English
English, French, and Latin
Flaget's letterbook and records of St. Francis Xavier Church filmed by the Microfilm Center at the University of Kentucky. Bouchet's files and some other material collected and filmed by Francis P. Clark.
Archdiocese of Louisville Records (DBL), University of Notre Dame Archives (UNDA), Notre Dame, IN 46556
Chiefly correspondence files of Michael Bouchet acting in his capacity as vicar general (1871-1903), including many letters addressed to Bishop McCloskey, who referred them to Bouchet for action.
Also receipts and accounts of purchases (1840-1919); legal records and property deeds (1798-1914); parish records and surveys (1879-1832); case files on clergy and religious of the diocese (1880-1904); records of marriage cases, annulments, and dispensations (1887-1907); and subject files, including correspondence with the Congregatio de Propaganda Fide in the Vatican (1817-1838), diocesan documents (1810-1861), correspondence of priests and other Catholics during the early years of the diocese, documents regarding the history of the diocese, reports of societies in the diocese, undated sermons, and other documents of the daily operations of the diocese and its priests and bishops.
Correspondents include bishops Simon Bruté, Guy Ignatius Chabrat, Benedict Joseph Flaget, John Louis de Cheverus, John Lancaster Spalding, Martin John Spalding, Joseph Macheboeuf, Peter Joseph Lavialle, and William George McCloskey; Benedict Joseph Spalding and other members of the Spalding family; and Trappists of the Abbey of Gethsemani; with a diary of Bishop Flaget (1813?), photocopies of letters from Bishop Flaget to St. Sulpice Seminary in Paris (1808-1858), lectures and a thesis of Martin John Spalding, records of subscribers to the Louisville Cathedral (1849) and Rev. Stephen T. Badin's will.
Microfilm contains a diary (1815) and a letterbook (1828-1837) of Bishop Flaget, an account book of Bishop Chabrat (1835-1836), records of St. Francis Xavier Church in Marion County, Kentucky (1846-1912), a list of priests ordained by Bishop John Floersch (1923-1962), letters from priests of the diocese to Rev. Louis Deppen, editor of the Louisville Record, providing autobiographical information to be used in obituaries (1915), and other letters from bishops and priests of the diocese.
ms 67-916
Erected in 1808 as the Diocese of Bardstown, a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, with Benedict Joseph Flaget as the first bishop. The see was transferred to Louisville in 1841. Martin John Spalding became coadjutor bishop in 1848 and succeeded to the episcopate in 1850 and served in that position until 1864, when he became Archbishop of Baltimore.
His brother, vicar general Benedict J. Spalding, served as administrator until the third bishop, Peter Joseph Lavialle, was consecrated in 1865. William George McCloskey served as fourth bishop (1868-1909), with John Lancaster Spalding as his secretary and later chancellor (1868-1872) and Michael Bouchet as his vicar general (1871-1903).
Denis O'Donaghue served as fifth bishop (1910-1924) and John A. Floersh as sixth bishop (1924-1937) and first archbishop (1937-1967). (The diocese became an archdiocese in 1937.) Thomas McDonough served as second archbishop (1967-1981) and Thomas C. Kelly as third.
This collection of material from the Diocese of Bardstown-Louisville has come to the University of Notre Dame Archives at various times from different people, and it has finally been consolidated into this one collection. There are related collections, acquired in the same manner as much of this material, which consist of correspondence of prominent members of the American Catholic hierarchy and other clergy and religious, in addition to prominent lay people -- see, for example, the papers of Joseph Haseltine (CHSL), Martin J. Spalding (CMJS), and Benedict J. Spalding (CBJS).
The bulk of the material, approximately eight feet, was received from the estate of Frank Clark, a former microfilmer for the University who died in 1979 and was known for collecting material relating to Catholicism in the United States, particularly in Kentucky and the midwest region. This material was in very poor condition and in complete disarray. The rest of the collection was begun in the late 19th century by James F. Edwards, the first archivist of the University. Included are gifts of John L. Spalding, Bishop Maes of Covington, and Abbot Benedict of the Trappist Monastery, Gethsemani, Kentucky.
Because of the differences in time of acquisition and the order of the microfilm collection, the first seven series contain the material from the Frank Clark Estate, series eight is material that was in two identical style green boxes, while series nine is material that was kept in two other "McAvoy" style boxes (named for a former archivist of the University). The microfilm contains material primarily from series eight and nine.
Historical Sketch
The first Catholics who traveled to Kentucky settled at Harrodsburg in 1775, and it was not until ten years later, in 1785, that Basil Hayden led the first colony of Catholics into Kentucky and established the Pottinger Creek settlement. In 1791, under the leadership of Reverend William DeRohan, who had come with a group from North Carolina, the Pottinger Creek Catholics built a chapel which was the first Catholic place of worship in Kentucky.
Reverend Stephen Badin, the first priest ordained in the United States, arrived in Kentucky from Baltimore in 1793 and directed Catholic life until 1808, when the Diocese of Bardstown was erected with Reverend Benedict Flaget appointed as the first Bishop. After a great deal of resistance, Flaget was consecrated by Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore on November 4, 1810. Accompanied by recruits Simon Brute, Guy Chabrat and John B. M. David, Flaget traveled to Bardstown and was installed on June 9, 1811.
Two orders of religious women, the Sisters of Loretto and the Sisters of Charity, were founded in 1812 and staffed schools, orphanages, and hospitals. In 1823 the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine were formed and grew to staff hospitals, a college, and grade andhigh schools. These are only a few examples of the growing number of religious congregations in the diocese and the services they performed.
Flaget called the first diocesan synod in February 1812. At this time a dispute over Church lands began between Badin and Flaget. Flaget wanted Badin, who held title to practically all of the land through his own purchase, to turn all title over to him, with no conditions. Canon law was not clear on this matter, and the land question was not legally settled until transfer was made by Badin in his will.
Flaget served as Bishop for forty years, and among his many accomplishments was the building of the St. Joseph's Cathedral in Bardstown in 1819; the first Cathedral west of the Alleghenies. In 1841 the see was removed from Bardstown to Louisville after petitioning of Rome by Flaget. In 1848 he consecrated Martin J. Spalding coadjutor bishop, and in 1849 the cornerstone of the new Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville was blessed. Spalding became the second Bishop of Louisville when Flaget died in February of 1850.
Under Spalding's leadership, institutions and parishes grew in number, although the United States Civil War caused much disruption. In June 1864, Spalding was transferred to the see of Baltimore. His brother and vicar-general, Benedict J. Spalding, served as administrator until Peter Joseph Lavialle was consecrated on September 24, 1865. Lavialle's tenure was not long due to his death on May 11, 1867.
William George McCloskey, the rector of the American College in Rome, was appointed Bishop of Louisville to succeed Lavialle on March 3, 1868 and was consecrated in Rome on May 24, 1868. McCloskey's forty-one year episcopate was marred by many disputes with both institutions and religious orders, and as a result many left the diocese. Conversely, other orders came to the diocese, and McCloskey's tenure is considered one of Catholic advancement in the diocese.
Denis O'Donaghue was selected as Bishop after McCloskey's death in 1909 and wasenthroned in March 1910. He continued the trend of advancement in the diocese, but due to his poor health he resigned in 1924. John A. Floersh succeeded to the see in July 1924 and became its first Archbishop in 1937 when Louisville was made a metropolitan see. A suffragan see, Owensboro, was created out of the western counties of Kentucky.
Floersh served as Archbishop until 1967 when Thomas McDonough was appointed to succeed him, and since 1981 the Archbishop has been Thomas C. Kelly. The province of Louisville includes the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, with suffragan bishops in the sees of Covington and Owensboro, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee.
[Sources for historical sketch include: "Louisville, Archdiocese of", by J. H. Schauinger,
Letters, telegrams, and other written communications originating and/or dealing with the Diocese of Bardstown-Lousiville.
Letters sent by Bishop William McCloskey during his tenure. Most of the letters arein the hand of McCloskey and deal with issues ranging from church and personnelissues to supplies needed and solicitations. A chronological order by decade has beenimposed on the material.
Letters received by Bishop William McCloskey during his tenure. Once again, these letters deal with a wide variety of issues, and a chronological order by decade has been imposed on the material.
Letters sent by Reverend Michael Bouchet during his tenure as vicar-general. These letters are primarily typed carbon copies and deal with many business transactions and personnel issues. They were fastened in order by date, and this chronological order has been maintained.
Letters received by Reverend Michael Bouchet during his tenure as vicar-general and the previous twenty years. Oftentimes these letters may have been originally addressed to Bishop McCloskey, but were forwarded by him to Bouchet for action, thereby being the activity of Bouchet's office.
Letters received by Bouchet and McCloskey. These letters were attached in groups arranged in chronological order and have been maintained as such. This is why this group of letters received by both is independent of the previous subseries of letters received.
Letters received by Michael Bouchet with transcriptions of each. The letters were acquired from the Archives of the Sisters of Loretto in Louisville, who also wrote the transcriptions.
Bound volumes of photocopied letters. Volume 4 includes an index.
Letters of prominent figures in the history of the Church in the U.S., including S. T. Badin, Martin Spalding, and M. Chazal arranged by name and, in some measure, by importance or chronology.
Correspondence of people in and to the Archdiocese, often unidentified. Arranged chronologically.
Land deeds and titles of property purchased by the Diocese of Louisville arranged according to county of property location. Many of the deeds are filed with corresponding surveys, while there are also surveys with no deeds.
Financial affidavits concerning various legal issues or petitions and financial agreements between companies and the diocese.
Insurance records for buildings such as the Cathedral and for people such as Bishop McCloskey.
Legal suits concerning the diocese and wills of members of the clergy or of people bequeathing property to the diocese.
Filed by decade with a break at 1865, the end of Martin J. Spalding's tenure as bishop. The receipts and accounts relate to building material (e.g. for the Louisville Cathedral), utility bills, bills for furniture, buggies, hardware, postage, food, sundries, and supplies. Cancelled checks are also included. The accounts are for personal debts owed, money received, Cathedral marketing expenses, collection records, institutional expenses (e.g. Saint Thomas Seminary, Orphan Asylum), etc.
Consists of records of marriages, annulment proceedings, dispensations, and ante-nuptial agreements.
1 sheet (double legal size, folded at top), blank but for 7 lines. Marriage between Clarence Mattingly and Genovesa Cissell declared null. 5 August, 1896, Louisville.
Notes on marriage case. 3 pages. Latin. Joseph Miller and Maria (Anna) Berger. Author L. Bax, def.
Records relating to sacraments other than marriage including lists of people receiving communion, people being baptised, inquiries about baptisms, and permits to be buried in the Catholic cemetery.
Reports of parishes in the diocese including financial reports, statistical reports on population and ethnicity, parish histories, and other material specific to certain parishes.
1 legal sheet (4 pages folded). Latin. History / description of parish of St. John's (S. Joannes). Signed Laurentius Bax. Sept. 3, 1879. In response to the ordinary (bishop) -- addresses 19 items, some with no more than "yes". history of church, growth in number of families, building, number baptized, the societies / activities of church.
Pastoral letter, sermons, and other manuscripts which discuss theological issues or biographical accounts of members of the clergy.
1. Booklet, c. 80 pp, "De Matrimonio, Cartello II", Alexander Harnist, Coll. Am., Romae.
2. Booklet, approx. 30 pages. Primarily French, some Latin. On the sacrifice of the Mass: existence, nature, who the minister is, obligation, intention, time of celebration of Mass, etc. Divided into 6 chapters, and subdivisions; some large subdivisions in Latin. Clearly part of a larger whole; cannot tell how much missing.
3. Small booklet, 50 pp. English. Apologetic to Protestants on nature of scripture, interpretation of scripture. Incomplete (pages missing at beginning and end), poor condition, esp. beginning and end. Addressed to "my brethren,"sometimes abbr. to "m.b." -- draft copy or notes for an address?
Material from different lay organizations within the Diocese, such as The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Clerical Aid Society, and Catholic Knights of America, which detail fundraising efforts and other activities. Also included in this series are records and statements from educational institutions, asylums, and colleges, in addition to some printed material.
Histories of the Diocese in English and Latin and a narrative about the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blesses Virgin Mary in Louisville.
Journals of Benedict J. Flaget and transcipt of one by Martin J. Spalding.
Clippings from newspapers including The Mount, devotional pamphlets, and printed cards and invitations.
Includes a Papal Bull of Pope Pius VII appointing Flaget Bishop, certificates, a comparison of Bishops Maes and Moeller, and part of the Kentucky Constitution.
Passport, citizenship application, other documents in German and English.
1. Form, German -- from the consulate of the Grand Duchy Baden in St. Louis, Nov. 11, 1863. -- to August Selinger, St. Charles, MO.
2. Receipt for duty paid, in German, July 1852. stamp: "GR.BAD.HAUPT-ZOLLAMT KEHL" Grand Duchy Baden main customs office." On other side: "Legitimationsschein" -- form not filled out
3. Passport, in German. Grand Duchy of Baden. for August Selinger. July 9, 1852. physical description (eyes, hair, face, etc.). All domestic and foreign civil and military authorities requested to allow A.S. to pass free and unhindered. stamps and endorsements show voyage through France to New York.
4. Export permit -- German. August Selinger. 22 Oct., 1852. exportation of wine.
5. German document, 1852. Seal of Grand Duchy Baden.
6. Citizenship document, Augustus Selinger.
Certificates, documents and papal decrees, many of them in Latin.
1. Printed form, Latin, Nov. 5, 1874. From William McCloskey, Bishop Louisville,to Rev. Henry James Theophilus Kellenaers. Grants privileges, what he may absolve, dispense, indulgences.
2. Typewritten, 1 sheet, Latin, 1905, Louisville. Request by bishop, to Rome, for dispensation of vows of Sister Clementina (Catharine Bromm) who took simple vows in 1886. A letter was enclosed by mother superior in support. (carbon copy)
3. 1 sheet. Latin. Letter: proclamation of Bishop William McCloskey of Louisville, praising Rev. Alexander J. Harnist and hoping for his safe return from Europe. 22 May 1878.
4. 2 lined booklets. German
5. 2 ordination certificates (forms). Latin. William George McCloskey, Bp. Louisville, first clerical tonsure for Bernard J. Boland, and Martin F. Dooley. Names filled out, but not signed or dated.
6. Ordination certificate, Latin. William George, Bishop Louisville. Joannes Hill, deacon, ordained priest. 23 May, 1899.
7. Letter of testimony (form) -- Bernard McQuaid, Bishop Roffensis, for Eduardus E. Willett, deacon, 29 May 1902.
8. Letter of testimony -- form in Latin, with English note on back. from JohnFoley, delegate of Most Rev. Patrick Foley, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlinensis, 10 Oct 1905, regarding Hugh Brady, first year divine, to Bishop W. McCloskey.
9. Form, Latin. Request for blessing and erection of Way of the Cross, by BernardH. Westermann, rector of St Mary's, in Louisville. Approval, 9 Feb 1911, testimony of erection, 12 Feb 1911.
10. Second last page of letter, Latin, from Rev. Denis Callagu, rector of Retreat of Sacred Heart. Seems to be an inquiry into a priest / brother -- list of questions, e.g., whether he keeps the rule, especially regarding women. 1890s.
11. Latin, pages 2-8, 10, 14-16, of a list of questions, with answers, on diocese -- administration of bishopric, list of parishes, number of parishoners, etc., dated no earlier than 1905.
12. Blank form, Latin, from William George, Bp. Louisville, to be addressed to individual priests, granting privileges of absolution, dispensation of marriage impediments, indulgences, other privileges. Date 190-'s.
13. "Archivium Episcopale" Latin, 1 sheet description of 13 books / manuscripts. Commentaries, Statui Dioecesis, Dispensationes matrimoniales, etc.
14. Letters from bp. Louisville (no name given). Typewritten (carbon copies).Latin.
15. 4 typewritten pages on canon law. 3 pp. "De Prescriptionibus", 1 pp. "De Parochis Amovibilibus", and about the various editions of Corpus of Canon Law.
1. 1 sheet. English notice: J. Turgis, importer of engravings, lithographs, and religious articles, notifies his patrons of the new location of his office.
2. Ordination certificates (Latin), diocese of Buffalo, for brother Eligium Popp,OFM, to following offices:
3. English, certificate. Brother Mary Gerard, prior of Reformed Cistercians of Notre Dame du Phare, in Japan, grants to Rev. Hogarty, letters of association to share in the works of piety of the brothers. 2-2-1909.
4. 1 sheet, form. Latin. from Michael Tierney Bp. Hartford, to Bernard J. Boland, "transferring jurisdiction" to William McCloskey, Bp. Louisville, 4 July, 1899.
5. 1 sheet, Latin, form. Certificate from Fr. Joseph M. Castellani, Augustinian hermit, Bp. Porphyriensis, prefect, gift of relics of SS. Peter and Paul, 1848, to unknown recipient (on back, F. Tschieder, memento F. Schuster S.S.)
6. 1 sheet, French, writing on 1/2 page. listing of chalice, chasubles, albs, etc. needed for 4 churches / dioceses.
7. 1 sheet, French, expenses / account of travel, from Gethesemani to Louisville, to New York, to Bress. no identification of author.
8. Letter, English, from Bp. Vincennes, May 12, 1896 to Rev. Schuhmann, Notary Natr. Const. Dioc. Louisville. "In reply to yours of May 8th received to day, I have to state: The Decree "Tametsi" is in force everywhere in the Diocese of Vincennes. The Decl. of Benedit XIV regarding mixed marriages has been extended to the whole of this diocese. A distance of six miles residence from the place of residence of the parish priest or rector of the mission renders a civil marriage between baptized persons valid.
1. Papal letter, Latin. printed. 1888. Leo XIII. On Purgatory, 8 pp.
2. Printed (general) letter from Vatican. Latin. On "administrative" matters regarding vows, monasteries. Jan. 20, 1891.
3. Printed page, Latin, from book? 3 letters of Pope Leo XIII to Fr. Antonio Brudigou in Lugdunensem.
4. Printed letter, 1 sheet, 4 pages. Latin. A. Brugidou, Sup. Eccl. Sancti Joachim, on certain privileges. (general audience), Dec 1985.
5. Printed letter, Latin (general audience). 1 sheet / 4 pages, S. Card. Cretoni, prefect, Secretaria S. Congregationis Indulgentiis sacrisque Reliquiis, 10 April, 1907. On exposition / adoration of the Eucharist.
6. Bull / apostolic letter of Pius X, 1907. Latin, on the organizing of the Ruthenian rite Catholic churches / Catholics in the U.S. 14 pp.
7. Printed letter, Latin, with accompanying translation (on separate sheet). Rev. D.J. McMackin is delegated as Vice-Postulator for North America, for the canonization of Pope Pius IX, by Anthony canon Cani, postulator of cause. August 17, 1907.
8. Sheet of parchment, handwritten, Latin, from Pius XI, to Rodulpho Carlo Fuff, priest. In recognition of his work with urban and rural parishes, he is made "Antistitem Urbanum" or "Praelatum Nostrum domesticum". 24 March, 1938. 9. From Vatican, Latin, to bp McCloskey, 24 Feb. 1878. may grant 10 dispensations for marriage impediments.
10. From Vatican, Latin, to bp William McCloskey of Louisville. 25 Oct. 1891. May grant dispensations for marriage impediment of spiritual affinity, for ten cases. 11. From Vatican, Latin, to bp. William McCloskey, of Louisville. 20 March1892. Has permission to use, for the baptism of adults, the short form found in the Roman Rite for the baptism of infants.
12. Various forms, from Congregation for Propagation of Faith. to William McCloskey bp Louisville. Latin. all 12 Feb. 1893. privileges which expire in 5 years.
13. 30 Nov. 1902. 1 sheet, printed form. Latin. Pope Leo XIII gives William McCloskey bishop of Louisville authority to dispense irregular marriages without recourse to Holy See. 14. 22 Oct. 1902. 1 sheet, printed form. Latin Pope Leo XIII gives William McCloskey bp Louisville the following privileges:
15. 22 Oct., 1902. 1 sheet, printed form. Latin. Further privileges, as in #13 and14.
16. 1 sheet, folded. Latin. outside "Dubia et responsa"; inside 1/3 of page text,summary descriptions of 2 letters sent to bishop of Bardstown, 1831. #17-19 placed within fold of #16.
17. 1 sheet, 4 pages, Latin. "Instructions given to the bishop of Bardstown." from Cong. de Propaganda Fide
18. 1 sheet, 4 pages, Latin. Heading "Illustrissime ac Reverendissime Domine". Also labelled "no. 2". Similar to #3.
19. 1 sheet, 4 pages, Latin. Heading "Supplicationes". From Benoit bp. Bardstown. Request to Cong. de Propaganda Fide for the ability to dispense from marriage impediments; also regarding indulgences, other privileges. Last page: French conclusion, asking for relics and paintings. date 1836.
Correspondence between the Vatican and the Diocese. Much is in Latin.
In Latin, English, French, Italian
1. 1 sheet, 4 pages. English. Conclusions of council of assembled archbishops andbishops, Baltimore, Nov. 15, 1810. Items:
Signed, Bishops of Baltimore, coadj. of Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, Bardstown.
2. Purchase agreement. 1 page. Fayette County, May 24, 1811. Stephen Theodore Badin of Washington County to purchase 1 1/4 acre from Gen. Robert Todd for $312, in town of Lexington.
3. 1 sheet = 4 legal sized pages. writing on 2 1/3. French. Nov. 3, 1803. A land purchase in Montgomery County, Kentucky by several new arrivals from France: Marie Elizabeth Catherine Henrietta Robert, Jacques Robert, Jean Jacques Robertand others?
4. 3 separate sheets, each = 4 pages. Latin. "questions" -- posed, not answered.
5. Small account book, English. (now unbound) 1834-36. J. Haseltine (?),Bardstown, Ky, Sept. 10 1834.
6. No date, Latin, 1 page. From Benedict Joseph Flaget, bp. Bardstown. Dominican priest Montgomery, with cure of souls of Convent and Church of St. Rose, has been causing scandal by public drunkenness. Had been admonished already, now is interdicted -- prohibited from exercising office of priesthood.
7. Letter from Carolus Augustus, bp Eichstettensis, to Fr. Michael Fleiss (?), assigning him to be priest serving German speakers in diocese of Louisville, at request of bishop there. August 23, 1842.
8. Request of Ignace Anthoine, lay brother, professed of simple vows since 1861 at "La Trappe de Gethsemani" in Louisville diocese, to be released from his vows. In French. Response, in Latin: 16 Dec 1866, approval of request.
9. "Libellus Supplex pro Synodo Diocesana Bardensi, indicta in diem 3 Septembris 1822." 8 pages, Latin. covering the sacraments.
10. Folder of letters:
11. Two "exeunt" forms, neither filled out, from bp. Joannes-Eleonorus de Belmont, of Santa Fe. (permission for priest to leave diocese).
12. April 25, 1845. Italian.
13. "Acta" of a diocesan synod. 1 sheet, 4 pages, Latin, no date.
1. 1 loose page. "Pour la purification." (entirely French). The same size as #2,9/17, but does not seem to belong with it. Prayer / meditation / devotion for the Feast of the Purification of the Virgin. For personal use? -- rough draft
2. 1 sheet, written on one side. German. Part of sermon?
3. 1 sheet, small torn scrap, Latin.
4. letter, 1 sheet, German (?), 1846.
5. 1 sheet, French, end of letter signed Marie [Boudls?], married woman, to her uncle.
6. 1 page, handwritten, German text.
7. 1 page legal paper. Italian text.
8. legal sized booklet, Italian, 22 pp.
9. Small (1 cm wide) newspaper clipping. Death notice for John Phelan, Oct. 15 (no year).
10. 1 sheet legal size, 4 pp (folded at top). Italian. Possible record of visitation of churches?
Parchment, printed text, in Latin. From Pius X (signed by cardinal) to Dionysius O'Donoghue. Granting to bp various graces and privileges, i.e., indulgences and Apostolic Blessing to the faithful under certain conditions, such as attendance of a Mission, "under the usual conditions" -- confession, prayers.
Papal bulls, Latin, very thick parchment, holes and folds as if seal originally attached. All issued 7th Ides Feb. 1910 from Pius. declaring that Denis O'Donaghue, formerly titular bishop of Pomariensis, is transferred to be bishop of Louisville.
Correspondence of both lay persons and clerics, including Benjamin Spalding, M. Chabrat, William McCLoskey, P. J. Lavialle, B. J. Flaget G. Chabrat and John Carroll, printed manuscripts, diaries and clippings.