This pamphlet was conceived in enthusiasm by men and women who are bristling with PEP to build a Beautiful Church in St. James Parish. They are impatiently waiting; they are clamoring for action. They want YOU to know what they propose the dog should be doing. They hope you will be with them. Don't look for a seat in the Grand Stand-People who do things move=-the disinterested sit; and watch-Our Parish Big Drum is beating a marching tune -"LET US GO."
On Saturday evening, March 14, Michael J. Macken and his wife at their home. 1354 Semple avenue, signed their names to a deed in the presence of Father O'Connor, James P. O'Gorman and Ray Dolan, which transfers a city block of property on Tamm avenue between Nashville and Wade avenues, to . St. James Parish as a free gift for the site of a new. Church. The estimated value of this property is between nine and ten thousand dollars. It fronts 200 feet on Tamm avenue and is a depth of 160 feet on Wade and Nashville avenues.
[Missing: large photos of both Mr. and Mrs. Macken.]
A strip of 35 feet on Tamm and Wade avenues was sold by Mr. Macken last August to Mr. and Mrs. William T. Boman, 6425 Nashville avenue, and plans were made to rest a bungalow, but on being informed by Father O'Connor that the church hoped someday to purchase the rest of the lot from Mr. Macken and would need this portion also, Mr. Boman suspended his decision and left the lot lie idle.
When it was represented to Mr. and Mrs. Macken that they ought to donate the entire site for the church, they agreed to arrange with Mr. Boman for the repurchase of this lot and an exchange of property was made that was agreeable to both parties. Mr. and Mrs. Boman were as anxious .to help the, church as were Mr. and Mrs. Macken. A fine spirit of generosity and charity' was manifested.
Mr. Macken - was born in Ballen Roba,, County Mayo, Ireland, and served as a draper’s assistant in his native village until he married Miss Donnelly, a Roscommon girl. Fifty years ago the couple set out for St Louis. "God," he said, "has been very good to me. I have prospered and we are getting old. It is the greatest pleasure of my life to give this piece of property to be the site of a Catholic Church." There was 'a tear of gladness in his eye as he said those words and to conceal his emotion, he had his little joke:
When Father O'Connor gave him the dollar required in the form of contract, "I have," he said, "given many a dollar to priests, but this is the first that ever I received from one of them."
Mr. Macken's gift is a splendid spiritual urge to the people of St. James Parish to get busy about their proposed New Church, as well as a substantial aid. We are not going to say when we will begin to build but the Parish is aroused; an organization is being formed and meetings of the Parishioners will be held the last Thursday of every month. We thank you very sincerely, Mr. and Mrs. Macken, and we assure you we will make great haste so that you and your good wife will have the pleasure of being with us on the date when a splendid edifice shall be dedicated to the Lord on the ground you donated to St. James Parish.
FORTY ENTHUSIASTS
At a call from Father O'Connor, forty enthusiasts met in the Parish Hall on the last Wednesday in January. They were selected from among the parishioners who have been regular contributors to the 4%.
Father O'Connor's Remarks
On addressing the meeting he said: "In calling this committee I have no definite plan to submit and prefer the members to mark out the course to be pursued. I have selected you because of your many manifestations of good will and because of the sacrifices you have been making to increase the fund for a New Church. I am confident that each one of you has a desire to do all in his power to advance the best interest of this Parish. I realize that you being closer to the business world than I am, and more conversant with business methods in a variety of offices, will bring to bear your business ability on the problems that will come up from time to time, and that united with me in effort we will achieve in a short time, a success that shall be gratifying to ourselves and to all parishioners. I have called you especially to establish a Parish Organization.
The thoughts that have occurred to the general purpose of such an organization are:
Ray Dolan Temporary Chairman.
At the close of Father O'Connor's remarks, he requested Mr. Ray Dolan to act as temporary chairman and a vote was taken as to whether a permanent organization should not be established. Mr. Martin Coad objected because the meeting was not parochial. Mr. Dolan replied that he had attended many parochial meetings that were publicly announced and to which the parishioners were earnestly exhorted to attend, but he never saw a much larger and more representative body of parishioners than were present on this occasion. He was, he said, very much in favor of proceeding with the election of regular officers for a permanent organization. A motion was made by Mr. Crotty, which was carried, and after a keen contest on the three nominees -- Messrs. Frank Walsh, R. Dolan and Joseph Crotty --Mr. Crotty was elected by a majority of one vote. Mr. Dolan and Mr. Walsh each received the unlucky number . of 13.
On a motion from Mr. Dolan, Mr. Walsh was unanimously named assistant chairman. There were three nominees for secretary Miss Irene Moloney, Theresa Manion and Mary O'Hare. On a division Mary O'Hare was elected.
Little Headway.
The meeting opened with a variety of questions and there seemed to be a general inability to decide on what course to pursue. The chair asked for suggestions. Mr. George Kletzker suggested appointing a committee who would act on such questions as the site of a church, the size, cost, and style of architecture, Father O’Connor said he preferred to leave these questions to later meetings. Mr. Frank Walsh said it was unreasonable to look for practical suggestions at this meeting because he believed most of those present were, like himself, unaware till they arrived, of the purpose for which they were called -- and therefore he would suggest that the meeting close with the understanding that each one present would deliberate on the things that might be done for the benefit of the Parish and report at next meeting.
A Financial Committee.
Father O'Connor urged the meeting to select a financial committee who would begin at once to increase the number of contributors to the four per cent. The meeting acquiesced and the chair appointed Messr,. Hell, Ollie Dolan, Sam Gittens, Clyde Stiff and George Kletzker.
Regular Meetings.
It was decided to holed a meeting on the last Thursday of each month and to extend an invitation to all the parishioners. Meeting adjourned.
SECOND MEETING
Splendid Suggestions Offered by Sergeant Eugene Martineau.
Mr. Chairman: "This being the second meeting called by our Pastor, Father O'Connor for the purpose of devising ways and means by which the people of this Parish may realize their cherished ambitions, namely, the building of a New Church, suggestions are in order. I have come to the conclusion that the people of this Parish are made up of three distinct groups. The first group I would term the Progressives, because they favor any practical plan that would intensify the activities to increase Parish Revenue and facilitate the building of a Church. The second group I would term the Conservatives, because their contention is they have accepted the four per cent system of raising funds and are in favor of staying within, the limits of that system: and the third group comprises those who favor any plan adopted by the majority. Of course, this is all opinion and may be wrong-but if this condition is true, then it is only right and proper that this meeting should decide by vote whether it wants the Progressive or Conservative plan. After the winning plan has been determined by a majority vote, the submitting of plans to raise funds by any member should be in order.
A Motion to Adopt the Progressive Plan.
Mr. W. Boman proposed a motion to accept the Progressive Plan. Mr. R. Dolan seconded the motion. Sergeant Martineau was requested by the chair to explain in more in detail what these plans implied.Progressive Plan.
Hold two monster outdoor carnivals, one to be held this year and one in 1926. Committee on Arrangements to be appointed as soon as possible for the purpose of advertising the carnival, getting tickets out and attending to other matters. This plan to run for two years independent of the four per cent system. At the end of period, NEW CHURCH TO BE BUILT.
Conservative Plan.
To draw money from the four per cent system and user same to buy two portable school rooms or temporary buildings to relieve the congestion in our school. Make other improvements, such as painting, landscaping and beautifying the present properties, a committee to be appointed to take charge of this work. This plan to run for five years; at the end of this period a New Church to be built. This plan to be run under strict economical plans in order to raise as much money under the four per cent system as possible.
Opposition to Carnivals.
Mr. Thomas Duggan stated he favored Conservative plan, because extended facilities for the school children were more necessary than a New Church. "Everyone knows, he said, "the school is crowded to its capacity and there are people in the Parish who are availing themselves of this excuse and neglect of the religious education of their children." He was opposed to bazaars; they were associated in the popular mind with gambling; they; entailed a great deal of work, and the money that was raised through them came chiefly from those who were already doing their full share. He was determined, he said, to contribute to give only one or the other. He would urge them to stick to the four per cent method of raising funds -- at one time he was opposed to it; now he was convinced it was the rational method for supporting the church -- it was fair to all; the man who had a small salary was not asked for much and the one who had a large salary was asked to only four cents out of each dollar. He was sorry to see Father O'Connor not making a more decided stand against Carnivals -- a few years ago he was opposed to them.
Charlie Heil
"I am," said Mr. Heil, "a contributor to the four per cent. I understand I have been appointed on the financial committee. I am ready to do anything for the good of the Parish -- let us get after the ones who are not contributing -- they are the Slackers. I am ready to give two evenings a week and my machine to the committee. Let us build a Church -- we can't do it without money. I am in favor of any method that increases revenue.
Those Who Do Not Pay.
Mr. John Houlihan asked Father O'Connor what percentage of the parishioners supported the Church. Father O'Connor replied., It is not easy to answer that question – some contribute for a month or two and get tired. About seventy per cent of the congregation are regular contributors."
Favors a Carnival.
Mr. Nicholas Nolan said: "A raffle is the only way to increase funds." He works, he continued, for a firm that employs two or three thousand men and they are always ready to take a chance on a worth-while prize, such as an automobile or a house. A raffle would in no way interfere with the four per cent, because only those need pay for a ticket who were willing to take a chance.
Mr. Ray Dolan:
"There is scarcely anyone present who is not .a contributor to the four per cent. If we also want a Carnival, it is the privilege of this meeting to decide. I am in favor of a Carnival; because it will help us to get a Church sooner. I have spent all my life in St. James Parish and in all that time the neighboring Churches have been better than ours."
They Go to Carnivals Anyhow:
Mr. Martin Coad: "The question is not whether you believe in Carnivals or not -- as a matter of fact, there was not, a Carnival in this Parish from 1916 to 1924. Last year the Mothers’ Club gave a Carnival to improve the School, and though Father O’Connor did everything but condemn it from the Altar, twenty-five hundred dollars, ($2500.00) was raised. There are oodles of our parishioners whom I have seen at Carnivals these several years. If you don't give them a chance to spend their money at home, they will spend it somewhere else. I have been a contributor to the four per cent and I favor a Carnival. I will further state for the information of this meeting that the workers who put over this Carnival and raised the $2500.00 were parishioners who are paying .the four per cent."
Did Not Take Interest Till Carnival.
Mr., Frank Walsh, who up to this time had remained silent, was requested by the chair to give his views. He listened, he said, with pleasure to the discussion -- he liked to see parishioners meet and thrash out questions pertaining to the Parish. A parish meeting was the practical place to find out whether one's viewpoint corresponded with that of the majority. It was a place where one could meet and get acquainted with his neighbors. He was in favor of a Carnival because, until the last Carnival, he never took any interest in the parish and he was confident there were several of the new settlers who, like himself, would become more interested in parish affairs if they were asked to help with a Carnival.
Portable Schools.
Mr. Bernard Brady said the present Church was satisfactory; he favored Mr. Duggan’s suggestion to erect portable school buildings Mr. Dolan said it would be waste of money and an unnecessary delay to a Church. "The School is already erected; we are occupying a part of it for Church purposes; let us get out, and there will be plenty of room for the children."The Vote Decided.
The question was put to a vote --the greater number of those present were in favor of the Progressive plan and a Carnival. Mr. Duggan again objected and Mr. J. P, O'Gorman said it was the custom when a question was discussed and voted upon to have all accept the majority decision as final. "This is a parochial meeting to which the entire Parish was invited” he continued, “and unless we abide by the decision of the majority we will, never get anywhere"
Volunteers!
Sergeant Martineau made a motion that, as the Parish had decided to give two Carnivals before 1927, when `a Church would be built; the meeting would place itself on record as upholding the four per cent contributions from every wage-earner -- with the clear understanding that only those would be expected to contribute to the Carnival who were willing to do so; that it should be regarded as a voluntary affair which the urgent needs of the Parish made imperative. Mr., Hodnett moved a committee be appointed to look into the matter of Carnival, leaving date, location, etc., in the hands of the committee. Motion seconded and carried, committee appointed being: John Houlihan, Jr., chairman; Mr. Hodnett, Geo. Kletzker, Thos. Duggan, R. R. Dolan, Louis Regal, W. T. Boman, Martin Coad, Frank. Walsh, E. J. Martineau, Chas. Heil, Clyde.Stiff. This committee to meet and report back to next meeting plans they have decided upon.Meeting adjourned.
St. Patrick's night in St. James Parish will be associated for many years to come with the Mothers' Club. The Minstrel Show given by them, to a full house, aroused unusual admiration and enthusiasm. One would readily believe the players were professionals. For three hours the vast audience laughed. Adele McVey Conroy in her personification of "Danny Murphy" made a hit that was equaled only by the Quartette and Mrs. Sam Gittens. The whole cast was excellent.
(Printed by Wellington Printing Co. – and carried a union bug.)
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