Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1904-12-17
Has Marked History of Catholic
Church in Louisville
During 1904.
Population Now Numbers co.
600 Souls, With Thirty
two Churches.
Devoted Pastors and Laity Have
Brought About Benif-
cent Results.
SOMETHING TO BIB PROUD OF

Catholicity has made great progress II
Louisville and Jefferson county durini
the calendar year of 1904. At the end o
the wear il is not out of place to recur t.
this progress and development, especially
at Christmas time. 1t is noticeable tina
at each recurring holy day of obligation
more Catholics attend mass than on thu
previous years anniversaries OF holy
DAYS. On Sundays the divine services
are attended more generally than former
". For all of this the pastors of the vari'
Gus congregations and other parishiorer'
have reason to congratulate themselves
as conditions were not always as they
are at present. Whilst the Louisville
diocese is ore of the Oldest in the West II
has not always been one of the most pro
gressive. 1t has been coming 70 the front,
however, within recent years in remark
able manner. The progress that has been
made will astonish Catholics themselves,
especially since 1t has been conducted on
most conservative lines.
There are today thirty-two Catholic
churches within the city of Louisville
This is nearly double the number oil
churches of any other single denomina-
ton, reckoning the Methodist as the next
leading religious body with its North and
South and colored affiliations. 1t is rea'
souable to say therefore that the Catho'
lies are the stronger of any branch OF the
Christian denominations in this city. A
conservative estimate would place the
population of Catholics at 10000 souls.
In point Of church attendance the Cath
olics lead all the others two to one.
When all of this is considered credit must
be given to the administration OF the
Right. Rev. William George McCloskey,
Bishop of Louisville, and now the oldest
Catholic Bishop in the United States in
point of continuous service. 1t has been
the policy of Bishop McCloskey to do his
work quietly. He has not paraded his
work in his official organ or elsewhere,
but il has been none the less successful.
Bishop McCloskey and his immediate
assistants are today surrounded by most
devoted number of clergy and laity-
Want of space precludes the possibility
of mentioning all the clergy who have
done so much for the progress OF the
church during the year. Collectively
the members of the Ancient Order oil
Hibernians, the Young Mems Institute
the Knights of Columbus, Catholic
Knights of America, Catholic knights
and Ladies of America, the varions sodal
tiles, and last, but not least, the St. Vim
cent de Paul societies, have each done
their part.
In point of veneration the Cathedral o.
the Assumption takes the lead in the
congregations of the city, though 1T
membership is not so large as some OF thu
other congregations. The Right Rev
Bishop has made the Cathedral his church
of late, and ne is surrounded by devoted
clergymen like Fathers Rock, Schuhmanr
and others. The Vicar General OF the
diocese, Very Rev. James P. Cronin
though he makes frequent visits to thu
Cathedral, devotes most of his time tC
the large congregation attending st. Pat
rick's church at Thirteenth and Marke
streets. Father Cronin is one of the mos
popular priests in the diocese of Louis
vile. Those in high authority some
times are not altogether popular will
their subordinates, but Father Cronin i
an exception to this almost universe
rule. He is one of the coming prelates o
the diocese in the opinion of his associ
ates.
One of the few churches consecrate'
in this diocese in recent years is that o
the Sacred Heart, presided over by tn
Rev. Patrick Walsh. The work pei
formed by this devoted pastor and hi
congregation is something Catholics gen
orally have reason to feel proud of. In
recent issue this paper gave an account 9
the conservation of the church.
Right here 1t may be we'll to refer
the work which the church has been an
is doing for the colored population
Louisville. At the church of St. Angus
tine, 1909 West Broadway, presided ovt
bv the Rev. Francis Felten. there is
large congregation of negro Catholics
and they are among the best people
their race within the State. They al
devoted to their church and their pasto
and their exemplary conduct is to
commended. Father Felten Is German
but he SAYS he would not give up his col
oreoatiou for any in the city, not excep
ing the Cathedral. The work among II
colored people is to the great credit
those interested in it.
Rev. Henry A. Connolly, rector OF 5
Bridgid's church. 1924 Hepburn avenu
is destined to have the most "fashlol
able" church in Louisville in time II sue
thing as 'fashion'smay be mentions
in connection with Catholic congreg
ton. Every one who has the money