Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-07-23
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF ST.


In common with many of our fellow-citi-
zens, we were Witnesses, last Sunday, of a
very interesting. and, in this town, very novel
ceremony-the dedication of Roman Catho-
lie Church. The members of that religious
communion had contemplated for some time
past the erection of suitable place of wor-
ship, and above year ago the corner stone
was laid. Since that date the work has never
been intermitted, and at length our town is
graced by another Church, of whose archltec-
tural beauty we may be proud
The Church of St. Thomas IS small neat
Gothic edifice. The architect has avoided the
fault, which is generally, and often with good
reason, urged against our American Gothic
buildings that of giving to small chapel, or
what in Europe would be called such, the
shape and architectural appendages of mighty
Cathedral. He has happily selected the sim
pier and early Gothic style, and both the ex-
terror and interior please, by their unpretend-
ing simplicity. The light is subdued and mel
lowed by the stained glass of the windows,
while the massive railing around the sanctua-
ry, the altar to which the priest ascends by
several steps, and where alone any ornament
appears, and the pointed curve of the Apsls
above, recall at once to the mind of the stu
dent the features of the early and now ivy-clad
Churches OF other lands.
On Sunday last, this Church was dedicated
by the Rev J. F. O'Neill, of Savannah, assis-
ted by the Rev. DR.. Lynch, of Charleston, the
Rev. Thomas Murphy, of this place, and the
Rev. MIR. Cofey, of Newbern.
We will not pretend to give any account Of
the ceremonial. The clergymen, in their sa
cred robes, made the circuit of the Church ex.
teriorly, chanting the psalm Miserere mel
Deus, in Latin, and then entered it procession
ally, ard knelt around the altar within TIT
sanctuary, still continuing their chaunt of thu
psalms, interspersed with appropriate prayers
They then made the circuit of the Church in
teriorly. sprnkling the walls with holy water
and returning to the sanctuary, concluded tht
ceremony of the dedication by the closins
prayers. These being finished, DR.. Lynch, il
an address which occupied about half an hour
spoke of the sacred and inviolable character O
the Christian Temple, and the respect in whicl
the house of God should ever be held.
A Solemn High Mass was then celebrated b,
the Rev. MIR. ONeill-Rev Messrs LyncI
and Murphy officiating as deacon and sub
deacon. During this portion of the service
the choir sustained its part with ability. Tn
voices were excellent and we'll trained, an
the performance on the sweet toned organ ex
cellent
After the conclusion of the service of tn
mass, the Rev. Dr. Lynch delivered long dis
course on the character of the Christian Rel
on mankind since its first establishment Thi
was the opening OF series Of Lectures, whic
he has since followed up, and brought to
close on Wednesday night.
On Sunday afternoon, vespers were chaunt
el, and an eloquent and logical discourse dc
livered by Rev. J. F. ONell. During tn
week the services of the Church have bee
unremitted.
If libcrality and continued exeltions be
proof of earnest and praiseworthy zeal, W
have an example of it in our midst for W
understand that it is almost entirely by II
j contributions OF the few Catholics of Whining
ton, and the untiring e1ertions OF their pasto
= that the Church of ST. Thomas has been ereC
e ted To it we say-esto perpetual.