Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-09-04

laid, which was not completed, how
ever until 1860. It was dedicated in
June of that year. The church build
ing was 4Ox80 feet in size, and is
built of grey stone. 1t is handsome
building and will seat about 400
people The interior of the building was
a short time ago handsomely frescoed
by the distinguished artist, John A.
Amberg, Of Milwaukee. The Ruttan
system of hot air heating is used.
In 1868 a parochial school was es-
tablished in connection with this
church. The school was under the
charge Of the Dominican Sisters of
Sinsinawa. This school has been
carried on since by them with great
success. During the year 1870 the
German element withdrew and on
ganized society and erected their
present church building, The pres
ent pastor, Rev. James OKeefe was
appointed to this charge October LIST,
1870. Rev. O'Keefe was born in the
city Of New York July Goth, l845.
His parents moved in 1913 to Mil
waukee, and three years later to
Portage City, this state, where he
attended the public schools. He en-
tered the Seminary Of st. Francis at
Milwaukee, in 1857, where he re-
NAMED until he completed the class
ical course Of that institution, together
with philosophy and metaphysics. He
went to Europe and finished his
studies at the University Of Louvain,
in Belgium, one Of the foremost
educational institutions OF Europe.
There he perfected himself in Latin,
Greek, French and German, and com
pleted his studies Of canon law and
theology. While in Louvaln he re-
ccived minor orders, at the Cathedral
Of St. Rombauld, in the city Mains,
from Cardinal Stercks Primate of
Belgium, on June 9th, 1865. In
1866 he was recalled to st. Mary's
University at Chicago, as Professor
of Latin, where he remained one
year, when he returned to st Francis
Seminary at Milwaukee, and accepted
II professorship, which he retained
until June 9th, 1868, when he was
ordained a priest, and assigned to the
pastorate Of Elva, Wis. Shortly after
ward that mission was divided, and
he was removed to that portion in
the city Of Columbus, where
he took up his residence and became
the first pastor. His success in freeing
this church from large Indebtedness
was marked, and he was called to
Madison, and took charge Of that
mission, where he erected
one of the finest Catholic school
in the state,
Rev, O'Keefe removed to Mineral
Point in 1870, which at that time in
Guided Waldwick and Ridgeway, He
successfully conducted these three
churches until 1875, when he had a
residence built at Rldgcw0y, and APP
Piled to the archbishop that llidgeway |
be separated from his mission, and Il
priest be sent there; which was done. |
In 1872 he established a free Catholic |
school in Mineral Point, one Of the |
irst of the kind in the state. Rev |
)keefe Is very popular with all
classes. He is recognized rs u
brilliant scholar, and is kind and easy
If approach He is very charitable,
md is loved not only by his own con
yregation but by all VINO know him.
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The first service held in Mineral !
Point by the Episcopalians was away
Jaoi In 1886, when Bishop Kemper
dictated in That capacity, In 1887 |
Rev, Il. +. Cadle, under date of July |
!, writes to the General Board of
at New York, and says:
81 spent several days ut Mineral Point, This |
place Is said TO contain 600 or 800 people, aud
here IL n considerable population IN the nd Join
Ing county. Several persons expressed their
Wish for the appointment Ola missionary There
are several Epscopalians In the village, and the
number OF persons disposed to attend public
worship IN quite large"
From this it will be seen that there
was no society at that time.
In 1889 steps were taken to build
n church, as will be seen by the follow
ing taken from the Miners journal of
June IL, 1889:
"The Rev, Mr. Weed win preach ut the Court
House, Sunday next, at 10 o'clock A. m. and 3
o'clock p. M, on the corner stone of the new
church."
The new church failed to material
i2e, rs the treasurer of the fund APP
IL for baser uses. The first
regular organization was effected ON
Dec, 8. 1889, William Banks
was chairman at the meeting of organ
izers, Moses NJ Strong stated the
objects Of the meeting. An adjourned
was held Dec. II, when the
committee on constitution reported a
set of rules, and the following special
officers were elected Henry Hamilton
and W. Il. Smith, church wardens;
Charles Legate and NJ. NJ Strong,
trustees; John Milton, treasurer
and James Bowden, clerk. Very soon
after that the church was Incorporated
Moses NJ. Strong donated for church
purposes all of block No. % rs It now
remains, In 1915 u church building
was erected, This building is 35xl5
feet in area and is built Of brick. In
1865 Rev. Lyman Phelps was called
and made rector, During Rev. Phelps
rect prntp tho rpptprN VnV huili md thn