The New York herald., 1872-11-04

Oiu ct f'btTlCk'b cuuTCn ~, OF rdtHer Was-lOr
the antiquated edifce, blighted bv age, was de-
molished last SpriDg-the mother Of the Roman
Catholic churches OF this city. There was origi-
naly, on the site OF the present ruins, frame
building, which was erected in the latter part OF
the year 1894 by Rev. Anthony Cafrey, an Irish
priest OF the Order OF st. Dominic who was for ten
years the faithful pastor OF the small congregation
that then comprised the Catholic population here.
He returned to Ireland il: 1904, when Archbishop
Carroll appointed as his successor Rev. William
Matthews, then President Of Georgetown College,
who continued to preside over the parish until
April, 1858.
THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN PRIEST ORDAINED IN
THE UNITED STATES.
Father Matthews was q native OF Charles county,
Maryland, was educated at st. Omer's, in France,
and was the first native American ordained priest
IN the United States. No clergyman Of his time
was more beloved or honored by both Protestants
and Catholics. Presidents Jefferson, Adams ana
Jackson were among his most intimate friends.
John Quincy Adams, while President tathough not
aCathollc), rented pew in st. Patrck's church
and occasionally attended divine service there.
For many years all the foreign Ministers resident
here except the British Minister) attended the
old church.
Rev. Gabriel Richards, who was delegate in
Congress in 1923 from the then Territory OF Mchi.
gan, resided with Father Matthews and assisted
him In the discharge OF his ministerial functions.
Rev. Charles Constantine Pise, D. D., was assist
ant pastor OF st. Patrick's church and Chaplain OF
the Senate OF the United states in 1882.
MIRACLE
1t IL was during Father Matthew'S pastorate I'm
1924 that occurred the famous miracle whereby
bury, then Mayor q wasiington5 was s snatehed he'd
o moment to vigorous health The original affida-
Wits IN the case, which for long time were care
st. Patrick's were recently sent by Father Walter
to the ArchiepiscOpal residence at Baltimore,
where they are now deposited.
PASTORAL WORK OF THE GOOD PRIEST.
Father Matthews was q man Of unbounded
charity, and was especially known as the munifi-
cent benefactSr en- actor Of the orphan He founded St:
contributed Literally to the erection Of several
established in parishes formed out Of
his original parish. He lived to see half dozen
urisdiction and also to see the Catholic popuIation
increased frOm 300 to $4,000.
HOW HIS EARTHLY CAREER ENDED.
He died In April 1858, full OF years and sane
tity. The whole community mourned his death and
blessed his memory.
REV. 7. J. o'ToOLE,
by appointment OF Archbishop Kenrck, succeeded
Father Matthews, and Rev. Jacob Walter, the pres
ent worthy pastor, relieved Father O'Toole in April
1860.
During Father Walters administration several
notable changes have taken place on the site OF
has been removed on account Of decay and inse-
curity, and to make room for larger and more
tion worships in Carroll Hail, fine building near
the site.
architect is Mr.. Lawrence ]. 6'Connor, Of New
York. IL will have q frontage of ninety feet In.
transcept viii be III feet; the width OF the body Of
the church Will be seventy-tw0 feet; the style OF
Se G se r T There be % je s w
frances, around which the stone work viii be
elaborately carved. over the front door there
pure Carrara marble, donation from Rev. Father
Kelly OF New York.
will be forty feet across, and there will two side
chapels. All the affairs will be OF white marble,
Will with alta altar railing Of the same material.
frescoed with the nve principal mysteries
OF religion, the crucinxion being. the cen
ns rssr o the sae dedicated % to sSe
Blessed Virgin there will be fresco Of the Immac-
nlate Conceptions; behind the altar OF st. Joseph
All the interior wood work win be oak with walnut
trimmings-all natural. no painting.
There will be but one gallery that being over the
vestibule, Tor the orphan children OF the parish
THE GALLERY FOR THE CHOIR
win be raised about ten feet above that for the
which will be ornamented with fretted work
80 as allow the sound to pass out,
aises will be tiled and the building will be heated
by steam There will be no basement The edifice
will stand on plateau five feet above the grade OF
the street, the walls being twenty-five feet from
the building line.
with Ohio light stone trimmings. All the window
frames Will be Of dressed Ohio stone.
1t is estimated that the building viii cost
THE FOUNDATIONS
OF the new church have been already laid and in
their construction the material from the demolished
building was used, that II may be truthfully said
that the old church is the foundation OF the new
0ne
Preparatory to the ceremonial OF laying the cor.
ner stone Of the new edifice
SOLEMN HIGH MASS
was celebrated this morning at Carroll Hall. Rev.
Father Walter was the celebrant, assisted by Rev.
deacon. Rev. Felix BerOtt acted as master OF
ceremonies. The Most Rev. Archbishop OF Balt-
more-who reached the city last evening and Is the
Haydn's sixteenth mass was sung with fine ef
feet. The choir was strengthened by the addition
Washington. Among them was Mrs. NJ. A. Curley,
Of % the former city, who sang very sweetly zinga-
ARcHIErrscoPAL ADDRESS,
After the first gospel Most Rev. Archbishop Bay
ley ascended the altar steps and addressed the con-
Most kevd. Archbishop Bayley after reading the
Gospel of the day, said ne had come to bless and
things relating to the objects Of the Church. They
had undertaken q great work to build house, not
for man. but for God. There was nothing more
beautiful than the Christian Church. II was like
fountain OF living waters In the desert OF the
world, spreading beauty end fertility around. The
holy sacrifice was the hrst grand object OF the
Church. This was the great secret that prompted
the erection OF magnificent church ledi-
fees all over the Christian world. From
the very dawn Of Christianity the Church
OF God was decorated with ali that wealth
and taste could give. 1t commenced in the cata-
combs There was seen the finest ecclesiastical
architecture. The walls were embellished with
frescoes representing scenes In the life OF our
Lord. II was not true, therefore, as alleged BY
enemies, that because our churches were richly
ornamented we had departed from the simplicity
OF the early Christians. When the Church emerged
from the recesses OF the catacombs into the light
OF day she commenced to erect edinces that have
been and are, the wonder and admiration
OF the world. why were they so richly ornamentedY
why, for instance, was the altar OF the cathedral
OF Pisa made OF solid silver, and elaborately
wrought With elegant devicess E was because 1t was
the abode Of the blessed sacrament In which God
posed Those who do not believe this doctrine had