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274 HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
say that his energetic efforts have completed the last great undertaking
of the parish in the erection of the large school building of which the
cornerstone AVIIS laid April 25, 190!), and the building dedicated in 1910
at a cost of $120,000. It is a handsome stone structure 92 feet Avide by
132 feet long Avith three stories and a basement. It has fifteen class
rooms, an auditorium seating nearly a thousand, and a basement meeting
room for social purposes. It will remain for generations as a monument
to the pastorate of Father Widinann.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH OK VERMILLION
Vermillion is a pretty village, with a fairly good harbor, on Lake
Erie, about tAventy-five miles from Sandusky. Catholics began to settle
there about 1856. They were visited by the pastors of Elyria, from 1857
to 1871, the Rev. M. Healy being the first priest to minister to their
spiritual Avants. Mass was said on Aveck days, in private houses, until
the erection of the present frame church (28 by 50 feet), in 1802 by
the Rev. R. A. Sidley, who had bought tAvo lots on Exchange Street, for
a church site, in 1861. Enclosed, the church cost about $600, but for
lack of meajis its interior could not then he finished, and it AVIIS used in
that condition—with a dry goods box for an altar, and rough benches
for peAvs. In 1865, the Rev. L. Molon raised a subscription and with the
proceeds paid for'Sthe plastering and furnishing of the church. lie also
bought and paid for a lot next to the church property, to serve as a site
for the future parish house. In March, 1871, the Rev. J. Rouchy AVIIS
appointed the first resident priest, and shortly after built the present
pastoral residence, also a frame structure. In August, 1875, Vermillion
was made a mission of North Amherst, and thence attended monthly
until May, 1878, Avhen the Rev. F. X. Xunan was appointed resident
pastor. His stay ended in .March, 1879: Since then the following
priests succeeded him: The Revs. J. Cullen, from April, 1879, to July,
1882; M. S. Smith to October, 1889; J. C. Kennedy to December, 1889;
I. J. Wonderly to January, 1893; J. J. PoAvers to November, 1893, then
came the Rev. X. W. Ilorst.
During the pastorate of Father Wonderly the church AVIIS entirely
renovated, and supplied with some beautiful statuary—all donated.
Father Ilorst had the church re-roofed and painted, the pastoral residence
repaired, and the church lots inclosed Avith an iron fence.
Capt. C. Young deserves recognition as a special benefactor of the
church, having at all times contributed most generously tOAvards its support.
ST. ANTHONY'S CHURCH OF MILAN
The Catholics at Milan Avere identified with St. Peter's parish. Xorwalk,
five miles distant, until 1862. The Rev. F. X. Oberinuller. pastor
of that parish, then visited them at regular intervals, until October, 1865,
and for a short time said mass in houses. He bought a lot on Avhich