Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 2.djvu/279

 BALTIMORE

233

BALTIMORE

Dioceses of Richmond and Natchez, thus freeing the archbishop from the administration of Richmond. The St. Vincent de Paul Society was established in the diocese (1840) and the Young Catholic Friends' Society in 1S4S. In 1842, the corner-stone of Calvert Hall was laid on the site of the pro-cathedral (Saratoga Street). The present imposing building was opened 1891. Rock Hill Academy was purchased by the Christian Brothers (1857) and Rock Hill College in- corporated 186.5.

The Fifth Provincial Council was held in the cathe- dral, May, 1843. It was attended by seventeen bishops. At this time there were 90,000 Catholics, .58 churches, 70 priests, two seminaries, three colleges, two academies for boys, six for girls, five orphan asvlums, and ten free schools. The total population of "Maryland in 1840 was 469,232. The Sixth Provin- cial Council met at the cathedral, 10 May, 1846. Twenty-three bishops were present and four religious orders were represented. "The Blessed ^'irgin Marj' Conceived Without Sin" was chosen as patroness of the Pro\-ince. Sisters of Notre Dame (mother-house of Eastern Pro\'ince on Aisquith Street) came to Baltimore, 5 August, 1847. "Notre Dame of Marj'- land" was established 22 September, 1873. The Seventh Provincial Council met at the cathedral, May, 1849. Archbishop Eccleston, in pursuance of the council's decision, issued a pastoral letter re^^^^ng the custom of Peter's-pence, and inviting Pius IX, then in exile at Gaeta, to attend. The Archbishops of Baltimore and St. Louis and twenty-three bishops were present; seven religious orders were represented. This council recommended New Orleans, Cincinnati, and New York as metropolitan sees, also the creation of the Sees of Savannah, Wheeling, and St. Paul. The fathers petitioned for the definition of the Im- maculate Conception. One of their decrees forbade priests officiating at marriages where a minister had officiated or intended to do so. The ProNince of Balti- more now comprised the Dioceses of Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Richmond, Wheeling, Charleston, and Savannah.

About this time Rev. John Hickey established a precedent by refusing to testify in court concerning stolen property restored through a penitent. The court sustained him. During Archbishop Eccleston's time, besides those mentioned above, several other churches were erected. The corner-stone of St. Jo- seph's was laid in 1839. In 1849, it was given to the Jesuits, but returned to the diocesan clergy in 1860. The new church was begun in 1899. St. Peter's, begun in 1843, was consecrated in 1879 under Rev. Edward McColgan. V.G., its first pastor. The Sisters of Mercy came to St. Peter's from Pittsburg in 1855; Mother Catherine Wynne was first superioress. They afterwards opened Mt. St. Agnes (1867) of which Mother de Chantal Digges was first superioress; they also have charge of the City Hospital. St. Augus- tine's (Elkridge) was founded 1845. Its first pastor was Rev. B. Piot; the present beautiful church is the gift of Mr. C. D. Kenny (1902). St. Charles Borromeo (Pikesville) was commenced 16 July, 1848, by Father White. The present imposing Romanesque edifice was dedicated 12 March, 1899. The Immaculate Concep- tion parish was organized in 1850 with Rev. Mark An- thony, C. M., as its first pastor; the present church was dedicated in 18.58, during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Givi.stiniani, CM. Archbishop Eccleston died at Georgetown, 22 April, 1851, and was buried in Balti- more. At this time there were in the diocese (Marj'- land and District of C>)lumbia) 83 churches and chapels; 103 priests; 6 ecclesiastical seminaries; 12 free schools, and 23 charitable institutions; Catholic population 100.000. Rev. H. B. Coskery was ad- ministrator until the following August, when Dr. Francis P. Kcnrick, Coadjutor-Bishop of Philadel- phia, was elevated to the See of Baltimore.

(e) Francis Patrick Kcyirick. — Archbishop Kenrick convoked the First Plenary Council of Baltimore, 9 May, 1852. (See Baltimore, Plen.^^ry Coun- cils OF.) To carry out the council's decrees a synod was called (June, 1853), attended by 35 diocesan and 17 regular priests. At this sjTiod parochial rights and limits were defined. The Eighth Provincial Council met in the Baltimore Cathedral, 5 May, 1855. Eight sees were represented. It regulated pew rents and col- lections, and established a rule for the cathedraticum. Col. B. U. Campbell, a Maryland Catholic, who by his contributions laid the foundation for the history of the Church in the United States, died about this time (1855). In 1856 the Catholics of the city of Bal- timore numbered 81,000, and had 13 churches, while in the entire diocese (Maryland and the District of Columbia) there were 99 churches and chapels, 130 priests, and a population of 120,000. The Forty Hours' Devotion was established in the diocese (1858). In 1858 the Ninth Provincial Council was held in the cathedral; 8 bishops were present and 6 religious or- ders were represented. At the Council's reciuest the Holy See granted to the Archbishop of Baltimore the precedence in councils and meetings, held by the prel- ates of the United States, even though he were not senior archbishop. The petition of the Fathers of this Council for a perpetual dispensation from the Saturday abstinence was granted. In 1862. the Bal- timore Province comprised Philadelphia, Pittsburg, Charleston, Savannah, Richmond, Wheeling. Erie, and the Vicariate .\postolic of Florida. In the Diocese of Baltimore there were 124 churches and chapels; 170 priests, 36 free schools, 35 charitable institutions; Catholic population 150,000.

A sjmod was convened (1863) at which the version of the Bible revised by the archbishop was adopted as the one to be used in the diocese. L'nder Arch- bishop Kenrick, the following churches were built in Baltimore: St. John's in 1853, with Rev. J. B. Mc- Manus as first pastor. The present church was opened in 1856. The church of St. Ignatius Loyola was con- secrated 15 August, 1856. Rev. John Early, S.J., was its first pastor and founder of Loyola College on HoUi- day Street (1852); in 1855 the present college was opened on Calvert Street (Hist. Sketch of Loyola College, Baltimore, 1902). Many distinguished citi- zens claim it as their Alma Mater. St. Bridget's Church (Canton) was dedicated 1854 and was built by Rev. James Dolan out of his private means, as were also St. Mary's, Govansto'mi, and the Dolan Orphans' Home. Rev. John Constance was first pas- tor of St. Bridget's. New churches were begun in Kent County, Long Green, and Clarkesville during 18.55. Archbishop Kenrick died 6 July. 1863, and Very Rev. H. B. Coskery, a native of JIaryland, again became administrator. He had been appointed Bishop of Portland in 1854, but had returned the Bulls.

Coloured Catholics. — During his administration St. Francis Xavner's Church for negroes was dedicated (1864). Its first pastor was Father Michael O'Con- nor. It was put in charge of the Josephites (1871) from Mill Hill College, England, brought to Balti- more by Rev. Herbert Vaughan. These mission- aries came to minister to the Catholic negroes of Marj'land, there being — greatlj' to the honour of their Catholic masters — 16,000 of them in the State at the time of the emancipation. From St. Francis sprung St. Monica's, St. Peter Claver's (1889), and St. Barnabas's (1907), all churches for coloured people. As early as 1828 the Sulpician Father Jacques Joubert founded at Baltimore a house of Coloured Oblate Sisters of Provi- dence. They conduct at present St. Frances's Acad- emy and Orphanage, and in Washington St. Cyprian's Parochial School and Academy. St. Joseph's Semi- nary was opened in Baltimore by the Josephites (1888) with three white and one coloured student.