He was a very strong, hearty gentleman (over 6 feet tall), and
there was a story of how a train derailed in Avilla, and he went to
help. It is said that he lifted 2, 50 lb. bags of flour at a time
in the saving of the train's cargo. Father Dominick was a highly
charismatic man, a well-respected member of his community. It seems
that he was able to almost "magically" come up with anything his
parishes needed, be it bricks, a wrought iron fence or a home for a
group of young nuns. It seems he was able to gently inspire members
of the community (both Catholic & non-Catholic alike) into
volunteering & donating both their manpower and resources for
the good of his parishes.
"In 1876, just a decade after its inception, the community of
the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Seelbach, was faced
with the problem of finding a new home on foreign soil.
But Divine Providence willed otherwise. The Reverend Dominick
Duehmig of Avilla, Indiana was visiting his relatives in Germany at
this time, and not by accident, but by the will of Divine
Providence, Mother (Anastasia) was favored with a chance meeting
with this good priest.
...Having arrived in New York on May 31, 1876, Divine Providence
guided them to the place Father Duehmig had arranged for them, a
run-down farm near Avilla, Indiana, located in Father Duehmig's
parish and belonging to a Mr. Thomas Storey was purchased by the
sisters for $12,000.00, and the pioneers moved into their own
American home...Thus, the Sacred Heart Home came into
existence...
During the year 1876, Father Duehmig was instrumental in
erecting an addition, which included a chapel, to the Storey
homestead. He accomplished this with the help of volunteer workers
from his parish...Words cannot describe the joy and gratitude of
the Sisters, when on October 20, 1876, Reverend Father Duehmig
offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in this chapel for the first
time.
Father Duehmig was instrumental in helping these Sisters to
establish themselves in the United States. From a meager band of 26
nuns in 1876, this Order has grown. The Franciscan Sisters of the
Sacred Heart have established nearly 40 helping institutions
(schools, hospitals, nursing homes), many of which still thrive as
we near the year 2,000. These sisters still teach at the St. Mary's
grade school (1-6) in Avilla."
At his zenith, he was in charge of the missions in Noble,
DeKalb, Steuben, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, Whitley and a
portion of Allen County in Indiana. In the Noble County Library
there was found several photographs of his funeral procession which
was one of the largest the county had ever seen.
Interesting side note: The ceiling of the Avilla Catholic Church
was painted by Giovanni Gioscio. He was an Italian born painter and
decorator who came to the U.S. settling first in New York, then
moving to Indianapolis, Indiana. He was commissioned to decorate
many churches in North Eastern Indiana. He worked to paint and
decorate the Avilla church from July 14-August 1 and August
15-September 17 in 1910 (five years after the death of Father
Duehmig). His painting, "Coronation of the Virgin," several
decorative items and the repainting of the altars resulted in a
charge of $1437.50. The painting remains today and is one of the
few of Gioscio's works left in existence.
Also of note, the Duehmig family farm, had a field that was
wooded (Now corner of Miner and East Wiemer Roads, formerly the
corner of Roads 1000 East and 200 North) this plot was cleared in
1876. The lumber was used to construct the Catholic Church in
Avilla. This church was dedicated on May 19, 1878. The church used
prior to this is a structure that still stands in the center of the
Catholic cemetery that is just beyond the railroad track break to
the West of what is now Donald Duehmig's farm.
As Always Please Be respectfull of the Area ,and pick up any
fallen flags you may happen across and place them properly.
The Cache is a pill bottle and will support small trade
items.
"Indiana Spirit
Quest" is brought to you by the following fellows of GEOISQ*:
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