A Joy Forever
Various priests of the diocese, past priests of the parish, present
parishioners, and "friends and neighbors" of St. Patrick's Catholic Church
will congregate in Hinton this Sunday and Monday to participate in the
observance of the parish's one hundredth birthday. At the nine o'clock
morning mass Sunday, special music will be presented by the youth choir of
the church, and during the evening a reception will be held in the church
social hall. It is hoped that many of the townspeople will take this
opportunity to visit the church and express their congratulations to the
members.
At four o'clock in the afternoon, Monday, April 29, the Centennial Mass of
Thanksgiving will be celebrated. Chief Concelebrant for the mass will be the
Most Reverend Joseph Howard Hodges, D. D., Bishop of the Diocese of
Wheeling.
Former pastors of the local church will serve as concelebrants and will
include: Rev. Fr. Joseph G. Bell, now pastor at Immaculate Conception
Church, Wheeling; Rev. Fr. Eugene S. Jacobs, Sacred Heart Church,
Huntington; the Very Rev, Thomas L. Kerringan, St. Francis de Sales Church,
Beckley; Rev. Fr. Paul W. Hickey, St. Francis Xavier Church, Moundsville;
Rev. Fr. Thomas E. Schiffer, St. Anthony's Church, Follansbee; and the
present pastor, Rev. Fr. Rodger Hughes. Word has been received that Fr. Bell
will not be here.
Following the mass, a social hour and banquet will be held at Pipestem Park,
and a program of music will be presented by the "Joyful Noise", of
Covington, VA, who will also provide the music for the Mass.
Robert Mazzella will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the dinner, with the
carious priests having time to make "appropriate remarks" for the occasion.
It is the prayerful hope of priest and parish members that along with the
beautiful setting of Pipestem Park, the delicious food, and delightful
entertainment that everyone in attendance will have a "full share" of food
feeling that comes to a member of God's family at this time!
There have been many "ups and downs" during the past 100 years, but through
it all, God has seen fit to keep St. Patrick's alive and well, The decline
of the railroad business has certainly changed the membership lists; the
Vatican Reforms of the Liturgy have changed the style of the mass itself,
but the love and fellowship of a people united in the love of a risen Christ
this we hope will never change.
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." With
priests coming from France, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, various other states
of the U.S. and others from towns in WV, it is hoped that this order of
Christ's has been carried out-in His name and for His kingdom.
Following, in line of succession, is an outline of each priest's stay in
Hinton. Due to the scarcity of records in some areas, the biographies may
differ in content. However, sacrifice and love cannot be measured in any
form.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church was organized, April 25, 1874 by Father D. P.
Walsh, who remained its pastor for 25 years. In the early days of the town
he selected with excellent judgment the lot 50x140 feet and obtained same
from the C&O Railroad, the deed being dated May 26, 1874, for $200.00. It
has become one of the nest and most desirable lots in the city of Hinton. In
1878, Father Walsh erected there on a one story frame house of worship, with
rooms for the pastor connected. (This building is the present rectory). This
was the first Catholic organization in all this region of the state.
This building was occupied until 1898, when a new modern brick church was
erected, with basement. The construction was superintended by Father
Werninger.
Father Walsh still remained a resident of the city after his retirement, and
was spoken of on one of the old pioneers of the town and the Catholic
organizer throughout this area of the state. He ministered to all Catholics
from Alderson west to Kanawha Falls, and from Beckley to Springdale. It was
under Father Walsh's supervision that the Catholic Church of St. Kerens
(later rededicated as Sacred Heart) at Springdale, Fayette County, was
erected, and the church of St. Coleman, on Irish Mountain, in Raleigh County
was constructed.
Fr. Walsh was a native of Ireland, immigrating to this country in his
younger days; was educated for the priesthood at St. Vincent's College,
Wheeling. He was entitled the "Father of Catholicism", as he traveled over
mountains, ministering to the spiritual wants and welfare of Catholics,
wherever they may be found, whether in congregations, separate families,
situated in isolated locations in the mountains, what was then a practical
wilderness. At one time he was transferred to Rollesburg, Preston County,
but he soon returned to Hinton, where he was much loved by his old
parishioners, and those friends who knew him best.
The only Catholic Church in the county or ever organized therein; is that of
St. Patrick, in Hinton founded by Father Walsh.
It is interesting to note that the Priest's residence was remodeled in 1822,
and a room rented to one of the first law firms of the county, -Heflin,
Lively and Higginbotham.
The parish grew under Frs. Gormely, Sullivan, and Swint. As the C&O Railway
expanded many Irish Catholics settled in the community and became prominent
in its growth. The bell was placed in the church by Fr. Swint in 1905.
Fr. E. F. Jenkins (a former railroader), a missionary priest of Baltimore,
MD, assumed the pastorship in 1908, and remained until his death in 1935.
The parish expenses were mostly met by Fr. Jenkins. The only time money was
mentioned, was a coal collection every fall. Father became a part of the
town and loved it, mingled freely with protestant ministers, and assisted at
their Thanksgiving services. He was so endeared to the town that he wished
to be buried in St. Mary's Cemetery, and through the generosity of the
Lipscomb family he was interred on their lot. Circus days brought many town
children to the rectory, as they were always guests of Fr. Jenkins at the
afternoon performance. There are many parishioners who were baptized and
married by him, and he freely shed tears in burying "one of his children".
Every walk of life was represented at his funeral Mass, celebrated by Fr.
George Burke. A number of priests were in the sanctuary, and were honored by
a breakfast by Mr. and Mrs. B. T. Corker after the burial service.
Fr. Paul Helsley served the parish after he was first ordained, during the
time Fr. Jenkins was ill with typhoid fever, and was very popular among the
parishioners.
Fr. C. F. Ewald came to the parish as pastor, from Baltimore also. He was
accompanied by his sister, who served as his housekeeper. Fr. Ewald was not
financially independent as was Fr. Jenkins, and it fell to him to introduce
the "envelope system of giving". After so many years it was not an easy task
to convince the membership to contribute weekly. Father Ewald's health was
not good and his tenure was short. While here, the "high" altar, was cut
down and the windows above were discarded.
Fr. Joseph Mahussier, a French displaced priest, was in the parish for a
short period 1941-42. His sister. Miss Antionette Mahusier also from Lyons,
France, served as his housekeeper, and with her French ways endeared herself
to the town. While here less than 12 months, 12 persons accepted the
Catholic faith under his instructions. Some have left town, others deceased,
and some are still active members of the parish.
Father Joseph Seiber, previously pastor of St. Joseph Cathedral, was
temporarily assigned to the parish. He was here less than two years, but in
that short period endeared himself, not only to his flock but to the
community. He was often visited at St. Brendon's in Elkins by his Hinton
Friends.
Father Joseph Bell followed. He introduced summer religion school to the
parish, his three sister of the Sisters of St. Joseph teaching with an altar
society, which was very active in church work, was formed, and paid for many
church and rectory necessities. Fr. Bell took an active part in community
life. he served as chaplain of the Elks Lodge and was an enthusiastic member
of the Rotary Club. He was very fond of his mission church at Springdale,
and spent much time with parishioners there. At present he is a very popular
pastor at Immaculate Conception Church, South Wheeling, where their
Centennial was celebrated last fall. No major improvements were made during
his pastorship in Hinton, but he left a large improvement fund, which was
later used to much advantage.
Fr. Lawrence Becker made many improvements, he completely remodeled the
rectory, adding a utility room, closet space, and two modern bathrooms, as
well as a breakfast nook, and installed a built-in kitchen. Carpeting was
laid and the rectory veneered with red brick, also a new heating system,
converting from coal to gas.
Padded kneelers were put in the church, Ivan Richmond doing the work. The
church hall was renovated and a new modern kitchen was built and furnished
with cabinets, double sinks, electric stove and refrigerator. The garage was
also built with automatic doors.
The business houses were canvassed for funds to electrify the angelus bell
which had not rung since the death of Fr. Jenkins, when Miss Sophia Wasmer,
his housekeeper "pulled the rope" three times daily.
Fr. Becker's funeral was held in St. Patrick's with 45 priest attending. The
priests stayed in local homes, and meals were served in church hall by the
Catholic Daughters Mrs. Wm. Mee, regent.
During Fr. Becker's illness Fr. Jim Pietersma of Dutch descent was assigned
to the parish for a short period. he as here during Hinton's worst railway
tragedy. An engine blew up at the west entrance to the yard, killing three
men. The fireman killed, Joseph W. Sullivan, was a Catholic. Fr. Pietersma
was pastor at Rainelle's Sacred Heart parish for several years and is now at
St. Pitus, Bronx, New York. Fr. Peter Teague, who came into the diocese from
the Columbian order, was also during this time, temporarily assigned to
Hinton. While here a few months, he still as many friends in the parish. He
recently retired.
Fr. Jacobs completed worked started by Fr. Becker, painting the rectory and
church. The labor was done by parishioners He was very active with young
people, and during his pastorship, a number of converts were received into
the church. During his administration, Dr. J. A. Fox donated the marble
altar, and the fence around the church property. Previously, Dr. Fox had
donated new pews. New chairs for the fall were bought by individuals. Mrs.
Bertie Garretson gave the crucifix, previously over the altar, in memory of
her husband.
Fr. Thomas L. Kerrigan was named pastor in January 1955. He organized the
Holy Name Society, The CYO and reactivated the altar society. Guilds were
also formed to channel money to the society and each autumn a "Fall
Festival" was held, "kicking off" with a ham dinner. Many things in the
church and rectory were realized through this organization, and the
Breakfast Club, which served breakfast after Sunday Mass and conducted many
other projects to raise money.
The organ was purchased by the altar society. The Catholic Daughters were
also very active, having many affairs to raise money for church use,
Venetian blinds for hall, tables, china, silver, linens, etc. Fr. Kerrigan
introduced the bulletin to the parish. C. E. Henne, donating the mimeograph
machine, which Frances Forman used for the work.
Fr. Becker had replaced the original stations of the cross with picture
stations, these were given to the Sisters in Beckley for their chapel, and
Gothic stations were placed in the church, donated by 14 individuals. Side
altars were installed at parish expense, and generosity of the late L. C.
Lindsay's brother of North Carolina. Father Kerrigan also, at parish
expense, had the church sanded and painted and a new rood installed.
Petunias were planted each spring, outlining the yard (red and white) and it
was a colorful picture when they bloomed. The Holy Name Society bought the
shrubbery, The Breakfast Club paid for installing carpeting in the
sanctuary, a new baptismal fount, china and table and chairs, for rectory.
Holy Name Society bought a water fountain for the hall.
During this time Fr. Kerrigan also did work on the rectory, enlarging the
living room and dining room and recarpeting those rooms. Most of the labor
was done by parishioners. The Church was also painted.
Church school was resumed with the Poor Child Jesus Sisters of Bluefield
coming to the parish twice monthly and for two weeks each summer. Later the
Sisters of St. Joseph took over this schedule. They were assisted by Miss
Mary L. Burk. When Fr. Kerrigan was named pastor of St. Frances de Sales,
Beckley, he was named dean of the Beckley deanery, which was formed from the
Bluefield and Charleston deaneries.
During the pastorship of Fr. Paul Hickey, many important and needed changes
were seen. The church steeple was reinforced and lighted, the living room of
the rectory was refurnished and three class rooms were built in the church
hall, with the help of Ralph Michaud and his sons. the class rooms have been
a welcomed addition to the teaching of CCD classes, making instruction of
the children more effective, providing privacy for each individual class.
The children are the hope of the future church and this remodeling was
needed step to secure this hope.
Fr. Hickey was very instrumental in arranging the permanent positioning of
two Sisters of St. Joseph in Hinton. Their tasks were to extend the reach of
the priest's work, both in Hinton parish and at the Alderson Reformatory for
Women. During his time in Hinton, Fr. Hickey became the first Catholic
priest to be asked to join the local ministerial association. A few
parishioners will never forget that during this time, once could always
count on hearing some "good ole country music" upon entering the rectory.
The sadness of the parishioners' at the transfer of Fr. Hickey was greatly
lightened by the fact that he was being rewarded with the honor of being the
first resident chaplain at the new Robert Kennedy Youth Center in
Morgantown. Before his departure from this important post, he became
regional supervisor of chaplains for the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Father Thomas Schiffer was a popular pastor, working with the youth, and
taking care of the sick and aged. In the parish he was instrumental in
getting lay people to assist with the CCD classes and during his five years
here, the C. D. of A concentrated their money raising effort on aiding the
unfortunate both in the immediate area and overseas.
At his position at the Reformatory, Fr. Schiffer strengthened the lay
organizations and most importatnly, he was instrumental in securing
permission for residents of the reformatory to attend Diocesan Cursellos.
Since the beginning of this effort in April 1972, eighteen residents have
successfully participated in the Cursillo movement.
In civic endeavors, he was very active in the Water Fetival and served as
chairman of drivers and escorts for four years. He had the distinction of
being elected president of the Hinton Ministerial Association for three
terms, and also served terms as treasurer. Fr. Schifer's last mass in parish
was truly a "tearful affair".
During the short time that Fr. Rodger Hughes, the present pastor, has been
here, many important events have taken place. Due to the great job of
heading the parish in preparation for a centennial, Fr. Hughes has had more
than his share of difficult decisions to make.
Through his wise leadership, the laity of the church have repainted the
interior of the church, the outside trim, the sanctuary has been re-carpeted
and the aisles of the church covered. The church kneelers have also been
recovered, and new carpeting has been installed in the rectory.
His consent was given for the parishioners to remodel the sanctuary of the
church. His spiritual help has already been a blessing to many individuals,
and it is hoped that after the rush of the planning of the Centennial is
past, that many other spiritual goals of Fr. Hughes can be achieved with the
aid of the entire parish.
With a hopeful prayer for the future, we pray that Fr. Hughes may remain
with us "for a long spell"!