The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-15
A new CATHOLIC CRUSCa.
Laying the Corner Stone Of ST. Bridgct's
Church, I'm Jersey City.

Laying the Corner Stone Of st. Bridgets
Church, in Jersey City.
Yesterday afternoon the corner stone Of Catholic
church laid 40 the corner of Gilbert ana Mercer
streets Jersey City, by the Very Rev. Dr. Corri2an,
Vicar General of the diocese OF Newark This will be
the fifth Catholic church within the limits OF the
city. The occasion brought out the Catholic ee-
ment in large numbers; aud at the very time when
the wind cold ana bitter the streets were lined
with crowds o. spectators who surveyed the process
sion OF Catholic societies. Women and children
might be seen shivering in the bleak neighborhood
OF the new structure; yet they watched ana waited.
1t was remarkable proof OF the unswcryng devotion
OF these poor people, and the tenacty with which
they cling TO their faith. Their generosity was also
tested, for when the box went around 1t soon be-
came filed. Whatever be the faults OF rishmeD
they are the best of Catholics, and no matter how
poor they may be- they are ready to contribute
to the support OF their Church The new edifice Is
situated in that part OF the Sixth ward inhabited
chiefly by the laOoring class, who were compelled IN
the severe winter to travel to an nconvenient DIS
lance IN order TO reach any of the otner Catholic
churches The Rev: p. Corrigan pastor OF ST. Peters,
took the matter In hand and SIX lots were purchased
IL was intended to give the church the title of
St. Patrick, but since the consolidation OF the ctes
places st. Patrcks church. OF Bergen Corner within
the new city, the title OF ST. Bridget was substi-
tuted. tbs worthy OF note that TINS is the only
church bearing that name In the state of New Jer
sey. IL VIII be plain structure but viii AFFORD
ample accommodations to tie parishioners IN that
quarter.
The following societies composed tile procession
which started from Pavonia avenue al two o'clock:
| LabQrers society, Worklngmen's Union, st. Pat
| rlck's. ST. Peters and st. Mchael's Temperance
societies; Father Matthew. Parent Society," st.
Joseph's and St. Mary's Temperance societies Of
Hudson CITY ana Hoboken, Workn.mens Associa-
ton OF Jersey City, Shamrock Benevolent Society,
Hbernian Society and 81. Bonface Germany Beneyo-
lent Society. The procession moved through
Grove street, South First, Jersey avenue, Newark
i avenue, Washington street and Grand street. and
extended fully half mile IN length. When the So
| cietles reached the grounds the concourse around
ceremony OF laying the stone then took place, the
officiating clergyman being attended by the follow
ing priests:-Fathers Corrigan Graham and Da Con-
| cillo OF Jersey City; Father Aanuta, OF HUDSON
| City; Father Cody, OF Hackensack; Father Kileen,
| of Newark, and Bather Byrne. OF Camden. The box
| which was deposited In the stone contained copy
| of the New York HERALD. the CONS OF the United
States and scroll OF parchment containing the FOL
lowing inscription:-"Ths corner stone was laid by
the VERY Rev. NJ. A. Carrigan, Administrator
| of November, 1869 lin Roman characters, Plus I'll,
| Ninth being supreme PontT; James Roosevelt Bay
ley, Bishop OF Newark Patrick Corrigan, pastor
| Ulysses s. Grant, President OF the United states
Jersey, ana William Clarke, Mayor OF Jersey City,
AT the close OF the ceremony sermon preached
by Father Byrne, who delivered an eloquent dis
course on the trials ana sufferlnRs OF the Catholics
! OF Ireland the labors OF her missionaries and the
virtues OF her saints, especially Saints Patrick and
| Bridget He eXhorted his hearers 10 cling fast TO
their faith, and reproached those lrshmen who be-
come so vain and weak that they are ashamed to
acknowledge the names Patrick and Bridget In their
families because with q certain class these names
are uaIeShlonabie These names, lie argued, were
| dlsIiked by those only who hate IIishmen because
| they are Catholics