St. Francis Xavier Parish
Falmouth
From "History of the Diocese of Kentucky"
By
Rev. Paul E. Ryan, 1953
These records were printed in the Pendleton County
Historical Society Newsletters.
Volume III, Issue 2, June 1996 and Volume III, Issue 3, 1996
Transcribed by Bonnie Snow
Note: We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful Historical
Society! The Society generously provided this site all the past
issues of the Newsletters. Please join and support this great
society! The Society has my deepest gratitude, believe me, Pendleton
County researchers are fortunate, not all Historical Societies are as generous!
Early Catholicity in Pendleton County centered around Falmouth, Foster's Landing, Dividing Ridge, Stepstone and Butler. As early as 1851, Falmouth was assisted by missionary priests from Frankfort and Lexington. The report of the Diocese for 1857 states that Falmouth had a church, although not completed. Falmouth at that time was being attended every two months from Paris. The first church at Falmouth was begun under the direction of Reverend Herman Allen. On November 4, 1860, St. Francis Xavier Church, a brick structure, was dedicated by Bishop Carrell, assisted by Rev. Eberhand H. Brandts.
On August 17, 1876, Rev. Ausustus Gadker began a pastorate at St. Francis Xavier Parish, which was to extend over the next nineteen years, until May 12. 1895. The congregation of Falmouth, under the guidence of Father Gadler, undertook to build a more worthy church. The new St. Francis Xavier Church, the brick structure which serves the parish today, was dedicated on Sunday, September 12, 1880.
The early congregation at Falmouth was predominantly Irish. May Irish Catholics had taken up residence at Falmouth, while engaged in work on the railroad; others had settled on farms. Thus it was that when Bishop Toebbe, in 1883, forbade the St. Patrick Benevolent Society of Falmouth to attend divine services on the Feast of St. Patrick in full regalia; the Irish of Falmouth were disturbed. Not giving any reason for his action, they put their own interpretation on the Prelate's motive. They felt themselves deprived of the privilege of celebrating Ireland's great Patron feast in accordance with time-honored custom. They ventured to surmise that the Bishop's action was an anti-Irish policy, and was an attempt on the part of the saintly Bishop to Germanize Irish Catholic congregations.
In 1916, during the pastorate of Rev. Martin R. Delaney (1911-1917), extensive renovations were made on the parish church. When Rev. Declan Carrol left St. Francis Xavier Parish on September 26. 1918, to become an Army Chaplain, during World War I, Rev. Joseph M. Lelen, at that time pastor of St. Paul Parish, Florence, was appointed as his successor. Father Lelen has held the pastorate of Falmouth for the past thirty five years. On September 19, 1948, he observed the Golden Jubliee of his ordination t the Priesthood.
Father Lelen is a widely known author and literary critic. He is the personal friend of many famous authors in America and Europe. He is the author of a number of books, including Towards The Alter, written in 1908; Towards The Sanctuary, in 1908; The Agony of Our Lord, in 1920; The Gospel of a Country Pastor, in 1922; Mysterium Amoris, in 1935; Towards the Eternal Priesthood, in 1939; and My Key to Heaven in 1950. From 1912 to 1915, he served as Editor of the diocesan paper, The Christian Year. He likewise contributed to a number of magazines and newspapers, including Emmanuel, The Priest, The Messenger, and the Falmouth Outlook, local weekly in Falmouth.
The parish at present has a congregation consisting of about seventy-five families.
Pastors
Rev. James W. Smith, 1868-1872
Rev. Gabriel Guerster, O.S.B., May-June 1873
Rev. John A. McGill, June-July 1873
Rev. James McNerney, 1873-1876
Rev. John Stephany, May-August 1876
Rev. Augustus Gadker, 1876-1895
Rev. Jerome Feys, 1895-1903
Rev. Carl Richartz, 1903-1904
Rev. Aloysius J. Gruber, 1904-1908
Rev. Joseph Lingel, 1908-1911
Rev. Martin R. Delaney, 1911-1917
Rev. Declan F. Carroll, 1917-1918
Rev. Joseph M. Lelen, October 1, 1918
St. Francis Xavier Cemetery Entrance
Photo generously contributed by Sue Bayes, thanks Sue!
Records of Burials
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
Falmouth, Kentucky
Originally transcribed by Eric C. Nagle
Mr. Nagle's note: "The records in early 1876 and 1877 are very faint and hard to read. Some have been omitted until closer examination of the records can be made.
Bonnie's Note: Please use your own imagination to determine the correct spelling of many of the following names. Mr. Nagle transcribed them as they were written but we know how creative our ancestor's spelling could be!
1876
Crowley, Ann; no date; 21 years
1877
Rocheford, Bridget; daughter of John Rocheford; buried Jan. 15; age 21 years
Ott, Kilian of Falmouth, Lightfork; buried Mar 13; died Mar. 10; age 56 years
Hetterman, Elisabet; dauhter of Sam'l Hetterman; buried May 2; age 16 years
Brannen, Mary, formerly Sweeney; buried June 13; age 33 years
Sweeney, Klara Jane; dauhter of John Sweeney; born Oct. 30 (1876); buried April; age 7 months
Donal, Mary; Wife of Mr. Donal of Falmouth; buried June 7; age 52 years
Kandy, Mary Ann; Wife of John Kandy (Crowley); buried Sept. 8; age 25 years
Coyl, Pat; buried Oct. 3; age 70 years
Acton, Pat; buried Oct. 31; age 58 years
Tomlinson, Raf; buried Nov. 1; age 76 years
Moloy, ___; son of Mr. ___ Moloy of Falmouth; buried Nov. 20; age 6 years, 10 months
Frier, Kate; daughter of Mr. Berry; buried Nov. 23. age 37 years
Tomlinson, Edward; buried Dec. 11; age 20 years (?)
Kelley, ___; at Falmouth; buried Dec. 12; age 2 years
1878
Tatton, Mr. William; buried Feb. 28; age 78 years
McGerety, Mr. John; son of Bernhard McGerety; buried March 14; age 22 years
Ryen, Mary; of (daughter ?) Pat Ryen of Double Beech; buried March 23; age 15 years
Ryen, Martin; of (son ?) Pat Ryen of Double Beech; buried March 23; age 10 months
Ryen, Kate; of (daughter ?) Pat Ryen of Double Beech; buried March 23; age 7 years
Ryen, John; of (son ?) Pat Ryen of Double Beech; buried March 27; age 11 years
Fabra, Albert; of Falmouth; buried July 5; age 45 years
Schuetz, Margareth; of (daughter ?) Cris Schuetz of Falmouth; buried July __; age 1 month 10 days
McMahen, Margereth; buried July 4; age 10 years
Sulivan, Owen; buried Aug. 12; age 70 years
Sulivan, Wife of Owen; buried August 12; age 68 years
Sulivan, Michael; son of Owen Sulivan; buried Aug. 20; age 40 years
Carton, Daniel; buried Sept. 9; age 48 years
Pinan, Mike; of (son?) Mike Pinan of Double Beech; buried Oct. 21; age 1 day
Ott, Franziska; daughter of Killian Ott, deceased; buried Nov. 25; age 22 years
Berry, Ellen; Wife of John Berry; buried Dec. 9; age 28 years
Kandy, B.; daughter of John Kandy and Sara Crowley; buried Dec. 10; age 8 days
Pendergest, Sara; daughter of Mich Pendergest; buried Dec. __; age 22 years
Cocannan, Edward; buried Nov. 30; age 58 years
Meily, M.; son of Mr. Meily; buried Dec. 3; age 2 days
1879
Schanding, Mr. John Sr.; buried Jan. 1; age 70 years
Fockeson, Mr.; buried Jan. 8; age 52 years
McCartney, Mr. John Junior; buried Jan. 19; age 26 years
Molloy, Par (Pat?); son of Pat Molloy; buried Feb. 24; age 40 years
Lally, Mrs. Pat; buried Feb. 20; age 40 years
Gosmeier, Mrs. Joseph; buried Feb. 24. age 40 years
Leibolt, Henry Lawrence; son of Lawrence Leibolt & Ann Friday; buried March 10; age 8 months
Carton, Dan; son of Dan Carton; buried March 10; age 1 year
Trainer, Martin; son of Barney Trainer; buried March 17; age 9 days
Staub, Miss Mary Dalenburg; buried March 28; age 21 years
Lally, Pat Henry; buried July 8; age 5 months
Weber, Luisa; buried June 30; age 21 years
Bach, Mrs. Charles; buried July 11; age 54 years
Ryen, Luisa Helena; buried July 23; age 40 years
Collepy, Tom; of (son?) Tom Collepy; buried ___; age 6 months
Ryen, Mary; of (daughter?) Tim Ryen; buried ___; age 9 years
McGraw, Mary; of (daughter?) Joshua McGraw; buried ___; age 12 years
McGraw, James; of (son?) Joshua McGraw; buried ___; age 4 years 1 month
McGraw, Ann; of (daughter?) Joshua McGraw; buried ___; age 1 year
Conners, child of Mich Conners & Kate Kahn; buried Aug 4; age ___
McGerity; Margereth; buried Dec. __; age 22 years
Rack, Child of Fred; buried Dec. 22; age __
Sheit, child of George; buried Dec. 23; age __
Hoggens, Mr. Pat of Dividing Ridge; buried Dec. 26; age 58 years
McNerney, Mr. James; buried Dec. 29; age 81 years
1880
Cummins, Mrs. Bridget; buried Jan. 1; age 70 years
Hetterman, Mr. Paul; buried Jan. 7; age 58 years
Dougherty, infant of John of Falmouth; buried Jan. 12; age __
Murphy, infant of John & ___ Healy; buried Jan. 18; age 10 days
Schuetz; Magdelena; infant of Christ Schuetz & Marg Scherer; buried Jan. 26; age 2 months
Ott, Kundigunds; buried Feb. 19; age 58 years
Hetterman, Mr. Anthony; buried Feb. 19; age 24 years
McGerety, Mr. James; buried March 1; age 26 years
Tomlinson, John Rafal; buried March 18; age 38 years
Broderick, Lizzi; buried Oct. 8; age 14 years
Murphy, son of Pat of Double Beech; buried Oct. 10; age 1 day
Powers, Miss; Dividing Ridge; buried July 15; age 21 years
Broderick, Bridget; died at Covington; buried Nov. 5, age 75 years
Sulivan, Mr. Tim; buried Oct. 24; age 59 years
Scheitz; ___; of John Scheitz; buried Oct. 24; age 4 days
Ryan, Kate; Wife of T. Ryan; buried Dec. 15; age 55 years
Murphy, Mary (Galivens?); buried Dec. 29; age 80 years
McMahan, Louisa; of (daughter?) Tom McMahan; buried Dec. 30; age 4 months
Conners, Ann; of (daughter?) Dan. O. Conners; buried June 14; age 2 months
1881
Perry, James; of (son?) Owen Perry of Ervin; buried Jan. 7; age 8 years
Tatton, Ellen; daughter of Broderick & Kate Tatton; buried Jan. 15; age 1 year 1 month
Leaven, Mary; daughter of Tom Leaven; buried April 4; age 21 years
Lowers, Mr. Michael; buried May __; age 64 years
Maloney, Mrs. Kate; buried May ___; age 54 years
Crowley, Mr. James; buried May ___; age 22 years
Deleney, ___; of Pat Deleney; buried July __; age 16 months
Deleney, Michael; buried Sept. 23; age 26 years
Durkin, John; of (son?) John Durkin; buried Oct. 10; age 6 months
Crawford, ___; of James Crawford; buried Oct. 18; age 6 month
Conners, ___; of Michael Conners; buried Nov. 3; age 18 months
McGraw, James; of ?? McGraw; buried ___; age 2 years
1882
Ross, Kate; daughter of George Ross & Johanna Tatten; buried March 2; age 9
months
Cullen; child of John Cullen; buried March 29; age 1 day
Gullan, Bridget; buried March 27; age 75 years
Donoghue; Wulliam; buried april 3; age 24 years
Mily, Mrs. Margaret; buried May 10; age 100 years
Gallagher, Thomas; buried May 23; age 63 years
Ross, Mrs. Johanna; buried July 15; age 40 years
Coleman, Michael; buried Sept. 17; age 84 years
Walsh, Luke; buried Oct. 4; age 54 years
Liebolt, Mary, daughter of Lawrence Liebolt; buried Oct. 13; age 9 months
1883
Morren, Mrs. Kate; buried Feb. 26; age 63 years
Mangen, Mrs. Michael; buried May 11; age 65 years
McGerety, Lilly Ellis; buried May 13; age 21 years
Moore, Kate; Wife of John Moore; buried June 14; age 24 years
Murphy, Ellen; Wife of P. Murphy; buried May 29; age 45 years
McGerety, Honorah; buried July 16; age 25 years
Kandy; child of J. Kandy; buried July 17; age 1 year
Boaff, Luke; buried July 29; age 29 years
Cahill, Thomas; buried July 29; age 54 years
Gallager, child of Michael Gallager; buried July 30; age ___
Piening, Ann; buried Sept. 7; age 21 years
Hulhagen, Kate; died at Covington; buried Oct. 5; age 77 years
Liebolt, John; son of Lawrence Liebolt; buried Aug. 24; age 4 months
Durkin, Mary; daughter of John Durkin; buried Aug. 1; age 7 months
Broderick, John; buried Oct. 20; age 23 years
1884
McGerety, Barney; buried Jan. 15; age 60 years
Mesmer, Mrs. Lucia; buried Feb. 2; age 35 years
Rocheford, John; died at Covington; buried Jan. 29; age 66 years
Sutton, Pat; buried March 20; age 18 years
Murphy, Molly; buried March 24; age 21 years
Donoghue, William; of Dividing Ridge; buried March 24; age 20 years
Picket, Tom; buried March 27; age 70 years
Rocheford, Pierce; buried April 18; age 80 years
Hetterman, Mrs. M.; buried June 16; age 56 years
Maloy, Mrs. Pat; buried June 17; age 58 years
Berry, M. Michael; buried Aug. 4; age 80 years
Finn, Mrs. Honorah (Dennis); buried Sept. 11; age 57 years
Cockly, Sarah Mary; daughter of John Cockly; buried Oct. 6; age 4 months
McCartney, Mrs. Margaret D.; buried Oct. 21; age 65 years
Broderick; Infant of John Broderick; buried Oct. 28; age 4 hours
Ott, Mrs. Margaret; Wife of John Ott; buried Nov. 10; age 58 years
Ross, Molly; buried Nov. 14; age 19 years
Molloy, Pat; buried Dec. 28; age 60 years
1885
Scanlin, Mrs. Mary; died Jan. 10; age 34 years
Schuhmacher, Mich; died Jan. 18; age 34 years
Acton, Miles; died Jan. 30; age 18 years
Steiller, Gustav; died Feb. 28; age 16 years
Ott; Child of Crist; died Feb. 25; age 18 months
Fewee's Child; died Feb. 27; age 2 hours
Carmondy, Maggie; died June 21; age 4 years
Murphy, Will S.; (Double Beech); died May 27; age 21 years
Murphy, John; (Double Beech); died May 15(?); age 23 years
Wahlen, Mary; (Double Beech); died July 14; age 30 years
Eibeck, Mrs.; died Aug. 2; age 45 years
Crofod; Child of Mr. James Crofod of Double Beech; died ___; age 18 months
Hudleton; Child of Mr. Hudleston of Catawaba; died ___; age 14 months
Murphy, Pat; (Double Beech); died Aug. 31; age 49 years
Fanthorpe, Mrs. Mary; died Sept. 24; age 75 years
Callagahan, Miss Mary; (buried at Cincinnati, Ohio); died Aug. 23; age 104 years
Wichs, Mrs.; died Nov. 30; age 80 years
Burke, Luke; died Dec. 7; age 28 years
Ryan, Pat Jr.; (Double Beech); died Dec. 21; age 28 years
Malloy; Child of Pat Malloy; died Dec. 22; age 2 months
1886
Maloney, Tom; died Jan. 14; age 66 years
Donohgue, James; (Dividing Ridge); died March 24; age 58 years
Care, Mrs. Kate; (Meridian); died March 17; age 58 years
Fowe, John; died April 6; age 45 years
O'Harah, Michael; died May 13; age 50 years
O'Donal, Miss Ann; died Aug. 25; age 48 years
Gallagher, Mich. Anth; son of Mich. Gallager & Ellen Gregon; died Aug. 1; age 3 months
Vogelsang, John; son of John Vogelsang; died Aug. 27; age 7 years
Koch, John; died Oct. 19; age 66 years (GGG Grandfather of Tom
Hennessy, please contact Tom to share information.)
Coleman, Lucy; daughter of John Coleman; died Nov. 29; age 8
years
Perry, Bernard; son of O'Brien Perry; died Nov. 2; age 5 years
Scheit, Martha Jane; Wife of George Scheit; died Dec. 6; age 35 years
Aylward, Keyran; died Dec. 8; age 58 years (GGrandfather of Richard Harris, please contact Richard to share information.)
Rocheford, ___; daughter of Phil Rocheford; died May 18; age 8 years
Maloy, (Aut?); daughter of Martin Maloy; died May 9; age 16 years
1887
Wells, Edward; son of John Wells; died Feb. 14; age 4 months
Poloc, William; son of Hameta Poloc; died March 19; age 2 years
McCartney, Dan; alias McNerney; died April 18; age 63 years
Lake, Agnes; daughter or Ed Lake & Rosa Acton; died Aug. 21; age 5 months
Pendergest, Widow Margaret; died Aug. 22; age 89 years
Deneny; son of Pat; died Oct. 11; age 13 months
Hoggan, Kate Kelly; (Dividing Ridge); died Sept. 13; age 60 years
Fisher, John; died Oct. 24; age 22 years
Murray; Little child of Tom Murray; died Nov. 14; age 14 months
Lawers, Miss Lizzie; died Dec. 9; age 22 years
Murphy, Mrs. Mary; died Dec. 16; age 54 years