OCR Text |
Show " -" -- . -! ' " ".'" - -,,. ,,.- ,, , - ' --n). - - ... ' -ii -mi .in. im-.ii- ' ' ' ni.ii.in.irr "' 1,11 " "" "- "'- " - ---V . " - " THE PAST AND THE PRESENT IN THE CATHOLIC LIFE OF THE UTAH DIOCESE ; . . ' i " i 1 f i j : : : ; i : ! ! - !f . : , ; Y. 1 S i ' L2L : '"- 1 I L. SCANLAN, BISHOP OF SALT LAKE ! . I 1 1 1 i , , I y-vHE DIOCESE OF SALT LAKE, em- I I UfQTg)ffiJ tracing an area of 153,768 square -! J XQ py miies, is the largest in the United W'OJ States. To form an idea of this 4)?n imniense territory, under the direc- i vio tion of one bishop, it is best realized by comparison. In the province of New York there are seven dioceses annexed to the archdiocese or Metropolitan See. Archbishop Farley is in charge of the Metropolitan, and seven suffragan bishops ex-: ex-: ercise spiritual jurisdiction over the province of New York. The whole province has only an area . ' of 53,370 square miles, or less than one-third the - size of the diocese of Salt Lake. Utah, like all the far western states, began its ecclesiastical history under the jurisdiction of the ; archdiocese of St. Louis. The first missionaries who journeyed west, crossed the Rocky mountains and explored Utah, Idaho and Montana, were the spiritual subjects of Archbishop Kenrick of St Louis. In 18CC the spiritual jurisdiction of Utah was transferred trans-ferred to Right Rev. Eugent O'Connell, bishop of Marys ville, Cal., now the diocese of Sacramento. After assuming charge, the first missionary work in the territory was entrusted to Rev. E. F. Kelly, who made two extended visits to Utah. During his i second visit he purchased the site on which the ! ' present church stands. In 18C8 Bishop Machebeuf of Denver was appointed by the Holy See to take charge of Utah. Father Foley was sent from Denver, Den-ver, and as first permanent pastor in Salt Lake his first church was an old adobe building which is now a part of the basement of the old church. Bishop Machebeuf, while in charge, visited Salt Lake, remaining re-maining several weeks as the guest of Judge Thomas I Marshall. Mrs. Marshall was one of the first members mem-bers of the Catholic church who settled in this city. I In 1S70 the bishop of Denver resigned his juris- I diction over this territory, and then Utah was an- nexed to the archdiocese of San Francisco. That i j year Rev. P. Walsh was appointed pastor, and soon t after his arrival commenced the erection of the j present St. Mary Magdalen's church, which was 1 finished and dedicated by Archbishop Alemany of ! San Francisco November 20, 1871. Two years later ' Father Walsh was succeeded by Rev. L. Scanlan, who, since 1873, as pastor, vicar forane, vicar apos-; apos-; tolic and bishop, has guided and directed the spir-i spir-i itual interests of the church in the state of Utah j and half of the state of Nevada. His success, meas- ured by the number of churches, schools, academies, I colleges, hospitals, orphanages and homes for the old II and feeble, may be seen In his works. When the j present bishop assumed pastoral charge, the present j church was encumbered with a large debt, i. e., large I for the few communicants who were to aid him in j paying it off. In Salt Lake at that time the regular I church members did not exceed one dozen. In, less ; than two years the church was free from all encum- ! brances. f I St. Mary's Academy. In 1874 the site where St. Mary's academy now (' stands was secured. The object of the purchase was for a school, and in making known his views to his I superiors and others, the answer Father Scanlan in- variably received was: "Where will you get your pupils?" Finally Archbishop Alemany yielded to the demand of his representative and sought to find a j religious community of sisters who were willing to devote their lives to building up the spiritual edifice ) of the church of God in Utah. In California he could j find none. He wrote to Father Sorin, Notre Dame, . Ind., who was the spiritual director of the sisters of ; the Holy Cross. The saintly Father General, whose early life in Indiana was not unlike in many respects I; that of Father Scanlan in Utah and Nevada, was at first reluctant, but finally gave his consent. In May, 1875, two sisters of the Holy Cross reached . , Salt Lake. It took only a few days to learn what their future prospects would be, and though not very , ' auspicious, they decided to remain. The work of !i building the present academy and collecting funds for the same began simultaneously, and in September of that year it was opened as a day and boarding school. This new foundation meant a new life to : Catholic interests. From a small beginning, St. f Mary's grew till its influence spread throughout the I entire western states, and what was at first a mere i I venture, after a decade of years, ranked next in J importance to the parent house, St Mary's, Notre I i Dame, Ind. ! i Holy Cross Hospital. I 1 Before the opening of St Mary's academy or its ; ; success or . failure could be predicted, another de- mand was made by the prominent mine owners, smeltermen and their employes for "a sister hos pital." Was the demand premature? The school was not yet opened and its success or failure was an unknown quantity. There was very little time for deliberation, and It mattered not very much "who may plant, as it is God who gives the Increase." Leaning on the arms of Providence, it was decided ) that a hospital for miners and smelter employes the founding of an institution for the advanced education edu-cation of boys was deferred until 1885, when All Hallows college was founded. It was completed the following year, and in September, 1880, was opened as a day and boarding school for the youth of Salt Lake and young men of all the adjoining states within a radius of 700 miles of the capital of Utah. Its patronage proved its necessity, and its efficiency effi-ciency in imparting knowledge proved its success. Successful from the beginning, the old building had to be enlarged to meet the increasing demand of new boarders. For the first three years after its foundation its destiny lay in the hands of its founder, who called to his aid Rev. P. Blake, then .pastor of Park City. The joy of a successful opening was soon supplemented sup-plemented by a still more joyful announcement, not only to the faculty of All Hallows, but to all citizens of the state, irrespective of creed, and that was the elevation of the spiritual father of the church in Utah to the episcopacy. Annexed as a parish to the archdiocese arch-diocese of San Francisco for sixteen years, Utah was now to become an independent diocese. To its large area of 82,190 square miles was added the eastern part of the state of Nevada, embracing an area of 71,578 square miles. After the first annual commencement in All Hallows Hal-lows college, Bishop Scanlan went to San Francisco, Fran-cisco, and on June 29, 1887, was consecrated bishop by Archbishop Riordan, assisted by Bishops Eugene O'Connell and Manogue of Sacramento. Under his episcopal guidance and direction, All Hallows college for the next two years was conducted in the same efficient way in which it was during the first year of its existence. In 1889, in order to increase still more the efficiency effi-ciency of All Hallows college in its educational work and give his undivided attention to the entire new diocese, Bishop Scanlan invited the Marist Fathers, who were especially trained for conducting educational educa-tional institutions, to take charge of a college yet in its infancy. The invitation was accepted, and from the commencement of the new administration down to the present its success year after year has CHURCH OF ST. MARY MAGDALEN (Old Cathedral.) : ! - j! s ' ST. MARY'S CATHEDRAL (In its incomplete state.) should be opened within a month after the opening of St. Mary's academy. In October, 1875, the hospital of the Holy Cross had for its foundation an unpretentious brick building which still stands on Fifth East street, between South Temple and First South streets. The good work done from its inception meant its success, and though founded under adverse circumstances, "God increased its fruits" and blessed its works. In a few years the increasing patronage rendered the premises, rented for a time, too small for the demands upon it A suitable site was proposed and a new hospital contemplated in 1879. In 1881 the ten-acre block where the present hospital of the Holy Cross stands was purchased. The erection of the new hospital marked a new era in the material growth of the church In Utah. The gentle care and kind attention of the sisters of the Holy Cross were appreciated by all who came under the soothing influence of their nursing. The capacity of the new hospital, like the old, was soon taxed to its utmost capacity. The standard of the modern hospital was higher, and its use for all manner man-ner of ailments as the only proper place for the care of the sick was a requirement for advanced medical science. The hospital met all the demands by the erection of a new wing to the old hospital. The addition renders the old and new nearly perfect in all their equipments, accommodations and finish of a modern hospital. The large operating room, with its tiled floor, glazed walls and ceiling, could not be surpassed. Its work in the past has been a blessing to suffering humanity, and it shall so continue con-tinue to the end. All Hallows College. The provision made in Utah for carrying out the decrees of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore was confined for a long time to young ladies and small boys and girls. For these ample provision had been made In Salt Lake, Ogden, Park City and as far south as Silver Reef, which bordered on Arizona. Ari-zona. To supply a demand and requirement for large boys and young men was an object of deep Interest to Father Scanlan, to whom was entrusted the spiritual spir-itual interests of the young men as well as the young ladies of his extensive parish. Only his limited lim-ited means could delay his wishes in this matter. Unaided by any financial assistance from the outside, out-side, what was deemed a necessity was often, because be-cause of the circumstances, postponed. Under the most embarassing and straitened circumstances no appeal or solicitation for financial aid was made outside out-side the state of Utah. Under these circumstances been more marked. It was during that time that the new building, which has more than doubled its former capacity, was erected. Though young, yet because of its efficiency in all branches of education and its high standards, All Hallows college enjoys an enviable reputation. Its successful work, through its numberless graduates scattered throughout the entire western states, has been fully advertised. Kearns-St. Ann's Orphanage. After leaving All Hallows clolege in 1899, Bishop Scanlan, with parochial clergy, made his home in the old adobe building on First South and Third East streets. The present parochial residence was finished in 1890. The old home, which was diocesan property, was soon to be utilized. To no more worthy purpose could it be devoted than a home where parentless children could be fed, clothed and educated so as to prepare them for the battle of life. Relying on Providence for support, St. Ann's orphanage opened its doors for all helpless children, October 15, 1891, under the direction and care of three sisters of the Holy Cross. The good work accomplished in the old adobe home soon became known beyond the confines con-fines of the state of Utah. Its numbers were in creasing so rapidly that twice additions to the tM building were erected to meet incessant demanu-It demanu-It had reached a point where further enlargement wa-impracticable, wa-impracticable, and where its usefulness in admitting more children had conic to a standstill. At this time an unexpected event took plar. On the first day of .May, 189:, Mrs. Thomas Kearn-called Kearn-called upon Bishop Scanlan and told him that $o0,ti"" was at his command to build a new orphanage. Tin-munificent Tin-munificent gift was such an agreeable surprise tliar the bishop saw the guiding hand of Providence an ', was almost breathless. The dark clouds which hi1 I had seen for a year before immediately vanished. ; like mists before that May morning sun. He was t told to have plans prepared and commence the erec- j tion of a new home for his orphans. Without further i delay, plans and specifications for the new honi to be known as "Kearns-St. Ann's Orphanage," were prepared and work commenced. The cornerstone was laid August 27 1S99. It was completed the following fol-lowing year, and since 1900 has been engaged in one of the noblest and grandest of God's works, namely. Charity. There are at present nearly 200 children who are well cared for and receive a good practical education. Mrs. Kearns, whose big charitable heart brought the glinting light of a happy future to the old St. Ann's home, has brought peace and prosperity not only to numberless children, but to all engaged in that noble work of charity. - Judge Memorial Home. j The dreams of old miners for a permanent home where they could end their days in sunlight after spending the best years of their lives in extracting I precious metals from the bowels of the earth, were j often a subject of serious attention to the wealthy j mine owners of Nevada, Colorado, Montana and other rich mineral states. It remained for Utah to have those happy dreams realized. That palatial home resting on the most beautiful and attractive elevation eleva-tion of the Salt Lake basin is now complete and will j soon open its doors for the old miner who i3 entitled to rest, ease and comfort after the fatigue and hard work of years in the mines. The site has been j properly designated as the "Sunset View." The building is large and commodious, amply supplied with all modern conveniences, even to the elevator, which runs from the basement to the fourth story. This grand enterprise, which will be a lasting mono- ment of charity, was evolved from the generous and grateful heart of a widow who wanted to perpetuate the memory of her husband, an old miner. It came as an agreeable surprise, not only to the citizens of Utah, but of all the surrounding states, when the announcement that the first provision for old miners was to be made in Salt Lake. The name of the foundress, Mrs. Mary Judge, was praised and blessed far and wide. Silently and unpretentiously she carried the work to completion. Not only the building proper, but the large power house which will supply steam, electricity and includes a fine laundry, entailed a large outlay of money. All the needs have been supplied with the same cheerful and generous disposition which prompted the first |