On May 1st 1966 a Magazine Program was begun to bring, current Catholic magazines to the parishioners on sale. (This program continued until April 2. 1967 the closing sing of St. Mary's.)
The following is a clipping taken from the Tuscaloosa News of October 2. 1916. This seems to be the only material found giving any accound of the foundation and early beginnings of St. Mary Magdalene's
The early struggles and difficulties have not been recorded but we know from the present difficulties that most of the going was hard.
For a while things were going nicely but a slump came. Converts were few and many fell by the wayside.
The priests suffered many hardships. Some barely existed and there was very little encouragement. The Most Rev. Bishop always helped where and when he could. Only for this St. Mary's would never nave been able to continue.
"BISHOP DEDICATES NEW COLORED SCHOOL.
Delivers Able and Interesting Sermon Following Dedication.
REV. THOMAS H. MASSEY TO BE IN CHARGE OF WORK.
School of St Mary Magdalene will be formally opened on October 6th. New Church and School on 14th Ave.
"In the presence of a large and attentive audio-nee that filled the edifice, the new school and church of St. Mary Magdalene's for the colored people on Fourteenth Avenue was solemnly dedicated yesterday morning at 11 o'clock by the Rt. Rev. Edward P. Allen, Bishop of Mobile. The dedication was followed by High Mass celebrated by Rev. Thomas H. Massey, pastor of the new church. The choir of St. John's church furnished most beautiful music, which gave animation, and a high tone of excellence to the whole service.
"After the reading of the Gospel the Bishop delivered an able and instructive sermon on the purpose of the church of Christ. Taking for his text "'There shall be made one fold and one shepherd," St John X-16. The Bishop said in part, "The Christ the Son of God, came into the world to save sinners, to bring knowledge and salvation to the whole human race, that He established his church to carry on even to the end of time the work which he had begun, for Christ loves the people of today and of all future ages, as much as he loved the people of His day. And that the elect are to be from every tribe and nation, and tongue and people of the earth.' "
' "That the church might effect the end which Christ had in view He invested it with, the same authority which. he had received from his Father", and quoted texts of sacred Scripture in proof of this: "All Power in Heaven and earth is given to me", and as the father hath sent me I also send you. Going, therefore, teach ye all nations, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, end behold I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world. That in his Church Christ established a priesthood, with power to offer sacrifice as a propitiation for our sins, and to administer the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, Holy eucharist, penances, extreme Unction, Holy orders and matrimony, for the sanctification of the people and bring about a living union with God." '
"The school will be formally opened Friday Morning, October 6th, at 10 O'clock, when an I expression of thanks will be offered by the colored people of Tuscaloosa, for the presence in their midst of this school, and for the efforts being, made for their advancement. Then applications of pupils will be received and assignment of lessons for the classes of the first four grades will be made."
The above clipping tells of the dedication of Saint Mary Magdalene's Catholic School and Church for colored people on October lst (Sunday) at 11 o'clock, 1916. The lot on which this church is 'built once contained the home of a family named Forester, and for this reason the place was always known as the "Forester Place". The Forester family lived there before the Confederate War and for a few years afterwards. The lot was purchased for the Diocese in the year 1867 by Rev. Father Wm. F. McDonough. On the west side of the lot stood the old Forester house immediately near some large cedar trees. The lot was not used by any of the church authorities 'till Bishop Allen had Father T. H. Massey to come here and start a mission for the colored people in the year 1916 -Tuscaloosa's Centenial year. Father Massey came to Tuscaloosa July 23rd. It took him sometime to complete all preliminary arrangements before starting his building. But eventually the contract was let to Mr. Wadell, a local contractor, and the church and school (combined) was finished late in September. And was dedicated as the above news paper clipping shows October 1st, 1916. Not having ever witnessed the dedication of a Church, I was anxious to be on hand and came out early. The dedicatory prayers and ceremonies started at exactly eleven o'clock AM and lasted just thirty minutes. Then Father Massey started the recitation of high mass, the first mass that was ever offered in the church. Assisting Father Massey with the Mass was the Bishop and Father McCormick of East Lake, Birmingham. Father McCormick also took part in the dedication. When the mass had been recited to the Gospel, the Bishop then read the Gospel of the day, according to St Luke, Chapter XIV, verses 1-11. Then after reading the Gospel he took the text, "There shall be one fold and one Shepherd". and from this text delivered a sermon of about an hour's duration, which was eloquent and instructive. He had 'the closest attention of' the congregation, which consisted of about sixty or seventy Catholics and perhaps one hundred and twenty-five or one hundred and fifty colored people. After the Mass was finished the congregation left the building and repaired to the outside on the North side of the Church. the Bishop and two priest being present, and a picture of the crowd was taken. The choir of St John the Baptist Church rendered music at the Mass. The choir consisted of Mrs. Ryan, Mrs. Sloan, Mrs. Battle, Mrs. Wilson, Miss Ruth Thedford and Mr. Sterling Harris. When everything was over f or the day, it was about ten minutes of two o'clock.
In the fall of 1923 Father Massey because of ill health left Tuscaloosa and was replaced by Rev. Joseph Hagen, S.V.D.
The parish was then taken over by the Society of the Divine Word. He remained until the latter part of 19255 and was replaced by Father John Klaffl S.V.D. a young German priest with a number of years of' experience in the foreign missions of Africa.
These priests suffered many hardships and deserved much credit for their years of sacrifice. They recorded little; as a matter of fact the only record they left was in the memories of the people who recall their saintly and good priestly lives. He left in 1927.
There seems to be no record from, the time that the Society of Divine Word gave up the parish until 1928.
During this interim Father Thomas Lenihan, pastor of St. John's took care of the parish. He gave it what attention he could. One philantropic work, soon to die out of its own accord, was a. hospice for Aged Negroes.
In 1928 Father P.J. Buckley took charge. Again we lack records.
In the year 1928 the holy Ghost Fathers were invited into the Diocese by the Most Rev. Bishop T.J. Toolen. They took over the works in the White and Negro parishes.
Father Joseph Lonergan, C.S.Sp. was appointed pastor of St. Mary's. He lived in the rectory but ate his meals at St. Johns, paying his board. At the same time he assisted in the work of the white parish and attended the white mission of St. Robert in Reform.
At this time conditions in the school were to -put it mildly unhealthy. He "cleaned house" and arranged the classes to run from primer to seventh grades. The colored young girls taught school. Father Lonergan improved the property, planted hedges around it, painted the house and church and tried to overcome many difficulties which were constantly presenting themselves (animate and inanimate).
After five years Father Lonergan was replaced in 1934 by Rev. Jos. Sabaniec C.S.Sp. A saintly man he strove to improve conditions. Converts were slow in coming in but when they did come into 'the Church they had a good foundation. In January 1937 Fr. Sabaniec was taken sick. He died within a few weeks. (January 17, 1937) At the end of January 1937, Father Joseph B. Hackett, C.S.Sp. was appointed to St. Marys.
Since it is an obligation to keep a parish record and because there is none, here I have taken it upon myself to begin this record. Past history has been scanty. As a matter of fact what has been recorded has been thru my inquiries. What follows will not be written for my own glorification but simply to keep the records straight and to record the progress made and now being made at St. Marys.
In 1937 the rectory was painted at the cost of $150.00 (now the Sisters' house).
In the spring of the same year the pastor made arrangements with Rev. Mother Agatha of the Sisters of the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate to send three Sisters to take over the teaching in St. Mary's School. They arrived in late August, 1937. In order to provide a convent for them Father Hackett gave them the rectory and went to live temporarily at St. Johns. The house had to be furnished for the good Sisters so, beds, a hot water heater, frigidaire and gas stove were purchased. This was quite an item but friends answered appeals and helped to defray the expenses.
Thru the kindness of Bishop Toolen a complete chapel was furnished for the Sisters.
The enrollment of the school was low at the time but 'by opening date we had well over a hundred pupils. It is thru the school that we get our converts and the work done by the Sisters in preparing the way can never be repaid. The first principal of the School and Superior of the Convent is Sister M. Immaculata.
All buildings were heated by coal stoves. To eliminate a great fire hazard the school, church and convent were piped for gas and all the proper equipment installed. This came to more than eight hundred dollars. This debt was cleared within two years.
A classroom was added in December 1939 and two others converted into one large classroom for first grade and primer. Equipment was bought and paid for.
The Sanctuary of the church was renovated and the pews rearranged. Windows and statues painted. Posts were added to the church entrance and the sidewalk widened.
The street, 14th Ave. formerly red-clay was paved thru the request of the pastor. The wooden lavatories were torn down and a concrete building erected. After twenty five years a new roof was put on the school building. This is fireproof and according to the company "eternal"!! What would Cardinal Billot say?
Here an acknowledgement of credit is due to the O'Connor Family i.e. Mr. and Mrs. T.J. O'Connor. Many of the improvements were made thru the ad-vice of Mr. O'Connor, a contractor, who saved us much money and gave amply of his own. It was thru his generosity that the rectory, 1108 - 14th Ave. was built at the low cost of $1,150.00. After completion most of the furniture in it came from them.
This has been added with the express purpose of always having them remembered as benefactors of St. Mary's.
Parts of the interior of the convent were painted as also was the interior of the school.
Nor can the co-operation of the Sisters be forgotten. They painted and hammered with the rest of us. Their interests were not confined to the classrooms alone. "Ora et Labora'' has been their motto. Their eyes were always open, watching constantly to see that nothing was wasted and ever mindful of expenses. Our success began with the coming of' the Sisters of the Holy Ghost and Mary Immaculate to the school. Thru their teaching many of the children have come into the church. The converts have not been many but what we have are still practicing their religion.
The families must be constantly visited and the children checked-up, for their homes and. living conditions are not very conducive to Catholic living. They, must be encouraged most frequently.
The outside of the church was painted in 1941. The school building alone needs outside repairs. This seems to be the last big project to be completed. In April 1942 a new roof was put on the convent. The outside porch was redecked. The outside porch of' the school was reroofed and. repaired. Enough, money is now on hand to begin the painting of the school; this will be done in May, completing a series of improvements which I thought would take six years! Finished in five !!!!
Received notification of' the end of my stay at St. Mary Magdalene's, Tuscaloosa., Ala.
April 25, 1942. Joseph B. Hackett, C.S.Sp.
July, 1955 Father Henry Haley C.S.Sp. was named chaplain of the Knights of Columbus, a newly formed men's club with temporary quarters at St. Mary's School Hall, 1112 14th Ave.
Sept., 1955 1st Nocturnal Adoration sponsored, by K of C in Alabama, held on Sept. 1st 1955. Council 4083
1958 He was appointed Catholic Chaplain at Bryce and during all this time took care of St. Robert's Mission in Reform, Ala.
On the occasion of this, my first trip to Tuscaloosa, (last year's attempt was thwarted by the blizzard) I have tried to comprehend the diverse opera-tions here. At Saint Mary Magdalene's, Father Henry Haley is pastor of the parish, cares for the Mission at Reform, and functions as chaplain to the Veterans' Hospital (1/4 time) and to Bryce (Alabama State) hospital. The colored work of the parish is and has been slow, uphill work. Father Haley's other responsibilities -- at the hospitals and at the mission -- fill out a rather heavy schedule and provide him with a source of income without which he would practically starve. Fortunately he is a dedicated, hardworking man. Were he not, the hardship and strain would make serious inroads on his mental and physical health.
During, my visit, I found books and records in order, recommended that baptismal entries be indexed, and discussed the possible coordination of all our work in Tuscaloosa so that a closer approach could be made to community living rather than separatist existence. Because the situation is in a state of flux at the moment, this problem will require serious consideration.
God bless the man and the work.
Vernon F. Gallagher, C.S.Sp.
Provincial Superior 10/23/60
June, 1962 Father henry Haley C.S.Sp. after 16 years leaves Tuscaloosa for an assignment in Gulfport, miss. Veteran's Hospital. A native of Philadelphia, ordained a Holy Ghost Father in 1941. Assistant at St. John's 1942 - 44 Tuscaloosa. 1944 - 1948 Chaplain Air Force in Kansas, Utah, New Jersey, and Germany. Came to St. Mary's in 1948. In 1950 VA Volunteer Chaplain - 1952 became part time VA Chaplain and in October 1958 he was appointed Catholic Chaplain at Bryce and during all this time took care of St. Robert's Mission in Reform, Ala.
visit - Jan. 5, 1965
The First Assistant, Father Guthrie, visited here two years ago and last year I did not come because the official Visitor from the Mother house, Father Vogel was in the country.
Last night Father Beagan (presently pastor here), Father Mulvoy (St. Francis Newman Center) and Fr. Cassidy (St. John's Holy Spirit) met with me to discuss the final plans for distributing the work in Tuscaloosa and bringing our men here much closer together. These will be implemented at the time of annual transfers next summer. They will probably involve the withdrawal of the resident priest here at St. Mary Magdalene.
A word of commendation must be recorded here for the care with which Father Beagan has tended this parish. The school-convent complex, too aged and delapidated for renovation, has been razed; the church has been painted inside and out; the rectory has been neatly remodelled. Work at the hospitals and at the mission of Reform has constituted 2 heavy schedule which, despite the fewness of consolations, Fr. Beagan has cheerfully followed. It is to be hoped that the newly-projected coordination of the "Tuscaloosa apostolate" will maintain the good features of the present arrangement and the eliminate the inconveniences
Vernon F. Gallagher, C.S.Sp. Prov. Sup. USA East.
--1965
August 1 11, 1965 A redistribution of work is going into effect this month. The work here in Tuscaloosa and mission of Reform is to be apportioned among four Holy Ghost Fathers: Fathers Michael Mulvoy, Raymond Bruck, Joseph Cassidy and Thomas Kees. Keeping the journal from this date will be Thomas Kees.
Father James Beagan C.S.Sp. left St. Mary's last Sunday after 3 years as pastor here. He now goes to Detroit's Holy Ghost Parish as pastor.
August 24 - Last night Father Raymond Bruck arrived at St. Francis (Newman Club Center) having traveled from Richmond, Michigan Brothers' Novitiate, where he had been Novice-Master.
September 5 - (Sun) Brother Howard Studivant O.S.B. a onetime resident of Tuscaloosa, now stationed at St. Maur's Priory in South Union Kentucky Las spent the week visiting in the parish.
Beginning today at Mass reservation of the Blessed Sacrament has been resumed in hopes of having devotions besides Mass to deepen the prayer life of 'the Parish. An evening Hass at 7 on Wednesday evening has been scheduled & 7 pm on first Fri-days of the month.
Sept. 12 A Parish bulletin has been published including the Introit etc. (parts proper to the feast for the people). This bulletin will serve for the most part as a record of events in the parish - (this bulletin published from Sept. 15th until April 17, 1966 is contained in this binder.)
Dec. 15, 1965 A Termite Control Contract was signed Dec. 3rd by T. Kees for 120.00/ 18.00 renewal each year - to treat the wooden church - one side of which was a termite settlement.
Dec. 31 1965 During the past few months many changes have been made in the church. The men working together with me have stained the windows in the church replacing the broken ones, have completely remodeled the sanctuary lowering & simplifying the Altar of reservation, made a new altar facing the people, gotten new candle holders in keeping with the altar, have repaired and completely tiled the sanctuary and installed carpet on the platform of the Altar of reservation and laid the carpet under the Altar of sacrifice. We note the generous assistance of Mr. & Mrs. Wm. O'Connor & Mr. Herb. Williams in supplying some of the necessary --materials.
The people of this parish have contributed 18.00 to get a set of candle burners & holders like our own new set for the people of St. Robert's Mission in Reform, Alabama.
1966
January 12, 1966 Wednesday Evening after Mass --- 7:45 we had a meeting attended by 10 of the parishioners discussing the religious education of our children the liturgy in our parish the need to be of some service, to the community as a parish.
January 31, 1966 Our annual Diocesian Reports were sent to Mobile today. A copy was filed with the copies of former years.
Received a thank you note from the people of Reform, Alabama.
We sent a small gift to Bishop-Elect Harold R. Perry, a former pupil of our Mrs. Anita Tucker when she lived in Lake Charles, La. Bishop Perry is from the Holy Ghost Fathers' parish, Sacred Heart, in Lake Charles.
We received a thank you from the newly consecrated Bishop Auxiliary of New Orleans, Bishop Perry.
February 1 We are presently working on an outside light and sign for St. Mary's. It will serve as a. sign and the post will serve as a, lamp-post or holder for the light. We are also trying to repair the kneelers and. Install rubber cushioning on them.
The sign was completed (and was instrumental in bringing a young white boy into the Catholic Church).
April, 1966 Mr. Ed Khory an upholsterer by trade donated his labor and vinyl-red covering, for our foam rubber kneelers.
We had all the Holy Week Services at St. Mary Is this past April 3, Palm Sunday, to April 10, Easter.
During the time since Father Beagan's departure for Detroit, August 1965, until the closing of St. Mary's, April 2, 1967, Father Thomas Kees has regularly been offering Mass at St. Mary's. While Father Joseph Cassidy is pastor of St. Mary's and St. John's most of his time is taken up with the Masses and people of Holy Spirit Church.
During Lent -mite boxes were used by the parishioners and at Easter the collection $25.00 was sent to a Missionary in Africa, Father Ned Marchessault C.S.Sp.
On May 1st 1966 a Magazine Program was begun to bring, current Catholic magazines to the parishioners on sale. (This program continued until April 2. 1967 the closing sing of St. Mary's.)
From June 6 until July 1st 1966 we had a Vacation Bible School. Classes were held from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Miss Elizabeth Shepherd took the 1st Communion group pre schoolers. Father Kees took the older children.
The program included: formal religious instruction, Mass once a week, religious and folk singing, religious arts and crafts and physical fitness games.
About 21 children attended, a large number of these non-Catholics.
June 10 We received a check for $82.60 thru the generosity of Anna M. Mead
We received a thank you note from Bishop Vath for a small gift sent to him at his consecration and reception as Auxiliary of this diocese (Mobile-Birmingham).
Sept. 1966 Things are going normally. We will start religious instruction classes shortly for children on Saturday from 11 AM till 1 PM. Fr. Kees will take the older group. Mrs. Annie Woods the intermediate group and Miss Elizabeth Shepherd will take the youngest group.
There will be no more Wednesday Evening Mass at 7 pm as there was last year. The only Service now at St. Mary's will be Mass at 10 am on Sundays and on holy days and an occasional scripture or Benediction or prayer service.
We are trying to have a little parish celebration for the 50th Anniversary -----Oct. 1, 1916 - 1966. $180.00 was collected from -parishioners and benefactors for the celebration. We hoped to have Bishop Vath here on a Sunday in October.
The Bishop because of a full schedule was unable to make it in October. Because we had no parish hall or center we were relying on nice weather for a reception or social outside. So we decided to wait until Spring (unknown to us at the time Spring would be too late). We did however have some remembrance cards for St. Mary's 1916-66 anniversary printed.
Dec. 12, 1966 A check from the Negro & Indian Mission fund for 400.00 was received from Archbishop Toolen.
Dec., 1966 During this year it had been rumored St. Mary's property was being, sold. Very strong at one point, the rumors died down at this time.
1967
March 19-26 Holy Week there were no services at St. Mary's -- all services were at Holy Spirit Church.
This came with no warning (100 years after property had been purchased).
April 2, 1967 50 years 6 months and 1 day after the dedication and 1st Mass at St. Mary's we celebrated the last Mass here. There were 3 white families, 4 Benedictine Nuns from holy Spirit, and about 15 colored -present for this Mass. Celebrant of the Mass was Father Thomas Kees.
April 6 An advertisement for a church appeared in the Tuscaloosa News. The ad is attached here:
May 1, 1967 Nothing remains of St. Mary Magdalene's Church. It has been demolished. In its place is rising a student apartment building (on the West side of 14th Ave. 25 yards North of 12th Street).
On the following page is given the prayer of the faithful offered in the Last Mass at St. Mary's April 2, 1967 -
Prayer of the Faithful 2 April. 1967
For all our brothers and sisters, children of our Father, let us pray to the Lord, - Lord have mercy.
For all of us gathered in this spot for -the last time let us pray to the Lord
For all those who have left for the next life from our parish let us pray to the Lord . . .
For the priests, Sisters, laymen and women who have sacrificed so much for our parish let us pray to the Lord . . .
For all those who have helped us let us pray to the Lord . . .
That God grant peace and unity to our new parish let us pray to the Lord
Lord, God, Father of all people, grant to all of us a deep sense of unity, patience, forgiveness, hope and joy in this Easter season of new life through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.