Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1883-05-19


would not be ChebOygan, and many a
person who once thought him too fast,
would long ago have been compelled to
seek living elsewhere.
In 1876 Father DeCeuninck was sue
ceeded by Rev. John Van Gennip, whose
piety and zeal shall ever live in the
memory Of st. Mary's congregation.
Saddened to see so many children of his
congregation grow up, not only without
the necessary religion, but also without
the necessary secular education, and
knowing that the priest can reach the
heart of Catholic parents better than
any other living person, in 1881 he un-
dertOOk at his own personal expense, the
erection of school building, containing
two rooms, and in his estimation. amply
sufficient for the accommodation of all
the children of his parish, who could,
and would avail themselves of the OPP
pOrtunity offered. He erected also a
house for the sisters, and in the fall of
the same year st. Mary's school was
opened under the direction of the sisters,
servants of st. Mary, best known as the
sisters of Monroe, with two sisters as
teachers and third one taking care of
the house. 1t soon became evident, how
ever, that Father Van Gennip had count
ed without his host, that is he had not
counted that such host of children
would apply for admission as did even
from the very start, a proof of the good
will of the parents, and of the wisdom
|Of erecting pare hial school, as well
as of the rapid increase of the cOngrega-
tiCn.
On the 18th of February, 1882, Rev.
Peter j. Desmedt was nominated to sue
coed Rev. Father Van Gennip, removed
to erect new church in EcOrse, Wayne
county. Father Desmedt in the fall of
1882 added two new and large rooms to
the school, at the same time alter
ing, ventilating and fitting out to GER
tain extent the old rooms, thus giving
st. Mary's, school capable Of seating
800 children, in manner fully as
healthful, and comfortable, the sisters
say, as in any school in which they ever
have taught.
st. Mary's school has at present four
teachers and daily attendance of about
three hundred children; the school is
free to all, and is supported by the gen.
crosby of the members of the cOngrega-
ton, the generality of whom can find
sufficient evidence in their own families
to convince them that the school is
worth little sacrifice. There is besides
the school teachers, also a sister music
teacher, who occupies a fifth room, fur
nished with three pianos, and imparts
musical instruction to about thirty
pupils, besides the training
she gives the scholars in general. This
lady music teacher is very accomplished.
The music class. however, has only been
added since last September. 1t will
grow and so will the school; there is
plenty of room for larger buildings on
the lot, and by the way, when Rev De-
smedt made the addition to the school,
he had in view. erecting a wing of a
building to be completed within a few
years, not any less than 100 feet long.
We refer briefly to the cemetery be-
longing to St. Mary's congregation.
From the time the first church was
built burial ground was set apart for
the members of the congregation in the
immediate vicinity of the church; still
when the new church was erected, a new
ground was procured about so rods south
of the old one, but it being found rather
undesirable, in 1874 new ground of six
acres, was obtained by donation. Chas.
Bellant giving three acres, Peter Melon
aid two, and David Hudson one, which,
being properly plated, was on Novem-
Der 10, 1874, blessed and dedicated to
Catholic burial.
The church contains a membership
larger by far, and exerts an influence in
ChebOygan greater than that of any
other church. Every department Of
church work under the generalship of
Father Desmedt is being carried on with
that method, consolidation, persistency
and devotion, that always ensures sue
cess. The sisters are doing a most ex-
cellent work in their self sacrificing
labOrs of faith and love.
Rev. Peter Desmedt, the present Off
ciating priest of st. Mary's Catholic
church is young man, having been in
the ministry about thirteen years. In
every place where he has labOred pre-
vious to his coming to ChebOygan. he
has been successful. He is Catholic
by education, training, conviction and
principle, having sincere and unfail-
ing trust in the glorious ana divine
mission of his church. A gentleman of
no mean accomplishments, with scholar
ly attainments, broad and deep philan-
thropy, and genuine spiritual interest
in all humanity, liberal, progressive,
growing, and untiring in his arduOus
and multiplied labOrs, he has installed
himself permanently in the good opinion
and well wishes of our entire commune
ty. He is greatly beloved and reverenced
by the membership of st. Mary's and
respected and trusted by all.
ENGLAND is a Christian nation, and