Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1914-12-12
Irish Priests Ministered to Early
English and American
Settlers.
During Eleven Years Episco
pate Chnrch Made Marked
Progress.
ESTABLISHED MANY MISSIONS

After twice declining the inter IN
two of the most important sees in
the country, once as coadjutor to
Archbishop Whitfield, of Baltimore,
and again as coadjutor to Bishop
Dubois, of New York, the Rev. John
Mary Joseph Chanche, S., President
of st. Mary's College, Baltimore,
finally accepted the Bull "Universi
Dominica Gregis,' of Gregory XVI,
dated December Is, 1910, appoint
ing him as the first Bishop of
Natchez, Miss. From worldly
viewpoint 1t was one of the most
desolate and unpromising fields,
comprising the entire State of
Mississippi, but with sacred tradi-
tions of missionary effort on the
part of Jesuit and Capuchin going
back many years. The adventurous
De Soto was there in 1910; then
came La Sale in 1852, claiming the
country for France; next D'Iberville
attempted colonization and his
lieutenant, Fonti, built Fort
Rosalie not far from Natchez. In
1877 the Jesuits and Capuchins
labored among the Indians and
French and the Jesuit Father Du
Poisson met martyrs death in the
Indian massacre of 1929.
While the region was in the
possession of Spain the Government
in 1887 sent, four Irish priests to
minister to such English and Ameri-
cans .as might be attracted as set
tiers. They were Fathers Con-
stantine McKenna, William Savage,
Michael Lamport and Gregory
White. A tract of land, now within
the limits of the city, was purchased
and dedicated to the purposes of re-
ligion, but this was confiscated by
the United States in taking posses
sion of the country in 1897, on the
ground that the title vested in the
Spanish Government and was prop
erly included in the Louisiana pur-
chase. When the Irish priests with
drew the Catholics were ministered
to by occasional missionaries, includ-
ing Father Anthony Blanc, after
ward the first Archbishop of New
Orleans, and Father John Timon, G.
M, afterward first Bishop Of Buff
falo, and the only priest there at the
time of the unheralded arrival, alone
and at night, of Bishop Chanche was
Father Brogard.
The Bishop was a magnificent
specimen of manhood, in the prime
of life at forty-six, tall and COM
manding in figure, handsome OF
face and bland and gentle of man
ner. He was descendant of wealthy
refugees from the negro outbreak in
Santo Domingo and was born in
Baltimore, October A, 1875. Having
been educated by the Sulpicians he
became one of them and was or
dained June S, 1919, taking up his
duties as professor in st. Mary's
and succeeding the Rev. Samuel
Eccleston as President in 1884 on
the latter's appointment to the see OF
Baltimore. One of the most accom-
plished preachers of his time, he was
in much demand for sermons before
and after his conservation. He was
master of ceremonies at the first
council of Baltimore and theologian
at the fourth.
His conservation took place in the
Baltimore Cathedral, March IA,
I1841, the Most Rev. Archbishop
Eccleston officiating. assisted by
Bishops Fenwick, of Boston, and
Hughes, Of New York. He started
for his see on April 81 and he ar
rived unaccompanied at Natchez,
May 10, by boat from New Orleans.
He landed at night and had neither
reception nor ovation, the only one
to welcome him being a negro who
shouldered his single piece OF bag
gage and preceded the Bishop to the
hotel where he put up 1or the night.
But he lost no time In letting his
people know that he was on hand,
for the very morning after his COM
ing, which was Ascension Thursday,
he offered the Divine Sacrifice in
Mechanics Hall, preached and ex-
planned some Of his plans. He said
he came to them to organize the
diocese and he began practically
without church. priest or school or
funds to provide them. His people
made a ready and generous response
and the trustees conveyed TO him a
splendid property at Main and Union
streets for Cathedral. With every
assurance that he would find united
support he started North to seek ad-
ditional help and among other gifts
received the sum of $500 from
Bishop Blanc, fund that had been
provided by the Association for the
Propagation OF the Faith. He re-
turned very much encouraged,
bringing with him some accom-
plished teachers. two OF them his
own nieces.
He laid the cornerstone of his new
Cathedral February "a. 1842, as
sisted by the Eev. John @. Francois
and the Rev. p. p. Desgaultier. and
in the presence Of the city authori-
ties and an immense congregation.
Though not quite finished the cathe-
dral was dedicated the following
Christmas. During his episcopate
OF eleven years he built eleven