Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-30
Opening Of 81. stephens Church.

Yesterday morning the basement Of ST. Ste
phens' Catholic Church, corner OF 25.h street
and Pennsylvania avenue, in charge Of Rev.
Father McNalley, was opened for Divine
service Tor the frst time. The congrega-
ton held Its first service last summer in the
Paroe hal school OF ST. Matthews. but for a
month past has been using the basement whico
was dedicated yesterday; The choir accom-
panied by Prof John Espu,a on the organ
was composed OF Mrs. Sands, Mss SANDS, Tue
I've daughters OF Capt Meade, OF the Navy;
Mr. Snaunnessey and Mr.. Williams. Consid.
ering they had but one rehearsal the reudi-
iion of Schmidt's Mass was admirable. Grand
High Macs was celebrated by Rev. John Ne
Naliey tcelebrant,) with Rev. Father Cleary,
;. j., deacon, and Rev. Mr.. Lancaster, s. J.,
sub deacon.
The sermon was preached by Rev F. X
Boyle, of St Peters Church, bssed upon toe
second chapter o: the Gospel by st. Luk Re, aud
was exceedingly appropriate. In the course
OF the sermon be spoke OF the church being
the same in doctrine throughout the world
and Oh ITS progress, there now being I50, 900, 900
catholic population, with 500 bishops, $500 OF
whom gathered recently at Rome to witness
the canonizing Of saints on the invitation of
the Pope who ackno wledged Plus the Ninth
as the successor OF st. Peter and the repre-
sentative Of Christ on earth. The church was
not national one, but in 1t all politics, race
and color, dc, are forgotten, and on its doc
trines throughout the world the MEMBERSHIP
are unit He spoke at some length on the
dressings OF the church on communities, and
the duties of the mem Der ship, and express I'd
the hope thst this edifics would be one in
which for ages the Christian woald seek refug
and con ISOLATION.
The Church, when completed. will be fac
structure and an ornament to the First Ward
in W hich II is built. The brickwork is already
completed, and the work on the interior Is
progressing timely, and IL is hoped will be
completed by July next. The plan Of the
church is by Messrs. Cluss Il Kammerhueb Der,
and the style of architecture is the Byzantine
The total depth or the building, including the
Al UaT ia hnn n f.nf a
the width 80, and, with the pastoral residence,
a neat building In the same style OF architec-
ture adjoining, will cost about 100000. The
pews viii be ready for rental next Sunday
and, judging from the large attendance yester.
day and heretofore, they Will soon be all en-
gagged. Next Sunday arrangements will also
be made for Sunday school.
The basement OF the Church was crowded
yesterday BY an attentive congregation. 1t
will be used for the present as q Church, but
when The edifice is finished will be occo pied
by the Suneay School. Messrs. Williams &
Gallant are the contractors for the carpenters
Work, and Mr.. John Chapman the bricklayer.
TIE PLEASING CHRIsTNAs FESTIVAL OF
WESLEY CHAPEL SUNDAY SCHooL.-On Fri
day evening last the festival of the Wesley
Chapel Sunday School TOOK place in the
church, and il was one which will long be
remem bered by the participants, among whom
were large number Of .children o. larger
growth" The school had assembled In the
basement and at the appointed tims the
sch GLARS were marched into the church, in
which seats had been resery ed for them Here
after the scholars had engaged in singing a
Christmas 1dyl was recited, and some Christ.
mas carols sung. On the platform a cedar
grove was seen, in which was q hui, With
door, window, chimney, and matched roof
and The church being darkened, quite a novel
sight was presented. committee Of little
girls was chosen TO see why Santa Ctaus had
neglected them, and they were directed 70 go
10 the cottage. On their appearan CO, old S1nta
thrust his head out OF the chimney, inq hiring
WHO'S tberei'' ana a little conversation an
sued the girls entreating him 10 show him self
when be called on the fairies to light up, and
Immediately the iuterior was brilliantly
lighted. He then emerged from the door
and the girls informed him that the
school had been forgotten, and be ans wered
That he conld de nothing, tor his stock had
been given out; but he was informed that n
box of candies had been found ana some nuts
not have. and he suggested that they take off
their stockings. The Fairy q ueen was called,
and emerged In view OF the school, repeating
some pretty verses, and asking what she could
do. Santa Claus Informed her that the school
were waiting for presents, but they had no.
thing TO put them in. To which she replied
in verses, asking il fairy stockings won Id not
dc, and extending her wand called on all 10
obey Santa Claus, and disappeared, and the
latter entered the house, In high glee. and soon
returned with q wheel barrow laden with
stoc kings, containing confectionery, which
was plentIfully dIstrib O ted, and after maxine
several trips each scholar was supplied, and
the exercises brought to pleasant termina-
ton, The whole assemblage being gratified by
the novelty Of the affair.
A