Elmer Andrew Steffen (1890-1963)

Elmer Andrew Steffen

Elmer Steffen Noted Summer Resident Dies

Elmer Andrew Steffen former director of music for the Roman Catholic Achdiocese of Indianapolis and longtime leader in Indianapolis musical cricles, died Monday, June 3, in St. Vinents Hospital there.

He was 73 years old and a well known Lake Macinkuckee summer resident of 732 Eat Shore Drive.

A lifelong resident of Indianapolis, Mr. Steffen, 3122 Sutherland Avenue, retired in 1855 as the archdiocesan director of music, a post he had held since 1937.

A short while later, he retired also as master director of SS Peter and Paul Cathedral, where he was organizer and director of the Schola Cantorum and other singing groups.

Mr. Steffen, a steong supporter of secular music activities, was co-founder with Dr. Fabien Sevitzky of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and was its conductor for many years.

He was also co-founder with Perceval Owen of the Mednelsohn Choir, predecessor of the symphonic group. He also was conductor of that choir

Mr. Steffen was founder of the Lilly Choral Ensemble and director of the Matinee Musciale. He also had conducted choirs with the Cincinnati Symphony and other orchestras.

In the sacred music field, Mr. Steffen pioneered in the recical of the Gregorian Chant and the promotion of correct liturgical music.

For his service in the sacred music field, Mr. Steffen was made a Knight of St. Grefory by Pope Ppius XII in 1939. The award, one of the highest in the Roman Catholic Church, is conferred on laymen who have made outstanding contributions to the church in s specific field.

Mr Steffen wrote two major sacred music works "Missa Eucherista" and "Ecce Sacerdos". He also wrote numerous decotioal motets which have been incoporaten in hymnals throughout the country.

Steffen also has been an advocate of more active lat participation in the catholic liturgy through congregational singing. Toward this purpose he has urged the collection and doption of a nationall approved Catholic hymnal and the teachinf of Grgorian Chants in Catholic schools through the use of modern rather than archais notations.

Besides being director of archdioceasn mucis Steffen has bee archdiocesan chairman of the auiliary committee to the Roman Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music, secretary of the Society of St. Gregory and member of the advisory board of the Gregorian Institute of America. Among the awards he has received are the Caecilian Award and the Federation of Music Clubs Award.

A well known soloist, Steffen has appeared in various operas oratorios and recitals. Many years ago he was commissioned to edit the songs of Stephen Foster.

During World War I he was cited by the government for his music promotion at military instalations.

Services will be held at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, June 6, in Flanner and Buchanan Fall Creek Mortuary and at 9 a.m. in St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Indianapolis. Private burial will be held in Holy Cross Cmetery there.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Marguerite M. Steffen; two daughters, Mrs. Suzabbe M. Geringner and Mrs. Pauline B. Shaver; a son, Andrew Steffen; a brother Charles Steffen; and nine grandchildren all of Indianapolis - Aug 10 1955 - Citizen

A life-long resident of Indianapolis, Elmer A. Steffen (1890-1963) co-founded the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir in 1938 while serving as both music director of the Roman Catholic archdiocese and master director of the Schola Cantorum Choir at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. In 1939, Steffen also received a papal knighthood from the order of St. Gregory in recognition of his service in sacred music.

Elmer Steffen who served as the first conductor of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir in 1937

Among the states eminent musicians... Elmer Andrews Steffen, composer and teacher widley known as directors of choirs and choruses.. pg. 136 Indiana. A guide to the Hoosier state 1947 by Federal Writers' Project, United States.

He is mentioned in the The Encyclopedia of Indiana (1994) by David J. Bodenhamer, Robert Graham Barrows - pg. 809 as follows:

ELMER ANDREW STEFFEN, director of music for the Catholic diocese of Indianapolis and a papal knight of the Order of St. Gregory, served as the ISG first ...

Elmer Andrew Steffen Birth: 11 Jul 1890 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Death: 3 Jun 1963 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana Burial : Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana son of Andrew Steffen & Barbara Pfau

married Marguerite Marie Maass BIRTH 28 Aug 1897 Indiana DEATH 17 Dec 1987 Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana BURIAL 19 Dec 1987 Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, PLOT Sec-S-F Lot-104N1/2 Sp-3 daughter of Henry C. Maass & Pauline ----

their children:

Elmer Andrew "Andy" Steffen Jr

Year: 1930; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0308; FHL microfilm: 2340342 Name: Elmer A Steffen
Birth Year: abt 1889
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Indiana
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: Southerland Ave
Ward of City: Ward 2
Block: 1
House Number: 3122
Dwelling Number: 5
Family Number: 5
Home Owned or Rented: Owned
Home Value: 20, 000
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: No
Age at first Marriage: 30
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's Birthplace: Indiana
Mother's Birthplace: Indiana
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: President Industry: Cigar Mtg Co
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Household Members:
Name Age
Elmer A Steffen 41
Margarite Steffen 32
Maimie Steffen 56
Susan Steffen 7
Elmer A Steffen 5
Pauline Steffen 2

Year: 1940; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: m-t0627-01122; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 96-48 Name: Elmer A Steffen
Respondent: Yes
Age: 50
Estimated birth year: abt 1890
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Indiana
Marital status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: Sutherland Avenue
House Number: 3122
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana
Residence in 1935: Same House
Resident on farm in 1935: No
Citizenship: Naturalized
Sheet Number: 1A
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 8
Occupation: Musician
House Owned or Rented: Owned
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 8,000
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: High School, 4th year
Class of Worker: Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 0
Income Other Sources: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Elmer A Steffen 50
Marguerite Steffen 43
Suzanne Steffen 18
Elmer A Steffen 16
Pauline Steffen 12

Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899-2011 Name: Elmer A Steffen
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 73
Marital status: Married
Birth Date: 11 Jan 1890
Birth Place: Indiana
Death Date: 3 Jun 1963
Death Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, USA
Father: Andrew Steffen
Mother: Barbara Steffen

Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue History & Genealogy Culver, Marshall, Indiana

Elmer Andrew Steffen (1890-1963)