The New York herald., 1873-11-16
Bad Practice for Any Church.

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Recently have attended, with lady friend, the
halfpast ten A. M. services in several different
Catholic churches in this city and Brooklyn, among
the number 81. Stephens St. Ann's, in this city,
and the Cathedral in Jay street, Brooklyn. on
every occasion ] have been required to pay for
seats Why is thss l do not mind contributing
dime at any time when the usual collections are
taken up but l do think the practice of
making attendants pay for seats is an
apominabe one, and I am at a loss 10
see why it should be countenanced ! have
Catholics Catholic M generally and OF their form of religion
until now. / was inclined 10 think the religion
was that Of the poor as well as OF the
ricn. | like to all persons, without
regard TO position, wealth or nationality, humble
themselves in the Church Of God. The scene OF a
congregation OF 1000 or 1,500 souls on bended
knees Offering up their devotions TO an unseen
God is one that has always inspired my soul with
reverence for the teachings and love OF Chris
this plan OF charging for seats In Catholic churches
Within year the custom Will keep thousands Of
poor out OF the walls of the church. There
are too many who can i'll afford to pay ten, fifteen
or thirty cents for seat. They are told, and
truthiully, that "the doors OF the Protestant
churches are open, the seats are lree-enter and
JOIN in our holy devotionp How many are there
who do not avail themselves OF this offer who are
perhaps unable TO pay for seats IN Catholic
churches RESIDENT.
New Roman Catholic Church Edifces.
The new st. Joseph's church OF Rev. r. Friediand
at Detroit, Mich, will be consecrated to-day BY the
Right Rev. Bishop Borgess., OF Detroit, with the
assistance Of two neghboring bishops and num-
ber or priests OF his diocese The church s large
structure in the German Gothic style OF the Jour-
teentn century, 200 feet long, so feet wide 20 feet high
inside; comprising three naves, transept, sanctu-
ary, baptstry and oratories, with steeple 200
feet high mot vet fnshed). The building was
commenced in 1870, and is erected in the most
substantial manner, entirely faced with Sandusky
limestone for all walls and OHIO sandstone for the
base, the door and window trimmings and but.
tresses; cost about $4,000.
The ST. Mary's congregation, Grand Rapids,
Mich (2ev. Father Ehrenstrasser), are building a
new Gothic brick church, with stone trimmings,
e5 feet by las, with steeple 150 feet nigh, and
divided into three naves; the building Will be
under roof in about two weeks, and the completion
is looked for next fan everything built till now is
paid Tor without creating any debt; cost, when
complete, $4,000.
Transport Pa. REV. Father Koeper) are also
erecting a new brick church, trimmed with stone,
60 feet wide, 144 feet long, with steeple l6O leet
nigh, In the late Gothic style OF the fifteenth
century. The skaters are now covering the roof,
and all outlays until at present are PAID from the
liberal contributions OF the congregation.
The st. Peter and Paul's congregation az st.
Louis, Mo. (Rev Father Golfer, nave commenced
a new Gothic church on their block, seventh
street, Eighth street and Allen avenue, 204 feet
long SIS feet wide, 70 feet high inside, with base
ment below transept and chaDccl the walls TO be
built in Grafton limestone, the trimmings OF sand
stone from st. Geneyieve and the interior columns
OF polished grantee the steepe TO be 2l4 feet and
the tnrret OF the transept l50 feet high. The base
ment ls now nearly complete; cost OF the building,
$l25000.
The ST. Lib orius congregation at st. LOUIS
Mo. REV. Father Hoeingl, have also the intention
oil building anew Gothic church, their present build
my being by lar too small the transept and chance
part Oh the new edince-dressed In stone-to be
commenced soon, but the building OF the three
naVes postponed until further room Is required.
eapaclty oi the part 70 be built at present 1000
seats =
: The All Saints parish at st. Peter's Mo. REV.
side; cost, s36, 600.
Ihe Fathers OF st. Benedict at Chicago III.
tot. Josephs church,, who lost all their build
lngs by tne great conhagration, bought a beauti-
u pioCk, oo5 ny 2ls lcet, enclosed by North Market
fraukln Elm and Hill streets, and they intend to
buld new basllica IN the middle OF this block 300
feet long, 80 feet wide, tue basement a. the Church
6s leet high; the tfansept connected on one side
wltn the priest house on the other with the school
bDldIng. IL Is their ann TO complete next year
the basement and TO use IL for Some
time for church services as their present tenpo.
rary frame church Is insufficient 1or the great num-
Der or seats required.
Buffalo, prepare to build large Gothic church tof
stone, with steeple go feet high; dimensions OF
church, 200 by SO feet, without steepe.
The 81 Mary's congregation, at tSandusky City,
n rp lutld