Two Early Reports Concerning Roman Catholicism in Utah 1876-1881

TWO EARLY REPORTS CONCERNING ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN UTAH 1876-1881

By John Bernard McGloin, S.J.

The student of the American phase of the story of Roman Catholicism in the Far West is quickly convinced that a satisfying unity is attained in such studies by grouping them around the more successful missionaries or prelates of the day. Thus, to give two examples, it is but natural to think primarily of Joseph Sadoc Alemany, O.P. (1814-1888) when one endeavors to recreate the story of Catholicism in northern California in the post-Franciscan period. Alemany served as Bishop of Monterey, 1850-53, and as first Archbishop of San Francisco, 1853-84, and his pioneer deeds were so significant that these years might, indeed, be correctly called the "Age of Alemany." Similarly, with regard to the story of the Mother Lode and northern mines of California viewed in their Catholic aspects, one comes quickly to the realization that the two bishops, Eugene O'Connell (1815-1891) and Patrick Manogue (1831-1895), furnish focal points for the telling of that story. And so it is that, when delving into the story of the origins of Roman Catholicism in Utah, one is tempted to call most of it the "Age of Scanlan," for the Right Reverend Lawrence Scanlan (1843-1915) is the priest and prelate whose name must be associated most closely with these origins. Bishop Scanlan has had several literary treatments and several interesting accounts have been published concerning the man and his manifold works for his church in Utah. However, there is always a delight in learning more about such a man, and it is hoped that the two reports here presented may serve such a purpose. They were seen by the present author in the archives of the "Societe pour la Propagation de la Foi" in Paris when he was engaged in some research there in the fall of 1957, and through the kind co-operation of officials of this still very thriving organization, he was enabled to have photostatic copies made of these materials which, in part, are here presented as a modest contribution to the mostly yet untold history of what we have already called the "American Period" of Roman Catholicism in thee West. We may date this period quite generally from the 1848 discovery of gold in California or, more precisely, from December 6, 1850, when young Bishop Alemany arrived in San Francisco to begin his work as the newly appointed Bishop of Monterey. Not nearly enough has been researched and published concerning these pioneer bishops and priests of this period, and this is the compelling reason for presenting these reports of Father (later Bishop) Scanlan.

Lawrence Scanlan was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, on September 28, 1843, and was ordained priest at All Hallows College in Dublin on June 24, 1868. Since he was ordained to work in the far-off Archdiocese of San Francisco, he spent some time there before his permanent assignment by Archbishop Alemany to the "Mission of Utah." From 1873 until his appointment as first Vicar Apostolic of Utah on January 25, 1887, Father Scanlan worked zealously and successfully in what must, by all odds, be accounted a difficult mission. San Francisco was the place of his consecration to the dignity of the episcopate as, on June 29, 1887, Archbishop Riordan consecrated Father Scanlan as Titular Bishop of Larandum and first Vicar Apostolic of Utah. Four years later his territory was erected into the diocese of Salt Lake, and on January 30, 1891, he was appointed to this newly created See. Many more years of service were to be his until, on May 10, 1915, Bishop Scanlan died in Salt Lake City at the age of seventy-two. During the more than forty years of his service in Utah, this pioneer priest found it necessary to call on the help of European Mission-aid organizations to supply some of the financial backing which was almost entirely lacking to him in Utah. This explains the detailed reports submitted by him to the members of the council of the Parisian Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and it would appear that his appeals for help were far from unsuccessful. It was always necessary to present a complete (and persuasive!) account of the local situation in order to interest the French group, and Father Scanlan (who continued the same custom as Bishop) was not loathe to describe his work and its potentialities as well as its urgent needs. Here chosen are what are thought to be two of the more interesting and complete of the reports which are still on file in the Paris Archives mentioned above.

On October 12, 1876, after three years work in Utah, Father Scanlan wrote the following report in Salt Lake City. It accurately sums up the picture as he saw it in those days: he gave it the appropriate title of the "Annual Report of the State of Catholicity in the Territory of Utah, United States of America, to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, France."

These two reports from an earlier era help to fill out, at least to some extent, the pioneer phase of the history of Roman Catholicism in Utah.

OCTOBER 12, 1876

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE OF CATHOLICITY IN THE TERRITORY OF UTAH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH, FRANCE

As we are taught by our holy religion that the best and surest way to obtain new favors from Heaven is to render due thanks for those already received: so, I begin my report by sincerely thanking you for the very handsome appropriation of $1560 which you, in your boundless charity, have made us during the year. This, indeed, seemed to have been sent us by Providence, as it came at a time when it was very much needed; and, I assure you that the good news caused many a fervent prayer to ascend to the Throne of Grace for you and every member of the Society.

With this short preface, I now proceed to give you an account of my stewardship, and lay before you how we have employed the talents you have entrusted to us; what we have been doing during the past year, and what we want to do with your co-operation and the Grace of God in the future, in this far off and all but pagan land.

Top: Academy of the Sacred Heart, located in Ogden. Middle: St. Mary's of the Wasatch, Salt Lake City, opened in 1875 for boarders and day pupils. Bottom: Holy Cross Hospital, Salt Lake City's oldest hospital, operated by the Sisters of the Holy Cross since 1882. Recently a new addition changed the face of this familiar landmark. Courtesy, Holy Cross Hospital

Although a decade of years has scarcely elapsed since the small grain of "mustard seed" was first dropped into this large and then seemingly barren and unfruitful field of the great "vineyard of the Lord," yet, through your fostering care, our own feeble efforts and the life-giving sunlight of a benign Providence, it has already taken deep root, is extending its branches higher and wider every year and is still full of life, health and vigor.

CHURCHES

There are, at present, two churches in the Territory. The Church in Salt Lake City, which, since its erection in 1871, lay under a heavy debt, is now free of all encumbrances. Its congregation is steadily increasing, and many indifferent and lukewarm members are becoming less irregular in attending divine Services and in the performance of their religious duties. During the year, we had about 60 Baptisms, twenty of whom were adult converts; 12 marriages, chiefly "mixed"; and at Easter, about 50 communicants.

OGDEN CHURCH

I have just built a church in Ogden, the second city in the Territory. It is a frame building 33 x 40 with a small tower in front and recess for Altar in rear. Its cost, when furnished with proper benches, will range from $1500.00 to $2000.00 with an indebtedness of about $500. It is sufficiently large to accommodate the Catholics of Ogden and the surrounding district for a long time to come.

SCHOOLS

In my last report I had the honor of stating to- you that we succeeded in bringing to Salt Lake City and establishing therein a colony of faithful and devoted Sisters of the "Holy Cross." I hope the Catholics of this Territory shall never forget the generous support which you have rendered them in accomplishing this grand and glorious work. These good daughters of the "Cross," since their advent here, have been indefatigable workers, and have done more to remove prejudice and give tone and prominence to our Cause than we priests could have done in many years of hard work.

The Academy of St. Marys of Utah: This large and commodious brick structure, described in my last report, was opened for the reception of boarders and day pupils on the 6th of September, 1875, from which time, it has been wonderfully successful — to the great credit of the good Sisters. The average attendance is about 100, and when we remember that the great majority of these are non-catholics, and that there exists in the minds of non-catholics, generally, in this country, a bitter prejudice against everything Catholic, this number must strike us as exceedingly large. But the Sisters, by their exemplary lives, their industry, their holy conversations, their solicitude and even love for the children and the good advices they give them, are silently — but surely, not only removing all prejudices from their minds, but even gaining their respect and admiration! Hence, during the past year, many of the pupils expressed a desire to be baptized; I baptized about a dozen and refused to comply with the desires of many others, through motives of prudence and objections raised by their parents.

But, apart from the effect which the Sisters have upon non-catholic children, who can enumerate or comprehend the blessings which they have brought to our Catholic children ? We priests have been laboring here for the last ten years, have held Catechism class once every week and have done all in our power to teach Catholic children the theory and practice of their religion: but, owing to the want of continual, every day teaching, of a wholesome Catholic atmosphere, and, worse than all, the indifference, if not, scandalous lives of the parents, our efforts were all but fruitless! We never could collect more than two or three every year fit for first Communion! The Sisters are at work only a year, and note the contrast.

The Archbishop [Alemany] paid us the honor of visiting us last July, when he had the pleasure of administering Confirmation, for the first time, in this land of Mormonism, to about 50 persons; and of witnessing the pleasing scene of about 40 children make their first Communion, all of whom have been gathered together, taught, and duly prepared for these Sacraments by the persevering efforts of the daughters of the "Holy Cross." Verily, the "Cross" is becoming a power in this benighted land, and the little "mustard seed" is already extending its branches and yielding abundant fruit!

St. Josephs School for Small Boys: This is a neat little building, but sufficiently large, however, to accommodate, in a healthful and pleasant manner, from fifty to one hundred pupils. It is entirely separate from, but adjacent to the Academy. It is designed for the education of small boys of 12 years and under that age, and is also conducted by the Sisters. The average attendance is about forty, most of whom, also, are non-catholics. What I have stated respecting the girls school, apply with equal force and truth to this. The Sisters are giving the same good example, the same salutary instructions and training and educating the Catholic boys with the same fruitful and gratifying results!

HOSPITAL OF THE HOLY CROSS

This is the crowning institution of our Church in this territory. Persons may, and do, hate the Catholic name, but, in spite of themselves, respect and love its philanthropic spirit; its grand, broad hearted charitable institutions. They may curse the priest, but must bless the devoted Sister of Charity — the angel in human form. They may, and often do, close their ears and eyes to the teachings of the priest and spiritual directors, but they must open them wide to the inexorable logic of facts. They may listen for hours unmoved to the grand orator in the pulpit — wasting his eloquence in endeavoring to prove some grand dogma of the Church, or to portray the beauty or usefulness of some Christian virtue; and when he has finished, regard him as a hireling, a mere professional man, if not, a hypocrite: but, the poor emaciated Sister leaning over the bed of suffering, wiping away the sweat of death from the pale forehead of the dying man, soothing his declining moments, softening his pillow, administering to his last needs, consoling him in his expiring agonies, standing by him as his friend, when perhaps his own desert him, encouraging him to> enter with confidence on his long and mysterious journey, alleviating his sufferings in life, and closing his eyes in the last long sleep of death — all these acts performed for no. earthly reward, but through love of humanity, irrespective of creed, color, or country, and very often, to an enemy are sufficient proof, that even the most rigorous and seemingly repugnant maxims of the Gospel are, not only possible to be realized, but, are actually realized every day by hundreds and thousands of these devoted creatures in the Catholic Church — All these, I repeat, speak, indeed, true Christianity and with a logic and eloquence which the most bigoted and prejudiced cannot resist. And this is the logic and eloquence with which the Sisters in charge of the "Hospital of the Holy Cross" have loudly preached to the public, since its opening, and which has had already exerted a wonderful power in closing the mouths of many revilers of our Holy religion.

The Hospital was opened on the 26th of October, 1875 in a handsome brick building which was then considered sufficiently large, but which is now too small to accommodate, in a proper manner, the increasing number of patients seeking admission. Being unable to purchase or build an hospital of our own, we had to leave the building for a few years, during which time Providence may supply us with means to carry out His and our designs.

A Hospital is an absolute necessity here, as there are a great many poor men of all creeds working in smelters and lead mines which are very unhealthy and cause a sickness known among miners as "leaded" or "lead disease" — the effect of inhaling arsenic and other poisonous matter through smoke, in working in smelters, and dust, in working in the mines. It is a very severe and painful sickness, and if neglected, generally proves fatal. Over 500 patients have found in this institution, since its opening, a good home, kind treatment and nurses better than mothers — which is an abundant proof of its necessity. The average number in the hospital is about thirty.

So much for the past and present, let us now turn our thoughts, for a short time, to the future.

The old saying respecting the rich — "The more they have or get — the more they want" seems to be verified with respect to the church. At least, I feel its truth here. The wants of this Territory seem to be multiplying every year. During last August, I visited the southern part of the Territory (about 200 miles from Salt Lake City) and received great encouragement from the few scattered Catholics and many noncatholics there, to start a little mission with a church, schools and hospital. I think a priest could do a great deal of good there, but, the distances between the places he would have to attend are so long and the travelling so expensive, that it would be very difficult for him, at present, to obtain a living. I merely refer to this portion of my mission as a growing place that will soon need our attention. Ogden, now, having a church, ought henceforth be attended regularly every Sunday. But this cannot be done without another priest. We have, besides Salt Lake, which has service every Sunday, six other places to attend and to do justice to those places, there ought to be here, at least, 4 priests. Hence, one of our great needs, at present, is more priests with some little provision made for their proper sustenance.

Again, a Catholic School is very much needed in Ogden, where, all the Catholic children are attending either Mormon or protestant schools. This should be attended to at an early date, otherwise, there is not only a danger, but a certainty, that many of our children there shall be perverted and forever lost to the church.

You have suggested that your last appropriation be applied to the purchasing or securing of a pastoral residence. Although, as I stated in my last report, this is very much needed, not only for the ordinary comfort, but even health of priests; yet, seeing the vast amount of good the Sisters have done and are engaged in doing; and knowing that they are heavily in debt; upon which, they are paying a high rate of interest — I have concluded to- give them the amount appropriated and recommend the pastoral residence to a kind Providence and your future generosity. In pursuing this course, I hope to meet with your approval and not to< be disappointed in my expectations.

In conclusion, I again, in the name of the Archbishop, Sisters, Catholics and all interested in this mission, thank you most sincerely for your generosity and charity in the past, and in the name of the same parties, express a hope that you will not abandon us in our struggles, but will stand by us to the end, and that we shall never prove ourselves unfaithful servants or unworthy of your kindness and generosity.

Assuring you that, so far, you have no> reason to' repent your action towards us, but on the contrary, you have great reason to rejoice on having scattered with a judicious and bountiful hand the good seed, which has already yielded a hundred fold here, and will, I hope, bring you and us all life eternal hereafter, I remain

Most respectfully your hble servantL. Scanlan Pastor of Utah Terr.

Salt Lake City Oct. 12th, 1876.

Five years later, in 1881, Father Scanlan had another report ready for the Paris Society. As usual in such matters, he sent it first to Archbishop Alemany for his approval, and the latter sent it on to Paris with the following enclosure of his own:

San Francisco, Nov. 7/81 Respected Dear Sir:

Only yesterday I received the Report on Utah Territory from the Very Rev. Lawrence Scanlan, its Vicar Foreign [sic]. The account is correct and encouraging. I earnestly and most respectfully pass on his petition, that you will kindly increase, (if possible) your holy chariabIe aid.

Very gratefully and respectfully Joseph S. Alemany, Archbp of San Francisco Administrator of Utah Territory

A notable feature of the 1881 report is found in its summation, in its last paragraph, of the contrast between the Utah Catholicism of 1870 with that of 1881. The report follows:

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE STATE OF CATHOLICITY IN THE TERRITORY OF UTAH, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO THE SOCIETY FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE FAITH

I feel great pleasure in reporting to you that our feeble efforts, aided so materially by your charity during the past year, have been blessed with more than usual success.

Since my last report, we have built two churches — one in Frisco, in the southern part of the Territory, the other, in Park City, about thirty miles distant from Salt Lake. Although those churches are not entirely finished, yet, they are sufficiently so, to have Service held in them. The congregation of practical Catholics in Frisco, is, at present, small: but; in the surrounding mining districts, there is quite a number of indifferent Catholics and others, and we must labor and hope and pray that these also may be converted and live. In Park City, away in the fastness of the Rocky Mountains, the congregation is much larger and more encouraging. There, also, many strayed sheep have to be brought into the fold by labor, patience and prayer. There is a resident priest in each place.

We have been also engaged, during the past year, in erecting a fine hospital for the Sisters in Salt Lake — the rented house hitherto used by them, being too small and otherwise unfit for hospital purposes and demands. The building of three stories — basement, rock and the two other stories, brick — stands on a healthy and commanding site of ten acres and will be ready for use in about two months. When finished, it will be, in all respects, well suited to its noble purpose and will afford ample accommodation to about eighty patients.

The great need of such a building has been long felt and, undoubtedly, it will be productive of much good in extending the usefulness of the Sisters and in showing forth, on a large scale, the grand practical workings of our holy religion. During the past year, there have been admitted and nursed by the Sisters over three hundred patients, many of whom could pay them only through the Great Representative of the poor in heaven.

Our congregation in Salt Lake is slowly but steadily increasing. Since my last Report, we have had fifteen adult and about sixty infant baptisms, many of the latter being children of non-catholics, who wished them baptized and educated Catholics. There has been a proportionate number in Ogden, Silver Reef and the other Missions. We have had sixteen marriages, a large proportion of which were "mixed."

But our great hope for the future of the Church in Utah, is in the schools: as it is only through them, we can reach and save, not only the children, but, also, their, in many cases, very indifferent parents. However, neglectful of their religious duties Catholic parents may be, they, generally, send their children to the Sisters schools. The children acquire or rather are made to acquire a habit of saying their prayers and of practicing their religious duties; and when they go home, the habit continues and thus, by their example, they revive the dying faith of their parents who are thereby shamed into the practice of their religion. We have had many instances of this influence of Catholic children, not only on their own parents, but also on others: and hence our greatest efforts are directed to the education of youth in good catholic schools.

St. Mary's Academy, in Salt Lake, under the charge of the Sisters of the congregation of the Holy Cross, during the six years of its existence, has done a great deal in this direction for the future of the church in this Territory. Through its boarding department, it has afforded to hundreds of children of poor Catholics, scattered in isolated places in the mountains and over the desert wastes, the benefit of a good Catholic education. Without it or some such institution, these children far removed not only from catholic schools, but from any school should necessarily grow up in ignorance of both the natural and supernatural sciences. It is not unusual for the Sisters to find some of those children, ten and twelve years of age, on entering their schools, not knowing how to make the sign of the Cross or to tell them how many Gods there are. The Academy is in a most flourishing condition, and its sphere of usefulness is being more and more extended every year. It has now about seventy boarders collected together from Utah and the neighboring Territories; and the constantly increasing number of applicants for admission will, in the near future, necessitate an enlargement of the present building. Besides this large number of boarding pupils, there are, in daily attendance about one hundred and fifty day scholars.

The Academy of the Sacred Heart in Ogden under the charge of the same Sisterhood is also very prosperous and more than meets our expectations in establishing it. It has about fifty boarding scholars and upwards of one hundred day pupils. The Sisters are preparing to erect a separate school there for small boys. More than half the pupils in both Academies are of non-catholic parentage and many of them express a wish to be Baptized, but we invariably refuse, unless they are of age or otherwise obtain the consent of their parents or guardians.

The Same Congregation of Sisters have a day school in Silver Reef with an attendance of about forty pupils. They have also there a hospital for the benefit of miners and others in the surrounding mining districts and settlements.

We hope with your continued assistance and the help of God, to be able to establish a Sisters school, during the coming year, in Park City. We also hope the day is not far distant, when we can report to you the doings of the Christian Brothers in Utah. During the past year, we secured at a cost of $5000.00 one of the most central and finest locations in Salt Lake for the future Christian Brothers College.

In order that you may see, at a glance, the progress of the Church here, and be thereby encouraged to "cast your bread on the waters" with even a more liberal hand, in the future, you have only to compare the Church [?] of 1870 with the Church of today. Then the practical Catholics in this large Territory, could have been numbered on your fingers: now, we have over 500. Then, there was no child attending a catholic school: now, there are about 500. Then, there was no resident priest, no church, no school, no hospital. Now there are six priests, five nice commodious churches, at a cost of about $25,000.00; two large imposing academies in a most promising state and costing together about $40,000.00, one day school and two hospitals — the only ones in the Territory — costing about $20,000.00.

These figures tell you of what we have been doing, show you that you have not assisted us in vain, and we hope may encourage you and us to continue the good work in the future as we have in the past.

Your humble servant L. Scanlan

Salt Lake City Nov. 3rd, 1881

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