Collection: John C. Cappon Papers

Scope and Content

Letters received by Cappon, from his brother and others in Belgium, and letters regarding his parish, personal finances, and diocesan questions such as marriage dispensations from bishop; some correspondence unconnected to Cappon; and sermons, notes, certificates, and church documents. Correspondents include Rev. John De Neve, Bishop Peter Paul Lefevre of Detroit, and Bishop Caspar H. Borgess of Detroit.

Dates

Creation: 1830-1970

Creator

Cappon, John C., 1825-1892 (Person)

Language of Materials

English, French, and Latin.

Background

Born in St. Nicholas, Flanders, Belgium, 1825, ordained 1855, John C. Cappon arrived in Niles, Michigan to serve as assistant pastor to Father John De Neve in 1858. When De Neve returned to Belgium in 1859, Cappon became pastor. He built a new church, 1866-1870, and dedicated it to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception. He came into a large inheritance in the late 1880s and used it to help finance the building of a steeple, annex, and school for St. Mary's. He died the 20th of November 1892.