The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1912-04-30
The EARLY
STRUGGLES
Experienced By The Diocese
Of Columbus
Related By Rev. |. ". Mul.
haDe Of This City
In An Article In The New
Catholic Encyclopedia
Important Position In Com.
munity 1eIIingIy Reviewed
Given To Nation, State And
Church Many Notable Men
columbus Dispatch)

columbus Dispatch)
The early day strivings of the Cath
| Ollie settlers for recognition In Ohio
are graphically recounted in com
plete and authentic history of the dio-
cese of Columbus, contained in the
new Catholic Encyclopedia. The rise
of the diocese from its humble begin
nings to its present-day important
position in the community is tellingly
reviewed and the general scope and
influence, the ecclesiastical education
al and charitable work of the see
treated at length. Interesting statist-
les, compiled by the author, l.. w.
Mulhane of Mt Vernon, Ohio, are ap-
pended. Much new information is
contained in the following excerpts
"The diocese of Columbus comprises
that part of the state of Ohio, south
of 40 degrees and al minutes, lying be-
| tween the Ohio river on the east and
the Scioto river on the west, and also
the counties Of Delaware, Franklin and
Morrow. 30 counties of the 88 into
which the state of Ohio is divided; it
contains 1865 square miles. This
portion of the state belonged original
ly to the diocese of Cincinnati, and
was recommended to Rome for erec-
ton as see by the fathers of the
Second Plenary council of Baltimore,
held in 1866.
"lt was not until March 3, 1868, that
the official documents were issued,
erecting the diocese and naming as its
first bishop, Sylvester Horton Rose
Grams, who had been consecrated aux
ilary bishop OF Cincinnati and titular
bishop of Pompeiopolis, March %,
1862. The portion of Ohio assigned TO
this diocese was in 1868 to a large ex-
tent, but sparsely populated; no rail
road had as yet penetrated some OF
the counties. and the bishop was fore
ed to make many of the journeys on
his visitations by stage, wagon or
steamboat The Dominican Fathers
were the earliest missionaries in Ohio
locating al St Josephs, Perry county
in the early part OF the Nineteenth
century, and from their number was
chosen the first bishop OF Cincinnati
Edward Fenwick
The first place of Catholic wor
shin in Ohio was at st ,Ioseph's, Per
ry county. This chapel was built OF
logs and was blessed December 8, 1878
by Rev, Edward Fenwick and his neph
Maryland. and receiving their jurisdic
ton from Bishop FlaBet, who was then
the only bishop between the Alleghen
les and the Mississippi The congre
cation consisted of 10 families. A hum
BILE convent was built nearby, and Its
inmates were one American, n. ID
Young; one hishman, Thomas Martin
and one Belgian, Vincent DE Rymach
er. The second chapel erected In Ohit
was also in this diocese, blessed N
1922, near what is now Danyille, kno>
| tDuNlgt AHtl N'"PP ~ '''N''
ment, n colony from near Cumberland
Maryland, many OF It's members direct
descendants Of the colonlsts OF LORD
Baltimore. This chapel was built oi
logs and was blessed by Dominican
Fathers aud the humble congregation
ministered to by them
( within few miles of this seconc
/, Catholic settlement In ohio Is the col
4 lege town OF Gambler, seat OF Kenyon
Q college aud the Episcopalian seminary
i of the diocese of Ohio, over which II
[ 1868 presided, before his conversion
r DR., James Kent Stone, afterwards
e Father Fidelis of the Congregation o
n ST. Paul OF the Cross. From its wall'
|. have gone forth many illustrious mel
d who IN after-life turned their eyes tt
d the church, among them Bishop Rose
:. Grams and his brother, General Rose
@ Grams Henry Richards. father OF Rev
!. Richards.
IN IT'S early days the diocese wa
,- largely an agricultural district, TIN
s. FIRST settlers from Pennsylvania an,
l. Maryland being tilers of the soil Let
j er came the emigrants from lrelan
and Germany, who were followed b