History of Linn County Iowa Part 84

Though his resources were limited, yet he had confidence that while the purses of the people were light, their hearts and their hands were generous. Nothing daunted, he put his hand to the plow and the result was the front part of the present Immaculate Conception church. The foundation in rock work was the gift of Mrs. J. J. Snouffer, Sr., who was ever willing and generous to aid both the priest and the people, though she was not of the household of the faith. I venture to predict that her generosity and true Christian charity is on record in the "Liber Scriptus" and that it will not go unrewarded by the Just Judge.

To aid in the completion of this great work Fr. Lowry engaged both men and women, old and young. Among those who contributed materially in money and cooperation in every way we find the names of Mrs. J. J.

Snouffer, Sr., Mrs. F. Lilly, Mrs. James Cook, the O'Hara family, Hayden, Hager, Kehoe, Harrington, O'Keefe, Foley, Cook, Mullally, Keenan, Murray, Meehan, Langan, Cahill, Flaherty, McVann, Brecht, Peter Flynn, Killen, Thos. Murray. By the generous and combined efforts of these and many others the desired end was attained and G.o.d's house was a reality in Cedar Rapids.

Having secured the church the next ambition of the good and zealous Father Lowry was to secure a parish school, wherein the foundation would be laid and the seeds sown in future church members and pillars.

The first and only parish school up to this time was a modest and unpretentious inst.i.tution in which a young lady named Caroline Hager taught the children of the parish, who numbered about fifteen.

In 1874 under the direction of Father Lowry the following men were chief among those who built the school: James McNamara, John O'Hara, Charles O'Hara, Peter Flynn, Mr. Springer, Alexander Brecht, John and Charles Murray, the Cannons, Mullally, O'Briens, McVann, McDonalds.

The first Catholic cemetery was the present Bohemian Catholic cemetery purchased by John O'Hara, Peter Flynn, John Foley, John O'Keefe, and James Barrett. The first Catholic buried in this cemetery was Mr.

Flaherty, father of Pat. Flaherty of the west side. The second funeral held there was that of Mrs. Martin Sheehan, about the year 1865.

In 1878 or thereabouts Fr. Lowry secured through Mr. Mullally the ground for the present cemetery at Kenwood for a consideration of about $100.00. Then the old cemetery became the exclusive property of the Bohemian Catholics of Cedar Rapids. This transfer was effected through Father Francis Chemlar for a consideration of $900.00. Of this amount $300.00 were contributed by E. R. and W. H. O'Hara. In 1880 Fr. Lowry was transferred to Burlington and was succeeded by Father T. F. Gunn, of blessed memory. At this time many settlers had located around Cedar Rapids and it began to be an important town. Soon the church had to be enlarged. In order to do so, the old parochial residence which was to the rear of the church edifice had to be removed and a new residence constructed. When this was accomplished, an addition was built to the church, giving it its present shape and dimensions. In the construction of this addition and all the incidental work that such changes entail as well as in the erection of a parochial house Father Gunn found plenty to do during his declining years in Cedar Rapids. He was not a man given to material building, as much as to the upbuilding of spiritual conditions in the hearts of his people. He was active and energetic even to his dying day. He was in sympathy with his charge and lived in the heart of his congregation, not above them. He was a thorough christian gentleman, and a man of honor. He believed in "being" and not "appearing," in doing and not in saying. He was the servant of his people, not their lord. He was a faithful follower of Him who forgot Himself in His care for others. No man ever held a warmer place in the hearts of the people of Cedar Rapids than Father Gunn. Even today his name is in benediction and his praises sung by non-Catholic and Catholic alike.

The Rev. Thos. F. Gunn was born at Strokestown, Roscommon county, Ireland, December 3, 1840. He studied the cla.s.sics in Ireland and philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained priest at Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1867. His first appointment was to Cedar Falls, Iowa. At the time there was only one priest west of him, at Fort Dodge. While stationed at Cedar Falls Father Gunn had under his charge thirteen stations in Blackhawk, Grundy, Butler, and Bremer counties. During these times a seventy-mile drive in a springless wagon was a common experience.

In 1870 Father Gunn was transferred to Sioux City. His charge was St.

Mary's parish which then consisted of a modest frame structure on West Seventh street, across Perry creek. At that time the priest's house consisted of a one room structure. Father Gunn after a short time in Sioux City was transferred to Dubuque Cathedral, where he remained three and one-half years and went thence to Burlington, where he remained till 1880, when he came to Cedar Rapids to succeed Father Lowry.

At his advent to Cedar Rapids the condition was much different from what it today presents. It was but an outpost of the onward march of civilization and no one dreamt that the coming years would bring about so great a transformation as is today in evidence. Father Gunn was twenty-six years in Cedar Rapids at the time of his death. Shortly before his death he delivered his last public address at the opening of the semi-centennial celebration held on June 10, 1906, in which he forcibly manifested his liberal views and referred to the transformation which had taken place within his memory in the city.

Father Gunn died on June 24, 1906, and his funeral was one of the largest and most representative ever held in Cedar Rapids. His eulogy was delivered by Dr. J. J. Fitzpatrick, of Marshalltown, and the speaker paid a becoming and merited tribute to the beloved and popular clergyman. His remains lie buried in Kenwood cemetery and the citizens of Cedar Rapids have erected a suitable monument to perpetuate his memory and hold his name in benediction.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BOHEMIAN ST. WENCESLAUS CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS]

[Ill.u.s.tration: ST. WENCESLAUS SCHOOL, CEDAR RAPIDS]

After the death of Father Gunn, Father Toomey became pastor of Immaculate Conception church, which position he still occupies. Great hopes are held out by the people of Cedar Rapids congregation for the welfare of the church interests. A new and commodious church is talked of and the hope entertained it will some day materialize. However as it is not becoming to praise the soldier while he is in the firing line, and as "Praise after death" has been my motto I must leave to the pen of the future historian to chronicle the deeds and sing the praises of the present pastor of Immaculate Conception church.

ST. WENCESLAUS PARISH

St. Wenceslaus Bohemian Catholic parish of Cedar Rapids was established in 1874. Those through whose prayer and cooperation this new and independent field of activity was called into existence were chiefly the following: Thomas Brouzek, Vaclav Charipar, Natej Charipar, Thos.

Chadima, J. Hajek, Fr. h.o.r.ek, Joseph Kofron, Jos. Pivouka, Vit Kuba, Fr. Kofron, Hynek Krejic, V. Lessinger, Jos. Pivouka, V. Hrebec, H.

Sindelar, Jan s...o...b.., V. s...o...b.., Jos. Sefranek, Jan Tomanek, Votja Zaruba, Ignace Sindelar, Mathew Kofron, Frank Biskop, Jan Vanous, Marie Tuba, and some others from the surrounding country districts.

A lot was purchased, and in August, 1874, the foundation of the first Bohemian Catholic church in Cedar Rapids was begun. It was an eventful day for the Bohemian element in the city. In 1875 money was borrowed and collections made by parishioners, and all resources were drawn on to obtain the necessary means of perfecting the work already begun. In 1878 the balance of the debt was paid by the united effort of a poor but earnest people. In fact the donors, considering their circ.u.mstances, were generous.

In those days of difficulty and want the parish was in charge of Father Chemlar, who with all the zeal and earnestness of an apostle attended to the varied duties and needs of the scattered and needy congregation.

From his limited salary of $200.00 he gave to the more needy and often donated his time and talent without any consideration whatever. G.o.d be with those days of disinterested and apostolic labors.

The old St. Wenceslaus church was a rock building 7527 feet. It was without a tower. The bell was erected on an improvised structure in front of the church and its silvery tones seemed to more effectively accomplish its mission and reach the hearts of the people, than our costly and superior ones of today as they ring out from their costly towers or tall minarets.

To house the good father of the flock, a modest parochial residence was built by the people and in the bas.e.m.e.nt of the unpretentious home, parish meetings were held and school was taught for years. It was in the days of the good Father Chemlar also that the first Catholic cemetery was secured by the people of St. Wenceslaus parish.

In 1889 Father Francis Chemlar was promoted to the charge at Norway, and he was succeeded at St. Wenceslaus by Father John Broz. Fr. Broz remained about two years in Cedar Rapids and during his short stay was by no means inactive. He added to the seating capacity of the church building and also built a tower in the church.

The next pastor was Father Kopecky. To his zealous and persistent labor is due the parish school which still remains, in which the youth of the parish receive the rudiments of knowledge in things secular and religious from the good Sisters of Mercy.

At this time the pastor's income was only $650.00, yet from this comparatively modest sum the good father found a modest means of doing material good for others and himself. He was a great school man and often spent hours in the school room, keeping at the cla.s.s work. He was popular with the people and accomplished much good.

Following Father Kopecky came Fr. Vrba who remained only a short time and was transferred to Protovin.

In 1900 the present inc.u.mbent, Rev. Florian Svrdlik, was installed pastor of St. Wenceslaus. Soon after his advent a new church was spoken of and being a man of action as much as of word, he began to feel the pulse of the parish on the matter. Seeing the interest and earnest manner in which the new pastor took hold the people flocked to his aid and in a short time the work a.s.sumed practical shape. Ft. Svrdlik is not a man who builds a church on paper years before he has his brick and mortar on the ground. He builds first and then talks of a reality and not of a dream. With the unanimous aid of the people, he organized a fair, and from this realized about $4,000.00.

Through the other ordinary means of collections and donations this amount was increased in a short time to the extent of $10,000.00. To this fund his grace, Archbishop Keane, of Dubuque, contributed $500.00.

At Christmas, 1903, the necessary property was secured, and on August 4, 1904, the corner stone was laid, and on October 18, 1905, the new church was dedicated with solemn and impressive ceremony. The occasion was one long to be remembered by the people of St. Wenceslaus and Cedar Rapids in general. The new church is beautiful in design and faultless in execution. It was erected at a cost of about $40,000.00, a lasting monument to the zeal and efficiency of the pastor and to the piety and generosity of the Bohemians of Cedar Rapids.

The parochial school erected in Father Kopecky's time is his imperishable monument. It is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. It is a beautiful building, plain and substantial in its style, s.p.a.cious and well ventilated and well calculated to develop a sound mind in a healthy body. There are about 175 pupils at present attending the school and sowing the seed which will enable them to develop into st.u.r.dy men and women.

ST. PATRICK'S, CEDAR RAPIDS

St. Patrick's parish on the west side, Cedar Rapids, was organized April 18, 1886. Its first resident pastor was Rev. T. F. Richardson, who was transferred from Fairfax. The first parish church was a modest frame structure on Second avenue and Seventh street west. While its seating capacity was limited yet it gave ample accommodation for the few parishioners, whose interests had heretofore been attended to, from the parent church on the east side, and occasionally from Fairfax.

Father Richardson retained the charge till the time of his death, which occurred on September 12, 1888. After his demise the interests of the young and struggling parish were entrusted to Rev. M. J. Quirk, who was succeeded by the present inc.u.mbent, Rev. T. J. Sullivan who was appointed November 17, 1889.

At this time many were locating on the west side who retired from the country around to spend the evening of life in a well earned rest after enduring for years the trials and difficulties of pioneer conditions.

Soon the little frame church became inadequate to the needs of the place, and Father Sullivan, with that solicitude which has ever marked his life and labor, began to entertain the wish of a more suitable building. It did not take long for his efforts to be supported by the hand and heart of his people, and on October 18, 1891, the corner stone of the present beautiful building was laid. The late Very Rev. Father Gunn officiated and the sermon on the occasion was delivered by the Rev. C. M. Carroll, D. D.

The new church at First avenue and Fifth street, west was dedicated on August 28, 1892, by Bishop Hennessy, of Dubuque.

St. Patrick's church is one of the most sightly buildings in the city and when the frescoing which is now being done is completed it will be one of the neatest houses of worship in the city.

The building when completed cost about $15,000.00. Father Sullivan took charge of the parish about November 17, 1889. The congregation is now large and representative.

Having secured a beautiful church Father Sullivan's next undertaking was the building of a school in keeping with the needs of the parish.

The corner stone of this beautiful and s.p.a.cious building was laid on May 10, 1902, by Dean Gunn.

The school is in charge of the Sisters of Charity of the B. V. M., whose mother house is at Mount Carmel, Dubuque. The Sisters of Charity as educators hold a similar place in the religious congregation of women to that occupied by the Jesuits among the male orders. They are the leaders in their respective cla.s.ses. And the pupils turned out by both orders today are an honor to their alma mater.

There are several sodalities and societies attached to St. Patrick's church and the parish is growing rapidly.

THE CHURCH AT PRAIRIEBURG

It has been a.s.serted that the first ma.s.s celebrated in Linn county was at Prairieburg. This a.s.sertion I have sought to establish, but have failed, so I take it for what it is worth. As far as I can learn the first ma.s.s was said in a log house belonging to James Brislawn, but who the priest was I have not been able to establish. The first authentic record we have is when Rev. P. J. Maher, late of De Witt, then at Anamosa, officiated in the home of Bernard McLaughlin in 1872. The present brick church on the prairie at which a goodly number worship and which is in charge of Rev. Fr. I. J. Norris of Stone City, was erected by Fr. Maher in 1874. The Bohemian element who live in and around Prairieburg built a church a few years ago in the town. It is in charge of Father Ballou of Oxford Junction.

THE FAIRFAX CHURCH

The first Catholic church in Fairfax was built by Fr. John in 1875.

This cradle of christianity in the wilds was located on the state road in Johnson county about six miles southeast of Fairfax. For the construction of this primeval temple oak logs were hauled from the Henderson mills on the Iowa river below Robert's Ferry. From this same mill, which was the only one at that time in these parts, except the Snouffer mills in Cedar Rapids, the early settlers hauled the lumber for their log cabins and for the shelter sheds for their limited live stock. This pioneer church in Fairfax district was afterwards removed to Walford, later to the site of the present building.

After Fr. John came Fr. Urbin occasionally from Norway. He returned to Bohemia and died there.

Among the early settlers were John Flaherty, who came in 1855; John B.

Murray in 1858, Wm. McNamara, Andrew Stark, whose children now enjoy the fruits of his labors; the McDonalds, O'Connells, Donohues, Winekes, Wickies, Brechts, Springer, Barretts, O'Hara, P. Flynn, Foleys, Cook, Haydens, Hager, Cahill, Langan, Killeen, Kehoe, Meehan, Harrington, Lilly, Murray, Cannon, O'Brien.