The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-08-03
Bishop Foley and many Dis
tinguished CIergymen
Present!
A Fine Procession and Great Mum.
bers Of People!
HIGHLY INTERESTING CEREMONIES Al
THE CHURCH,
Confirmation in the Afternoon and Lecture IN
the Evening.

glorious udy WHICH was 10 lollOW, ana Nil
the hearts of Rock Island Catholics with
gladness. It was to be a memorable day
to the adherents of that faith. The church
which they purchased some time since
from the Presbyterians, was to be Dedi
Gated, and Protestants as we'll as Catholics
were eager to witness the grand, imposing
and impressive ceremony.
If the purpose of this article was not
simply to describe this ceremony, it might
be useful to make a few reflections on the
rapid and solid growth of that religion in
Rock Island. A few years ago it was a
poor, scattered, %unnoticed body; now it is
a strong, stable organization, possessing
two fine churches, considerable church
property, having attached numerous char
liable associations, and a parochial school
presided over by a branch Of the Sisters of
Charity. Father Roles, who has exhibited
such good taste in bringing out the latent
beauties of the building, may congratulate
himself upon having one of the most COM
modious and pretty churches in the West.
At an early hour a large concourse of
people assembled at the old church (St.
Mary's), where Masses we're being said by
a number Of %clergymen. The line of
march was down Rock River to Madison,
thence to Illinois and on straight to the
church. The order was as follows, start
ing at 10 A. NJ: Biehl's band, followed by
a delegation from the st. Marguerite's To-
tai Abstinence Society, Davenport, bearing
a beautiful silk U. s. flag, the gift of the
ladies of that parish. Delegations from
the Irish societies of St. Marguerite's and
St. Anthony's, Davenport, and also one
from st. k~unigundi's of the same city, all
bearing flags. Then came carriages con
tanning the Bishop and Priests, after which
the II ock Island Societies, of which there
was a full turn out. The men looked well
in their sashes-green and blue.
The entire procession was q very graft
flying exhibit Of the Catholic spirit of the
The sidewalks were lined with spec.
tators, hundreds were in from the country,
and nothing but commentator Of the
order and appearance OF the processionists
was anywhere heard.
Arrived at the church, the societies
marched past and saluted each other there; |
way having been made through the throng,
he band took up a position on the steps.
md the societies filed into the building.
In "a quarter Of an hour every available
seat was taken, no crushing or %inconveni-
,noe, and still the church was filled every
was whispering to his or her neighbor
regarding the beauty of the interior ar
As the church proper has
been described in this paper, we shall con-
;ent ourselves by speaking of the statu.
Try, the Altar and its adornments
Over the Altar was a nearly life size
igure of Christ Cruciied, imported from
Germany, and pronounced by the Initial
ID a very superior work of art flowers
If every color and form of beauty relieved
the figures from the light coming through
The large and handsome window behind it.
On the right of the Altar was another beau
tilul figure of st. Joseph and child. and
ID the loft one Of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. The Altar was splendidly decorated
The tastefully arranged flowers, the con
slant play of many eolored lights, the
beautiful statues OF Mary and Joseph,
he touching look of mingled sorrow and
forgiveness in the face of the figure OF the
dead Savior made up a scene that affected
every Catholic heart. At the left was the
chair intended for the Bishop, over which
was IA handsome canopy surmounted by a
gilt cross. Back of the chair was a repre-
sentation of a Cardinals hat, a Bishops
Mitre and Cozier. Underneath, a sketch
of the Immaculate Conception, bearing
the words Fla Ergo Adgocotd Nostra.
The canopy was the design of Homer II.
Henderson, the artist, and bears evidence
Of that gentlcman's cultivated taste,
Mrs. Charles Butord and her accom-
sisters, aided by many other lad
les OF the congregation worked increasingly
at the decoration of Altar, indeed this
good lady has been u~ntiIing in her efforts
o adorn the church. Mrs. Lou Buford,
Mrs. Ross Dart, Mrs. Kelley and others
also reason to be proud of their work.
AT a quarter to eleven O'Clock the Altar
boys followed by the Bishop, his Mitre ON
md Crozier in hand, after whom came Rev.
i. Cosgrove, of Davenport, Rev's DR..
,lcMullen and Riordan, of Chicago, and
Norman, who entered the sanctu-
Try walked down the isle at the left as
'ou enter and out and around the build
ng, blessing and dedicating it. They
presently returned on the other side OF the
)hurch, the Bishop reciting the Litany OF
he Saints-the Priests and acolytes aloud,
he people mentally responding Ora Pro
On again entering the sanctuary
hey all kuelt down and it would be hard
o conceive a more imposing sight than
he one then presented. The Bishop and
'rIests in gorgeous veStments kneeling on
he first step, the altar boys in handsome
%urplices below, and u silent, eager, rev.
rent assenlblage, in the body ofthe church.
hey rose from their kneeling posture and
gain proceeded round the church, inside,
II prayed as the Bishop sprinkled the
water, and returning to the sanctuary,
he dedicating portion of the ceremony
Tas over and the Catholics of Rock Is
and now rejoice in the possession of one OF
he beautiful buildings called after the uni