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| Format | Dissertation |
|---|---|
| Creator | Bachhuber, Claire Marie |
| Title | The German-Catholic Elite: Contributions of a Catholic Intellectual and Cultural Elite of German-American Background in early Twentieth-century Saint Louis. Dissertation |
| Dissertation Note (type -- academic institution) | St. Louis University, MO |
| Date | 1984 |
| Extent of Work | 145 pp. |
| Abstract | A significant aspect of American Catholicism has been the debate concerning Catholic intellectual life in the United States. This debate intensified with the publication in 1955 of "American Catholics and the Intellectual Life" in "Thought" by John Tracy Ellis, professor of American Catholic history at Catholic University of America. Ellis stated: "... the weakest aspect of the Church in this country lies in its failure to produce national leaders and to exercise commanding influence in intellectual circles." This dissertation will focus on the cultural contributions of seven Saint Louisans whose activities seem to dispute the charge that the Catholic community made few contributions to the cultural life of the nation. It will discuss the contributions of the following German Americans: John Rothensteiner (1860-1936), Frederick Holweck (1856-1937), Arthur Preuss (1871-1934), Frederick Kenkel (1863-1952), Emil Frei, Sr. (1869-1942), Emil Frei, Jr. (1896-1967), and Martin Hellriegel (1860-1936). It will concentrate on their work and will investigate whether their achievements merely occurred at the same time or resulted from an interchange of ideas and a mutually rich background. This dissertation will not explore in depth the lives of these individuals. This has already been done. It will give only such biographical material as will be necessary to understand their cultural and mutual relationships. It will show that these individuals did make significant contributions to the intellectual and cultural life of Saint Louis. Author and poet, monsignor John Rothensteiner, a native Saint Louisan, was the historian of the archdiocese of Saint Louis. Rothensteiner's friend and colleague, Monsignor Frederick Holweck, was born in Baden, Germany. Both men achieved success in their literary endeavors, Rothensteiner with his "History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis" and Holweck with his "Biographical Dictionary of the Saints" and over forty articles for the 1914 edition of the "Catholic Encyclopedia". Rothsteiner and Holweck joined with other scholars to publish the "St. Louis Historical Review". Saint Louisan Arthur Preuss served as literary editor for a nationally known book company, B. Herder; edited the newspaper "Die Amerika"; and founded a journal, the "Fortnightly Review". Aside from a book on "Freemasonry" and his "Dictionary of Secret Societies", his interests were mainly theological. The theological series which he edited--Pohle-Preuss on dogmatic theology; Kock-Preuss on moral theology; and Brunsmann-Preuss on fundamental theology--were standard seminary texts. Frederick Kenkel succeeded Preuss as editor of "Die Amerika". Kenkel remained in that position until becoming director of the Central Bureau of the "Central-Verein" of America. He became the voice of progressive German-American Catholics on social issues. He also assisted in establishing the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. Emil Frei, Sr., born in Bavaria, and Emil Frei, Jr., born in San Francisco, were responsible for countless art glass windows, not only in Saint Louis but throughout the United States. They played a part in the development of the excellent mosaics in the Saint Louis Cathedral on Lindell Boulevard. The Freis has a definitie viewpoint concerning art and architecture, and were undoubtedly influenced by the liturgical movement. The Freis were aware of and interested in the work of German-born liturgical pioneer Monsignor Martin Hellriegel. These seven men were not all close personal friends but their great concern for the Catholic religion and common national background tied them closely together. In Monsignor Hellriegel's liturgical work, all the areas came together: art, history, and sacred form. All seven men were aware of, appreciated and encouraged the accomplishments of each other. These men certainly disputed the accusation that the Catholic community made few contributions to the cultural life of the nation. |
| Notes | UMI, printed in 1988. Book, in MadCat. |
| Call Number | MKI/SHS BX 1418 S2 B32 1988; shelved with MKI dissertations / SHS microfilm |
| MKI Terms | Catholics/ Cultural influence/ St. Louis (Mo.)/ German Americans -- Missouri |