The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1892-04-21
LILLE pARISH-HISTORICAL.

n ~
In 1864 Rev. Demortier, a Jesuit
Father, held services at the residence
Of Mr.. Giersch, now dead, 4 miles
north of SaIlna, on the Saline river.
This marked the beginning Of what
is now the parish Of Sacred Heart
church of this city, and also the first
Catholic services held in the Wei i.y
OF Salina Father Demortier had
charge OF all the stations along the
present line of the L. Z. railroad.
In those days the railroad existed
only in the dim uncertain probable
ity OF the future, an l the, good
Father travelled from one station to
the other on a little white Indian
pony. While on his mission in
Ellsworth county, in 1867, he died
then raging i'm Ksn-as. He was
buried there and the body was re-
moved some ten years ago.
He was followed by Father FsvIe,
who held charge of the same mission
until 1869, when Rev. Scholl took
charge and remained until 1871. In
that year Father Il. Hayden, who
delivered the sermon yesterday took
charge for a short time. His health
failing, the mission was given to
Father John Fogarty, who attended
Salina, with the other stations, I'M
Ill 1876, when Salina became parish,
the Rey 4. WiIhert being the first
resident priest. He also has charge
Of missions as far west As Hays City,
and continued here in that capacity
until ISL.
Father Maurer came to Salina in
ISL, having been placed in charge,
and has since resided in this city.
The growth of the church here since
that time has been remarkable, and
usually at both masses the church
is found to be far too small To ac-
commOdate the needs of the parish.
A fund has been provided and IL
constantly growing, which will be
used i'm building q new church and
parsonage. While 1t is generally
conceded that a new church IL de-
msnded, yet il is. plain that a new
and more cOmmodious parsonage Is
needed more by those conversant
with the needs of the church. Bis
hop Hennesey, in addition to his
own diocese of Wichita, also rules
over the diocese Of Concordia. Ss-
lima, being centrally located between
the two, il found to be n very con-
venient place for the Bishop to meet
the clergy for. conference. This city
being the seat of a deanery also
furnishes additional necessity for
greater accommodations in the way
Of q parsonage. While the present
needs OF the parish are pressing
Father Maurer deems IL wise to wait
a while in order that the parish may
not have burden to carry. q.
The handsome school building, at
the corner OF Eighth and Iron ave-
nue. was erected by the Father in
1884. This sch DOL Is conducted by
the Sisters Of Charity Of st. Vincent
de Paul, who came from the mother
house at Leavenworth i'm ISIS. Sis
ter Justina Is the mother superior,
aud teacher of music; Sister Celestia
teaches the fifth and sixth grades !;
Sister Scholastica, the third and
fourth grades; aud Sister Ursula the
first and second grades, Sister Mary
Isabel Is housekeeper. Sisters JUS
tina and Schoiastica came here here
in 1876 when the school was estab-
lished. The school has at present
over l25 scholars and Is the pride Of
our Catholic fellow citizens. On
each week day morning MACS for the
school children IL said. On Sundays
there il mass At $50, high mass at
lO:+5 a. m, and vespers at p. m.
The choir of the church which Is
Of great assistance to the pastor, IL
under the efficient leadership OF Mr..
JACOB Lii. and George c. Lii rs
orgsuist Following are the names
OF the members: Misses Lucy Ludes,
Annie NJ. Gels, Nora Gsrlet, Maggie
Curry, Rosemary Gels, Martha
Moran, Mary Curry, Rosalis Ludss,