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The Diocese of Fort Wayne, 1857--September 22--1907, A Book of Historical Reference, 1669-1907.  By the Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding.  Fort Wayne: The Archer Printing Co.  1907.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER X.       The Churches--From 1858 to 1867 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266-314
                                                                                    [Pages 266-294 is on web page 10]
                                                                                    [Pages 295-314 is on this web page 10B]
Chapter 10b:
PLYMOUTH. Marshall County. St. Michael's Church.  [est. 1863] . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295-297
EGE. Noble County. Church of the Immaculate Conception.  [est. 1864] . . . . . . . . . .297-298
KENTLAND. Newton County. St. Joseph's Church.  [est. 1864] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298-300
WABASH. Wabash County.  St. Bernard's Church.  [est. 1864] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300-302
FORT WAYNE. Allen County.  St. Paul's Church.  [est. 1865] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .302-304
COVINGTON. Warren County.  St. Joseph's Church.  [est. 1865] . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304-305
LEBANON. Boone County. St. Joseph's Church. [est. 1865] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 305-306
ARCOLA.  Allen County.  St. Patrick's Church.  [est. 1866] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 307-308
REYNOLDS.  White County.  St. Joseph's Church.  [est. 1866] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 308-309
DYER.  Lake County.  St. Joseph's Church.  [est. 1867] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309-311
KENDALLVILLE. Noble County. Church of the Immaculate Conception. [est. 1867] .311-312
WINAMAC.  Pulaski County. St. Peter's Church.  [est. 1867] . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 312-313


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[Pages 295-297 (See Reference)]
PLYMOUTH.
St. Michael's Church.
1863.
     The treaty of the United States with the Indians, in 1832, assigned as their reserve to the Pottawottamies, a region of country to the southwest of Plymouth, its northeastern corner being near the western border of the town.  The Pottawottamies were Catholics, and a good sized chapel, built of logs, occupied a site on the north bank of one of the Twin Lakes.  The building has long since disappeared.  Prior to 1842, the early missionaries such as Fathers Allouez, Aveneau and other Jesuit Fathers, as well as Father Badin, visited these regions.  From 1842, however, the Fathers, of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, attended to the spiritual wants of these Indians and the early Catholic settlers, in Marshall county.  In 1838, Father Petit, at the earnest entreaty of the officers of the United States military forces, conducted the Indians from their reservation to their new home, in the west.
     The history of the present St. Michael's Congregation dates back to 1856, when on December 19th, three lots were bought on which now stand the church, the priest's house and the school.  The total cost of the three lots was $500.  The first resident pastor was Rev. Gabriel Volkert, from 1862 to 1864.  St. Michael's Church was built in 1863, and was dedicated by Bishop Luers, in September of that year.  Rev. George Steiner was pastor  from 1864 to 1866.  After him came Rev. Francis Siegelack, from 1866 to 1869.  He organized the St. Boniface's Benevolent Society.  The Rev. George Zurwellen took charge of the parish, in October 1869, and remained till the time of his death, February 5, 1883.  A school had been in operation since 1861, taught by lay-teachers.  The building was a long building with a boarded partition, which separated the school from the stable.  When Father Zurwellen began his work, the school and stable combination was removed to the back part of the lot, on which the pastoral residence stands today, and the priest's house was removed from the extreme south to its present location.  A brick school-house, costing $12,000, known today as St. Michael's Academy, was erected in 1870.  About this time a bell was bought.  [295]
     On November 20, 1872, the three lots opposite the church were bought.  These lots front to the north, and the present St. Joseph's Hall is situated on one of them, lot 67.  The first cemetery of St. Michael's Congregation was one acre of ground, donated by John Hughes, and was used until 1871; when the city of Plymouth gave the Catholics the privilege of using a portion of Oak Hill cemetery.  This continued until April 15, 1875, when Father Zurwellen secured the four acres of ground, which are used today for burials.  The Rev. Louis A. Moench was the resident pastor, from February 6, 1883 until July 26, 1898.  The debt of $5,000 was paid by him, the pastoral residence was built at a cost of $1,200, the church was frescoed for $660, beautiful new altars were provided, St. Joseph's Hall was built, at a cost of $1,300, stained glass windows were placed in the church, a new iron fence was built and sidewalks put down.  The delivery from church debt was duly celebrated on February 18, 1890.  Succeeding Father Moench the following were pastors here:  Rev. Charles Lemper, from 1898 till July 1900, during the illness and after the death of Father Lemper, till March 1, 1901; Rev. Simon M. Yenn, from March 1, 1901 till July 1, 1905; Rev. Henry C. Kappel, from July 1, till September 1, 1905; Rev. John Tremmel since September 1, 1905.  Father Yenn made many necessary repairs and improvements on the entire church property, including the grounds.  Three acres of the cemetery, consisting of six acres, also received much needed attention from Father Yenn.  At the time of his removal the fund for a new church had accumulated the handsome amount of $9,000.  During this time the Sisters of the Holy Cross enlarged their Academy, which serves also for parochial school, twice; it being now a commodious structure of three-stories and basement, running back from street to alley.  Center street was improved during the pastorate of Father Tremmel.  At the present time the fund for a new church amounts to $9,616.13.
     Plymouth has 114 Catholic families, numbering 518 souls.  The parochial school, in connection with the academy, having an attendance of ninety-eight pupils, is conducted by four Sisters of the Holy Cross.  The church societies are:  The Rosary Society, with ninety-five members; the Sacred Heart [297] Sodality, with sixty-seven; and the Children of Mary, with thirty-four members.  Other associations are, the St. Boniface, the Benefit Association of Our Lady of Loretto, and the St. Vincent de Paul Aid Society.

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[Pages 297-298 (See Reference)]
EGE.
Church of the Immaculate Conception.
1864.
     When Ege was visited for the first time, in 1856, as a station, by Rev. Francis Deschamp, it was called Girardot Settlement.  It was in 1853, that Gabriel Girardot emigrated from France and settled on a farm, where Ege is now located.  When Father Deschamp visited the place, he found nine families in that neighborhood.  The Rev. Henry Vincent Schaefer, pastor at Avilla, visited Ege as a station, and in 1863 the first church, 25x40 feet, was built.  In July, of that year, Bishop Luers and Father Benoit celebrated Mass in the unfinished church--they were at the time prospecting for a location, where to build the diocesan orphan asylum.  Gabriel Girardot had preceded his family to this country and had made a vow that he would build a church if he would see his family in the New World.  He donated two acres of land, where the cemetery now is, and there he constructed a church and made most of the furniture with his own hands.  In consequence, the church was a long time building, and was not finished until May, 1864.  When completed, the little frame church was valued at $1,000.  After Father Schaefer, the pastors of Avilla had charge of Ege as a mission; namely:  Rev. Francis Deipenbrock, 1863; Rev. John Wemhoff, from December 1863 till December 1865; Rev. A. B. Oechtering, from December 1865 till May 12, 1867; and Rev. Dominic Duehmig, from May 12, 1867 till 1876.  During this time, the Fathers of the Holy Cross would frequently relieve the pastors of Avilla, by attending the mission Ege.  In 1875, Father Duehmig purchased four acres of land, at a short distance from the church westward, where two roads cross and there put up a more spacious frame church, 35x90 feet, with a seating capacity of 260.  The old church was moved to the new place and an addition was made to it; after which it served the various purposes of a school-[298]house, of a teacher's residence, and of a priest's house, until 1885.  The Sisters of St. Francis, of Joliet, took charge of the school, in 1879.
     The Rev. William Geers was the first resident pastor of Ege, in 1876, and was succeeded by the Rev. Peter Franzen, from February 1877 until October 1878.  After him came Rev. F. X. Ege, from October 1878 until November 1897.  He found the church property indebted to the amount of $3,500.  In 1885, the old church burned down, insured for $500.  Father Ege thereafter erected a two-story brick building, 30x65 feet, the lower front room accommodating sixty pupils, and the upper front room being used for parish meetings and entertainments, until January 1898, when it too was used for school purposes.  The other parts of this building serve the Sisters for a residence of six rooms.  In 1878, Father Ege erected a handsome two-story, ten room priest's house, at a cost of $3,000.
     The present pastor, Rev. Francis P. Faust, took charge of the parish in November, 1897.  He found that the parish had a debt of only $300.  He has made various improvements and many repairs, with several purchases, amounting to fully $2,500, an there is a debt of $243 on the church property.  The church grounds proper comprise four acres; and the two acres of the old church is now used for burial purposes.  Two members of the parish have become Franciscan Brothers and five have become Sisters.  The number of souls is 408, consisting of seventy-five families.
     St. Mary's Society, for married women, has forty members; St. Rose's, for single women, thirty; and the Apostleship of Prayer, ninety members.

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[Pages 298-300 (See Reference)]
KENTLAND.
St. Joseph's Church.
1864.
     The Rev. George A. Hamilton visited Kentland and vicinity, from 1861 to 1864, from Logansport.  After him, it was attended from Resselaer by Rev. Joseph A. Stephan, until 1870.  He visited the place once a month, celebrating Mass in the Court House or in Kent's hotel, boarding with John H. Schmitt, a mile and three-quarters from Kentland. [299]  The Catholics numbered about fifteen families, Irish, German and French, within a radius of twelve miles.  In 1864 Father Stephan erected the first church, a frame structure, 24x40 feet.
     The grounds, on which the church, priest's house, the school and the teachers' house stand, have a frontage of about 360 feet, with a depth of 150 feet.  Opposite this ground the church owns two acres, just outside the corporation of Kentland.  The cemetery has five acres, one mile south of the church.  These grounds were secured during the pastorates of Revs. J. Stephan, A. Messmann, and W. C. Miller.
     The first resident pastor was the Rev. Anthony Messmann, from 1870 to 1881.  He resided with the above mentioned John H. Schmitt until 1872, when the priest's house was built.  He added 30 feet to the church, to gain more room.  Rev. F. X. Baumgartner added a sacristy, 28x14 feet, built a tower and supplied it with a bell.  Father Baumgartner was pastor from 1881 to March 1883.  After him came Rev. William C. Miller, from March 1883 to September 1891.  Father Miller built the present church, in 1888.  It is a brick building, 100x45 feet and 24 feet in height.  It has stained glass windows of Roman style; the ceiling is flat.  The Main Altar of the old church was transferred to the new church, and two neat side altars and two confessionals were provided.  The cost of this church was $9,000.  It has a seating capacity of 400.
     Rev. Charles A. Ganzer was pastor from September 1891 to December 10, 1902.  He renovated the church and made necessary repairs, giving the church a new roof and purchasing a beautiful Main Altar.  The church was also frescoed and electric lighting provided, another bell was procured, a new way of the Cross secured, a new pipe organ and a steam heating plant installed.  The present pastor, Rev. Charles V. Stetter, D. D., holding that position since February 13, 1903, enriched the sanctuary for Christmas, 1905, with an artistic crib.
      Father Messmann started a school in 1872, but it had to be discontinued.  The school was a frame building, 44x18 feet.  In 1885, Father Miller reopened the school.  It was taught by lay teachers till 1887, when the Sisters of St. Francis took charge.  In 1888, Father Miller remodeled the old church into a two-room school-house.  The old school building and the sacristy of the old church were made into a residence for [300] the Sisters.  Father Stetter built a porch to it.  The dimensions of the school are 40x70 feet, accommodating ninety children.  The eight grades are taught.  Two Sisters have charge of ninety-five pupils at present.
     The priest's house, built in 1872 by Father Messmann, is a nine room two-story brick structure.  It was Father Miller, who finished the entire house and furnished it more completely.  Father Stetter also has done something in that direction.  The church property has a debt of $2,119.98.  The number of souls is 540, consisting of 106 families.  One boy of Kentland has become a priest and ten girls Sisters.  St. Anthony's, Goodland and Remington were attended from Kentland, for some time.
     The following priests had charge of Kentland:  Rev. George A. Hamilton, from Logansport, and perhaps others, from f1861 till 1864; Rev. Joseph A. Stephan, from Rensselaer, from 1864 till April 1, 1870; Rev. Anthony Messmann, pastor from April 1, 1870 till December 19, 1880; Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, from December 19, 1880 till March 27, 1883; Rev. William C. Miller, from March 31, 1883 till August 30, 1891; Rev. Charles A. Ganzer, from August 30, 1891 to December 10, 1902; Rev. Charles Meyer, C. PP. S., Rev. Fredrick Schalk, C. PP. S., and Rev. Virgilius Krull, C. PP. S., from December 10, 1902 till February 13, 1903; Rev. Charles V. Stetter, D. D., since February 13, 1903.
     The following societies are found here:  The Cemetery Association with eighty members; the Rosary Society, for married women, since 1884, with seventy-nine members; the Sodality of the Sacred Heart for single women, with sixty-one members; the St. Aloysius' Society for young men, with forty members; the Catholic Benevolent Legion and the Catholic Order of Foresters.

1999 Update for St. Joseph's Church, in Kentland:
   St. Joseph Parish
      Mail: P.O. Box 131 - Kentland, IN 47951-0131  Phone: (219) 474-5514
      Street address: 409 East Allen Street - Kentland, IN 47951-1322.
     The Rev. Robert J. Bernotas of St. Joseph Church, in Kentland, Newton County, also pastors the Catholic Churches of  SS. Peter and Paul, in Goodland, Newton County, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Earl Park, Benton County, and maintains the records for St. Anthony's, Benton County, which closed about May 1921.
An additional NOTE for those seeking records from the parishes of St. Anthony's, Richland Township, Benton County; St. Joseph's, in Kentland, Newton county; SS. Peter and Paul's, Goodland, Newton County; or St. John the Baptist Church, in Earl Park, Benton County:  Since caring for 3 parishes is very time-consuming, Father Robert respectfully requests that those who desire records from these parishes must come, in person, to St. Joseph's, where all records for the 4 parishes are located, to search the records.  The time is not available to answer mail requests.
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[Pages 300-302 (See Reference)]
WABASH.
St. Bernard's Church.
1864.
     The first priest on record at Wabash, is Rev. John Ryan, who residing at Lagro occasionally attended Wabash, from 1862 to September 1865.  He celebrated Mass at the homes of Patrick Ivory and others.  At this time the number of souls [301] was thirty-five, Irish and German.  The foundation for the new church was put down, in 1864, by Father Ryan, and the building was begun by Rev. B. Kroeger, and completed during the pastorates of Rev. George Steiner, and Rev. M. E. Campion, the latter two residing at Lagro.  The building cost about $2,000, and the number of souls at this time was about forty.  A lot, donated by Patrick Dwyer 66x132 feet, was given in trade for two lots making the grounds 132x132 feet.  This business was transacted by Father Ryan.  The church built in 1864 was a brick building, 30x60 feet, to which Rev. P. J. Crosson added sixteen feet, in 1898.  The same had the interior decorated and put in electric lights, at a cost of $700.  The seating capacity of this church was 250.  A frame school-house, 20x30 feet costing $800, was built by Rev. F. C. Wiechmann in 1877, but the school had to be discontinued after the first year, for want of support.  The first priest's house was located on the corner of Maple and Comstock streets, a half block west of the church; but in 1888, Rev. John H. Bathe built a new house on the corner of Minor and Fisher streets and adjacent to the church, at a cost of about $1,700; and in 1898, Rev. P. J. Crosson enlarged it, at an expenditure of about $500.
     The described church property was exchanged by Rev. Robert J. Pratt, for a church and house, owned by the Methodists, on the northeast corner of Sinclair and Cass streets.  The church is a two-story brick building, the second story used for church purposes has a seating capacity of 500.  The house, adjacent to this church, which is the present priest's residence, is a commodious two-story brick building.  The Methodist people had expended fully $22,000 on these buildings.  The church and house have a frontage of 96 feet on Sinclair street and 123 feet on Cass street.  St. Bernard's Congregation secured this property, in exchange for their church and house, by paying a cash difference of $5,500.  This business was transacted on April 17, 1900, and, on the same day, two lots 264x264 feet, with a large brick residence, just back of the church property were bought, with the intention of using it for school purposes at some future time.  This last purchase cost the congregation $4,00 in cash, and the first priest's house on Comstock and Maple streets, valued at $1,500.  The church was remodeled, and $3,500 was spent in doing this; [302] besides furnishing the church with altars, confessionals, sacred vessels and also putting in a heating system.  The Very Rev. J. H. Guendling, Administrator of the diocese, dedicated the building on September 23, 1900, the Rev. D. H. Clark, of Columbus, Ohio, preaching the sermon.  The church has a debt of $2,900.
     St. Bernard's Church has the Confraternity for the Poor Souls, since 1889; the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, since 1898; the Young Ladies' Sodality, since 1900; the Catholic Knights of America, since 1885; the Lady Foresters since 1899.  The congregation numbers 403 souls, or 102 families.  Two girls of the parish have entered the religious state of life.
     The visiting pastors of the parish have been:  Rev. John Ryan, Lagro, 1862 till September 1865; Rev. B. Kroeger, Peru, September 1865 till December 1866; Rev. George Steiner, Lagro, December 1866 till July 1868; Rev. M. E. Campion, Lagro, August 1868 to 1871.  The resident pastors were:  Rev. F. C. Wiechmann, from February 1871 till October 1879; Rev. M. M. Hallinan, D. D., from November 1879 till November 1881; Rev. John H. Bathe, from December 1881 to May 1898; Rev. P. J. Crosson, from May 1898 to January 30, 1900; Rev. Robert J. Pratt, since January 30, 1900.

2000 update:  St. Bernard's is located within the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

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[Pages 302-304 (See Reference)]
FORT WAYNE.
St. Paul's Church.
1865.
     The Catholics of the northwestern part of Fort Wayne, anxious to improve their church accommodations, took steps to form a new congregation.  A meeting representing the thirty-five families of this district was held, on November 15, 1863.  Bishop Luers approved the intention of these Catholics to build a church, and gave his consent to the purchase of a building site.  A number of other meetings were held to accomplish the end in view.  Some opposition, however, was experienced on the part of Rev. Joseph Weutz, then pastor of St. Mary's Church.  Bishop Luers explained later, that the opposition arose from a misunderstanding.  Finally, on February 2, 1865, property was bought on the southeast corner of Griffith street (now Fairfield avenue) and Washington boulevard, at a [303] cost of $3,500 from George W. Ewing; ten years' time was given to pay the price.  A frame church, 75 feet long and 37 feet wide, was erected at a cost of $3,700.  A unique method of securing funds was resorted to, by renting the pews of the church not yet built.  The church was dedicated, by Bishop Luers, on the first Sunday in October, 1865.  On December 16, 1865, Bishop Luers gave St. Paul's Church their first pastor, in the person of Rev. Edward Koenig; the Bishop himself introducing Father Koenig to the congregation.
     Father Koenig at once organized a School Society and an Altar Society.  The Bishop fixed the 25th of January of each year, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, as the patron feast of the Church.  Already on January 19, 1866, the zealous pastor opened the parochial school, with Louis Weiser as the first teacher and an attendance of sixty-eight children.
     Two additional lots were bought on January 28, 1866, for $5,000.  During Lent, of the same year, the Rosary Society was established, and on March 25th, the Confraternity of the Scapular of Mount Carmel.  Still another lot was bought in July 1866 for $1,400.  Louis Weiser, the first teacher, went to the seminary and Peter Mettler succeeded him as teacher.  In September 1867, the boys and girls began to be taught in separate school-rooms.  Clementine Koenig, sister of Father Koenig, teaching the girls.  The frame school building having become entirely inadequate, a brick school-house was erected at a cost of $3,308, and in September 1868 the same was ready for occupancy.  The same building is used for school purposes at the present time.   When in 1868, Franciscan Fathers gave a Mission, the Young Men's Sodality, under the patronage of St. Anthony of Padua, and the Young Ladies' Sodality, under that of St. Agnes, were established on September 21st.
     The church property is made up of 92x150 feet on the southeast corner, and of 127 1/2x150 feet, on the northeast corner of Washington boulevard and Fairfield avenue; and of 48x150 feet on Washington boulevard; the latter was bought in 1903 and is now used as the priest's house.  The cost of the residence and property was $11,500.  The first property was bought before a priest had charge, Father Koenig bought the second, and the present pastor the last mentioned.
     The present church was erected by Father Koenig in 1886, [304] at a cost of about $55,000.  It was built in the Roman style of architecture.  The furniture is all solid oak.  The seating capacity is about 600.  On January 22, 1898, Father Koenig, after thirty-three years of arduous pastoral work, was called to his reward.
     Bishop Rademacher appointed Rev. H. F. Joseph Kroll, to succeed Father Koenig, on February 21, 1898.  The new pastor found a debt of $17,000 on the church property.  A number of improvements had become necessary, which received immediate attention by Father Kroll.  It was he who bought the present priest's house for $11,500 and converted the former pastoral residence on Fairfield avenue into a school; this residence had been erected by Father Koenig in 1881 at a cost of $6,586.  The school can accommodate about 150 children.  At the present time four Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ have charge of the school.  The school is well graded, eight grades being taught.  The school is supported by St. Paul's School Society.  At present 101 children are in attendance at school.
     Three boys of the parish have become priests and one boy is now at his studies.  Nine girls have become Sisters.
     The parish has 148 families and the total number of souls is 675.  The societies are:  The School Society, 110 members; the Altar and Rosary Society, for married women, 110 members; St. Anthony's Sodality, for single women, sixty-five members; the Boys' Sodality, thirty-four members; the Girls' sodality, forty-two members; the Purgatorian Society, fifty members; the Scapular Confraternity, 150 members; the Sacred Heart League, 250 members, and the St. Joseph's Benevolent League, with sixty-one members.

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[Pages 304-305 (See Reference)]
COVINGTON.
St. Joseph's Church.
1865.
     The succession of priests, who cared for the spiritual welfare of Catholics in Covington an vicinity, were:  Rev. Edward O'Flaherty, prior to 1859,; Rev. Joseph Stephan, from [305] 1859 till 1863; Rev. Joseph Rademacher, from 1863 till 1870; Rev. John Bleckmann, from 1870 till 1875; Rev. Thomas Cahill, from 1875 till 1876; Rev. John A. Mark, from 1876 till 1880; Rev. H. M Plaster, from 1880 till August 15, 1885, first resident pastor; Revs. King, Lentz, Lemper, from 1885 till 1891; Rev. John Tremmel, from August 1891 till September 1, 1905; Rev. Peter Schmitt, since September 13, 1905.
     Father O'Flaherty attended Covington from Crawfordsville.  The number of souls in 1859 was about 350, or sixty families, of Irish nationality.  Father Stephan laid the foundation of the church in 1860, and Father Rademacher completed it in 1865.  Bishop Luers dedicated the building in October, 1867.  The dimensions of this church were 30x60 feet, and the cost was $6,000.  The church grounds consist of two lots and ten feet, donated by a Mr. Daly, during Father O'Flaherty's time.  The church is a brick structure, but in 1875 a frame addition was made to the rear of it, during Father Bleckmann's pastorate.  For a short time this addition was used for a school; the cost of it was about $650.  The priest's house was built by Father Plaster, at a cost of about $2,400.  The debt on the church property at the present time is $300.  The mission, Veedersburg, is attended from Covington on two Sundays of the month.
     At the present time the number of families is fifty-one.  The Rosary Society has fifty-three members.  The men of the parish belong to Catholic Knights of America, Catholic Foresters, or Knights of Columbus.

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[Pages 305-306 (See Reference)]
LEBANON.
St. Joseph's Church.
1865.
     This church, in its earliest days, was called St. Charles' later St. Joachim's, and since 1901 St. Joseph's Church.  It was attended as a station, as early as 1862, when priests visited here from Lafayette, such as Rev. E. B. Kilroy and others.  The Catholic population, at that time, was about sixty-five [306] souls.  The first Church was a building formerly used as a residence and then remodeled for a church, in about 1865, by Rev. Joseph A. Winter who continued to attend till 1870.  Rev. John R. Dinnen visited the place, from 1871 till 1874.  The following were the resident pastors of Lebanon:  Rev. Thomas M. Cahill, from the beginning of 1874 till May 1875; Rev. John Ryan, from May 1875 till December 1878; Rev. L. A. Moench, from 1879 till 1882; Rev. D. J. Mulcahy, from 1884 till the fall of 1886; Rev. Michael F. Kelly, from the fall of 1886 till 1893; Rev. H. A. Hellhake, from 1893 till August 1898; Rev. W. S. Hogan, from August 1898 till 1899; Rev. P. J. Crawley, from June 1899 till July 1905; Rev. James Connelly, since July 1, 1905.
     The first building used for church, bought by Father Winters, was located within a half square of the Court House.  At that time the population was from eighty to ninety souls.  Father Ryan was the pastor, in 1876, when the present church grounds were secured.  He sold the old place, and Father Crawley, by another sale, reduced the church grounds to their present dimensions.  The second church was a building formerly occupied by the Christian denomination.  It could seat 200 persons, and was bought by Father Winters for $300.  This continued to be used for the church until 1901, when the present church was erected by Father Crawley.  Its furnishings are complete in every detail.  The seating capacity is about 450, and it cost $10,000.
     The first priest's house was a story-and-a-half building, bought by Father Dinnen for $200.  It was sold with the first church property.  Father Ryan purchased a house for $300, which Father Crawley repaired and improved at a cost of $1,500; this being the present priest's house.  The church property has a debt of $2,000 on it.  The number of souls at present is 209, or fifty-one families.  Two girls of the parish have entered the convent.
     St. Joseph's has Altar and Rosary Societies, organized 1894.  They have the care of the altar and the sanctuary; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, organized in 1896; also a Sodality for boys and girls.  The altar of the church was donated by the Altar and Rosary Societies.

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[Pages 307-308 (See Reference)]
ARCOLA.
St. Patrick's Church.
1866.
     Early missionaries paid occasional visits to Arcola and vicinity; but, in the year 1866, Rev. P. J. Madden held regular services in an old school-house.  The building of a church was inaugurated by him.  The Rev. Henry Schaefer next attended Arcola from Columbia City.  The Rev. Theodore Van der Poel was Arcola's first resident priest, arriving on Christmas eve an celebrating Mass, as pastor of Arcola, on Christmas day 1867.  The frame church, begun in 1866 by Father Madden, was a neat frame structure and completed by Father Van der Poel, who also built the present priest's house.  The Rev. Theodore Wilken came next to Arcola and built a fence around the church property.  Rev. Bartholomew Hartmann succeeded Father Wilken in 1880.  During his stay of seven years the school-house was built.  The congregation at this time, numbered about seventy families.  Rev. Father Hickmann came next but only remained five or six weeks.  Next came Rev. J. H. Werdein, continuing his pastorate for about four years; then Rev. William J. Quinlan was the pastor for two years, till August 20, 1891; and after him Rev. William Conrad Miller, who remained for a period of four years, till 1895.
     The pastorate of Rev. Robert Pratt at Arcola began June 29, 1895.  It was he who induced the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ to take charge of the parochial school.  It was during his pastorate also that a new brick church was built in 1898.  He also erected the Sisters' residence.  Upon Father Pratt's transfer to Wabash, January 30, 1900, the Rev. S. M. Yenn succeeded him as pastor of St. Patrick's Church, continuing in that capacity for thirteen months.  In March, 1901, the Rev. Peter Schmitt was appointed and remained until September 13, 1905, when he succeeded by Rev. Henry C. Kappel.  The present pastor is Rev. E. J. Mungovan, since June 8, 1907.
     St. Patrick's Parish has thirty-four families, numbering 180 souls.  The school is attended by thirty-three pupils and is taught by one Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ.  The Societies [308] of the parish are:  The Rosary Society, for married women, with seventeen members; the St. Aloysius' Society, for single men, with thirteen members; the Children of Mary, for single women, twenty-five members.  There is no debt on the church property.  Pierceton is a mission attended from Arcola on the second Sunday and Monday of each month.

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[Pages 308-309 (See Reference)]
REYNOLDS.
St. Joseph's Church.
1866.
     The country about Reynolds, less probably than a century ago, was noted principally for its low lands covered with water, sandy ridges appearing here and there, with scant vegetation.  But in the year 1856 the water had receded sufficiently, for a dozen families or more, mostly Irish, to settle in this part of the country.  It was in this year that Rev. Joseph Stephan, residing at San Pierre, began to visit the Reynolds settlement, and celebrate Mass in the home of Michael Vogel.
     The first church was erected from 1866 to 1867, at a cost of about $975.  The Rev. J. A. Winter, assistant priest at St. Mary's Church, Lafayette, was in charge of Reynolds, at the time the church was building.  The ground on which it stands, comprising seven and one half acres, was acquired in the year 1866.  The seating capacity of this church was about 150.  Without much adornment it served its purpose until 1876, when the second and present church was erected for about $6,000 or $7,000, under the direction of Rev. Dominic Meier, O. F. M., who attended Reynolds from Lafayette.  The church is built in the Roman style of architecture, and is a plain, brick building, 64x96 feet, with a seating capacity of 475.
     Several years after the church had been built, a frame school-house, 20x40 feet, was erected at a cost of about $475.  The Sisters of St. Francis were in charge, residing in a small frame house built by Rev. John McMahon, opposite the school-house, in 1869.  The school, however, after a number of years was abandoned, and the Sisters left the place.  Father McMahon moved in the house, vacated by them, but lived in it only a [309] few days, when he departed this life on May 8, 1872.  After this until 1899, the pastors of Reynolds occupied the old church for their residence.
     Rev. John Kubacki, in the year 1899, built the first and present pastoral residence, costing about $2,000.  The church property is free from all indebtedness.  St. Joseph's Church has the Rosary Society, a Young Ladies' Sodality, St. Joseph's Aid Society and the Poor Souls' Confraternity, since 1905.  The number of souls in the parish is 282, or fifty-one families.  One of the girls of this parish has become a Sister of St. Francis.
     The list of priests, having charge of St. Joseph's Church at Reynolds, is the following in their chronological order of succession:  Rev. Joseph Stephan, in 1856; Rev. Joseph A. Winter, 1866 and 1867; Rev. John McMahon, from 1867 till May 8, 1872, when he died; Rev. Burns; Rev. Anthony King; Rev. Anthony Messmann; Rev. Dominic Meier, O. F. M., in 1876; Rev. Ignatius M. Wilkens, O. F. M.; Rev. John B. Schroeder, O. F. M.; Rev. Augustine Beyer, O. F. M.; Rev. Peter Welling, O. F. M.; Rev. Francis S. Schaefer, O. F. M.; Rev. Mattias Zumbuelte, from April 1888 to June 1889; Rev. John Berg, from June 1889 to June 8, 1893; Rev. George Schramm, from June 8, 1893; Rev. John Blum, from December 24, 1895 to November 1, 1896; Rev. John Kubacki, form November 1, 1896 to August 6, 1900; Rev. George Horstmann, from August 6, 1900 to July 4, 1905; Rev. Julius Seimetz, since July 4, 1905.
     The pastor of Reynolds also has charge of the missions, Francisville and Medaryville.

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[Pages 309-311 (See Reference)]
DYER.
St. Joseph's Church.
1867.
     The priests who had charge of St. Joseph's Church at Dyer were the following:  Prior to 1867, Rev. M. P. Wehrle, Turkey Creek.  The following were resident pastors:  Rev. Jacob Schmitz, from April 1867 till July 1870; Rev. B. Theodore Borg, from July 1870 till September 1871; Rev. H. Meissner, Crown Point, September till December 1871; Rev. Bernard [310]Wiedau, from January till December 1872; Rev. Anthony King, from December 1872 till April 1874; Rev. F. J. Freund, from May 24, 1874 till August 1875; Rev. Charles Steurer, from August 4, 1875 till January 30, 1878; Rev. Joseph Flach, from March 5, 1878 till august 3, 1883; Rev. Charles V. Stetter, D. D., from August 23, 1883 till July 29, 1888; Rev. Joseph Flach, again, since July 29, 1888.
     Prior to 1867, the Catholics of Dyer and vicinity were visited by Father Wehrle of Turkey Creek; they were considered members of St. John's Congregation, at St. John.  The first church was a frame building, erected in 1867, by Father Schmitz, the first resident pastor of Dyer.  The church cost from $4,000 to $5,000.  The church grounds comprise about four acres of land.  In 1893, Father Flach improved the church by replastering, frescoing, painting the building and putting in stained glass windows, and in 1899, giving the church a basement, with a chapel, all of which was done at a cost of $2,500.  The church, with its new altars and pipe organ, was now in very good condition; but on December 28, 1902, the entire church and contents were destroyed by fire.  Father Flach, however, went to work and, on July 12, 1903, the corner-stone of a new church was laid by Bishop Alerding.  The present church is a brick and cut stone Gothic structure, 118x43 1/2 feet, with a tower 125 feet high.  The dedication took place on November 26, 1903, the Rev. J. H. Bathe, officiating.  The entire cost of the church is $18,500.  The seating capacity is 400.
     The parochial school was opened in September 1901.  The building of which has been improved since, and a house for the Sisters erected, for $1,600.  Two Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, of Joliet, have charge of the school, teaching the usual grads.  The attendance at school is eighty-seven.
     The priest's house built in 1869 was moved, remodeled and improved, including a new heating apparatus, for $1,700 in 1905.  The church has a debt of $3,675.  The number of souls is 413, consisting of seventy-five families.  Three girls of the parish have become Sisters.
     St. Joseph's Parish has the Society of the Holy Childhood, since 1880; the Young Ladies' Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary, since 1880, forty members; the W. C. O. F., since 1898, [311] fifty members; the C. O. F., sixty-five members, and the Catholic Columbian League, forty members; the Confraternity of Christian Mothers, forty-four members; and the Confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

1999 update: St. Joseph Parish is presently located within the Diocese of Gary, which was established in 1957.
          St. Joseph Parish:
            440 Joliet Street - Dyer, (Lake County), Indiana  46311  Phone: (219) 865-2271.
         Also located in Dyer is:   St. Maria Goretti Parish:
            500 Northgate Drive - Dyer (Lake County), Indiana  46311  Phone: (219) 865-8956.
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[Pages 311-312  (See Reference)]
KENDALLVILLE.
Church of the Immaculate Conception.
1867.
      Although no specific date can be given, it seems to be the opinion, that Rev. Stephen Badin, Rev. Simon Lalumiere, and Rev. Alphonse Munschina, visited Kendallville several years before the establishment of the diocese of Fort Wayne.  Rev. Louis Mueller, residing at Fort Wayne, visited Kendallville a few times.  After him Rev. Julian Benoit came more frequently.  As a rule, however, the Catholics of these regions attended divine services at Avilla, prior to 1865.
     In the year mentioned, Rev. A. B. Oechtering, residing at Avilla, began to visit Kendallville reguarly, celebrating Mass in the house of Peter Ringle.  Owing to the construction of the Grand Rapids and Indiana railroad, the number of Catholics increased, so as to make the building of a church possible.  Lots were bought in what is now known as the West Side, and in the fall of 1866, Bishop Luers laid the corner-stone of the new church.  The erection of this church, however, was abandoned when Father Oechtering bought the Baptists church, which was offered him for $2,200.  This building stood on the corner of Oak and Diamond streets.  In 1867, Father Oechtering was transferred to Mishawaka, and Rev. Dominic Duehmig was made his successor at Avilla, having charge also of Kendallville.  Father Duehmig remodeled the Baptist church, the Ladies' Altar Society assisting him in the purchase of the requisites for the altar and the sanctuary.  Two rooms were added to the rear of the church, for the accommodation of the pastor, when visiting Kendallville.  The full dimensions of church, as it now stands, is 40x70 feet.
     Father Duehmig had charge up to 1884, and after him Rev. Max Benzinger, residing at Summit, until 1887.  From [312] 1887 to 1889 Rev. John Hoss visited Kendallville.  After that date until 1897, it again became a mission attended from Avilla.  In 1897 Rev. George Lauer was made pastor of Ligonier, with Kendallville for a mission; when, however, Rev. John F. Noll was appointed to succeed Father Lauer in 1899, he took up his residence in Kendallville, and since that time Kendallville has had a resident pastor.  Father Noll improved the church property and during his stay lived in a rented house.  His successor, on June 8, 1902, was Rev. John C. Keller.  That same year a residence was built, containing ten rooms, costing $2,500.  On September 18, 1905, a church bell was bought.  The church property has a debt of $1,450.
     The Kendallville Parish has the Altar Society, since 1868, and the Young Ladies' Sodality, since 1903, both for the women.  The Holy Name Society is for the men.  The number of souls is about 201, constituting forty-eight families.
     Priests attending Kendallville, for whom we can give any definite dates, were:  Rev. August B. Oechtering, from 1865 till 1867; Rev. Dominic Duehmig, till 1884; Rev. Max. Benzinger, from Summit, 1884 till 1887; Rev. John Hoss, 1887 till 1889; Rev. Dominic Duehmig, 1889 till 1897; Rev. George Lauer, from Ligonier, 1897 till 1899; Rev. John F. Noll, first resident pastor of Kendallville, 1889 till 1902; and since June 8, 1902, Rev. John C. Keller, second resident pastor.

1999 update: The Immaculate Conception Parish (est. 1867) is presently located  at:
          319 E. Diamond Street - Kendallville, IN  46755  Phone:  (219) 347-2522.
     From 1867 to 1897, Catholics in the Kendalville area were served as a mission of the Church at Avilla.
     From 1897 to ca. 1900, Catholics in the Kendalville area were served as a mission of the Church at Ligonier.
     In 1900, Rev. John F. Noll relocated to Kendalville, from Ligonier, becoming the first resident pastor of Kendallville.  It appears that Ligonier became a mission of Kendallville at this time, and remained a mission of Kendalville until 1935, when the Oblate Fathers located in Ligonier, and provided a new church there.
     From 1902 to 1910, Rev. John Keller was the pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish.  Rev. John Oberholz succeeded Father Keller, remaining until October, 1911, when he was himself succeeded by Rev. George Moorman, who was the pastor until January 1914.
     Others who have served at The Immaculate Conception Parish include:  Rev. Robert J. Halpin, from January, 1914 to July 1924; Rev. C. A. Stoll, 1924 till April 1929; Rev. William J. Ehrman, from April 1929, till July 1939; and Rev. Raymond G. Derrick, from July 1939.

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[Pages 312-313 (See Reference)]
WINAMAC.
[Pulaski County] St. Peter's Church.
1867.
     The spiritual needs of Catholics at Winamac and the surrounding country, were looked after by priests from Logansport, from 1850 to 1867.  Mass in those days was said at the residence of M. D. Falvey.  The Rev. George A. Hamilton erected the first church, a frame structure.  Father Hamilton at that time resided at Logansport.  Rev. Henry Koenig was appointed the first resident pastor, in 1867.  The name of Rev. Charles Kunkel also appears on the baptismal records.  Rev. Bernard Wiedau was the pastor from 1869 to 1870, and [313] again from December 1872 to 1873.  In 1873, Bishop Dwenger gave the Fathers of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood charge of Winamac and the neighboring missions.  Rev. August Reichert, C. PP. S., was the first of these Fathers sent to Winamac, but he remained only a few months when he was recalled, and Rev. Theopistus Wittmer, C. PP. S., was sent to fill his place.  Father Wittmer built a parochial school and engaged the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood to have charge of it, in 1874.  Father Wittmer was recalled in 1876, and Rev. Theobald Schoch, C. PP. S., was made pastor, who in 1883 erected a brick church, 45x95 feet.  Rev. Kilian Schill, C. PP. S., was pastor from 1885 till 1887.  From 1887 to 1897, it was Rev. Otto Missler, C. PP. S., who had charge of the congregation.  Rev. Joseph Uphaus, C. PP. S., was pastor from 1897 till the fall of 1898.  Rev. Leopold Linder, C. PP. S., came next and remained until 1903, when Rev. Valentine M. Schirack, C. PP. S., succeeded him.  This Father met with a fatal accident, on November 15, 1904, on account of a runaway horse, and died almost instantly.  Rev. Virgilius Krull, C. PP. S., succeeded Father Schirack at Winamac, and remained till the end of January 1905, when the present pastor, Rev. Lawrence J. Schirack, C. PP. S., was appointed pastor.
     Winamac has ninety Catholic families, with 440 souls.  The parochial school, with an attendance of seventy-four pupils, is conducted by two Sisters of the Precious Blood.  The church societies have an aggregate membership of 200.  There is no debt on the church property.

1999 update: St. Peter's Parish (est. 1867) is presently within the Diocese of Lafayette, which was established in 1944.
   St. Peter's Parish is located at:
       401 N Monticello Street - Winamac, IN  46996  Phone:  (219) 946-4906.
     From 1850 to 1867, Catholics in the Winamac area were served as a mission of the Church at Logansport.
     Since 1867, St. Peter's has had a resident pastor.
     Others who have served at St. Peter's Parish include:  Rev. V. Meagher, Rev. S. Weigand and Rev. J. J. Becker.

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The Diocese of Fort Wayne, 1857--September 22--1907, A Book of Historical Reference, 1669-1907.  By the Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding.  Fort Wayne: The Archer Printing Co.  1907.
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Copyright 1998, 1999 by Ann Mensch.