Dwenger, C.PP.S., Father Joseph, St. Mary's, Ohio, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1865 December 15

Dwenger blessed the church at Celina last Sunday in honor of the Immaculate Virgin. He celebrated solemn high Mass assisted by Father Bernard Austerman, who remained three days longer preaching the Jubilee. Some people returned who had been out of the Church for twelve years. Wapakoneta also should progress. Next Thursday on the feast of St. Thomas, Dwenger shall bless the church at Six Miles in honor of St. Thomas. Lung fever is raging in St. Mary's. Everything is going well especially at Celina. German farmers are building up the population there. All leading men gave $10 on the bell but they made up money for a second bell weighing 800 lbs. Dwenger asks Purcell's permission to bless it. He kept the Chalice Purcell gave him for Kenton because they have one like it. Instead, he sent them a check for $24.11 which is more than the chalice is worth new. He asks Purcell if this was all right. He receives letters of Lamentation from Kenton but he cannot do any more for them. He asks Purcell to send him the statutes of the Diocese. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.