Sister Clara Leinfelder's Story & Gallery
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Clara Leinfelder was born in 1860 to a farming family in Lorain, Ohio. When Clara was five years old, FSPA Superior Mother Antonia visited Ohio to invite her brother to come to Wisconsin and build a motherhouse for her community. In 1865 Clara moved to Jefferson, Wisconsin, with her family. In 1871, when the motherhouse was transferred to La Crosse, Wisconsin, Sister Clara moved there with the FSPA community in order to follow her vocation. She made her final profession in 1876.
In her own writings, Sister Clara states, “That from my entrance into the congregation (1874) every opportunity was given me to become a useful member. The best teachers available at that time instructed at the convent. We had the Reverend Henry Kampschroer of La Crosse for high school and college work; Mr. Bernard Durward of Milwaukee for literature and painting; Miss Bridget Kavenaugh of Chicago for pastel painting; and numerous teachers for piano, organ, harp, various string instruments and harmony.”
During her time studying under Bernard Durward, Sister Clara painted a portrait of the Most Reverend Michael Heiss. Under Miss Kavenaugh’s teaching, she drew “Pharaoh’s Horses” in charcoal.
Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration Jeanice Lohman notes that, “Sister Clara’s specialty was music, and she was named the convent organist in 1876, a position she held for over 50 years. She was responsible for choosing and playing the chant for the daily and weekly liturgical services. Her expertise on the Estey Organ was recognized by all who heard her play. After studying violin, she attained proficiency on that instrument, but she received greater joy from playing the harp. She perfected her style and repertoire under the tutelage of Miss Clara Murray, a renowned harpist from Chicago.” The original convent harp is named “Clare” in her honor. She passed away at St. Rose Convent at the age of 81.
