The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-11-26


On last Sunday, the 18th inst, took place
the interesting ceremony indicated by the
above display heading. Upwards of 5000 peo-
pie were present, part as witnesses of the pro-
ceedings and part as participants in the cere-
mony. -
The general impression in regard to the lay
ing of O rnef,stone seems to be that it is the
first thing done sby the workmen, the first
stone put in place. Such may have been the
manner of procedure in days gone by, but
moderns reserve the laying of the cornerstone
till the editice is somewhat advanced, and ad-
here rather to the form thereof than the actual,
substantial fact.
The august ceremonials are retained, fo.
Mother Church knows no change; but the
builder usually anticipates matters by placing
the stone in position beforehand. There is
always q recess left in the stone, wherein are
placed the journals of the day, some specimens
of the money current at the time, and such
other data as may enable future ages to obtain
o slight glimpse of the ephemeral present.
The walls of st. Stephens Church are already
twenty feet in height. Sufficient of the ground
work is completed to give evidence that the
structure will be vast and imposing.
The church is to be built in the style of the
early pointed German Gothic. 1t will cover
an area of 2ls feet long by 95 feet wide. The
tower will be at the western or front entrance,
on Napoleon Avenue. 1t is to be six-sided,
and will be surmounted by twelve-sided
spire. The apex of the spire will be 172 feet
from the ground. The front or lower portion
of the tower will constitute the entrance porch,
and viii have four external and two internal
nnfr T>nrph
and communicating by side galleries with the
main body of the church, will be the organ
loft and choir. Above this, again, the ringers
platform and clock room, and above that the
belfry. At some future day, (not very remote,
it is thought when st. Stephens Church shall
have been finished and the ceremony of its
formal dedication to the Most High taken
place, o full description of the imposing edifce
will be given in the columns of the STAR.
But to return to the proceedings of last
Sunday. Tolerably punctual, at half-past two
o'clock the procession was formed at the corner
of st. Charles street and Napoleon Avenue
and moved without delay to the site of the
proposed edfice.
Victor Tanner, Grand Marshal, led the way
then followed Home Hook and Ladder Com
pany No. and Protector No. 2; delegations
from other fire companies came next; then st
Stephens Society, numbering about hundred
members. At the head of the Ssciety was
borne their splendid banner of white silk EN-
broidered with gold. On its face was larg
and really fine painting of st. Stephen, with thu
inscription, " Pray for u.s." After st. Stephen
Society followed the invited guests The boy
of st. Stanislaus Society, under the charge o
two Brothers of the Order, came next. The
followed the Holy Angels Society--little girl
in holy innocence, not unlike the angels who's
name the Society bore. Next in line were tn
Children of Mary Society, under the charge
several Sisters of Charity, Immediately followe
by the pupils and inmates of st. Elizabeth
House of Industry. Sister Angelica had
charge these last, who numbered probably 20'
Sister Ernestine, with delegation from til
Orphan Asylum of Garro1lton was next. The
the Sisters from the Louisiana Retreat for tt
Insane. Lastly, the Rev. Clergy, the Rigi
Rev. Bishop Quinlan and His Grace the MOI
Rev. Archbishop Perche bringing up the rea
Arrfved Of the site OF the proposed churcl
the xaEi6as saoistiss and associations wel
"a q thsif places b &ks reception con
S,ssia IS u 81 81 f1fkfis 1of6ty. II