St Edward's Church, Miller Co, AR (part 2) *********************************************************** Submitted by: William A. Sweeney Date: Oct 2002 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** The History of St. Edward's Parish - MIller Co. AR From the beginning, 1903, to the Golden Jubilee, 1973. St. Edward's Parish was founded on June 20, 1903 by Rev.E.W. Fowler. Mass was first celebrated in the Miller County Court house by Father Fowler and his successors Father M.J. Delaney and Father Finton Kraemer, O.S.B. On Christmas Day, 1903, Father Kraemer dedicated St. Edwards Chapel at 4th and Hickory Streets and said mass the same day. The first resident pastor of St. Edward's was Rev. J. J. Daugherty who took charge on May 10, 1904 and remained until August 26, 1906. Father P.H. Boyle was the second resident pastor of the new parish. During this time he built St. Edward's Parochial School and opened it in September 1908, staffed by the Olivetan Benedictine Sisters from Jonesboro, Arkansas. Mother Beatrice was the first Superior. Assisting her were Sister Mary Alphonse, Sister Mary Morrow, Sister Mary Philomena, Sister Mary Magdalene. Many more Benedictine Sisters served St. Edward's until they left in 1922. During the time of Father Boyle, three lots at 4th and Beech were purchased for the site of a future new church. Father M.J. Enright came to Texarkana in June of 1913. He paid off the indebtedness of the church before being transfered in Septem- ber of 1918. Rev. Oliver B. Clarendon, Ph.D, J.C.D., L.L.D., arrived in Texarkana on September 23, 1918 to assume duties as Pastor. He came from Little Rock where he had taught Dogmatic Theology at St. John's Home Mission Seminary. After studying the needs of the Parish, Father Clarendon laid before the parishioners plans for a new church. Funds were subscribed for this purpose and a lot and a half was purchased between 4th and 5th Streets on Beech to add to lots already purchased. In 1921, Providence Academy was founded by Father Clarendon. The Benedictine Sisters were replaced by the Sisters of Devine Providence, from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio. Sister Mary Valerian was the first Superior. Ground was broken for the new church on April 5, 1922. Mr. Lamert deKoning was Architect and Superintendent of Construction. The foundation started on April 22 and the corner stone was laid on June 5, 1922. The church is Romanesque in style, 120 feet by 60 feet with a full basement. It is a magnificent Temple of God, con- secrated by the labors of many dedicated priests, sisters and laity, but especially it bears a great part of Father Clarendon. It is most devotional in character, as well as all who visit can testify. The main alter is of Carrara marble and onyx, inlaid with mosiac, executed by the Kalleta Co. of St. Louis. It is 21 feet high, 12 feet across and was the gift of Sir Roger O'Dwyer and his wife. The tabernacle, baptismal font, candle sticks and altar rail were gifts of the ladies of St. Edward's Altar Society. The Blessed Mother Altar was the gift of Frank D'Arrigo. The organ, Kilgen made, is an instrument of the finest quality and purest tone, containing 1370 pipes, 3 manuals, 30 stops. 20 coup- lers and 30 pedals. The four circular windows in the sanctuary nave and choir are 12 feet in diameter. The window over the main altar represents the seven sacraments the gift of Sir Roger and Mrs O'Dwyer. The two windows in the nave were presented by Mr. and Mrs. John P. Kline and Mr. and Mrs. P.J. Ahern, the former represents the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin and the latter the Nativity of Christ. The window in the choir represents music and is the gift of Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Carrara. Pope Gregory, the founder of Church Music, is the central figure of the group of musicians, namely King David, Palestrina, St. Cecilia and Jubal. The windows in the body of the Church are memorials to the Hunter Family, Children of Mary, Altar Society, O.D'Arrigo, Fant Family, D. Milazzo, Holy Name Society, D.C. Harrington, K.of C. Council 2650 and Thomas Quinn. The small windows under the circular windows in the nave are memorial to Margaret Hay, Kathleen Reynolds, Gertrude Slimer, Cecilia Quinn, Joseph Milazzo, Andrew Wolk, Theresa Urban, and Catherine Ahern. The small windows in the back of the church and the vestibule were given by Madeline Smith, Edward Smith, J. C. O'Dwyer Jr., Eleanor Ahern, Anne Clare O'Dwyer, Dorothy O'Dwyer, Virginia Galvin, William Galvin, Vernetta Schoen, Perpetua Schoen, William Bann, Frank deRovello, Anna M. Kuhn, Mary E. O'Brien, Catherine Bann and Ellie M. O'Dwyer. The Altar Chimes were given by Miss Hannah Healy. The Holy Water Fonts were given by Mr. Pete Kuhn and daughter Elvina and Mrs. Isabella Quinn and family. The Credence Table was given by Mrs. Isabella Quinn and family. The St. Joseph Statue and Sanctuary Lamp were given by Mrs. George T. Conway. The Blessed Mother Statue was given by Father Dougherty. The Sacred Heart Statue was given by Ladies of the Altar Society. The St. Anthony Statue was given by Mr.& Mrs. D.C. Harrington. The fourteen stations were given by Lee Milazzo, E.W. Murray and family, Josephine Wolk, Mrs. M. Platz, J.P. Reynolds and wife, Delia and Florence Galvin, Marie and Camilee Milazzo, Caroline Carrara, Louis Carrera, Joseph Gazzola, Muriel Kline, J.E. Fant, Susie and Agnes Schoen and Andrew Doyle. On April 8, 1923, St. Edward's Church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. John B. Morris, D.D., Bishop of Little Rock. Over 600 people were present for the ceremony and Pontifical Mass. The officers of the Mass were: Asst. Priest, Rev. H.H. Wernke, Deacons of Honor: Rev. George H. McDermott, Rev. Placidus Orchsle, O.S.B., Deacons of the Mass: Rev. Leo Gerschwyler, O.S.B. and Dr. G.H. Keller. Master of Ceremonies: Dr. W.H. Aretz and Assistant Master of Ceremonies: Rev. John P. Fisher. Program of Music for the Dedication of the Church: Processional----Opus 83, No. 1 (Friml-Yon) Ecce Sacredos Magnus (Molitu) Veni Creator (Millard) Kyrie, Gloria, Credo (Henry Farmer) Offertory, Regina Coeli (A. Warner) Sanctus (Gounod) Benedictus and Agnus Dei (Henry Farmer) Te Deum The processional was played by Sister Mary Alma of the Sisters of Devine Providence. The choir was composed of Mrs. P.J. Ahern, Director and Mrs. John C. O'Dwyer, Organist. Sopranos were: Winifred Brannon, Marguerite Smith, Catherine Bann, Mrs. R.J. O'Dwyer Jr., Mrs. George Lansdale, Mrs. William O'Dwyer, and Mrs. Frederick Whelan. Altos were: Mrs. P.J. Ahern, Mrs. J.P. Kline, Mrs. John C. O'Dwyer, Mrs. J.N. Murphy, Mrs. J.T. Brannan, and Miss Rose Banski. Tenors were: George Lansdale, Thomas O'Dwyer, Leo Sweeney, and Cyril Bradfield. Basses were: Lambert DeKoning, R.J. O'Dwyer Jr., and Will O'Dwyer. The ocassion was a"Never to be forgotten Event", in the history of St. Edward's Parish. The goal had been set by Father Fowler and each successive pastor worked and the parishoners saw the dream come true with a noble structure for the honor and the glory of God through the untiring efforts and inspiring zeal of Reverand Doctor Oliver B. Clarendon. On September 26, 1924, Father Clarendon purchased a 40 acre tract to be known as Calvary Cemetery. On January 15, 1930, Father Clarendon was invested as a Monsignor in St. Andrew's Cathedral. In the spring of 1932, Monsignor Clarendon had the privilege of seeing Joseph A. Murray ordained as a Priest. The first from St. Edward's Parish. Then on June 13, 1932, Monsig- nor Clarendon, the beloved pastor of St. Edward's was called to his eternal reward. Father S.J. Peoples was at St. Edward's for just a few months when ill health caused his leaving from the parish. In the fall of 1932, Rev. Thomas H. Lillis came to St. Edward's Parish. Under his kindly and understanding guidance and leadership, the Parish grew. These were the days of the Great Depression, followed by World War ll. The Sacred Heart Altar was installed in the church during his time as pastor. Many boys went to the Seminary to study for the priesthood in the time of Father Lillis and he had happiness of seeing a number say their first mass at St. Edward's. Father Charles McCoy came to Texarkana in the fall of 1947 and remained until the spring of 1949. He was succeeded by Father Charles Stanowski who remained about one year. Father Louis Janesko was the next pastor of St. Edward's. During his time, the church was redecorated, the grotto built, the ramp and entrance added to the Church on the South side and the new St. Edward's School was built after the old one had burned. After 10 years, he was transfered and Msgr. James G. Evans was appointed Pastor. Msgr. Evans was pastor until the summer of 1967 when he was reassigned. Father Leo Riedmueller then came in as pastor. New pews, carpeting and sanctuary furniture were added to the beauty of the interior of the church. The beautiful altar of sacrifice is a gift of Mrs. Will O'Dwyer in 1970. The basement was completely renovated and made into a beaut- iful hall for assembly and activities of the parish. During this time the St. Edward's School was closed when the Ursuline Sisters could no longer staff the school. The Ursulines had replaced the Sisters of Devine Providence, who served so devotedly for so many years in the High School and Elementary School. St. Edward's celebrated their Golden Jubilee 8 April, 1973. Father Leo Riedmueller was the pastor at this time. The Parish has had a glorious history, made possible by the dedication and zeal and love of so many wonderful people of the past. Love and devotion and sacrifice are some of the in- gredients that went into the making of the parish and its great sprit. We are grateful for all the great men and women of the past who contributed to the parish and we pray for them and offer our gratitude and thanks. We look forward to the future with great faith and hope, because God is with us and if God is with us, who can be against us. The young men that came from St. Edward's Parish and became Priest were: Monsignor Joseph A. Murray Monsignor William E. Galvin Monsignor John M. Bann Bishop Lawrence P. Graves Father John C. O'Dwyer Father Raymond L. O'Dwyer Father James P. Reynolds Father Reuben Groff Father Leo Sweeney Father Justin Howard Father Royce Thomas The young women that came from St. Edward's Parish and became nun's were: Sister Regina (Olive Kline) Sister Mary Isabelle (Frances Quinn) Sister Margaret Clare (Margaret Brice) Sister Marie of Jesus (Mary Murray) Sister Bridget Marie (Margaret Reynolds) Sister Jane Ann (Caroline Slater) Sister Elaine Marie (Willaine Newman)