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The Catholic Church,
always ready to care for her children, after years of labor among the
scattered children of her fold in the Northwest Territory soon erected
Dioceses in the then wilderness. In 1821 she made Cincinnati the Episcopal
See of the State of Ohio. Before this time scattered settlements of
Catholics were ministered to by such pioneer priests as Father Joseph
Didier, Stephen T. Badin, M. Barrieres, and Father Edward Fenwick,
afterwards first Bishop of Cincinnati.
We read in the History of
the Archdiocese of Cincinnati by Rev. John H. Lamott, S. T. D., that
Bishop Flaget passed through Dayton, Springfield and Urbana on his
Episcopal visitations in 1824. In 1831, Father Baraga visited Dayton
with Bishop Fenwick; but not till 1835 was money collected to build a
church which was to be the mother Church of all the surrounding churches -
Emmanuel's of Dayton, Ohio, named after Father Emmanuel Thienpont. All
churches in the counties of Montgomery, Greene, Clark, Champaign, Madison,
Logan, Hardin and Marion are to be traced back to this church. From
Emmanuel Church, Dayton, Ohio, from the years 1844 to 1849, Father Henry
D. Junker, afterwards Bishop of Alton, IL, visited the Catholics in
Springfield. The Catholics of Springfield grew in number in the late
forties and ground was purchased in 1848 on which the parish church of
St. Raphael, built under Father Kearney, was dedicated in 1850.
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About 1860 the
Catholics of German nationality were sufficient in number to have a church
of their own. Some of the pioneers are old, familiar names, such as
William Griblenhoffer, Nicholas Spangenberger, Joseph Bauer, John Schutte, Mr.
Weingartner, George Barth and Sebastian Senft. The first Mass in
Springfield under record was in the home of William Griblenhoffer. The
chest of drawers on which Mass was said for the first time in Springfield
is still held as a precious heirloom by the descendants of the
Griblenhoffer family. For the German Catholics the services were
held at Foster and Main Streets. From 1860 to 1863, Rev. Father
Mauclerc, from the University of Dayton, took charge of the parish. The
first baptism entry in our records reads as follows: "Phillipina, daughter
of George Barth and Barbara, his wife, born November 28, 1860, was
baptized on November 28, 1860; sponsors were Nicholas and Eva
Spangenberger. Signed, Mauclerc".
Father Mauclerc was
succeeded by Father Deiters, whose name appears in our records as
baptizing Joseph Schnorbus on August 16, 1863. He became the first
resident pastor, but where he lived cannot be ascertained. The last
record signed by Father Deiters was that of Emil Brugger on January 1,
1866. The new Pastor must have taken possession a short time after, since
we find records of February 1866, signed by him.
At this time, the time
was ripe for a permanent church for the young St. Bernard Parish. It seems
much discussion at the time was had whether to put the new church in the
east or in the west end of Springfield. It seems that the east end of town
was the favored one. Ground was bought at Water and Main Streets,
where now stands the East Side Chapel. It seems in the Fall a foundation
was built, but because of some difficulty of ground or building
foundation, the site was abandoned. A location was selected on Lagonda
Avenue and Columbia Street, our present home. We read in the
Springfield Daily Republic, March 13, 1867: "The German Catholic
congregation of this city has purchased all of the ground lying on the
Lagonda Road between Columbia and North Streets, of the Warders. A
large and beautiful edifice is to be built on the high ground at the point
where the road turns northward at the end of Columbia Street. The
building is to be 60 feet wide and 124 feet long; the walls will be 42
feet high above the basement. The spire will be 162 feet higher than the
roof of the edifice. The entire cost will exceed $20,000.00. Quite a
number of building lots can be procured in this vicinity."
In the Daily Republic of
October 30, 1867, we read of the cornerstone laying of St. Bernard Church
on Sunday, October 24, 1867: "On Sunday morning an unusual number of
persons attended church at St. Raphael to witness the ceremonies previous
to the laying of the cornerstone of St. Bernard Church (German Catholic)
in the East End of town. A sermon was preached by Archbishop Purcell of
Cincinnati. The Archbishop congratulated the congregation on the enlarged
and beautiful condition of their church and urged upon them the importance
of erecting a school house suitable to the accommodation
of the children of the Catholics of Springfield. Toward 3:00 o'clock in
the afternoon, the United Sons of Hibernia of Urbana, preceded by a band
of music and followed by the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Springfield,
headed by a line of children, proceeded down High and Limestone Streets,
then eastward on Main Street to the site of the new church. After
laying the cornerstone and consecrating the foundation walls, Archbishop
Purcell delivered a short sermon."
The building of the new
church in 1867 found its completion for dedication in 1870. This ceremony
took place on July 4, 1870, and was performed by Bishop Rosencrans, the
first Bishop of Columbus. At the time of its building
it was considered one of the most stately edifices in Springfield. Father
J. P. Weissenberger succeeded Father Deiters in 1866 and started the new
church in 1867. Because of ill health, he left in the Fall of 1868 on a
leave of absence for his home in Germany. Father John Jutting succeeded
Father Januarius Weissenberger, remaining a little less than a year, when
he went to St. Louis to labor and then farther into the West. Rev. B. H.
Engbers was placed here temporarily from April, 1869, until August of that
year, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Schuchart.
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Under Father
Schuchart's pastorate, many improvements were made in the Parish. A school
was opened and the children of St. Bernard's were first taught in a room
of the parsonage. As the number of children rapidly increased, it became
necessary to erect a new school building, consisting of two rooms, at the
cost of $1000. This was done in the year 1874. Every parish ought to be
proud of its school, and it speaks well for St. Bernard's that at so early
a time in its history a parochial school was begun, though its beginning
was very humble. We do not know and cannot find out who the first
school teacher was. But the early days of the school are associated with
the name of Joseph Link, who was the second teacher in St. Bernard School,
and who came from Springfield, IL, in August, 1870, to take up his duties
as teacher and organist of St. Bernard's. After four years teaching school
in the parsonage, the two-room school building was erected in 1874, where
Mr. Joseph Link continued his work among the children until about 1880. As
one looks hack to these pioneer days and considers all the hardships
endured, a certain deep sense of gratitude must arise in us today for the
noble work, the spirit of sacrifice and progress which made our
forefathers push on and leave us a heritage of faith, trust in God and
manly sacrifice.
May this spirit of
higher advancement, the seed of which was laid for St. Bernard's by our
forefathers in the Faith, carry us on as we glory in the light of their
achievements.
Mr. Link taught until
1880, when the Sisters of Charity took up the work of our schools. Mr.
Link was also organist in the church for two terms, covering a period of
twenty-five years. He died on March 13, 1905. May his soul rest in
peace.
The Sisters of Charity
took charge of the school in the Fall of 1880. The Sisters that were first
sent to St. Bernard, Springfield, were Sister Augustina as Superior and
Sisters Chrysostom and Margaret. They were given a house on Farlow Street
in which to live. The house was owned by a Mrs. Paul of the Parish. We can
not ascertain just how long this arrangement lasted before a residence was
built for the Sisters on church property.
In the year 1879, St.
Bernard Cemetery was purchased, and on October 17th of that year it was
consecrated by Archbishop Purcell. In the Catholic Telegraph of October,
1879, we read the following account: "Last Sunday the Archbishop,
accompanied by Rev. Father Ubaldus. 0. F. M., visited St. Bernard Church,
Springfield, where after the 10:00 o'clock Mass, the latter blessed the
Stations of the Cross and made the devout exercises with all present. In
the afternoon, a procession consisting of several thousand proceeded to
the new St. Bernard Cemetery, which was solemnly consecrated by the
Archbishop, assisted by the Reverends Sidley, Blake, J. A. Burns and
Cunningham, with the Pastor of St. Bernard's. The order preserved by the
immense crowd was excellent. The preaching was by the Archbishop. The
cemetery consists of twenty acres of deep gravel ground, out of town to
the north of the city."
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In December, 1881, Father Schuchart was transferred to St. Henry Church,
Cincinnati, and in January, 1882, Rev. J. Kress was made Pastor of St.
Bernard's. One of his first ideas was to increase the capacity of the
school, and in 1884 it was decided to make an addition to the school of a
large hall and two additional class-rooms. The cost was to be $3,000.
Further work of improvement was carried on by Father Kress when, in 1886,
the church tower was completed at a cost of $3,300. In the tower
were placed three bells, which were obtained at the Louisville Exposition
at a cost of $800. The solemn service of blessing the bells took place on
Sunday afternoon, November 7, 1886. The Rev. Dean Sidley, Pastor of St.
Raphael Church, officiated, assisted by the local clergy. The bells
weighed 2,000, 800, 600 pounds, respectively, and were christened and
named: first, St. Francis; second, St. Bernard, and the third, the
children's bell, was named after the patron of youth, the beloved St.
Aloysius. The German sermon on that occasion was
preached by Rev. Nichols, of Dayton, and Dean Sidley of St. Raphaels preached the English
sermon.
After five years of
very zealous labor at St. Bernard's, on September 2, 1887, Father Kress
was called to the charge of St. Boniface Parish, Cumminsville, Cincinnati,
Ohio. He was succeeded by Rev. August Fischer. During the
twenty-five years of Father Fischer's pastorate, the history of St.
Bernard Parish was singularly tranquil.
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On July 7, 1895, the
Silver Jubilee of the dedication of St. Bernard's was solemnly celebrated.
A solemn High Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Rev. William
Fogarty, assisted by Father Fischer and a student of the priesthood,
Thomas Fogarty. The sermon was preached by Rev. Father Nichols of
Dayton. Three years later Father Fischer celebrated the Silver
Jubilee of his Sacred Priesthood. It was one of the most joyful events of
the Parish. The Reverend Jubilarian celebrated a solemn High Mass in the
presence of the Most Rev. Archbishop, assisted by Revs. John and Joseph
Burwinkel. Present in the Sanctuary were Revs. Dean Sidley, A. M. Meyer,
S. M., Henry Moeller, D. D., William and Cornelius Conway, Charles Hahne,
M. Heintz, N. Kelly and N Siebenfoercher. The festival sermon was preached
by Monsignor Joseph Jessing, of the Josephinum College, Columbus. The
dinner was served in the school. In the evening the children gave a
concert.
On December 12, 1906,
fire broke out in St. Bernard Church, which for a time threatened the
entire structure, but fortunately it was confined to the organ. It was
much disputed what caused the fire, but it was thought that a candle was
left lighted in repairing the organ. The organ was immediately replaced by
a larger one.
Now the parish had
grown to a size where in 1908 it was too large for the ministrations of
one priest and Father Fischer asked for an assistant priest. In August,
1908, Rev. C. Wirtz was appointed Assistant. He did very zealous work in
the parish, and in May, 1910, was changed to Cincinnati. He was succeeded
by Rev. Goswin Menge. Father Fischer was failing in health and
resigned in 1912.
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On February 22, 1912,
Rev. John H. Metzdorf, of St. Philomiena Parish, Cincinnati, assumed his
duties as Pastor. Father Menge remained until September, when Father
Albert Kroum was appointed Assistant. Father Metzdorf immediately
began improvement in the parish. In February, 1913, a vestibule was built
in the church, at the cost of $1,000. The same year two rooms were added
to the Sisters' House. The beautiful crucifixion group was donated by Miss
Anna Schutte. In February, 1913, a Mission was held by the Franciscan
Fathers, Fathers Chrysostom and Florian, who at that time blessed the new
Stations.
By far the most
important work of improvement in the parish at this time was the erection
of a new school - our present beautiful and stately parochial school.
Ground was broken June 19, 1914, and on November 8th of that year the
cornerstone was laid and blessed by Rev. A. C. Tapke, of Piqua, Ohio. The
dedication of the school took place on September 5, 1915, by Archbishop
Henry Moeller of Cincinnati. The Guardian Angel statue above the school
was donated by John Groeber, Sr. The number of school children in
1912 was 212. At the opening of the new school in 1915, eight class-rooms
were used. A Commercial class was started, and was known for the
pupils who matriculated from it because of their efficiency. This
Commercial school was begun in 1913 with one grade High School and two
grade Commercial. All eleven grades were taught by the Sisters of Charity.
In 1923 the school had one of its largest enrollments - 517 pupils. Since
then the school has kept an even number of almost 340 grade school
children and 120 High School pupils.
In 1916 the Beil property, next to the church, was secured for $4,800. The
parish under the able leadership of Father Metzdorf made such gallant
strides that by March, 1919, the new school and the Beil property were all
free of debt. In November, 1916, a Mission was successfully carried
on by the Passionist Fathers. Fathers Eugene and Simon, C. P.
It was a happy
coincidence that at the time of the Golden Jubilee of the cornerstone
laying of St. Bernard, the church was free of debt. It was a
glorious celebration, which took place October 28, 1917. Rev. John
Seuffert, D. D., of Mt. St. Mary Seminary, was celebrant of the Solemn
High Mass and speaker at the banquet in the school hall on that day. The
people responded most generously at the Jubilee collection, which amounted
to $2,925.80 In March, 1918, an electric motor was installed in
the organ at a cost of $450.
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The Golden Jubilee of
the dedication of the church was held July 4, 1920, with Solemn Procession
and High Mass, at which a son of the Parish, Rev. John J. Kelly, Pastor of
Marysville, Ohio, was celebrant, assisted by two sons of the Parish, Rev.
Charles Jung and Adam Ritter. The sermon was preached by Rev. Daniel
Linfert, 0. F. M. The Jubilee collection was also a handsome one,
amounting to $2,850.27. At this time more necessary improvements were at
hand and the old school building was remodeled into three class-rooms and
a typewriter room, during the summer of 1920, at a cost of $10,000.
At the same time the Sisters' house was raised, as it always suffered from
"high water" from the Spring floods and heavy rains. It was raised four
feet and remodeled at a cost of $6,000. On May 22, 1921, Father Adam
Ritter celebrated his First Solemn Mass with fitting solemnity.
In September, 1921,
ground was broken for a new Priest House, and the contract was given to
Clemens Seger for $26,648. The house was finished June 1, 1922, and St.
Bernard's is proud of having one of the finest parsonages in the
diocese.
In the Fall of 1921,
October 30 to November 13, Fathers Steinbrunner and John Dillon gave a
mission in the Parish, and until now this successful mission is much
remembered. Again on May 28, 1922, the Parish had the honor of
seeing one of its sons who had been raised to the Sacred Priesthood
solemnize his First Holy Mass within its hallowed walls - Rev. John
Cherry, C. P. P. S.
During these years
from 1912, Rev. Albert J. Kroum served the Parish well as Assistant, and
after nearly seven years, on April 3, 1919, was succeeded by Father Urban
Koehl as Assistant. After the arduous labors of the many improvements
which took place in 1920, 1921 and 1922, the much desired vacation was
taken by Father J. H. Metzdorf, and he went to Europe for three months. On
his return he gave the Papal blessing to the Parish, September 17,
1922.
In a meeting of the
Wardens, April, 1923, it was decided to remodel the old church and keep
abreast of the times. Plans were prepared by Kunz & Beck of
Cincinnati. In April of 1924, plans for altering the church were finished
and bids were opened. The lowest bid was submitted by Hodges & Irvin
Co. of Cincinnati, at $88,851.34 The work was started June 2, 1924.
Our art glass windows were made by the renowned firm of Munich, Germany,
F. X. Zettler, for $10,400. All these were donated by the Parish, and
contract for them was signed March 10, 1924. God blessed in a singular way
the work of the church, as no one was hurt on the job, and they had
excellent weather all summer. The work hurried along and was finished
December 1, 1924. The pews were placed in the church December 17th by the
Josephinum Church Furnishing Company at a cost of $4,600. Later the
beautiful communion rail was built and placed in the church by E. Hackner
Company for the sum of $1,550.
The church was
solemnly dedicated on December 21st by the Most Reverend Archbishop H.
Moeller, D. D., who at this occasion declared St. Bernard one of the most
complete parishes in the Archdiocese. He was assisted by the Rev. Joseph
Sieber, Ph. D., Rector of St. Gregory Seminary, Mt. Washington, Assistant
Priest; Rev. Henry Schuer, St. Martin Church, Cheviot, and John H.
Berning, St. Pius Church, South Cumminsville, Deacons of Honor; Rev.
Albert Kroum, Emmanuel Church, Dayton, Ohio, Deacon, and Rev. Urban
Koehl, Professor at St. Gregory Seminary, Subdeacon, at Pontifical High
Mass. The sermon was preached by Rev. Joseph Steinbrunner, Diocesan
Missionary.
Not an accident of the
slightest kind happened at the tearing down and rebuilding of the
church.
The Rededication of
St. Bernard Church, December 21, 1924, was the last official act of
Archbishop H. Moeller. He died January 5,1925.
The Silver Jubilee of
Ordination of the Pastor, Father Metzdorf, was celebrated June 21, 1925,
by procession of all the school children from the Rectory to church;
Solemn High Mass by the Pastor, Rev. H. Schuer of Cheviot, Ohio, and Rev.
John Berning, St. Pius Church, Cincinnati, Deacon and Subdeacon; Right
Rev. Monsignor Nau, D. D., Administrator of Archdiocese, preached.
Fourteen priests were present in the Sanctuary. Dinner was served in
the Priest House. In the evening an open-air meeting was held by the
Parish and the Pastor was presented with an auto and a radio. Solemn
Benediction in church.
A new Christmas Crib
was bought for $450, from Fr. Pustet Company, Cincinnati, on December 10,
1925.
A Crucifixion Group of
terra cotta, imported from Treves, Germany, was erected in St. Bernard
Cemetery October, 1926, at the cost of $7,000.
A two weeks' mission
was held October 24 to November 7, 1926, by the Passionist Fathers,
Alphonse and Ambrose, C. P.
Processional Canopy
bought for $350, a donation of Miss Catherine Saunders, in memory of
Nellie Saunders. Used first time at Forty Hours Devotion, May 2,
1927.
The Blessed Virgin
Statue was imported from Dusseldorf, Germany, June 10, 1928. Paid by Mr.
Bernard Berning of Cincinnati, $60, and Caroline Krupp, $50.
The two large Angel
Statues were imported from Tyrol, wood-carved; donated by Jacob Nafz in
memory of Rev. A. Fischer, former Pastor; and Bernardine Brugger. Each
donated $400. June 15, 1928.
The last payment of
$1,000 on the church debt was made September 7, 1928. Church was free of
debt.
A new vestment case
and cabinet, made by the Tiffin Manufacturing Company, for $933, was
placed in the Sacristy on December 4, 1928.
During the Summer
vacation of 1929, another classroom was added to the High School and in
September, the fourth year of High School was started, St. Bernard High
School specializing in Commercial Education. The High School had 129
pupils.
August 15th, Rev. Ed.
Stuhlmueller was removed to St. Elizabeth Church, Norwood, Ohio, and Rev.
Warren Hook came in his place at St. Bernard Church.
Sunday morning, June
16, 1929, about 7:00 A. M., lightning struck the church steeple. No
fire resulted, but it was damaged to the extent of $254, covered by
insurance.
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In April, 1930, new
lighting fixtures were placed in church for the sum of $1,300, by the Howe
Ornamental Iron Co., Inc., of Columbus, Ohio. To this, Mr. A. C. Link,
Louis Link and Jacob Ritter each donated $250.
On May 7, 1930, the
Pastor left for Europe on a three months vacation.
On June 11th the first
Commencement Exercises of the combined Catholic Central High Schools of
Springfield were held in the Memorial Hall.
On July 7, 1930, Mr. B
Liskowiak, of Milwaukee, WI, started the work on the church
decoration. His contract was $7,500.
September 1, 1931,
Rev. W. Hook was removed to St. Martin's Convent at Blanchester. In his
place came Rev. Ed. Macke.
In September, 1931,
the two higher grades of High School, third and fourth years, were moved
to the Central Catholic High School - now at St. Raphael School on High
Street.
January 1, 1932, Rev.
John H. Metzdorf was transferred to St. Martin Parish, Cheviot,
Cincinnati, Ohio and succeeded Rev. J. H. Schuer, who died
there.
January 20, 1932, Rev.
John H. Schawe was transferred from Resurrection Parish, Dayton, Ohio, to
St. Bernard's, Springfield. Installation by Monsignor Buckley, V. G., took
place on Sunday, January 24, 1932. Rev Ed. Macke was administrator
in the meantime.
On April 8, 1933,
Father Ed. H. Macke was transferred to St. John Church, Middletown, Ohio,
and his place was filled by Rev. Anthony Wolf, who had been Chaplain at
St. Mary Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio.
On September 22, 1933,
Father Anthony Wolf was changed from this parish to remain at St. Mary
Hospital, Betts Street, Cincinnati, Ohio. Father Francis J. Heider, who
had been Assistant for seven years at St. Ann Church, Hamilton, Ohio, took
up his Assistantship at St. Bernard Parish on the same date.
In the Fall of 1932
the Precious Blood Fathers held a mission from November 27th to December
11th. The Missionary Fathers were Leo Sponar, C. P. P. S., and John
Zeller, C. P. P. S.
The most Rev.
Archbishop in 1934 ordered a Retreat or Mission in every parish of the
Diocese as the Spiritual Commemoration of the Holy Year which was
instituted by the Holy Father in memory of the 1900th anniversary of the
death of Our Lord, and Saviour Jesus Christ. In accord with the Most
Rev. Archbishop's wishes, we had a Retreat given by Rev. Joseph
Steinbrunner of Cincinnati from December 9 to December 16,
1934.
On March 24, Saturday
noon of the year 1935, the tower of the church was struck by lightning.
The damage was $257 fully covered by insurance. No one was
injured.
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