Chapter Six – Part Two

Rev. James J. Conniff

Rev. James J. Conniff (photo left) succeeded Fr. Gambon at Our Lady’s. Fr. Conniff was born at Marine City in St. Clair County, Michigan, March 18, 1860. He studied at the College of the Assumption at Sandwich, Ontario, and then entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, Maryland. He completed his theological course at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, where on June 13, 1890, he was ordained priest of the diocese of Louisville.

After his ordination Fr. Conniff was chaplain at Mount St. Joseph's Academy in Daviess County, Kentucky, for two months. Bishop McCloskey then appointed him assistant at St. Patrick’s church, Louisville, an office he filled for nearly three years. He was assigned to the Church of Our Lady in 1893. His long pastorate there of over a quarter of a century was interrupted for five years, 1895–1900.

Rev. William Gausepohl

During this period of Rev. William Gausepohl (photo right) was administrator. Fr. Gausepohl was born September 10, 1840. Entering the Franciscan Order at an early age, he was ordained September 10, 1864. Years later, he joined the diocese of Louisville where he labored faithfully until his death. Fr. Gausepohl died as pastor of St. Mary Magdalen’s Church, December 29, 1924, and is buried in St. Louis Cemetery.

Frequently this history refers to The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky. Its author, the Hon. Benedict J. Webb, was for years a member of the congregation and completed his book while living here. The parish records of 1897 contain the following:

August 2, eighteen and the seven, died of old age, Hon. Benedict Joseph Webb, refreshed with all the Sacraments, 83 years, five months and eight days, son of Nehemiah Webb of Pennsylvania, a convert to the holy faith.

Our Lady’ School – Sisters of Mercy

Fr. Conniff returned to Our Lady’s in November, 1900. Nine years later, the Sisters of Loretto withdrew their teachers from the parish school. The school remained closed until September 1913, when the Sisters of Mercy took charge. The faculty was composed of Sr. Mary de Sales, Sr. Mary Pius, Sr. Mary Winifred and Sr. Mary Dorothy. Sr. Mary Benedict succeeded Sr. Mary Dorothy, who died the following spring.

By 1925 the attendance has so increased that more ample facilities were needed. The cottage adjoining the brick school building was purchased; to it was added an upper story, and the faculty was increased to five teachers.

The history of Our Lady’s School would be incomplete without mention of Sr. Mary Loretto, who has guided the school as principal since 1924. It is due to her untiring zeal that the high standard of the school has been maintained. Through her efforts new equipment has been procured and many improvements made.

1913 Flood

In the spring of 1913, the Ohio River again overflowed its banks, bringing suffering and hardship to those living in the lower section of the city. The homes of nearly half the members of the parish were flooded, for all the land from the river to the embankment between Western Parkway and Rudd Avenue was submerged. The water entered the church to a depth of six inches causing damage to the floor and pews.

There is a spirit of loyalty that is most pronounced in the people of Portland today. A love for this section of the city, which compels the inhabitants to cling to it, which incites the youth to dwell in the house of his father and his father’s father. There is a spirit of friendliness too, the like of which is hardly found in any other part of the city. Perhaps the river, which has brought so much sorrow and distress, has bound these people to one another and to the very land which it has tried to take from them.

Rudd Avenue – March 1913

Improvements

During the pastorate of Fr. Conniff, many improvements were made: the church was frescoed, the lower part of the main altar was erected in marble, the beautiful woodwork at the rear of the church was installed, a new floor was laid, electric lights were installed and the steam heating system replaced unsightly stoves. Fr. Conniff purchased the statues of the Sacred Heart of Mary, St. Aloysius and the two adoring angle statues. In 1907, the stained glass windows were installed.

Death Fr. Conniff

The beginning of July 1918, marked the 25^th anniversary of the pastorate of Fr. Conniff. This jubilee he did not celebrate on account of sickness. From the annals of Cedar Grove Academy, April 25^th:

Fr. Conniff, our pastor, has not been able to say Mass for several weeks. His tongue and throat are fearfully swollen.

In June he went to Mercy Hospital in Chicago for medical treatment, and died there July 5^th. His obsequies were held in the Church of Our Lady, July 8^th. The Very Rev. James P. Cronin, V.G., was the celebrants of the Solemn Requiem Mass, assisted by Rev. Patrick Walsh and Rev. Michael Melody. Rev. D. A. Driscoll was master of ceremonies, and Fr. Martin O’Connor preached the funeral sermon. A beautiful monument, erected as a tribute of esteem from his parishioners, marks his grave in St. Louis Cemetery. Rev. Lawrence Riebenthaler, O.S.B., administered to the needs of the congregation for two months until Rev. Martin O’Connor was appointed to Our Lady’s.

Rev. Martin O’Connor

The Rev. Martin O’Connor (photo left) was born in Roscommon County, Ireland, November 11, 1855. He was educated in All Hollows College at Dublin, and completed his studies at Preston Park Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, where he was ordained by Bishop McCloskey June 29, 1881. He was stationed at Sithton (now Fort Knox), until 1886, and for six years he was assistant to Fr. DeFrane in Marion County, in charge of the parishes at Campbellsville, Clementsville and Calvary. For about five years Fr. O’Connor was pastor of the church at Leitchfield and its missions. He then returned to Louisville in 1906 to assume the pastorate of St. Michael’s Church.

Fr. O’Connor was assigned to Church of Our Lady in 1918. During his pastorate, the church was cleaned in a renovated. He purchased the frame building next to the brick schoolhouse and converted it into two schoolrooms. On Sunday May 18, 1919, the pipe organ built by the Henry Pilcher’s Sons company was blessed.

Fr. O’Connor was the most amiable man, and very fond of the school children. It was a daily occurrence to see him sitting on the stone coping watching and enjoying their games during the recess period. Nothing prevented this daily routine except the most intimate weather. He was never weary of church possessions, and every greater feast was celebrated by the marching of the children. How fondly the good pastor would beam and smile at the little ones as they, dressed specially for the occasion, marched along the aisles and around the church, singing hymns in keeping with the feast. The schoolchildren enjoyed their own expression outside church as well. On November 1, 1925, the Our Lady Players performed ‘Ann What’s Her Name’ at the auditorium of St. Xavier High School on Broadway.

Schoolchildren during Fr. O’Connor’s pastorate

1^st row: Mary Elizabeth McCoy (Ricketts), Anges Steier (Kaelin), Fr. O’Connor, Mary Catherine Bindner (Rough), Louise Pawley (Perdue).

2^nd row: J. Bertrand Mattingly, Horace Ulmer, Theresa Hellinger, Vivian Schulton (Croft), Louise Unclebach (Motsch), Katherine Reverman, Gertrude Case (Dickerson), Margaret Darneal (Chamberlain), J. T. Ulmer, Ray Gaff.

3^rd row: James Ballard, V. Phillips, Oldron Thompson, Pelle Becker, Raymond Moran, Paul Hayden, Carl Denton.

World War I

World War I was well under way when Fr. O’Connor became pastor of Our Lady’s. His predecessor, Fr. Conniff, had encouraged the young men of the parish to enlist, a sharing them that everyone who saw service abroad would return. Fr. Conniff died shortly after. It is remarkable that every boy from the congregation who saw service overseas returned safe and sound. The one gold star on the service flying is before the name of William King, who died of the ‘flu’ in camp. In gratitude for their service, the parish honors those who served:

Grover King William King George P. Warren

Barnard Huber Joseph Edward Stier Frank Stier

George E. Becker William Murta Joseph J. Logan

Graham Logan Thomas Peffer Peter Peffer

John H. Ray Matthew Joseph Grumble John Mooney

Joseph Kent Mooney James Lally J. Schofield Lally

Charles W. Hennessy Jason P. Donaghue Thomas Falone

Michael Moran James Moran Frank Glenn McQuie

John A. Buckley Charles McKenzie Reinhard LaPaille

Walter LaPaille Herman Jacob Philpott James Bloat

Henry Moran Charles W. Flannery Thomas R. Edleman

Harry Blanford John R. Cahill Joseph Cahill

John B. Tully Bernard A. Muench Carl Paul Schaefer

Louis Raymond Schaefer Eugene E. Michot John P. Giltnane

Robert Anthony Giltnane Leo Reilly Ross Clifton Hough

Elmer Draut Philip B. Watson Richard Francis Hollis

William Joseph Hollis John E. Masters Leroy Singhiser

George Singhiser Roy J. Cronen Lawrence French

Henry Legler H. Stanley Pflanz Thomas E. Hughes

Wallace Craven Richard Craven David Whalen

William O’Brien

Death of Fr. O’Connor

Fr. O’Connor was in ill health throughout the summer of 1926. His condition gradually grew worse, and he was fatally stricken in October.

From The Record of the following week:

Fr. Martin O’Connor, 71 years old, pastor of the Church of Our Lady since 1918, died at 5:30 Saturday morning, October 2^nd, at the rectory of the church. He had been in poor health for some time and only a few weeks ago returned from a stay at St. Joseph Infirmary.

The body of the late pastor was removed to the church Sunday evening, where it lay in state until Monday morning. After the office of the dead was recited by the priests of the city, Pontifical Requiem Mass was offered by our Right Rev. Bishop John A. Floersh. The Right Rev. Monsignor George W. Schuhmann was assistant priest at the requiem. The Rev. Joseph McAleer and the Rev. P. J. Walsh were deacons of honor, the Rev. Francis Martin, the deacon of the Mass, the Rev. John D. Fallon, sub–deacon, the Rev. D. A. Driscoll, master of ceremonies. The funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. P. J. Walsh. Burial was in St. Louis Cemetery.

At the death of Fr. O’Conner, Rev. John A. Lyons was named administrator of the parish until the appointment of the Rev. Bernard I. Doherty.

Flag Raising Ceremony – June 9, 1924

Fr. O’Connor’s letter to Bishop John Floersh – June 3, 1924

(above text) You are cordially invited to bless our flag on the 10^th and participate in the exercises of the occasion. Some time back an effort had been made in this neighborhood to organize a Klan in a local Baptist church. It caused much sensation but it did not materialize. A [illegible] and programs are now being circulated here to show the people that we are pariotic.

Rev. Bernard I. Doherty

The Rev. Bernard I. Doherty (photo left) was born in Cohoes, N.Y., February 15, 1871. Coming to the Louisville diocese shortly after his ordination, June 14 1902, he was stationed as assistant at the Cathedral of the Assumption, Sacred Heart Church and St. Vincent’s in Union County. Fr. Doherty was appointed pastor of the church of St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi, Payneville, in 1902, where he remained for eighteen years. In 1920 he was given charge of St. Ann’s Church in Louisville, and six and one half years later, February 1927, was named pastor of the Church of Our Lady. Within a few months thereafter, the newly appointed pastor celebrated the Silver Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood.

The achievements of Fr. Doherty included activities for the spiritual and material well–being of the congregation. Soon after his appointment to Our Lady he established the Holy Name Society in the parish.

Holy Name Society

The first meeting of Our Lady’s Holy Name Society was held in the school hall on Monday evening, April 4, 1927. About 50 members were present. The meeting was called to order by Robert Glenn McQuire, who acted as temporary chairman. After prayer by a Fr. Doherty, the election of officers took place, which resulted as follows:

Frank Glenn McQuie, president G. W. Craven, secretary

John Boland, VP Adolph Recktenwald, treasurer

Fr. Doherty then gave an enthusiastic talk, after which the meeting adjourned to meet again when directed by the pastor. Under Fr. Doherty’s guidance and encouragement the membership grew steadily. The large number of men who receive Holy Communion on Holy Name Sunday is edification to the parish. The officers as of the Centenary were:

G. W. Craven, president John Gathof, VP

Fred Friedmann, secretary Adolph Recktenwald, treasurer

The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary – The Altar Society

As noted before, the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Altar Society were established by Fr. Bekkers in 1862. During the 77 years of their existence, these church organizations have promoted the honor and glory of God and His Blessed Mother, Our Lady. They have contributed wholeheartedly to the spiritual and material development of the parish. The officers during the Centennial year were:

Blessed Virgin’s Sodality Altar Society

Mary Rita Craven, president Mrs. Paul L. Hicks, president

Mary Louise Mooney, secretary Mrs. Field Watson, 1^st VP

Rosemary B. LaPaille, VP Mrs. George Stemm, 2^nd VP

Georgia Fichteman, treasurer Mrs. Henry B. Shircliff, secretary

Miss Rose Recktenwald, treasurer

Sanctuary Society

The Sanctuary Society was organized by a Fr. Conniff to help defray church expenses, especially those of the sanctuary. A High Mass is offered each month for the living and deceased members. The only officer in the society is the treasure, who collects the dues. This office has been held for the past three years by Charles N. Mattingly.

In 1934 a third Mass was added to the Sunday schedule of services at Our Lady’s. Since that time the parish has received on Sunday the assistance of the Franciscan Fathers of Mount Saint Francis’s Preparatory College and Seminary at Floyd knobs, Indiana.

Celebration of the Silver Jubilee of Fr. Doherty – June 14, 1927

School children in the 1920s

Remodeled rectory in the early 1930s

The material developments under the pastorate of Fr. Doherty are plainly visible to even the most casual observer. He rebuilt the rectory, and made other improvements about the church, school and grounds. The rectory especially deserves mention. Shortly after coming to Our Lady’s, Fr. Doherty had this house completely remodeled. The floors were raised, a beautiful porch was built to the front and side, and in addition put to the rear. The interior was more conveniently arranged, and the entire house was refurnished. When the building was completed it was modern in every respect. Today, it is one of the most beautiful and imposing rectories in Louisville.

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