The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-10-24
st. JosepM's Progressive Priest.


Rev. Herman Alerding. pastor Of St Joseph's
Catholic Church, corner of North ana Noble
streets, was born April 13. l845. in Covington,
KY, and, as his name would indicate, is Of Ger
man parentage. He speaks German fuentiy
and we'll. but his language IS English, which he
writes with elegance and speaks, when warmed
vita his subject, with graceful ease. and at the
same time with force and directness. That he
was bright young student was discovered by
an old clergyman, who encouraged him to study
and ft himself for some profession, or for the
priesthood. He studied at the old Seminary at
ViRoeunes during the presidency Of Father
Guegnen, and later he entered the college at ST.
Meinrads, where he was, o student of marked
ability. He was ordained Sept %, 1868, and his
first appointment was at St .Josephss Church,
Terre Haute. as Rev. Chausse's assistant which
place he held until the fall of 1871, and from
which he was transferred to the rather difficult
mission OF Cambridge City, where he worked
with much zeal to build up that small mission
He ID rememb ered there with much affection
In the fan of 1874 he was directed by Bishop
De St Palais to come to Indianapolis and take
charge OF what might be called ST. Joseph's CON
gPegation, which was In an unorganzed and un-
developed condition. There was an old church
On Vermont street, east OF East street. which
was built by Father Petit to serve as church,
school and priests residence. The school con-
Gnued only O year and was then abandoned
From that time until the spring of 1879 nothing
was done by way of improving the condition of
the con gregation, because Bishop De ST. Paiaiss
consent to build q church was persistentiy with
held.
Ia the month of April, 1870 til. sew bishop,
Rt Rev. Francis Silas Chatard, dc .ermined to
make hospital of the building. and ur,e3 the
congregation to build in some other quarter
This was no light task. but Father Aerding
sAu OF pluck and enterprise. went to
work. The congregation, inspired by their
pastor. gave nobly Of their means, and the
cornerstone OF the new church, southwest cor
neT of Noble and North streets, was laid July 90
1879, On July 4. 1880, the new church was
blessed and the first mass celebrated. This
church Is q Gothic structure, one hundred and
thirty feet long, the nave forty-five feet the
Tansept seventy feet in width and the hight of
ahe spire one hundred and thirty-ive feet. The
sost OF the church was ST.. 900. Churches OF sim
Gar design built since have cost $25 600. The
parsonage adjoining was erected in 1881. The
ongregation OF ST. Josephs consists of two hum
;lFed and sixty families.
Rev Alerding 10 rather under medium height
fender In build, with a lean face. Roman nose
md two very alert and :nquiring eyes. He Is
acted for his good numor and his quick
ness at repartee. Three years ago he
paid visit to Europe and returned thoroughly
disguised with the effete monarchies Of that be-
nighted division of the globe and prouder than
ever Of his American citizenship He Is tee.
totaier In theory and practice, one OF the most
thorough and pronounced temperance men to be
found anywhere
lev Aierding did not attend the authors con-
'ventson, and yet he has written book that has
saany readers 1t is a book of 636 pages, ''The
history OF the Catholic Church in the Diocese of
Vincennes," which is exceedingly valuable
contribution to the history of the State, contain
sng as 1t Goes, many interesting sketches of
early priests with incidents and anecdotes of
missionary EFFORTS in the days when the red man
was yet within our borders.