Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-02-20
Very Reverend F. w. Hoppman
Visits in Ottumwa. 81.
TO TAKE CHARGE ON FEBRUARY Is
Holds Conference With Father Kemp
ker This Morning to Acquaint Him
self With Work-Parsh in Good
Condition.
IFrom Tnesdar,s pa,lx.1

Mdly . CdIilollC CHURCH, spent To-Day III
the city, the guest of Rev. Father j. F
Kempker, with whom he was in con
ference the greater part of the day
concerning the work of the parish, of
which he will assume charge on next
Tuesday, February 25 According to
present plans Father Hoppman will ar
rive in Ottumwa one week from today
to take charge of st. Mary's parish
which at that time he will formally
receive from Father Kempker, who
has so ably carried on the work of the
parish during the interim in which he
has been it's pastor.
Eighteen Years Priest.
During the past eighteen years
since 1SS4-Father Hoppman has serv.
ed his church in the capacity of priest
at three different places. He comes
to Ottumwa after these years of ear
nest, faithful work as the dean and
irremovable rector of st. Mary's
church, having been appointed to this
position by Bishop Cosgrove on Febru-
airy 2, after having passed successfully
the concursus which was held at Dav-
export January 20.
Served Three Churches.
Father Hoppman was ordained to
the order of priesthood by Bishop Co.'S
grove in 1884, then the acting admins
traitor for this diocese. He was APP
pointed Immediately to the rectorship
of the Catholic church at Richmond,
Washington county, at which place he
served for about seven years and two
months. This time was spent by Faith
er Hoppman in building up and
Strengthening the parish in all it's va
rious departments. Among the i'm
provements made was the building of
a new parochial residence and a con-
siderable addition to the school house
at that place. AS his time and ener-
gies were spent during this his first
pastorate in working for the upbuild-
ing of the church so this aim has con-
tinued to be the guiding principle of
his later pastorates. In 1891 he was
transferred by the order of the bishop
to the church at Portsmouth in Shelby
county where he served faithfully for
three years. During this short period
OF rectorship he was instrumental in
securing the erection of new brick
church at the cost of about $4,000. In
1894 he was appointed to the parish at
st. Paul in Lee county at which place
he has served during the past eight
years, until the time of his appoint.
ment as Dean of ST. Mary.
Dean of ST. Mary's.
Rev. Father Hoppman, who will on
next Tuesday take charge of the par
ish of st. Mary's in this city, is ably
fitted for the place, both as regards
his experience in the work of the
priesthood and his education. He re-
ceived the foundation of his education
for the priesthood at various places,
classics were studied at Calvary, he
pursued course Of philosophy in Du-
buque and the theological part of his
training was received at Milwaukee
This, however, was but the founda-
ton for hisstudies and research which
he has pursued throughout the years
of his various rectorships and he
comes to st. Mary's church fully quail
fed by the years Of preparation for
the work to which he has been called.
Making Acquaintance.
Father Hoppman's visit to this city
at this time has been somewhat un.
expected to many of the members of
his parish, the object of it being to ac-
quaint himself with the duties that
will become his upon assuming con.
trcl of the parish. He arrived in this
city last evening and was most cordi-
ally received by Father Kempker
whose guest he has been during the
day.
This morning he celebrated mass at
the chapel of st. Joseph convent. DIR.
ing the morning the time was spent
in consultation with Father Kempker
with regard to the interests of the
church. During this time also he met
several of the members of the parish.
Speaks EncouragingIy.
With regard to the work to be done
at st. Mary's or the course to be pur-
sued, Dean Hoppman stated that he
had as yet made no definite plans.
though he spoke with pleasure of the
work and with the most sanguine ex.
pectations concerning the carrying
forward of the interests of the parish
to success. Nothing" he said, "can
now be said with regard to the plans
to be followed, my first duty and aim
upon coming shall be to make the ac-
quaintance of the parishioners as ran
idly as possible, and to at all times
work with them for the upbuilding of
the church"
Leaves With Regret.
At the conference between Father
Kempker and Dean Hoppman at the
parochial residence this morning N
was decided that the latter should
come to Ottumwa on Tuesday, Febru
airy 25, at which time he will relieve
Father Kempker of the duties of rec
tor Of ST. Mary's church. During the
past months in which Father Kemp
ker has been in charge of this parish
he has endeared himself to MANY peo
| pie both in and out of the church and
it is with regret that they see him go
By his tireless and unrelenting labors
and the hearty and generous support
accorded him on the part of the people
he has greatly advanced the interests
| af tho oh, Ia ho.