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XVII. Churches
- Southern Illinois University Press
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CHAPTER XVII CHURCHES S T. PATRICK'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.-Under the supervision of Rev. C. M. Collins, C. M., of Cape Girardeau, who occasionally visited Cairo to minister to the Catholic people here, a frame church building, about thirty-six feet square, was erected upon posts at the intersection of 18th and Ohio Streets, in 1838. The bell was hung in the forks of a tree in front of the church. This was no doubt the first church building of any kind erected in Cairo. The records of St. Patrick's parish show that Father Collins baptized nineteen persons in 1840, eighteen in 1841, four in 1842, and three in 1843. This falling off was due to the failure of the Cairo company and the consequent abandonment of the town, practically, in 1843. On Christmas day 1844, the Rev. J. P. McGerry, C. M., baptized Mary Ann Lefcovitch , John Shannessy and John Corcoran. There seems to be no record of Catholic church matters in Cairo from February, I845, to November, 1853; and from this last date the same records show that Rev. P. McCabe had charge here until December, 1858. From the "Cairo Times" of 1854, it appears that St. Patrick's church building, thirty-five by seventy feet, with a large roomy basement, was completed under the supervision of Father McCabe and services held therein on Sunday, June 25th, of that year. The contractor was John Saxton, of St. Louis, and the cost of the building about five thousand dollars. Father McCabe was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Walsh, who continued as pastor until his death, March IS, 1863. Rev. Louis A. Lambert was assistant to Father Walsh from April, 1859, to the September following, and upon the death of Father Walsh, he, then pastor at Shawneetown, was transferred to St. Patrick's church here. In May, 1868, he resigned his charge and went to New York, and was succeeded by the Rev. P. Brady, his assistant, who remained until October, 1869, when he was transferred to Springfield. Rev. P. J. O'Halloran was next in succession and continued until November, 1873, when he and Rev. Francis H. Zabel, D. D., of East St. Louis, exchanged places. Father Zabel remained until September, 1879. Our older citizens remember him and especially his devoted self-sacrificing labors during the yellow fever of 1878. He was a man whom every one in. the city esteemed very highly. Rev. Thomas Masterson came from Mound City to take his place and remained until July, 1882. He was succeeded by Rev. J. Murphy, who remained until November, 1885. Rev. Charles Sweeney succeeded him and remained until November , 1889. Then came Rev. James Eckerle, who was pastor until Decem138 CHURCHES ber, 1890, and who was succeeded by the Rev. T. Day. The latter was transferred in November, 1891, and upon his departure the Rev. Charles J. Eschman took charge of the parish. During Father Eschman 's pastorate, and in 1894, the present fine stone church was built. In March, 1902, Father Eschman and Rev. James Gillen, of Prairie du Rocher, exchanged places. Father Gillen remained in charge until May, 1904, when he was assigned to St. Joseph's parish, and Rev. James J. Downey succeeded Father Gillen as pastor of St. Patrick's, and he is now in charge. Shortly after he came he built the new rectory, and later on installed the fine pipe organ now in the church. Until 1879, St. Patrick's had a large congregation, being attended by all but the German Catholics of the city. In that year the bishop divided the city into two parishes, making Fifteenth Street the boundary line. This division reduced the size of the congregation by more than half, as most of the Catholic people resided in the upper part of the city. The Church of the Redeemer (Episcopal}.-Origin of Parish: A letter, December I, 1840, Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, bishop of Illinois, to ]. P. T. Ingraham, appointing him "a lay reader among the Episcopalians of Cairo;" a meeting April 18, 1841, the bishop presiding, at which was formed the "Parochial Association of Christ Church Cairo;" organization of "Church of the Redeemer" November 3, 1862; incorporated April 25, 1864, under the title "Rector, Wardens, and Vestrymen of the Church of the Redeemer, Cairo, Illinois." Subscription started May 2, 1858, to erect church; foundation partiy laid and destroyed by high water; enclosed fall 1862, occupied several weeks for government hospital, then finished; occasional services by Rev...