Rev. F. X. Evremond Harissart
With the completion of the building of the church, the committee of management ceased to function, and several years passed before another meeting was recorded in the Minute Book.
After Fr. Perche had departed from New Orleans, the Church of Our Lady was without a pastor for several months. Fr. Badin, ever solicitous for the welfare of the Catholics of Portland, gave the Church of Our Lady as much of his time as his multitudinous duties would permit. His name appears in the baptismal register during April, 1842. And it was undoubtedly through his efforts that the Rev. F. X. Evremond Harissart, S.J., was prevailed upon to administer to the Catholics of Portland until a pastor could be appointed.
In the book the Jesuits of the Middle United States by Gilbert Garraghan, S.J., it states that Fr. Evremond was born in Paris, France, May 15, 1792. Pursuing his studies in his native land, he was ordained a secular priest, and entered the Jesuit novitiate at White March, Maryland, in 1831. After a few years of teaching at St. Mary’s College, Kentucky, Fr. Evremond together with Fathers Larkin and Gockeln, opened the St. Ignatius Literary Institution at Seventh and Walnut Streets, Louisville. Fr. Evremond died in Paris, April 13, 1859.
Webb describes Fr. Evremond as a man of learning and piety, and exemplified in his manner of life the sacerdotal virtues that became him as administrator of divine things. He was tall and spare, of an aesthetic cast of features and grave in both speech and manners.
Fr. Evremond was in charge of the Church of Our Lady from May 1842 until January, 1843. It was during his pastorate that Cedar Grove Academy was founded, and until it closed its doors in 1925, it formed an integral part in the life of the parish. In the early days especially, there was such a close connection between Cedar Grove Academy and the Church of Our Lady that the history of the latter would certainly be incomplete without some tribute to the former.
Cedar Grove Academy
From the annals of the Sisters of Loretto:
August 16, 1842, a little colony consisting of four members leaves Loretto accompanied by Mother Superior Generose Mattingly. Those destined to commence the establishment are Sisters Thecla, Bridget Spalding, Angela Green and Eulalie Flaget. August 25, 1842, in an assembly of the community, mother Superior nominated Sr. Angela, Superior, and Sr. Eulalie, treasurer.
The Catholic Almanac of 1843 gives the following:
On the first Monday, September 1842, an academy for the instruction of young ladies was opened under the patronage of the Right Rev. Bishop, within a few miles of Louisville and adjoining the town of Portland. It is conducted by the sisters from the institution of Loretto, Marion County, Kentucky, whose qualifications and long experience in the instruction of youths will ensure the rapid progress of all who shall be entrusted to their direction. The site chosen for this institution, and known as Cedar Grove, is elevated and beautiful. The house, which has been recently fitted out at great expense, is well fitted for its present destination. It will afford comfortable accommodations to a large number of boarders. The garden and the shade trees and evergreens will give the young pupils ample space for healthful exercise and recreation.
Besides the common branches (reading, writing, etc.) there is taught rhetoric, composition, botany, natural philosophy, astronomy, mythology, mental philosophy, chemistry, fancy needlework, lace work and bead work.
In the church register as recorded the baptisms of many students of Cedar Grove Academy to embrace the faith. On one day, June 18, 1843, seven were baptized. Their sponsors: Right Rev. Dr. Flaget, Rev. M. Spalding, Rev. J. McGill, Sr. Matilda, and Sr. Angela Green.
The following record appears: February 21, 1849, I buried Felicite Small, 24 years old. She was a Sister of Loretto – J. J. Vital, priest.
The academy continued to grow, and year after year a number of the pupils received their first Holy Communion at the Church of Our Lady; frequently some of these were converts, who were baptized there. Each time confirmation was administered there were girls from the ‘Grove’ to be confirmed.
The various pastors took an active interest in the excellent line of work done at the Academy, and on several occasions conducted the girl’s retreat.
The older parishioners will recall that for years the eight front pews were reserved for the exclusive use of the sisters and girls of St. Benedict’s Academy (Cedar Grove).
June, 1925, was the date of the last commencement exercises at St. Benedict’s academy. In September, 1925, Loretto High School opened at 44th and Broadway.
It is of interest to note in passing, that the first little band of Sisters of the Good Shepherd to settle in the United States came from Angers, France, and arrived in Kentucky, December 1, 1842. They were kindly received by the Sisters of Loretto at Cedar Grove Academy, where they resided until their convent on 8th and Madison was built. In the annals of the Good Shepherd’s, it states: “The sisters remained nine months in Portland.” The Lorettines treated them with unvarying kindness, and they make mention of the love and generosity of the “friends of Mary at the foot of the cross.”
Retreat
In the fall of 1842, the first retreat or mission was given in the Church of Our Lady. From the Catholic Advocate, October 22, we quote the following:
The retreat at Portland concluded on Sunday last. There had been to sermons each day during the week; one in the morning, in German, by Rev. Mr. Blanc, the zealous pastor of the German congregation of this city; the other in the evening by Rev. Fr. Larkin, S.J. The instructions were well attended, and under God, have been effective of much good in the congregation. Over 100 approached the Holy Communion, six of whom did so for the first time.
On Sunday the Sacrament of Confirmation was administered by the venerable Bishop Flaget to thirteen persons. To these, previous to the act of administering, he addressed some appropriate remarks upon the nature and efficacy of the Sacrament.
After the Gospel, the Bishop addressed the congregation and the most eloquent and pathetic manner in his native tongue. After Vespers, solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by the chanting of the Te Deum.
A discourse in the evening by Fr. Larkin, on the “Rewards of God compared with the Rewards of the World,” concluded the exercises of the week. It must indeed be gratifying to the pious pastor, Rev. Fr. Evremond, S.J. that the congregation under his charge has shown so much zeal to avail themselves of the spiritual treasures which the Holy Father has thought proper to extend at this time to all the children of the church.
In those days the parish was indeed cosmopolitan. The sermons during the retreat were delivered in three languages: English, French, and German.
The Rev. Charles Blanc, a native of Switzerland, was born in Freiburg on January 27, 1805. After receiving part of his seminary training at the College of the Propaganda in Rome, he came to America in the autumn of 1837. Having completed his studies in St. Thomas Seminary in Kentucky, he was ordained priest October 28, 1838. Fr. Blanc took charge of St. Boniface’s parish in Louisville in 1839, and remained as pastor until his death on July 30, 1846.
Fr. John Larkin, S.J., who also assisted in giving the retreat, was born in the county of Durham, England, in the year 1800. He studied at the seminary of St. Sulpice in Paris, and was ordained in 1827. Fr. Larkin entered the Society of Jesus at St. Stanislaus’ Novitiate, Marion County, Kentucky, in 1840. He withdrew from Kentucky with the other Jesuits in 1846, and died in New York City, December 11, 1858.
Rev. John Jerome Vital
In the beginning of the year 1843, there came to Our Lady’s the Rev. John Jerome Vital, who was destined to remain there as pastor for eighteen years. He was born in Montpellier, France, in 1801. Having completed his studies in his native land, he was ordained on October 31, 1825, by the Right Rev. M. Nicholas Fournier, Bishop of Montpellier.
Fr. Vital Came to the diocese in 1842, and for several months was a professor in St. Joseph’s College at Bardstown. Webb in his history speaks as follows:
Fr. Vital was removed from St. Joseph’s College to Portland in 1843, or he won from the start the affection of his parishioners. I have known clergyman, and many of them, who were possessed of greater natural talents; and many, too, who were more energetic in pushing their influence for good beyond the line of strict obligation. But I have known few who appeared to me more uniformly observant of religious and pastoral duty. His piety was cheerful, but it was not the less sincere on that account. He inspired no one was fear, but rather incited love by acts and words of fatherly kindness.
Parish tradition has little about Fr. Perche, the builder, or Fr. Evremond, the ascetic, but here and there one is frequently told stories, simple, homely tales of Fr. Vital, the gentle and the kind. His home was a small sacristy room in the church, for there was no rectory. He ate his meals at Cedar Grove, or at the St. Charles Hotel, and not infrequently among his parishioners. The doors of all were open to him. He was a good shepherd. “He knew his own, and his own knew him.” From the Notes of the First Church by Mrs. Josephine Villier Maryman, it states: “The older residents remember the good priest, Fr. Vital, visiting his parishioners, followed by his little dog, Bellete, which would not eat meat on Friday no matter how he was tempted to do so, and which grieved himself to death when his master, Fr. Vital, died.”
Church Robbed
Parish life moved along serenely for several years, except that the church was robbed June 12, 1843. Per an article in the Catholic Advocate, thieves entered by breaking glass on one of the windows. They took a silver chalice, two candlesticks, four altar cloths, four albs, two suplices and several veils used for Benediction.
First Pipe Organ
On the second Sunday of Lent, 1846, another requisite for Divine Service was obtained when a small pipe organ was installed. The organ was built by Mathias Schwab of Cincinnati at a cost of $350. In a letter dated March 17, 1846, he directed the amount to be paid to W. C. Peters.
Evidently the parish borrowed the money from Fr. Quinn of the Cathedral of the Assumption, for a receipt in the parish file reads:
Received, Louisville, March 21, 1846, of the Rev. John Quinn, $200 in cash in his note for six months, payable at the bank of Louisville, for $150, which when paid will be in full for the within bill. W. C. Peters
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Invoice for pipe organ – March 17, 1846 |
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The Catholic Advocate on cites a service on May 17, 1846 for repaying this debt:
A public service will take place in the Church of Portland Sunday May 17th at 3pm. The congregation being partly in debt for the new organ recently put up in the church will expect on the present occasion, a donation of $.50 from those persons who may attend for the purpose of assisting in the payment of this debt. The choir will be assisted by that of St. Louis Church and several amateur singers.
A note in the Minute Book states that in 1847, “the corporation of Portland bought four acres of land for a graveyard.” A road was made through the center of the lot, dividing the cemetery into two equal parts, one for the Catholics, the other for the non–Catholics.
On November 4, 1849, Fr. Vital blessed a new statue of St. Charles Borromeo.
About this time, there was a movement on foot to build the belfry on the church, but the plans did not materialize until three years later. Then the committee of management, which had been inactive since the pastorate of Fr. Perche, was reorganized and the meeting was called in August, 1850.
The Church Steeple
Meeting of August 3, 1850
The committee composed of Misters Maquaire, Albert, Banon and McAtee has been called to receive communication that, according to the expressed wishes of the whole Catholic Congregation of Portland, Kentucky, Rev. J. J. Vital, pastor of the said congregation, published on the fourteenth of July last, at the late Mass, that on the next day, the fifteenth, a subscription should be open during a meeting to which all the inhabitants were invited. And so it was done, and great was the meeting and satisfactory the subscription for the purpose of building a steeple in front of the Catholic church, on Market (Rudd) Street. At that meeting Mr. N. Albert was unanimously appointed treasure during the building of said steeple.
Considering it had to be expedient to have the work carried on in a fair and legal way, a plan was drawn and laid to the committee. And when approved, it was resolved that the several models should be taken and distributed to diver carpenters. The Rev. M. Vital has hastened to entreat the Bishop to ratify the nomination of the members of the provisional committee of management, and to appoint a fourth one in conformity to the regulations, in order that they could begin the regular course of their proceedings. The fourth member is Mr. Philip McAtee. Thus reads the appointment to the trustees by the Bishop:
Mr. Philip McAtee is appointed trustee of the church of Notre Dame du Port, along with Misters C. Maquaire, N. Albert, William Banon and the Rev. Pastor.” Louisville, August 10, 1850.
Mr. J. Spalding signed at the original
Philip McAtee
N. Albert
Charles Maquaire
William Banon
J. J. Vital
Philip McAtee
Philip McAtee, who became a trustee of the church in 1850, was born in Maryland, 1816. Later he resided at Bardstown, Kentucky, and in 1843–44 he is listed in the Louisville Directory as a “carpenter at F. E. Bevins.” on April 3, 1845, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Goldie. She was born in America, but her parents, the Dicks, or natives of Switzerland. According to the church records, she, with a young daughter of her first marriage, became Catholics in 1846. The baptismal name of this child was Virginia, and she was known as Virginia McAtee. When grown, Virginia married mark Watson, and had one child, Philip, who was very prominent in church affairs in later years. His mother, Virginia, died soon after he was born, and he was raised by the McAtees.
Philip McAtee was a carpenter and contractor. A number of his houses are located on Western Parkway.
The McAtees were faithful members of Our Lady’s. Many remember, in later years, the old couple sitting in the pew just below the pulpit so that they would not miss a word. They were good people and very religious. Both lived to an average age, Philip was 84, Elizabeth 81. Their only daughter also led an exemplary life, and was known and loved as Miss Maria.
Meeting of August 12, 1850
The committee has been called on to receive communication of a proposal made to invite Rev. Mr. Perche, the benefactor, the first pastor and the founder of this church, to act as godfather of the new bell, when blessed, and two consent to have his name engraved thereupon. It was unanimously resolved at the Rev. Pastor should write to him for that purpose. It was also resolved that Madam Captain Rudd, from Louisville, should be invited as godmother, and her name engraved in the said bell.
Mr. George Unclebaugh (Unclebach) has our thanks for his having invited the far–famed German Music Society, of Louisville, to give a sacred concert in our church for the benefit of the steeple. These gentlemen readily consented to come and perform on the 25th August at 3pm.
Mr. Maquaire will also please receive here are thanks for his having some generously offered hospitality to these gentlemen. The committee has had communication of two bills presented for the building of the steeple. Mr. P. McAtee and Mr. M. Nippert have both made very generous offers. The congregation will always prove grateful to them. Mr. M. Nippert’s bill has been accepted as the cheaper.
N. Albert
Charles Maquaire
William Banon
J. J. Vital
George Unclebach
George Unclebach, “who invited the far–famed German music society to give a sacred concert in our church,” was the first organist at Our Lady. Three brothers of the name of Unclebach married three sisters and Germany and emigrated to America. Two of these brothers, Michael and George, came to Portland; Michael, the oldest, is the ancestor of the Unclebachs now living here. George, the youngest, whose wife’s name was Gertrude, had one daughter, Emma.
Mr. George Unclebach was a musician, and frequently played for the band concerts at Lion Park. Although he was a bookbinder by trade, after he came to Portland he seems to have followed of music as a profession. The early directories list him as a professor of music, living in Portland, at one time, 1848–49 on High Street (Northwestern Parkway), and later, 1855–56, on Market (Rudd) Street Below Gravier (37th) Street. A few years later the family moved from Portland.
Meeting of August 16, 1850
The committee has been called on to receive communication of the contract made with a carpenter, August the 15th, about the building of a steeple in front of the Catholic Church of Portland; the contract is such:
Be it known to all men by this present writing, that I, the undersigned, Martin Nippert, of the first part, and we the trustees of the Catholic Church of Portland, of the second part, all parties of said Portland, Jefferson County, State of Kentucky, we, both parties, bind ourselves mutually and respectively as follows:
First, I, Martin Nippert, bind myself to build a steeple for the Catholic Church of Portland, according to the plan accepted by the trustees of said church; to furnish all materials of good quality as such work requires, all materials to be paid to said Martin Nippert at the price current, and for all work to be paid by measurement of the old bill of prices of the City of Louisville, Kentucky, and deducting 57½% off of said bill; said M. Nippert will also give $30 in addition to his subscription, which is $10, in all $40, to be deducted as cash paid for said steeple; and if said trustees think it necessary to make any alteration during the progressing of the work, I bind myself to accede to it; and all work to be done in good workmanlike manner, and said job to be completed by the 24th of December next.
Second, we trustees of said church bind ourselves to pay to said M. Nippert the sum of $400 as the work is progressing, and the balance four months after the work is completed and received by said trustees.
After the whole job shall be fully completed, provided however as a condition of this obligation that the whole work and materials shall not exceed $700.00; and if by these prices the work and materials shall exceed that sum, the price under this contract for work and materials shall be reduced to that sum here and mentioned.
Portland, Kentucky, August 15, 1850.
M. Nippert
Philip McAtee
N. Albert
Charles Maquaire
William Banon
J. J. Vital
Martin Nippert
Martin Nippert, who built the belfry and steeple, was born in France in 1815, and taught school in his native land before he was fifteen years old. As a young man, he came to Kentucky and married Mary Caye on June 6, 1843, in the Church of Our Lady. Of this union a child, Hermine Valentine, was born in February, 1846. Two years later, another daughter, Irma, was born. Mrs. Caye Nippert died in 1853, and in 1854 Martin Nippert married Mary Hubert. There were no children of this marriage.
Mr. Nippert, appointed trustee in 1853, was also the first choirmaster in the church. According to the 1865–67 Directory, he handled boat supplies in Portland.
He was a lifelong benefactor of Our Lady’s, donating generously to the rebuilding of the church. Martin Nippert died in 1880, and is buried in St. Louis Cemetery.
The Church Bell
Meeting of August 22, 1850
The committee has been called on to receive communication
of a letter addressed to Rev. N. J. Perche. It reads thus:
We trustees of the Catholic church of Portland, together with the Rev. Pastor J. J. Vital, feel it to be our sacred duty to bring over to your knowledge the resolution taken in the meeting of August 12, 1850. It reads thus:
“The committee has been called on to receive communication of a proposal made to invite Rev. N. J. Perche, the benefactor, the first pastor, and the founder of this church, to come up to act as godfather of the new bell, when blessed, and to consent to have his name engraved thereupon. It was unanimously resolved at the Rev. Pastor should write to him for that purpose. It was also resolved that Madam Captain Rudd, from Louisville, should be invited as godmother, and her name engraved in the said bell.
Sir, we are confident that you will accept our invitation. A trip to Kentucky would do you a great deal of good. We invite you to pay us a visit, because we ardently desire to see you, because your presence will gladden our people, and chiefly because we sincerely wish to show you our gratitude. If by chance you could not possibly come, please point out to those whom you wish to represent you as godfather; either Captain Rudd for Mr. Ritchie, from Louisville.
As to the $100 you have been pleased to subscribe for the building of our steeple, you may deposit that some in Mr. Christopher Pasquier’s (a La Nouvelle Orleans) hands when you see him. Misters Maquaire and Villier will draw upon him. Your very sincere friends and humble servants: the trustees of the Catholic Church of Portland. Portland, August 20, 1850.”
Philip McAtee
N. Albert
Charles Maquaire
William Banon
J. J. Vital
As seen in the Minute Book, the parish was anxious
to obtain a bell to announce Divine Service to the congregation; accordingly
the belfry and steeple were built to the church in the latter part of 1850. The
high tower inspire certainly added much to the ecclesiastical appearance of the
building.
The present belfry and steeple are the original erected in 1850. Later, when the first church was enlarged, the addition was put to the rear of the building. When the second church was built, the first church and addition were entirely torn down, but the belfry was left standing, and the second church built to it. As the roof of the building was then much higher than the belfry proper, it was necessary to build a false work around the lower part of the steeple. This is the extra tier with windows. The gracefulness of the spire was sacrificed by this work. When the third church was built, it too, was erected to the belfry.
In 1851, the bell that today calls the faithful to Divine Service was placed in the belfry. It bears the following inscriptions:
NAME OF MAKER: WILLIAM KAYE, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
S. MARIA – ORA PRO NOBIS
PORTLAND, KENTUCKY, 1851
SPONSORS: REV. N. J. PERCHE, DOMINA ELIZABETH CODY
MARTIN J. SPALDING, BISHOP OF LOUISVILLE
REV. S. T. BADIN, PROTO–SA
REV. J. J. VITAL, PASTOR
From the inscription it is evident that Fr. Perche accepted the invitation and came all the way from New Orleans to be present at the ceremony. For some reason, Mrs. Rudd did not accept the invitation to be sponsor. Engraved on the bell is the name Elizabeth Cody. The Cody family were staunch members of the Cathedral of the Assumption parish and very prominent in Louisville. Michael Cody was the first vice president of the first Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Louisville, and for many years held office in this conference at the Cathedral.
In the early days, the bell also served a mundane purpose as a fire alarm. Tradition has it that the fire department had within its ranks many of the men of Our Lady’s congregation. These men always sat at the end of the pews in the church so that no time would be lost in answering the call, should the bell be rung during the Divine Services.
In those days, the era before fire hydrants, a bucket brigade was formed. It was known as the ‘chain gang’ and was quite efficient in fighting fires near the river, where the supply of water was always plentiful. A fireman’s hat, a keepsake in the possession of one of the parishioners, bears this inscription: “Portland Volunteer Depart. We come to save.”
Fr. Perche did not forget the Church of Our Lady. From time to time it was the recipient of his generosity. A note in the Minute Book informs us:
In August, 1851, received of Rev. N. J. Perche, Nouvelle Orleans, for our church of Portland, Kentucky, as he himself observes expressly, the following objects: one cope, one pastoral stole. In February, 1852, the following articles were received from Fr. Perche:
1. Six large candlesticks, gilt
2. One across for the tabernacle, silver plated
3. Two crosses for procession, one gilt, one in bronze
4. A bronze container for holy water
5. A silver censor with the incense box
6. Cruets of metal with their tray
7. Four vases of flowers
The Minute Book under date of 1851 records the following: “Received from a person who prefers not to be known, the beautiful chalice in silvergilt with the case.” This chalice (photo below) was given by Sr. Eulalie Flaget and is a prized possession of the church. It was used in offering the Holy Sacrifice at the Centenary Mass, August 15, 1939.
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Renting the Pews
Meeting of January 7, 1851
On January 7th the committee has been called on to deliberate on the propriety of renting out the pews of the Catholic Church of Portland, Kentucky.
Considering that the said church has no revenue at all; that the 52 pews use were put there for the purpose of giving an annual income; that the renting out of pews is a right exercised by the trustees of any church throughout the Christian world; considering more over that it is the duty of every parishioner to help for the support of his church; it was unanimously resolved at the said pews should be rented out and given to the higher bidder and last outbidder.
That deliberation was made known to the congregation by its being published two Sundays at the Mass. The trustees have signed:
N. Albert
Charles Maquaire
William Banon
J. J. Vital
The building of the steeple had placed the parish in debt, but the pew rent was so cheap that the debt remained. To remedy this condition, the following resolution was drawn up in the spring.
Meeting of March 6, 1852
On March the sixth, the committee had been called on to deliberate on the propriety of determining the price under which the renting of the pews should not go farther down.
1. Considering that the Catholic church of Portland, Jefferson County, Kentucky, has a heavy debt to pay off.
2. Considering that the paying of that debt is urging.
3. Considering that the said church has no other revenue but the renting of the pews.
4. Considering that if we rented out some use lower than $5, we could not get off the debt we have run into.
We have unanimously resolved to fix the lowest price at $5.
N. Albert
Charles Maquaire
William Banon
J. J. Vital
Meeting of March 5, 1853
The meeting has been called to deliberate on the subject of appointing two new members as trustees of the Catholic Church of Portland, Kentucky, in order to complete the number of the committee which ought to be five. You know, gentlemen, that our committee having been legally organized, we have henceforth the right of perpetuating ourselves. Using that right, we do hereby elect and appoint as new trustees of the said church Misters John D. Gieske and M. Nippert.
We trustees of the Catholic church of Portland have been called on to deliberate on the propriety of giving a fixed salary to Mr. George Unclebaugh (Unclebach), organists, for his playing on the organ every Sunday and holy day at Mass and Vespers, except on July and August, for the sum of $50, to be paid at quarters.
John D. Gieske
M. Nippert
J. Pernet
Charles Maquaire
J. J. Vital
John D. Gieske
John D. Gieske, mentioned as trustee in the preceding meeting, was born in Germany in 1821 and died in Louisville in 1891. His wife’s name was Bernadina. She also was a native of Germany and died in 1923 at the age of 90 years. John D. Gieske was in the hotel business, and the name of Gieske is associated with the Wall Street House on Fourth Street between Main and the river. A Henry Gieske was in the same line of business. Most likely they were brothers.
John Pernet
John Pernet first appears on the committee of management, March 5, 1853. His wife was Elizabeth Remy. Both names are mentioned by Webb in the list of early French settlers.
As the Pernets had no children, Mrs. Pernet went to an orphanage to adopt one. There she immediately fell in love with a certain child. On leaving, the little girl’s two sisters cried so hard to go with her that Mrs. Pernet returned with the three. She also raised a little colored girl, Rose, the daughter of a colored woman who had been a slave in the family. Sometime after 1866, the Pernets moved to Henderson, Kentucky, where for several years John Pernet conducted a large wholesale dry goods store. Mrs. Pernet died in 1877, outliving her husband by a few months.
Our Lady’s First School
The parish has long felt the need of a parochial school. Thomas Drew, who died near the close of 1847, bequeathed by will the property owned by him in Portland for the establishment of a free school for girls. This will, copied from the Minute Book, reads as follows:
I, Thomas drew, sound in mind, but infirm and body, I will and bequeath all my property real and personal to the Right Rev. Benedict Joseph Flaget, R. C. Bishop of Louisville, Kentucky, and to his heirs and assigns in trust for the purpose of establishing in the town of Portland a free school for girls, the said school to be conducted by the Sisters of the Loretto Benevolent Society, or in case at any time they should be unable or unwilling to establish or conduct said school then by such other persons or body of persons as may be designated by the said Right Rev. Bishop or his successors.
The property was sold for the sum of $1,000. With no other funds on hand, it did not seem advisable to begin the immediate erection of the building. William Banon, who died in 1852, bequeathed a similar sum for this purpose. In the meantime, the school fund was supplemented by private subscriptions; yet it was not until 1856 that the parish felt that it was in position to undertake the project. As the former trustees had long since resigned, a new committee of management was formed, and the meeting was called in April, 1856.
Meeting of April 20, 1856
We the undersigned very readily accept the office of trustees of the Catholic Church of Portland, tendered us by the right Rev. Bishop Spalding of Louisville, date April 10, 1856.
Paul Villier
Auguste Bary
George Niest
Charles Desmouzon
Henry Dacquet
Peter Fosse
J. J. Vital
New Trustees
Paul Villier
Paul Villier was born in Guinglange (near Metz) France, in 1817. When he was fifteen years old, he came to America with three brothers, Nicholas, John and Bartholomew, and landed in New York, June 28, 1833. Nicholas and John came to Portland with him, but Bartholomew, who is married and had two children, remained in New York. The three brothers never saw or heard anything of him or his family after that time; although every effort was made to trace them. It is believed that the entire family was wiped out by a plague, possibly the cholera which was so prevalent at that time.
Nicholas Villier died in 1845, but his family lived for years just around the corner from the church on Grove (35th) Street below Market (Rudd). His descendants to date are numbered among the parishioners at Our Lady’s.
After residing many years in Portland, John Villier moved to Indiana where he became a farmer.
Paul Villier made his start as a merchant in Shippingport shortly after coming to Kentucky. The Louisville Directory of 1838 lists “P. Villiers, clothier and coffeehouse, No. 18 E. Water.” In 1840, he entered into business with Charles Maquaire, as the old legal document of partnership reads, “for the purpose of caring on the mercantile and trading business at the house of Portland lately occupied by the firm of Charles Maquaire & Co.” Their large store was located on the corner of Commercial (34th) and Front (Water) Streets. Maquaire and Villier early became identified with the St. Charles Hotel, erected in the same block, on Commercial and First (Missouri) Streets.
An 1843, Paul Villier married Mr. Maquaire’s daughter, Thaise Eugenie, in the new Church of Our Lady, Fr. Vital officiating. His son Charles was born the following year, and later Josephine and Paul. In 1856 he took his family to France, where misfortune awaited him in the tragic death of his wife, who jumped from a burning train with her baby in her arms; both were instantly killed.
Later, he returned to Portland, and in 1865 married a young woman, Adele Bary, daughter of Victor Dominc and Marian Bary. Leaving Portland, he went to live on his farm eighteen miles out on the Salt River Road. Of the five children born to them, three daughters reside in Portland.
Paul Villier died in 1882, and is buried in St. Louis Cemetery. His widow survived him by 52 years.
Auguste Bary
Auguste Bary was born in or near Toul, Lorraine, France, in 1817. He immigrated to Kentucky with two brothers and four sisters. They came to Portland by the way of New Orleans, and were three months on the journey.
The name Bary appears on the first pages of the church records. This family was here before the Nipperts. Auguste was living in a house on the corner of what is now 34th and Missouri streets, when the Nipperts left the boat and walked up the street seeking a new home. They were invited to spend the night with the Barys. There Auguste first met Justine Nippert, who was later to become his wife.
Auguste Bary was the tailor in Portland. After a few years he and his wife went to the Indiana to live on the farm. Eugene and Theodore were born there and then Justine Melanie, known as Malinda, later Mrs. Hamilton Lanning, of Portland, whose daughter, Mrs. Mary Lanning O’Donnell, is a member of the congregation of Our Lady’s.
After the death of his first wife, Auguste Bary married a widow, Mrs. Emily Henriott. A son, Joseph Bary, who survives, lives in Frenchtown, Indiana.
One of Auguste’s sisters became the wife of Peter Portman, and another married Bernard Nippert. Auguste Bary died in 1871, and is buried in Frenchtown.
George Niest
According to the 1855–56 Directory, George Niest was a tailor on Water Street near Gravier (37th). Later he resided at 31st and Rudd and conducted a dairy business, distributing milk to residents in this section of the city.
When the Ohio River Bridge was built by the Kentucky and Indiana terminal railroad in 1884, he sold his property to that company and purchased a farm in Indiana where he and his family resided until his death in 1887. He is buried in the Portland Cemetery.
Henry Dacquet
Henry Dacquet was born in France and came to Portland at an early age. Webb places his name on the list of those who lived in this vicinity when the parish of Our Lady was formed in 1839.
As a young man, he was connected with the firm of Maquaire and Villier. He married Malvina Payelle, a niece of Charles Maquaire in 1855. According to the church records, four children were born to them. The family resided at the St. Charles Hotel.
Sometime after the close of the Civil War the Dacquets moved to Kansas and were last heard of in Topeka.
Peter Fosse
Peter Fosse was born in France in 1824. He was the second son of Louis Fosse, who as noted, was a member of the provisional committee of management at the formation of the parish.
Peter Fosse never married. Sometime after 1856 he moved to Henderson, Kentucky, where according to the historian Webb, he was one of the most liberal benefactors of the Catholic Church in that city. He died and was buried in Henderson.
Charles Desmouzon
Charles Desmouzon, a native of France, was born in 1822. He came to Portland sometime before 1839 and for years conducted a general store. He married a widow, Mrs. Mary Jacquemin who was a Lambermont, early French settlers in this section. There were six children of this marriage: Martina, who married John Stoerr; Frances Augustine, who married Benedict Webb, Jr.; James, George, and Corella (Mrs. Dawson). The family lived on Water Street near 36th. Descendants of the Desmouzons still live in the parish. Charles Desmouzon died in 1876.
At the meeting of the trustees, April 20, 1856, the following contract was made:
Be it known to all men that by this present writing, I, Henry Joseph Becker, and we undersigned trustees of the Catholic Church of Portland, Louisville, Kentucky, we bind ourselves mutually and respectively as follows:
First, I, Henry Joseph Becker, bind myself to raise the brick building, called free schoolhouse for the girls of the said town of Portland, 53 feet long and 35 feet wide, according to the instruction of the trustees of the aforesaid congregation, at the rate of $3 the thousand by measurement without any extra charges.
Second, we trustees of the Catholic congregation of Portland, the bind ourselves to pay to Mr. Henry Joseph Becker $3 per thousand of bricks laid in the aforesaid building.
First School Building
The school building, which stands to the left of the church, was completed in the summer of 1857. In November, 1856, Fr. Vital arrange with Mother M. Bridget Spalding, Mother Superior of Loretto, to supply the teachers, and accordingly in September of the following year two Sisters of Loretto opened the school.
For four years the registration was restricted to girls. In 1861 arrangements were made to care for the boys. In August, 1867, the second floor was opened as a school for the boys, and the Xaverian brothers became their instructors, two brothers teaching the boys until June, 1872. In the following September, the Sisters of Loretto were again placed in charge of the entire school. This arrangement continued until June, 1909. Then due to circumstances of the times and conditions over which the sisters had no control, the Mother General withdrew her teachers.
The older members of the parish gratefully recall their school days at Our Lady’s, when they were taught the three Rs by the good Sisters of Loretto. The following sisters taught at parish school: Sisters Blandine, Adelaide, Mary Edmund, Florita, Mary Ann, Teresita, Herman Joseph, Alexine, Zephyrine, Mary Cyrilla, and Mary Lorenza.
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Our Lady of Lourdes grotto commemorating the apparitions to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France February 11 – July 16, 1858 |
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Death of Fr. Vital
Late in the year 1860, the beloved pastor, Fr. Vital, was stricken with a long and painful sickness, from which he did not recover. No longer able to carry on his work, the neighboring priests administered to the needs of the congregation.
Church records state that Fr. W. S. Coomes, then stationed at St. Vincent’s Orphanage, attended the parish in the month of December, 1860. Fr. M. Bouchet, later to become the Vicar General of the diocese, gave his assistance during the following month. In February, March, April and May, services or conducted by two Franciscan Fathers, the Rev. Bernard Koenig and the Rev. Bonaventure Keller, then stationed at St. Peter’s Church.
The long pastorate of Fr. Vital came to an end with his death May 25th, 1861. So large was the throng that attended the funeral Mass that it was necessary to conduct the services at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Fr. Vital was buried on Monday, May 27th.
For many years, grateful members of the congregation could be seen at St. John’s Cemetery, kneeling before the grave whose tombstone bears these words:
Spolia Hic Requiescunt
Rev. di. Joannis J. Vital
Natus Nov. 25, 1801
In Dioec. Montpellier in Gallia
Huc Advenit A.D. 1842
Pie Obiit in Domino Maii 25, 1861
Aetatis 60 Sacerdotii 26
R.I.P.
