The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-29
BLESSING OF A CORNER STONE.

THE NEW CHURCH or ST. AGNEs-EIGHT THoUS-
AND PIoPLE AT rRAyxR-AN IMPOSING
CEREMONY.
Yesterday afternoon the beautiful ceremony Of bless
ing corner stone performed nc the now Catholic
Church ofst Agnes by the Right Row. Bishop Lcugnn,
y. D., assisted by Fathers Donnelly and Poole. The
site Of the church is the north side Of East
Forty third street. between Lexington and Third ave.
nues The plot is 100 feet square, and the church VIII
be built in the shape OF the plot which IT will almost
cover 80 that when property Ii acquired wings
be added and the cdiGcc will the form Of
cross The and part OF the side walls have been
raised to the full height under tho direction OF tho
indomitable workers OF the parish OF Agnes, the
Rev. Father H. c. Macdonald, pastor
Al half-past four =. NJ. tho platform covering what
viii be the floor OF the church densely crowded
with ladies and their escorts. The space where tho
altar will DO was marked by black cross entwined
with white cloth. Reaching tar on each side and .
hundred feet above tho fcstooned flags of
America, Rome, Ireland and France Far as tho eye
could reach tho housetops and avenues black
with the forms OF spectators Al the appointed time
music signaied tho approach Of PROCESSION that
marched from tho street up the central aisle OF
tho platform First cross bearer, followed
By acoytes bearing lighted candles, then tho sodatics
or ST. Aloysus boys bearing flowers the Sodalily Of
st. Agnes; girls dressed In white wearing white wells
beneath which were seen crimson ribbons suspending
the medals OF the Order the OF the Sodallly OF the
Sacred Heart; the second Sodality Of ST. Agnes tho
Children OF st. Michael Arcn with elegant banner;
the Sodality Of the Children OF Mary OF St. A. mes,
direction OF Mr. A. H. Lahncs Amer them came The
members of the clergy, clad black, which were
.hile soutanes They followed by two Domini-
monks with white NANTES. and Dominican
monk wearing the brown dress OF his Order.
These were followed by acolyles As the procession
slowly marched to tho altar space solemn music was
given by the band and every head IN the vast
cation was uncovered The Right Rev. Bishop Lough-
hn d. D. advanced TO the centre OF the altar space aud
The music He then socnnly blessed the cross
marking the location OF the altar and turning 10 the
stone OF the church, which rested table
by. he deposited therein box containing tho Manual
Of the State and City Of New York. copies OF tho
HERALD and other morning newspapers, the names
Of the executive officers officers a. WASHINGTON,
coins Of the United States &c The usual
prayers and psalms OF tho Church ordered Tor such
then repeated and them TO the music Of
! grand march, the procession was resumed. Four
roung men bore the corner stone 70 It's appropriate
place. the column opening 70 permit their passage and
hat oil the Right Rev. Bishop aud his assistants.
Bishop Loughlin reached the position OF the stone,
md taking trowei from Father Pratt marked tho sign
ot the cross on liz NORTH east south and west faces
He then spread the cement the memorial
rase, and pronounced tho corner stone Of tho
Chuich OF ST. Agnes properly laid. The clergy
chanted psalm IN Gregorian style, and passing
around the interior walls OF the edifcc repeated tho
chant at tho several corners The procession thon
moved up the centre aisle and tho clergy took seats on
The platform within the proposed altar space. behind
The display of lies azalcas and other towering plants
hat decorated the platform raul The Rev. Father
Braun, ID. D., then delivered grafton, after which
Bishop Loughlin ended the ceremony by giving his
blessing TO tho 5000 spectators who had rcvercnty
listened TO the words OF the speakers and devouty
united the prayers Tor the future Of the Church Of
81. Agnes
Among those present wero Fathers Young, Pratt,
Donnclly, Poole, Thorry, Macdonald Cowry McCarty,
Flynn Brady and McKeogh; Fathers Singer and Lilly,
Of the Dominican Order; Father Bonaventura OF tho
nnaflfe arhtr Lat snp nr
McGynn, Father Healy, Messrs. McEIroy, Won Sachs,
Dillon, FARRELL Fitzpatrick, the architect OF the church
/ J. OConnor, Mr.. Newman, Mr.. Morun, Mr.. ARM
strong. Mr.. Brown, Mr. Valentine and Mr.. r. J.
Oraduy.