Chronicles of Notre Dame du Lac
Edward Sorin, CSC -- Translated by John M. Toohey, CSC, 1895

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1842-1843

pg 46                       6.  The First Church Dec. 10th, 1842

                  Although the college has first been spoken of, it was found 
             necessary before attending to it to prepare a suitable locality 
             in which the Christians of the country might assemble.  In the 
             beginning of December, an appeal was made to all the Catholics of 
             the congregation; but what could be expected of people so poor, 
             and, let us add, with such little zeal as most of them were 
             animated with.  The result of the appeal was a subscription 
             payable in so many days work!  In three weeks, trees enough were 
             cut down with which to put up a building 46 x 20 ft. and were 
             carted to the place.  On the day appointed the men assembled and 
             raised the walls of the new temple.  The efforts of their 
             liberality did not go beyond that.  F. Sorin had to have the 
             building finished at his own cost, unless, in deed, no church was 
             to be there for years.  This was an expense of one thousand 
             francs for the community.  The church was opened on March 19th, 
             St. Joseph's festival.
                  The other members of the community were soon to arrive from 
             St. Peter's, contrary to the will of the Bishop, who wanted them