My Genealogy Hound

REV. ANDREW FREY, pastor of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Dunkirk, was born in the city of Cassel, Germany, February 26, 1856, and is a son of George and Christine (Baker) Frey. George Frey was a member of the Catholic church, served in a civil capacity under his government for several years, and died in his native city of Cassel in 1886, at sixty-seven years of age. His widow, who is a consistent member of the Catholic church, was born in 1827, and still resides in Cassel.

Father Andrew Frey was reared in Cassel, where he received a collegiate education, and then took a five years’ course in theology at Louvain University, Belgium. Upon completing this course in October, 1879, he was ordained priest, and came to Buffalo, New York, where he had been appointed by Bishop Ryan, as assistant pastor of St. Louis church of that city. He served in this capacity until June, 1884, when he came to Dunkirk, and assumed his present pastoral charge of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

This church, which is the second in age of the three flourishing churches of Dunkirk, is the successor of St. George’s church, which was built by the German catholics of Dunkirk, in 1857, and used for church purposes until 1877. The Jesuit, Franciscan and Passionist orders had charge of St. George’s church until 1874, when it was made an independent parish, and on June 11, 1876, the corner-stone was laid of its successor, the present handsome Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was dedicated on November 18, 1878. It is a fine brick structure, admirable in architectural design, and beautiful and rich in all of its interior furnishings. It was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars, and one who contributed liberally towards its erection was the late George Dotterweich (died in April, 1884), who also paid for the town clock in the steeple, the chime of bells, and gave the beautiful five thousand dollar marble altar, which was consecrated July 23, 1882.

Since 1884, the membership of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus has increased rapidly under Father Frey’s charge, and now numbers two hundred and seventy-five families. In 1885 he erected the present handsome brick parsonage, which is gothic in design, conveniently arranged, and cost over five thousand dollars. After the completion of the parsonage he turned his attention to the educational needs of his congregation, and carried out the long cherished design of erecting a first-class school building adjoining the church. This three-story brick structure — St. George’s Hall — was erected in 1884 at a cost of nine thousand dollars, and is fitted with gas, steam and water. The first floor is divided into three large school-rooms, the second floor is St. George’s Hall and stage, while the third floor is occupied by the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. Father Frey has labored faithfully in Dunkirk for his people and the cause of Christianity, and his efforts have been duly appreciated by his congregation and all who know him. He is a pleasant gentleman of classical education, general information and good address.