Evening star., 1896-11-14
DIAMOND JUBILEE
:
History Of fGonzaga College and Some
Interesting Events.
!. -.--
OLDEST OF TIE LOCAL SCHOOLS
List of Eminent Rectors Who Have
Served.
WHO GRADUATED

1
| One of the most pleasant features of the
| diamond jubilee of Gonzaga College, which
as heretofore stated in the Star begins to-
| morrow, is the authoritative announce
| ment that Rev. Father Cornelius Gillespie
who has already served two terms as prasi-
| dent of the institution, and has done sc
much to advance its interests along every
| line of work, is to be permitted to remain
| at his present post for at least one year
| longer. Gonzaga was the first college In
| the city of Washington. having been
founded several years previous to the Co
ltmbian University.
One of the distinguished professors at
Gonzaga College, in speaking of the VEN
cradle institution last evening 10 Star re-
porter. said:
"A glorious history is hers. 1t is the his
tory of an institution that long before the
advent of the public schools. and long be-
fore the founding of the present private
schools and colleges Of the city. was al
most the sole educator of the youth Of
Washington city and the chief instrument
that formed the public mind. 1t has heen
said that nine out of ten Of the old citizens
Of Washington seem to have been at one
time or another pupils "f :ionIasa College
Though this statement may not be strict
ly true. yet an examination OF the Old rec
ordS will show galaxy of the most proml-
nent business and professional men OF the
District. 1t was the alma mater of Henry
May, one of the most distinguished orators
that Maryland ever produced. and for sew
eral terms a member of Congress from
Baltimore; of Dr. Noble Young, of William
Douglas Wallach, founder of The Star of
his brother. Richard II. Wallach, mayor of
Washington; Of James NJ. Carlisle, one of
the most distinguished of American law
yers; Of Rev. Fathers Willi1m F. Clarke.
S.J.: James A. Ward, 81; Robert Fulton.
ST.; William b. Cleary. 81; Daniel Lynch,
ST.; while Rev. jeremiah Cummings, ID,
was a student; Of the late Judge William
NJ. Merrick. of James Hoban, George w.
Anderson. John F. Callan; of the Brents.
Boones, Dsgses, Masis. Riggses. Morgans,
many Others"
Early History.
Rev. Anthony Kohmann, ST., was ap-
pointed in 1921 the first rector of GonZaga
College. which was then located on F street
between 9th and 10th northwest. Father
Kohlmann, after years Of priestly labor in
Italy and Austria. on the 2lst of June, 1903,
entered the Society of Jesus at Dunebourg
Russia. Soon after the first year of novice
ship he was sent to the United States. On
his arrival al George town College he was
Eamed Socius to Father Neale, master of
novices. and appointed to give missions to
German congregations in Pennsylvania and
Maryland and to attend the Catholics of
Alexandria, Va.
, Archbishop Carroll sent him in October
1S)S. to New York city as pastor of St
Peters Church and administrator of the
diocese. His assistant was Father Benedict
Fenwick, S. j., afterward bishop of Boston
In order to accommodate the increasing
number of Catholics he purchased large
plot of ground in what was then unimprov-
ed land, between Broadway and the Bow
cry, and laid the cornerstone of old ST.
Patrick Cathedral on June S, 1909. On the
site OF the present cathedral he established
the New York Literary Institution.
On certain day in the year 1910 Father
kohlmann baptized child who had been
carried by its father from Brooklyn to St
Peters Church. That child was John Nc
C.oskey, destined TO be the first American
cardinal.
Not long after the arrival on December .
1915. of Right Rev. John Connolly second
bishop of New York, Father kohmann was
recalled to Maryland. together with the
faculty of the New York Literary Institu-
ton.
While residing at Georgetown College
Father kohlsnann was named successfully
master OF novices. president of the college
professor of theology and superior general
CT the Maryland nilsson. In 1871 he be-
came. in addition to his office of superior of
the mission, president of GonZaga College
and professor of theology to the schoastics
who assisted him in the management of the
schools Hence the name washington
Seminary" as the college was then called
1t was here that he wrote his learned work
"Cnitarianism; Phlosophcally ard Theo-
logically Considered" in refutation of
Unitarian ministers. The arguments for
the Incarna ton are al this day frequently
made use of by the students at Woodstock
College
Directed by the ability and experience of
Father Kohlmann Gonzaga College became
the leading school of Washington.
But he was destined fer Il more respon-
sible Office. Pope Leo XII, Who had in 1921
restored the Roman college TO the Society
Of Jesus. summcred Father Kohlmann to
Rorie to fill the chair of theology. He was
there the professor of Leo XIII when his
holiness attended the theological lectures
in the Roman college. There is mention
made of Fatha~ kohlmann in the Latin
POEMS written by the holy father.
In the succeeding pontificate of Gregory
XVI Father Kohlmann was promoted %
the office of qualidcator of the Roman in
QUESTION. He already member of the
congregations of ecclesiastical affairs, Of
bishops and regulars and consultor of the
inquisition. The last years of his life were
spent at the Gesie in constant labor He
was so devoted that death came near find
ing him at his post in the confessional, and
lis zeal was rewarded by numbers Of strik-
ing conversions. He died April II, 1886
Succeeding RectOrs.