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The Diocese of Fort Wayne, 1857--September 22--1907, A Book of Historical Reference, 1669-1907.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 XII.     The Churches--From 1878 to 1887 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  354-372
                                                                                    [Pages 354-372 is on this web page 12]

   FRANKFORT.  Clinton County.  St. Mary's Church.  [est. 1878] . . . . . . . . . . . .354-355
   HAMMOND.  Lake County.  St. Joseph's Church.  [est. 1879] . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355-358
   EARL PARK.  Benton County.  St. John the Baptist's Church.  [est. 1880] . . . . . 358-359
   GOODLAND.  Newton County.  SS. Peter and Paul's Church.  [est. 1880] . . . . 359-360
   ELWOOD.  Madison County.  St. Joseph's Church.  [est. 1881] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360-362
          [Prior to 1868, Elwood was called Quincy.]
   NORTH JUDSON.  Starke County.  SS. Cyril & Methodius' Church.  [est. 1881] . .362-364
   RENSSELAER.  Jasper County.  St. Augustine's Church.  [est. 1882] . . . . . . . . . . . 364-365
   HARTFORD CITY.  Blackford County.  St. John Evangelist's Church.  [est. 1883] . 365-366
   SOUTH BEND.  St. Joseph County.  St. Mary's Church.  [est. 1883] . . . . . . . . . . . 366-369
   TERRE COUPEE.   St. Joseph County.  St. Stanislaus' Church.  [est. 1884] . 369-370
        [Terre Coupee was located at/near New Carlisle, Indiana, west of South Bend.]
   WANATAH.  La Porte County.  Most Precious Blood Church.  [est. 1887] . . . . .370-371
      for Wanatah area see also:
    SCHIMMELS.  La Porte County.  St. Martin's Church.  [est. 1860] . . . . . . . . . . 405-406


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[pages 354-355 (See Reference)]
 FRANKFORT.  Clinton County.
St. Mary's Church.
1878
     The priests, who have had charge of Frankfort from the beginning to the present time, are the following:   Rev. Edward O'Flaherty, Crawfordsville, 1859; Rev. George A. Hamilton, Logansport, 1860; Rev. A. B. Oechtering, Delphi, 1861; Rev. Francis Lordemann, Kokomo, 1874 till 1888; Rev. Leo Molengraft, O. F. M., from 1888 till 1890; Rev. Peter A. Welling, O. F. M., from 1890 till August 1890; Rev. John C. Heitmann, O. F. M., from August 1890 till August 1891; Rev. Ignatius M. Wilkens, O. F. M., from August 1891 till July 1892; Rev. John Blum, from July 1892 till December 24, 1895; Rev. Angelus Haftertepe, O. F. M., from January till August 1896; Rev. Aloysius Kurtz, O. F. M., from August 1896 till August 1898; Rev. Samuel Gelting, O. F. M., from August 1, till September 10, 1898; Rev. P. J. O'Reilly, from September 10, 1898 till June 1899; Rev. F. J. Jansen, from June 1899 till October 30, 1906; Rev. William B. Hordeman, since October 30, 1906.
     There is no record to show, that Father Badin, or any of the earliest missionaries visited Frankfort or its vicinity.  Father O'Flaherty was the first to come from Crawfordsville, in 1859, as well as Father Hamilton, from Lafayette, in the year following.  From the year 1875, Frankfort was attended once a month.  In the beginning, the services were held at the house of Ignatius O'Leary.  A lot 132x150 feet, on the [355] Jefferson gravel road, was bought in 1878 for $150.  A frame structure, 40x20 feet, was erected on it for a church, and everything about the church was primitive and inexpensive.  When Father Lordemann could no longer attend Frankfort, the Bishop gave the Franciscan Fathers of Lafayette charge of it, from 1888 till 1892, and again from 1896 till 1898.
     Rev. John Blum was the first resident pastor, from July 1, 1892 till January 1896.  Bishop Dwenger selected the present location on Walnut and Second streets, 132 feet square, for $1,500.  A Gothic frame structure was erected on it in 1892, costing $4,000.  The dimensions of the church are 72x35 feet.  When Father Blum left, there was a debt of $700.  After this the Franciscan Fathers of Lafayette visited the place twice a month.  During their time an altar, new pews as well as the frescoing of the church were provided.  All the debt had been paid, when Father O'Reilly took charge, and during his stay of nine months, he built the present parochial residence, costing $1,800.  He left a debt of $1,000 after him.  On June 19, 1906, Father Jansen bought a building, 51x17 feet, and moved it on the rear end of the church lot.  It now serves the purpose of a hall, and later on may answer for school purposes.  The cost of this improvement was $500.  Father Jansen left the church at Frankfort, not only free from all indebtedness, but also with some money in the treasury.
     An Altar Society has been in existence, since 1874.  It is for married women, and supplies the necessaries of the sanctuary.  A Men's Society was organized in 1906, and a School Society, in 1905.  The number of souls is 220, consisting of forty-two families.
[pages 355-358 (See Reference)]
  HAMMOND.  Lake County.
St. Joseph's Church.
1879
     The first Catholic families, few in number, who settled on farms in the Calumet region, near the place now called Saxony, came in the year 1860.  They attended the church in Turkey Creek.  In the year following, Bishop Luers, accompanied by Rev. Philip Wegemeyer, the pastor at Turkey Creek, visited these families and celebrated Mass in the home of John L. Knorzer.  [356]  Bishop Luers promised them, that Father Wegemeyer would visit them a few times a year.  Up to 1877, these visits were made by Father Wegemeyer, and by Rev. George Steiner, of Michigan City.  Gradually Hammond began to be a village twelve families of which were Catholic.  These families, and the other families at Saxony, attended Mass in the residence of William Klighe.  At the solicitation of Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, pastor at Turkey Creek, M. Towle donated two lots, on State street near Hohman, in 1879, and in 1880, a donation of one acre of land, on the corner of Hohman and Russell streets, was received from Caroline Hohman.  A small frame church 30x60 feet was erected in the summer of 1879, costing about $1,000; and Mass was celebrated in it, for the first time, by Father Baumgartner in December of the same year.  Until the spring of 1883, the mission of Hammond was attended once a month, from Turkey Creek.  On August 11, 11881, John Verhofen donated one acre of land, situated on Hohman street and the Ridge Road, for cemetery purposes.
     In the year 1883, a priest's house was erected, costing about $2,400, of which Father Baumgartner took possession on April 7, 1883, as the first resident pastor of Hammond.  His useful life came to a close, on May 9, 1885.  The Rev. Philip Rothman, O. F. M., who assisted him during his illness, had charge of the parish till August 10, 1885.  The present pastor, Rev. Henry M. Plaster, has had charge since August 16, 1885.  On May 30, 1883, Bishop Dwenger visited Hammond, on which occasion he blessed the church, administered Confirmation, and also blessed a bell.
     Immediately upon his arrival, Father Plaster erected a one-story building, 24x40 feet, costing $600, for school purposes.  School was opened in September of 1885, a lay-teacher having charge and the attendance being forty pupils.  The following year the Sisters of Providence took charge, and the school building was increased to double its original size.
     In 1886 three acres were added to the cemetery.  In the year 1888, the number of families had increased to such an extent, that the old church and school no longer sufficed, and Father Plaster determined to erect a two-story, 50x100 feet, church and school combination building.  This building was completed at the close of January 1889.  The first story contained [357] four large school-rooms, the second story was used for church purposes, and the cost of the building, including furniture, amounted to about $14,500.  The building was dedicated by Bishop Dwenger, on September 29, 1889.  The old school was remodeled for a Sisters' residence.  In 1893, galleries were built in the church, and the seating capacity increased to 750.  At this time, five acres of ground were secured for a new cemetery for $1,200.  At an expense of $7,300,  residence was built for the Sisters; the building had three-stories and a basement and was completed on December 20, 1894.  A belfry was erected, and a chime of three bells put in, blessed by Bishop Rademacher.  In 1899, an addition was built to the church and school, 26x75 feet, costing $6,000 and a steam heating plant was installed for $1,700.
     In the year 1890, the Polish members of the congregation formed St. Casimir's Parish; and in 1896, All Saints' Congregation was organized, German Catholics only remaining with St. Joseph's Church.  In 1901 the pipe organ was bought for $2,500.  In 1902 the sum of $1,800 was expended for five acres additional to the cemetery.  On December 12, 1904, Rev. H. M Plaster celebrated his Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee and the congregation the silver jubilee of its organization, with great solemnity.  In memory of this ouble jubilee, a new parochial residence was provided.  The building has three-stories and a basement, complete in every particular, including furniture, costing $17,000.
     The following were the pastors in charge of St. Joseph's Church:  Rev. Philip Wegemeyer, Turkey Creek, from 1858 till 1875; Rev. George Steiner, Michigan City, from 1858 till 1875; Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, Turkey Creek from 1875 till 1881; Rev. Charles Rosenbauer, C. SS. R., from 1881 till spring 1883; Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, from April 7, 1883 till May 9, 1885; Rev. Philip Rothman, O. F. M., from May 9, till August 10, 1885; Rev. Henry M. Plaster, since August 16, 1885.
     The following were the assistants at St. Joseph's:  Rev. John Tremmel in 1890; Rev. F. C. Shea, from 1894 till 1896; Rev. Henry C. Kappel, from August 1897 till March 1899; Rev. George Lauer, from March 1, 1899 till July 7, 1899; Rev. John Sand, from July 6, 1899 till July 6, 1901; Rev. Joseph Abel, from July 11, 1901 till June, 1902; Rev. Francis Koch, from June 1902 till October 1903; [358] Rev. Charles F. Keyser from October 1903 to November 6, 1905; Rev. Bruno Soengen, since November 15, 1905.
     Three boys of the congregation have become Jesuits, and three more are preparing for the priesthood.  Six girls have become Sisters.  The Rosary Society, for married people; the Sodalities, for single people; the Holy Angels' Society, for children; the League of the SS. Heart; St. Joseph's Society, have a total membership of 947.  The Foresters have 223 members.
     The school is conducted by nine Sisters of Providence, with an attendance of 367 pupils.  St. Joseph's has 281 families, numbering 1279 souls.  The debt on the church property is $7,553.36.


[pages 358-359 (See Reference)]
EARL PARK.  Benton County.
St. John the Baptist's Church.
1880
     The Rev. John Hoss, pastor of St. Anthony's Church, attended to the spiritual wants of the Catholics in and about Earl Park.  It was during his time, about the year 1880, that the first church was built capable of accommodating about 300 persons.  The records indicate that the Rev. Joseph Stephan, Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, Rev. A. Messmann, Rev. C. Maujay and Rev. Thomas Vagnier, C. S. C., performed pastoral functions here.  The latter was the first resident pastor at Earl Park, from 1887 till August 1895.  The number of Catholic families at that time was about forty.  The pastors, up to that time, were obliged to live in rented houses.  But when Rev. P. J. Weber took charge he bought three lots east of the old church and on it erected a priest's house for $5,500 with all modern improvements.
     A new church now became a necessity and on September 28, 1902, the corner-stone of this new church was laid.  The architecture of the building is Roman, with two massive towers.  The interior decorations and the furnishings are in harmony with the architectural style of the building.  The dimensions are generous; the seating capacity will be sufficient for six-hundred worshippers.
     After the new church was ready for service the old church building was remodeled for a school.  In this building there are three large school-rooms for the children, and eight rooms for the Sisters.  The Sisters of St. Dominic have charge of the school with an attendance of over 100 children.

[pages 359-360 (See Reference)]
GOODLAND.  Newton County.
SS. Peter and Paul's Church.
1880
     Goodland was a mission, from 1872 till October 1903.  The priests, who attended the place, during this time, were the following:  Rev. A. Messmann, Kentland, from 1872 till 1878; Rev. John Hoss, St. Anthony, from 1878 till 1881; Rev. F. X. Baumgartner, Kentland, from 1881 till 1883; Rev. W. Conrad Miller, Kentland, from 1883 till 1888; Rev. A. J. Strueder, St. Anthony, from 1888 till 1891; Rev. Joachim Baker, St. Anthony, from 1891 till 1898; Rev. F. Von Schwedler, St. Anthony, from 1896 till 1898; Rev. F. J. Bilstein, St. Anthony, from 1898 till 1900; Rev. G. A. Zern, St. Anthony, from 1900 till October 1903.  [St. Anthony's, in Benton County]
     Father Zern was the first resident pastor at Goodland, from October 2, 1903 till August 27, 1905, the date of his death in St. Joseph's Hospital at Logansport.  Rev. Francis A. King, residing at Goodland was Father Zern's assistant, from Jne 1902 till August 9, 1903.  Rev. Ignatius F. Zircher hs been the pastor at Goodland, since October 10, 1905.
     In 1877 Goodland had eight Catholic families.  A lot was purchased, in 1880, and a frame church erected, at a cost of about $1,000, Father Hoss attending the place at the time.  The priest's house is a very old dwelling, which stood on one of five lots, purcased in 1902, for $2,400, by Father Zern, attending the mission at the time.
     The present church is a brick edifice, 98x54 feet, with a seating capacity of 400.  The exterior is imitation Gothic and the interior Roman.  It cost about $14,000.  The corner-stone was laid on November 9, 1902, and the church was dedicated, by Bishop Alerding, on July 12, 1903.  The number of souls [360] is 325, consisting of 55 families.  The debt on the church property is $4,200.
     The Societies are:  The Rosary Society, for married women, forty-four members; St. Aloysius' Sodality, for single men, twelve members; the Blessed Virgin's Sodality, for single women, thirty-five members; the Guardian Angel Society, for children, twenty-five members.
     Morocco is a mission attended from Goodland.

2000 update:
     Priests who have served SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church following Rev. Gregory A. Zern, the first resident priest and builder of the church, include:  Rev. Ignatius Zircher, from October 1905 until June 1912;  Rev. A. Henneberger, from October 1913 until December 1921; Rev. Alphonse Miller, C.PP.S., for the first 6 months in 1922; Rev. George Angermaier, from June 1922 until March 1926; Rev. Edmund F. Eisenhardt, who was born in Marion, Indiana, from March 1926 until January 1933; and Rev. A. A. Kohne, from January 1933.
     Newton county is now within the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana, which was established in 1944.  The parish had been within the Diocese of Fort Wayne.
     Since Father Robert is the pastor for 3 parishes, the records for all are located at St. Joseph's, his parish of residence.  Those seeking records from the parishes of St. Joseph's, in Kentland, Newton County; SS. Peter and Paul's, Goodland, Newton County; St. Anthony's (closed), Richland Township, Benton 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 to research these records, in person, at St. Joseph's, where all records for the 4 parishes are located.  The time is not available to answer mail requests.
 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.
  • SS. Peter and Paul Church  [Est. 1880] - Church Profile 
          421 South Newton Street - Goodland, IN 47948  Phone: (219) 297-3224.
       SS. Peter and Paul parish is presently being served by the pastor of St. Joseph's Church, in Kentland.
       The pastor of St. Joseph's, in Kentland, Newton county, also attends to SS. Peter and Paul's, Goodland, Newton County, and St. John the Baptist Church, in Earl Park, Benton County.  Since caring for 3 parishes is so time-consuming, Father Robert requests that those who desire records from these 3 parishes must come, in person, to St. Joseph's, where all records for the 3 parishes, and the no longer existing parish of St. Anthony's, in Richland Township, Benton County, are located, to search the records.  The time is not available to answer mail requests.
  • St. Augusta Church  [Est. 1947] - Church Profile

    •       3228 West State Road 10 - Lake Village, IN 46349  Phone: (219) 992-3220.

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    [pages 327-328 (See Reference)
    Benton County.
    St. Anthony's Church.  1870.
         The earliest visits of a missionary, in these parts, go back to 1862.  St. Anthony's was attended, as a station, by Rev. Joseph Stephan from Renssalaer, from 1863 to 1864.  For a period of five or six years Mass was celebrated, four or five times a year, in the house of Anthony Dehner.  The early Catholic settlers were Germans.
         While residing in Kentland, Rev. A. Messmann had charge [328] of St. Anthony's, where, on April 24, 1869, he organized the nineteen families into a parish, began the building of a church and finished the same in 1870.  It is the present church.  The church grounds are composed of ten acres of land.  In 1869, Anthony Dehner donated five acres for church and cemetery and, in 1876, Bernard Quante donated five acres for priest's house and pasture.  The dimensions of the church are 54x60 feet.  In 1894, Rev. J. Baker made extensive repairs, by lining the ceiling and replastering the church, at a cost of $250 and, in 1898 and 1899, Rev. F. J. Bilstein added a sacristy and had the church frescoed, at a cost of $2,023.  $1,500 of this amount was secured by three funded Masses.  The seating capacity of the church is 240.
         The priest's house was built in 1876, by Rev. F. X. Ege.  It was a one-and-a-half story house to which, in 1884, a kitchen and dining room were added by the Rev. F. J. Lambert.  A barn was built by Rev. J. Hoss, in about 1880 or 1881.  It was struck by lightning and burned.  Another stable was built at once, this too was destroyed by fire in 1899.  The third stable and barn combined were built by Father Bilstein, for $300.  The church property is free of debt.  The number of souls is 157, or twenty-five families.  In 1885, a large number of French Catholics began to come here, so that the parish increased to ninety families, but within ten years the French Catholics left the place.  One girl of the parish has entered a religious community.  The parish has the Rosary Society, since 1892, and the Sacred Heart Society, since 1901.  They have charge of the altar and sanctuary.
         The priest who have been the pastors of St. Anthony's were:  Rev. Joseph Stephan, when a station; Rev. A. Messmann, of Kentland, from 1870 to 1876, when a mission.  The following were the resident pastors:  Rev. F. X. Ege from July 1876 to October 1878; Rev. John Hoss, from October 1878 till June 1884; Rev. F. J. Lambert, from June 1884 till May 1888; Rev. A. J. Strueder, from May 1888 till August 1891; Rev. Joachim Baker, from August 1891 till January 9, 1896; Rev. F. Von Schwedler, from January 9, 1896 till February 16, 1898; Rev. F. J. Bilstein, from February 16, 1898 till October 1, 1900; Rev. G. A. Zern, from October 1, 1900 till October 2, 1903; Rev. F. J. Koch, since October 2, 1903.

    1999 update:
       St. Anthony's Church is no longer in existence.  It was located in the northeast corner of section 7, in the northeast corner of Richland Township, Benton County, and it appears the St. Anthony's/Dehner Cemetery remains near the intersection of CR 200W and CR 800N (Latitude: 404319N, Longitude: 0872148W).
         The sacramental records for St. Anthony's are now located at St. Joseph's Church, in Kentland, Newton County.   Rev. Robert J. Bernotas, the pastor of St. Joseph Church, in Kentland, graciously checked the records, and found that the last baptism, recorded in St. Anthony's records, was dated 24 April 1921.  St. Anthony's Church is, therefore, assumed to have closed near that date.
         Though Benton county is now within the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana, which was established in 1944, from the time the congregation was first visited by Rev. Joseph Stephan, until the year St. Anthony's closed, this parish had been within the Diocese of Fort Wayne.
         Father Robert was kind enough to talk with me about this early parish.  During our conversation, he referred to St. Anthony's as "Dehner's Church".  I found it interesting that even though the church had not existed for almost 80 years, the name of one of the earliest members is retained in this traditional name.
         Father Robert believed that upon the closing of St. Anthony's, some of the parishoners became members of SS. Peter and Paul Church, in Goodland, Newton County, and many joined St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, in Earl Park, Benton County.  Since Father Robert is also the pastor for both of these parishes, the records for all are located at St. Joseph's, his parish of residence.
         One 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 to research these records, in person, at St. Joseph's, where all records for the 4 parishes are located.  The time is not available to answer mail requests.
     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.

        In "The Diocese of Fort Wayne Fragments of History", by The Most Rev. John F. Noll, D. D., (1941), Bishop Noll's historical sketch of the SS. Peter and Paul Church, in Goodland, mentions a small, but interesting detail concerning St. Anthony's.  He writes:  "...During 1863 and 1864 St. Anthony's was attended from the Indian School at Rensselaer by the Rev. Joseph Stephan..."1
     [ Return to History of St. Anthony's ]

    Biographical Sketch:  The Rev. F. Joseph Bilstein.
         "He was born in Oestinghausen, diocese of Paderborn, Germany, on February 12, 1867.  He studied the classics at Havestadt and Paderborn, emigrated to this country, and studied philosophy and theology in the Seminary of St. Francis, Wisconsin.  He was ordained priest by Bishop O'Hara, for the diocese of Scranton, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, on June 7, 1891.  He was assistant at St. Nicholas' Church at Wilkesbarre, Penn. till October 1895, when he came to Fort Wayne.  Assistant at St. Paul's Church, Fort Wayne, October 1895 till February 1898; pastor of St. Anthony's, Goodland and Morocco, from February 1898 till October 1900; pastor of Monterey, with Rochester, Kouts and Culver as missions, since October 7, 1900." [p. 78].3
     [ Return to History of St. Anthony's ]

    Partial list of resources used during research of St. Anthony's:

  • The Diocese of Fort Wayne Fragments of History.  The Most Rev. John F. Noll, D. D.  (Author).  1941.
  • Annals of Benton County.  Elmore Barce.  (Author).  Fowler, Indiana : The Benton Review Shop.  1925.
  • History of Benton County and Historic Oxford.  Jesse Setlington Birch.  (Author).  Oxford, Indiana : Craw & Craw, Inc.  1928.
  • Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana:  Historical and Biographical.  Chicago, Illinois : F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers.  1883.
  • History of Newton County Indiana 1985.  Jasper-Newton Counties Genealogical Society.  (Publisher).  Taylor Publishing Company.  (Printer).  1985.
  • 1900 Census Population Schedules, Indiana.  [Microcopy No. T-623, Roll No. 360].  "Richland Township, Benton County, Indiana."  (Enumeration District No.: 9, Sheet No.: 10B).

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    [pages 329-330 (See Reference)]
    WALKERTON.  St. Joseph County.
    St. Patrick's Church.
    1870.
         Walkerton derived its name from a Mr. Walker, who constructed the Lake Erie railroad from Walkerton to Michigan City.  Prior to that time it was know as East Troy, West Troy and West York.  About 1856, the Rev. Paul Gillen and Rev. John Curley, Fathers of the Holy Cross, residing at Notre Dame, said Mass in an old log cabin on Kyram Devery's farm.  In 1870, Rev. Timothy D. O'Sullivan, residing at Laporte, paid occasional visits to Walkerton.  The number of souls at that time was about forty, mostly Irish.  Father O'Sullivan built the church, a frame structure 45x22 feet, costing about $800.  "The pews had no backs to them, and the window sills served for lamp stands."  Most of the money was collected along the railroad line.  Rev. M. E. Campion, also residing at Laporte, succeeded Father O'Sullivan.  The church at that time was called St. Henry's Church.  In October 1881, the Rev. H. F. Joseph Kroll, pastor at Chesterton, took charge of Walkerton.  From September 1, 1895 to February 4, 1897 Rev. Dominic Shunk, C. PP. S., residing at Wanatah, was visiting pastor.  Next came Rev. Edward Jakob, C. PP. S., till September 1, 1897; Rev. Raymund Vernimont, C. PP. S., till January 18, 1898, both residing at Wanatah.  Rev. Adam M. Buchheit, residing at Wanatah, attended the place till Septembr 10, 1899.
          The first resident pastor was the Rev. Henry C. Kappel, from September 10, 1899 to July 18, 1901.  He bought the house, adjacent to the church, for a pastoral residence.  Father Kappel was succeeded by Rev. Peter Budnik, from July 18, 1901 to June 5, 1902.  Since this latter date, the present pastor, Rev. Joseph Abel, has had charge.
         The church grounds consist of two lots.  In 1866, Father Kroll built a gallery in the church, and procured an organ; and in 1889 he built an addition of 25x45 feet to the church.  Father Shunk, in 1895, erected a belfry and put in it a bell, and in 1896 gave the church stained glass windows.  Father Abel, since his arrival, has made several improvements and [330] many repairs.  The seating capacity of the church is about 150.  The priest's house owes its present, neat appearance to Father Abel.  The church property is out of debt.  St. Patrick's parish has two societies:  The Rosary Society, organized in 1899, and the Sacred Heart Society, in June 1902.  The number of souls at the present time is eighty-one, or twenty-four families.
         The pastor at Walkerton has charge also of the missions Hamlet and Bremen, and the station Knox.

    2000 update:
    St. Patrick parish, in Walkerton, Saint Joseph County, Indiana, is presently within the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, established, in 1857.  The churches located in Laporte county, which are associated with St. Patrick's, are now within the Diocese of Gary, which was established, in 1956, from the Diocese of Fort Wayne.
         In June 1922, St. Thomas Aquinas Church, in Knox, received a resident pastor, and began to also serve the Hamlet mission.  This left only St. Dominic's, in Bremen, as a mission of  St. Patrick's, in Walkerton; having been a mission from the time of the appointment of the first resident pastor, at St. Patrick's, on  September 10, 1899.
         The parish of Sacred Heart, in Wanatah, Laporte County, Indiana, is now within the Diocese of Gary, established, in 1956, from the Diocese of Fort Wayne.
  • St. Patrick Church [First visited ca. 1856; Est. 1870]

    •      801 Tyler Street - Walkerton, IN 46574-1233  +  Phone: (219) 586-7404.
  • St. Patrick School

    •     811 Tyler Street - Walkerton, IN 46574-1233  +  Phone: (219) 586-7405.
  • Sacred Heart Church (Laporte County)

    •     204 Ohio Street - Wanatah, IN 46390  Phone:  (219) 733-2955.

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    [pages 360-362 (See Reference)]
    ELWOOD.  Madison County.
    St. Joseph's Church.
    1881.
         Prior to 1868, Elwood was called Quincy.  The earliest record of visits made by priests here, were the visits of Rev. Michael Clark and Rev. D. Maloney, of Lafayette, and Rev. FitzMaurice, of Anderson.  From 1860 to 1865, Rev. John McMahon attended it from Anderson.  The first Mass was celebrated in the house of John Buchanan, on the corner of Main and Sixteenth streets, in 1862.  The Catholic population at that time consisted of half a dozen families, Irish and German, who were employed on the railroad.  The so-called "section-house," in which Mass was frequently said, may still be seen on South B street.  Aside from these, Mass was celebrated also in the houses of Bernard Bauer, Gustave Kramer and Bridget Smith.  Father McMahon bought two lots of ground on South A street, and his successor, Rev. J. B. Crawley, who attended Elwood from 1865 till 1884, from Anderson, erected the first church.  It was a brick structure, 25x40 feet, with a sacristy 10x10 feet, and was dedicated by Bishop Dwenger, in the fall of 1881.  The cost was $1,500.  Rev. F. C. Wiechmann attended the Elwood mission from 1884 to 1889, from Anderson, on the fourth Sunday of each month.  On July 29, 1889, Elwood received its first resident pastor, in the person of Rev. B. Biegel.  At this time Elwood had a population of 800, with twenty Catholic families; but, owing to the discovery of natural gas, the town increased rapidly.
         A six-room priest's house, costing $1,000, was built next [361] to the little church, upon Father Biegel's arrival.  In 1891, five acres of ground, located about one mile south-west of the town, were bought for a Catholic cemetery, at a cost of $600.  In 1892, the church was enlarged to three times its size, and improved at a cost of $2,500.  A bell also was bought that year.
         A one-room frame building, 26x40 feet, was put up north of the church, for $650.  This was the beginning of the parish school, taught by a lay-teacher, Father Biegel hearing the classes in the priest's house.  A second room, 26x25 feet, costing $550, was added in 1893.  Eight lots adjoining the church property were secured in 1894, for $1,000.  In September of this year, the Sisters of St. Joseph took charge of the parochial school.  A residence was needed for the Sisters, who were living in a rented house across the street; and in 1896, the pastor gave them his own residence.  A new twelve-room, frame priest's house was erected for $3,000, and the house-warming took place on October 3, 1896.  In 1898, the school was damaged by fire, but the loss was fully covered by insurance, and a second story with two rooms was added.
         The corner-stone of the new church was laid on October 8, 1899, by the Very Rev. J. H. Guendling, Administrator of the diocese.  The basement has an elevation of twelve feet.  The building was enclosed in 1900, and on July 14, 1901, the new church was solemnly dedicated by Bishop Alerding.  The church is built of brick and Bedford stone, in the Romanesque style of architecture.  It is 138x56 feet, on of the towers having an elevation of 138 feet, the other 101 feet.  The interior elevation is forty-one feet.  It is heated by steam and has a $3,500 organ.
         In order to gain more school-room, the old church building was converted into a school, and the Sisters' house was enlarged, at a cost of $1,500, in 1901.  Large sized, full relief Stations of the Cross costing $1,500 were secured, in 1902:  a Sacred Heart altar and baptismal font in 1903, for $300: and the basement of the church was paved with cement, for $600.
         In 1905, a livery stable across the street from the church property was bought for $3,500, and shortly after, a house and lot adjoining the church property on the west, for $600.  A creek north of the church property, which had been a source [362] of annoyance to the parish, received a retaining wall, 280 feet long, at a cost of $1,500, paid jointly by the city and the parish.  The church grounds were low and swampy, and it took 10,000 yards of earth, to put the lots in proper condition, at an expense of $1,000.  Three hundred and fifty feet of cement sidewalk, ten feet wide, cost $800, in 1906.  The church grounds have a frontage of 350 feet, with a depth of 228 feet.  There is a debt of $6,700 on the church property.
         Seven Sisters of St. Joseph teach the eight grades and a course of high school.  The school has an attendance of 264 pupils.  There are two school buildings, each containing four rooms, furnishing ample accommodations: but the intention is to erect a school building, to harmonize with the church, in the not distant future.
         St. Joseph's Church has the Rosary Society for the Married Ladies; the Young Men and the Young Ladies' Sodality, for the young people; the Holy Name Society, for the Married Men; the Society of the Children of mary, and of the Infant Jesus for the children.  The Apostleship of Prayer was established, in 1894.  The Catholic Benevolent Legion since 1893, the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1898, the Catholic Order of Foresters since 1900, the Knights of Columbus since 1903, the Ladies Auxiliary of the Ancient Order of Hibernians since 1898 and the Ladies Catholic Benevolent Association since 1903.  The aggregate membership of these organizations is 1148.  These societies have commodious and well furnished quarters, with a reading room and elegant apartments for innocent recreation.  One young man has entered the Brotherhood of Mary, two young men are at present theological students, and four girls have become Sisters of St. Joseph.

    2000 update:
    St. Joseph's parish, in Elwood, Madison County, Indiana, is now within the Diocese of Lafayette, established, in 1944, from the Diocese of Fort Wayne.
  • St. Joseph Church  [Est. 1889] - Church Profile

    •    1306 South A Street - Elwood, IN 46036-1941  Phone: (765) 552-6753.
    The Catholic Churches in existence in Madison county are:
  • St. Mary Church  [Est. 1858] - Church Profile

    •    1115 Pearl Street - Anderson, IN 46016-1789  Phone: (765) 644-8467.
  • St. Ambrose Church  [Est. 1947] - Church Profile

    •    2801 Lincoln Street - Anderson, IN 46016-5067  Phone: (765) 644-5956.
  • St. Joseph Church  [Est. 1889] - Church Profile

    •    1306 South A Street - Elwood, IN 46036-1941  Phone: (765) 552-6753.
  • St. Mary Church  [Est. 1896] - Church Profile

    •    820 West Madison Street - Alexandria, IN 46001-1520  Phone: (765) 724-4459.

    The Catholic Churches in existence in nearby Tippecanoe county, in which the city of Lafayette is situated, are:

  • St. Mary Cathedral  [Est. 1843] - Parish History to 1907 - Church Profile

    •    Mail: Parish Office - 1212 South Street - Lafayette, IN 47901
       Street address: 1207 Columbia Street - Lafayette, IN 47901
       Phone: (765) 742-4440.
  • St. Boniface Church  [Est. 1853] - Church Profile

    •    318 North 9th Street - Lafayette, IN 47904-2597  Phone: (765) 742-5063.
  • St. Ann Church  [Est. 1884] - Church Profile

    •    612 Wabash Avenue - Lafayette, IN 47905-1096  Phone: (765) 742-7031.
  • St. Lawrence Church  [Est. 1895] - Church Profile

    •    1916 Meharry Street - Lafayette, IN 47904-1497  Phone: (765) 742-2107.
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Church [Est. 1951] - Church Profile

    •    535 West State Street - West Lafayette, IN 47906  Phone: (765) 743-4652.
  • Church of the Blessed Sacrament [Est. 1953] - Church Profile

    •     2224 Sacramento Drive - West Lafayette, IN 47906  Phone: (765) 463-5733.

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    [pages 362-364 (See Reference)]
    NORTH JUDSON.  Starke County.
    SS. Cyril & Methodius' Church.
    1881.
         North Judson dates its beginning to 1859, when the P. C. C. & St. L. railroad was built.  Not, however, until 1871 were any Catholics to be found here.  In this year, and the year [363] following, we find only two Catholic families.  The progress of Catholicity was slow, and it was not until the year 1881, that an effort was made by the Catholics to erect a place of worship.  Prior to this, the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood visited the few Catholic families infrequently, celebrating Mass, most probably, in a building situated on East Lane street, North Judson's first hotel.  The present site was donated by Louis and Jacob Keller.
         In the year 1874, the migration of Bohemian families to Railroad and Wayne townships began.  Some eight or ten years later, the Bohemian population increased, and today this section has a larger percentage of Bohemians than any other of the State.  At the time of the building of the church, in 1881, a list shows that the Catholics numbered about twenty-four families, with the Rev. George Fleisch, C. PP. S., their visiting pastor.  Irregular visits were made by the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, of whom the best remembered, by the members of the parish, are the Rev. John Frericks and Rev. Alphonse Grussi.  Under the administration of the latter, the congregation came into possession of a site for a cemetery, donated by Jacob Jachim.  In 1884, Father Frericks, C. PP. S., dedicated the new cemetery.  In 1885, the Rev. Dominic Shunk, C. PP. S., residing at San Pierre, atteded to North Judson.  He was succeeded by the Rev. Casimir Kobylinski, in the year 1891, who was the first resident pastor.  Father Kobylinski remained for two years until the appointment of his successor in the person of the Rev. John F. Kubacki.  In July 1894, Father Dominic again attended to the spiritual wants of the parish.  During the pastorate of Father Kobylinski, the site of present rectory was secured.
         In 1896, Father Kubacki was succeeded by Rev. Peter A. Kahellek, who in return was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bolka, in July 1899.  On November 25, 1904, Father Bolka was transferred to East Chicago and the Rev. Felix Thomas Seroczynski, given charge.  The Rev. C. F. Keyser has been the pastor since June 8, 1907.  North Judson has ninety-six Catholic families, numbering 438 souls.  The church property is free from all indebtedness.  The League of the Sacred Heart has a membership of 100.  San Pierre is a mission attended from North Judson.

    2000 update:
    Starke county has been encompassed by the Diocese of Gary since it was established in 1956.  From 1857 to 1956, this county was included in the Fort Wayne Diocese.

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    [pages 364-365 (See Reference)]
    RENSSELAER.  Jasper County.
    St. Augustine's Church.
    1882.
         The history of St. Augustine's Church and of the Diocesan Orphan Asylum are one and the same, from 1865 until 1887, when the parish was established in Rensselaer, and when the orphans were removed to Lafayette and to Fort Wayne.  In July 1882, Rev. M. Zumbuelte began to build the present brick church at Rensselaer, 37x80 feet, at a cost of about $5,000.  It was completed and dedicated, on January 18, 1885.  At that time the number of souls was about 150.  Six lots of the present church grounds were bought by Bishop Luers.  Rev. George L. Willard was pastor, from March to October 1888.  It was in October of 1888, that the Bishop gave the Fathers C. PP. S., charge of St. Augustine's Congregation, at Rensselaer, and the first of these Fathers appointed pastor was Rev. Anthony Dick, C. PP. S., who had charge until July, 1891.  After him came Rev. Stanislaus Neibrg, C. PP. S., who gave the church new windows, new altars, a beautiful chandelier and frescoed the interior, paying also a debt of $600, which still rested on the church.  While pastor of St. Augustine's, Father Neiberg was also professor at St. Joseph's College.  Rev. Francis Schalk, C. PP. S., was the pastor from September 1896 till February 1897.  He was succeeded by Rev. Bernard Dickmann, C. PP. S., who on account of sickness went south.  After him came Rev. Edward Jakob, C. PP. S., who remained until June 1899.  Rev. Charles Notheis, C. PP. S., was pastor for three months only, from June till September 1899.  Rev. Thomas Meyer, C. PP. S., has been the pastor of St. Augustine's Church, since September 1899.
         During Father Meyer's pastorate a two-story, brick school-house was built, and was dedicated in August, 1903, by Bishop Alerding and was opened in September, of the same year, with an attendance of about sixty-seven children.  The Sisters of the Most Precious Blood have charge of the school.  In July 1905 the six lots adjoining the church property were bought for $3,500.  The house on one of these lots is now the Sisters' residence.  The church grounds comprise an entire block. [365] The church property has a debt of $1,000.  The congregation has 109 families, numbering 562 souls.  Sixty-one children attend the school, taught by two Sisters.  Two hundred and seventy-three parishioners are members of one or other of the societies:  The Christian Mothers', the St. Aloysius', St. Rose's, the Holy Childhood, the Catholic Foresters, and the Lady Foresters.

    2000 update:
    Jasper county has been encompassed by the Diocese of Lafayette since it was established in 1944.  Prior to 1944, this county was included in the Fort Wayne Diocese.

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    [pages 365-366 (See Reference)]
     HARTFORD CITY.  Blackford County.
    St. John Evangelist's Church.
    1883.
         It appears, that Rev. John Ryan, residing at Lagro, visited Hartford City in the year 1856.  He celebrated Mass, as did those priests who came after him up to the year 1883, in the homes of Daniel O'Connell, John Hollisey, Denis Noonan, John McManamon, Jerry and Petrick Kirby, Denis Shay, Jerry Cashman, John Collins, John Trant, John Hogan, Thomas Maxwell and John Dougherty.  After Father Ryan, came Rev. Lawrence Lamoor, Rev. Martin Noll, Rev. William Schmidt, Rev. P. M. Frawley, Rev. Michael F. Kelly, Rev. James F. Twigg, Rev. Anthony Strueder and Rev. John Grogan.  These priests were visiting, not resident pastors.
         Father Grogan, who attended Hartford City twice a month, built the first church, in 1883.  It was a plain frame building, but it answered the needs of the poor and small congregation at that time.  The discovery of natural gas brought many manufacturing interests to Hartford City, and also increased the number of Catholics there.  Bishop Rademacher sent Rev. Charles Dhe to Hartford City, as its first resident pastor, in March 1894.  He proceeded at once to build a pastoral residence.  The frame church was in a delapidated condition and stood in need of repairs and improvements.  But it soon became apparent, that a new church must be built to accommodate the congregation.  In the fall of 1897 ground was broken for the foundation, in the presence of several thousand visitors from the surrounding country.  Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Bishop Rademacher, Rev. J. F. Delaney, of Fort Wayne, preaching the sermon.  In the afternoon, the [366] Bishop administered the sacrament of confirmation to forty-two persons.
         The present St. John's Church is a brick structure, of Gothic architecture, the spire rising to  height of 100 feet.  The seating capacity is 350.  The ground, on which the church and the other buildings stand, comprises, one-half of a block.  On this ground stand St. John's Church, the Holy Family School, the pastoral residence and the Sisters' house.  The school was erected in 1904 costing, inclusive of furnishings, $8,000.  It is a two-story building, 60x60 feets, with four school-rooms and will accommodate 160 children.  Three Sisters of Providence have charge of the school, attended by 118 children, and the usual eight grades are being taught.  They reside in the house erected by Father Dhe, upon his arrival in Hartford City, in 1894.  The present pastoral residence was erected, by Father Dhe, in 1904, costing, everything included, $6,000.
         St. John's has ninety-two families, numbering 436 souls.  The amount of indebtedness on the church property at the present time $7,800.
        Rev. Charles Dhe had charge of Hartford City and its mission, from March 1894 to July 11, 1906, since which date the Rev. John F. Noll is the resident pastor.  Since his advent to the parish he has made a number of repairs and improvements, amounting to several hundred dollars.
         The societies of the parish are:  The Holy Name Society, for married and single men, now being organized; the Altar Society, for married women, sixty-six members; the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin, for single women and girls, fifty-two members; the Holy Angels' Society, for children, sixty-three members; St. Aloysius' Society, for boys, sixteen members; and a Dramatic Club.

    2000 update:
    Blackford county has been encompassed by the Diocese of Lafayette since it was established in 1944.  Prior to 1944, this county was included in the Fort Wayne Diocese.

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    [pages 366-369 (See Reference)]
    SOUTH BEND.  St. Joseph County.
    St. Mary's Church.
    1883.
         There were some German Catholic families living in South Bend, as early as 1850.  They attended Mass at Notre Dame, and later at St. Joseph's Church on the East side of St. Joseph's [367] river.  When St. Patrick's Church was built on West Division street, the Germans contributed towards it and worshipped there.  The Rev. Joseph Carrier, C. S. C., was probably the first priest to preach to the German Catholics in their mother tongue, at St. Patrick's Church.  Several attempts were made, at different times, to organize and form a German parish, but for various reasons these efforts were unsuccessful.  While attending St. Patrick's Church, the German Catholics organized the St. John's Benevolent Society, on March 25, 1879.  This society induced Bishop Dwenger, to secure for the German Catholics the services of Rev. Paul Kolopp, C. S. C., a newly ordained priest, who, having charge of the German Catholic element, resided with the pastor of St. Patrick's Church.  He came as such in June 1880, but remained only for a short time.
         At last, in February 1882, the Rev. Peter Johannes, C. S. C., was appointed the first regular pastor of the Germans in South Bend.  The ground, on which St. Mary's Church stands, measures 99x221 feet, and was bought in July 1882, for the sum of $2,100.  On August 22, 1883, the corner-stone was laid for the new church, which was given the name of the Assumption Church.  The first services were held in it on Christmas, 1883, and Bishop Dwenger solemnly dedicated it, on May 11, 1884.  It is a plain frame structure, 76x36 feet, with a sacristy on the rear and cost about $4,500.  The cupola on the church has a small bell in it, but an extra bell tower was erected, near the sacristy, for a large bell donated by George Dotterwick.  The congregation, at this time, consisted of about fifty families.
         A school was opened in the sacristy of the church, in January 1884, with an attendance of twenty-seven children.  The accommodations being insufficient a one-story frame building, 25x50 feet, was erected and ready for use by November, 1884.  In the summer of 1891, another story was added to this building, thus affording four class-rooms, with accommodations for about 240 children.  Sisters of the Holy Cross have been teaching the school, from the beginning.
         In the mean time, the church had been fitted up with three Gothic altars, different statues, pews and a small gallery with a reed organ.  A Redemptorist Father gave the first mission in this church in September, 1886.  One night, during [368] the mission, a dreadful hail storm swept over South Bend, and destroyed every window on the north side of St. Mary's Church; and the rain fell in such torrents, that the people could not leave the church, till two o'clock in the morning.  Since 1888, a number of Hungarians settled in South Bend, and Father Johannes took special interest in their spiritual welfare, until a parish of their own was organized.
         Up to August 1895, Father Johannes resided with the pastor of St. Patrick's Church; but it was then determined to purchase the house and lot adjoining St. Mary's Church, for a pastoral residence.  The lot measures 50x221 feet, the house is a one-story frame building, with six rooms and both cost $3,000.  A kitchen and bath-room have been added since.  In the course of time, a hot air furnace was put in the church, sewer connections were made for the house and school, and the streets improved.  Extensive improvements however were made in 1903, in preparation for the Silver Jubilee of Father Johannes; stained glass windows, two large chandeliers, a new pipe organ, redecoration of the church, painting of all the buildings, interior renovation of the parochial residence--all this was done and paid for.
        The Silver Jubilee of the beloved pastor took place on October 12, 1903, and it was a great day ever memorable in the history of the parish.  But Providence abruptly terminated the useful life of Father Johannes, for on the night of October 27, 1904, having suffered a stroke of apoplexy, he was found dead in his bed in the morning.  His successor, Rev. J. M. Scherer, C. S. C., took charge of St. Mary's Church on All Saints day 1904, and has continued to be its pastor to the present time.  He found the congregation indebted, to the amount of $2,600.  He found also that many repairs had to be made necessitating an outlay of $300, leaving a balance at the end of 1905 of less than $2,000 indebtedness.  In 1906 the gallery of the church was enlarged, to accommodate the children.  The seating capacity of the church is 425.  The present debt on the church property is $1,700.  The number of souls is about 800, or 190 families.
         Societies of the parish are:  The Sacred Heart Altar Society for Married Ladies; the Young Ladies Sodality; the Guardian Angel Society; the St. John's Benevolent Society; [369] the Catholic Knights of America; the Uniformed Rank C. K. of A.; the St. Aloysius Young Mens' Society.  The aggregate membership is 346.  Three boys of the parish have become priests and two girls sisters.
         The parochial school is conducted by four Sisters of the Holy Cross, with an attendance of 153 pupils.

    2000 update:
    St. Joseph County is encompassed by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.


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    [pages 369-370 (See Reference)]
    TERRE COUPEE.   St. Joseph County.
    St. Stanislaus' Church.
    1884.

         The emigration of Polish Catholic settlers in Terre-Coupee, and the surrounding country, began in about 1870, in consequence of Russian and Prussian persecution in Poland.  As a station Terre Coupee was visited by Rev. Valentine Czyzewski, C. S. C., Rev. F. X. Szulak, S. J., and Rev. Ludwig Madgzicki, C. R., celebrating Mass in the woods and in log cabins.
         The first church was a small frame structure, 60x30 feet, built by Father Czyzewski in 1884, at a cost of $1,800.  As a mission, Terre Coupee was attended once a month by priests residing, either Notre Dame, or South Bend.  The names of Rev. Alexander Kirsch, C. S. C., Michael Lauth, C. S. C., Rev. V. Czyzewski, C. S. C., appear on the records.  The first resident pastor of Terre Coupee was Rev. W. Zborowski, during whose pastorate, in 1888, one and a half acres of ground were purchased for $185.50.  He was succeeded by Rev. George Kolesinski from January 1894 until May 11, 1901, when Rev. Alexander Buechler took charge and is the pastor at the present time.  During his pastorate, in 1903, the present church was commenced and was dedicated, in 1906.  It is built in the Gothic style of architecture, has Gothic altars, confessional, pulpit, altar-railing and pews.  The cost of the church was a little less than $23,000.  The seating capacity is 460.
         The old church was used also as a school for fifteen years, the Blessed Sacrament being removed to the sacristy during school hours.  Since the erection of the new church, the old church is used for school purposes exclusively.  When Terre [370] Coupee was a mission, Brothers of the Holy Cross taught the school.  At present one lay-teacher has charge of seventy-three pupils.
         The priest's house was built in 1888, by Father Zborowski and has been improved by Father Buechler, by the installation of an electric light plant, which gives light also to the church and school.  The church property has a debt of $8,000.  The congregation numbers about 538 souls, or 139 families.
         St. Stanislaus' Parish has the St. Stanislaus Kostka's Society, for the Men, since 1901; the Sacred Heart League, since 1890, for the Married Women, and the Young Ladies' Sodality, since 1902; with an aggregate membership of 136.  The mission Rolling Prairie is attended from Terre Coupee every Sunday.


    2000 update:
    St. Joseph County is encompassed by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.


    St. Stanislaus Kostka
          55756 Tulip Road - New Carlisle, IN 46552-9734    Phone: (219) 654-3781

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    [pages 370-371 (See Reference)]
    WANATAH.  La Porte County.
    Most Precious Blood Church.
    1887.

          The Church of the Most Precious Blood, in Wanatah, was established in the year 1887.  The number of souls at that time was about thirty families, four-fifths German and one-fifth Irish.  Prior to 1887, these Catholics were members of St. Martin's Church, at Schimmels.  Rev. Dominic Shunk, C. PP. S., was made the first pastor in June, 1887, and remained until February 1897.  The present church was built by him, and dedicated by Bishop Dwenger on November 12, 1887.  It is a frame structure, 35x80 feet, with a seating capacity of about 350.  It was built at an outlay of $6,000.  In 1888, Father Shunk built a large frame school-house, with which a residence for the Sisters was connected, at a cost of $2,500. The Sisters, C. PP. S., had charge of the school up to June 1904, when the school was discontinued, the attendance of pupils at the time being only about sixteen.  In the same year, Father Shunk built the priest's house, for $1,800.  During Father Shunk's pastorate, Schimmels, San Pierre, Walkerton, Westville, Hamlet, Wheatfield, North Judson were missions and Knox a station, attended from Wanatah.
         The second pastor was Rev. Edward Jakob, C. PP. S., having charge also of Schimmels, Walkerton, and Hamlet.  The third pastor was Rev. Raymond Vernimont, C. PP. S., from September 22, 1897 to September 8, 1898, having charge of the same missions.  On September 8, 1898, Bishop Rademacher appointed Rev. Adam M. Buchheit pastor at Wanatah, with Schimmels, Walkerton and Hamlet for missions.  He remained until November 21, 1906, being transferred to St. John, in Lake county.  Rev. John Rech had charge of Wanatah and its mission Schimmels, till June 8, 1907, when Rev. John Oberholz was appointed pastor.
         Until 1887, Rev. Michael O'Reilly of Valpairaso said Mass once a month, on week days, at Wanatah in Patrick Lyons' house for the Irish Catholics living at Wanatah.
         The church grounds comprise forty-three and a half acres.  Two acres of this were donated by the Hon. M. Tucker a non-Catholic, on which to build a church, but on the day of the dedication of the church, November 12, 1887, the same generous gentleman donated the other forty and a half acres.  The lot opposite the church, used for a hitching place, was donated by Roman Gruse, a member of the congregation.  David Condon gave $300 for the erection of a school.  The debt at present is $2,250.  The number of families is forty-two, aggregating 194 souls.
         The Church Societies are:  the Apostleship of Prayer, established 1905; the Young Ladies' Sodality of the Immaculate Conception, march 13, 1905; the Christian Mothers', October 1901; and the Archconfraternity of the Most Precious Blood, with a membership of 154, October 27, 1901.  Six girls of the parish became members of three different sisterhoods.
         The mission Schimmels is attended from Wanatah.+

    +Schimmels, earlier known as Schimmelsville, was historically located about 2 miles north of LaCrosse, in La Porte County, Indiana.  See the History of St. Martin's, in Schimmels, now located in Lacrosse.  St. Martin's appears to be tended as a mission of the church at Wanatah presently (2001).
    ++Rev Timothy O'Sullivan, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Laporte, from 1870 until June 1880, was reported to visit Wanatah as a mission.


    2001 update:
    Most Precious Blood parish, in Wanatah, La Porte County, Indiana, is presently within the Diocese of Gary , which was established, in 1956, from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, established, in 1857.  When Bishop Dwenger gave permission, in 1887, for a new church in Wanatah, it was served by the priests of the Order of the Most Precious Blood Society, for which the church was named.  The pastor of Sacred Heart church reported that the parish historian had determined that in 1911, the name of Most Precious Blood parish was changed to the Sacred Heart parish. (per phone conversation, between Father Gerald H. Schweitzer and Ann Mensch, on 5 Mar 2001).
     
  •  Sacred Heart Parish  - information

    •     108 N. Ohio Street - P.O. Box 386- Wanatah, IN 46390
       Phone:  (219) 733-2955  E-mail:  sachrt@netnitco.net.
     
  • St. Martin of Tours Parish [est. 1860] (LaCrosse, LaPorte County, Indiana)

    •     Mailing address:  P.O. Box 386 - Wanatah, IN 46390  Phone: (219) 733-2955.
    + Schimmels, earlier known as Schimmelsville, was historically located about 2 miles north of LaCrosse, in La Porte County, Indiana.  It appears that St. Martin's parish was first located in "Schimmels, Indiana".  In 1941, The Most Rev. John F. Noll wrote briefly of the earlier St. Martin's, in the book, The Diocese of Fort Wayne, Fragments of History:  "At one time this little parish had several farmer parishioners of considerable wealth, but they have either been taken by death or moved away."  The Catholics in the Wanatah area also attended St. Martin's at Schimmels, until 1877, when the Rev. Dominic Shunk, C. PP. S. was appointed the resident pastor at Wanatah, and built a church, dedicated to the Most Precious Blood, in that town.
         That early St. Martin's, in Schimmels was destroyed by fire.  In 1932, a new church was built at the nearby village of LaCrosse, which is situated about 2 to 3 miles south of the earlier church's location, with the money paid by the insurance company following the fire.  The new St. Martin's congregation was originally, and is presently, served by priests in residence at the Catholic Church at Wanatah.
         The St. Martin of Tours Cemetery is located on 875W between 1800S & 1850S, which appears to be the approximate location of the first St. Martin's Church.

    See Alerding's, History of St. Patrick's Parish, in Walkerton (St. Joseph County), an early mission of Sacred Heart.
    The Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery is located in Porter County, on the LaPorte and Porter Counties' line.


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    [pages 405-406 (See Reference)]
    SCHIMMELS.  La Porte County.
    St. Martin's Church.
    1860.

          Schimmels, formerly known as Schimmelsville, is situated about two miles north of Lacrosse.  In the year 1856, Mass was said for the first time in the house of Joseph Preis, Sr., by an old German priest, Rev. Andrew Tusch.  The congregation was organized in 1859, by Rev. Martin Sherer, pastor at Laporte.  The present church was built by him, in 1860.  The church grounds consist of four acres, donated by Daniel Callahan, now of Toledo, Ohio.  Patrick and Richard Huncheon donated a few acres for cemetery purposes.  The priests, who supplied the spiritual wants of St. Martin's congregation, follow in their chronological order:  1.  Rev. Andrew Tusch.  2.  Rev. martin Sherer, pastor at Laporte.  3.  Rev. Gabriel Volkert, assistant at Laporte.  4.  Rev. Julius Becks, pastor at Michigan City.  5.  Rev. J. Stephan, pastor at San Pierre.  6.  Rev. Peter Franzen, the first resident pastor, from October 1878 to April 1881.  7.  Rev. Philibert Altstaetter, O. F. M., residing at Lafayette, from may 1881 to August 25, 1881.  8.  Rev. Markus Kreke, O. F. M., residing at Lafayette, from August 28, to December 1881.  9.  Rev. John Frericks, C. PP. S., residing at Indian Creek, now Pulaski, from December 1881 to April 1885.  10.  Rev. Christian Nigsh, C. PP. S., residing at Winamac, from april to July 1885.  11.  Rev. Dominic Shunk, C. PP. S., residing at San Pierre, from July 1885 to 1888 and at Wanatah, from 1888 to February 1897.  From this date St. Martin's Church was attended by pastors residing at Wanatah.  12.  Rev. Edward Jakob, C. PP. S., until September 1897.  13.  Rev. Raymond Vernimont, C. PP. S., till September 8, 1898.  14.  Rev. Adam M. Buchheit till November 21, 1906.  15.  Rev. John Rech till June 8, 1907.  16.  Rev. John Oberholz, since June 8, 1907.


    2001 update:
    +Evidence supports that Schimmels, earlier known as Schimmelsville, was historically located about 2 miles north of LaCrosse, near the Dewey and Cass townships boundary, in La Porte County, Indiana.  It appears that St. Martin's parish was first located in "Schimmels, Indiana".  In 1941, The Most Rev. John F. Noll wrote briefly of the earlier St. Martin's, in the book, The Diocese of Fort Wayne, Fragments of History:  "At one time this little parish had several farmer parishioners of considerable wealth, but they have either been taken by death or moved away."  The Catholics in the Wanatah area also attended St. Martin's at Schimmels, until 1877, when the Rev. Dominic Shunk, C. PP. S. was appointed the resident pastor at Wanatah, and built a church, dedicated to the Most Precious Blood, in that town.
         That early St. Martin's, in Schimmels was destroyed by fire.  In 1932, a new church was built at the nearby village of LaCrosse, which is situated about 2 to 3 miles south of the earlier church's location, with the money paid by the insurance company following the fire.  The new St. Martin's congregation was originally, and is presently, served by priests in residence at the Catholic Church at Wanatah.
         The St. Martin of Tours Cemetery is located on 875W between 1800S & 1850S, which appears to be the approximate location of the first St. Martin's Church.
  • St. Martin of Tours Parish [est. 1860] (LaCrosse, LaPorte County, Indiana)

    •     Mailing address:  P.O. Box 386 - Wanatah, IN 46390  Phone: (219) 733-2955.

         The Sacred Heart Parish (Most Precious Blood), in Wanatah, La Porte County, Indiana, is presently within the Diocese of Gary , which was established, in 1956, from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, established, in 1857.  The priests from this Wanatah parish serve the Catholic congregation of St. Martin's at LaCrosse (Dewey Township), La Porte County, Indiana.
     

  •  Sacred Heart Parish  -information

    •     108 N. Ohio Street - P.O. Box 386- Wanatah, IN 46390
       Phone:  (219) 733-2955  E-mail:  sachrt@netnitco.net.
    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, 2000, 2001 by Ann Mensch.