Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1917-08-16
THE JUBILEE CELEBRATION
ST. PAUL'S CHURCH

The diamond jubilee of st. Paul's
congregation of Mineral Point and sill
yer jubilee of the pastor FIR. O'Reilly
was held on August 7, s and 8. Tues
day solemn mass by the pastor assisted
by Frs. Lillis, deacon, and McGinnity,
subdeacon. Sermon by FIR. McMullen
of Gibson City, Ill.
Wednesday pontifcal mass, celebrat
ed by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Schwebach
assisted by the following clergy: Fir.
Hishen, Holy Cross, at Chicago, priest
of honor, Frs. Condor, D. D. and
Ambrose Murphy, Lacrosse, deacous
of honor with Frs. Lillis of PlattevilIe
and McMullen, deacon and subdeacon
of the mass. Rev. Thomas Doyle of
Seneca, master Of ceremonies, with
James GRADER and James Hishen Of
Chicago, acolytes. More than twenty
of the neighboring clergy were in the
sanctuary.
Thursday solemn requiem mass
was offered for the repose of the souls
of the deceased pastors and members of
the congregation. st. Paul's is among
the earliest, established parishes Of Wis
consin.
The first record of a visit by priest
to Mineral Point is in 1887 or s. DR..
Mazzuchili, the sanity dominican,
came and offered the first mass as far
as is known at the home Of James
Smith, which was located on the pres
ent site Of st. Mary's church. Services
were held periodically by Fr. MAJ
zuchili until FIR. Cause took charge,
and during the year 1841 and 2 built
the little rock church that was used
until 1860 and is still standing, an elo
quent, though silent witness of the fer
vent faith of the early settlers.
From the year 1842-57 the spiritual
welfare of st. Pauls was looked after
by number Of priests, none remaining
very long, but all doing good work and
promoting the cause of religion.
Among the most prominent and who
remained longer time were FIR. Cause
and FIR. Jonault, who conducted par
ochiaI school, Frs. McFaul, William
Dougherty, Arthur O'Connor and FIR.
Kundig many years vicer general of
Milwaukee dioceses. Fir. McGann was
in charge Of st. Pauls from the year
1857 until the time of his death which
took place in 1870. On taking charge
FIR. McGann found the second church
commenced in 1866, partly built,
brought it to completion and was dedi
Gated July 80, 1860, by Rt. Rev. Bishop
Henni. During his pastorate par
ochial school was started in charge of
the dominican sisters of SinsinaWa.
The congregation grew so rapidly that
the church recently built was too small
and as there were many Germans, it
was decided to build a separate church,
which was commenced in 1870, in
charge of FIR. Weinhart. Upon the
death Of FIR. McGann, Rev. James
O'Keefe was appointed pastor and con-
tinued in charge until the time of his
death in 1909. From st. Paups the
missions of Ridgeway and Waldwick
(now Hollandale) were attended, each
Of which are now fourishing congrega
tions with resident pastors. From st.
PauPs and missions fourteen young
men studied for the priesthood and are
all today doing doing splendid work in
the church.
FIR. O'Reilly, the present pastor, who
succeeded FIR. O'Keefe has since COM
ing to st. Pauls built the present sub
stantial church at cost of about $50,
600, of which all is paid, and tended to
make the diamond jubilee of the parish
fitting celebration of the splendid
work of the pastors and people of st.
Pauls.
Tuesday evening social gathering
was held at the hall. Mr. Joseph
O'Neill, in the name Of st. Paul's con-
gregation. presented FIR. O'Reilly with
splendid silver service, token of the
high regard in which he is held and ap-