For some years past attempts had been made to change the name of new St. Peter’s to St. Paul in order to avoid confusion, but the efforts thus far made met with very indifferent success. Now, however,

(p. 57)

with a change of location the change of name became an easy task and the new church that was in course of construction was by common consent placed under the patronage of the great Apostle of the Gentiles, St. Paul.

   Whilst the negotiations incident of the sale of the Hester street property were in progress, plans and specifications for the brick building, that graces the corner of Wooster and Monroe streets, had been obtained and work begun. The building is 42x95 feet, two stories high, surmounted by a large cupola, and was intended to serve for both church and school purposes for an indefinite number of years to come. When, however, the negotiations were closed, and the Hester street property had to be promptly handed over to the Board of Education, the new church building had advanced but little beyond the foundation and months must yet elapse before it could be ready for occupation. Arrangements were therefore made with the English-speaking parish, and from September 1st until the fourth Sunday of Advent, Father Eilert held services for the German Catholics in St. Mary’s church.

   The school caused still greater difficulties. It ought to have been commenced on September 1st. A warehouse was rented, but proved to be impracticable, and had to be abandoned. Two rooms of the pastoral residence were then fitted up, and school was begun here about the middle of September. Charles Mindich and Caroline Lewis were the teachers. School was continued here till near the end of January, 1877, when a day’s vacation was given, and the furniture and books conveyed to the second story of the new building.

   During the month of November, 1876, a new pipe organ, costing $800. was placed into the portion of the building that was designed to serve for a church. In December of the same year a fair was held, which netted something over $1,200. At the same time a bell was bought at a cost of $300. This bell is still calling people to prayers, and the organ then purchased is still rendering services in the present stone church.

   On the Sunday before Christmas, 1876, mass was celebrated for the first time in St. Paul’s church, which, however, was not yet plastered, but only lathed. During the summer of 1877, when school was dismissed for vacation, divine services were held in the second story, that the church below might be plastered, decorated and otherwise beautified to be in harmony with the solemn and sacred ceremonies that were to be therein performed. This building, together with the organ, bell and other furniture for church and school purposes, cost when entirely completed about $12,000. The two large chandeliers were donated by J.P. Link. The plan proved satisfactory and eminently practical. The

(p. 58)

first floor was used as a church till January 22nd, 1893, at which date the present stone church was dedicated, and since then has served as a convenient chapel for the week-day mass, and for hearing confessions on Saturdays in the afternoon and evening. The second story has always been devoted to school purposes. It is divided into four rooms, that are large and commodious, and afford ample school room for 250 pupils, which was the number taught there for the last five years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL, ERECTED 1876.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   In January, 1877, the following were elected councilmen: Nicholas Indlekofer, Joseph Smith, Anthony Stoll and George Mettenberger. A heavy debt had been incurred by the erection of the school house. According to the financial report of 1877 the debt was $6, 941.00, a large proportion of this, however, was yet due on the location, which had not been entirely paid when the building was begun. But the times were good; employment at fairly remunerative wages was plentiful; the parish was constantly increasing by the arrival of new-comers, and the debt was rapidly melting away. The parish was then for some years financially exceedingly prosperous.

   The spiritualities also were zealously cared for. At the invitation of Father Eilert, the Franciscan Fathers, of Cleveland, O., came to Norwalk and held a mission in St. Paul’s church, lasting from the second to the ninth day of March, 1879. This is the only mission that the

(p. 59)

parish has thus far had. A mission crucifix was erected and remained in the position till the parish moved into the new stone church just thirteen years later. The crucifix has since been placed in the vestibule of the new church to serve as a reminder of the mission.

   St. Paul’s cemetery was also blessed during the year 1879. However, it may be stated here that Father Kuhn had a small portion, namely, the southwest section of the cemetery blessed in 1870. The larger portion was blessed in 1879.

   The first teachers in St. Paul’s school were, as before stated, Charles Mindnich and Caroline Lais. For two years there was no change in the teaching faculty. By September, 1878, the number of pupils had so increased that three teachers had to be employed, and then the first attempt at grading school was made. A primary department was formed for both boys and girls, and a grammar grade for the larger boys, and a separate one for the more advanced girls. Mr. Mindnich, who also presided at the organ, assumed charge of the boys’ grammar school, and the Sisters of Notre Dame, of Cleveland, O., were procured to take the management of the other two departments, thus replacing

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ST. PAUL’S RESIDENCE FOR THE SISTERS TEACHING SCHOOL
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Lais. The Sisters, three in number, one to look after their household wants, two to teach the school, arrived in Norwalk about September 1st, 1878, soon demonstrated their efficiency for teaching, and have ever

(p. 60)

since retained charge of the school. The Sisters took up their residence in the two-story frame house, which stood at the Monroe street end of the church property, and which has ever since that time served for that purpose. On September 1st, 1879, Mr. Minnich was replaced by John Renfert, who likewise presided at the organ and directed the choir. Mr. Renfert retained the positions of teacher and organist till about January 31st, 1881, when on his own accord, and without advising the pastor, he resigned and departed. The pastor immediately telegraphed to Cleveland for an additional Sister of the Notre Dame Order to assume charge of the advanced boys. She arrived the next morning and forthwith continued the work so unwarrantably discarded by Mr. Renfert. Mrs. Flanegan, of Norwalk, replaced Mr. Renfert at the organ from February 1st, till October 1st, 1881, from which date till July 1st, 1882, A.H. Tenge presided at the organ, and was then succeeded by Jacob Lenz, who has ever since had charge of the organ and choir.

   In Janury, 1877, Urban Gangwisch and Simon Storz were elected councilmen, while George Mettenberger and Anthony Stoll were held over for another year. Janury, 1878, J.P. Link and Joseph Troendle were elected and Urban Gangwisch and Simon Storz held over. January, 1879, Joseph Smith and Nicholas Indlekofer were elected and with J.P. Link and Joseph Troendle constituted the council for that year. January, 1880, J.P. Link and Anton Bonnert were elected and the other two were Joseph Smith and Nicholas Indlekofer. January, 1881, Joseph Smith and Adam Huth were chosen and J.P. Link and Anton Bonnert were held over from the previous year; these four served together also in 1882; J.P. Link was the treasurer. On February 20th, 1882, an excellent A.B. Chase organ was bought for the school at $125. This organ is now rendering good services in the chapel.

   The year 1883 is a remarkable one in the history of St. Paul’s for the reason that the debt which had so long burdened the parish was completely wiped out, and for the first time since its existence it had no interest to pay. The cemetery was much improved by tilling, grading and otherwise beautifying it, so that it has since been known as the finest burial place in Norwalk. September 1st, 1883, the parochial school was enlarged; an additional class room was fitted up, and one teacher more employed. The number of pupils was then 125, and these were graded as they are now - in four rooms with two divisions in each room.

   The councilmen of 1883 were J.P. Link, Joseph Troendle, Anton Bonnert and Joseph Stoll, of whom J.P. Link was treasurer. The church societies at this time were: St. Peter’s Aid Society, having ninety-four members; The Ladies’ Altar Society, with 114 members; The Young Ladies’ Sodality, with fifty-six members; and the Aloysius

(p. 61)

Society for young men, which had about forty members, but proved to be short-lived.

   The parish was now well supplied with everything required for the proper celebration of divine service, and nothing of importance was bought during the year 1884; the receipts, however, were as large as formerly so that there was a constant accumulation of money, and at the end of the year it was discovered that the handsome sum of $900. was in the treasury. This is the only noteworthy surplus that the parish ever possessed either before or since from ordinary sources. The councilmen for the year 1884 were Joseph Troendle, Anton Bonnert, Joseph Stoll and W.O. Meyer, who held office during 1885 also.

   The following year a new purchase was made, and the parish once more assumed the responsibility of a considerable debt. The old frame building at the corner of East Main and Wooster streets, which had since December, 1872, rendered services as a pastoral residence, was considered unsuitable for that purpose, and was disposed of to Mr. John Kaufmann for $100. who shortly after moved it away. In the meanwhile a valuable property was negotiated for with Mr. John A. Williamson. This property lay on the north side of Main street, adjoining the east line of the church lots, and contained a good brick house, very convenient and appropriate for a pastoral residence. On March 24th, 1885, the bargain was closed, and the transfer made for a consideration of $4,300. The parish had at this time $1,000. in the treasury, which amount was paid in cash, and the rest on time. However, $800. more were paid during the summer and $2,500. debts were carried over to the following years. The lot thus obtained is 66x165 feet, and in addition comprises a road-way twelve feet wide and sixty-six feet long leading to Milan street.

   In January, 1886, the following councilmen were elected: Joseph Stoll, Adam Huth, W.O. Meyer and John Hoddick; of these Joseph Stoll was made treasurer. During this year the debt was reduced to $1,143. and would have been reduced still more but for the fact that East Main street was that year paved with sand stone, which cost the congregation $450.

   In January, 1887, Adam Huth and W.O. Meyer were re-elected to the council, while John Hoddick and Joseph Stoll held over from the previous year. Joseph Stoll resigned shortly after and John Hoddick was made treasurer in his stead, and has retained that office to this time. The debt was in this year nearly wiped out. The financial report shows that on January 1st, 1888, the entire obligations of the parish amounted to only $453.

   In January, 1888, there was an election of councilmen and resulted in

(p. 62)

placing Charles Mueller, Simon Storz, Laurence Fischer and John Hoddick in office; the last named had charge of the finances.

   The great event of this year was the change of pastor. Father Eilert, who had assiduously labored here for fourteen and one-half years, was by order of Bishop Gilmour assigned to the pastorship of the church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Toledo, O., and Father John Adam Michenfelder assumed charge of St. Paul’s. Father Eilert’s final settlement with the parish was made May 24th, 188, and shows that the liabilities at his departure amounted to $850. In January before the liabilities were only $453. The increase was the amount of unpaid salaries due to the Sisters of Notre Dame for teaching school, and had accrued since January, because the pew rents, from which salaries are paid, are usually not received in this parish till about the expiration of the current year. May 25th, 1888, Father Eilert bade adieu to Norwalk and its environs, and embarked for Toledo, O.