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APRIL 30, 1937
THE BULLETIN OF THT CATHOLIC LAYMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GEORGIA
THREE-A
Salisbury Has Century of Catholic History
Salisbury’s Parish Church
Church of the Sacred Heart
“CHRISTIAN REID”
ONE OF ITS MOST
NOTED PARISHONERS
Church Erected Over Half-
Century Ago—Father Wil
liam Regnat, O.S.B., Pas
tor for Years
Sacred Heart Church of Salisbury,
N. C., of which the beloved Father
William Regnat, O.S.B., is pastor, is
not one of the largest parishes in the
Southeast, but few parishes m this
section have a more interesting his
tory. The names of Mrs. Francis Tier-
nan (Christian Reid), Abbot Charles
Mihr of St. Leo’s in Florida, Father
Mark Gross, the brother of the dis
tinguished Bishop of Savannah and
Archbishop of Oregon City, and oth
ers equally distinguished loom large
in its history, which dates back more
than a century.
A century ago there lved near the
city of Salisbury, N. C., two Catho
lics of sterling worth and their fam
ilies, Dr. Farrand and Major Mac-
Namara. In 1838 Francis Richard
Rouche came from his native France
to become the first resident of Sal
isbury. From that day to this Catho
licity has been a vital force in the
community.
The first priest to visit Salisbury'
was Father T. J. Cronin, who died
in 1842 at the Rouche home, where
he was accustomed to offer Mass
for the little congregation. In 1861
Father Joseph O'Connell, coming up
from Columbia, S. C., on one of his
missionary tours of the state found
the little flock consisting of Mr. and
Mrs. Rouche and their eight chil
dren, Mr. and Mrs. Buis and Miss
Christine Fisher; during the War Be
tween the States, he visited the city
from time to time, ministering to them
and to the soldiers in the Confeder
ate Prison, located on the site of the
present National Cemetery.
The O'Connell Brothers, Father Jer
emiah, Father Lawrence and Father
Joseph, visited the city from time to
time; after the War Miss Christine
Fisher offered her home for Mass on
the occasion of the visits of the
priests. From 1881 to 1883 Father Pat
rick Moore served the mission, and it
was at this time Sascred Heart
Church, the present structure, was
built.
The lot for the church was given
by Miss Fisher's sister, Mrs. Frances
Tiernan, who, as “Christian Reid”,
won a place in the history of litera
ture by her writings that time only
serves to strengthen. It was Christian
Reid who first termed Western North
Carolina the “Land of the Sky.” Her
deep faith, her learning, her intellec
tual eminence, her innate refinement,
her nobility of character were not
only the pride of her native state, but
the inspiration of the congregation
at Salisbury, who looked to her for
leadership until death ended her bril
liant career in March, 1920.
Father Mark Gross, pastor of St.
Peter's Church in Charlotte, attend
ed Sacred Heart Church from 1883
to 1886, with Father Walter Leahy
and Father Hill paying monthly vis
its later. The Benedictine Fathers,
who had come down from Pennsyl
vania, then were given charge of the
mission, and have been in charge
since. Father Charles Mohr, O. S. B.,
later Abbot of St. Leo’s in Florida,
attended the mission in 1883. Father
Francis Meyer, O. S. B., in 1889, and
Father Gerard Pilz, O. S. B., in 1890.
In 1892 Father Joseph Mueller, O.
S. B., was named the first resident
pastor; he had previously been pas
tor at Greensboro, and he remained
until 1905 when he was transferred
to Charlotte as pastor, after years of
loving and effective service; it was he
who erected the rectory. Father Leo
Kunz. O. S. B., was the next pastor,
and during his years in Salisbury the
parish school was built, with the Sis
ters of Mercy of Belmont in charge.
Ill health compelled Father Leo’s re
tirement in 1916—he died the follow-
Charleston Veterans
Honor Father Guinea
They Award Him Medal of
Chaplain Emeritus of Post
(Special to The Bulletin)
CHARLESTON, S. C.—The Rev.
James J. Guinea of Sacred Heart
Church, who has been awarded the
distinguished service cross for gallan
try under fire in France during the
World War, was presented the medal
of chaplain emeritus of Admiral
James J. Raby Post, Veterans of For
eign Wars, at a recent ceremony here.
Commander John J. Teague presided
at the meeting. In his response. Fa
ther Guinea asserted that the great
need of the day is prayer, particu
larly p rayer for the heads of govern
ments, that they may be guided
aright.
Father Guinea, a layman at the
time the war broke out, enlisted in
the American infantry, and served
with British troops in France during
the war, suffering wounds which led
to the Purple Cross award. Ordained
to the priesthood in 1933 for the Dio
cese of Charleston, he served in An
derson before his assignment to
Charleston. He is chaplain of the lo
cal post of the American Legion.
ing year— and Father Anthony Mey
er, O. S. B., became pastor, remain
ing until his transfer to Charlotte in
1919. when Father William Regnat,
O. S. B., became pastor. In 1924 Fa
ther Walter O’Brien, O. S. B., suc
ceeded Father William, followed by
Father Lawrence McHale, O. S. B.,
now of Richmond; Father William
Regnat, O. S. B., returned in 1928 and
has been pastor since.
Father William five years ago ar
ranged for the observance of the
Golden Jubilee of Sacred Heart
Church, a notable event; five mem
bers of the parish who had attended
the dedication a half century ago
were special guests. Mrs. E. A. Lewis,
Miss Fannie Roueche. Mrs. L. M.
Roueche, Mrs. L. H. Harris and Mrs.
Bernard Roueche, attended the golden
jubilee, at which Bishop Hafey de
livered the jubilee sermon. Father
Smith, O. S. B„ a native of North
Carolina, was deacon of the Mass,
and Father John Roueche, a native
of the parish and a descendant of
its first settlers of a century ago,
then a seminarian, now a priest of
the Diocese, was sub-deacon of the
Mass. Sacred Heart Church is not
one of the largest parishes in the
Diocese, but it has one of the finest
Catholic histories, and under Father
William's direction and under the
leadership of Bishop Hafey it is con
tinually demonstrating its fidelity to
its glorious traditions.
Jesuit Philosophers
Go to Spring Hill
Will Occupy Old High School
Quarters There
(By N. C. W. C. News Service)
MOBILE, Ala. — Beginning next
year,scholastics of the Southern
Province of the Society of Jesus will
make two years of their philosophical
studies at Spring Hill University here
and the third year at St. Louis Uni
versity, St. Louis, instead of spend
ing the three years in the latter place.
The scholastics will occupy the build
ing that was vacated when the high
school department of Spring Hill was
discontinued.
St. Genevieve Pupils
in Splendid Operetta
Little Flower Camp to Open
for Season June 30
(Special to The Bulletin)
ASHEVILLE, N. C. — The Eastei
vacation ended March 30, when classes
were resumed. The last two months
of the school year are particularly
occupied with the varied activities
preceding commencement. On March
31, the student body was privileged
to hear Miss Marie Houston, noted
lyric soprano, in a concert. Miss
Houston, dressed in colorful native
costumes, sang the songs of many
different nations, and the entire pro
gram was greatly enjoyed by all the
pupils.
A large audience heard the King’s
Ambassador Quartet in the Auditor
ium on April 5. This famous male
quartet, dressed in brilliantly colored
costumes, presented a varied musical
program. Their repertoire included
many selections played with Swiss
bells, making unusual and harmoni
ous music. Three celebrated artists
sang in quartet; also each membei
appeared in solo. The quartet was
made up of unusually fine singers,
entertaining personalities, and dra
matic artists. An enthusiastic aud
ience acclaimed the Ambassador
Quartet as a group of master musi
cians meriting the highest praise as
bell ringers and singers.
The pupils of the Academy of St.
Genevieve’s presented an operetta,,
“An Incident at the Village Fair’’,
Wednesday evening, April 14. This
production marked the high- school’s
first public appearance in the audi
torium. Special scenery and new
lighting effects provided a suitable
background for the light opera whose
atmosphere was one of charm, bril
liance, and fairy-like enchantment.
“An Incident at the Village Fair”
consisted of three acts. Hie first act
depicted the village green and the
witch’s cave; the second portrayed
the nymphs’ dell in the moonlight,
and the last act showed the colorful
village fair. The plot centered
around a mystery of identity, and the
happy termination of the light opera
Pastor at Salisbury
REV. WILLIAM REGNAT, O. S. B„
pastor of Sacred Heart Church, Sal
isbury, first went to Sacred Heart
parish in that capacity in 1919, re
maining until 1924; he returned in
1908, and has been there since. One
of the most beloved of the Benedic
tines of North Carolina, his long and
self-sacrificing service have endear
ed him to all, Catholic and non-Cath-
olic, in this beautiful and historic
city.
brought about by the intercession of
the moonlight nymphs.
A cast of sixty participated in the
operetta, which was one of the most
outstanding dramatic successes of the
school year.
LITTLE FLOWER CAMP wiU be
gin its sixth season June 30. Several
additions and improvements are be
ing made at the camp, and plans are
being made for a most successful
camp season.
Belmont Abbey and College
Belmont Abbey and College, conducted by the Benedictine Fathers.
Belmont Abbey and College, conducted by the Ben edictine Fathers, with the Most Rev. Vincent Taylor,
O.S.B., D.D., as Abbot-Ordinary and president of the college, is one of the great institutions of the Charlotte dis
trict, it being located at Belmont, iii the suburbs of the city. Many priests of the Southeast received their phi
losophical and theological education at Belmont Abbey Seminary. Belmont Abbey College has alumni hi every
part of the country. Belmont Abbey is the motherhouse of the Benedictines of Virginia, North Carolina and
Georgia, and all the Benedictines in these states made their novitiate and studies there or under its direction.
St. Leo Abbey in Florida is an offspring of Belmont.
Sacred Heart Junior College
Sacred Heart Academy and Junior College, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, is a notable factoi in the edu
cational life of the Charlotte district and the state. Located at Belmont, like Belmont Abbey College, it likewise
has graduates in every section of the country, and has an enviable reputation; a number of its students have come
from abroad. The Sisters also conduct St. Leo’s School for small boys at Belmont.
Little Flower Camp
For girls in the Blue Ridge Mountains 12
miles from Asheville offers unique feature
of learning conversational French. Swim
ming, horseback riding, tennis, basket ball,
dramatics, dancing, music, arts and crafts,
nature lore, exploring trips, all under care
ful supervision.
Address REVEREND MOTHER
St. Genevieve-of-the-Pines
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA