Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1905-05-05
SOME HISTORY.
The Various Fathers of the Local
Cotholic Church.

IL Will OS pdIliy lSluI ulSue0 IN
side and many improvements
made. AS this is one of the old
est churches in this section it will
be of interest 10 read the follow
ing bit of history of the various
Fathers who have presided over
the destlnies of Catholicism in
and about Corvallis:
Facts relating to the history of the
Catholic church in Corvallis, Oregon.
The first missionary whose name is GU
record as having labored in the mission
of Corvallis is the Rev. Andre q. Poulin.
The subscription list cf the year 1860 is
the Oldest document that has been found
so far.
The church was built by certain Mr..
Seger, at the cost OF $1,336.85. Of this
1882 was collected in and about Co..
vallls and the balance was supplied by
the diocese of Oregon City. On the 17th
of February, 1861, F. N. Blanchet,
Archo bishop of Oregon City, blessed and
opened to public worship the first Catho-
lie church in the City of Corvallis, under
the name and patronage of st. Mary,
the immaculate and blessed Virgin,
mother of God, i'll the presence of
numerous assembly of people and assist
ed by the Rev. A. O'Reiily. as deacon
and the Rev. John Fierens as subdeacon.
This church was built through the exer-
tions and under the supervision OF the
Rev Andre 2. Poulin.
From 1861 to 1868 the mission of Cor
wallis was attended in turns by Fathers
Poulin, Ferens and O'Reilly. Then Rev.
L. Dieleman came and remained for
several months at time, depending
greatly upon the hospitality of certain
Catholic families. Father nieleman is
one of the few pioneer priests still alive.
He is hale aud hearty, and is chaplain at
the Sisters hospital in Astoria, Oregon
In 1865 Rev. Sebastian Goens suc-
ceeded Father Dieleman. He attende d
this mission from Salem occasionally
until 1856, when Rev. Patrick Macken
succeeded. Father Macken struggled
along until 1868 when Father Mesplie
succeeded. During 1869 Fathers Dele
man and Goens again attended this
mission. Then in 1870 comes Rev.
Patrick Gibney. He remained until 1874
when Fathe. Macken returned and re-
mained for one year.
Father Gibney was popular speaker
in those days. He made many improve
ments about the church. Father Gibney
is now quite gray, but is still able to work
and at present has charge of the mission
at Cedar Mills, near Portland.
Next in order came Rev. Gerhard B.
Van Lin, who remained Is years in
charge of Corvallis, the longest of any
either before or after him. He was very
popular and had many warm friends
who remember him to this day. From
here he went to Albina in Portland,
where he did not labor long, but took
sick and died.
In the year 1880 Archbishop Seghers
assisted by Rey. Van Lin conferred the
sacrament of confirmation on .class of
fourteen children. The mission of Mon
roe was attended from here formerly as it
is now. The following translation of
Latin docum ent may interest some: "In
the year of Our Lord 1888, goth day of
April, which was the fifth Sunday after
Easter, we, Charles John seghers, Arch
bishop of Oregon City. solemnly blessed,
according to the form of the Roman
Ritual, to the worship of God and at the
wish Of the greater part of the faithful
there present, also to the honor of St.
Rose Of Lima. we dedicated the church
recently constructed of wood, in the
town Of Monroe and afterward celebrat-
ed Holy Mass, assisted by the Rev. G.
b. Van Lin, the priest of this mission
and in the presence of great multitude
OF the faithful and of nom Catholics"
Charles John,
Archbishop of Oregon.
1t may not be generally known that ST.
Rose was born and died in America,
She is an American whose name is
cherished with respect and reverence
wherever there is Catholic church. We
may therefore justly be proud of this,
our great and illustrions fellow-citizen.
After Father Van Lin, Rev. P. Lynch
succeeded for short time, remaining
until 1890. He it was who built the
little church at Yaquina Bay. Father
Lynch was succeeded in 1890 by Rev.
w. Baert, who remained until 1892.
Rev. Baert has recently returned from
many years sojourn in Japan. Rev.
Thos. J. Briody succeeded in 1892. He
was great favorite with all and much
loved by the children. He was followed
by Rev. s. Jurek in 1898. The letter of
appointment from Archbishop Gross
says, 1--WE hereby confide to your care,