OF ST. MARY'S CHURCH EAST EDEN, N.Y.

1835-1985 In Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary

This history is under construction-more pictures and additional history to be added as time allows. 
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Cemetery Records  (1800's records posted-more records to be posted soon)
NEW! Current Photos of Cemetery

                St. Mary's Sketch 1800's

                  St. Mary's Sketch - 2003

This history is dedicated to our former Pastor, Father Ted, for his Love, for his "short, sweet sermons", for his financial expertise and for his twenty-five years of friendship and for all our ancestors for giving us their growing faith and all the pastors who gave us spiritual growth


 

THE 1800'S          

    The Catholics of Eden and surrounding areas traveled eighteen miles to hear Mass at the first little frame Catholic Church called “The Lamb of God”, now St. Louis Church in Buffalo.  The first resident parish priest of this church was Rev. John Nicholas Mertz.
     During the years 1833-1835, his successor, the Rev. Alexander Pax, visited the Village of Eden and urged the Catholic settlers to build a wooden church and pastor’s house.  In the year of salvation, 1836, Rev. Mertz traveled to Europe to gather funds to aid the poor Catholics in this section of the New World.  Father Pax alone carried on the care of the souls of Buffalo and the surrounding places. 
     Preparation in 1835 had begun by the Catholics in the Village of Eden, Collins and Hamburg for the foundation of a mission in East Eden.  They purchased one-half acre of land for the sum of $5 from Michael Enser for a cemetery and Church.  This land was donated to the Roman Catholic Church and Society of the Town of Eden.  An entire acre for $60 was bought from Peter Stein to build a home for the priest. 
     After the Most Rev. Bishop Hughes of New York, of which diocese this territory was then a part, had blessed the cemetery, the members of the new parish began constructing their church at their own expense.  They furnished the lumber from their farms for both the church and the priest’s house.  The principal Catholics were:
Anthony Kiefer, Simon Roos, Jacob Frohnheiser, Joseph Friedmann, Benedict Friedmann, Jacob Schmitt, John Emmerling, Adam Zahm, Michael Enser, Adam Schefter, Anthony Denig, Philip Scheeiner, Valentine Schwanz, Martin Weiss, Leonard Bettinger, C. Stephan, Joseph Rebermann, Philip Kiefer, Anthony Casper and others.

 REV. NICHOLAS  MERTZ-

First Pastor of St. Mary's Church 1836-1844

        

This very pious priest, Rev. John Nicholas Mertz was born on April 26, 1764 in Bondorf, Germany, in the Diocese of Trier.  He was ordained to the priesthood on March 13, 1791, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Carol Aloysius Koenapich in Cologne.  Father Mertz labored in the Lord’s vineyard for 53 years of which 33 years were spent in America.  He was pastor of the German Catholics in Konawaga, Pa., 15 years in Baltimore, 8 years in Buffalo where he built the first Catholic Church, and seven years in East Eden.  In 1844, he died in full merit and good works; and his remains were buried in the old church cemetery.  In 1865, his body was removed and buried under the sanctuary of the present church.
     A few edifying words about the death of this saintly priest will not be out of place as it will throw a light upon the character of this man.  Shortly before his death, Father Alig of Buffalo, his confessor, paid a visit and gave him Holy Communion.  Father Mertz rose from his sick bed and casted himself upon his knees saying in Latin:  “My Lord and my God, my Savior and My Redeemer, I adore you, I receive you, my Savior, for whose love I have always labored”.  A few days before his death he said to the same priest:  “Ah, I have a soul, that is pure spirit endowed with reason and made to the image and likeness of God, this must be freed from the narrow confines of a miserable and suffering body, in order to see God, for God Himself has said: “no man can see Me and live!” he then gladly gave up his soul to its Maker.
 

   
  Rev. Rudolf Follenius, (1844-1849), the second resident pastor, came to East Eden shortly after the death of Father Mertz to undertake the care of the souls.  His administration showed no undertaking of new works.  It was characterized by a spirit of strict economy and thrift.  This was to be the starting point for a building fund for a new brick church.  He gave to the congregation to the prefects of the Church the $25 left by the will of Father Mertz.  By practicing economy, the money that about the time of the death of Father Mertz had grown to about $100, continued to be set aside to build a new church.  Near the end of Father Follenius’ ministry, pastorate Masses were being said on certain Sundays in Collins (at present Langford), Hamburg and Boston; each mission developing later into an independent parish.  It is evident that when the beginning of the separation of the Missions of Collins and Hamburg took place, the salary of the pastor was about $400 annually.  The pastor’s salary was not paid from what we now understand as church revenue but was subscribed yearly by the individual members of the congregation.  This was a separate contribution which had to be met, aside from all other church levies as pew rent, plate collections, etc.  This church contribution practice remained in vogue until the year 1862.
     Some poor persons lived in the house built by Father Mertz until 1862.  Succeeding pastors made use of the fifteen acre field until the same year.  By the Will of Father Mertz, the house of the poor or school and the fifteen acres were deeded over to the Bishop as ecclesiastical property.
     In 1849, Father Follenius was recalled by Bishop John Timon, the first Bishop of the newly founded Buffalo Diocese of St. Peter’s Church, Rochester, at that time still a part of the Buffalo Diocese.  Later, Father Follenius served the souls of St. John’s now St. Boniface, Buffalo and died there.
     In 1849, the third pastor of East Eden was Rev. John Nepomucene Arendt, who came from Bavaria.  Father Arendt was confronted with the task of building a new brick church.  Besides being a priest, Father Arendt was a medical doctor of little skill.  His theology studies were made in Munich, Germany.  After coming to America, he received his degree of Medical Doctor from the Medical College at St. Louis, MO.  Since he was the only reliable doctor in the area, he was called by Catholics and Protestants alike.  As he never charged a fee, he could solicit funds for the new church from all.  When he arrived in Eden, the church Treasury contained about $1000.  By the year 1851, he collected by subscription $1406.48 adding to a total of $2,406.48.  The partial list of donors were:

Anthony Kiefer, Anthony Schwanz, Andrew Mammoser, Adam Schmitt, Anthony Heim, Bernard Weber, Godfrey Lam, Igantius Blattner, Ignatius Stephen, James Casper, Joseph Dole, James Eder, Jacob Schmitt, Joseph Rebmann, Joseph Weber, James Dauer, Joseph Witziymann, Michael Schidden, Michael Enser, Sr., Michael Schwanz, Michael Blattner, Michael Enser, Jr.

A new plot of land adjacent to the cemetery where the church was built was purchased for $14 from Michael Enser.  The actual construction of the present brick church began the same year.  It is reported that the brick was made at a nearby farm, namely the present Felix Kaminski farm 9755 East Eden Road.  Bricks were hauled by horse and buggy to the site of the new church by parishioners and others who did much of the construction themselves.  (It is reported that John Wittmeyer may have been among such early parishioners who helped haul the brick)  The cornerstone was laid and blessed by Father J. Guth, Vicar-General of the Diocese and pastor of St. Louis Church, Buffalo and assisted by Father Arendt.  (The Anniversary Committee was unsuccessful in the endeavor to locate the cornerstone).  The Church as completed before the end of the year and was one of the most solid and beautiful country churches of its time.  It was very remarkable that upon completion of the church was paid for to the last cent.  The generosity of the people was extraordinary, as only few, if any could have been blessed with the goods of this world, as they were mostly pioneers in this country.  Generosity, however, was contagious, and much was undoubtedly done in emulation of their good pastor, who was ever so attentive and generous to their sick without accepting any monetary remuneration.

When the church was finished, it was equipped with two doors, windows, tower and floor.  The pews from the old wooden church along with the confessional, the tabernacle, (perhaps the tabernacle is the same on that fits in the old altar used recently in the “Hall Chapel”), bells and other utensils needed to begin divine worship were transferred.

                                              CHURCH PEWS

                                          Interior St. Mary's 2003



A collection was taken a few months later and new pews at a cost of $4 each were made by Bernard Weber.  According to later history, these pews are the same ones in church today. 

Interior St. Mary's Church
Date of Photo Unknown

A communion rail at a cost of $25 was built at the entrance of the sanctuary.  The temporary main altar (perhaps the same altar used in the “Hall Chapel” when the church as being renovated) remained until 1859 when the Catholics desired to have a new main altar in the Church.  They, therefore, collected among themselves $350.  Mr. Stanfield of Buffalo did the woodwork for $175 and the painting and decorating for $175.  The brick work, not yet painted when the cornerstone was consecrated, was placed, and was included in its price.  Side altars were constructed, one on the left for $32.50, a gift of the St. Anne Society; one on the right at a cost of $32.50, a gift of William Haab and George Vetter.  An $8.00 unpainted statue of St. Joseph was erected, a gift of Messors, Haab and Vetter.  The two side altars were painted without further cost.
It has been reported that Masses were said at the residence of the late Clement Mammoser at 8336 East Eden Road between 1835-1851.  The old altar was stored in the barn at 8268 East Eden Road, Harold Mammoser’s residence.
A small painted statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Infant Jesus was purchased for $6 and paid for out of the treasury of St. Anne Society and placed at first above her altar.  Out of a special church collection, a pall was bought.  The stone of the baptismal font was purchased from the church treasury but Father Arendt as yet did not use it.  Two chasubles were bought; one black and one red with a white cross.  The St. Anne Society gave as a gift, surplices and cassocks.  They also purchased a banner of the St. Anne Society costing $56.55.  The first hanging sanctuary lamp cost $26 , and was the gift of John Schummer, Sr.
At the beginning of Father Arendt’s ministry, a wooden church as built and dedicated to St. Michael in the Village of Collins, now Langford.  A Protestant house of prayer was bought in Hamburg.  The Rev. Father Guth, pastor of St. Louis’s Church, assisted by Father Kraemer, first pastor of Hamburg, and Father Follenios blessed the church in Hamburg under the patron saints of Sts. Peter and Paul.  Father Kunz was succeeded in Collins by Father Krauthbauer, who was Eden’s first assistant to Father Arendt in his ministration of the extensive territory, which took him not only the places immediately adjoining Eden, but as far as Springville, New Oregon and Ashford.  Amidst all his missionary labor, Father Arendt also taught the parish school until the parish was able to hire a teacher.  After ten years of fruitful labor in Eden, he was transferred to Dunkirk.
During the next two years (1859-1860, the Rev. Stephan Eicher, pastor, who came from Switzerland, and with his curate, the Rev. Schenabeck together in East Eden, where in charge of Langford and of the new church dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Marcy at New Oregon, which at the time of Pastor Neumann, was purchased from the Protestants of that area.  Hamburg, too, was still under their care. 
A Way of the Cross was erected in the church and bought for $85.  Father Eicher contributed $15, William Haab $32, Francis Schummer $10, Christine Schwartz $10, the Society of St. Anne $10 and the balance was collected by small donations from the members of the congregation.  Six candlesticks were used on the main altar, four smaller ones on the altar of St. Anne cost $14.  St. Anne Society paid $3 for an altar card.  The candlesticks, placed on the St. Joseph Altar, were gifts of Messors.  Haab and Vetter.  St. Anne Society also purchased the corporals, purificators and other items of this nature.
On March 19, 1860, Father Eicher was recalled from this mission.  Father Eicher passed away in the Lord while pastor of the Village of Sheldon in 1862.
Father Heimbucker from Bavaria (1860-1861) succeeded Father Eicher and was pastor of the Eden and Hamburg Churches.  Father Heimbucker had the Hamburg Church incorporated according to the State Law, and authorized the trustees to solicit subscriptions for a new brick church to replace the frame church which was moved away but remained in use until 1862.
The St. Anne Society purchased a new incensorium for $8 and a white chasuble for use on feast days for $25.  The pulpit of wood was also built.  Father Heinbucker was recalled from this mission at the end of October, 1861.
The Rev. (Francis) Franz Guber (Oct. 1861-Mar. 1862) from Württemberg was the sixth resident pastor but he only remained for about six months.  He carried on the sacred ministry in Eden, Hamburg, Langford, and New Oregon.  During his short time, nothing of a temporal nature was bought or made for use in the Church.
The Rev. George Pax (Mar. 23, 1862-Aug 17, 1862) came from France and assumed the care of the souls in Eden, Hamburg, and Collins.  The sacristy at the East Eden Church was built with a cabinet for vestments and a sink to wash hands for a cost of $125.  Perhaps the south entrance to the sanctuary was bricked shut at this time.  Father Pax conceded $50 from his salary and the remainder was collected from the members the congregations.  The Episcopal pulpit was painted, gilded and decorated with a crucifix given my Maria Weber.  Members of the congregation who donated towards the $142 of the pulpit were:

Rev. Heimbucker, Franis Schummer, William Haab, W. Schwanz, Peter Schwarz, Nicholas Bettinger, Jacob Schmitt, Andrew Mammoser, Michael Schwanz, Michael Enser, Rev. George Pax, Godfrey Lam, Emmerling and others.

A ”Melodeon” was purchased for $32 to help with the singing and paid by the contributions of the congregation.  The exterior and interior of the rectory were repaired, costing $55.  The members of St. Anne Society purchased the carpet covering the sanctuary for $14.  These ladies also donated a white cape costing $35, and a white tabernacle veil costing $8.
On August 17, 1862, Father Pax was recalled by the Bishop from this mission.
The Redemptorist Fathers, Erbald and Winsierski, C.S.S.R., from St. Mary’s Church, Buffalo, visited only on Sundays the churches in Eden and Hamburg from August 17 to Sept. 20, 1862.  These Fathers and Father Gleason desired with the approval of the Most Rev. Bishop to make use of the house built by Father Mertz along with the 15 acre plot of land for the education of youth.
The congregation of the Church petitioned the Bishop to order Father George Pax to return as it was difficult to administer to the sick and for arrangement of burials since priest only visited on Sunday.  Father Pax assumed his pastoral duties in the Eden-Hamburg missions from September 20, 1862 until June 7, 1864 by the orders of the Bishop.
On November 3, 1862, three sisters of St. Francis namely Mother Frances, Sister Johanna and Sister M. Magdalen along with 5 candidates, Johanna Bachmann among them arrived.  Cunigunda Bachmann, 11 years old, also arrived for a visit.  The house was almost completed and the Sisters renovated at their own expense of $300 and $65 for the barn.  The Catholics of the Village of Eden renovated the school hall for their use.  The Sister’ salary was at first $200 annually until 1866 when it was raised to $325.  They acquired ownership to the property from the Bishop.
The congregation made donations to purchase and repair the following:
Repairs to school with fireplace & chairs     $40
Kitchen stove for convent                              $14
Kitchen stove for rectory                                $24
Two stoves for rooms                                      $12
Kitchen cabinet                                                 $14
Three new chairs                                               $11
Three secondary (side entrance doors)        $45
Two stoves for Church in 1863                      $45

 

Tombstone Translation of
REV. NICHOLAS MERTZ

The two carved angels, one at each side of the Main Altar, were a gift of Father Glaessens, C.S.S.R.  Through a collection having been made by Father Pax, the tombstone for Father Mertz’s grave was purchased for $40 and engraved by William Haab.  In the same year, the church was painted by Henry Lampert at a cost of $154.  The Way of the Cross was blessed and officially erected. 
The Society of St. Anne and the Society of St. Joseph each contributed $10 to specially adorn both small altars.  The windows of the Church at a cost of $2.50 each were pained with the names of the donors.
On July 28, 1863, the new brick Church in East Eden was blessed under the title of St. Mary, Immaculate Virgin by Father Glaessens, C.S.S.A  A solemn Mass was sung by Father George Pax, assisted by Fathers Hynes and O’Connor.  Father Francis Gurber, pastor of St. Louis Church, gave the sermon.
The statue of Our Sorrowful Mother above the altar of St. Anne was purchased Sept. 27, 1863 for $20 by the congregation and the Society of St. Anne.  An altar at the Church entrance in Front of the Mission Cross was bought for $12, along with the statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and the dead Christ for $15 and paid for by Andrew Densmerk, some ladies of the parish and Father Pax.  An ostensorium was purchased for $35, a gift of William Haab.  The baptismal font was now ready for use.  A triangular candelabra for the tenebrae was acquired.  A pall with painted skulls and all the necessary items for sung funeral masses were bought.  The consecrated stone for the main altar cost $12.  Mr. Haab donated a canopy for use in Corpus Christi processions.
The entire Church with all its appurtenances was paid in full and the deed was already surrendered to the Most Rev. Bishop.  In 1863, Rev. Edward Baenziger from Switzerland, who was a Protestant minister but having come to a recognition of truth, was ordained by the Most Rev. Bishop Timon, sang his first solemn Mass in our church.  He resided here for almost a half year while ministering to the Churches in Langford and New Oregon.
 

Before Father Pax left for Europe on January 7, 1864, he purchased the first organ for the Church.  Father Winsierski, a former Redemptorist and from Poland, served the church from June 7 to September 17, 1864.  He collected the balance due to pay for the organ.  He also undertook the care of the souls in Eden, and Hamburg as his predecessor had done.
The principal benefactors of the organ were: 

William Haab,
Francis Schummer, Sr.,
Francis Schummer,
Francis Weber,
Michael Enser,
Peter Kern,
Andrew Mammoser,
Andrew Demmerle,
Peter Zahn,
Christian Lam,
A. Deniz,
Peter Deniz,
T. Lam,
Wm. Winkelman,

Father George Pax (Sept 17, 1864-Feb. 1 1868) returned from Europe and resumed his duties as pastor at Eden and Hamburg.  The Most Rev. Bishop sent Father John Laemer to serve as a “Co-Pastor” of the Eden and Hamburg Church.  He resided with Father Pax until December, 1864 when the Catholics of Hamburg bought a rectory for him.  From Nov. 20, 1864 until May 21, 1865, Eden and Hamburg were separated.  Again, Father Pax resumed the care of the souls in Hamburg and Eden until the end of June.  The Most Rev. Bishop, and the pastor, the Catholics of the Village of Hamburg entrusted everything to the Bishop and they incorporated the  Church according to new civil law.
In 1865, the catholic congregation of Eden purchased a tombstone for Sister Johanna for $30.  A statue of the Sorrowful Mother with dead Christ beneath the cross was bought from Sisters of St. Francis for $30
The third new largest bell, weighing 272 pounds, was purchased in September 1865 for $146.  Since the Bishop did not attend as promised, the bell on October 10, 1865 was blessed with the other two bells by a benediction officiated by Father George Pax, assisted by Father Payer.  The name of St. George was invoked  in the consecration of the bell at the desire of John Wittmeyer, the largest donor.  To complete payment, the following Catholics contributed: 

William Haab, Father George Pax, John Schummer, Sr., Christian Lane, Francis Schummer, Sr. and Jr., Philip Kiefer, Michael Bauer, Anthony Heim, Anna Schummer.  Other donations were of $3, $2, $1 and less.  Total amount contributed was $375.  Therefore, the church had an over subscription of $229.  Over subscription for the organ was $15.47.  John Schummer, Sr. gave a gift of $25 for a chalice.  A new ciborium, new missal, crucifix for the sacristy, altar cards for the Main Altar were gifts of William Haab.  The old utensils used by Father Mertz were replaced.

Our senior parishioners, namely Magdalen Gates and Tony Lippert, recall the church bells ringing out the Angelus and time in the early 1900’s  When a parishioner passed away, one bell would be used to ring out the age of the deceased.  John Hell, then Adam Dole, caretakers of the Convent and for the Sisters, would ring the bells.  After them the Sisters took turns until the practice was discontinued.  Church bells are now rung before Masses.
The salary of the pastor of Eden with Hamburg from Father Arendt’s time to 1863 was $500 annually.  With the separation of the Hamburg Mission, the salary of each pastor was $600.  Since the Catholic congregation of Eden was not incorporated according to civil law, the pastor could select trustees according to his approval.
At the end of 1865, two chasubles used by Father Mertz, a red and a white, were set aside for very restricted use.  A gold for feast days, and a white and a red for common days were bought.  Donors were:  Society of St. Anne, Marie Heim, Christine Weber, Ann Marie Ast. Mary Demmierle, Christine Lam, Mayalene Schintzius, Amelia Schwanz, Christina Schwanz, Elizabeth North, Brigette Weber, Barbara Murkel and others.
Preachers stole of red, white and violet was made at a cost of $2.50.  The tabernacle was lined with red silk and the ciborium covered with a beautiful veil at a cost of $9, which was collected at the High Mass.   During Lent, 1866, a purple chasuble was purchased for $22.
The Agnus Dei brought by Father Mertz was left in 1865 to the church.  Angnus Dei, one of the church’s sacramental, is a small wafer of wax taken from paschal candles or from those of Candlemas.  It is solemnly blessed by the Pope during the year of his coronation and every seven years afterwards.  Agnus Dei or Lamb of God has an image of a lamb stamped on one side.  The origin of Agnus Dei comes from a popular custom of using bits of the Pascal candle as articles of devotion.  The wafers of wax are usually enclosed in leather or silk and embellished with embroidery and lace.
In the summer of 1866, the walls of the Church became so affected by dampness and cold that the Catholics were forced to make repairs.  The walls on the inside were reinforced with beams and covered with gypsum.  The roof needed to be renewed and fortified from the dripping moisture.  There were many donors. 
The interior walls, the pews, the brickwork of the main altar, the extra altar in front of the mission crucifix, the exterior wooden portico and the sacristy and sanctuary floor were painted.  Total donations were $1120.75.
The Sanctuary lamp donated by John Schummer became completely corroded.  William Haab donated $18 to purchase a new sanctuary lamp with all its appurtances.  Statues of St. Vincent and St. Francis, painted by Ignatz Stephen and the Christ carved with the cross above the statue of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the side altar were donated.  At the end of 1866, new church windows were purchased at $24 each.
In 1867, an addition was made to the rectory to which nearly all parishioners contributed $1 each.

Convent & Schoolhouse:
 Father Peter Gruber (Feb. 1868-May 1869) who was called from the parish at Parkinsville, succeeded Father George Pax, who was assigned to the Williamsville mission.  The Sisters of St. Francis began to build their convent, after consulting with and consent of the Pastor.  The land was purchased for $150 from Joseph Enser.  St. Mary’s Church contributed $125 towards their purchase.  Arthur Wittmeyer’s grandfather helped to haul the stones from the Lake by mule for the convent.  In the same year, the Eden residents experienced a very great drought and dryness.  A Tridium was begun on October 13, 1868 with the cooperation of Father Vaneck to obtain indulgences granted at the time.
In 1878, a new school house was built.  The usable lumber from the old school was used to build a new house in the Sister’s yard and also an addition to the stable next to the parish house.  The beautiful desks in the new school cost $100 and were donated by the congregation and Rev. Weinands.

  
   Convent located where parking lot currently is
                    Date of Photo Unknown
 

  Rectory:

      The pulpit, confessional, church     tower, and the rectory were renovated in 1880.  Mr. W. Behrems of Elm Street, Buffalo, completed the entire project costing $8000 out of his own funds with no charge to the parish.  Rev. Weinands paid to the beautiful trees planted around the parish grounds.

 St. Mary's Parsonage, School & Hall
Date of Photo:  Unknown

The records of the parish from 1869 to 1890 gave a meager account of the events of the parish.  The reverend pastors in charge were:  Rev. L.A. Neumeyer – 5/7/1869 to 1/18/1870, Rev. William Resewski 1871 to 1876, Rev. Martin Weinands (1876-1880) Father Weinands is buried in our cemetery.  Four masses were sung annually out of a foundation he established for his soul.
The Most Rev. Bishop Stephen Ryan solemnly consecrated the main altar of the church on March 10, 1881.  Reverends Sohlie, Gippert and Bachmann celebrated the Mass.  Rev. Sayer delivered the sermon.

Rev. A. Geyer 1886-1888.  Father Geyer built a new rectory and enlarged the cemetery.  The cemetery was known at that time as the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, East Eden, N.Y.  During his pastorate, Bishop S. Ryan confirmed the candidates.  From an old ticket, dramatical entertainment and suppers were held in 1887.
Rev. Conrad Kaelin 1888-1889.  Father Kaelin put the paths in the cemetery and had a fence constructed around the school.
Rev. Gerard Gyson May 1889 – Oct 1889.
Rev. John Schaus October 1889-Nov. 1890. 

At the urging of the Bishop, Father Schaus saw that “St. Mary’s Church Society of East Eden” be incorporated according to the new law.  The church was therefore incorporated in June, 1890.  The meeting of the trustees was held in the Episcopal residence in Buffalo on Jan. 21, 1890.  Present were the Most Rev. Bishop Stephan V. Ryan, Msgr. William Gleassens, Rev. John Schaus, John Wittmeyer and David Hoelscher.  John Wittmeyer was elected treasurer and David Hoelscher as secretary of the society.  Father Joseph Hummel, born in 1865 in the dioceses of Friburg, was sent by the Bishop on November 14, 1890 to assume the pastorate duties.  The entire debt of the parish was cleared in 1891.  He renewed the cross in the cemetery and placed cornerstones.  The school building was removed.  On June 12, 1892, Father Hummel made a journey to Europe.  During the three months, Father H. Scherer of the Boston parish and Father A. Frey of the Hamburg Parish acted as pastors in East Eden.  Upon the return of Father Hummel, the congregation staged a splendid reception and made notable gifts to the rectory.  The Children of Mary purchased a pulpit for the parish home.  The parish celebrated the Feast of Columbus and $350 was received .In October, 1892, John Wittmeyer resigned as Treasurer of the Society.  With the consent of Bishop Stephen V. Ryan, John Bauer was then appointed treasurer.  The exterior the church as renovated in 1894.  In 1898, before Father Hummel was transferred, he introduced the use of natural gas in the parish house, church and sisters’ convent.  The Anniversary Committee has been under the Church and has viewed these gas pipes used for lighting.
In November 1898, Father Conrad Kaelin assumed the ministry again.  The Infant of Prague and the statue of  St. Joseph were obtained.  Renovation was made to the sacristy and school.