Catholic Parish of St. Joseph, South Bend, In
Founded : 1847
Pastor: Rev. John M
DeRiso
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1. St. Joseph Church - Exterior
2. St. Joseph Church - Interior
3. St. Joseph Church - Interior
Genealogy Records
LDS Records
St Joseph of South Bend has been
filmed by the LDS
Church records, 1847-1931
Catholic Church. St. Joseph (South Bend, Indiana) (Main Author)
Notes
Text in English and Latin.
Microfilm of originals in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in
Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Most volumes individually indexed.
Some pages wanting, faded, torn, etc.
Baptisms 1867-1890 - FHL
US/CAN Film [ 1617235 Item 3 ]
Baptisms 1867-1890 marriages 1868-1897 burials 1868-1891 - FHL
US/CAN Film [ 1617235 Item 4 ]
Census 1868-1883 minutes 1862-1901 accounts 1867-1894 - FHL
US/CAN Film [ 1617235 Item 5 ]
Baptisms 1891-1908 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 1617235 Item 6 ]
Deaths 1892-1914 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 1617235 Item 7 ]
Marriages 1897-1914 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 1617235 Item 8 ]
History 1847-1897 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 1617236 Item 1 ]
First communion 1902-1931 confirmation 1903-1928 - FHL US/CAN
Film [ 1617236 Item 2 ]
Baptisms 1908-1914 - FHL US/CAN Film [ 1617236 Item 3 ]
Baptisms 1914-1919 confirmations 1915-1920 first communion
1915-1920 marriages 1914-1923 deaths 1914-1930 - FHL US/CAN Film
[ 1617236 Item 4 ]
South Bend Public Library
http://www.libraryforlife.org/aboutsjcpl/departments/localhistory/stjoeresources/stjresources.html
Marrige, Birth and Death is available on
CRIMP Roll 30 & 31, in the Genealogy Center, 2nd
floor
Roll 30
Item 3
Baptism Index
1867-1890
Item 4
Marriage,Birth,Burial
1868-1891
Item 5
Census, records
1868-1883
Item 6
Baptism,
1891-1808
Item 7
Deaths
1892-1914
Item 8
Marriages
1897-1914
Roll 31
Item 1
History
1847-1897
Item 2
Communion, Confirmation
1902-1931
Item 3
Baptism
1908-1914
Item 4
All
1914-1930
Church Web Site and Contact:
SACRAMENTAL RECORDS
AVAILABLE AT:
St Josephs
226 N. Hill St.
South Bend, IN 46617-2720
PH (574) 234-3134
FAX (574) 234-2822
Pastor: Rev.
John M. DeRiso, CSC Ext 10
Associate Pastor: Rev.
James J. Ferguson, C.S.C. Ext. 22
Retired Associate Pastor: Rev. William J. Neidhart,, CSC, Ext. 22
Church Offices/Parish Center:
211 N. St. Louis Blvd., South Bend, IN 46617
Pastoral Associate: Regina C. Wilson Ext.
16
Minister of Music: Brian Garland
Ext. 15
Youth Minister: Greg Sweeney Ext.
23
Administration Mgr.: Barbara Klimek
Ext. 11
Parish Secretary: Cindy Jozwiak
Ext. 10
School:
216 N. Hill St., South Bend, IN 46617 (574) 234-0451
Principal: Suzanne
Wiwi FAX (574) 234-0524
Assistant Principal: Maureen Hamel
School Secretary: Nancy Pellegrino
440 Students/Kindergarten-8 (after school care available)
Masses: Sunday: 8, 10 a.m., 5 p.m.; Saturday — 8 a.m.,
5 p.m.; Holy Day — 7 a.m., 12:10 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.;
National Holidays — 10 a.m.; Weekday — 7 a.m.
Vietnamese Community Mass — Last Sunday of every month at
12 p.m.
Reconciliation: Saturday — 3:30-4:30 p.m.
730 Families/HH — 1,800 persons
History of St. Joseph ,
South Bend
SOUTH
BEND. [St. Joseph County]
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
1853.
The history of the Catholic Church in South Bend dates back to 1680. In this year, Rev. Claude Allouez, S. J., erected a most primitive chapel on the borders of St. Mary's lake, of the present Notre Dame. At that time it was principally the Pottawottamie Indians, who worshipped here. After the death of Father Allouez, which occurred in 1689, came Rev. James Gravier, S. J., who in turn was succeeded by Rev. Claude Aveneau, S. J., when, in 1759, the fort on St. Joseph's river was reduced by English soldiers, and the survivors were taken prisoners and were carried away to Quebec. The mission was then entirely deserted, until it was reorganized by Rev. Stephen Theodore Badin, who built here a log chapel in 1830, 24x40 feet, which served for church and priest's residence. Father Badin labored here until 1832, when Rev. Louis de Seille took up the missionary work in these regions, from 1832 to 1837. The youthful, newly ordained priest, Rev. Benjamin M. Petit was Father de Seille's successor, from 1837 to February 10, 1839, the date of his death. For three years thereafter, the Catholic Indians, and others living in these regions, were attended by missionaries from different parts at irregular intervals. From November 26, 1842 until the present day, owever, the Catholics of South Bend have been served faithfully by Fathers of the Congregation of the Holy Cross. It was on the date mentioned, that Rev. Edward Sorin, C. S. C., with six Brothers arrived and founded Notre Dame.
Until the year 1853 the Catholics of that part of South Bend known as Lowell, worshipped in the chapel at Notre Dame: but in the year mentioned, Father Sorin erected a brick structure, 22x40 feet, on ground which had been secured in 1847, consisting of three lots located on the south-east corner of Hill street and La Salle avenue. The addition of a kitchen [253] and dining room is still standing. A second story was added on this building in 1882. Divine services were held here by priests from Notre Dame, and the school was taught in the same building by Sisters of the Holy Cross. This building was known first as St. Alexius' School and Chapel, and later as the Academy of the Assumption.
The priests who attended St. Alexius' Chapel from Notre Dame were: Rev. Edward Sorin, C. S. C., Rev. Alexius Granger, C. S. C., Rev. Francis Cointet, C. S. C., Rev. Richard Shortis, C. S. C., Rev. Thomas Flynn, C. S. C., Rev. B. J. Force, C. S. C., Rev. J. Bourget, C. S. C., Rev. Z. Leveque, C. S. C., Rev. P. P. Cooney, C. S. C., Rev. Thomas Carroll, C. S. C., Rev. W. Corby, C. S. C., Rev. C. Exel, C. S. C., Rev. J. C. Carrier, C. S. C., Rev. P. Hartlang, C. S. C., Rev. A. Lemonnier, C. S. C., Rev. S. Daugherty, C. S. C., Rev. L. J. L'Etourneau, C. S. C., Rev. Julius Frere, C. S. C., and Rev. Louis Neyron. It was in the year 1867, that Father L'Etourneau began to take up a subscription for the new church, and how difficult it was in those days to collect money may be surmised from the fact, that in two years and four months he collected $748.83. The new church was erected on the corner of Hill street and LaSalle avenue, at a cost of $1,385.76. It was a frame building, 40x60 feet, and was completed in September 1868. A sacristy and one room were added to the rear of the church, and on July 1, 1869, Father Frere, became the first resident pastor of St. Joseph's Congregation. A paper, left by Father Frere, contains the census of the parish which he took up in 1868 and which records forty-seven families, with a total of 210 souls. Even in those early days St. Joseph's had flourishing societies: The Ladies of Nazareth, since 1860, who had charge of the sanctuary and altar, who, since 1890, have become members also of the Apostleship of Prayer, of the Living Rosary, of the Confraternity of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Children of Mary, since 1862. The St. Joseph's Society for Men since 1868, the strongest Catholic organization in South Bend in its day, it flourished until 1896. The St. Aloysius' Society for Boys, since 1868, known today as the Catholic Knight's Cadets. Father Oechtering of Mishawaka was want to say "that any priest may organize societies for boys, but that not even the grace of God can keep them up." [254]
In the fall of 1870, Rev. William Demers, C. S. C., was made the second resident pastor of St. Joseph's Church. He repaired and improved the church property, in many respects. On December 26, 1872, at high noon, the church burned down. The origin of the fire was not known at the time, but some years later, an unfortunate man on his death bed at Laporte, confessed to the deed. The Blessed Sacrament, the sacred vessels, the church books and the church vestments were saved, and the church was insured for $2,500. "Even the famous reed organ was thrown down from the gallery, and out of the burning edifice. It survived the fall, but to judge from the groans which it now occasionally emits in the present St. Joseph's school, it never got over the shock." The congregation now returned to the old St. Alexius' Chapel, with Rev. Peter Lauth, C. S. C., as their pastor and Father Sorin bought the block, on which St. Joseph's Hospital now stands. Here he erected a brick building, 32x50 feet, the upper story of which was used for a church, and the lower for a boys' school, with rooms for pastor and teachers. Father Lauth was pastor from January 1873 till September 1874, and was succeeded by Father L'Etourneau, who remained until September 1875, when Father Lauth returned and was pastor till September 1876. Rev. William Demers, C. S. C., from September 1876 to September 1877; Rev. P. F. Veniard, C. S. C., from September 1877 to July 1, 1880; Rev. Thomas Vagnier, C. S. C., from July 1, to August 1880; Rev. Michael Philip Fallize, C. S. C., from August 15, 1880 till the fall of 1888. Father Fallize was a most energetic pastor. Being himself a musician, the choir received his first attention. A new census taken by him revealed the necessity for a new church, and it was decided to put up a new church, on the site where the church had been destroyed by fire, in 1872. The present St. Joseph's Church was accordingly built, a brick structure, 51x149 feet, at a cost of $18,000. The corner-stone was laid at the close of July 1881, and the church was dedicated September 10, 1882. During the erection of the church, Rev. D. Hagerty was assistant to Father Fallize. In 1884 a two-story brick building, 30x60 feet, costing about $4,000, was provided for a boys' school and a hall. The school was taught by Brothers of the Holy Cross for two years, since which time the Sisters of the [255] Holy Cross have had charge of them. Father Fallize establised the Catholic Knights of America, known as St. Paul's Branch, in 1885, and also the Total Abstinence Society, he being the State President for years. The next pastor was Rev. James Gleeson, C. S. C., from the fall of 1888 till August 1889. After him came Rev. N. J. Stoffel, C. S. C., who attended St. Joseph's from Notre Dame during one year, before he took up his residence at St. Joseph's. In the summer of 1891 the boys' school and hall building was converted into a pastor's residence, at a cost of $1,355. Costly repairs and improvements were made, including a first-class furnace for the church. A children's fair held in 1900 netted $1,860. Alexius Coquillard, who died in February 1890, bequeathed $5,000 to St. Joseph's Church. Father Stoffel departed this life, on March 20, 1902.
The next pastor of St. Joseph's Church, and who is the pastor at the present time, is the Rev. Peter Lauth, C. S. C., who took charge on April 5, 1902. Since his advent all but $1,200 of the old debt has been paid, and many repairs and necessary improvements, amounting to over $3,300, including new roofs on church and house, construction of sewer, paving of streets, frescoing of the church have been made. It is the intention to build a new parochial residence, in the near future.
Besides the societies mentioned, St.
Joseph's has at present the Holy Name Society, with fifty
members, and the Holy Angels' Sodality, with 100 members. The
records show that the parish includes about 330 families, with a
total of 1,826 souls.
St. Joseph's parochial school is attended by 306 children, in
charge of seven Sisters of the Holy Cross. The church property
has a debt of $1,200
Source: The Diocese of Fort Wayne, 1857--September 22--1907, A Book of Historical Reference, 1669-1907. By the Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding. Fort Wayne: The Archer Printing Co. 1907
Items of
Historical Interest
(St. Joseph's, 1849) "Brother Gatian shall be sent to South Bend as soon as possible to begin there a regular school, at least a French class."
-- Minutes Monthly Council of Brothers, 1849.
See also --"Foundations"-- South Bend.
(St. Joseph's) "September 14, 1852. Very Rev. E. Sorin, purchased from Samual Cottrell and his wife, Catherine, lots numbers 124, 125, and 126, in this town of Lowell, not the city of South Bend, for the consideration of $250, the deed, in part, providing that the property be used 'for the benefit of the Catholic Church of St. Joseph.'"
-- Blanchard, p. 433. September 14, 1852
(St. Joseph's Church, 1873) "Father Sorin drew the plan, Brother Charles superintended the work, and Brother Edward, treasurer of Notre Dame, paid the bills." History of St. Joseph's County-- Howard. Vol. i. p. 421. 1873
(St. Joseph's, 1884) "In 1884, a two story brick building, 30' X 60' was erected on the church property, to serve as a school for boys, and as a hall for dramatic entertainments, the cost of the building being about $4,000; but the youth of east South Bend were not ripe enough for the drama, the school was not self-supporting, and, in 1890, the Congregation, tired of paying both interest and rent for the priest's house, returned the children to the Sister's schools and remodeled the hall for a home for the pastor."
Blanchard's History - Vol. I, p. 435. 1884
(1885: Brother Daniel) (St. Patrick's)
(St. Joseph's School, 1886) "Here the Sisters taught until 1886, when the pastor, Father Fallize, erected a school for boys directed by the Brothers of Holy Cross. The Sisters' classroom was emptied of equipment as Father Fallize ordered all the furniture used by the boys to be moved to the new building. The Brothers were unable to handle the situation. A year later they were recalled to Notre Dame, and the boys left to run the streets." Our Provinces, pp. 92-3 Sr. Renata. 1886
(1888: St. Joseph's School... 1893) "The first school erected in St. Joseph parish was built in 1852 by Very Rev. E. Sorin at a cost of about $1,800. The first teachers for the boys were Brothers Raymond, Daniel, Romuald and Philip.
"Up to 1868 there were two separate schools, one for boys and one for girls. In that year the schools were united and taught by the Sisters. In 1881 another attempt was made to have a separate school for boys, but it failed after two years and the project was abandoned." 1888-1893
(St. Joseph's; 1889) "One Brother and three Sisters of Holy Cross. 1895: Sisters of Holy Cross." 1889
(St. Joseph's... 1907) "In this little church, persons whose heads are not yet silvered have often seen a living exemplification of that Universal Church, which knows neither race nor color, neither rich nor poor, neither lofty nor lowly, but only our common humanity as brethren of Christ. Even as it is related of Chief Justice Taney, who was often seen at the Communion Table, kneeling, as it might chance, beside some poor colored Catholic of the Congregation; so here at the altar rail of St. Joseph's knelt as equals, as Christians, to receive the bread of life, whites, Indians, and negroes: children of New and Old England; of Virginia, and France; of Ireland and Germany; of Italy and Belgium. There, at least, the poor Pottawatomie, Chippewa, of Miami, the meek Ethiopian and the Caucasian, found themselves as Brothers in the one Mother Church."
-- Howard, p. 619. 1907
Catholic Churches of St. Joseph County
Source University of Notre Dame
Archives
http://archives.nd.edu/aidan/aidan522.htm
Information submitted by: Jim Piechorowski and John Kovatch
Project Started: Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Updated: Tuesday, September 20, 2005 08:33:50 PM
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