Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-05-30

was scarce article in those davs. tbt
earnestness and zeal of the people pro
yided liberal donations of time anf
material.
During the fall of that year, and OF
temporary alter and floor, Father
Healy celebrated the first Mass. The
building when completed, was 80 bv &c
feet and 16 feet high. In 1916 a pa
rochlal residence was erected on the
church grounds which was used unit
1888, when it was sold and removed
On the departure of Father Healv.
the Rev. Fathers Tierney and Mullen
followed but shortly afterward were
transferred to other fields. Following
them Father Joseph Smith came, and
under his ADMINISTRATION church mat.
ters progressed smoothly and prosper
ously. In 1857 the rapidly increas-
ing membership, made it necessary to
enlarge the church. Consequently an
addition, equal in dimensions to the
original structure was added. The
building was improved inside and out.
bell tower was also erected in
which swung the same bell which
today calls the people to worship.
About this tine also, another step of
advancement was taken in the addi-
ton Of g, parish school building to the
church property,
When Father Smith left here, he
was succeeded by Rev. D>. Norris who
died while in service. Then came
Father Petit
In March 1871, St. Bernards s church
md parish came under the charge of
the Fathers of the Holy Gross. Just
preceding this action mission, open
ed by Rev. w. Corby, was successfully
conducted by Rev. T. p Coouey, c.. S.
c., with able assistants. At the close
of this mission Fir. Cooney succeeded
as pastor until 1872 when he was sue
ceeded by Father Corby. Under this
priest much advancement was made.
The University of Our Lady of the
Sacred Heart was established and un
der his direction also the erection of
the present church building was COM
menced in the spring of 1873. The
building has an exterior measure
ment of 152x76 feet, the height Of the
steepie being 213 feet and thelength OF
the cross by which it is surmonted is
Ii feet, The interior dimensions are
nave 96x69 feet; chanoel. 5Sx38 feet:
gallery 69x47 feet; height of ceiling
from floor to floor 60 feet. The seat
ing capacity is 1900 and estimated
cost $75. 900. The corner stone of St.
Bernard's was hewn from the cele-
brated rock of Cashel, and was sent as
a present to the people of Watertown
by the Town Council of Cashel, Ire.
land. This was laid and blessed by
the Right Rev. Bishop Henni on Oct.
13, 1878. The church was solemnly
dedicated November 12, 1876. The
main altar was erected in April 1877,
and shortly after the pulpit. beauti-
full piece of work, was built and fine
organ put up in the gallery.
In fact the church as it stands today
with it's beautiful interior and artistic
exterior surroundings, is a work of
art and an ornament to the city-a
monument to the love and interest of
a devoted congregation.
In July, 1877, Father Corby being
called to the presidency of Notre Dame,
which position he had held previous to
coming here. Father Colovan was
named the pastor of St. Bernard's.
He remained until 1880 When he. was
called to Lead City, South Dakota
Father Cooney was then re-appointed
to The charge here until 1881. when
Father Corby again returned. At this
time the old pastoral residence was
sold anc removed, and the erection of
the present magnificent dwelling COM
menced in Oct. 1888.
In Aug. 1886, the Rev. Patrick
William Condor assumed the pastorate,
continuing until 1895 when Father j.
M. Toohey assumed the charge.
It was during Father Condon's term
that the old frame school building
was replaced by the present substantial
brick structure located just back of the
church.
On July 14th, 1901 Rev. James
Rogers, the present pastor, assumed
the duties OF ST. Bernard's parish.
Father Rogers was born in Ireland
L.