Defining Moment

After operating for approximately 40 years and being run by Father Edward Purcell, the archdiocesan bank fails. This financial devastation affects not only the archdiocese but also the laity who deposited their life savings into the bank. Efforts are made to raise the money needed to return money to the depositors, but the archdiocese is only able to give them a fraction of their money. The seminary closes and does not reopen until 1887. Archbishop Purcell resigns, and Bishop William Elder takes over administrative duties. 

Archbishop Purcell participates in Vatican I and is a vocal opponent of the proposed dogma of papal infallibility. His eloquence earned him esteem from his brother bishops, and when the dogma was declared, he once again gave his obedience to the Church.

Father Francis Weninger, S.J., founds St. Ann’s Colored Church for Black Catholics in Cincinnati. At the time, it was one of six Black Catholic churches in the United States. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taught at the school. 

A September 3 editorial in The Catholic Telegraph, likely written by Father Edward Purcell (Archbishop Purcell’s brother), calls for the emancipation of the slaves, the most public declaration by a Catholic newspaper: “The mark of nobility, the image and likeness of God is stamped upon every soul with equal distinctness.”

Father Joseph Dwenger, C.PP.S., founds the St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, Ohio, to educate priests and brothers for the Congregation of the Precious Blood. It closed in 1969 and is now a retirement home for religious and laity.

During the construction of Holy Cross Immaculata Church in Mount. Adams, the faithful begin the practice of “praying the steps” — one Hail Mary on each step and one Our Father on each landing — as they climb the hill to the church. This popular tradition continues to this day, particularly during the Holy Triduum.