The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-15
THE SHERIFF In THE SANCTUARY
The Financial EmbarrasSmentS Of the
Catholic Church at Orange.
Forced Sale OF Il Beauti-
ful Temple.
THE TRIBULATlONS OF 4 CONGREGATION.

win be witnessed at Orange, N. J. The parish that
viii by this harsh measure Of the law be deprived
OF It's sanctuary Is St Johns belonging to the
Roman Catholic diocese at Neawrk. OF which the
Right Rev. DR.. Corrigan Is the present bishop
Interest," in the peculiar circumstances that have
precipitated this unfortunate results not confined
| to the congregation Immediately concerned. The
| citizens Of Orange, Newark, Montclalr and
| vicinity, with scarcely an exception, and
respective Of Creeds, evince the deepest
sympathy with their Catholic brethren, who
after having struggled bravely for the
past eight years to provide themselves with
edihce that, while anording ample accom-
mediation, should serve a monument to their
plety and reject credit upon their TASTE are now
compelled to see the fruit OF their labor and hard
earned offerings pucked from their grasp-tne
tabernacle OF their faith seized by the Sheriff and
sold to the highest bidder
since the commencement Of the impending SALE
a few days ago. the excitement In regard to 1t has
grown apace 1t Is the one subject Of discussion
in and about Orange, and various expedlents for
relieving the situation are suggested. In fact, the
good-hearted people, both Catholic and Protestant
in the immediate locality, are ready with every
species Of financial remedy, except the one most
agreeable 10 the creditors OF the church, whose
united claims foot up the OF $500, 900 The in
debtedness for which Judgment has been obtained
sistng OF claim Of the orange National Bank for
$50, 600, and one OF the Second National Bank OF
Newark for $4,000. The estimated value Of the
church, including the church edihce. the school
houses, parsonage, cemetery and unmproved
land is between $175,O0 and zoo, 900.
It Is stated that about $3.50, 900 have In the az.
gregate been paid by the congregation towards
the liquidation Of the construction and land &C
counts, and it is consequently incomprehensibie,
In view OF the actual value OF the property, how
such load of debt could have been placed upon it
except through lamentable mismanagement,
which all who know him hesitate to impute to the
Rev. Father Hickey the recent pastor ana builder
OF the church. Few priests are more highly es-
teemed than Father Hickey, and his removal from
Orange to New Brunswick last spring, in conse-
sequence OF the financial embarrassments Of his
charge, was marked by expressions Of regret from
his flock and from the Protestant community sum-
cient TO indicate that, IN the OPINION Of
those who know him best, his generous
heart and impractical head alone were at fault.
A representative OF the HERALD visited Orange
yesterday to inspect the church and ascertain the
exact state Of affairs. orange, with Its adjoining
townships OF East and South Orange may be &C.
counted the most beautiful and most perfectly
developed suburb OF New York, from which 1t is
distant twelve miles via the Morris and Essex
division of the Delaware and Lackawanna Rail.
way.
FORMATION OF THE PARISH.
The parish OF st. Johns was formed in 1850 when
not more than dozen Catholic families resided at
Orange. At first they assisted at in the house
of Thomas Henry, in William street. Through the
jealous efforts of Captain James Ward, OF the
United States Navy, means were soon raised for
securing q site and erecting small church,
which was dedicated the year following. The
growth OF Orange was rapid prior to the war. and
inadequate to the needs of the congregation, SO
rapidly did the Catholic population increase. In
o1 st. John;s cronna was hroSen for '1e passor
church, plot OF ground having been secured for
ton uninterrupedly until the fall OF 1862 when 1t
was occupied by the congregation. The church
was built under the plans and supervision OF Mr..
Whatever may be said OF Rev. Father Hickey's
financial ncapacity, no fallt can be found with his
symmetry and perfected detail in far as the plans
have been completed. Its site is picturesque and
the beautiful Orange Valley and the marniacens
landscape OF Lewellyn Park. From Its Incomplete
porth to M6urn on the South an Extent Of eisns
or ten miles along the unbroken line Of the Orange
Mountain: the building nan is constructed Of brown
the gilt Of MIR. L. S. Haskell the protector Of the
renowned Lieweliyn Park but the church members
say that, with no disposition ITO look gift horse
in the mouth" the donation proved more costly to
quarry and dress than the same amount Of stone
IL
mansions Of the edlce are leo feet in depth 6S
feet in width.
THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH.
The interior view Of the church Is most Impressive
the harmony OF colors being exquisite. The nigh
altar is richly tinted and FURNISHED IN gold, and
the three large windows that surround the sane.
/ tuarY contain admirable specimens OF the artists
taste in color and drawing. AS the light pours
pressed with series OF biblical scenes and figures
beautifully wrought and which cannot hut stimu-
splendid crucinx, the figure OF the Saviour being
or life size, occupies the niche the lett OF the
pretty o 3 Bessed V s Tss sde
walls are adorned with colored tllustra..
, sSs o ,n G0 rSsse Of the Wsy Of
and were procured by Father Hickey in Rome. .
fee, galleries protrude from the walls with the
necessary exception OF that Tor the organ and
stone with carved capitals support the roof and
the ceiling Is finished in soft blue tint. Taere
votional yet not without certain cheerfulness Of
tone and finish most grateful to the senses. The
pews, which are Of oak, win seat 100. This organ
IN use is small instrument, expense In the mu. !
steal department having been prudentW post
poned- The interior depth Of the church is 40
feet- The only unfinished features are the steeple
the site OF the ediice is on the southeast corner
OF Ridge and White streets, about quarter OF
mite from the railway station. Adjoining the
church Is the priests house, q neat frame build
naliy opposite the church on White street.. ia tbe
old wooden church, from which the congregation
removed to their stately structure IN October
1869, when the ceremony Of dedication took place.
The old church Is used as o schoolhouse and lee.
ture ROOM 1t is In poor repair, and far toe small
to be appropriated to its former use. Next door
to 1t stands diapidated frame house. also used as
class room and library, and adjoining these
premises Is dwelling and orphan asylum Oc.
cupied BY the Sisters OF Charity while In the rear
OF this extemporized convent Is the cemetery
about three acres In extent This, with some un.
improved lots az West Orange. on Mount Pleasant
avenue, comprise the total worldly Possessions Of
ST. Johns congregation.
A visit to the episcopal residence in Newark
failed to bring to light any important fact with
embarrassed. Upon assuming the purple rs Bishop
OF Newark the Right Rev. DR.. Corrgan, Bishop
Bayley's SUCCESSOR nrst learned OF the troubles
now eliminating. 1t s understood that when
called upon to account for hts stewardship Father
Hickey found his bookkeeping system was behind
the times, with the balances pretty nearly all the
wrong way. Father Hickey was an enthusiast in
hia WORK. hin ambition being 10 erect tie annat