National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-05-02
ST HARELTs( RoMAE oArHoIf1S
0HUR0H,
SKETCH OF THE OHURoH AND NJ

0HUR0H.
SKETCH OF THE OHURoH AND rrs
ga SOCIETIES. =
writer IN the Cathode Regfsfsr-S weekly
paper published simultaneously in Washington
and Baltimore gives the following interestinz
sketch Of the exemplary coiofed Catholic eos-
gregstion over which Rsv. Father Barosa
presides
The rapid growth Of the catholic Church ct
the National Metopolis d strikinsly ilinstrated
BY reference TO the fourishing oolored congre-
Cation Of St. Martins. Hvas not until the
year 1867, when the esteemed pastor, Father
Barotti, took charge Of this church, that we
had place Of Catholic worship especially De-
voted to colored people, but from which white
persons ara not excluded. Before that time
there were but few Catholics to be found
among the coiored folks, and these were
msagerly scattered among the several churches
Sc. Martins = an ofishoos of St. Matthews
church, and was originally established Is
chapel under the direction Of Dr.. White, hsv-
ing been usually attended on sundays BIZ
-Jesuit Fathers from Georgetown College But
these services were somewhat irregular, and
the colored people felt the want Of resident
pastor.
Under these circumstances the good and
lamenfed Archbishop Spaiding, who slwsys
nad the interests Of the colored peoples much
a. heart, and whom they loved 20 dearly, in
vested the Jealous Father Barotti, then assist
ant pastor Of ST. Peter's In this city, with the
charge Of St. Martin in tho year above stated.
Now this good pastor has model Ceoazrexs-
ton, numbering about eighteen hundred souls,
and the old church Is so Inadequate for the ac-
eommodation of the people, that nns nav
church, to cost about $50, 900, has already been
commenced, adjoining and covering the site Of
the old edidce, which viii be demolished this
week. In the meantime the congregation WIN
worship IN st. Martins Hall, fine building on
L street, between Eighteenth and Nineteenth
streets, and which was erected for the use Of
the prosperous schools and numerous societies
connected with the church.
These societies, all Of which are benevolent,
and bound together BY the holy tie Of Catholic
charity, are the pride and glory Of 81. Martins.
Merely to enumerate them viii be SUFFICIENT To
show their importance as adiuncts TO religion,
and the vast good that they are capable Of 40
complishing, without referring specifically to
their msritorlous works IN the past. The pfin-
cipaf organizations are known as SThe catho-
Lie Male Benevolent Society,"" established n
1s46, and numbering about 60 members; s'Ths
Colored Female Roman Catholic Benevolent
Society No. l." established 10 1853, mem
members; Ladies' Mutual Relief Association"
founded in 1s87,-l0o members; 'sBlessed
Martin Educational Society,"" organised on .
basis somewhat similar 10 that of the Young
Casholles' Friend Society, and devoted In an
especial manner to the support Of the parochIal
school, established In 1880, and numbering $50
members; 1.-THE Catholic Beneficial Society,""
organized In 1870, and counting $50 members.
Into this society the Oldest persons are re-
ceived, II Of sound mind and body, and rscsive
equal benefits With the young in case Of nesa.
The society owls hne hsll On Eightesnth
street: Eas 9; Tsrsss s9sIstz, /" sssasl!sh q
In 1853, numbering ffty members, and COM
posed Of leading ladies' Of tfc eongregatloa.
"The Tobias Society, |" organized In 1896, and
having one hundred members. The 81. Mar
tins Sewing Circle, /" an organization with one
hundred members, that works exclusively for
the Church, and in cooperation with aths
Sanctuary Society" Besides these sxceIlent
societies, there are sodality, with three hun
dred members, men and women; Sunday
school, with two hundred boys AID girls; and
parochial school, With sixty boys and ninssy
girls.
The choir Of 81. Martins Is generally con-
coded to be one of the best In the city. From
It were organized the celebrated colored opers
troupe, which won 50 much public applause
here and at the North during the past year.
OF this well-trained choir. Prof. Esputa, an
accomplished musician, Is director; Prof. Tel
bach, organist; Mrs. Agnes Smallwood, Miss
Lena Miller, and Mrs. Christie jackson, soprs-
nos; Miss Mary Coakley and Mrs Katie
Bowen, altos; Frank Soeyyn and Henry Jack
son, tenors; Thomas Williams and William
Benjamin, bassos.
1t viii be observed that In the above enumer-
alton of societies connected with the church,
no temperance organization Is mentioned.
There is none, for the very good and remarks
BILE reason that there Is not drunkard In the
congregation. No fact could speak in higher
praise of our colored Catholic people.
1t Is anticipated that the eornsr-stone Of the
new Church Of St.. Martin viii be laid, With
imposing ceremonies, in the latter part Of Mag
or the beginning Of June. The stone Is gin
from the Brignole Sale Negroui College, Genoa,
Italy, from which institution Father Rsrotti
was the first priest sent on mission 6y tha
present superior Of the college, The stone has
been solsmnly blessed by BIS Holiness IN *,
and is now on hswhy here from Rome.
It wiz be seA from this rapid glance at Sc.
Martins and its surroundings, that Father
Barota has really, with Divine assistance, 40
in providing for the spiritual and TEMPORAL
wants of the colorec people Of this city; and ID
this humane and holy work he has bsen ZEAL
ousIy aided, within the past year, by bis worthy
assistant, Father San Martino.