Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1875-10-09
NORTHERN MICHIGAN.
The Convent of the Society of St. Francis at
Cross Village.

The Convent of the Society of st. Francis Al
Cross Village.
w. A. Smith, editor of the Charlevoiz
Sentinel visited Gross Village last week
and from his account of the trip we make
the following extract concerning the con.
vent at that place:
"The great attraction at Cross Village
is the convent of the Society of st. Fran
els, situated about three-quarters of {
mile from the village proper. 1t was es
tablished in 1855 by Father WeikamI
and the society, and is a striking monu
ment of what patient, persistent labor
can perform. Everything which pre-.
sents itself in the way of buildings OIL
woodwork was made by the hands of the
members or the superior. The main en-.
trance leads us into the chapel, beauti-
fully and tastefully arranged and adorn
ed, but of most peculiar interior con-
struction. The apartments where the
members of the society worship during
services are separated from each other
and the body of the chapel by a system
of screens which entirely hide the occu
pants from the gate of any outside, but
affording full view of the altar. The
choir gallery is constructed upon the
same principle. The good priest cele
brated Mass in the morning, and we had
an excellent opportunity to observe the
mode of worship. Truly solemn and i'm
pressiye are the Mass ceremonies OF tht
Catholic Church.
Father Weikamp conducted us through
the various apartments Of the large
buildings, and everywhere contentment
thrift, order and neatneass were notice
able. The farm of the convent embraces
clearing of about 100 acres and is per
tectly worked, and within its bounds
there is not stump or a stone. AS an illus
tration of the fertility of the soil, Father
Weikamp informed us that from two an(
half acres of land he raised this fal
1,150 bushels OF potatoes-or over 46(
bushels per acre. An orchard of bear
ing fruit trees is in close proximity to the
convent, and level fields of ripe crops OF
grain stubble stretch on the sides. 4
neat hospital has just been completed by
| the society, which also contains chape
and will soon be ready for occupancy
Near this hospital stands the tomb con
structed by Father Weikamp which is tt
receive his mortal remains when his life
labor of love and worship is completed
We entered the Matlsoleum with the pi
Gus gentleman and gazed' with awe ana
sincere reverence into the grave which
Will at 10 distant day receive his dust
St. Francis D'Assises, who lived in tht
twelfth century, is the patron saint of tll'
convent. and his 1ife-size image stand
within glass enclosure over the mail
entrance 10 the chapel. 4 chime OF three
large bells are in the stecple which sur
mounts the main building, and in clear
| weather they can be distinctly hearC
seven miles.
REV. JOHANNES PARNARDCs' 'WEIXEEP
the superior Of the convent, is Prus
sian by birth, and is fifty-six years Of age
lie was educated in Rome, and has trav
eled extensively through the Holy Land
and we saw many relics which he brough
with him from Jerusalem, Bethlehem
and Nazareth. The good old prizes
| treated MS and ours with such marked
courtesies that we shall always remembe
him with a feeling of pleasure. We part
ed with him with an honest reverenc,
for him and his work. May he keel
above ground yet many years"