The New York herald., 1870-05-09
ST. MARY,s Il. G. CBUkcH.

The Parent Stem of Cafholiciiy ON the East
side-Interesting ReminIsc Of u vene-
rable Church-rhe Services Yesterday
Sermon Of Rev. Edward j. O'Reiliy.
One OF the Oldest and finest ornaments TO Catholi-
city In this city is ST. Mary's church. situated
OF Grand and Ridge streets. Built at time when
the Catholic religion was in its infancy In this
try, there centres around 1t many interesting rem-
niscences of former days. st. Mary's church was
originally located In Sheriff street and soon after
being removed to Its present site was destroyed by
fire, when the edifce was rebuilt in 1888.
At that time the parish OF st. Mary's IN
cluded, together with It's large one in this CITY,
Williamsburg and large portion Of Long Island
Catholics are living at the present day who can
late incidents of crossing over in boats from the
other sde or the river to attend services Sunday
having come miles for that purpose. What changes
have taken place since then Many churches OF this
denomination have been erected, even within a few
blocks OF st. Mary,s, and all are supported by
nourishing and large congregations. But truly 1t
may said Of this church tnat it is the parent stem
from which have sprung and blossomed 80 many
other editces erected IN honor Of the Most High for
the advancement OF the Roman Catholic religion on
this Continent The pastors OF ST. Mary's, from the
date Of its dedication up to the present time, have
been all, without exception,
MEN OF CELEBRITY.
and genius; and those who have laid down their
lives in that ministry, as well those who entered
into higher episcopal duties, implanted most nat
teriDg record OF their efforts in behalf OF religious
advancement and education upon the annals OF This
metropolis Among these great ministers Of religion,
as pastors OF st. Mary's, might be mentioned Arch
deacon McCarron, deceased, who was one OF the
most brilliant orators OF his time; Very Reverend
cese, and Rev. Thomas Farrell now pastor OF ST. Jo.
seph's, in Sixth avenue, recognized one Of the
most advanced theoogians OF his day.. Rev. Edward
J. O'Reilly Is present pastor OF ST. Mary's. He Is
well known as an able theo0gian q fluent and now
cry preacher and an excellent priest. He Is deserv-
cdly popular with his large congregation. Some
four years since an important addition was made to
this church aud spires erected. which add much TO
THE BEAUTY OF THE BUILDING.
Inside the church was also tasteiuly frescOed and
the ceiling adorned with appropriate Scrptura
representations. These Improvements have cost
The lay trustees OF st. Mary's are Mr.. James Moore
and Mr.. William Dougherty. Much OF the outside
Byrns, and he has been mainly instrumental in
the, the organization % Of an excellent volunteer
to the parish. the musical department OF
the the church rs;h Is organized as folows:-Organlst
h wam M
mick, Mrs. Mcnamara, Miss 10y; bassOs, Messrs.
Lacy, Mccormick and Nulty; tenors, Messrs. Lam
MozARr's TWELFTH MASS
was given with very fine effect Mr.. BOyrar, the Or
ganlst, performed the music Of this favorlte mass
with briliancy and nne execution. Rev. Father
McEvoy was celebrant at the mass. AT the conclu-
sion OF the first Gospel Rev. Father ORelly, pastor
OF st. Marys, ascended the pulpit and delivered
eloquent discourse on the Gospel OF the day-St
John, xvi, 16-"A little while and ye shall not see
Me; and again a little while and We shall see Me,
BECAUSE 60 to the Faheg,n &c.
In his discourse the reverend gentleman called
attention 10 the cOrrupttOns existing In tue human
heart particularly In our present day and In our
own country. He dwelt graphically upon the tena-
city with which men Of our day cling TO the things
OF TINS world, while they ignore and care not TO
hear anything relative to spiritual matters. The
Christian Ob0yod the laws OF God, while large num-
ber OF persons believed that they had perfect right
to do a. they pleased without any moral restraint
whatever from the code 0f procedure laid down for
their guidance by tho Most High They did not
think IL necessary to curb their unruly passions and
could not bear to hear the word OF God and of His
commandments preached to them by HIS minister's
All that was wanting nowadays was
THE ERECTION OF A FASHIONABLE CHURCH,
no matter what one IL was, and preacher who
would tickle the ears Of his hearers with arguments
against the existence OF hell and proofs that they
We're oil certain OF going to Heaven Father O'Reily
went on to dllate In eloquent language upon these
points, his discourse being listened TO with much
attention.
The church was crowded to its fullest capacity It
Is intended, as was yesterday announced by Father
OReilly, TO commence at once an extension which
will make the edce one-half more capaclous than it
Is at present. Although the limits Of St. Marys have
OF late years been considerably curtailed owing to
the creation OF new parishes yet the attendance has
not the least diminished, and an enlargement is
badly needed.