The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-05-09

Prior TO the opening OF Oklahoma. the
few scattered Catholics were attended
TO by the few different priests in bor-
dering states. Fr. Paul Ponziglone.
near relative Of the royal family OF
italy. was well known to the Usage
Indians From Usage Mission. KAN
sas. he would at stated times, tra-
yelling in a peculiarly built prairie
schooner. visit the Indians and white
settlers all over the country up to the
Colorado line. Fr. Scroll Of Independ-
ence, Kansas would occasionally fol-
low the trail as far west as 1T sill
With the exception, however Of the
Usage and Pottawaiomie Indians. the
number OF Catholics was very small
No effort was made toward a perma-
nent church organization until 1879.
when French missionary. FIR. Robot
volunteered his services. which were
readily accepted by the bishop OF Little
Rock who had then Jurisdiction over
this part OF the fock FIR. Robot. accom-
panied by brother, now living al
Sacred Heart, Okla. settled In Atoka,
/, T., and for two years following paid
occasional visits 10 the two Catholic
tribes Of ladlans and the white settlers
scattered over the reservations. In 1874,
he moved TO Sacred Heart and began
the erection Of the imposing structures,
windl on January 15 1901, was de-
stroyed by fire. Large sums OF money
had been expended on those buildings;
the work had entailed untold sacrifice.
The Benedictines had come to stay; tho
- ID
ply, a native OF Savannah. Georgia, was
the FIRST American to join the new COM
munity. Others followed and few
years later Fr Robot was enabled TO
station missionaries In parts OF okla
homa and indian Territory. A college
for Indian boys was added to the mon-
astery. The sisters OF Mercy had
convent and school wiped out after
ward by ghe terrible connagration OF
1901
such was the condition OF Cathomcity
at the time Of the opening The FIRST
church in the new territory was ready
for dedication on August g. 1889 The
Catholics OF Oklahoma felt proud OF that
distinction The following Rev Gentle
men were present on the joyous occas-
ION RI Rev. lgnauus Jean Prtfect
Apostolic. Fr. Vincent Of Purcell Fl
Felix OF Guthrie. and the eloquent Pas
tor Fr n. r. scallan. About 26O people
assisted In the grand celebration. The
church a magnificent structure for the
time. measured % by 60 feet, with a
steeple 6s feet high The building had
been begun in June ano pushed to COM
pletion. The congregation then num-
bered from $50 TO 200 members, mostly
farmers. Guthrie and Norman soon fol-
lowed with their churches ready for
dedication. As fast almost as other
reservations were opened and new
towns sprung up churches were built
There are new churcaes In the fol-
lowing places Alva Capron, Cherokee,
Mooreand Anadarko, Blackwell. New
kirk. Peckham. Chandler. Meeker Ed
mond stroud Enid. Aivaretta, Pond
Creek Marshall IN Reno, Geary Cali
umet Ralston Guthre, Hennessey.
P.,wnee. Hydro, Hinton Korn Thomas,
Kinghsher. Deer Creek Kiel. Lahgston,
Luther Lawton. Apache Hobart, Man
gum. Manchester ciyde. ST. Mary's,
Norman Olxarche. Okeeno Oklahoma
CITY Conception. pawhuska, Perry
Aulhan Ponca city, Sacred Heart, ST..
Gregorys Wanette. shawnee Harnh
Tecumseh, scheida Elk city, Independ-
enoe, saltwater Gushing, Perkins,