The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-06-23

4 tAAO No" OAtAoAAo
Church.
! We had intended to speak of the
consccration of tho new Catholic
Church, which took place on tho 9th
inst, but find the following, from tho
Catholic Telegraph, much more exact
and appropriate than anything We
could say;t
CoNsEcRATIoN.-The new Church of
ST. Mary, in Lancaster, Ohio, was SOL
emply consecratcd by the Most Rev.
Archbishop PURCELL ON last Sunday.
During the performance of the sacred
rite, which occupied three hours, the
Right Rev. Bishop YOUNG, of Erie, ad-
dressed briefly the largo audience
which had assembled outside the
church, The Right Rev. Prclate had
bccn formerly Pastor Of the congrega-
ton, and his presence and words
amongst his former parishioncrs were
both most gratifying. At the conclu-
sion of the conservation, in which the
Archbishop was assisted by the Rev,
Father BORGESS., of the Cathedral, Rev.
Mr.. Drummer, present Pastor, and
the Rev's Messrs. JARBo, LILLY,
and others of the Dominican Order,
from Somerset, and Priests from ada
cent missions, the Right Rev. Bishop
JUNKER, of Alton, celebrated high
Mass, assisted by the Rev. EDWARD
FITZGERALD, Of columbus, as Deacon,
and Rev. Mr.. VoGuT, of Alton, as sub
deacon. After the Gospel, the Dedica-
tion Sermon was preached. There
was present in the church large au-
! dience, consisting not only of the
Catholics of Lancaster but also of ma
ny from Circleville, GAINESVILLE, Som
erset and other points. The papal
Benediction was given by the Most
Rev. Archbishop at the conclusion Of
the service.
The Right Rev. Bishop of Eric Pre-
sided at Vespers, and preached and
administered the Sacrament of Confr-
nation to sixty five persons.
The new church is a noble edifice
and most creditable to the zeal of the
late pastor, Rev. Mr.. LANCE, and his
devoted and most generous people.
With the exception Of the Cathedral
it is unquestionably the finest church
in the Diocese. We are indebted to
Mr.. BLAIRE, general superintendent of
tho work, for tho following table Of
dimensions. Tho extreme length is
one hundred and scvcnty-two feet,
height fifty-siX feet to apex Of ceiling.
The tower, u large and solid structure
of brick, is one hundred and four feet
high, Oh which q spiro is to be erected
making to the top Of the cross two hun
drcd feet. The walls of tho church
are all of hard brick, resting on a
massive foundation Of sandstone. All
tho ornaments arc Of this beautiful
material which abounds in the neigh
borhOod. The roof is slated. The
windows of the church are filled with
stained glass Of different patterns, the
donors name appearing on EACH
The interior is very attractive, and the
arrangement of the sanctury quite inn
posing. There are six octagon col
umcs on each side, from which the
finely executed groined arches spring
most gracefully. The architect is Mr.
HERMAN. The plastcring, which VIC
observed was particularly we'll done
and without n blcmish on its snowy
surface was by Mr.. BANNAN of this
city. We observed crowds of people
during tho morning visiting the grave
of the late Pastor, Father LANCE, who
was called to heaven Just as the great
work he had begun was completed
We found it covered and heaped up
with fresh flowers, and men and wo-
men praying and weeping beside it.
The Catholics Of Lancaster have rea.
son to be grateful that God has given
them the zeal, perseverance, and gen.
erosity to accomplish so great a worl;
in His honor. They have set an ex-
ample of true Catholic union, and not.
withstanding the demands made on
their charity at home, they have been
ever among the foremost when solicit
ed for the Orphan Asylum or Semina
ry, They deserve to lead the way in
every good work.