Ch. VI Old St. Peter's
-------------
CHAPTER VI.
-------------

OLD ST. PETER’S.


   It had at length become evident to all that the two German parishes could not be united, and that each one must thenceforth maintain a separate existence as best it could. Rev. Michael Dechant, successor to Father Kuhn, arrived on this scene of action August 10th, 1871, and took up his residence in the brick parsonage of old St. Peter’s. He held divine services in both places every Sunday, and, although new St. Peter’s outnumbered the other parish by more than two to one, he made the services as equal as possible so as to appear impartial, and to remove all cause of irritation. For a brief space of time harmony prevailed, and a friendly spirit was exchanged between pastor and people. Old St. Peter’s, however, felt itself much aggrieved, and in one respect at least, had just cause for complaint. Its cemetery was interdicted, and they were compelled to bury their dead in the cemetery of new St. Peter’s. Complaints soon reached the ears of Father Dechant and he immediately set to work to have the censure removed. At this time there was no Bishop; Bishop Rappe had resigned, and no one had as yet been selected to succeed him, the administration of the diocese was in the hands of Rev. Edward Hannin, and to him the cemetery complication was referred for adjustment. He declined to act, and held the matter in abeyance till the arrival of the new Bishop, whose selection was then daily expected, but was in reality yet several months off. The administrator’s reply was: “There will be no funeral so soon.” Death, however, declines to be enjoined, and shortly after there were three funerals in old St. Peter’s parish in just so many weeks. One of these was peaceably interred in new St. Peter’s cemetery, but the relatives of the others refused compliance, and buried their dead in old St. Peter’s cemetery without mass or ministration of priest, in defiance to the interdict. April 14th, 1872, Rt. Rev. Richard Gilmour was consecrated Bishop of Cleveland, and exactly one month later, namely,

(p. 50)

May 14th, he took the matter under consideration, at once removed the interdict, permitted them to bury their dead in their own cemetery, and peace was once more restored, but it was short-lived.

   Another cause of irritation was the question of re-imbursement. The members of the new parish had all belonged to old St. Peter’s, and had there contributed their moneys for many years and now demanded that a part be paid back to them. The question was submitted to the Rt. Rev. Bishop, who on June 12th, 1872, came to Norwalk, made a personal investigation, and decided that a pro rata division of the property should be made. Three disinterested men were selected to appraise the property and to fix the proportion to be paid to the new parish. The property was then valued at $6,000. and three-fifths was considered a reasonable amount to be refunded. The Bishop on hearing this, withdrew his former decision, on the ground that it would ruin old St. Peter’s, and terminated the matter by adjudging that $1,000. be paid, with the understanding that, if old St. Peter’s became abandoned, the property then left should revert to the new German parish. This was decidedly favorable to the old parish and was at once assented to by them, and the new parish, out of deference to the Bishop, quietly acquiesced. The following is a copy of the note drawn up on this occasion:

For value received, and in consideration of a final settlement of the matters in dispute between the congregations of the old St. Peter’s church, and the new congregation at Norwalk, O., we promise to pay R. Gilmour, Bishop of Cleveland, one thousand dollars, one-half to be paid within one year, and the other half within two years.
    NORWALK, O., June 17th, 1872.
F.X. Kraus,
Jos. Saladin,
Christian Simon,
Benjamin Gruenfelder,
Councilmen.

   Promising to give old St. Peter’s a separate pastor within a month or two the Bishop departed, and the dispute was forever done away with. Father Denchant’s pastorate at old St. Peter’s ended on July 20th, 1872, on which day he moved into the city and became the first resident pastor of the new parish. The school had been for a year in charge of Frank Arens, had about forty pupils and was promising. In the following September Minnie Lais was engaged as a teacher and held that position for two years.

   July 23rd, 1872, Rev. Gustave Drolshagen arrived in Norwalk and presented to the councilmen of old St. Peter’s the following document from the Bishop:

To the Members of Old St. Peter’s Church, Norwalk, Ohio:

The Rev. Gustave Drolshagen is hereby appointed to the pastorship


(p. 51)

of St. Peter’s congregation. He is appointed according to, and subject to the agreement made between me and the congregation. In presenting him to you as your future pastor, I pray God to bless you, and to bless his work amongst you. Pray God that this will be the end of the trouble that has so long disturbed the peace amongst you, and disturbed that Christian charity that should ever distinguish the true Catholic and follower of Christ.
   Given under my hand, July 22nd, 1872.
R. GILMOUR, Bishop of Cleveland.

   Old St. Peter’s was much diminished by the split, retaining scarcely forty-five families, and it was exceedingly difficult for them the defray the current expenses. Father Drolshagen went to work in great earnestness; he had re-organized the Altar Society with thirty-three members. His financial accounts, as they now appear, were poorly kept, but indicate that the annual income from all sources was less than $1,000. He did not remain long. His publication book shows that on the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, about September 30th, 1873, he preached his farewell sermon and left the parish. For the balance of that year old St. Peter’s had no pastor, but its spiritual wants were attended to by the neighboring priests, principally by Father Denchant, of Norwalk.

   On the second Sunday after the Epiphany, January 18th, 1874, Rev. George Peter made his debut as pastor of old St. Peter’s, as appears from his publication book. There was no school when he came, but at the first meeting of the councilmen, who were F.X. Kraus, Christian Simon, Benjamin Gruenfelder and Joseph Saladin, it was decided to hire a teacher for six months, and if necessary raise the pew rent to $8. per sitting in order to pay the teacher. Mr. Benedict Kuenz was hired to teach the school, but five months later resigned this school to accept that of the new parish. The financial report, read to the congregation at the expiration of the year 1874 gives the total receipt to be $1,558.76, after defraying all current expenses, and likewise the balance due to the new parish, there was a surplus cash of $26.06 in the treasury. Benjamin Gruenfelder was treasurer and F.X. Kraus secretary.

   September 1st, 1874, the school and choir were given in charge of Miss Rosa Kuhn at a salary of $25 per month. In November of this year the church and school building were insured for the first time; the policy of the former called for $3,000., that of the latter for $800. Mr. C.P. Venus of Norwalk, agent. The councilmen for 1875 were the same as in the previous year; but Mr. F.X. Kraus resigned on November 9th, 1875, and the congregation having diminished still more, they had but two councilmen this time forward.

  Father Peter left the parish October 30th, 1875, and was the next day succeeded by Rev. Peter Kolopp, who remained till June 26, 1881.

(p. 52)

Benjamin Gruenfelder and Benedict Frey were councilmen during his entire pastorship, the former being treasurer and the latter secretary.

   School was continued but only five or six months per year. Miss Emma Zeiszler was teacher for two terms, and after her Miss Addie Reinkins taught a number of terms. The annual receipts had fallen to $900. per year, and it became more evident as time went on that the place could not maintain a resident pastor. June 26th, 1881, Father Kolopp was transferred to Avon, and for a year and a three months the parish was attended from Monroeville by Rev. John M. Puetz, who said one mass here every Sunday. He placed the school in charge of Miss Louisa Sterner for $25.00 per month salary. There were still thirty-six pupils. Miss Sterner resigned, and on May 11th, 1882, the school was entrusted to Mary Mehling at the same salary. The parish had by this time fallen short in its finances, and in order to pay up arrears, as well as to make some needed repairs three acres of land, being the southern portion of the plat bought in 1865 for pastoral residence, were sold to Mrs. Margret Batchmann on June 14th, 1882, for $177.

   Rev. Fredrick Ludwig was the next resident pastor. He arrived at St. Peter’s October 13th, 1882. He was appointed to the position by Rt. Rev. Mgr. Boff, who was then administrator, the Bishop having then gone to Rome. He immediately engaged Miss Philomena Lais, at $25. per month to teach the school for one year. On Sunday, November 12th, Father Haverstadt, S.J., began a mission - the last in old St. Peter’s - during which he organized a St. Aloysius Society of seven young men, and a sodality of thirteen young ladies. A mission crucifix was planted in front of the communion railing, and still remains there. The forty hours devotion was connected with the mission. Father Ludwig remained but a short while, and on January 25th, 1883, resigned old St. Peter’s and accepted the position of assistant at St. Stephens’ church, Cleveland, O.

   From February 1st, 1883, to August 1st, 1886, old St. Peter’s was again attended as a mission by Rev. John M. Puetz, of Monroeville, O. During this interval several families severed their connection with the parish and affiliated with St. Alphonsus’ congregation, Peru, and in consequence the little parish became still more reduced in numbers. School was taught by Miss Louisa Sterner for a few months each year in order to prepare the children for confession and first holy communion. In the hope of again rallying the scattered forces, the Rt. Rev. Bishop, on August 1st, 1886, sent Rev. Amadens Dambach as pastor to this place. The following spring Charles Thoma and Jacob Gassmann were elected councilmen, the former becoming treasurer, the latter secretary, and remain so to this day. The financial report shows that in 1886 the

(p. 53)

receipts were $1,348.27, the expenses nearly the same. One year later the receipts had dropped to $953.00, and continued to decrease till it became impossible to support a resident pastor. Miss Stoeckel taught school in 1886-87; Miss Cecilia Herb in 1888-89; and Miss Louisa Sterner in 1890, when the school was abandoned.

   In the spring of 1891 it was discovered that the parish had dwindled down to twenty families, and it was impossible for these to retain a resident pastor. Consequently in June, 1891, Father Dambach was taken away and appointed pastor of Holy Family Church at New Cleveland, Ohio.

   Since that date old St. Peter’s has been a chapel of ease, and divine services were held there on week days only by the pastors of St. Paul’s Church in Norwalk, while the property was cared for by the councilmen, Charles Thoma and Jacob Gassmann.

   From the July 1st, 1891, to February 1st, 1894, Rev. John Ad. Michenfelder, then pastor of St. Paul’s, attended old St. Peter’s, holding services there once a week. From February 1st, 1894, to October 23rd, of the same year, Rev. G.H. Rieken, who was pastor of St. Paul’s, held services each Wednesday at old St. Peter’s. Since October 24th, 1894, Rev. F. Rupert, present pastor of St. Paul’s, holds divine services at old St. Peter’s every Saturday forenoon. The church is in good repair, and the cemetery has of late years been much improved and beautified. There are from two to three funerals here each year. Old St. Peter’s has apparently no future.

Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10