Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1913, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “I got $3,000.00 contract from Father McCann of Elgin, for a scenic decoration for their Coliseum. This represented a tropical island and was very effective, and the Bazaar that was given with the decoration was a very wonderfully successful one, netting $6,000.00.” To put this project in financial perspective, $6000 in 1913 is the equivalent of approximately $155,000 today. That is a lot of money for a church to spend on a bazaar. Father McCann at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, however, was a poet, lover of the arts, and tango enthusiast. The 1913 church bazaar was set in the Elgin Coliseum, a venue with a seating capacity of 4,000. The tropical theme in 1913 supported a variety of performances, including the controversial dance. For a little perspective, by 1913 dance instructors who taught the tango in Paris were banished from the city due to the sexual overtones. It is understandable why McCann had to defend the dance in the regional papers, as he was certainly pushing the envelope of social acceptability at the time.
The church bazaar was mentioned in the “Joliet Evening Herald-News” article:
“TANGO O.K. SAYS ELGIN PRIEST” (29 Sept 1913, page 2).
Here is the article, as it provides a little more background about this quirky clergy member:
“Elgin, Ill., Sept 29.- Father John J. McCann, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church, wants everyone to learn and dance the tango in its appeared form, which he highly endorsed. He announced today that an exhibition of the new dance by three children couples under supervision of a professional teacher will be the feature of the church bazaar next month. His first idea was to have the teacher instruct adults at the bazaar, but she said improper steps would creep in unless there had been careful training beforehand, He expects to throw the dance opinion to all at the next bazaar.”
Moses previously worked for the McCann in 1912, writing, “Went to Elgin to see Father McCann about a show for their Coliseum – a big street effect.” Sosman & Landis did another big contract for a pained street scene for the event. This was another substantial project for the firm that brought in significant income. Unfortunately, McCann would not remain in Elgin.
Only a few years later, McCann’s career turned south, after a conflict with Bishop Peter J. Muldoon that dramatically escalated. McCann was even taken into custody after a police standoff from inside St. Mary’s Church in Elgin (see past post # 811 for the sordid details). However, in 1913 McCann was still poplar with the public and flush with funds, even purchasing fine artworks from Moses at his 1913 Palette & Chisel Club art exhibition. Moses recorded that McCann bought one canvas for $200.00 and another for $100.00, “starting the sale in good shape.”
In 1913, McCann made headlines again in the “Herald” newspaper article “Priest Named in Elgin Case” (Crystal Lake, 13 Oct. 1913, page 7). I think that this was the beginning of the end for Father McCann. Here is the article:
“Elgin.- On the witness stand before Police Magistrate Thompson, William J. Peer, manager of the Chicago Motor Cab company, testified that the automobile in which Joe Connor made his escape from the Elgin State hospital, July 25, was ordered by Father John J. McCann, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic church, Elgin.” Oh my. It had to have been hard to explain that to Bishop Muldoon.
In 1914, Moses wrote, “The Elgin Coliseum that we started in the fall was put up in February and it was very effective; good lighting. The committee was well pleased with it. The Palette and Chisel Club loaned some pictures. I took up half a dozen and we made a little Art Gallery, and I think we put our name on the map, if nothing else. ”
To be continued…
