Rev. Philip Steyle
Rev. Philip Steyle, rector of St. Mary's Catholic Church, Delaware, was born at Fenetrange, Department of the Meurthe-et-Moselle, in France, on the 14th of October, 1848. After attending the elementary schools of his native town, he studied the classics and philosophy in the colleges of Ponta-Mousson and Nancy. At the age of nineteen years be came to America, and after finishing his theological studies in the Provincial Seminary of Troy, New York, was there ordained a priest for the Diocese of Columbus, in June. 1871. He had charge of St. John's Church at Bellaire, Ohio, until 1873. Thence he went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he remained until October, 1883, since which time he has been stationed in Delaware.
Father Steyle's pastorate here has been crowded with useful labor, and its results are plainly manifest in the greatly improved condition of the parish and in the high moral and Christian tone which prevails generally among all those who have come under his influence. The material improvement is visible in the church, school, parsonage, convent, and cemetery, all of which institutions are largely his work, as before his arrival in Delaware, although St. Mary's already had a numerous congregation, practically nothing had been attempted in the way of buildings. He succeeded in infusing into his parishioners much of his own indomitable energy and spirit of persevering Christian zeal, with the result of bringing the parish into its present flourishing condition, with tasteful and adequate buildings, and all the necessary equipment for the sacred ministrations and the maintenance of religion and Christian education.
While these and other practical labors connected with his charge have taken up much of Father Steyle's time, they have not prevented him from adding to his stores of secular knowledge, in which direction he made an auspicious beginning during his university days. He is a linguist of rare attainments; in addition to French, his native tongue, and the classical languages, Greek and Latin, he possesses a firm mastery over German, Italian, Spanish, and modern Greek, and even has a good knowledge of Arabic. His English diction is so pure and idiomatic that few hearing him preach or lecture would suspect him to be other than an American. The illusion is borne out by his appearance and deportment, in which there is little to suggest a Gallic origin; yet by descent, birth and education, he is a Frenchman of purest blood. His manners are unassuming and he is retiring and studious in his habits. He is also an amateur musician of ability, being proficient in both vocal and instrumental music. He is now in his 60th year—at that period of life when, though the bodily powers have lost in some degree their original force, the mental faculties are often, as in Father Steyle's case, at their period oi ripest development. Secure in the love and devotion of his parishioners, he also has the respect and good-will of the members of other religious congregations, both Catholic and Protestant, and of the people of Delaware generally, who recognize in him a faithful and efficient pastor, and a scholarly and refined Christian gentleman.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908