Archdiocese of Chicago Archives & Records Center Page 1 Title (Free Text Part) Msgr. Charles N. Meter Papers Classification History Records - Finding Aid Owner Location Charles Nicholas Meter Begin Date 1/1/1930 End Date 12/31/1998 Processor(s) Hoffman, Donald; Duffy, Michael J. Date Created 10/11/2011 at 12:08 PM Accession Number 0 Number of Boxes 17 Security Unrestricted Access, Archives Copyright Notice No restrictions Collection Language(s) English Biographical/Administrative History Charles N. Meter was born in Chicago on March 1, 1911. The family moved to Wilmette where he attended St. Francis Xavier Grammar School. He entered Quigley Preparatory Seminary and took philosophy and theology at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. After being ordained on April 28, 1936 by Cardinal George Mundelein with a S. T. L. degree, Meter was sent to the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome where he received a Master's degree in Gregorian Chant and a S. T. L. in Sacred Music in 1941. In 1949, De Paul University conferred on Meter an honorary Doctorate of Music. Meter was a professor of music at Quigley Preparatory Seminary from 1939-1963. In addition, he was director of the Cardinal's Cathedral Choristers 1941 1963, director of the Archdiocese Priests Choir 1941 1965, director of the Gregorian Chant Choir 1939 1941, secretary and later president of the Sacred Music Commission 1953-1975, a member of the Liturgical Commission which was organized by Cardinal Meyer in 1964 and its function was absorbed by the Office of Divine Worship in 1975, president of the American Federation of the Pueri Cantores 1953 1986. In 1963, Meter was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Wilmette and in 1981 he was elevated to the status of pastor emeritus. In 1949 Meter was made a Papal Chamberlain with the title of Very Reverend Monsignor and in 1959 he was made a Domestic Prelate with the title of Right Reverend Monsignor. The Commission for Sacred Music of the Archdiocese of Chicago was established by Samuel Cardinal Stritch in 1953. Its purpose was "to further and encourage in a practical way proper sacred music in the Archdiocese." Msgr. Edward Burke, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, was appointed chairman, with Msgr. Meter as secretary. In 1962, Meter became chairman and Msgr. Joseph Mroczkowski became secretary, positions both men held until 1975. Under Meter's direction, the Commission conducted general meetings, seminars and workshops for organists and choir directors, and supplied and recommended materials for their use. In September 1955, Cardinal Stritch promulgated legislation of church music for the Archdiocese. This legislation was prepared by the Music Commission and it banned music that was considered unliturgical for weddings. Among the forbidden works: the Wagner and Mendelssohn wedding marches, several Ave Marias, including Schubert's and Gounod's, and popular English selections such as I Love You Truly, O Promise Me, and Because. This ban was reported not only in the local press, but also in Time and Newsweek. For over twenty five years, Meter was recognized as the "music man" of the Archdiocese. Referrals on questions and for recommendations on Sacred Music were made to him by the Cardinal Archbishops, Chancellors, and other diocesan officials. After the liturgical apostolate was reorganized by John Cardinal Cody in 1975, Meter's impact and advice continued to be sought by diocesan and commission officials. Msgr. Meter died on October 6, 1998 at the rectory of St. Joseph Parish, Wilmette, Illinois. Mo Page 2 nsignor Meter presented his papers to the Archives of the Archdiocese of Chicago on January 27, 1988, the date of the dedication of the climate controlled archives storage room at 5150 NW Highway which was named after the first officially supported Archdiocesan archivist, Fr. Menceslaus Madaj. Accruals This collection as it currently appears was processed in two accessions. The first accession was received as above on January 27, 1988. The second accession was received on October 6, 1998, the date of Msgr. Meter's death. The second accession of this collection was processed and the finding aid was updated in December 2000 and January 2001. All papers received in the second accession are marked as such in the series outline, series description, and container list. Separations Yearbooks from Quigley Preparatory Seminary, La Petit Seminaire, travel memorabilia, and holy cards were also received. Yearbooks were ad Scope & Content The collection was processed in March and April 1988. These papers document the role of sacred music in the Archdiocese of Chicago from the Pre Vatican II days of 1950's and early 1960's the dramatic changes that took place in the late 1960's as the liturgy changed from the use of Latin to the vernacular, and the liturgical renewal of 1970's. The papers received in the second accession document the history of music at Holy Name Cathedral, musical and liturgical events with which Msgr. Meter was associated, and writings and notes by Msgr. Meter. They also document his professional life in personal correspondence. A large number of photographs and sound recordings were also received with the second accession. Series Description I. Music Commission A. Correspondence: Consists of correspondence to and from Meter, referrals made to him, notes on various Commission meetings and functions, and copies of newspaper clippings on commission activities. It also includes isolated correspondence to Meter up to 1985. This material is arranged chronologically where dates are evident from 1953 to 1985. This also contains a letter that was part of the second accession, dated 1963. B. Constitution and History: Consists of drafts of the Commission constitution and a history of the Commission. Also included are pre commission proposals in 1913 for a diocesan college of sacred music and regulation for choir dated 1917. C. Minutes: Consists of the minutes of the commission from 1953 to 1975 arranged chronologically. D. Administrative Papers: Consists of budgets for the commission and attendance records for various commission workshops meetings. E. Printed Material: Consists of the newsletter published by the commission from 1961 to 1966 and the bulletin from 1973 to 1975. II. Liturgical Commission A. Minutes: Consists of minutes of meetings of the commission, announcements of the meetings and notes. All are arranged in chronological order from 1966-1972. B. Pastoral Directory: Consists of written and typed drafts and the final form of the revised printed edition of the Pastoral Directory on the Mass for the Archdiocese of Chicago published in 1966. C. Liturgy Training Program: Consists of training materials prepared for various meetings throughout the Archdiocese to introduce pastors and parishioners to the new liturgy during the years 1964 1966. D. Administrative Papers: Consists of membership lists and recommendations for membership. E. Archdiocesan Choral Festivals: Consists of correspondence, programs, and newspaper clippings of the Archdiocesan Choral Festivals. The Festivals in 1974 and 1975 were sponsored by the Music Commission. The 1976, 1977, and 1978 festivals were sponsored by the Liturgical Commission. F. First Liturgical Conference of the Archdiocese, 1973: Consists of program and materials prepared for this conference. G. Liturgy Packets: Consists of packets of printed materials prepared by the Liturgical Commissions on many aspects of the new liturgy in the 1970's. There are packets on Eucharistic Celebrations, the sacraments, prayers, the diaconate, parish liturgy committees, church music, etc. H. Printed Materials: Consists of Notes from the Liturgical Commission 1971 1977 (incomplete) III. Papal and Conciliar Documents Papal Documents on Sacred Music and the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II. IV. National and International Organizations A. Bishops' Commission on the Liturgical Apostolate: Consists of statements of the Commission on the liturgy and the Newsletter of the Commission, 1966 1977 (incomplete) B. Pueri Cantores: Correspondence, programs and newspaper clippings on Pueri Cantores, the International Federation of Little Singers, 1955 1987. This also contains material from the second accession, dated 1968 1998. C. Church Music Association of America: Correspondence, programs, and constitution of this national organization. 1959 1971. D. Liturgical Conference: Correspondence, programs, and other printed materials of the Liturgical Week conference in 1964 and 1965 E. Fifth International Chant Music Congress: Correspondence, promotional materials, programs, addresses, photographs of this meeting held in August, 1966 in River Forest, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. F. Pius X11 Newsletter: Newsletter of the Pius XII Society, 1961 1963 (incomplete) G. Caecilia: A Catholic Review of Musical Art, 1940 1963 (incomplete) H. Chant Music Regulations: Printed regulation of various American diocese. Page 3 V. Music at Holy Name Cathedral A. Cathedral Music: Consists of printed materials, newspaper clippings, a letter, lists of choirmasters and organists, and two versions of the history of the music program at the cathedral. B. Cathedral Choir News / Chronicle: Consists of the official newspaper of the Cathedral Choir, "Edited and Published by the Choir Librarians under the direction of Fr. Meter." VI. Performance and Pastoral Documents A. Programs: Consists of programs for Masses and other liturgical events, concerts, and dinners in which Msgr. Meter had a musical or liturgical role, arranged