National Republican., 1873-05-05
ct. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.
Asniverv.ry Of its Cousecratieu-Impesin
Ceremeuies-Briefsk sketch ef its Histsry-

AmmIWeEuDEV OF touafcNhu9u-AaNLa
Cereu,euies-Brief sketch ef lee Histsry-
Rev. Dr. whites sermsu Yesterday.
st. Matthew'S church, corner Of Fifteenth and
II streets, has one Of our largest and most fash
lonable Catholic congregations, including most
q the foreign Diplomats and their families;
the services, being attracted by the me music,
the brilliant ceremonials and the interior beauty
Of the edince. the choir, directed BY Nj. l.. *.
Cannon, Ia confessedly one Of the best In tue
city.
INTERESTING RniNBcRoEs.
The corner-stone Of the church edlnce va
laid by Archbishop Eccleston on the 9lst o. sep
tember, 1888, In presence OF an immense con-
course Of people from all sections Of the District
The clergymen OF the several Catholic churvhes
assembled on that day In Old ~: Pstrons, Mhsne ~
president Of Georgetown College, after which q
procession was formed, headed by the Marine
band, and marched TO the site o. the church ITO 70
Church was erected under the direction OF a
building committee, consisting OF Messrs. Thoe.
Carbery, John Queen, lgnatius Mudd and Joseph
Inc building was dedicated on the 3ist Of
September, 1910, Just two years after the corner.
stone had been laid. Archbishop Eccleston again
the sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Monarty,
Of Philadelphia. The music was rendered by tbs
choir from Sc. Patricks church. An organ had
been purchased and put In place, but being out
Of order It could not be used, and a piano wa'
substituted.
Rev. John 2. Donelan, an eloquent pulpit ora
tor, was the irst pastor OF the church, aud con
tinued IN that capacity until September, 1910
when he was transferred 10 81. Nlncenrs church
Baltimore.
Sc. Matthew'S was eonsecrated by Archbishop
Eccleston on the 18th Of May, ist2. A ponti1ca
mass was celebrated by Bishop fenwick, OF Bos
| ton, and the sermon was pronounced by Yer
| Rev, Or. Power, Of New York. Right Rev. DR.
Dubois, the predecessor Of Archbishop Hughes
was present In the sanctuary.
Rev. james u. Donelan succeeded his brothe
| as pastor OF the church, and continued In charg
/ until December, 1855, when he resigned and be
| came assistant pastor to Rev. Dr. John Byrne
i who remained pastor until 1851. In July OF tha
year Rev. Father waldron became assistan
| pastor.
II was during the uastorate Of Rev. James !
Donelan that the new organ was purchased an
the steeple erected. The sanctuary was en-
larRed and the marble altar constructed durin
the administration Of Father Byrne.
Rev. DR.. white was appointed pastor In NC
yember, 1851, aud still continues tn oil that o1c'
lie has caused many improvements TO be mad
In and around the church, until now II Is one {
the most beautiful places OF Catholic worship J
the District.
TiH CEREMONIES YESTERDAY.
. Yesterday the thirty second anniversary Of u
, conservation OF the church was appropriated
| solemnlzed In presence OF o crowded congregi
, CATION. The altar was tasteiully decorated, an
the entire Interior OF the edlnoe, with It's ne
and richly-stalned glass windows, looked mot
beautlful than ever. Rev. Dr.. white ofnciate'
| and was assisted by Rev. FATHERS McDeyiu an
Drueille. The choir charmingly rendered Me
| cadante'a three-volce Mass. The sermon wi
preached by Rev. DR.. White, who selected b