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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 116 |
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ST. ANN'S CHURCH
| Previous to the year 1880 the spiritual wants of the
Catholics of Cadillac were attended by priests coming either from Traverse City
or Big Rapids. In the course of 1880 the church which existed until 1903 was
built under the management of Rev. Father Ziegler. After that date mass was said
occasionally in Cadillac until 1882, when Rev. P. M. Uytdewilligen took charge
of St. Ann's parish. The interior of the church was then finished and services
were held quite regularly. In 1886 Father Uytdewilligen was replaced by Rev.
Louis Barous, who worked faithfully until 1894, attending Reed City, Evart,
Luther, Lake City and a few other places. During his pastorate here the pastoral residence was purchased and many other improvements were made. Father Barous celebrated the golden jubilee of his sacerdotal ordination in June, 1894, and shortly afterwards resigned his charge on account of old age. He was succeeded in July of the same year by Rev. A. Zugelder, who began the work with zeal and success. The church property was greatly beautified under his care. In August, 1895, Father Zugelder was transferred to Provemont, and the present pastor, Rev. L. M. Prud'homme, assumed the charge of this parish. Since November, 1897, Father Prud'homme has had an assistant. The first assistant was Rev. G. Guthausen, who was succeeded in July, 1898, by Rev. A. Eickelmann. In August, 1899, Father Eickelmann was promoted to the pastorate of Byron Center, Michigan, and Rev. B. H. Kettmann came here in his place. On January 1, 1903, Rev. Father Kettmann was promoted to the pastorate of Remus, Michigan, and his successor was Rev. James A. Golden. The missions attended from Cadillac are Lake City, Jennings and McBain, Missaukee county, Marion, Osceola county, Frankfort, Benzie county, Fife Lake, Grand Traverse county, and Temple, Clare county. St. Ann's parish has grown from a membership of forty families, which it had in 1880, until now it has at least one hundred and fifty families in the city of Cadillac alone, besides several families living on farms in the vicinity. The beautiful and substantial new church edifice of brick and stone will be dedicated in the early part of September, this year (1903). The building, when finished and properly furnished and decorated, will cost about fifteen thousand dollars and will seat over five hundred people. St. Ann's parish has kept pace with the growth of the prosperous and thriving city of Cadillac and its church accommodations are now unsurpassed in Wexford county. |