiness to present, and in
memory thereof, I place this emblem in the Jubilee Crown.
[Places flowers.]
MODERN PROGRESS : Truly is this an age of much speaking,
and speech-making is much pleasanter than the performance of
uselessly grand deeds.
AMERICAN AUTHORS: You poor, restless Spirit, you seem
yourself to be possessed of the modern tendency to windy speech -
making.
Sister-Spirits and Brother-Spirits, is our own dear land of
freedom too young to have its men great in the realm of letters ?
Does not Literature, as well as all things else that are good
and fair, gain glorious existence under " the stars and stripes " ?
Shall we, when paying our tributes of honor, forget Frank-
lin, Jefferson and Hamilton, the glory of our colonial age, or fail
to see Audubon, surrounded by the American birds he loved so
well to describe ? Can we pass, unnoticed, such names as Adams,
Madison, Channing and Allston?
Is there, in English Literature, a fairer memory than that
of the boy of eighteen whose mind was of so serious and profound
a character as to produce " Thanatopsis " ? Tenderly and rever-
ently let us follow Bryant, through all his spotless career, him
178 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
who was the " Father of American Poetry," the poetry of nature,
at once our Chaucer and our Wordsworth.
In imagination, we look upon him ; his face, uplifted, bears
the expression of one whose thoughts are always dwelling on pure-
and lofty themes ; his glance is one of reverent observation, ever
fixed on nature's beauty and charm ; his heart, so his lovely old
face, as well as his poetry, tells us, is full of deep religious feeling,,
a feeling that ever dictates pure and lofty expression to the classic
dignity of his pen.
Turning, reluctantly, from Bryant, we gaze with fond affec-
tion upon our other silver-haired minstrel, dear Longfellow ; hi&
name a household word, his poetry an ever increasing delight,
particularly ' sacred to the Catholic heart, which finds, on Long-
fellow's pages, so many beautiful poems of which the Church was
the inspiration.
Not far away, we see Whittier, so fierce in his denunciation
of wrong, so gentle in his tenderness for the right, so strong in
his charity and love.
Sunny-tempered, laughter-loving Dr. Holmes how much
joy he has caused to exist, in hearts and homes, honored forever
be his memory ! And there is Lowell, the many-sided, the many-
gifted, the unsurpassed ; Poe, the brilliant and erratic ; Saxe, the
oddest of humorists; Read, poet and artist; Boker, poet and
banker; Lanier, sweet southern song-bird, and Father Ryan,
above and beyond them all, in many respects, though all are
worthy singers to the music of the lyre. Many a sweet-voiced
songstress, too, might be mentioned, did time and space permit.
In the field of prose, who have scattered nobler seeds than
Irving, Prescott, Bancroft, Cooper, Hawthorne, Emerson, and r
that giant among them all, O. A. Brownson?
To the memory of America's writers, then, I offer a wreath
of her own fair flowers, their fragrance is not purer, sweeter, richer
than the sentiments and expressions I intend them to symbolize
and to honor. [Places a wreath of wild flowers around the base-
of the crown.]
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 179
MODERN PROGRESS : Well, of all the nonsense I ever listened
to ! Not a word about our truly great men, our millionaires ;
nor about their daughters, who have done so much honor to-
America, by marrying into the English nobility.
Poets, indeed ! Useless men, in a busy, progressive country,
such as this. Luckily they have died off pretty fast of late years.
WOMAN'S PEN : Could the sick, the weary or the afflicted
spare the touch of woman's hand, or consent that the gentle tones-
of her voice be silenced ? The hand that ministers to the weak and
the suffering, yet manages household affairs, need not be less skill-
ful in wielding the pen. Noble and blessed, in every sphere,
woman has not failed to fulfill highest duties in the world of let-
ters.
" Since the days, when the mother of Samuel proclaimed God
to be the Lord of knowledge and the Giver of understanding,,
since the days when Miriam, the sister of Moses, taught sacred
canticles to the young Israelites in the temple, there has been no
age without women among its scholars, its warriors and its writers
of song." Nowhere do we find the beautiful realized, with more
vividness, simplicity and grandeur, than on the pages of the
female writers of various periods of time, and of many lands.
" A woman's impulses are naturally heavenward in tendency,
hence the gift of poetry is for her a great, a noble instrument, used
for a sublime end." Would that I had an offering of the purest
and most fragrant lilies to lay at the feet of the female writers of
every literary epoch. [Put flowers in the crown.]
MODERN PROGRESS : Who are these old-fashioned women
you are quoting to us ? To be sure, the warriors are all right ;
woman should be able to fight her own battles, but, between
times, I'd have her at something better than writing poetry.
Not poetry, but politics, should be the field for her wonderful
abilities.
AESTHETIC WRITERS : Do not turn from me in disgust, be-
cause my subject suggests sunflowers and all things a-la-modern
culture, or because the term culture is so often misapplied to weak
artificiality.
180 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
" There has been much eloquence expended on ' diamonds in
the rough,' but we know that it is the refined and cultured who
give most pleasure to others, and themselves find in life the
highest delight. It is the cultured taste that rejoices in all
things high and pure ; that gathers, from all sources, the rarest
treasures, wherewith to enrich the mind wherein it dwells. The
aesthetic writer is quick to conceive ideas of loveliness and
perfection, that another could not grasp.
" The most profound learning, the most varied acquirements,
could not compensate for the absence of culture and refinement.
To the cultured ear, all sweet sounds of nature are music, and
music itself a rapture. To the cultured eye, all things in nature
are fraught with meanings ineffably sweet and infinitely sublime.
To the truly cultured heart, no just appeal from nature, art or
humanity, is made in vain ; such a heart ever responds with
magical sympathy and an elevating influence." Refinement,
like disposition, is natural ; true Christian culture, like virtue,
must be acquired ; yea, acquired, as are habits of virture, by mak-
ing " stepping-stones of our dead selves to higher things." To
the truly refined and cultured I pay my tribute. [Places
flowers.]
MODERN PROGRESS : Making " stepping-stones of one's self"
must be miserably disagreeable ! If to be gloriously uncomfort-
able is to be cultured, what a lofty mind and refined heart
Diogenes must have had, when passing his delightful days under
a tub ! I wonder is he the patron philosopher of aesthetic
writers and cultured readers ?
SPIRIT OF CULTURE : Begone, rude Spirit ! Falsely calling
herself " Modern Progress," she has held a place among us too
long. Come, True Advancement, give me your assistance, and
we will banish her from our court and company, where she has
.shown herself merely a noisy intruder. [ Culture and Advance-
ment lead her from the stage and then they return to their
places.]
PHILOSOPHICAL WRITERS : The tribute to heroes on literary
fields would be imperfect, were we to forget the writers on
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 181
philosophy that grand, subtle, mysterious science of the mind
and its wonderful faculties.
Philosophy is the discoverer of all scientific laws, the creator
of all inventions, the interpreter of all historical events, and the
solution of all the problems of nature. Without it, language
would be a mere confusion of words, and literature a snare.
" In philosophy, all theories find either a proof or a refutation,
for it analyzes all sensations and corrects all perceptions. It con-
trols, moderates and guides the most enchanting pleasure of life,
the use of our reason. It dictates to us how we shall, with fidelity
of memory and brilliancy of imagination, impart light and
knowledge to other minds. All science is the field of its con-
quests; all art the application of its principles."
" The illumination of an age does not consist in the amount
of its knowledge, but in the broad and noble principles that gov-
ern and actuate the people." Now, of all universal laws, of all
broad principles, and of all grand ideas, Philosophy is the inspirer,
and has her place, next to Revelation, in the Temple of Faith.
From the lofty mountain top of thought, the Christian
Philosopher views the entire stream of harmonious truths, and
rejoices in the revelation they are of the infinite mind of God ;
rejoices that there is a progress and an advancement, an up-
ward and an onward, which include a clearer knowledge of God
and a nearer approach to His infinite perfections.
To Christian Philosophers I pay my tribute of honor, ad-
miration and praise. [ Places flowers in the chaplet.]
RELIGIOUS WRITERS: During all the beautiful school year,
we have learned no lesson of which God was not the Alpha and
Omega. No page of history, no stanza of poetry, did our eyes
rest upon that we did not read, between the lines, the story of
God's love and the hymn of His glory.
It is fitting, then, that we commemorate the glorious work
of Religious Writers ; fitting that we recall the productions of
those noble minds that ever aim at a close union with the eternal
mind of God. They have dictated, to glowing pens, words of
highest, holiest meaning, messages of ineffable beauty and lessons
182 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
of priceless worth. From the days of the stylus and waxen tab-
lets to these pens and printing presses, there has been no age
not glorified by the writings of the scholars and saints of the
Church of God.
To these I make my floral offering of reverent affection and
highest esteem. [ Places long-stemmed flowers in a vase standing
in the middle of the garland.]
DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH : In every department of litera-
ture we find them, these noble " defenders of the faith " ; these
high-minded philosophers, dignified historians, brilliant essayists
and sweet-voiced lyrists all, either announcing, defending or
adorning the Truth. All filling the mind with high thoughts,
the heart with generous ambitions, the soul with noble aspira-
tions.
I do not name them, these great ones, the minds capable of
appreciating them know them ; the hearts they have instructed
-and strengthened love them ; the souls they have inspired with a
holy enthusiasm bless them.
Priests and religions, their debtors, for some of life's sweetest,
richest and most sanctifying hours, hold them in reverent re-
gard, as true friends and monitors, while we, too young yet to
fully appreciate them, hope to know them better in the bright
future.
We now place, above all your offerings, ours to the Religious
Writers and to the Defenders of the Faith. [ Places long-stemmed
flowers in the vase standing surrounded by the chaplets, which
rests, finished, on the table.]
SPIRIT OF LITERATURE : We have done well, sweet Spirits ;
we have banished false Progress, and we have completed our
fragrant, bright-hued chaplet, emblematic of the unfading beauties
.and imperishable perfumes of spiritual and intellectual delights.
Ere we part, let us join in a glad hymn of thanksgiving.
[ They sing and then depart.]
" The Jubilee Spirits " is orginal, and was written by one of
the Dominican Sisters, expressly for the occasion.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 183
" The Literary Chaplet " is made up of essays, partly original
.and partly adapted from various sources ; it, also, was arranged
by one of the Sisters teaching in the school.
The manner in which the pupils of St. Mary's High School
acquitted themselves, in presenting these difficult essays, was
highly commendable, and elicited praise from every one in the
vast audience, before which they appeared with so much ease
and grace.
Few features of the Jubilee Celebration afforded Father
Horau so high a degree of pleasure as this tribute from the chil-
dren of his beloved school, for, though it was not possible to bring
the various classes together, in vacation, to practice anything
dramatic, they all joined in the singing, so that each pupil of
each department contributed to the enjoyment of the occasion,
and was thereby personally gratified and honored, having, too,
the pleasure of storing away the event, in the memory, for future
delectation.
At intervals, between the vocal and the oratorical contribu-
tions, Masters Charles, Clement and Peter Gordon, also Miss
Mamie Gordon, gave choice instrumental selections on piano and
violin.
184 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Hoto the Great Eoent toas Celebrated
at St. Joseph's Church.
At St. Joseph's the jubilee services were of a very impressive
character. The Rev. Father Kalvelage celebrated solemn high
mass at 10 o'clock, as Bishop Messmer did not arrive. He was
assisted by Deacon Rempe, as deacon, and the Rev. Father Meyer,
as sub- deacon. Father Meyer delivered a sermon that was very
appropriate, and truly eloquent.
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon, Archbishop Feehan adminis-
tered the rite of confirmation to a class of about one hundred and
twenty-five, ninety from St. Joseph's and the others from parishes
in the vicinity.
On Sunday, at solemn mass, the choir sang Wigard's Mass, in
honor of St. Joseph, and were assisted by the St. Pius' Orchestra.
Sopranos, Mrs. J. H. Siefelder, Mrs. C. Drexlar, Misses Josie Metz,
Tillie Redlinger, Nellie Trunck, Clara Straub, Cornelia Steffen,
Ida and Sophie Seeker, Alma Kautenberger, Clara Seeker and
Anna Tappe ; altos, Mrs. Theresa Tappe, Mrs. Julia Cavanaugh
and Miss Nellie Steffen ; tenors, Messrs. Stephen Bucher, A. E.
Wieneke, T. Kinzig and P. Kautenberger ; bassos, Ernst and
John Tappe and Fred Rodemeyer. Orchestra, R. Luecke, 1st
violin ; Ed. Rotzler, 2nd violin ; P. Vodecka, clarionet, J. A.
Siefelder, double bass ; Gustav Ullrich, cello.
The introit, gradual, offertory and communion were Greg-
orian, and in keeping with the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy
Cross.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 185
The services in the evening were followed by an eloquent
sermon, by the Rev. Father C. Danz, of Mayence, Germany, which
was listened to by a congregation that filled the church to the
very doors. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament closed the
sacred celebration.
The decorating of St. Joseph's Church for the Golden
Jubilee services was very beautifully and artistically done. Be-
tween the windows, on the side walls, depended festoons of white
and yellow bunting and ropes of evergreen twisted together, while
long strips of drapery and ropes of evergreen were caught up to the
high ceiling. The choir-loft rail was similarly dressed. The
richest decorations were within the chancel rail ; above the sanc-
tuary lamp swung a large anchor of white and gold, while the
altars were almost hidden with flowers, every niche having its
vase, and on each projection was hung a wreath. Both inside and
outside of the rails, were banked foliage plants and pots of flowers.
Among Father Kalvelage's guests were Bishop Messmer and
Bishop Janssen, also several priests. The first service, on Sunday,
was at 7 o'clock, and at 8, the Right Reverend Bishop Messmer
celebrated Low Mass and administered Holy Communion. At 10
o'clock, solemn High Mass was celebrated, and in the afternoon
Archbishop Feehaii confirmed a large class of boys and girls.
Monday morning, the Jubilee services began with a Pontifical
High Mass by Bishop Janssen, and a sermon by Bishop Messmer.
In the evening, the parishioners joined in the parade, after which
there was a sermon at St. Joseph's Church, by the Rev. C. Danz,
of Mayence, Germany. In conclusion, Benediction of the Most
Blessed Sacrament was given.
186 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Religious and Literary Associations
attached to St. Mary's Church.
The benefits arising from the association of persons with
similar ideas have always been recognized by the Church ; her
sodalities, and her religious communities, existing as they have
in every age, are sufficient and illustrious proof of this wise
adaptation of worthy means to still worthier ends.
In every well organized parish, then, are to be found socie-
ties of various kinds, carrying out the good purposes of zealous
pastors and earnest parishioners. St. Mary's, an example in all
else, is not wanting in this particular ; she has her excellent
youths and virtuous maidens, her faithful men and pious women,
banded together, in a number of associations, admirable alike for
their large membership and their zealous undertakings.
The Holy Name Society, established by the Dominican
Fathers, during a mission given by them, in 1890, boasts a mem-
bership of about seven hundred men.
The Married Ladies' Sodality, or Altar Society, has ninety
members. The officers in this, the Jubilee Year, are : President,
Mrs. K. Stanley ; vice president, Mrs. P. J. Lonergan ; secretary,
Mrs. L. Thro; treasurer, Mrs. J. Rau.
For purposes of lawful amusement, and to counteract the
evil influences of worldly associations, the Columbus Club was
formed, soon after Father Horan became pastor of St. Mary's.
To it belong the gentlemen of the parish between the ages of six-
teen and seventy. They have a well equipped hall, where they
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 187
may enjoy manly recreations, without fear of injury to them-
selves or their neighbors ; here they may assemble, for amuse-
ment, at any hour they choose, but they have a regular society
meeting once a month.
The Young Ladies' Society of the Blessed Virgin numbers
fifty active members, out of a hundred registered, and, in union
with the Married Ladies' Sodality, constitutes the " Altar-Fund
Association," which is responsible for the debt on the main altar.
This altar would have been donated, by the heads of two fami-
lies, but the pastor desired that all the parishioners should have
the benefit of the Mass to be offered twice a month, forever, for
those, in the parish, or elsewhere, who make a monthly donation
of twenty-five cents , for three years, towards the payment of this
debt.
These two sodalities, sometimes singly, sometimes in union,
have accomplished many valuable services for the parish. Both
are ever prompt, zealous and successful, in responding to any call
made upon them, or their funds, by the pastor, in behalf of the
church, or in the cause of charity.
St. Thomas' Sodality, to which all the school children belong,
has been referred to, at length, in the chapter on St. Mary's School,
but we will here add that no sodality has been more zealous, nor
has any accomplished more good deeds, for God, and for souls,
than this band of pure, loving young hearts.
St. Mary's Dramatic Society, with its talented young mem-
bers, has distinguished itself by a series of dramatic and musical
entertainments of a high character, both as to the nature of the
programmes presented and the skill of the performers of the sev-
eral parts. The officers, under whose efficient direction this
association has won such an enviable name, are as follows :
President, Rev. L. X. DuFour ; vice president, Mr. Jas. O'Rourke ;
secretary, Miss B. Knipschild ; treasurer, Mr. Ed. Lawless ; stage
manager, Mr. J. L. Carroll ; press agent, Mr. J. Rau ; properties,
Mr. A. Lagron.
At the time of the Golden Jubilee Celebration, St. Mary's
Choir surpassed its always honorable record, and so distinguished
188 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
itself as to elicit praise, from even the severest musical critics r
hence its members were so encouraged as to undertake even
higher and better work than in the past.
With a view, then, to musical improvement, and to the ac-
quirement, not only of increased skill, but of a general knowl-
edge of music and its beautiful history, the members of the Jubilee
Choir have formed a duly organized association, under the title
of "St. Cecilia's Choral Union." The officers are: President,
Rev. W. A. Horan ; vice president, A. Lagron ; secretary, Maggie
Carey ; finance secretary, Jennie Tracy ; treasurer, Mary Bren-
nan ; librarian, Mrs. M. Ellsworth ; directors, Frank Rogers, Ed.
Lawless, Annie Summers, Mrs. L. Thro, Jennie Tracy.
With a membership of forty ladies and gentlemen, gifted
with a love for music, and powers for contributing to its produc-
tion, the union promises much for the improvement of its mem-
bers, and the enjoyment of those whom it will, from time to time,
be pleased to entertain.
In addition to the varied character of the associations
already named, there are several of a purely spiritual nature,
which have a flourishing existence in St. Mary's parish. These
are the League of the Sacred Heart, whose faithful members make
each first Friday of the month a holyday, as it were, and the
Arch-confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, whose members re-
joice, on the evening of each first Sunday of the month, in wit-
nessing the beautiful Rosary procession, as it winds its sacred way,
through the aisles of the church, to the sound of sacred hymns.
Thus does St. Mary's Church become indeed, a veritable
vestibule of heaven, where men and angels mingle, in sacred,
loving familiarity, praising God on high and helping man on
earth ; helping man to elevate his mind and heart above the
level, whereon he is forced, for a time, to dwell.
Nothing is more conducive to the frequent reception of the
sacraments, and to the formation of habits of piety, than these
religious associations. They are the mainstay of a congregation,
the foundation of its present stability, and the assurance of its
future permanence.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 189
The Closing of the Jubilee Celebration.
The festival of the local Catholic Churches, commemorating
the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the faith in this
county, was brought to a close on the morning of Tuesday, Sept.
16, with a solemn requiem mass, for the souls of those who, in the
early days, banded together in the first congregation. For it was
they who made generous contributions, from their slender means,
and sacrificed their time, and their labor, for the sake of their
faith, thus originating two large and flourishing parishes.
Splendid edifices have succeeded the simple chapel in Mrs.
Egan's humble home, and the rough and unpretentious little
church which was built later; but the faithful members of these
new congregations do not forget the toil, the efforts and the self-
denial of those who have gone before them, and have already
heard the blessed words, " Well done, good arid faithful servants ! "
Those early pioneers were not forgotten in any of the festal cele-
brations; their memories were revered, and praises of their
hardihood and loyalty were sung, again and again. In coming
to untrodden lands and making for themselves homes, in the
forests and on the prairies, in developing the new land, for their
own comfort, even, they did far more, for the generations who were
to come after them, than they did for themselves, and it was a fit-
ting tribute to them that the last solemn services of a festival, made
possible, by their well directed efforts, should be one for their peace
and rest.
The weather had done its worst the day before, still the
parade and the meetings, which were the closing events of the
190 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
day, were great successes ; had it been at its best, it is difficult to
estimate how many more would have taken part in the demon-
stration. The parade, under all the difficulties that the weather
afforded, the unpleasant streets and the damp atmosphere, was
one of which the two parishes may feel justly proud. There were
one thousand or, one thousand two hundred men in the line, which
stretched its length over nearly a mile. All along the route
were gathered crowds to witness the procession, and on Stepheiison
street, the sidewalks were blocked by thousands who cheered the
passing lines. The rain kept at home many delegations from
parishes in the vicinity, who would have otherwise attended, but
still there was a fair number of outsiders in the parade.
The procession was formed at the arch, in front of St. Mary's
Church, at 7:30 o'clock ; those from St. Mary's parish who took
part fell in, modestly, behind the St. Joseph's societies, as the
latter marched past the arch. The formation and line of march
was as follows :
Marshals and Assistants.
Henney Buggy Company Band.
St. Aloysius' Society of St. Joseph's Church.
St. Pius' Society.
St. Joseph's Society.
St. George's Branch C. K. of I.
Members of St. Joseph's Congregation.
Madison Band.
Columbus Club of St. Mary's Parish.
Holy Name Society.
Members of St. Mary's Congregation.
Visiting Delegations.
Shannon Band.
Mayor and City Officers and Speakers in Carriages.
Clergymen and Visitors in Carriages.
From St. Pius' Hall, on South Galena Avenue and north on
State Street to St. Mary's Church, where the procession formed at
the arch and went north to Williams, west on Williams to Chi-
cago, north on Chicago to Galena, west on Galena to Cherry,
north on Cherry to Stephenson, east on Stephenson to Adams,
south on Adams to Galena, west on Galena to South Galena Ave-
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 191
nue, south to St. Joseph's Church, whence St. Mary's delegation
proceeded to their headquarters.
The two head marshals led the way and the Henney Band
followed. In the line were three floats ; on these Greek fire
was kept burning. The first represented the log house, where
mass was first said in Stephenson County ; the second dis-
played a wheel, with fifty golden spokes, about which were
grouped fifty small boys, and the third showed a painting
of the present St. Mary's Church. There were also two
other floats, from which fireworks were shot continually. All
those in line carried lanterns swung over their shoulders. The
different societies carried their banners, and a handsome national
flag was borne in the front rank. Following the line of men on
foot, were carriages, in which rode the mayor, the city officers,
the visiting church dignitaries, and the clergymen resident in
Freeport.
The officers in charge were: J. J. Sweeney and Frank
Rogers, marshals for St. Mary's ; Fred Rodemeyer, head marshal ;
M. Zimmerman, standard bearer; C. M. Mueller, marshal, and
Joseph Redlinger, standard bearer for St. Aloysius' .Society ;
Robert Schwarz, marshal, and John Steffen, standard bearer for
St. Pius' Society and the Catholic Knights ; John Weimer, mar-
shal, and John Murdaugh, standard bearer for St. Joseph's Society
of St. Joseph's Church.
When- St. Mary's delegation reached headquarters, there was
a short concert by the Madison Band and more fireworks were
burned. One of the large floats was placed in the middle of the
street, and used for a platform from which the address of the
evening was delivered. There was an immense crowd, fully
5000 people, present ; these packed the street for a block either
way. Rev. Father Horan presided, and on the platform were the
Rt. Rev. Bishop Burke, a number of priests, and Hon. M. Stos-
kopf, besides the orator of the evening, the Hon. James F.
O'Donnell, of Bloomington.
Before introducing the speaker, Father Horan thanked the
members of St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Churches, the Catholics
192 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
of the county, the clergymen who had come to take part in the
ceremonies, and the citizens of Freeport generally, for their aid
in making the jubilee festival a success.
When Mr. O'Donuell was called on, a modest looking young
man stepped forward, and after saluting the Rev. Fathers, at once
began his address without preface. His first sentence brought a
round of applause, that was repeated every time a slight pause in
his rapid delivery would permit it. As a speaker, Mr. O'Donnell
is fluent and eloquent, and his flow of words was unbroken by a
single hesitation. His rhetoric is graceful and polished, and
each point in his address was made forcibly. As he proceeded
with it, his face became animated, and his voice, clear and dis-
tinct, enunciating every word perfectly, reached to the farthest
limits of the immense audience. He gesticulates freely and with
dramatic force. The address impressed every one who heard it
as one of the finest oratorical efforts they had ever listened to,
and, at the close, the young speaker was warmly congratulated, by
bishops, priests and laymen.
After his salutation to those on the platform, he said :
" I am expected to say something on Catholic citizenship.
To be a good citizen it is not necessary to be a Catholic, but to be
a good Catholic it is necessary to be a good citizen ; so let me
rather take the broader view, and speak on American citizenship.
" The simple law handed down by Justinian, time cannot
improve: ' Live honorably, hurt nobody, render to every one his
due.' In the affairs of life, the hammer of ambition falls upon
coveted gold and silver, shaping them into useful forms and
beautiful. In the affairs of discourse, the. silver of speech and
the gold of silence fall upon the tongue, marring or beautifying
companionship, according to the discretion we employ. Society
can have harmony and happiness only through a proper defer-
ence for knowledge. We all should read more ; our views would
expand ; we would become more considerate of the opinions and
feelings of others ; we would become nobler and better men and
women. In our reading we should not be restricted by preju-
dice ; we should read all sides, not with a feeling of hatred for
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
193
that which does not conform to our views, but we should be ready
to accept truth whenever it presents itself. Let me add, that if those
who feel not well disposed towards the Catholic Church were to read
more of her history, they would find in it an elevating and beauti-
HON. JAMES F. O'DONNELL.
The Lay Orator.
ful lesson, worthy of something loftier than to be the target for mis-
informed assailants. I know all in this beautiful city all in this
194 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
magnificent audience are broad and liberal. If others were
present, I would say : The less a man is informed on Christian-
ity, the less he appreciates that boon, good-fellowship ; the less
the milk of human kindness courses through his veins, the more
he abominates a Catholic. So, Catholicism, beautiful as is thy
name, grand as are thy precepts, would that I could summon be-
fore me thy vivifying virtues, and not repeat thy name, for I
would speak to defend and not offend.
" I am decidedly unworthy of even talking on sacred sub-
jects, but I realize that there are those who regard us as slaves of
superstition and ignorance, when our faith is an inspiring, an
ennobling study, hand in hand with Scripture and wisdom ; when
it is really their own lack of information that leads our opponents
to misjudge us. Sane men will all agree that truth is the
one thing sought in all sciences; the one thing which should be
sought in all spiritual as well as worldly affairs. Now, it is a
philosophical principle that that which changes cannot be true.
We get the same beautiful idea in this passage from Julius Caesar :
' Constant as the northern star, to whose true, fixed and resting
quality there is no fellow in the firmament ; the skies are painted
with unnumbered stars ; they are all fire and every one doth
shine, yet there is but one in all doth hold its place.' In this we
see our Church. So it is with the world ; 'tis furnished well with
men, and men are flesh and blood and apprehensive, yet in the
number I know but one that, unassailable, holds his rank un-
shaken by motion. In this we mean the head of the Church on
earth, with St. Peter as the foundation stone, and to whom Christ
said : ' Thou art Peter; upon this rock I will build my Church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.'
" This unchaugeableness from the time of Christ, we think,
is in beautiful keeping with truth. The wise teachings of St.
Peter and his line of followers, history shows, have never been in
error ; and while we respect the opinions and esteem the talents
of all who differ from us, yet this fact remains a pleasant forti-
fication to all who cherish Catholjc belief.
" I am sorry to think that, despite the blaze of intelligence
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 195
shed upon the world by the Catholic Church, in astronomy,
mathematics, mechanics, electricity, galvanism, chemistry, optics,
thermetics, mineralogy, botany and all sciences ; despite her
liberal and instructive influences, there is a regretable prejudice
held against her by many well meaning people. Think you
Cardinal Newman, the brightest and purest mind of his day,
whose conversion to the Catholic Church, after years of fervent
study, turned all Europe topsy-turvy think you, he would have
accepted that faith, if it were in any way faulty? Think you
Cardinal Manning, that .intellectual giant, the working-man's
guiding star, would have joined the Church if it were in any
way offensive ? Would America's great literary light, after tast-
ing of the teaching of all creeds I refer to Brownson, would that
towering intellect finally have attached himself to the Holy
Roman Catholic Church if it were weak in any of its precepts ?
Look at the roll of honor she has given to the world : In oratory,,
who surpasses Chryosotom, Daniel O'Connell, Edmund Burke,
Daniel Dougherty or Bourke Cochran, now one of the master ora-
tors of the world ? Among warriors, we have Joan of Arc, Henry
Hotspur, Henry IV. of England, Richard Coeur de Leon, Tal-
leyrand, the firey Napoleon, Pulaski, Lafayette, Sheridan, Shields^
Mulligan, Meagher, Norton, John Barry, Rosecrans, DeMontcalm,
In literature, we have Dante, Shakespeare, Fenelon, Dry den,
Pope, Racine, Francis Assissi, Lingard, and Sir Thomas More.
Among 'the painters we have Michael Angelo, Raphael, Murillo,
Giotto, Fra Angelico, Donata, Ghiberti, Gregori. In music we have
Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, Hayden. On the stage we have Modjeska,
Sarah Bernhardt, Mary Anderson, Rose Coghlan, James O'Neil,.
Florence, Salvini. Lawrence Barrett did more to elevate the
modern thespian art than any man of his day, and Goethe,
though not a Catholic, in his wonderful production of Faust,,
shows the two extremes, the wine room and the Catholic Church,
and shows Mephistopheles recoiling from the sword that has a
handle in the shape of a cross.
" If you dislike Catholics, do not look up to the star-studded
sky, for it was a Catholic, Copernicus and Galileo, who led the
196 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
retinue in exploring the firmament and giving names and habi-
tation to the heavenly bodies. Throw away the calendar that
counts the time, and from which we get the day and date of the
week and month, for it was a Catholic Gregory who created it.
Ignore mathematics, for it was a Catholic Francis Viete who gave
us algebra as we have it now. If you are unkind to Catholics,
turn not to the rainbow to drink in its beauty as it spans the sky,
for it was a Catholic Descartes, founder of modern mechanical
philosophy, who was the genuine author of the explanation of
that dazzling and rapturous arch in the heavens. Look not on
the thermometer as you feel the chilled air of night, for it was
Catholic Sanctorius who made the first. Dispense with the tele-
graph, telephone, electric cars and electric light, for it was a Catho-
lic Galvani, Volta, Gramm and Carre who were the fathers of
the science of electricity. Lay aside chemistry, for a Catholic,
Antoine Lavoisier, was the father of its modern form. Destroy
the flowers in the field that scent the air, for it was Catholic
Caesalpinus who was the father of modern botany. Stop the
pulsations of your heart, for it was Catholic professors who en-
abled Harvey to discover the marvellous circulation of the blood.
Disregard the fossils in the rock-ribbed earth, for it was a Catholic
De Vinci who first gave them attention.
" If you are unfriendly to Catholics, forget your tongue, for
it was a Catholic Chaucer, who was the author of the lan-
guage we call the richest in the world. Forget your country,
for it was named after a Catholic, Americus Vespucius. For-
get Columbus, who discovered your country, and accomplished
the greatest and grandest event known to all time, and forget
forever that stupendous fair in Chicago, which was in honor of
Ms memory, for Columbus was a Catholic.
" Now, I say all this, not in a spirit of boastfulness, which is
.always contemptible, but because it is natural that it should be a
pleasant recollection to all in whose veins flows Catholic blood.
Other creeds have their sublime environments, and all come in for
full respect ; for opinion, like patriotism, is strong in all of us. Some
writer says opinion is more powerful than the fear of bodily pain,
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 197
or death ; as appears in studying duelists, gladiators and soldiers ;.
as appears, also, regarding religions devotees and martyrs. It is
more powerful than the desire between the sexes, as appears in the
more sacred love between brother and sister. It is more powerful
than the love of friends, as appears in the duelist, who, to his opin-
ion, sacrifices the life of his friend and exposes the widows and chil-
dren to misery. It is more powerful than a mother's love for her
child, as appears in India, where a mother throws her child to-
the sharks in the Ganges, or in this country, where a misguided
young woman destroys her infant, the pledge of her misplaced
love. Then in religion and politics, should we not be tolerant?
Give me that man who has studied the history of his own country
and of other countries, and is broad enough to appreciate that
the people of no country, and the people of no creed, were free
from the mist of ignorance that belonged to past centuries ; who
believes in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man,
and who looks up to that broad, blue dome as the ceiling of our
common earthly home."
In continuation, Mr. O'Donnell spoke of the beauties of
American citizenship, eulogizing the broad-minded men of all
faiths, who had kindled and kept alive American liberty and
principles. His address was liberal and patriotic, giving evidence
of a well-stored mind. His peroration was a brilliant burst of
eloquence. In closing he paraphrased Tom Moore's immortal
lines
'" You may break, you may shatter the vase of will,
But the essence of ' liberty ' will cling 'round it still."
When he took his seat, the applause lasted for several min-
utes, until some one suggested, " Three cheers for O'Dounell," and
they were heartily given.
There was a call for the Hon. M. Stoskopf to make a speech,
and he responded very briefly, complimenting the Catholic peo-
ple on their celebration, and paying a tribute to Father Horan,
the members of the parish as citizens, and Mr. O'Donnell as an
orator. The meeting was ended by the Madison Band playing
the national anthem.
There was an appropriateness in the selection of the Hon.
198
Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
James F. O'Donnell, as the layman to deliver the address at St.
Mary's Golden Jubilee Celebration, that was not developed until
after he had accepted the invitation. The Rev. Father O'Gara,
the third priest of St. Mary's Church, and one of the best beloved
and most zealous of all, was his great uncle. Mr. O'Donuell was
the colleague of the Hon. M. Stoskopf at the last session of the
legislature, and the two are warm friends. He is a young man,
having been bom in Dubuque thirty-two years ago, and for a
short time, in early childhood, lived here in Freeport. Some of
the older members of the parish recognized him. It is likely that
Mr. O'Donnell will speak here again in a short time, and if so, a
reception will be tendered by the Columbus Club.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 199
The St. Vincent Orphan Asylum.
So many and so beautiful are the phases of charity in the
Church, that we behold her hand outstretched with a mother's love
to all forms of misery and distress. Let suffering or sorrow appear,
in any guise whatever, she is ready with her tender ministrations,
comfort and relief, accomplishing her sacred tasks in the manner
that is wisest and best.
It is her holy charity that has dotted our land with hospitals
and asylums, thousands of which are now stately buildings, with
all the modern appliances for cure and for comfort, but which
orginated in the Bethlehem of the divine Master, in simplicity
and poverty. Never do the holy ones of the Church, those en-
trusted with affairs nearest to her heart, wait to make a grand
and impressive beginning. The Master began with a stable, for
the temple wherein He was worshiped, by the simple, the humble,
the illiterate, and He ended with St. Peter's incomparable cathedral
at Rome, where all the world may come, and where the greatest
and mightiest have knelt, in awe-struck adoration.
St. Vincent's Asylum for Orphans is then in the Bethlehem
stage of its existence. At present, it is a frame cottage, pretty,
bright and pleasant, but simple, as becomes the infancy of a great
undertaking ; but the future will, no doubt, see this tiny home of
loving devotion to Christ's little ones replaced by towering walls
of brick and granite. Be that as it may, the present condition
of the as} r lum and its innocent inmates is most encouraging, and
200 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
all, who are interested, see in it the promise of a glorious future.
The grounds, adjoining those of the hospital, are, like them,,
considerably higher than the surrounding country, thus affording
pure air and an extensive view of charming scenery. With a
frontage of 160 and a depth of 300 feet, the grounds surrounding
the asylum will afford ample space for the erection of a larger
and more imposing structure, when the time for it arrives, as it
undoubtedly will, in the near future.
In the meantime, tiny infants, four of them yet in the cradle,
and small children, both boys and girls, are receiving, at the
hands of the devoted Sisters, the tender, motherly care of which
death had deprived them, until they were so happy as to have
found their way into this haven of peace and safety.
The property was purchased in the spring of 1896, and the
institutioii was opened to admit its first beloved inmate on Penti-
cost Monday, of the same year. On May 25th, it was formally
and solemnly blessed.
Twelve orphans, boys and girls, under ten years of age, con-
stituted the first family that gathered in this home, afforded them
by the faithful members of the Church, and by her self-sacrificing,,
religious, the Sisters of St. Francis, three of whom are in constant
attendance at the asylum.
When the little cottage shall have disappeared, to make
room for a more imposing edifice, and the twelve inmates of the
cottage shall have multiplied to a hundred, yet will there be no
greater peace and joy for the little ones than now, for it is the
love that surrounds them, as an atmosphere, that constitutes for
them in life all that is worth having ; that love which no palace
can increase and no abode of poverty decrease.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
201
ST. VINCENT'S ORPHAN ASYLUM.
202 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
Parish Customs.
When we study a great people, or trace the development of
a. nation, our interest centres in the customs of one and the laws
of the other, for in them will be mirrored the character of the
individuals practicing the one and governing the other. What-
ever is true of large bodies of men, is true of smaller communities,
hence we deem it well, in giving a history of the parish, to men-
tion the daily, monthly and yearly customs, important factors in
the sanctification of the people.
The daily Masses, one at 7 and the other at 7:30 a. m., are
never omitted, though the hour for the second one varies, as may
suit the convenience of families having funerals or weddings, for
both these solemnities, by a law of the parish, must take place
during the Holy Sacrifice.
On the greater number of these occasions, a Solemn High
Mass (with three priests) is offered, not that the pastor receives so
frequently the large honorarium customary in wealthy parishes,
in large cities. However poor and simple the departed parish-
ioner may be, if he was remarkable for fidelity to his peculiar
duties, as a practical Catholic, and if he sent his children to the
parochial school, he has the honor, and the spiritual benefits, of
a Solemn High Mass at his funeral, even though his surviving
friends may not have a dime to offer towards the extra expenses.
It was a source of constant edification and frequent bewilder-
ment to the editor of this work, when a stranger in St. Mary's
parish, to behold such stately funeral services taking place, as a
Steplienson County, Illinois, 1896. 203
matter of course ; as it is an ordinary occurrence, it no longer
excites surprise.
On Sundays, in summer, the Masses are at 8 and 10 a. m.;
in winter, at 8:30 and 10:30. Except for a few Sundays in
August, the last service of the morning is always a High Mass,
and the children's choir, its members selected from among the
pupils of St. Mary's School, sings at the first Mass. At each Sunday
morning service there is a formal sermon, and in the evening,
the whole year round, on Sunday, the Rosary is recited and
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament given. For a part of the
year, Vespers are chanted, the boys in the sanctuar} 7 singing
alternate verses of the psalms and hymns with the grand
choir. Every Sunday afternoon, there is a meeting of two
or more of the religious and benevolent associations existing
in the parish. On the first Sunday, the Married Ladies' Sodal-
ity meets at 3 p. m., and the Columbus Club at 4. On the
third Sunday at 4 p. m., the Young Ladies' Sodality of the
Blessed Virgin Mary recites the Office of the Immaculate Con-
ception, after the same form as that used at the Holy Name
Cathedral in Chicago. The older members of St. Thomas' Sodal-
ity (those who have made their first communion) meet to recite
the Office of St. Thomas at 2 p. m., on the second Sunday of the
month.
No child not attending St. Mary's School is permitted to be-
long to .St. Thomas' Sodality. The pastor never fails to be present
each Sunday at the meeting of whichever Sodality is assembled.
He always gives an instruction on these occasions, and then re-
pairs to the club room to assist at a meeting of the Business
Men's Committee. This is an important body in the parish, for
while acting in perfect harmony with the pastor, and deferring
most cordially to his opinion, they are responsible for all the
financial affairs of the parish, for which reason their meetings are
frequent, important and rather laborious.
Here, as in all well ordered parishes, baptisms occur on Sun-
day afternoon.
Two Masses are offered each month for the benefactors of
204 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
the " Christian School," as the pastor fondly calls it in his public
utterances. Two Masses are also offered monthly for the donors
to the altar fund. Each Sodality receives Communion in a body
on the morning of the Sunday mentioned for its monthly meet-
ing, and on that morning the pastor offers the Holy Sacrifice for
the Sodality in question.
On the first Friday of each month, and on the holy days of
obligation, there is a Mass at 6 a. m., for the accommodation of
the laborers.
On the evening of each first Friday, there is a service con-
sisting of the recitation of the Rosary, the reading of Act of Conse-
cration and of Reparation to the Sacred Heart, and Benediction
of the Blessed Sacrament.
The Rosary Procession, which is a beautiful feature of the
evening service on the first Sunday of each month, is formed of
St. Mary's school children, from the wee tots in the chart class,
to the members of the high school ; also the altar boys and two
priests. The children's choir and the grand choir unite their
voices on this occasion.
Among the annual customs, the Christmas novena ranks
high. For nine successive evenings, immediately preceding
Christmas, the sanctuary is glorified by the exposition of the
Blessed Sacrament, amid many lights, and surrounded by a full
choir of sanctuary boys, while at the foot of the altar kneels the
pastor.
The novena consists of psalms, prophecies, canticles and
hymns, chanted alternately, by the sanctuary choir, the latter
supported by the rich voice of the assistant pastor, whose solo
parts; in the chanting of the prophecies, constitutes no small part
of the charm of this exquisite service.
It is a custom to have a small representation of Bethlehem
in the Church during the Christmas holidays. Just above the
stable or cave gleams a large star of burning gas jets, and within
the evergreen bower, that represents the sacred birth-place, are
the usual figures grouped, with unusual taste and with an un-
usual regard for congruity.
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896. 205
During Lent, the customary devotions, common everywhere,
are con ducted in St. Mary's. The Repository, on Holy Thursday,
is much enhanced in its beauty by the presence of a marble
altar.
On Christmas and Easter, the grandeur of the choir service
is greatly increased by the accompaniment of an orchestra of from
six to eight pieces.
Two triduums are celebrated each year ; one for the school
children's retreat of three days preceding the feast of St. Thomas
Aquinas, and another of three days preparation for the feast of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, during which the women of the parish
make a sort of retreat, devoting these three days to more frequent
prayer, also to meditation and hearing Holy Mass each morning.
The triduum ends with the reception of Holy Communion, on the
Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Every evening in May, the devout people of St. Mary's con-
gregation, and there are large numbers of them, assemble before
the altar of our Blessed Lady to recite her rosary, listen to hymns
and spiritual readings in her honor, and to join in the Litany of
Loretto.
The children's choir, so often mentioned, is in charge of the
music teacher at the Convent of St. Mary's ; under her direction
they chant a variety of beautiful litanies during the May devo-
tions, and also at the October services, which are held every
evening, in that lovely autumn month, in honor of our Lady,
Queen of the Holy Rosary.
On the evening of the first Sunday in May, after the Rosary
procession, a sacred and very beautiful ceremony takes place. It
is the Crowning of the May Queen. At the top of a high pyra-
midal-shaped structure, which is constructed in the sanctuary for
the occasion, is placed a statue of our Blessed Lady. White-
robed children stand at the foot of this lofty throne ; each one
addresses our Blessed Mother in poetic language of love and
praise, presents a bouquet of flowers and then mounts to one of
the steps on the slanting sides of the structure, until all the steps
are occupied, as it were by angels, supported in the air by their
206 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
wings. The last to speak mounts, to the very top of the throne,,
and crowns the statue with white flowers, while uttering suitable
sentiments in the language of verse. Appropriate hymns are
chanted at the beginning and at the close of this beautiful cere-
mony.
On the occasion of the " Crowning of the May Queen," in
the Jubilee year, that is, May, 1896, a flash-light photograph was
taken of the scene ; the resulting picture may be found in the
early part of this volume.
At St. Mary's, of course, as at every church in the diocese,
the Forty Hours Devotion takes place once in each year, and is
carried out with all the solemnity and magnificence possible to-
willing hearts and hands.
It is the pastor's custom to visit the sick, the infirm and aged
on every great feast day, and on the first Friday of each month,
administering to them the Holy Eucharist, for their strength and
comfort.
On the evening that finds friends and neighbors assembled
around the dead, that the living may be comforted by kindness
and sympathy, and that the departed souls benefited by the fre-
quent prayers of many, " gathered together in His name," on
such occasions, the pastor always appears, at some uncertain hour
of the evening, and recites aloud, with the assembled friends, the
Rosary of our Blessed Lady.
The many good results of such a custom will be evident to
the reflecting mind, but were there no other than the identifica-
tion of the pastor, in the family's hour of darkness and grief,
with all that is kind, sympathetic and helpful, it were worth the
slight trouble it entails.
Let the reader judge the customs that exist in St. Mary's
parish as he may, he cannot but deem it the height of wisdom
for the pastor to be, as is expressed in the Jubilee address, pre-
sented to Father Horan, "The man at the centre."
There are few of us who have not watched, with eager in-
terest, the result, when some boy with conscious pride in his sup-
erior ability to " throw a stone," has sent one spinning gayly
Stephenson County, Illinois, 1896.
207
through the intervening distance into the very centre of the pond.
Instantly, as it, with the impetus gained by flying through the
air, touched the surface of the water, there sped forth, from the
centre, a gleaming, glittering, quivering circle of sunlit water,
then another and a wider ; another, still wider, until they became
countless in their joyous hurrying for the shore.
Could there be a better figure of the wide influence of " the
man at the centre "? Let the circles of moral, political or social
influences once start, on their ever- widening way, they will bound
ELIZABETH GRACE PECK.
First girl baptized in
the new church.
CHAS. KORAN DONOHDE.
First boy baptized in
the new church.
MARY ELLEN GRANT.
First girl baptized in the
consecrated church.
the earth before they stop, and many voices will ask, " Who did
this ? Who is the man at the centre ? "
We have said elsewhere, that what is true of large bodies is
very likely to be true of smaller ones. There are circles of influence
for the town as well as for the nation. And it is a grand thing
to be " the man at the centre " of even small areas of influence,
for only God can measure their true extent.
It is a magnificent picture that spreads before the mind, as
208 Golden Jubilee Souvenir.
the imagination portrays the thousands of centres in the Church
popes, archbishops, bishops, priests and religions from whom
are circling forth the noble influences of a stable, heaven-inspired,
divinely protected faith.
With that picture before your mind's clear vision, dear
reader, we leave you. That there are thousands of records such
as that of St. Mary's parish, and of the Church in Stephenson
County records even brighter and grander does not detract
anything from the glory of our brief history, for the work it is in-
tended to commemorate and preserve from oblivion is God's
work, and naught that God has instituted or accomplished for
the salvation of immortal souls, can be either small or insignifi-
cant. Much has been done in our time and our place, to Him
be the glory.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Altars, Description of. 112
Arch, Triumphal 104
Associations, Religious and Literary 186
Burke, Et. Rev. J 113
Banquet, Jubilee 104
Children's Reception to Jubilee Guests 145
Church, First in Stephenson County 23
First St. Mary's 40
Old St. Joseph's and Old St. Mary's 52
Choir, St. Mary's and St. Joseph's 64, 92
Jubilee 115
Corner Stone 60
Closing of Jubilee Celebration 189
Consecration of St. Mary's Church 99
Committees, Jubilee and Business. 56, 106
Dedication of St. Mary's Church 65
of St. Joseph's Church 85
Debts and Donations 58
Early History of Catholicity in Stephenson County 19
of Catholicity in Illinois 13
of Catholicity in Chicago 15
of Catholic Settlers in Stephenson County 23
Factors in the Life of the Church 9
Feehan, Most Rev., His Address 28
First Mass in Freeport 33
in St. Mary's 34
in Stephenson County 25
in Irish Grove 22
Foundation of St. Mary's Parish 33
Father Koran's Life and Labors 83
Du Four's Life 87
Kalvalege's Life 93
Meyer's Life 96
210 Index.
Golden Jubilee Celebration ' 99
Day 131
Hennessey, Most Rev. J 133
Hospital, St. Francis 96
Hall, St. Mary's 74
Horan, Rev. Wm 83
Jubilee Celebration 99
Kalvalege, Rev. Clement 95
Parish Customs 202
Mass, Jubilee 114
New St. Mary's Church 51
Old St. Mary's Church 34
Oration, Jubilee, by Hon. J. F. O'Donnell 192
Orphan Asylum, St. Vincent's 199
Record of St. Joseph's Church 88
Reception of the School Children 145
Riordan, Rev. D., Sermon 115
Record of Jubilee at St. Joseph's Church 184
Religious and Literary Associations 186
Rt. Rev. Guests of Father Kalvalege 185
St. Mary's School 77
School Journal, Santa Maria . 81
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Archbishop Feehan Frontispiece
Hennessey Ill
Arch, Triumphal 101
Barron, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas 25
Bishop Burke 113
Janssen 121
Messmer 123
Barron, Mr. and Mrs 135
Church, St. Mary's in '36 and '55 7
St. Mary's in '38 and '96 12
Irish Grove, Old and New 21
Lena and New Dublin 21
St. Joseph's 91
Convent, St. Mary's 81
Choir, Jubilee 115
Soloists and Singers of Parts 141, 143
Committee, Members of. 149, 151, 165, 167, 169
Crowning of the May Queen 109
Eight of St. Mary's Rev. Pastors 41
Eight Lady Parishioners of the Old Church 37
Early Parishioners and Their Wives 39
Exterior of St. Mary's School and Hall 75
of St. Francis Hospital 97
of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum 201
of St. Joseph's School 93
Egan, Mrs. C 28
Five Pioneei s and Their Wives 35
Father Horan 85
Kalvalege 89
Du Four 87
Meyer 96
F. Kalvalege 34
D. Riordan.. 119
"21'2 Illustrations.
Gen. Geo. Jones, of Dubuque 24 '
Hogan, Miss Mary 22
Interior of St. Mary's Rectory 69, 71
of St. Mary's School 79
of Joseph's School 94
Mary's Church at Jubilee 103
St. Joseph's Church at Jubilee : . . . 105
Mansfield, Mr. G. S 73
Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. P. H 77
O'Donnell, Hon. Jas. F 193
Pictures of Noted Parishioners 61, 65
Pictures of Well-known Parishioners 45, 47, 50, 53
Rear View of St. Mary's Rectory 67
Side View of St. Mary's Church and Rectory 65
Seven Pioneers 27
Staff of " Santa Maria " 82
Three Famous Infants 207
Wall, Mrs. M 37
efl*
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA
THE SK CATHOLICI?!IN STEPHENSON
30112025276350
