Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 214, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 September 1916 — NEWLAND CHURCH TO BE DEDICATED [ARTICLE]

NEWLAND CHURCH TO BE DEDICATED

New Catholic Church at Newland to Be Dedicated to The Most High On September 10th. For many years seme few families belonging to the Catholic faith were living in or about Newland. These few came to Rensselaer to worship. In the spring of 1914, on account of the activity of real estate men, about sixty persons of the same faith came to this same country to engage in truck farming. Up to this time the land about Newland w;s owned and controlled by B. J. Gifford, but after his death much of this ground change I hands, being sold by real estate men in small tracts of . from ten to forty acres. Most of these newcomers came from our larger cities, bringing with them their small savings, hoping to find their fortune in this land 'of promise. But here they missed what was nearest and dearest to their heart, their church . Not having the means of travel they could not attend services of the neighboring parishes. Upon a visit by Rev. Christian Daniel, pastor of St. Augustine’s church, Rensselaer, he realized that if these people are to be retained in the true fold something must be done and that too in the near future. He therefore requested the Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding, bishop of Fort Wayne, to grant him permission to celebrate mass in the public school building. This permission he cheerfully granted and connected Newand as a mission to St. Augustine’s parish. The first mass was celebrated at Newland in the public school building on June 7th, 1914, and once a month thereafter by one of the Rev. Fathers of St. Joseph’s college until May, 1915. Being encouraged oy ideal spring of 1915 they felt that they could build their own little mission church and therefore began preparations at once. Their desire of possessing their own little building was assured by the generosity of Thomas M. Callahan, who donated one block of ground, besides a very substantial donation in money. Others who gave very generously in time and were J. J. Brehm, Herman Knoerzer, Mrs. Altfilish, C. Hoeferlin and family, 0. N. Faber, J. Wilson, in fact all members of the missioiy assisted in the same spirit according to their means. Many non-members about Newland and Rensselaer contributed ’iberally towards this good cause. Members of St. Augustine’s church of Rensselaer and its different societies will not be forgotten for their splendid help. The sisters of the school furnished the sacred vestments. The children of the parochial school the sacred vessels. The Holy Name society pays part'of the expenses each month of the attending clergy, etc. In May, 1915, the building was partly completed and the first services were held in the unfinished building on the second Sunday in May. The > very wet summer following nearly proved the failure of the undertaking. Most of the families seeing their crops ruined by continuous rains and realizing that there was no other way of earning a living, left for other parts of the country. The remaining families, twelve in number, being discouraged, did nothing more to their mission church until the latter part of this summer. They are now completing the building and are equipping it with the necessary furniture. Although -ihe mission church is a very humble it is the realization of the fondest hope of the members. Upon the invitation extended to Rt. Rev. Bishop to bless the mission church the following reply was received • Fort Wayne, Ind., Aug. 30, 1916. My Dear Father Daniel: I am much pleased and edified to learn that, in spite of many obstacles, you have the church at Newland now in readiness to be blessed and formally dedicated to the service of Almighty God. Not in condition to attend to this most interesting ceremony for the edification and encouragement of the good people of Newland, I must request you to kindly ask the Rev.. Hugo Lear, C. PP. S., president of St. Joseph’s College, to accept this duty from me and to bless that mission church on Sept. 1 10, the date fixed for its blessing. I trust the good father can and will perform this function on the date stated and present to the few but good people of Newland my heartfelt congratulations in having provided a home for our Lord, who will bless them and accept this gift from their hands as an evidence of their lively and active faith. Devotedly yoyjjg, . H. J. ALERDING, Bishop of Ft. Wayne. In accordance with the wish of the bishop the- dedication will take place on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 11 o’clock. The high mass will be chanted by the