The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1914-07-09
JESUITS PLAN
BIG CAMPAIGN
Priests of Many up. Churches to
Conduct Institutional Work

'' iOi thc purpose OF carrying on
institutional work in different parts
OF the country, says the 500 News.
Just when the change will take place
III the 500 has not been determined
as yet, but il will be soon.
The Jesuits have had a long and
varied history in the 500. In fact they
were in reality the founders of the
first settlement here. The first Jesuit
missionaries to visit this point were
Fathers Raymbault and Jogues, In
lo4l coming here with a band of In
dams from the Lake Huron country.
They erected a large cross at the
rapids OF the St Mary's river. They
returned to Quebec to spend the win
ter, where Father Raymbault died.
The second missionary to reach the
500 was Father Rene Menard, in Oc-
tober, 1860. He persisted the year aft
er at the headwaters OF the Black
river.
Allouez Appears on Scene.
But to Father Allouez really belongs
the credit for establishing the first
mission at the 500. He came here i'm
1865 and on his return to Quebec
argued so strongly the necessity of es-
tablishing a permanent mission at this
point that he received encouragement.
One OF the youngest missionaries was
selected for the post. He was Father
Marquette, of whom much has been
written in song and story. Father
Marquette came to the 500 in April,
1868. With the aid of some French
settlers who had established them
selves here for trading purposes,
Npther Marquette erected the first
mission buildings. As nearly as can
be learned, these were built on the
site of the present government park
Early in 1870 Fathers Gabriel Droul-
liette and Louis Andre were sent to
the 500. A severe plague had broken
out among the Indians, and it was
during this plague that Father Droul-
liette was initiated into the work.
Andre had been detailed to work
among the Algonquins. and worked
with that tribe for two years.
Missionary Plans Aborted.
In 1874 an incident took place which
all but destroyed the hopes for peace
with the Sioux Indians, who had been
making war with he other tribes here
who were more peacefully inclined
1t had been the plan of the 500 mis-
sionaries. who had been so faithful in
their ministrations to the local tribes,
to enter the country of the 500 for
like purposes. but this project had to
be given up indefinitely.
During these years of the seventies,
the mission at tho 500 had a tenn
pestuous existence, because of the
troubles among Indians, French and
English. In fact. the 500 settlement
became so reduced for several years
that only n few wigwams were left on
the shores near the rapids. Jesuits
passed and repassed, but not one con-
stdered it necessary to settle here In
1920 there were only 30 houses here, |
with five or six French and Indian
Several Attempts Made in 1921.
The next attempt at founding a |
mission here is recorded in the ac-
count Of a baptism performed here by |
one Father Dumoulin. This was Eliz- |
lzeth, Il years of age, wife of Fran
lis Lalonde. Later, Father Dumoulin |
was credited with three more bap-
,isms, one being November 10, 1921.
From 1928, however, the Jesuits
took encouragement and the history |
Df Sault ste. Marie teens with allus-
ons to their good works among the
settlers and the Indians of the vicin-
ty. There was no established mis-
sion, though, until in the summer of
1894, Father Francis Haetscher a Re-
became a resident pastor.
He built small log chapel. Catholic
md non Catholic went to his assist
lnce and a generous reception was
accorded him. The chapel was wreck
I'd, however, by two jealous local
preachers. according to the history of
he parish.
First Church Built in 1897.
In 1897 church was erected here
md at about this time the first paro-
hial school was established. 1t stood
|
walk and the site of the present
church. 1t was IS feet by As feet i'm
and OF decidedly unique
To Father Pierz be-
ongs the credit for the erection of
his church and the establishing of
he school.
From that time the growth and
of the Jesuit activities in
he 500 were resumed.
1t is but fair and just to say that
o the Jesuit order belongs much
raise for the pacifcation and christ
anizing of the savage tribes of this
ection. 1t Is not to their disgrace that
he mission was abandoned but be-
ause of the fact that the location be-
ng a warning ground for the various
interests here, IL was impossible to
onduct religious work with any de-
rec of success. Missionary after mis-
ionary came. labored and went away
roken in spirit and discouraged They
owed the seed however which later