The Catholic Community of
Alliance, Maximo and Sebring
 
 

Historical Sketch

 

 

There is a record in which, as far back as 1848, mention is made of a Catholic priest holding services in Alliance.  The construction of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and of the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne and Chicago Railroads brought to Alliance a number of Catholic Irish, German and French laborers, who settle there between 1850 and 1854.  The early settlers, although few in  number, eagerly desired the administrations of their Holy Faith.  The visit of a priest from some other locality, was for them, a day of joy.

As the spiritual needs of these few families became known, they were visited more regularly by priests in their locality.  Father Bernard Carrogher was the first regular visitor.  He was stationed at St. John's, Canton.  Father Michael Prendergast, pastor of Summitville, also visited them occasionally between 1856 and 1857.

During these early visitations, meetings were held in the homes of Catholic families.  Word was sent around that a visiting Father was at one of the homes.  Arrangements were then made for the celebration of Mass.  At these joyful gatherings, instructions were given to the young; babies were baptized; confessions were heard and occasionally a marriage was performed.

BY 1858, the total number of Catholic families in Alliance amounted to 30.  At this time (1858) Father Florence D'Arcy, of Louisville, made fairly regular visits to this seed of a parish.  From 1858 to 1859, Father E.W.J. Lindesmith attended Alliance as a mission station from St. John's Canton.  He came on a week-day.  This definite visitation was the cause of real happiness to these early Catholic families.  It was the vital encouragement that was to bring to reality their dreams of a church of their own.

On May 9, 1859, Father Lindesmith rented a hall, and prepared it as a temporary place of worship.  This hall was a room over a store on Main Street known as Lamborn Hall, until the name was changed to "Catholic Hall."

Father Lindesmith's activities in his own parish at St. John's, Canton, as well as his missionary activities in surrounding places (he also rendered spiritual services at New Berlin, St. Joseph, Holmes County, Louisville, Harrisburg and Maximo) soon made it impossible for him to give sufficient time to Alliance.  So, for the next six years (1859-1865) the following priests attended Alliance as a mission:  Fathers Edward Hannin (1859-1862), Patrick Brown (1862-1864), Louis Hoffer (1864), Frederick Ludwig (1864-1865).  During the time Father Hannin had charge of the parish, he purchases two lots and had a small frame church built at the South East corner of Market and Linden.  It is said that he paid a certain Mr. Teeters $125.00  for the two lots.  Other traditions say that was the price of one lot and Mr. Teeters donated the other.  In 1862, the new church was dedicated to the patronage of St. Joseph. 

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From August 1865 to May 1866, Father Francis Maitrier attended Alliance from Harrisburg.  Up to that time Alliance had no resident pastor.  In 1866, Father Maitrier was changed from Harrisburg to Alliance, and became the first resident pastor of the parish (1866).  He serve the parish for almost two years and then was transferred.  Father E.W.J. Lindesmith, who had such an important part in the early pioneer works at Alliance, was now appointed resident pastor.

The early fervor and devotion that Father Lindesmith observed years before, now seemed to be lacking.  Many of the early pioneers, who showed such loyalty and devotion to the church were now dead.  In some instances their places were taken by luke warm Catholics.  Father Lindesmith noticed a general apathy.  The following episode is related in an old historical book: 

Soon after Father Lindesmith arrived, members of the congregation called on him in a body with a spokesman.  That individual said:  "You must be the meanest priest in the diocese, because the Bishop always sends us the strictest priest in the diocese."  Father Lindesmith smiled and said:  "Just wait a little while and perhaps you will change your opinion."  That opinion was soon changed, and these doubting men became the priest's best friends.

 

(to be continued)