A Catholic Mission
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Our Story
    • 1. The Stage is Set
    • 2. The Osages Enter Kansas.
    • 3. Earliest Commerce
    • 4. Earliest Protestant Missions
    • 5. The Catholic Osage Mission >
      • 5A. The Mission Complex
      • 5B. The Osage Manual Labor Schools
      • 5C. A Beacon on The Plains ...
    • 6. Progress and Tragedy
    • 7. The Missionary Trails >
      • 7A. Missions, Stations, Churches
    • 8. A Dangerous Balance - The Civil War >
      • 8A. Confederate Officers Massacred
    • 9. The Osage Leave Kansas >
      • 9A. The Missionaries Did Not Abuse the Osage.
      • 9B. Fr. Schoenmakers Speech
    • 10. A Very Unique Community is Born >
      • 10A. A Church Raising
    • 11. Regional Boarding Schools >
      • 11A. St. Francis Institution for Boys
      • 11B. St. Ann's Academy for Girls
    • 12. Transitions
    • 13. The Passionists Era Begins
    • 14. Citizen Lawmen - The A.H.T.A. >
      • A.H.T.A. Chanute - October 1914
    • 15. The Passionist Influence is Expanded
    • 16. The Schools Today >
      • 16..1 Champions & Records
  • Characters
    • The Osages
    • The Missionaries >
      • Father John Schoenmakers >
        • Father Schoenmakers' Windows
      • Fr. John Bax >
        • Father John Bax II
      • Mother Bridget Hayden
      • Fr. Paul Ponziglione >
        • Father Paul's Memoir >
          • Index - Father Paul's Memoir >
            • Dedication & Introduction
            • IX. Construction & Acceptance of Mission Buildings.
            • X. Fr. Schoenmakers Arrives at Osage Mission
            • XI. Miss Lucille St. Pierre Came to the Neosho
            • XII. Progress of the Schools
            • XIII. Origin and Development of the Roman Catholic Church in Kansas
            • XXVII - Winds of War
            • XXVIII — Fr. Schoenmakers Return
            • Chapter XLII - Farming Issues, Death Of Father Colleton
            • Chapter XLIX - Includes The Death of Fr. Schoenmakers
            • Chapter L — Dedication of the New Church
            • Conclusion
            • Appendix I — Copy of a letter to Sister M. Coaina Mongrain about the coming of the Sisters of Loretto at Osage Mission
            • Appendix 6 — A Sketch of my Biography
            • Appendix 7 - Letter to W. W. Graves
      • Father Philip Colleton
      • Brother John Sheehan
    • W. W. Graves
    • 17 Sisters
    • 17 Sisters II - Fr. Fox's Sermon
    • Who's Behind the Window >
      • Who We Were 120 Years Ago
      • 1. The Thomas Carroll Window
      • 2. The W.W. O'Bryan Window
      • 3. The Jas. Owens & Family Window
      • 4. The C.P & C.J. Hentzen Windows
      • 5. The Dr. McNamara & Family Window
      • 6. The Fitzsimmons & Family Window
      • 7. The Parents of T.K. Joyce Window
      • 8. J.E. Sevart & Family Window
      • 9. The Rev. John Schoenmakers S.J. Window
      • 10. The Patrick Diskin and L&M George Window
      • 11. The J.A. Johnston & Family Window
      • 12. The Peter & Jacob Bonifas Windows
      • 13. The Mr & Mrs. Patrick Keeting Window
      • 14. The John Butler Window
      • 15. The Mr. & Mrs. Gutting Window
      • 16. Rosette Window Above Doors
      • 17. The Michael A. Barnes Window
      • 18. The Henry M. O'Bryan Window
      • 19. The John and Bridget McCarthy Window
      • The Sodality Windows
    • The Church Women's Bonfire (Graves)
    • Beechwood
    • John and Margaret Naudier
    • The Dimond Family and Estate Sale
    • Dear Sister >
      • Friend Gertrude
    • A Year and a Day — Passionist Memories.
    • Mary Elizabeth Lease
    • K of C Council 760 - The Early Days
    • Our Hometown Boys
    • SPHS Class of 1956
  • Places
    • The Great American Desert
    • St. Francis Catholic Church
    • St. Francis de Heironymo Catholic Church Grounds
    • St. Paul - 135 Years Ago
    • St. Paul - 1890's as a Scale Model.
    • St. Paul - The Booming 60's
    • Osage Mission as a Statewide History Finalist
    • St. Francis Cemetery
    • Hope Cemetery
    • The Basement Chapel
    • World War I Museum Display
    • St. Paul Middle School >
      • Some Great Folks!
    • Ladore
    • St. Boniface, Scipio KS
    • Road Trip - Father Emil Kapaun
    • Exchange State Bank Robbery!
  • Thoughts ...
  • Links
  • Link Page
The Sodality Windows
The Ascension and Assumption windows, that flank the main Altar, are the most artistic and intricate in the church, consisting of both stained and painted glass.  We do not know the actual cost but, at approximately 5' (W) x 9'2" (H), they were likely the most expensive.  They were donated to the church by groups instead of by individuals or families.

PicturePresent-day photo of the church showing the Ascension Widow (Left) and Assumption Window (Right)
March 22, 1900 St. Paul Journal — "Quite a number of strangers were seen Sunday inspecting the beautiful stained glass window.  Few churches in Kansas can compare with St. Francis now.  The windows add a richness and a heavenly beauty that makes you feel that you are in a sacred place.  The two large widows over the main altar are not in yet.  One will represent the Ascension of our Lord and the other will be a reproduction on Murillo's famous Assumption.  They are donated by the Married Men and Ladies and the Young Men and Ladies' Sodalities." [1]

A Sodality is an organized society or fellowship specifically, a devotional or charitable association of Roman Catholic laity.  In the early 1900's the Sodalities were an important part of church life at Saint Francis and quite a few parishioners participated in Sodality meetings and activities.  When donations were solicited for windows, Sodalities stepped up.   Lists of the sodality members, that we have been able to find, are shown with their windows, below.  


PictureThe Ascension Window
The Ascension Window, Left of Altar.  The names of the sodalities do not exactly match the banners at the bottom of the windows, but here are some of the members: 
St. Francis Married Men Sodality - 1900:
  • Frank Barnes                    Prefect
  • Simeon Smith                   1st Assistant Prefect
  • Marion Fowler                  2nd Assistant Prefect
  • Fred Coomes                    Secretary
  • Fabian Abell                     Treasurer
  • Joachim Linden               Consulter
  • James McNeill                 Consulter
  • F.X. Fowler                       Consulter
  • M. A. Munding                Consulter
  • C. P. Hentzen                  Consulter
  • Joseph Volmer                Consulter
  • Peter B. George              Consulter
  • A. P. Gallett                     Consulter
  • James Fisher                   Consulter
  • John Balfay                     Consulter

Picture
The Ascension Window Lower Banner.

PictureThe Assumption Window
The Assumption Window, Right of Altar:  As with the men's group, the women's sodality names do not exactly match the window banner.  Here are some of the members:
St. Francis Married Ladies Sodality - 1900:
  • Mrs. E. Starkey - Sarah O'Bryan              Prefect
  • Mrs. K. Parrott - Margaret Hentzen       1st Assistant Prefect
  • Mrs. M. Hentzen - Anna Ulbright           2nd Assistant Prefect
  • Mrs. K. Bohrer                                          Secretary
  • Mrs. K. Fitzsimmons                                Treasurer
  • Mrs. E. Devine                                          Consulter
  • Mrs. C. McDougall                                   Consulter
  • Mrs. P. Bonifas                                         Consulter
  • Mrs. J. Koenig                                           Consulter
  • Mrs. C. Coomes                                       Consulter
  • Mrs. M. Roycroft                                      Consulter
  • Mrs. Annie Wheat                                    Consulter
  • Mrs. Sallie Smith                                      Consulter
  • Mrs. Mary Coomes                                  Consulter

  • Mrs. E. Worland                                       Consulter
  • Mrs. B. Regan                                           Consulter
  • Mrs. Mary Long                                       Consulter
  • Mrs. Starkey                                             Consulter
  • Mrs. Reagan                                             Consulter
  • Mrs. McDougall,                                      Consulter
  • Mrs. Carrie Thomason                           Consulter
  • Mrs. Sara O'Bryan                                  Consulter
  • Mrs. Mary Schneider                             Consulter
  • Mrs. Joseph Balfay                                 Consulter
  • Mrs. Peter Munding                               Consulter
  • Mrs. Herman                                          Consulter
  • Mrs. Julian Smith                                    Consulter
  • Mrs. Parrott                                            Consulter
St. Francis Young Ladies Sodality - 1900:
Lizzie Ferrick, Nellie Brogan            Prefect
Anna O'Bryan, Ella Cooney            1st Assistant Prefect

Rose Ward,  Anna Worland,            2nd Assistant Prefect
Annie Bohrer
    
Elizabeth Berry                                 Treasurer
Bettie Owens                                     Librarian
Susie Berry                                        Secretary


​New Members:
Kate Riney, Anna Becker, Gertrude Hentzen
Lizzie Butler, Lula Smith, Cora Miller, Ida Worland, Agnes Coomes, Rose Bonifas Francis Parrot
Picture
The Assumption Window Banner

  • Return to The John and Bridget McCarthy Window. 
  • Return to Who' Behind the Window?
  • Return to A Look at Who We Were 120 Years Ago.

Some Reference Information:
1.  We believe, based on the actual window inscriptions, that the last sentence of the paragraph should read:  "They are donated by the Married Men and Young Men's and Married Women's and Young Ladies Sodalities."

2.  The information above was drawn from a draft of Randy Dunavan's upcoming book "Who's Behind the Window."  The story and family names are only a sample of the names, news stories and other information contained in the 800+ draft.  Collectively, the story of the people and families behind the St. Francis church windows is a story of the early settlers of Neosho County and Southeast Kansas.  It is a Who's Who of our region.  In addition to the windows, he also discusses the migration of Catholic families from the northeast United States through Kentucky and other areas as they came to Kansas.  Who's Behind the Window will be a treasure trove for genealogists and Catholic history scholars or enthusiasts.

3.  All of the photos on this page were taken by R. Brogan of A Catholic Mission.org.
Picture
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acatholicmission.org is a privately hosted website.  We hope that our site will educate and entertain those who are interested in the fascinating Osage Mission - St.  Paul - Neosho County Kansas story.  Ours is a regional story that crosses state lines, ethnic groups, faiths and a variety of frontier and post-frontier interests.  Enjoy.

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  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Our Story
    • 1. The Stage is Set
    • 2. The Osages Enter Kansas.
    • 3. Earliest Commerce
    • 4. Earliest Protestant Missions
    • 5. The Catholic Osage Mission >
      • 5A. The Mission Complex
      • 5B. The Osage Manual Labor Schools
      • 5C. A Beacon on The Plains ...
    • 6. Progress and Tragedy
    • 7. The Missionary Trails >
      • 7A. Missions, Stations, Churches
    • 8. A Dangerous Balance - The Civil War >
      • 8A. Confederate Officers Massacred
    • 9. The Osage Leave Kansas >
      • 9A. The Missionaries Did Not Abuse the Osage.
      • 9B. Fr. Schoenmakers Speech
    • 10. A Very Unique Community is Born >
      • 10A. A Church Raising
    • 11. Regional Boarding Schools >
      • 11A. St. Francis Institution for Boys
      • 11B. St. Ann's Academy for Girls
    • 12. Transitions
    • 13. The Passionists Era Begins
    • 14. Citizen Lawmen - The A.H.T.A. >
      • A.H.T.A. Chanute - October 1914
    • 15. The Passionist Influence is Expanded
    • 16. The Schools Today >
      • 16..1 Champions & Records
  • Characters
    • The Osages
    • The Missionaries >
      • Father John Schoenmakers >
        • Father Schoenmakers' Windows
      • Fr. John Bax >
        • Father John Bax II
      • Mother Bridget Hayden
      • Fr. Paul Ponziglione >
        • Father Paul's Memoir >
          • Index - Father Paul's Memoir >
            • Dedication & Introduction
            • IX. Construction & Acceptance of Mission Buildings.
            • X. Fr. Schoenmakers Arrives at Osage Mission
            • XI. Miss Lucille St. Pierre Came to the Neosho
            • XII. Progress of the Schools
            • XIII. Origin and Development of the Roman Catholic Church in Kansas
            • XXVII - Winds of War
            • XXVIII — Fr. Schoenmakers Return
            • Chapter XLII - Farming Issues, Death Of Father Colleton
            • Chapter XLIX - Includes The Death of Fr. Schoenmakers
            • Chapter L — Dedication of the New Church
            • Conclusion
            • Appendix I — Copy of a letter to Sister M. Coaina Mongrain about the coming of the Sisters of Loretto at Osage Mission
            • Appendix 6 — A Sketch of my Biography
            • Appendix 7 - Letter to W. W. Graves
      • Father Philip Colleton
      • Brother John Sheehan
    • W. W. Graves
    • 17 Sisters
    • 17 Sisters II - Fr. Fox's Sermon
    • Who's Behind the Window >
      • Who We Were 120 Years Ago
      • 1. The Thomas Carroll Window
      • 2. The W.W. O'Bryan Window
      • 3. The Jas. Owens & Family Window
      • 4. The C.P & C.J. Hentzen Windows
      • 5. The Dr. McNamara & Family Window
      • 6. The Fitzsimmons & Family Window
      • 7. The Parents of T.K. Joyce Window
      • 8. J.E. Sevart & Family Window
      • 9. The Rev. John Schoenmakers S.J. Window
      • 10. The Patrick Diskin and L&M George Window
      • 11. The J.A. Johnston & Family Window
      • 12. The Peter & Jacob Bonifas Windows
      • 13. The Mr & Mrs. Patrick Keeting Window
      • 14. The John Butler Window
      • 15. The Mr. & Mrs. Gutting Window
      • 16. Rosette Window Above Doors
      • 17. The Michael A. Barnes Window
      • 18. The Henry M. O'Bryan Window
      • 19. The John and Bridget McCarthy Window
      • The Sodality Windows
    • The Church Women's Bonfire (Graves)
    • Beechwood
    • John and Margaret Naudier
    • The Dimond Family and Estate Sale
    • Dear Sister >
      • Friend Gertrude
    • A Year and a Day — Passionist Memories.
    • Mary Elizabeth Lease
    • K of C Council 760 - The Early Days
    • Our Hometown Boys
    • SPHS Class of 1956
  • Places
    • The Great American Desert
    • St. Francis Catholic Church
    • St. Francis de Heironymo Catholic Church Grounds
    • St. Paul - 135 Years Ago
    • St. Paul - 1890's as a Scale Model.
    • St. Paul - The Booming 60's
    • Osage Mission as a Statewide History Finalist
    • St. Francis Cemetery
    • Hope Cemetery
    • The Basement Chapel
    • World War I Museum Display
    • St. Paul Middle School >
      • Some Great Folks!
    • Ladore
    • St. Boniface, Scipio KS
    • Road Trip - Father Emil Kapaun
    • Exchange State Bank Robbery!
  • Thoughts ...
  • Links
  • Link Page