Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-11-17
COMM UNICATIoNs.
For the Advertiser.
Tl THE CITIZENS OF EDGEFIELD.

Tu 1HE ClflLENS UF EDGEtlELD.
FELLOW CIrrzESs:-All in our village, and even
most, if not all in District are aware of my hum
bic efforts to build Catholic Church at the Court
House. heliLerality and generosity Of many among
you have encouraged to do so and have given the
first momentum to my movements. The rapid pro-
gress of the work, and its present fine appearance,
have induced many to enquire, "Where did the money
come from?' "When will it be finished" To IN
swer these enquiries and to crafty our numerous
friends, and all benevolent citizens pen this commu
nicaton.
In order to cooperate with the first contributors
and further their commencement, I have travelled
South and Northward, on collecting tour. No ono
could he better received kindly treated or moro
generously aided than was; not only by Catholic
Bishops Priests and people, but even by many of the
various Denominations, whose acquaintance had the
pleasure of making long before Edgeeld was inclu-
ded in my mission, and whose generosity proved that
was not forgotten by them though time and absence
had interviewed. So fur as Invent was indeed every
where successful.
At the very start, made it primary duty to pay
from the funds collected by myself for tho Lot on
Title Deeds. And hence, wish publicly to state,
there is not dollar contributed by Catholics
or others in Edgefsd District appropriated to that
purchase. Their contributions have been used as
they intended solely to mid in building the Church.
Tho recent crashing and suspension Of Banks in
duced me to return to Edgefed with what collected
On or about the lst of lust january, I entered the
quarry. There spared neither personal labor nor
toll in bringing from affair." the necessary implements.
+ gathered around me faithful laborers, competent
IN chancs, and IL very skilful and efficient foreman,
Mr.. p. WHELAS; and assumed myself, without any
contractor the worrying functions of general super
intendant The walls soon rose above their fuunda-
tons grew upwards with the advance Of each Winter
and Summer month, andnuw, with rpcning Autumn,
they are finished rooted and nearly ate.cad against
the approaching winter.
Tho Church. even as it is, in its beautiful Medieval
Architectural appearance the design Of Mr.. NIERSSiE,
Architect Of our State House in Columbia, seems al
ready worthy of God, and an ornament to our Vii
luge both which objects had constantly IN view from
the beginning. Rt Rev. DR.. LYNCH, when here
few months ago, said it was the finest specimen Of
masonry South of Baltimore. It isthe assertion Of
gentlemen who have both that it ranks next
to the Cathedral in Charleston, and has no compari-
son in the DiUcess.
Thus, instead Of half burned brick, or sort Of
par colored stons, which vas the best material
that seemed to offer at frs and with which deter
mined to build through the kindness aud permission
of friends, went from field to field in search of bet
ter stone, and finally succeeded with great labor and
considerable expense, in reaching hers and there
much no blue and gray granite succd to the pres
cnt; and soon hope, with Gods blessing, shall
have quarried us much as will finish the Turret.
Thus, instead Of mere common disculored and un-
slightly stone walls aud shingled roof which all
our most Jealous friends at first could hope for,
have now through the goodness and fhror Of God, A.
beautiful granite Gothic Church, which is nearly
slated.
But what shall say Of our fellow citizens who so
generously patronized, encouraged and sustained mo-
Shall name those gentlemen who bestowed 50 many
favors and afforded mo so many facilities? It would
be iuvidious to do SO. The disposition was general,
and in order to be just, should include ALL for all,
of all denominations, personally kind, coHrtly
and encouraging to mc. Tho mute walls OF the
Church and my silent gratitude, are far more express
siye than load Of words, of what feel and that
feeling and appreciation shall, with Gods blessing,
increase with the years lie may allow me- and last
till my death.
might now begin to plaster had the means. But
have not 1t took all, and much more than had,
to sustain the work thus far, to put the Church
curey under cover, and to pny off fully NIL the Me-
chanics, stone Cutters and Masons, and also the la
borers. am consequently compelled at present to
suspend the work ON the Turrot, which is already
above the roof and must Of necessity give it more
than ample time to settle. Hence can neither now
finish the Turre begin the plastering, till the debts
already Ncontractcd for roofing and stating paid
and until We shall have in hands bcsides, what will
enable US to fit the Church for divine service Pru-
deuce and justice dictate this course.
To meet these obstacles and to resume and finish
in duo time, hold that God is as good now ever
and will be. With His blessing and with the
nrwet excrtiun of our few but jealous and generous
CATHOLICS, ana our many cooperating friends, who
recently doubled their GFst ptons-with the
payment Of some subscriptions that ure still due
with the beruliiy Of those who have not yet conribu
ted, and who may be disposed to mid us; these, to-
gcther with my own humble efforts will, ere very long,
cuable US to finish and enter the Church-and there
to adore and praise the God Of salvation, and to
pray from our hearts, with charity unfeigucd, for the
eternal aud temporal happiness of a of every class,
in aud out Of Edgcfeld, who everywhere contributed
to aid us.
With high regard and doppsst gratitude, am, fol-
citizens, your very humble and devoted servant,
I. BIRMINGHAM.
For the Advertiser.
ftrlo in nf