Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Rhode, Rev Polycarp 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com October 3, 2007, 2:10 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

REV. POLYCARP RHODE is superior of the Franciscan Fathers and pastor of St. 
John's Roman Catholic Church of Joliet, which positions he has held since 
January 12, 1899. The church of which he is the head was organized in 1852 and 
has a membership of about six hundred families, being next to the oldest and 
next to the largest church of the denomination in the city. From the time of 
its organization until 1876 the church was under the supervision of secular 
priests, but in the latter year it was taken in charge by the Franciscan 
Fathers, who have since been responsible for its success. To the congregation 
belong: a very large stone church, on the corner of North Hickory and Division 
streets; a commodious stone structure used as a monastery; St. John's school, 
which stands opposite the church and has an attendance of almost five hundred; 
and a large society hall, used for meetings of church and school 
organizations. In the church are the various organizations for the progress of 
the work and the uplifting of the members, including sodalities for young 
ladies, for boys and for men, also a ladies' society, St. John's and St. 
Aloysius' Society for men, and the Catholic Order of Foresters. To assist the 
pastor in his many duties and great responsibilities there are three priests, 
Fathers Dominic, Angelus and Cyriac. St. Joseph's hospital on Broadway, now in 
charge of the Franciscan Sisters, and St. Francis' Academy, which is also 
superintended by the sisters and has a large enrollment of girls, are also 
pastorated by the Franciscan Fathers.

In the province of Saxony, Prussia, where he was born, Father Rhode passed the 
first fourteen years of his life on a farm. He then entered the Seminary of 
Heiligenstadt, where he completed the regular studies, with the exception of 
the courses in philosophy and theology. Coming to America to join the 
Franciscan Fathers, in 1881 he became professor of languages in the college at 
Teutopolis, Ill., where he remained for two years, meantime studying English. 
In 1883 he entered the Franciscan Order at Teutopolis and after the novitiate 
period had been passed engaged in the study of philosophy at Quincy, later 
studied theology in St. Louis.  He was ordained in the latter city in 1890 by 
Archbishop Kenrick. His first pastorate was of St. Mary's Church, at Green 
Creek, Effingham County, Ill., where he remained for eighteen months, 
resigning to accept a position as professor of languages in Teutopolis 
College. Eighteen months were spent in college work, and he then became 
guardian and pastor of St. Francis' Church at Teutopolis. He remained there 
until he was transferred to Joliet in the early part of 1899. He is very 
devoted to his church and his order and would deem no personal sacrifice too 
great if by it they might be benefited and their prosperity enhanced.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900


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