Episode 28: Aspiration and Americanization: Parishes of the 1890s

In the 1890s, the pastor of an Irish Parish in Cleveland was called upon to be many things. Irish parishes continued to be a focal point for Irish identity and pride. The Cleveland Catholic Diocese, under Bishop Horstmann, was encouraging parishes to host musical concerts and productions of plays. Educated Irish priests introduced Irish or Irish-American plays to their parishioners, and Irish parishes and pastors were happy to be associated with these displays of cultural aspiration. At the same time, one of the pastor's fundamental tasks was to erect and manage large building projects--church and school buildings, rectories, and convents. They were called upon to function essentially as businessmen, but had to be wary of getting too caught up in the pitfalls of business speculation.