Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 34, Number 177, Decatur, Adams County, 27 July 1936 — Page 43

IGrowth Os Church Linked With Early Pioneers

w. Mary's Catholic Church I History Begins With 1837

L REV. J. J- SEIMETZ I/history <>r St. Mary’a Con , Edion I* ‘losfly H» kßl w,th ■ history of Adam* County. It ILn risrhtly said that the men l M n*trated the wilds und the r 1 of old Adams county were funbounded faith, of deterII perseverance and fearless Enklity unexcelled by any group Early pioneers." Among these I. saltiers were Catholic taini- | who sowed the seed of their L m this community, and could | today see the fruit of their L and sacrifices they would reL that they had not labored | W crince<l in vain. [ First Mass In 1838 Le year 1837 marked the aril of some of St. Mary s first Lios, namely: Henry Dierkea. t Minter, Anthony Kohne and hard Holthouse. In 1838 George Lh. John Mueller. George lllei, Timothy Coffee, John L and Henry Will came to settle ( [his almost uninhabited and un-I Lvited region. This little CathL colony attracted the attention [pioneer missionary priests, aud ke spring of 1838 Father MuellLlebrated the first mass in Dehr in the home of George FetL For several years thereafter . L was said in the Fettieh home, f Close Tavern, and in the old brt house. [ather Hamion the second priest I minister to the little flock in Latur came in the latter part of L year 1840. He officiated at the L Catholic marriage that of ”1 Imly Coffee and Margaret Mueller tranized January 10, 1841. The [t Catholic children baptised in [ hamlet were Minnie Holthouse ■ Mary Closs. h 18*0 Henry Heidemann and tary Grutzkamp a.-rived and in II the John Meibers family. father Joseph Rudolph succeed- | Father Hamion. He saw the ed of a place of worship for his He flock and he at once began t arduous task of raising funds t this purpose. He was ably united in this work by Timothy Ji-e. who collected $75. and by hn Closs and Anthony Kohne, to collected S2OO at Cincinnati, le building of the church hower was deferred for a few years d the people under the pastorate Father Rudolph purchased Bond for a Catholic cemetery In

! 4rk> M I si f II v W. </ I ' IA Jewel I of a City IB The spirit manifested by Decatur citizens from the founders to the present day—has built for us a city that cannot be equalled anywhere. The good fellowship and civic pride that has been handed down through the years will continue to carry Decatur to the top to maintain its present place ainong the leaders. Our business is Jewelry and we invite you to visit our store when in need of anything in our line. selection of quality jewelry for every occasion. We are happy to take part in the Centennial and extend every wish for its success. May the week be one of great enjoyment for everyone. Keller Jewelry Store

Rev. J. J. Seimetz Ma—————— . il The Rev. Father Joseph J. Seimetz has been pastor of the St. Mary's Catholic church of Decatur since the death of his uncle, Rev. Julius A. Seimetz, in January. 1933. The first mass was celebrated in 1838. the southeastern part of the village in 1842. Frame Church Started Father Moncina was here but a short time and was succeeded by Father Faller who in 1846 began the erection of a frame church and in this work his little congregation not only furnished the necessary funds but also assisted in erecting the church whenever they could spare a day from their farm work. The timbers for that church were hauled through deep mud with ox teams by members of the Spuller family. In 1847 the little frame church was plastered and that year Father Faller also bought the first bell at Cincinnati for S6O. This bell was shipped by canal to Fort Wayne and then hauled overland to Decatur, and one can imagine their joy as this little hardy group heard it call them to divine services the first time. During this time Father Faller added to the church property until it owned six lots, comprising a half block He was often assisted

DECATUR DAILY DEMOCRAT MONDAY, .IL LY 27, 1930

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by Father Benoit who came from Fort Wayne to preach in both English and French. First Resident Priest The sixth priest and also the I first resident Prie-st at Decatur was Father B. H. Shulties who came in 1852 and that same year j built the first parish house. He I was stationed here until August 1856. From August 1856 until June 1857 Father Faller and Father Rudolph paid visits to St Mary’s congregation. From June 1857 until May 1858 Father Sebastian Gontez. C.P. P.S. was in charge. He was succeeded by Father L. 'Schneider ■who remained but a few months. In July 1858 Father Jc.cob Greyer ; took charge and remained until September 1862. Previous to this two missions were held at St. Mary’s, the first in 1857 by Father Andrew Kunkier C.P.P.S. and the second by Father F. X. Wenninger S. J. in 1859. From 1862 until 1865 Fathers Meyers and Heckman of St. Marys , Church, Fort Wayne, looked after i the spiritual needs of this now ' rapidly growing flock. In January 1865 Father Julius Becks was appointed to Decatur. He remained for a period of one year. The following eight months the congregation was without a pastor. It is of I interest to note here that these early pioneers gathered every Sunday and joined in common prayer even though there was no attending priest. The deep faith and prayers of these grand-sires has won God’s blessing for St. Marys and the present membership owes them a debt of undying gratitude. Fther Wemhoff Arrives Father John Wemhofi came to Decatur in the fall of 1865, and labored faithfully for seven years. The congregation had grown, and Father Wemhoff set to work to i realize his dream of a handsome . new church. He took up a subI scription for the present brick I church and when he was removed in September 1872 the foundation had been completed. It then be- | came the work of Father F. Von , Schwedler the next pastor to car- ' ry on the work and during the five years of his pastorate he saw the church completed. Father Von Schwedler was transferred to oth-

Decatur Catholic School i r|l Jr mwlkl

Rev. J. J. Hennes The Rev. Father Joseph J. Hennes is assistant pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church in this city. He has acted as assistant under both Rev. Julius Seimetz and Rev. Joseph Seimetz. er fields in February 1877 and was succeeded by Father J. Nusbaum who remained here until July 1880 when he was by Father H. Thfeo. Wilken. Pastorate of Father Wilken Father Wilken served St. Marys church longer than any other of its resident pastors, his pastorate extending from July 23, 1880, until his death. October 20, 1913. At the time o* Father Wilken’s arrival the little frame church wrns being used for school purposes with lay teachers in charge. He at once began the erection of a brick school building at the corner of Fifth and Madison streets. In 1881 the Sisters of St. Agnes were placed in charge of the school which they have conducted most successfully ever since. In 1895 two more class rooms were added to the school, and the Sisters' house was built. Several other class rooms were added in 1907 and other valuable improvements made. The school now had seven class rooms and four music rooms in which were taught the eight

grades, one year in music, and a two year commercial course. In 1885 Father Wilken erected the present parsonage on Fourth street. As a mark of appreciation for work so successfuly accomplished the Rt. Rev. Bishop Dwenger made Decatur an irremovable rectory and appointed Father Wilken its first irremovable rector. He built a new home for the Sisters in 1893 and added two more class rooms to the school. The church up to this time was devoid of all ornamentation and in 1895 he had it decorated at a cost of S9OO. He was very substantially aided in his various undertakings by the generosity of the then departed Henry Dierkes who was the main donator to the Sisters’ home and the school and who presented the congregation with many other beautiful gifts. In 1894 it was deemed advisable to purchase a new cemetery for the city had grown so rapidly that the old one was now in the city limits. Forty acres of ground were purchased west of the city at fifty dollars per acre. Mrs. Ida Hart was the first woman and Mr. Peter Hess the first man to be laid to rest In this cemetery. The congregation grew with the city, hence in 1896 Father Wilkens was given an assistant priest in the person of Father Blum. In 1898 a new pipe organ was purchase; in 1903 a steam heating plant w’as installed; and in 1904 electric lights were put into all the buildings. At that time St. Mary’s ranked as one of the most complete parishes in the diocese of Fort Wayne. New Modern School The Rev. J. A. Seimetz began his labors at St. Marys on January 8, 1914. The school had outgrown its usefullness and in 1924 the congregation began the erection of the present modern school building whicn was dedicated in the fall of 1925. The old school was partly wrecked and what had been the Sister's home became the dwelling of the janitor, a new home being purchased for the Sisters on Monroe street adjoining the new school. Besides being deeply interested in furthering Catholic education Father Seimetz also had a great love for the departed and found great

delight in beautifying the city of the dead. The beauty of that spot tells the story of bls labors there und lie Is the second pastor to be burled In this hallowed ground, he having departed this life December 28, 1932. Rev. J. J. Seimetz the present pastor took charge* of St. Marys in January 1933. •— — ■— l —-O- " —- REV. L. W. A. LUCKEY (Continued Fanm Page 41) numbers who shall come after us to exultant praise. This will encourage all to go forward in like comradeship and carry on, under tne more pleasant and advantageous surroundings, until they reach the achievements of greater and better things. What vast changes hath a hundred years wrought? There are changes in forms, in manners, in friendships, in our customs and methods of transportation and communications. in the roads, the woods, the fields, the churches, the schools, the Courts and in business. But strange as it may seem, love, honor, honesty, uprightness of life, together with character, the principles of justice, liberty and equality have remained the same and are with us today just as they were with our fathers and mothers in the former years. These should be promulgated and not permitted to slip from us. We should ever keep in mind that the greetings of our forebears were cordial and sincere, their hand-

khrabOF a-- Hospitable ] ItfSBL CITr knows I|s »«»1 no strangers bl n During the short span of years we have been here, we have learned to know Decatur as the finest city in the world. The splendid community spirit... good fellowship and sincere friendliness of all who know us, has made our business a real pleasure. We sincerely thank all our friends and customers for their past patronage, and as we enter upon the next hundred years we hope we may continue to grow with Decatur and do all that is demanded of us along the march of progress. We know of no finer tribute to the founders of Decatur than the Centennial. We extend every good wish for its success. A cordial welcome to visitors during the big celebration. C. A. Douglas Co. T. J. METZLER, Mgr.

shakings warm, their love of neighbors unfeigned und true. Their op port unities indeed were small and few. Life promised to them very little more than toll and human endurance to the end. Not so with us now. We fcava the better surroundings, the greater opportunities and brighter outlook. Wa should therefore gird ourselves with a clear and Intelligent vision of what lies •'ore ns and what the next century will bring in if we do our'

Furniture From Spragues IS Always in Good Taste For nine years we have been supplying dependable furniture to discriminating people who appreciate exceptional style and quality at prices they could afford to pav. SPRAGUE FURNITURE CO. 152 S, Sceoend St. Phone 199 “The Better Home Store" SEE US BEFORE YOU BUY

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good part in the great drama of , life. O —, Loses on "Sure Thins" Tpledo — (I’P) — Two friendly i '-trangers introduced Robert Barksj dale to a novel string game, and showed him how he could bet without losing Barksdale bet —and lost. So now, Barksdale and the police are looking for the friendly strangers and th?ir string.