Bayley and Wimmer

A fascinating correspondence began in 1854 between Bishop Bayley and Boniface Wimmer at St. Vincent which reveals the tenacity and ideals of both men. The Bishop wrote persuasively of the value of a monastery so close to the port of New York. He described the attractions of the location chosen by Fr. Nicholas Balleis and most importantly the desperate need of the growing number of German immigrants for pastoral care in the rapidly developing industrial city of Newark.

Wimmer responded with doubts about the suitability of a monastery in the city, fearing that monastic discipline would suffer. His vision of a proper Benedictine monastery was being created at St. Vincent with its college, seminary and its cadre of lay brothers, large farm, mill and brewery (the source of contention with the temperance minded Bishop Michael O’Connor of Pittsburgh).. Moreover, his eyes were on the west with its open spaces and greater need for a Catholic presence, rather than on the east, the older, more developed parts of the growing nation.

After an initial exchange, the correspondence lapses for almost a year and a half during which period Wimmer traveled to Europe and St. Vincent was elevated to the status of an abbey with Wimmer appointed abbot. At the same time, the American Cassinese Congregation was created by Pope Pius IX and with now-Abbot Boniface as president. In 1856, Wimmer indeed sent monks west, to Minnesota (the future St. John’s Abbey) and to Kansas (the future St. Benedict’s Abbey).  In the spring of 1857, Bayley resumed the correspondence outlining the advantages of a Benedictine community in Newark:

The property I obtained from Father Balleis is beautifully situated for a church and monastery. They have already laid the foundation of a large parish church. It would afford me much pleasure personally, and would be a great benefit to religion, to have a house of your ancient illustrious order established here.

Under the guidance of Father Hasslinger, construction of the new St. Mary’s Church on the corner of High and William Streets had begun about the time of this letter.

Wimmer uncharacteristically hesitated, although the tone of his response on 9 April 1857 would seem to have left the door open a crack. But, before Wimmer’s response could reach Bayley, the bishop was faced with the imminent departure from St. Mary’s Church of Redemptorist Father Hasslinger, in April 1857, Bayley’s need for a German priest was now acute and so he wrote again requesting a priest or two to take over the mission.

…I must allow that I cannot understand what East or West has to do with the matter, when the question is of the salvation of souls. There are in this city some six thousand German Catholics, and the number is increasing. A fine location is offered for the erection of a monastery, and I am certain that those who come to take charge of the mission will find plenty to do.