"DEDICATION OF ST. MICHAEL'S
New Catholic Church at North Ridge Tuesday.
IT IS A MAGNIFICENT EDIFICE.
A Veritable Monument to the Zeal and Devotion of the Congregation.
Complete Report of The Ceremonies and a Short History of the Parish.
The magnificent new church of St. Michael's in Adams township was dedicated Tuesday. The event was a triumphant festival of faith. Its joy and glory were not confined to Adams township, nor to one faith, but was shared by a vast multitude from Defiance and Henry counties. The event marked an epoch in the history of Catholicism in Defiance county, but especially in Adams township, which will be remembered by every resident and told to the generations to follow.
No less than twelve hundred people were present to witness the sacred ceremonies. Some began arriving as early as six o'clock and all remained until Father Gloden pronounced benediction just before the noon hour.
DESCRIPTION OF CHURCH
The new church is located near the center of Adams township and just a little west of the ridge road. For miles this magnificent church is clearly outlined against the sky, and from nearer approaches, its grandeur fills one with awe as it lifts itself clear of the surroundings, so insignificant in comparison. This house of worship is well proportioned, the dimensions being 120 feet by 54 feet and 28 feet high with the spire towering 148 feet in the heavens.
The church is wrought in stone till above the basement and completed with pressed brick with trimmings in stone. The large slate roof is broken with four dormer windows on each side, making an exceedingly handsome appearance. Situated as it is, in the heart of a most prosperous farming community, with all other buildings seeming like miniature play houses, it towers high toward the Lord's domain to express the congregation's aspirings and is recognized as a universal type of the churchly and the devotional architectural incarnation of the Catholic spirit.
THE INTERIOR
The dignity of the exterior hardly prepares one for the beauty of the interior. The first effect is almost dazzling. The impression is both of color and of light. It has evidently been the aim of the decorators to reproduce the natural glow of the outer sunlight in the marble wainscoating, in the terra cotta and gold of the frescoes, in the blue filling of the upper arches and in the predominance of gold tints in the transept and sanctuary windows. The main altar is of Italian marble with onyx columns.
The side altars are of marble. The pews and pulpit are of oak in a natural finish. The windows are of stained glass, all donated by members of the congregation. The seating capacity is about seven hundred. In the gallery there is commodious quarters for a large choir and the new pipe-organ, costing nearly $2000, sounded its first joyful notes at the dedication yesterday.
THE CEREMONIES
At 9:30 o'clock, the ceremonies were opened by an imposing procession about the church, which included cross bearer, Father J. B. Bell of Collingwood, Cleveland; the acolytes; Master of Ceremonies, Father G. C. Schoeneman of Canton; assistant priests, Father Zinsmayer of Landeck, Father M. Puetz of Napoleon, Father J. P. Gloden of Defiance, Father L. Heiland of New Bavaria, Father J. H. Muehlenbeck of Toledo, Father J. B. Heiland of North Ridge, Father A. I. Hoeffel of Delphos and Mgr. Thorpe of Cleveland.
Next followed the blessing of the outer and inner walls with chanting the 'Miserere' on the outside and the 'Litany of the Saints' on the inside.
Mgr. Thorpe then delivered a sermon in English outlining the duties of a Catholic and then congratulated the rector, Father J. B. Heiland, and the congregation on the handsome edifice that day dedicated. He spoke of his presence here at the time the cornerstone was laid in June of 1902. He also congratulated them on dedicating their house of worship on the Feast of St. Michael, the patron saint of the congregation, their parish house and their homes. Mgr. Thorpe's address was a masterful one and was received with the closest attention.
After this address, the Pontifical mass began, Father J. P. Gloden was celebrant with Father Muehlenbeck - deacon, Father Bell - sub-deacon and Father Schoeneman, master of ceremonies. Fathers Hoeffel and L. Heiland were deacons of honor. During the services, the choir, all young members of the congregation, rendered the mass of St. Michael. The singing was excellent.
Father Muehlenbeck addressed those present in German. He opened his sermon by congratulating the pastor and congregation and spoke of the time he served St. Michael's congregation as its pastor. He had formed ideas of a new church, but was removed before he could begin action. He told his congregation a new school was needed to educate their children and ended his talk with remarks directed to the young people and imploring them to live upright as true Catholics...
HISTORICAL
St. Michael's congregation was founded about 1860 with Rev. A. I. Hoeffel as first resident pastor, with about 20 families among whom were John Coressel Sr., John Coressel, Jr., Michael Sheets, Peter Leithauser, Peter Lenhart, Michael Lutz, Michael Costello, Adam Clemens, John Rauth, John Donler, Nicholas Clemens, Christian Seibert, Michael Turner, Wm. Zeller, Peter Clemens, Lawrence Rumbaugh, James Cronin, Peter Smith, Joseph Fronk who came in 1862, and Frank Sommers, Sr. who located in 1864. These with two exceptions have passed to the great beyond.
In 1862, under the direction of Father Maloney, old St. Michael's was erected, all the labor necessary being performed by the members of the congregation. As nearly as could be ascertained without referring to the church records, Father Carroll succeeded Father Maloney who was was succeeded by Father Hannin.
The next pastor was Father Machenhahn, who remained but a short time. Next in order of succession was Father O'Kief, who remained about a year. In 1870, Father Drackenholz was assigned to the parish and remained but a few months. Father Ellert followed and remained a couple of years. During his pastorate, the first parochial resident was built.
Father Conway was next and also remained but a few months and was followed by Father Blosser, who came in 1875, serving the congregation for about 2 years.
Frs. Sproull and McCarty were the next rectors within a year and a half. Father Jacob Christophory came in June of 1878 and under his direction, the parochial schools were established. Father J. H. Muehlenbeck took charge in 1881 and during his charge, the present brick school house was erected in 1882 and the old church was enlarged. During his residence, the parsonage was burned in the spring of 1886.
Fr. Schoeneman came to North Ridge in 1886, and during his stay, the present parsonage was built. He remained as pastor for three years. Father Schoeneman left in February, 1890, the church being without a pastor until Father Kress came in 1891, who remained during the summer. In the fall of 1891, Father Bell was assigned to the charge who remained about two yearsa nd was succeeded by Father J. B. Heiland, the present pastor, under whose guidance and persevering effort, the magnificent structure dedicated Tuesday was made possible. Father Heiland and his congregation deserve the congratulations of everyone in the county.
The ladies of the congregation deserve unlimited praise in the manner in which they fed the great crowd present. The dining tables were in the old church, seating about a 100 at a time. Not a thing to appease the hunger and delight, the palates of mankind were not lacking. And there was plenty for all. It is estimaged that the receipts from the dinner and ice cream stands will foot up nearly $500."
From the Defiance Crescent News, September 30, 1903.
