2 DEDICATION SOùTENIR. J3I001n1\PHI@j\L. VERY REVEr-END A. B. OECHTERING. THERE could be 110 more appro­ priate introduction to a book designed to illustrate the growth and prosperity of Sb. Joseph's cong rega, tion, than a sketch of the life of the pastor, who, for more than a quarter {If &.(!ent¡ll�y, has shared the struggles ,...: b_.lJ· i�it�n:ph� of his congregation, �cÍ to ·\�Trlôsè\i.nceasillg and unselfish ]ihir� tU; :p:resent flourishing con­ (lÙim; ��t �he congregation is at- ,,/': Olt>·: triblli�¡e�: ·'�1¡op�' to whom honor is " .,� -. : due)¿ i£ ¡ �'o�,la� �¡�xim, and in con­ templating the splendid results achieved by this humble priest in the vineyard of the Lord we say, without hesitancy, that he, indeed, is a steward who will be able to render él good account to the Master. Very Reverend August Bernard Oechtering, the youngest son of Gerhard H. and Theresa (Benning­ meier) Oechtering, was born in the province of Westphalia, Prussia, September 8, 1837. In early life he showed a special inclination for the priesthood, and his early education, which was obtained in the place of his birth, was a matter of deep con­ cern to his parents, His collegiate studies were completed in the College of Rhein in 1858. A few months after his graduation he came to this country and immediately sought out the late R t. Rev. Bishop Luers. Having applied to the bishop for ad­ mission to his diocese, he was sent by the right reverend gentleman to the Seminary of Mt, St. Mary's ofthe 'Vest, to complete his theological studies, which he did in May, 1861. On the 17th day of the same month he was ordained priest by Bishop Luers, in the cathedral at Ft. Wayne, Two days later he celebrated Iris first mass, and on May 2Gth, he was sent to Delphi, this state, to take charge of St. Joseph's congregation and at­ tend several missions in the out-lying districts. T he presence of just such a man as Father Oechtering was all that was needed at Delphi, to give St. Joseph's a prominent place among the prosperous congregations of the diocese. When he began his labors at Delphi that mission was in a very much neglected condition. When he left, a substantial church and school house bore evidence of the zeal that characterized his labors. It was while he was attending the country missions, near Delphi, that there sprung up the close bond of friendship which unites Father Oech­ tering to the Rt. Rev. Bishop Rade­ macher. They had been friends be­ fore this time, but the fact that Father Rademacher's mission ad­ joined that of Father Oechtering led to their meeting frequently and ex­ changing views as to the best means DEDU/A TION 80 UVENIR. 3 to adopt to spread the Truth. In while in Rome, he had an audience May, 1864, Father Oechteriug accom- with the Pope of tIle Immaculate panied Bishop Luers to Europe. Conception-the saintly Pius IX. He remained in the Old World six A few years after he returned from months, and the following year was this second trip to Europe, Bishop appointed to St. Mary's church at Dwenger tendered him the pastorate Avilla. He began his labors in his of the church at Huntington, but he new field two clays before Clnistmas, preferred to remain in :Jlislwwaka. 1805. He remained at Avilla but :Jlay 1 �)th, 1886- the same y{�ar that eighteen months, hut during that preparations were hegull for the time he greatly improved the con- Luilcling' of the Hew church-Father ditiou of St. l\Iary's congregation, Oecht.eriug celebrated w lia.t, next to erected a new church at Water loo and his ordi uatiou , was the happiest rebuilt the one at Kendallville be- event in all tlie years of bis priest­ sides fiudiug time to (leliyer a n um- hood. It was the occasion of his bel' of lectures on religious subjects. Si lver Jubilee, and two bishops, fifty­ In June, 1867, he took charge of St. seven priests and a large number of Joseph's parish, of this cif.y. The f'rieuds from abroad joined the cou­ condition of the congregation at the gregation in making the occasion a time of his coming here is explaiued meuroruble one. Up till the Summer in the article which follows. To of 1885 he enjoyed good health, but what extent the subject of this sketch he 'was Ilot to escape the inevitable is responsible for the remarkable consequences of overwork, and in prosperity of St. Joseph's congrega- May, 18DO) his coud ition became so tion, may be j uJged from the results serious that a trip to Europe was ad­ of his labors elsewhere. To one not vised by his physician. He sailed familiar with the affairs of the con- l\Iay 5th, and after spending five gregation, the fact that he was ap- months in recuperating, he returned pointed to his present charge, after in perfect health. For the past nine having labored successfully in two years he has been president of the important congregations, would in- school board of the diocese. He is dicate that his ability and progressive one of the consulters of the bishop, spirit were appreciated by his su- and as dean of the fifth district it is peri or, the bishop; to the members of his duty to preside at the semi-annual his congregation his work is too well meetings of the conferenee, and visit known to need eulogy here, and that the schools of the diocese, he enjoys the confidence and hearty The writer of the above has en­ cooperation of his parishioners in deavored to give a brief sketch of the the great work he is accomplishing, life of one who may be termed appro­ is evidenced by the beautiful temple priately, "a model parish priest." -dedicated to God, today. In 1875, No further eulogy is necessar}'. 4 DEDICATION SOUVENIR. RT REV. JOSEPH RHDEMHCHER, THE THIRD BISHUP OF 'fHE DIOCESE OF FT. \VAY:NE. pIGHT Hoverend Bishop Joseph 1 � Rademacher, who officiates at the dedication, today, is well known to the members of St. J oseph's con­ gregation, having officiated here on various occasions. He part.icipated in the celebration of Fut h=r Oecbt.er­ ing's silver jubilee, May 1 Ü, ] 88ß. It was he who blessed the comer stone of the new church, Bishop Dwenger being too ill to officiate. Again, on account of the continued illness of Bishop Dwenger, he was called upon to administer the Sacra­ ment of Oonfirmation to a class of about one hundred, May 7tb, of the present year. He bas been a very close friend of Father Oechtering for Dp_J'DICATION SOUVEl'·lIT�. 5 ·a numher of years. A brief sketch Wayne. To the fact that he was so of his busy life follows. well and favorably known to the Rt. Rev. Joseph Rndcmacher was clergy and laity of this diocese, may born in Westphalia, Clinton county, be att.r ibut.ed the royal reception Micbigan. His parents resided on a which was accorded him at Ft. Wayne, Iarrn and they sent Joseph and the several weeks ago, on the occasion of other children of the family to the bis installation as bishop of this dio- Catholic schools of Westphalia. He cese. studied for the pr iesthood at St. Vm- BIshop Rademacher is a m an of cent's College and St. Michael's Sem- deep learning and wide practical ex­ inary, Pennsy 1 vania. He was or - perience. He is an orator of con sid­ dained priest August 3, 18ß:-3, and erable ability, speaking the English said bis first mass on the feast of the and German languages equally well. Assumption of the Blessed Virg�n Like bis predecessor, the late Bishop Mary, August] 3, I Sß3. His ti r st Dwpnger, he is a devoted champion missions were in this state. Tbey of tbe canse of christian educat ion, were at Attica, Covington, State Line and takes a deep interest in the prac­ and Marshalfield. His next station tical workings of the parochial schools. was at Columbia City, where he had Taking the result of bis labors in the charge of a congregation and also see of Nashville as a criterion by looked after the spiritual welfare of which to form an opinon of the future the Catholic residents of several of the church in this diocese, we feel neighboring SEttlements. He then no hesitancy in saying that the high took charge of St. Mary's parish, Ft. place tbe Diocese of Ft. Wayne holds Wayne, wbere he labored industri in the church, in America, will not ously until July, 1880, when he was be lost under bis able direction. sent to Lafayette, by the late Bishop On his arrival in this city, yester­ Dwenger. Here he officiated at St. day, the bishop received an enthu­ Mary's church for three years, at the siastic welcome from the members end of which time he was called of St. Joseph's congregation. It is upon to preside over the Diocese of tbe first time since being placed in Naehville, Tennesee. He was conse- charge of this diocese, that the rev­ crated bishop by the Most Rev. Arch- erend gentleman has honored us with bishop Feehan of Chicago, wbo was his preseIlce, and the occasion long Bishop Hademacher's predecessor in will be remembered by Bishop Ra­ the see of Nashville, The solemn dvmacber and the congregation as ceremony took place in the cathedral a mutually happy one. The two of Nashville, June 2-t., lS�¡�, and be hundred and twenty-five scholars of remained in charge of that diocese, the St. J oso ph schools will pay their constantly, until transferred to Ft. rt-spects to the bishop, tomorrow. 6 DEDICATICN SOUVENIR. H 18�POf\I@j\L. BY VERY REVEREND A. B. OECHTERING. fOR the benefit of those who will receive this souvenir and who are unacquainted with the location of Mishawaka, it may be stated that the beautiful town is situate in Northern lndiana, on both banks of the St. Joseph river near the most southern portion of that river. It is five miles distant from that world­ famed Catholic educational institu­ tion, Notre Dame University. The name "Mishawaka" comes from the Indian dialect and signifies "Swift Water," or as it is sometimes ren­ dered, "Tbickwoods Rapids." As the river is very swift at this point, and both banks are covered with a heavy growth of timber, either name would be very appropriate to the locality. The population of t he town, proper, numbers about 4,000 son Is. Catholicity in Mishawaka dates as far back as 1833. At that time the Catholic families residing here were those of John McErlain and Edward Mulligan and, a little later, Patrick Moan. The spiritual wants of these patriarchs of the Uhu rch in Misha­ waka, were looked after by the cel­ ebrated Father Bad9r1. Fat her Baden was the first priest ordained in America, and though nominally a resident of Bardstown, Kentucky, he spent most of his life traveling through t he forests of Indiana, Ohio and Ken­ tucky, saying mass in every small hamlet where Catholics resided, and, administering the Sacraments to the pioneers of the Chu rch. It was in 1844, a year after the arrival of Very Reverend Sorin, at Notre Dame, that a regular service was established for the few Catholics of this town. We find that Father Sorin said mass in the houses of the several members of the congregation, generally at the home of Edward Mulligan. Reverend Father Cointet, who was one of Father Sorin's companions, also of­ ficiated here a number of times, and generally offered up the Holy Sac­ rifice at the home of George Smith, who resided near the Poppendick property, or at J ereruiah Luce's home. It was between the years 184ü-'48 that. a permanent place of worship was established, in a room of what now is the residence of James MQ­ Michael, on the north sirle. This little chapel received the title of "Holy Angels' Church." The first. baptism recorded by Father Cointet was that of Mr. Samuel Black, on December 10, 18-18. Mr. Black was the father of Mrs. John Feiten and. Mrs. Mary Haubert. In 1855, a small frame building was erected on the lot where Mr. Thomas Bless' house now stands, and this served the con- DEDICATION 80UVKVIR. 7 gregation as a church, until March, Father KŒnig proceeded to collect a 1860, when it was destroyed by fire. portion of the eight thousand dollars The priests who had officiated here necessary to build the church, from previous to 1t)57, were all mernbers Catholics in Ohio. The congregation of the Congregation of the Holy at this time was made up of the fo1- Cross, and none of them had taken fowing families, whose names appear up a residence here. 'I'hoir names on the church record up till 11:):)7: follow: Very Hev. Father Sorin, John JIcErlain, Patrick :Jloan, Edwarù Reverend Fathers F. Cointet, J. .Mulligan, JOhil Ar m s t ro r g , Jaco!> He<:her, Guas�:3e, R. A. Shortis, W. Master- Philip Mulligan, 11iehael Kleill, I'u t ric k son, C. Schelling, A. Fourrnont, M. �::I:�i,g���l'lnP�::;'�e, Bll):��l�i'ek:Jl���:;:::.\., �;���r� P. Rooney, B, J. Force, Alexis Donahue, Juco h Zahm, (whose SOIl i s n o w Granger, E. B. Kilroy, Thomas tite h on o rcd president of Co n isi u s College, Flynn and M. Prendergast. The -.I esuit - Buffalo, X e w York, l .J n c o h Rev. B. Mager came here as perma- Klaer, Samuel Black, John Hn u p ric h s, nent pastor of the congregation, in J crvm iuh Becher, Thomas Hu).dll'S, .Iuh n Kurtz, Joseph Kurtz. B. Bcesillj.!'vr. Ed wu rd. 1857, and after spending eighteen Dow í ing, Peter Klcin, Henry Cu sov , Ber- months here, he went to Chicago, nurd Rcy n ic rs, (;eol'ge )1. Schmidt, Xich­ where he erected the beautiful o l as Klein, Peil'!' Klein, Joseph Zl'igel', F. St. Peter's, on Clark and Polk streets. X. Krantz, Martin Myers, John l{ll'ill a n d (;eorge Klotz. He died in Uhicago, ten years later. In 183U Reverend Father Henry Kœnig was appointed pastor of the erected by Father Kœnig, and an congregation, and upon assuming illustration of which IS given here­ charge, he at once began the work of with, was determined by the large soliciting funds for a new church. number of Catholic farmers residing The difficulties that had to be sur- south of town. These families threat­ mounted by Father Kœnig before he ened to build a church out in the could procure the means necessary to country in case they were obliged to begin the erection of a new church, drive to the north side of the river to will be understood better when it is attend services. The church was recalled that a short time aíb.sr he built, therefore, on the property pur­ came here the civil war broke out chased by Father Kœnig, at the corner and the congregation, already very of Third and Spring streets, The poor, was further im poverisbed by corner stone was blessed by R t. Rev. the prevailing high prices for the Bishop Luers, the first bishop of this necessaries of life and the scarcity of diocese, in June, lSß l, and the dedi­ work, and therefore was unable to cation took place December S, of the contribute much toward the su pport same year. The name of the con- of the church. Nothing daunted, gregation having been changed to The location of the brick church DEj)ICATION SOUVE.NIR. 9 who made a practice of breaking the building of the pastor's residence was windows of their house and otherwise hegun, on a portion of the ground injuring their property. Classes purchased by Father KŒnig, and was were taught in the vestry room of St. completed in September, 1878. The Joseph's church, by different gentle- Totest­ find the llames of Messrs. H. Pœhl- ants as by members of the Church. man, C. Weiman, August Volkenrath, 'I'hoy tr ok charge of the parochial H. Winkler, H Theisen, August schools in August, 1880. In Novem­ Hœrstmann-the present. organist- ber, IS83, the first steps were taken and Miss Marie Oechtering-now towards the erection of a new church, Mrs. William Schindler. It may be and the next y ear the "building fund" mentioned that at the time I came was started. here there was a debt of more than In the old St. J osepb 's church there three thousand dollars OIl the church were eighteen hundred and twenty­ and its scanty furnishings. A large six baptisms-this number includes portion of the debt was paid off during many converts to the Faith. Two the first two years of my pastorate in hundred and eighty-four conples were Mishawaka, and in 18ß9 we purchased united in the holy bonds of matri­ the property at the corner of Fourth many and the Iuner als numbered five and Mill streets, paying therefor the hundred and eighty. A number of exorbitant sum of thirty-two hundred missions were given in this church. .dollars. This property -adding the The first was by Rt. Rev. Bishop 'sum of the interest that accrued, to Luers, assisted by Rev. Father Smar­ the purchase price-cost the congre- ins, S. J. The next was in 18ßß, by gation a little less than six thousand Rev. Father Weniger, S. J. In Oc­ dollars. The school house fronting tober, 187?, the Rev. P. P. Cooney, on Fourth street. was built in 1870. C. S. C., Miss. Ap., gave a mission The following year the church was for the Engli�h speaking portion of frescoed, a pulpit and two large hells the congregation. This was followed purchased. In March, 1873, the a few months later, by a German DEDICATION �",'OUVENIR. 11 In October, 1878, the Rev. NicholC'os time, Holy Communion. Father Stoffel, C. S. C. He is pastor of St. DeGroote is vice-president of Rt. Joseph's church, South Bend, and Edward's College, Austin, Texas, professor of Greek at. the University diocese of Galveston. Several young of NotreDame. _ In Apr il, 1�82, the _ men of the congregation are prepar­ Rev. C. A. Ganser, sen oí Joseph ing for thé Sacrament of Holy Orden", Ganser, sr., of this city. Now pastor while a number of young women have of the church at Kentland, this dio- entered the order of the Poor Haud­ cese. In July, 1889, the Rev. Simon maids of the Lord, and are doing M. Yenn, son of County Treasurer active work, either as teachers in Yenn, of this city, having returned parochial schools or as nursing Sisters from Rome, where he was ordained at the bedside of the sick and dying. priest, celebrated solemn high mass. The above is, we believe, a faithful He now is pastor of the church at history of the progress of Catholicity Goshen, this diocese, On the 23rd in this city, during the past sixty day of July, of the present year, tho years. The dates given were com­ Rev. Father John DeGroote, LJ S. C., pile-I from the best information ob­ celebrated his first mass in St. Joseph's tainable from those who were mem­ church-the church wherein he had bers of the congregati0n at the time received the sacraments of Baptism of the occurrence of the events re­ and Confirmation, and, for the first corded. n l\IONG those who Lave been 1 � special beuefuctors of tle church, and whose gifts H re not mentioned elsewhere, a r. ,hf-> follow­ ing: Very R"v. Fat lu-r Sorin, who, with the R�v. J. H. Oechter ing, of Fort Wayne, gave the window near the Blessed Virgin's altar. This window represents the Angt:'l announcing to Mary j hat she is to become the Mother of God. The large winnow, next to the above, was donated hy the children WhO were prepared for their First Holy Com­ munion by Father Oechtering, from 1808 to the present time. Tbis Fair aud will be placed in position at the close of the Exposition. It is a representation of Christ instituting t.h 8 Blessed Sacrament at t he last supper. Directly opposite this win­ dow, and in the west side of the tr anscept, is the one donated by the children of the late .\Irs. C. Auer, in memory of their mot her. In the foreground is a boantiful reprosenta­ tion of the Holy Family at Nazareth. The wi udow near St.. Joseph's altar was donated by St. Joseph's Society. It represents Joseph with the Child, J e-sns. iustructinjz . Tile pews were donated by the Children of Mary window is on exhibition at the World's Sodality of the congregation. 18 DEJJICATION SOUVENIR. at a disadvantage in directing the paid for by the St. Aloysius Society, choir, owing to the fact that the of the congregation. Mr. August singers are behind him. Mr. Van Hœrstmann will continue as organist Dintel' has overcome this difficulty and director of the choir. by extending the key-board six feet Mr. Van Dinter has attained an en­ in front of the organ, thus enabling viable reputation as an organ build­ the organist to have the choir con- er. Among the many Catholic stantly before him. churches which he has furnished The principal addition made was with large pipe organs, the following one stop to the pedal organ. Viz: may be mentioned: An eight-foot Violon, metal, twenty- St. Mary's church, Fort \Vayne. seven pipes. These pipee are richly decorated in gold and colors and " John, Baptist," New Haven, form the decorated front of the 01'- Indiana. gan, thus taking the place of the "Vineent's " Peter's " Albert's Sacred Heart Our Lady of Help " St. John's " Jackson metal "dummy pipes," very often employed for the latter purpose. Another addition is two pedal move­ ments, operating on the great organ stops. One for Piano and the otl.er for Forto. These enable the organ­ ist to change the volume of the or­ gan, without removing his fingers from the- key-board. The power for operatiuc the bellows is supplied by a Tuerk hydraulic wheel motor, with automatic attachments- A patent wil1<�-gauge, near the key-board, en­ ables the organist to know continu­ ally whether the bellows is supplied with sufficient wind, so that, in case Elkhart, Ind. Laporte, Ind. Detroit, Mich Sacred Heart "H udson, St. Peter's Cathedral, Marquette," " Mary's church, Sault Ste [Marie, Mich. Immaculate Conception church, [Niles, " Holy Cross church, Marine City, " Church of the Immaculate Concep- tion, Louisville, Ky. Sb. Catherine's church, New Haven" " Francis' an emergency should arise find the supply of wind be cut off from the " John Baptist " bellows, he can govern his playing Sacred Heart accordingly. St. Hedwülge's " Tbe rebuilding of the organ was "Mary's Hollamltown, [Wis. Joliet, Ill. Peru, Ind. South Bend, " Chicago, in. DEDIC4TION SOUVENIR. Archbishop J aussens, of New Orleans'. Archbishop Hennessy, of Dubuque. 21 Bishop Phelan, of Pittsburg. , HE IS, indeed,' a narrow-minded man the Cat.h o l i c church bells began to ring who does not feel a jp,st pride in contem- out-joyous Christmas nutes. The effect on plating the success: of Very Reverend the assembled Preshyterians was wonder­ Father Oechtermg and h'is congregation f'u l. They loudly applauded the Ch risf­ in their laudable efforts to erect to God a mas chimes, but the effect was quite the temple that is unsurpassed, bot.h in the reverse on their pastor, one :McChord. beauty of its exterior and the richness of He could see no cause for a jub il at ion , and its furnishings, by any parish church in the Hext day he drew up a remonstrance this section of the state. And, while it is against the ringing of the Catholic church true that outside show counts but little in be ll s, inasmuch as they had disturbed his 'a matter of this kind, it also is true that meeting, and cit ed the fact that the con­ the pastor and his flock necessarily must stitution of the United States gnarantees have the love of God in their hearts, to "civil and religious Iiber ty to all m cn .' persevere in their worthy endeavor, under The other ministers of the town signed c ir-cu m st an ces that at times were most dis- the remonstrance and when it was pre­ couraging.-Mishawaka Democrat, Friday. sented to Father Oechtering he replied -If * that inasmuch as the constitution grants AN INTRRESTING chapter in the history of religious liberty to every citizen, he there­ St .• Joseph's congregat.ion would bè fore would cause the church bells to be omitted, did we fail to mention the cir rung whenever such action would redound cumstances connected with the procuring to the greater honor and glol"y of God. of funds for the purchase of the third bell. When St. Joseph's congregation learned Christmas eve, 11:572, an entertainment was of the Presbyterian minister's action, they gi ven by the Presbyterian congregation of raised money to purchase the th ird .bel�, this city. While a child was declaiming within one hour. Bishop Scannell, , of Omaha. Bi s h op Keane, of W:a�hJn,gton. Bishop Watterson, of Columbus. DE1nCA TION SOtJVENtR. AUEURN Ghúmh rúrnitúrB Gompanu, AUBURN, INDIANA. MANUFACTUHERS OF fEWS, fULfITS, ALTAR RAILS, � COMMUNION RAILS, ETC. ll\lRITE F0R C�T�LOGUE, Send FlooT Plan When an Estimate is Wanted. A. L�IEBIG & oo .. (SUCCESSORS TO LIEBIG & LOEFF LER,) r��8tG P@illDt�Jf� �J Dßt®J?0J!)Î@�8� 107 WISCONSIN STREET, ® ® ® Rooms 22 and 23, @ @ @ Wilwaukee, Wis . . , .. 6stiDlatQS @l�QQrfu]] �-J FUPllisllQd. If You Rre Going to Build a New . -Cl1urcft, Write Us. F\oSQ & ellsworth, ===== RET�ILERS OF ===== DRY GOODS, @ 111\ CARPETS, CLOAKS (I and MILLINERY . 113-115 N. Michigan St· . . . . 80utll ßgr�d, Illd.