The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-16
LETTER FROM THE CAPITAL OF TEXAS.

AUSTIN, Texas, August 9th, 1874.
Editor Morning Star:
Knowing that tho MORNING. STAR is the rec
ognized organ of the Catholics of this State,
take the liberty of dropping yon a few lines
in relation to the advancement of Church in
terests in the "City of Hills" As your late
travelling agent gave an ample sketch of the
old Catholic Church here, built some twenty
years ago. by the Rev. Father Mackiu, de-
ceased, will endeavor to give your readers
description of
ST. MARYs CHURCH,
soon to be erected under the supervision of the
Order of the Holy Cross. The church will be
125 feet long, and 50 wide, and on the sanctu-
airy end there will be two vestries, making
the rear end of the church 40 feet wide. The
side wallis of the church will be thirty feet
high, above the grade, the front and rear walls
will also be 30 feet, to the ridge. On the front
will be the belfry, framed of wood and covered
with zinc, surmouuted by the cross, the whole
to be IT'S feet high. The walls of the church will
be built of limestone rock. The pews in the
nave, and not including those in the gallery,
will accommodate 1900 persons. hedesigu of
Galveston, who kindly volunteered his services
THE ORDER OF THE HOLY CROSS
A branch of this Order from Notre Dame,
Indiana, has charge of the parish. Our VEN
cradle Bishop determined that there should be
near the capital of the Empire State of the
South, q seat of learning where not only the
Catholics of the State, bnt of the entire South,
might SEND their sons and daughters to receive
a thorough education, with less expense, than
must be incurred in any of the celebrated con-
Of r-;& u,
rope. The Superior General of the Order,
Very Rev. Father Sorin, arrived here in due
time and selected beautiful site for college
about three miles from this city, across the
Colorado river, which, for the extent of its
grounds and the peacefulness and beauty of
it's scenery, can be rvalled by but few places
outside of it's more celebrated and venerable
sister seat of Catholic learning at Notre Dame.
OUR PARISH PRIEST AND HIS ASSISTANT.
The Rev. Father Spillard is emphatically
the right man in the right place. On his ar
rival here, about four months ago, he intro
duced himself to his Pensioners from the al
tar in the following words: sin obedience to
the orders of my Superior General announce
myself as your parish priest. 1 ask your CO.
operation iu my labors. I come not amongst
you to teach any new doctrines to you, or to
inculcate any new ideas of the Catholic doc !
trine into your minds. Catholic doctrine is
the same all over the world" etc. AS proof
of the generosity and friendship that has been
extended towards him since he has been in our
midst, need merely state that at the first
meeting of the gentlemen of the congregation,
ciout they knosciRg ,chat the meeting called
for, nearly one Thousand dollars was subscribed
towards the erection of new church. Father
Spillard is now instructing ten Protestants
who will soon be received into the Church. He
is ably assisted in this undertaking by his as |
sstant, the Rev. Father South, who is better |
known as Father John by the children of tho
congregation. Father John is great favorite
wi tn the youth of the parish we'll as with the
older people. He has already choir of chill |
dren that will compare favorably with any
south of Mason ard Dixnns line. Father John
is good lingnist, being master of the English, !
French aud GrInan languages. Our small
church is crowd. d on sundays with Professionals
of all denominations TO hear our Rev. Fathers
preach.
THE CONVENT OF THE HOLY CROSS,
OF rather the sehoolhouse, is presided over By
Mother Superior st. Rose assisted by three
other Sisters of the Holy Cross Although here
ou' suoE' pefloo vi tune, tney nao over sixty
pupils before vacation. All branches of edu-
cation are taught by them, including the
iifferent languages, music, embroidery,
oeedle work, drawing, etc.. etc. Their simple
'lan of block drawing and coloriDg, does away
With the old laborious method and is easily
omprehended by the pupils. remain yours
ruly, TEXAS.
BISHOP ELDER.-Right Rev. Bishop Elder
eturned home yesterday after an absence of
early three months. He was known to be a
passenger on the Henry Ames, and, so soon as