Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1917-08-16
SIGNAL JUBILEE CELEBRATION.

The diamond jubilee of st. Paul's
congregation of Mineral Point and sill
yer jubilee of the pastor, FIR. O'Reilly.
were held August 7th, Sth and 9th per
program previously announced in this
paper.
Tuesday, solemn mass by the pastor
assisted by Frs. Lillis, deacon, and
McGinnity sub-deacon. 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.
llishen, Holy Cross at Chicago. priest
of honor, Frs. Condor, d. D.. and Am
brose Murphy, La Crosse, deacons of
honor, with Frs. Lillis of Platteville
and McMullen deacon and sub deacon
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 visit by
priest to Mineral Point is in 1887 or '3S.
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 FIR. MAJ
zuchili until FIR. Cause took charge,
and during the years lS4l and 1912
built the little rock church which was
used until 1860 and is still standing, an
eloquent though silent witness of the
fervent faith of the early settlers.
From lS42-57. the spiritual welfare
Of St. Paul's was looked after by a
number of priests, none remaining very
long. but all doing good work in pro-
noting the cause of religion. Among
the most prominent. and who remained
for longer time, were FIR. Cause and
FIR. Jonault, who conducted parochial
school, Frs. McFsul, VIM. Dougherty,
Arthur 0'Connor and FIR. Kundig, many
years vicar general of Milwaukee do
ceses. FIR. McGann was in charge of
st. Paul's from the year 1857 until the
time Of his death, which took place in
1870. On taking charge FIR. Mccain
found the second church, commenced in
1855, partly built, brought it to compile
ton and it was dedicated July 20, 1860,
by Rt. Rev. Bishop Henri. During his
pastorate parochial school was started
in charge Of the dominican sisters of
Sinsinawa. The congregation grew 80
rapidly that the church was too small,
and as there were many Germans. it
was decided to build separate church,
which was commenced in 1870, in charge
Of FIR. Weinhart. Upon the death of
FIR McGann, Rev. Jas. O'Keefe was
appointed pastor and continued in
charge until the time Of his death, in
1909.
From st. Peul's, the missions of
Ridgeway and Waldwick (now Hollan-
dale) were attended, each of which are
now flourishing congregations with res
ident pastors. From st. Pau's and
missions fourteen young men studied
for the priesthood and all today are do
ing splendid work in the church.
FIR. O'Reilly, the present pastor, who
succeeded FIR. O'Keefe, has, since com
ing to St. Paul's, built the present sub
stantial church at a cost of about $50
600, of which all is paid which tended to