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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 271
Reverend Father Caron, saAV, too, the great mistake made at the beginning
in the Avay the church property was obtained, and felt the burden.
It Avas clear that the growing Avants of the congregation needed something.
Holy Angels' Church Avas too small to accommodate all the
people; it was too far removed from the greatest majority of those that
had to attend there.
In the spring of 1865, a meeting wi b held to consider Avhat Avas to
be done, Avhether it Avould be better to enlarge Holy Angels' Church or
build a neAV church on the grounds already purchased, that is, on the
corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets. The meeting resolved there AVIIS
no use of going to the expense of adding to Holy Angels' Church and
even if it could be done decently the people Avould -be too far distant
from the church—it not being centrally located. It AA'as therefore
unanimously agreed to build a church at the place first appointed,
corner of Jackson and Jefferson streets. On looking over the grounds it
AA'as found a church of the size required could not be built there. Then a
lot was purchased on the opposite side of the street. This also proved
to be a little too confined; finally, with a great deal of difficulty the tAvo
lots on Avhich SS. Peter and Paul's Church now stands Avere purchased
at a cost of $2,400. This also Avas*done with the advice and consent of the
Ordinary.
In the spring of 1866 the foundation of the new church Avas begun,
and on the 22d day of July of the same year the corner' stone Avas laid
by Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans. The building was very rapidly
pushed to completion, and the congregation was able to take possession
of it on Easter Sunday the 9th day of April, 1871.
It is a very handsome and substantial edifice, 145 feet in length and
71 feet in Avidth; the height of the tower is 135 feet. The church cost
$75,000 and has a seating capacity of 1,200. The elegant pastoral residence,
built of the same material as the church, at a cost of $5,000 Avas
erected in 1871.
For about five years the Avhole congregation remained at SS. Peter
and Paul's till a division of the parish Avas made. Hence in consequence
of the kind of title to the grounds on which Holy Angels' Church stands
the pastor and people, not willing to lose the property, determined to
care for it and keep it in a fair Avay for future use as a church. It Avas
then thought that in the near future a neAV congregation could be there
formed which Avould be productive of good and which practically happened
in the latter part of 1875, Avhen a neAV congregation of Holy
Angels' Church AVIIS formed.
This noble structure of SS. Peter and Paul's, which has been raised
to the glory of God, though not so costly as a'foAV others in the diocese,
ranks Avith the best of them in taste, finish, convenience, and general
appearance, and will be for future ages a monument to the memory of
Rev. Father R. A. Sidley.
The German Catholics realized the need of having a separate church
and accordingly, in January, 1853, a petition was sent to Bishop-Rappe
for permission to organize a separate congregation and to have separate