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Sacred Heart Catholic Church
During the late 1880s, St. Isidore in Bethany had grown to over 500 members. Families in nearby Dalton City desired their own facility. A controversy arose about whether to build a new structure in Bethany or establish a new church in Dalton City. A decision was made to do both. The cornerstone for Sacred Heart was laid in 1891. The original families who donated stained glass windows to the church were:
A major financial support for the church was derived from the annual church pew rental. The fee was $10 in 1904, 1905 and 1906 for Lizzie Dunn, a widow with three small children (see receipt above: Note: the receipt dated Dec. 15, 1906 was for the 1906 fee, a check was written three weeks later to Fr. Finnegan on Jan. 6, 1907 for the 1907 fee). The fee for a family with a husband and wife was $15 per year.
Windows donated by James and Patrick Henebry
The last service at Sacred Heart was held on June 14, 1996, and the church was demolished later in the year. St. Marys church in Lovington was closed on March 13, 1988. The need to have churches, schools and other facilities within a three to five mile radius has long since passed. A shortage of Catholic priests has caused more small churches to close. The school in Dalton City is closed, and the once thriving business district in Bethany is almost abandoned. Many families now drive about 15 miles to the larger city of Decatur to shop. School districts have been combined, farms are much larger and farm families are much smaller. Agriculture areas that once had twenty farms now have one large farming complex. The same area that had a population of over 150 in the 1890's, now has only two. The parishioners who had numbered over 500 in 1890, had dwindled to less than 50 in 1996. Farming remains an essential part of the communities. The parish priest stated recently, "The only things we need right now are an organist and some rain."
Letter from Attorney William G. Patterson of
Sullivan, IL to Edward Bresnan of Dalton City. Edward Bresnan Esq. My Dear Sir: "Since I saw you, and Father McGowan (sp), I have thought
much, as to where the new church should be built. Whether at Dalton, or at
its present site. You know I am not a Catholic but a Literalistic
Episcopalian (sp), next door to Catholicism, and who in the near future may need
its Consolations. The hour of death brings equality. Let this be my
excuse for Submitting to you my views on the question of the Church Site, which
when we talked on the subject, I gave no opinion, because I had not studied the
question. You were pleased to give me yours but I am compelled to differ
with you for the following reasons. 2nd reason. Dalton City will at least for the next fifty or one hundred years be nothing more than a Railway Station of few inhabitants because it is too near Decatur, and because the Chicago and Alton R.Rd Co who are forced to have an Eastern outlet are about to build a new rail (sp) from Terre Haute to Road House in Green Co. Ills which must pass between Todds Point and Penn Townships in Shelby Co and a station on this new railway will not be more than five or six miles distant from Dalton. In fact Dalton may diminish rather than increase in population. 3rd reason. To move the Church to Dalton would discommode and be unjust in equity to the Catholics of Lake City and vicinity and to my old friend Pat McDermot and his family who left my farm who is ______money because he wanted church private and because without these his children were growing up to be "heathens and idolaters" as he tells me. 4th reason. Catholics should unite with their priest as one man. In small communities it is very unwise to be disunited, because in worldly matters union is strength. When Pope Hildebrand went out to meet Attila the Scourge of God. The Pagan knew that his holiness had a united people behind him. Hence rome was Saved. It was by means of a united people that your Church has stood as a pillar of fire in the Wilderness of Time. and oh! what a hard time she has had! 5th Reason. Two churches so near each other means two priests in one locality in the near future. This might be expensive. 6th Reason. In Ireland the holy men and woman
never thought of erecting a church in a town or City, but selected rural out of
the way places and they were right. Did St. Bridget ever build a convent
in or near a town. No! Did St. Patrick? I answer no.
The truth is, you are a growing people your land is fertile, and you are blessed
with abundance. What do you or I know at our time of life what may happen.
We must judge by the past and so judging, I believe you will before 50 years
have a College of Christian brothers. Just on the 40 acres. Which is
now devoted to a church and Priests home. Will the People of Dalton donate
to you 40 acres of ground upon which to build a Church, a school, or Convent.
They will not do it, until they do that. Let the Church be where it
is and your grandchildren will bless your memory for it." |
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