The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1907-08-17
HISTORY OF THE
CATHOLIC CHURCH
or CRYSTAL FALLS TAKEN FROM
FATHER REzEKs BOOK.
WITH NAMES OF ALL PASTORS
Est Mass Was Said in Doueets Hall
~and First Church Erected in
1887.

The discovery OF iron at Waucedah
by Bartly Breen in 1867 led gradually
to the exploration Of the Menominee
Range 80 that in dozen of years the
entire line from Powers TO Florence,
Wisconsin. was studded with mines
and towns. The railroad closely fol-
lowed them and made In 1879 her
terminus In Florence. From this point
all sorts of prospecting was carried on.
One John N. Armstrong. a woodsman.
strayed TO the falls of the Paint River
and discovered there an out-cropping
Of iron He was followed by the Malt
by Brothers who also found iron but
farther up the hill. These finds of ore
snticed into the district George Run
kel. who, for what he did later for the
town. might justly be styled the father
Of Crystal Falls for as soon as ne real
lied the value OF the discoveries he
formed the Crystal Falls Iron Company
taking into partnership. for the most
part, officers Of the North Western road
with whom he was intimately connect
cd. To form naw commercial center
for the evolving mining enterprises,
Mr.. Runkel laid ont site for town
and christened IL Crystal Falls, a name
derived from the falls Of the Paint
River. The growth Of the town was
as rapid as the richness OF the neigh
boring mines was promising, 80 that
the North Western railroad manage
ment did not hesitate to extend their
line TO the foot of the town in the fall
Of 1882.
The people who hocked 70 this new
mining camp were Of promiscuous
avocation, nationality and creed. The
Catholic. belonging as usual 10 many
different nationalities were visited for
the first time In the early fall OF 1888
by Father Faust Of Quinnesec. He said
Mass In Doucet's hall and afterwards
in the skating rink, which he was or
dered to vacate just in time TO save his
Mass -paraphernalia from burning.
From this time on the pastors from
Iron River attended the mission. They
were Revs A. o. Pellisson, Ch.
Raphael. Fabian S. Marceau. J. f.
Struif. Joseph Haas, Joseph Barron
and +. Chapuis. who was the first 70
take up his residence in Crystal Falls,
May 3, 1887.
Father Struif. a new arrival from
Germany. and an excellent priest, who
much disliked saying Mass in school
houses, was the first TO take steps to-
wards building a church here as well
as in Iron River. During his short
stay of three months he had in both
places the building material on the
ground when he was called TO Mar
quette Father Haas. his successor,
Immediately took up the work and
built both churches as far as the means
went. In May 1887 the Bishop sent
Rev. T.. Chapuis as first resident pastor
10 Crystal Falls. For his residence he
built In the rear Of the G arch an ad-
dition and In the summer months
finished the interior of the church.
which afterwards was dedicated by
Bishop Vertin on the 23rd of October
1897, In honor OF the Guardian Angels
Father Chapuis was succeeded by
Rev. r. X. l.. de Langie on June II.
1888 and after mis- departure. April ls.
1889. the mission was again attended,
from August 10 December. from Iron
River, by Rev. Father CebuL On De.
cember 18th. Rev. Joseph A. Sauriol
was appointed pastor and stayed till
August IA. 1890. Since then the fol-
lowing priests served the mission;
Rev. J. II. Raynaert. from September
IA. 1890 70 April 30. 1891.
Rev. John Burns during May 1891.
Rev. Fidelis Sutter from June z.
1891 TO August 29. 1892.
Rev A. j. Rezek from August 25.
1892 TO November 3. 1895.
During his absence from November
1894 10 May 1895 Rev. Fabian Pswlar.
Rev. Frederick lis from November
10, s9o,sto> February 20. 1899. Then
he became administrator OF the diocese
upon the death Of Bishop vertin. and
subsequently his successor.
Rev. John kraker. ad interim. from
Marquette In March until the appoint
ment OF Rev. John A. Kuel. March O.
1899 10 May rs, 1901.
Rev. William Gagnieur. s. J. looked
after the parish during June 1901.
Rev. +. X. Becker from July z. 1901
to May 10, 1904 and from that day the
present incumbent Rev. Joseph p.