JOHN THE EVANGELIST, BROTHER (John Thornton)
(Died June 19th, 1878) "This excellent Brother entered the community in 1845 and worked faithfully all the time, chiefly as gardener. A model of regularity and devotedness, he well deserved the esteem of the community. During the last years of his life he was entirely blind, and yet he continued to perform his exercises of piety in the chapel of the Infirmary as long as he could drag himself there. He calmly expired, June 19, 1878, aged 72" Granger Memo ST. JOHN'S, LAKE COUNTY, INDIANA
"St. John the Evangelist Parish, at the St. John, was for many years a mission, with no house of worship, but in 1842 the Congregation erected a small frame church building . . . The Parish was properly organized in 1846, and a large log church was erected to accommodate the rapidly increasing membership, and the small frame building was converted into a school house" Col. C. Blanshard 1:420, HISTORY OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN INDIANA, 1842
"The first parish school opened in St. John's, 1846, by the Brothers and Sisters of Holy Cross"
(1850-1864) "This mission was 80 miles southwest of Notre Dame, and consisted merely of a log church, to the end of which additions were made at various times, to provide rooms. For several years school was taught in the Church, and in 1852 a double room was added in which the girls were taught separately from the boys. This was a popular mission, though isolated in the country district. The congregation consisted of thrifty German famillies . . . " Sister Eleanore, ON THE KING'S HIGHWAY"
"Please leave the Brothers and Sisters at St. John's and Turkey Creek" Bishop Luers to Sorin, 1858, Provincial Archives, 1858
"It became necessary to close St. John's in 1864 to use the teachers elsewhere" Sister M. Renata, 1864
St. John's Parish: One Brother there in 1855.
"St. John's Congregation, exclusively German, is eighty miles southwest of Notre DAme. There is neither town nor village, but merely a log church, to the end of which additions have been made, at various intervals, the full width of the building, giving four little rooms, two of them for the priests and Brothers. For several years school was taught in the Church. 180 families. Residence of a German Father, a Brother, and three Sisters" SORIN CHRONICLES, 1855
"All German, 80 miles southwest of Notre Dame. No village. Just a log Church to the end of which was added 18-20' to make four small rooms: two for priest and Brother; two for Sisters. For several years school was taught in the Church. in 1852 addition of two compartments made, in one of which girls were taught. St. John's Mission one of largest hereabouts. Has 180 families, 1 priest, 1 Brother, 3 Sisters. 140-180 children at school. Train five miles away. Plan to build a large church costing $8-10,000.
"Class again till 11:30. At 1:30 class till 3. at 3, fifteen minutes recreation. Then class till 4:00, and then catechism till 4:30. Then the same prayers except the Litany of the Holy Name which must be omitted for the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a canticle in the time alloted for prayers.
"Every Friday evening, the Director shall read the notes which every child has received during the week, and will give a cross for the best notes on condition of attenditon, modesty, obedience, and progress. Every three months, there shall be a public exhibition in the Church after Vespers . . . .
"The 15th of July the members of the Association shall start the University and shall not return before September 1.
"The above commands I have made after serious deliberation and wish them to observed as such. Done and read in Chapter in St. John's House, the day and month, and year as above." Edward Sorin, S.S.C.
A Granger, Particular Secretary of the Brothers 1850
(Fr. Schilling -- Sorin; September 3, 1850) "We therefore begin the school house this week in the Church; but in order that we get the district money -- about $12 for this year -- the Brother has yet to teach fifteen days more before the 1st of October when the New Year begins, otherwise he will get none of the money. Consequently, I promised to have a Brother here soon to teach, and one to keep house; they agreed to pay $200 per annum, but there is still some doubt about it because Rev. Mr. Carius wrote several letters to this Congregation and in a late one he repeats again, that you agreed to give them priest and teachers for $460 per annum . . . . Rev. F.C. Schilling, Provincial Archives, 1850
(Schilling -- Sorin, September 16, 1850) (Provincial Archives) "If you cannot get a German Sister who is able to keep house and teach four hours a day, I have to give up the whole school and send the Brother and Sister back" 1850
Father Schilling was sent to St. John's as pastor with the promise of a Brother and two Sisters, who went to join him in April. Place 80 miles southwest of Notre Dame. 600 inhabitants . . . Germans. ST. JOSEPH, BROTHERS OF (See also p. 310 of this MS for continuation)
"The Brothers of St. Joseph, lately arrived from Europe, intended to open a school in Daviess County, where the novitiate of the institution will be kept. The Reverend E. Sorin is Superior" CATHOLIC DIRECTORY, 1842
"South Bend, near Washington (sic), Indiana" METROPOLITAN CATHOLIC ALMANAC, p. 140, 1844
" . . . Rules and Constitutions of the Brothers of St. Joseph in America. Notre Dame du Lac, January 1, 1846
2 p. 1. XVI, 124 p. 14 cm.
At head of title: J.M.J."-- Catalog of Library of Congress. This book is preserved there as a copy of early mid-western printing.)