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| Format | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Creator | Grummer, James Edward |
| Title | The Parish Life of German-Speaking Roman Catholics in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1840-1920 |
| Dissertation Note (type -- academic institution) | Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Notre Dame |
| Date | 1989 |
| Extent of Work | iv, 280 pages : maps |
| URL | |
| Abstract | This dissertation studies the changes that took place between 1840 and 1920 in the parish life of German-speaking Roman Catholic immigrants living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Research depended primarily upon contemporary newspaper accounts, parish histories, archival materials, and parish records, as well as secondary sources. During the period studied, parish societies and schools that began as simple, local organizations became increasingly complex and specialized institutions that were integrated into a larger system of diocesan and national institutions. The people of the parish discarded most of the distinct, local customs they brought from Europe and became increasingly homogeneous American Catholics. Perceived threats from American nativists and German free thinkers prompted many of the immigrants to shun contact with people too different from themselves and to develop special, Catholic institutions such as the parochial schools. The leadership of the parish became more professional (limited to people with special training), centralized (directed by authorities), and "bureaucratized" (subject to standard procedures). This leadership was increasingly limited to priests and religious women. By the end of the period studied, the lay members of the parish who had provided much of the original impetus in founding German-language parishes, principally carried out the directives of the priests and religious women. Finally, pious practices that had been public and communal became private and individual. |
| Call Number | Digital file |
| MKI Terms | Catholics/ Catholics, German -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee/ Parishes -- Wisconsin -- History -- 19th century/ German Americans -- Wisconsin -- Milwaukee |