The Irish standard., 1905-11-11


The history Of the Catholic church
IN Minneapolis is an interesting one.
It is our attention to deal only with the
English-speaking churches. We would
gladly relate the history Of the Ger
man, French and other Catholic
churches but time and space forbids.
st. Anthony Of Padua.
Less than so years ago the first of
the present church edifices was erected.
It was built on the East Side and st.
Anthony Of Padua was chosen for its
patron. This old church, with consid-
cradle alteration, still stands a monu-
ment to the zeal of the pioneer Catho-
Mes Of st. Anthony. For years Catho-
lies from all parts of the city wor-
SHIPPED in the humble stone church.
corner of Main street and Eighth ave-
nue. northeast. AS far back, however,
as 1886 missionary priests had visited
st. Anthony and ministered to the
needs Of the few Catholics here at
tQdL IlulS. LII 1c4S olAoA - oAAAS
church was erected and used until the
present edifice was completed. The
FIRST resident pastor was Father Ledon,
who assumed charge in 1851. He was
4 Frenchman and remained four years.
He was succeeded in 1855 by Father
Fayoile, his college associate. He COM
~ no
church which eight years ago was re-
newed and renovated, both inside and
outside. The next pastor was Father
John McDermott, who arrived in 1860
and officiated until 1866. He completed
the building started by hts predecessor,
besides erecting parochial school, the
nrst in the city. He was succeeded by
Father Tissot, native of France, who
had spent eight years as missionary
in the southern part Of the state. He
built the pastors residence, enlarged
the school so as to accommodate be-
tween three and four hundred pupils,
and was assiduous in the promotion of
religion and education. For twenty
two years-from 1866 to 1sSs-Father
Tissot acted as pastor Of st. Anthony
Of Padua, when growing feeble from
age, he resigned the pastorate and re-
tired to the Dominican convent In this
city. There he remained until God
called him to better world.
The present pastor. Father James
O'Reilly, was ordained at All Hallows
College, Dublin, in 1882, for the Ameri-
can mission, and came to this diocese.
In 1885 he became assistant to Father
Tissot and succeeded him as pastor IN
1886. Father O'Reilly is a man Of ac-
ton rather than of words, Of whom 1t
may be said by his fruits We shall
know him." Quiet and unpretending,
he attends to his sacred duties and
outside matters have little fascination
for him. In 1890, through his exer-
lions, st. Anthony hall was erected at
a cost of $4,000. His schools are large
" attended. The Convent of st. Joseph,
near the church, has - sisters who
train the youth Of his parish In the
way they should walk. He Is a cham
MON of total abstinence and has old
and young enrolled in the cause. The
total abstinence societies are strong
and flourishing. The Rosary Society.
Young Ladies' Sodality, Holy Name
Society and other church societies are
encouraged and guided by this "sog-
garth aroon."
The Improvement of the original
church building will be a lasting monu.
ment to Father O'Reilly's zeal in the
service Of God. The towers are one
hundred feet high, surmounted by plain
golden crosses. The seating capacity
Of the church is about eleven hundred.
The Church of st. Anthony is now a
credit to pastor and people. The cost
of the Improvements was $4,000.
Father O'Reilly is to be congratu-
lated on having about him the children
of the faithful few who sowed the
mustard seed of faith in old st. An
thony. Who among us can point to
the early Catholics Of both sides of
the river and not say in all truth,
Hose loyal sons Of the church blazed
lie way for the advancing Catholic
hosts of all nationalities that number
in the thousands and are growing
larger every wear"
Immaculate Conception.
The Immaculate Conception was the
first Catholic church on the West Side.
Rev. James McGolrick, now bishop Of
Duluth, arrived in Minneapolis in 1867.
and began the work Of caring for the
Catholics of Minneapolis proper. He
enlarged the school building on Third
street and Third avenue north and
used it for church purposes till the
present splendid edifice was ready for
occupancy. Bishop McGolrick was
young and filed with ardor for the
cause to>wh1ch he had dedicated his
began the erection Of the church which
was destined to become the center of
life. He began the erection of the
church which was destined to become
the center Of Catholicity in Minneap-
oils. The cornerstone was laid in 1871,
and the Mother of God was asked to