Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-09-23
LOCAL NEWS.


ST. MATTHEW'S FKsTIvAL.-The feast of
-. Matthew, Apostle, Evangelist and Martyr,
GaS Sse snaneq IsseTSday a. Mathews
great soiemnity Solemn High mass was cele-
tEa,ed by tne assistant pastor, Rev. Father De
welt assisted So6 ~ two Of the clergy from
Mcguire preached an excellent sermon upon
the Apostolic succession all I'D ing to the yoca.
hGp OF St-1Maithew, and the prsmptness with
which he responded to the call of our Sa-
yiour. aH. 70 -l ---arF - IEFa.E7| .
The principal altar as well as the shripes OF
me aPosue ana the virgin, were profusly dec
GRATED with flowers and lights, aud presented
beautiful appearance. The mass sung on
his occasion was Mozsrt's Twelfth, and the
choir was largely augmented by a number of
occasion. There was also full orchestral &C.
compartment in connection with the fine or
formed in this city as il was yesterday The
church was filled to overfowing 80 :
The following history OF this parish will be
read with interest: :. T-f-I3 :
The cornerstone OF st. Matthews Church,
IN the city of Washington, was laid on tine 2lst
OF September, 1888, by the Most Rev. Arch
mense concourse Of people from ali parts of tho
city. All our clergymen in this city and sew
eral from Georgetown College on that day as
sembled at St. Patrick's Church. where dis.
course was pronounced by Father Ryder; after
which procession was formed, headed BY the
Marine Band, and marched to the spot where
was laid by the Archbishop. The church was
erected under the direction of business COM
mittee. composed Of the following gentlemen:
Thomas Carbery, John Queen, Ignatius Mudd,
and Jos. Harbaugh. The building progressed
slowly. and it was not dedicated until the 2ist
Of September, 1s4O. That ceremony was per-
formed by Archbishop Eccleston, on winch
occasion Or. Moriarty, of Philadelphia,
preached The day was delightful. The whole
ceremony. The music was performed by 81.
PatrIck's choir. The organ previously pur.
chased by Father Donelan was not in order
and could not be used A piano was suhsti
tu:ed.
The Rev. John P. Donelan was appointed
hrst pastor. and remained as such until Sep
TENDER, 1916, when he was transferred to St
NIpcent's Church, Baltimore.
The church was consecrated by Archbishop
Eccleston on the 18th of May, 1872. After the
conservation of the church, a pontifical mass
was celebrated by Bishop Fenwick of Boston,
and sermcn pronounced by the Very Rev.
Or Power, ofNew York. The Bishop Of New
the san ctuary. 4
The Rev: James B. Donelan succeeded his
brother John r. Donelan, and continued his
office until December, 1885, when he resigned,
and became assistant pastor to Rev John
Byrne- Previous to the appointment of DR..
Iyrne as pastor, he was assistant pastor, and
pronounced his first sermon in the church on
the 3Oth OF October, 1855 DIR. Byrne remained
pastor until 1867. While Father James Done.
Ian was pastor he purchased new organ,
erected the steeple, put up the bell, ntrod uced
the Christian Brothers into the city, and opened
day school for boys in the basement OF the
church
During the pastorate of Father Byrne, he
added The present sanctuary TO the church
and erected the marble altar and tabernacle
Waidron became assistant pastor in July, 1857
Kew Dr white was appointed pastor in
November, 1857, and Rev. John McNally be-
came his assistant in October, 1859, Since the
accession of Rev. DIR. White to the pastorshIp.
an iron railing was put up around the church,
and the building covered with slate roof
which was found to be absolutely necessary
Inc poruco and steps in front of the church,
which were ia ruipous condition, were re-
newed first in wood, and a few years after
words a So bstantial marble and granite nor.
tco was erected at considerable expense At
the same time, about three years ago, the base.
ment of the church was much enlarged and
improved, at a cost Of three thousand dollars
In 1859 the splendid pulpit, which Will bear
comparison with any thing of the kind IN the
United States, was placed in the church, as
well as baptismal font in marble, enclosed
with an iron railing AS an appendage to this
part OF the sacred edfice, a fine oil painting.
representing the baptism OF our Saviour by st.
John the Baptist, has been Introduced-the
work OF the distinguished artist Brumedi
whose genius and skill in the decoration of the
Capitol of the United States are universally
known. Two years ago st. Matthew's Church
was newly frescoed, and it's interior orna.
mentation enhanced. About the commence
ment OF the late war q school-house for
boys was erected, and another establishment
dedicated to the instruction OF girls. St. AIMS
Infant Asylum for foundlings was commenced
was placed under the charge Of the Sisters Of
Charity. We learn that the boys school in st.
Mst,hew's parish is about to be placed under
he charge OF the Brothers of the Christian
Schools. Besides these Improvements, within
few years past, the pastoral residence OF St.
Matthew's has been considerably enlarged, and
bears some little proportion to the spacious
and elegant buildings which grace that portion
of the national metropolis.
The Rev. John McNally having been ap.
pointed pastor Of ST. Stephens Church. nov
IN course of erection In the First Ward, Rev.
Desiderius DeWolf is the present assistant of
eighteen months a fine school. house has been
erected within ST Matthew's parish for the
colored Catholics, in which schools are held
SUNDAYS and holidays. Rev. f. Barotu is
pastor Of this colored congregation. Thus
three parishes have been organized out Of the
original parish of St. Matthew's.
PRoTRACTED MERTINGs.-The revival of
religion which has been in progress at Ham
line Nj. L. Church for several weeks still con-
tinues, and the interest is on the increase, the
altar being crowded nightly, and the congre-
cations Overlooking. During the present week
Rev. NJ. Wood. noted revivalist from New
England, has been assisting the pastor, Rev
Mr. Hoover, at those meetings and last night
preached powerful sermon. A love.fea
was held Yesterday afternoon, which was
largely attended, and an in vitation being given
TO persons to unite with the church, Is were
received on probation. ..
A spirited revival is also in progress at
Mckendree Chapel, in charge OF Rev. VIM.
kribs, and large and attentive congregations
are present nightly, while many penitents are
at the altar. A number Of conversions have
already been reported and there Is every pros
pect that tins will be a meeting resulting in
large accessions 10 the membership of the
church.
A very interesting revival meeting is ia
progress al Waugh Chapel, on Capitol Hill,
which Is in charge of the pastor, Rev. q. G..
Markham, and a number OF conversions have
already been reported.
1|
DIFFICULTY AT TEUToN1A HALL.-A dis
turbance occurred at Teutonia Music Hail.
on Pennsylvania avenue, be ween 9th and 10rh
streets, on Saturday night, between q number
OF persons known respectively as the "Loug
Bridge" and second Ward boys. during
which the free use Of chairs and other furni.
ture was INDUCED In. An ugly feud, IL seems,