Pennsylvania USGenWeb Archives

The History

of

St. Francis of Assisi Parish

Compiled for the

Centenary of the Founding

of the Parish

and the

Golden Anniversary

of the

Laying of the Cornerstone

of the Present Church

1832     1936     1886

July 23, 1936

transcribed for the Clearfield County PA USGenWeb by

Ellis Michaels

 LXXXI
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA

MRS. ALICE MULROONEY

     The Catholic Daughters of America is a society of Catholic women, with a membership of 200,000 in the United States. There are 120 Courts in the state of Pennsylvania, comprising 10,000 members. The organization carries on extensive charity work, generally, and in parish circles; and the Courts individually take part in civic and social activities in their respective communities.
 

     Court Clearfield No. 498 was organized on May 16, 1920, with Miss Bertha Reilly as the first Grand Regent. The charter membership was 86 in number, and since that time—even during the years of depression—the membership roll has never been less than 74.
 

     Court Clearfield has received both State and National recognition in having its Grand Regent, Mrs. Alice Mulrooney, appointed by the State Court as District Deputy, an office she has held for a number of years; and also her election as one of ten State delegates to the National Convention held at Galveston, Texas, in 1929.
 

     During the sixteen years since the Court's inception, there have been three Grand Regents: Miss Bertha Reilly (two years), Miss Mary Catherine Malloy (two years), and Mrs. Alice Mulrooney (twelve years). Mrs. Mulrooney's aids are: Vice-Regent, Mrs. Ida Rougeux; Prophetess, Miss Helen McClelland; Lecturer, Mrs. Ruth Eisenhauer; Historian, Mrs. Grace Foster; Financial Secretary, Mrs. Katherine Souders; Treasurer, Mrs. DeSales R. Leitzinger; Monitor, Mrs. Catherine Raymond; Sentinel, Mrs. Bessie Daugherty; Organist, Miss Mary C. Malloy; Chaplain, Rev. Martin N. Glynn; Trustees, Miss Fannie Hoffman, Miss Mary Grady, Mrs. Margaret Kehoe, Miss Alta R. Shirey, Mrs. Elizabeth Whitehill, Miss Bertha Reilly.

LXXXII
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

BLESSED VIRGIN SODALITY

MISS MARY CHAPPEL

     The Sodality of the Blessed Virgin was first organized in St. Francis Parish in the year 1893, through the endearing efforts of a revered nun, Sister M. Marcella, who acted as spiritual advisor, and Miss Mary C. Leitzinger as first president.

     This organization is composed of a group of unmarried women of the parish, who have as their object a three-fold purpose: First: To promote a greater love and devotion to our Blessed Lady and to dedicate themselves in a special manner to her veneration and service, and to have her as their patron for protection in both life and at the hour of death. Second: To uphold Catholic standards, and to give the parish priest the necessary help for the church and school and to take part in all other parish activities. Third: The Sodalist wishes to develop a strong bond of friendship among young ladies of the parish and to build up a spirit of sociability.
 

     This organization under the spiritual guidance of Reverend J. Leo Anderton, holds its meetings on the Tuesday previous to their communion Sunday in the school auditorium.
 

     The present officers are: Mary Chappel, president; Mary Grady. vice-president; Elizabeth Lynch, secretary; and Maxine Moore, treasurer.
 

LXXXIII
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

ROSARY AND ALTAR SOCIETY

MRS. MARY USHER

     Some time after the Rosary was introduced by Saint Dominic of thirteenth century fame societies for the promulgation of this devotion were formed.
 

     In 1826 the "Living Rosary", a distinct feature of the society, was created. It consisted of a band of fifteen members who each agreed to recite daily one single decade, thus completing a whole rosary among the members.
 

     Father McManus introduced the Rosary Society to Central Pennsylvania when, in 1871, he guided his Saint Francis Parishioners in organizing two "Living Rosary" bands. These bands were under the direction of Miss Louise Kratzer and Miss Emeline Newson.
 

     In 1872, under the pastorate of Right Reverend Monsignor P. J. Sheridan, the society extended to seven bands, or one hundred and five members. A second society, the Altar Society, merged with it.
 

     Father Blake, January 5, 1933, reorganized the society. He secured for it the charter conferred in earlier history by Pope Leo XIII. This Holy Pontiff had seen fit in 1898 to bless all Rosarians of the world by granting the Apostolic Consolidation of One Confraternity. Saint Francis became part of a world wide affiliated society. Mrs. W. J. Usher was elected president and the East End District, four bands in all, became an especially helpful factor at this time.
 

     The society has grown to two hundred and seventy-eight members, or spiritually listed, eighteen "Living Rosaries." Its two oldest members are Mrs. Kate Kerin and Miss Beulah Dougherty. Miss Dougherty holds the unique record of having been treasurer of the society for a period of forty years.

LXXXIV
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

MISS REGINA MALLOY     MISS ALICE MULROONEY

SAINT FRANCIS CHOIR

     St. Francis Choir is one hundred and four years old! Do we, I wonder, fully realize the full significance of that statement? It does not mean, of course, that its members have reached and passed the centurian mark—it means, rather, that one group of singers has followed another unfailingly and sung God's praises in our church for a hundred years and more !

     The demand and necessity for music in the Catholic Church is almost unlimited. If one would just stop and think of all the occasions when it is necessary. Christmas, New Years, Easter, Forty Hours, Graduation ... all these ceremonies require special music, which in turn necessitates special rehearsals. There is the regular duty of singing a High Mass every Sunday, to say nothing of the countless requiems, holy days and weddings that occur throughout the year. And all this not for just this year, but for all the years gone by and for all time to come . . . one group singing and growing old, only to be replaced by other young singers. And so it goes . . .
 

     There is no lovelier music in the world than the Catholic Masses, and it is not only a pleasure and honor to be a part of a choir, but it is also a source of much grace if one would only look at it that way. A hymn, we are told, is a "singing prayer" . . . and what greater way to thank God for a voice than by singing His praises during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!

 LXXXV
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

GIRL SCOUTS

MISS HELEN McCLELLAND

     In April of 1935 a group eighteen girls, between the ages of and fourteen, were grouped together to form the first Catholic Girl Scout in the Erie Diocese under the leadership of Captain Helen McClelland and Lieutenants Betty Louise Whitehill and Maxine Moore. The Catholic Daughters of America sponsored this troop and named the following members to serve on the Troop Committee: Mrs. Harvey Whitehill, Chairlady, Mrs. H. E. Lightner, Mrs. Charles Picard, Miss Sylvia Breth and Miss Anna Walsh.

     On May 15th of the same year these eighteen girls were invested as scouts and then registered with National Headquarters as Troop No. 4.
 

     At present there are twenty-six registered scouts, all in uniform. The names of those who appear on the Girl Scouts picture on page 32, reading from left to right are:

     First Row: Jane Picard, lola Nickel, Adelaide Lightner, Mary Jane Stock, Catherine Turner, Sara Mae Swisher, Marjorie McAtee, Mary Janice Shillenn, Mary Lou Logan, Retta Mae Lutz, Gertrude Berry and Eva Jane Savel; Second Row: Betty Beahan, Mary Catherine Whitehill, Olive Picard, Marie Raymond, Mary Jane Fink, Geraldine O'Donnell, Kathleen Shillenn, Elizabeth McAtee and Mary Kehoe; Third Row: Lieutenants Maxine Moore and Betty Louise Whitehill, Captain Helen McClelland and Lieutenant Edith Duckett.
 

     Five girls who have been registered since this picture are Phyllis and Barbara Moore, Mary Jane Burns, Madeline Derminer and Grace McMullen.

LXXXVI
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
 

LLOYD ROUGEUX

     Clearfield Council No. 409 Knights of Columbus was organized March 19, 1889 through the efforts of the late John F. Leitzinger and the late James P. O'Laughlin, who was then a member of the Williamsport Council.

     The first officers selected to guide this Council's destinies were John F. Leitzinger, Grand Knight; James Gleason, Deputy Grand Knight; John F. Short, Chancellor; James Connelly, Warden; Hugh Gaulin, Financial Secretary and Father Cavanaugh, Chaplain.
 

     The Council now maintains lodge rooms in the County National Bank building, also owns a country home on the banks of the Susque-hana River between Curwensville and Lumber City, which affords an ideal spot-for outings, having facilities for bathing, tennis and baseball.
 

     The present officers of the council are Lloyd Rougeux, Grand Knight; Edgar Goupil, Deputy Grand Knight; Joseph Roessner, Chancellor; J. Ward Logan, Warden; Ray Zoltoski, Recorder; A. P. Spangler, Financial Secretary; J. Fred Gaulin, Treasurer and Rev. M. N. Glynn, Chaplain.
 

 LXXXVII
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

THE USHERS

T. REILLY LYTLE

Superintendent of Ushers
 

     To every churchgoer an usher needs no introduction. His chief duty is to find places for members of the congregation. Along with this he performs one of the most important tasks within the church; viz., taking up collections. This latter work at any time is far from pleasant, and during the past few years has been very hard.

     On many occasions he supplies for the pastor, especially when there is a question of receiving criticism. Some people have complaints from time to time but for some reason they will not present them personally to the pastor. They give these complaints to the usher with a hope that he may get action for them. Occasionally is he subjected to abuse by some who seem to know more about administration than all others in the parish. On occasions such as these he must manifest a high degree of patience and respond to all with a cheerful smile.
 

     The usher is loyal to his church and to his pastor. He is on the alert; he senses emergencies and takes steps immediately to solve them. Sunday after Sunday and frequently during the week he can be found at his post, though at much inconvenience, ready to serve the congregation. His recompense for all of this consists in the satisfaction that he is helping his church, and that, along with the priest, the altar boy and the choir, he is an essential factor in carrying out the divine services.

LXXXVIII
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

COMMITTEE FOR JUBILEE CELEBRATION

A. E. Leitzinger, General Chairman

Mrs. John Mulrooney - Dinner

Walter Welch -History

Mrs. Mary Usher - Tickets

Edward T. Kelley - Speakers

Mrs. H. E. Lightner - Finance

Miss Regina Malloy - Music

Orville Shugarts - Dancing

John Lytle - Concessions

Miss Mary Chappel - Refreshments

Lloyd Rougeux - Reception

LXXXIX

HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH
OUR PATRONS

     We take this opportunity to present to you the names of our patrons and the names of those who sent in their professional and business cards. We wish to express our thanks to these generous individuals and business houses and in doing so we want them to know that without their aid the compiling of this brief history would be impossible.
Rev. Martin N. Glynn.

Albert, Dorse

Alesandro, Tony

Ardery, H.

Armstrong, Madge

Axelson, Mrs. H. S.

Bailey, Abe

Baney, Walter J.

Bannon, Michael

Barone, Louis

Barrett, Lawrence C.

Barrett, W. W.

Barry, Mrs. James, Jr.

Barry, Mr. & Mrs. J. P., Jr.

Baughman, Ivan

Beach, A. J. & Family

Beahan, Mr. & Mrs. John

Beahan, Thomas

Beauseigneur, Miss Amanda

Beauseigneur, Mrs. Emma
Mrs. Emma

Beers, George I.

Berry, Mr. J. F.

Berry,
Mr. and Mrs. W. F.

Berthot, Urban

Bertram, Mrs. Elizabeth

Biasini, Guy

Bigler, Mrs. William
Bigler, H. F., Jr.

Bird, E. T.

Blacker Floral Shop

Bloom, Cecil R.

Bovard, Dr. G. F.

Boyle, Edw. L.

Boyle, J. E.

Breth, J. A.

Bron, Mrs. P. L.

Brown, Amanda & Emma F.

Brown, H. J.

Brown, Dr. & Mrs. Lex

Bryan, Mrs. T. A.

Burns, Howard P.

Bottorf Shoe Store

Canavan, T. H.

Carey, John

Carr, Willard V.

Carroll, W. J. & Family

Chappell, Joseph J. & Family

Chappell, Mr. & Mrs. S. J.

Chase, C. E. & Family

Chase, Will C.

Chnupa, Paul & Mary

Chic Shop

Circolo, Harry

City Auto Sales

Clearfield Amusement Company
Clearfield Republican

Clearfield Taxidermy

Coca Cola Bottling Works

Cuetara, Mr. and Mrs. John E.

Cole, Mrs. Elizabeth & Esther
Collins, Mr. Edward J.

Collins, Patrick

Collins, W. A.

Connelly, Augusta

Connors, Mr. & Mrs. Chas.

Conway, Mr. and Mrs. T. H.
Cowdrick, Arthur D.

Cox, P. J.

Cox, Mrs. P. J.

Czarnecki, Mrs. Wm. & Family

Daly, Wm. H.

Darr, L. G.

Davis, P. T.

Derminer, Miss Elizabeth

Derminer, Mrs. Etta

DeViney, Miss Estella

Di Salvo, Nicholas

Di Salvo, Pio

Dohner, T. W.

Dougherty, Fannie

XC
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH
 

Dougherty, Hugh

Dougherty, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph

Duckett, James

Duckett, Mr. & Mrs. James A., Sr.

Duckett, John R., Sr.

Duckett, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas P. & Family

Eisenhauer, Philip

Evanko, Michael

Falconer, Dr. & Mrs. Wm.

Fama, Mrs. Natale

Fama, Natale & Family

Farrell, M. L.

Fitzgerald, Mr. and Mrs. David

Flegal, Mrs. Horace

Florida Fruit Market

Folmar, Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Fontenoy, Mr. and Mrs. Charles

Fontenoy, Mr. & Mrs. John & Family

Foster, Mr. & Mrs. Ward J.

Freeman,
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. R.

Frelin, Clair

Gabel, Geo. & Family

Gallagher, W. R.

Gaulin, J. Fred

Gaulin, Louis T.

Gaulin E. Augusta

Gaulin, Sara K.

Gaylor, George W.

Getz, William J.

Gilbert, Mrs. Richard, Jr.

Gilliland-Harry Motor Co.
Girl Scout Troop No. 4

Goupil, Mr. & Mrs. Edward

Goupil, Mr. & Mrs. Louis

Grady, Miss Mary A.

Graham, Mrs. W. C.

Gray, Robert D.

Hansard, Anna L.

Harey, Mrs. Catherine, N. Y.

Hennessy Family

Hershey, R. M.

Hess, A. Lea

Hinks Motor Market

Hoffman, Miss Anna M.

Hoffman, Miss Frances M.

Hoffman, Herman

Hogentogler, Mr. and Mrs. J. R.

Howe, Mr. & Mrs. John N.

Hoover, Dr. B. W.

Hudson, Mr. Alfretta & Family

Hughes & Stock

Hunter, Mr. & Mrs. Ralph

Johnson, Joseph

Kane, Frank

Kane, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick

Kantars, Inc.

Kehoe, Mrs. Margaret

Kennard, Al.

Kennedy, Wallace K.

Keystone Ice Cream Co.

Kittleberger Brothers

Kost, Miss Agnes C.

Krebs, Henry L.

Kujawa & Piontkowski

Kupko, Anthony
Kyper, Mr. & Mrs. C. A.

Latchet, Maurice

Law, Mrs. Henry

Leap, Mr. & Mrs. Robt.

Leavy, Cecil R.

Leavy,
Fred B. & Family

Leavy, Mrs. Helen

Leavy, W. J.

Leavy, Mrs. W. J.

Leffler, Daniel

Lehman, Joseph F.

Leigey, Charles L.

Leigey, Mr. & Mrs.
Wm. & Family

Leipold, Dr. F. D.

Leitzinger, F. U. & Wife

Leitzinger, John, Jr. & Wife

Leitzinger, Mrs. John F.

Leitzinger, Wm. A. E.

Leitzinger, A. E.

Lightner, Mr. & Mrs. H. E.

Lippart, Mr. & Mrs. Edward & Family

Loftus, James & Family

Loftus, Thomas

Logan, Ward & Family

Lucanik, Mr. & Mrs. George

Lutz, Mrs. Renetta Barrett
Lynch, Edward J.

Lynch, Mrs. Nora

Lytle Family

Lytle, T. Reilly

Malloy, Mary Catherine & Regina

Malloy, Mr. & Mrs. Patrick

XCI
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH
 

Malloy, Mr. & Mrs. Paul
Mann, Harry E.

Mann, Wm. & Family

Mariano, James & McAtee Children, The

McAtee, Mr. & Mrs.J. F. & Family

McCartney, Mr. & Mrs. John

McCartney, Mr. & Mrs. M. E.

McConville, Mrs. A. (Chicago)
McCormick Paint Shop

McCrossin, Mr. & Mrs. G. N.

McDermott, Joseph J.

McDermott, Miss Mary E.

McDermott, Paul F. & Family
McGinnis, Mrs. Mary

McGoey, F. J.

McGoey, Mr. & Mrs. M. J.
McLaughlin, Richard J.

McMullen, Mr. & Mrs. Roy

Mignot, Sylvester A.

Miller Dairy Company

Minute, Mr. & Mrs. Anthony
Mitchell, Mr. C. R.

Mitchell, Mr. & Mrs. Russell
Mitchell, Mr. Sam

Modern Beauty Shop

Mohr, Henry & Family

Moore, Mrs. Anna

Moore, Mrs. C. B.

Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Edgar
Moore, Clarence

Moore, Mr. & Mrs. Paul

Moore, Wilson & Reading

Mulrooney, Mr, & Mrs, John & Alice

Munro, Mr. & Mrs. Alex

Munzer, Charles G.

National Meat Market

Natoli, Joseph C.

Nemeth, Mrs. Julia

Nickel, Mr. & Mrs. Joseph & Family

Norris, T. J.

Notor, Mrs. Mary

O'Donnell, Mr. & Mrs. Thomas
Orsino's Tavern

Pasquariello, Frank

Pellerite, Antonia

Pellerite, Mr. & Mrs. Charles

Peters, F. H. Beauty Shop

Prave, Nick

Proesl, S. J.

Quigley, Mr. & Mrs. Ray
Raftsman Journal

Raymond Family

Reilly, Bertha C.

Reilly, Harry E.

Rhinehart, Mrs. Irvin

Rhinehart, Philip N.

Rishel, Mrs.

Roessner, Frank & Family

Roessner, Mr. & Mrs. Herman

Roessner, Mr. & Mrs. J. H.

Rollins, H. H. & Sons
Romanak, Mr. & Mrs. Martin

Ross, Frank

Ross, Mrs. Virginia

Rougeux, Mr. & Mrs. E. N.

Rougeux, Mrs. Ida

Rowles, Mr. & Mrs. Lewis C.

Rubinstein, Dr.

Rumfola, Charles

Rumfola, Frank

Ryan, W. J.

Sackett, Miss Stella

Sansone, Joseph J.

Savel, J. J. & Family

Schrot, Francis R.

Shade, Mr. & Mrs. Charles J.

Shade, Mr. & Mrs. James

Shade, Mr. & Mrs. Richard A.

Sheehe, Mrs. Anna

Shifter Family

Shifter, Mr. & Mrs. G.

Shillenn Family

Shillenn, Francis X. & Family
Shuck, Mr. & Mrs. E. S.

Shugarts, Mr. & Mrs. Orville
Smith, Mrs. Roy

Souders, F. D.

Spangler, Hilda

Spangler Family

Spingola, Michael

Spingola Tire Market

Stauffer, Paul

Stewart, Mr. & Mrs. Harry
Stewart, Mrs. Howard

Sughrue, D. J.

XCII
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH
 

Sughrue, John L.

Swisher, Mr. & Mrs. John & Family

Tatters, J. G.

Thorn, Mrs. Elizabeth

Tornatore, Dr. M. J.

Turner, Mrs. Kathryn & Family
Turner, Mrs. William A.

Turner, Mr. William

Undercoffer, Mrs. Albert

Undercoffer, Mr. & Mrs. A. L. & Family

Usher, Mrs. William J.
Valenza, Guiseppe

Vallimont, John

Volnchet, C. S.

Vokes, Mrs. George

Walker, Mrs. M. L.

Walsh, Mrs. P. J.

Waterworth, Dr. S. J. & Family

Webb, Mr. & Mrs. Bert J.
Westcott, John M.

Whitehill,
Mrs. Elizabeth

Whiteman, H. S.

Williams Auto Sales Co.
Wilson, Tom

Wilson. Dr. Ward O.

Woolridge, Dr. J. Hays

Woomer, W. H.

Workman's Overall & Shirt Company
Zemka, Mr. & Mrs. Stephen

Zoltoski, Mr. & Mrs. Henry

Zoltoski, Louis & Family

Zoltoski, Mr. & Mrs. Ray

PROFESSIONAL LIST

BELIN, CARL A.

FALCONER, WM., M. D.

KELLEY, EDWARD T.

KRAMER, CLARENCE R.

McCLURE, DOROTHEA, M.D.

MOHR, J. H., O. D.

REILEY, W. E., M. D.

SMITH, FRANK G.

SMITH, HON. W. WALLACE

WATERWORTH, S. J., M. D.

WELCH, WALTER

YEANEY, G. B., M. D.
A FRIEND

XCIII
HISTORY OF ST. FRANCIS PARISH

BUSINESS LIST

Beahan's Finer Foods

Buck's Cafe

B. P. O. Elks No. 540

Brown's Boot Shops H. P.

Burns Distribt. Co.

Clearfield Bakery

Clearfield Dairy

Clearfield Laundry

Clearfield Mills, Inc.

Clearfield Progress

Clearfielder Hotel

Cole Studio
Commercial Printing Co.

Dufton Hardware Co.

Electric Supply Co.

Fairlawn Stores

E. M. Fullington & Sons

George B. Gabel Stations

Great A. & P. Tea Co.

W. C. Hubler Garage

Jacobson & Etzweiler

Johnston's Bakery

Krebs Brothers Transfer

Lansberry, Mrs. Amy

Leavy Funeral Home

Leitzinger Bros.

McClelland Plumbing

McGinnis, J. C.

G. C. Murphy Company

Kenneth J. Nicholson

Paterson Clay Products

J. C. Penney Company

Pennsylvania Electric Co.

W. A. Perry

Peteuil—Fairway Store

Philipsburg Brewing Co.

W. L. Rafferty

Ashley Rishel

John Rhone

Robinson Brothers

Routch & Swartzle

Joseph J. Schrot

Siebenrock's Store

Shillenn's Coffee Shoppe

E. E, Smith, Furniture

Standard Oil of Penna.

A. Boyd Thorn & Son

Floyd G. Wlson

A. K. Wright

Return to Top of Page

Return To Clearfield County Main Index Page

Ellis Michaels, Clearfield County PAGenWeb Archives File Manager

Copyright 2009, USGenWeb Archives