The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-18
DIOCESE OF MOBILE.
BISHOP oUINLAN VISITS THE NEW GERMAN
COLONIES.

making the visitation Of the Northern portion |
of his Diocese. As you are aware, North |
Alabama has been in part settled during the |
past ak years by Germans hailing from the
North and West. The Tennessee valley is new
dotted over with settlements not Numerous
enough nor old enough to make themselves
felt, but strong and thrifty enough to make
them rmanent. The largest of these settle
ments is Cullmsn, situated on the top of Sand
Mountain ION the line of the 8. and N. r. R.,
and numbers two or three hundred families,
engaged in grape culture, furniture making,
tanning, and farming. This settlement con-
tains about four hundred Catholics. On No
vember Sd, the 1T. Rev. Bishop was received
here at the depot in true German style, with
the firing of cannon: and blowing of the
whistles of factories and locomotives. He
was then escorted by q mounted cavalcsde of
German Catholics and Lutheraus to the door
of the Church Of the Sacred Heart, where he
was confronted by q large deputation of Cathc-
lie children under the immediate control OF
the school teacher, who delivered an address of
welcome to the Bishop, which was written in
blank verse. This church was attended here
tofore by Very Rev. ]. B. Baasen once
month, but on Sunday, the Ath of November,
Murer as resident pastor, and administered
Confirmation to 46 children. The Bishop
preached at the evening services, on devotion
to tho Blessed Virgin. Monday, the 5th Of
November, the Bishop proceeded to Tuscumbia
on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, 63
miles from Cullman. Here he was received by
the Germans in the same characteristic style
and escorted to the pastoral residence On
~. e,7, of nher Riaho ad-
ministered Confirmation to twenty-five per-
sons in the church at Tuscumbia, assisted by
the Very Rev. ]. B. Baasen, ". F., pastor, and
left that afternoon for another German colony,
twelve miles dstant-St. Florian. This settle
meut ia situated ak miles from Florence, in
Lauderd ale county. When the Bishop had
proceeded as far SO Flerence he was met by the
German cavalcade sent to escort him, and also
by the Hon. Wm. Wood, Jr.. who accompanied
the Bishop to the colony. On Thursday morn
ing, the 9th of November, the Bishop admin
istered Confirmation to thrty-fve persons in
the church of st. Florian, assisted by Rev
Father Benedict, o. s. B. It is edifying to
witness the piety and devotion of these thrifty
| Germans.
OnFriday morning, the Bishop, accompanied
by Father Benedict, o. 8. B., left for Hants
|
the Visitation. The corner stone of this Church
was laid by Bishop Quinlan, assisted by Rev
J. T. Tracy, on the 18th of October, 1861
During the war the corner stone had beer
taken from it's place in the building by the
United States army, and the coins, manu-
scripts, ETC., deposited therein, removed
Father Tracy labored for years to collec
money to fiuish this church, and though hi
aa1 hiatt "a az
peoted, the undertaking was SO vast tha
owing to the poverty of the few Catholics ii
the locality and the stringency of the times, th
| church was not rooted until the past summer
3 The church is q lasting monument to the zse
. OF Father Tracy. Very Rev. J. B Baasen, v. F
f whose sturdy German perseverance ha
: enabled him to roof the building, is justl
Q proud of his success and of his beautifr
g church. The style of the building is that {
f q Roman Basilca ON q small scale. Th
s architect is the Rt. Rev. Bishop. The churc
# is 100 feet by 4s feet in the clear, and is bui
Il of dressed native limestone. the towers an
# front bush h-trammered, and surmounted by
b massive stone cross, II feet high. On Sunda
q morning, the 1lth of November, a large col
o course of people assembled to witness th
ceremonies of the dedication. The Mass We
q sung Dy tne hb. fSeV- DIbnOpt hS CeloOESh
Q Rev. Ed. Kerwsn, of st. Patrick's, Mobil
# Deacon, Rev. NJ. Gardiner, of Tuscaloosa, Sal
! deacon, and Very Rev. J. B. Baasen, V. F., a
q sistant priest. The choir, which was impro'
e ised for the occasion, and made up of Il
II members of the churches of our separate
brethren, rendered Farmers "Kyrie" al
10 "Gloria" with telling effect. After the Gosp
ls Father Kirwan preached, taking his text fro
's the first chapter of st. John, 10Th to the 26
verses. The argument of the discourse show
le that the world to-day treated the Church
re God as the Pharasees of old treated our Lo
1s and Master. Mercadante's "Credo" was ne
a sung and followed by offertory pieces select
A- with good taste from some of the best Cath
lie composers. Millard's Vespers were sung
the evening at o'clock. The choir deser
m we'll of the community. It would be invidio
a. to make distinctions, yet 1 may mention
nd names of a few persons who contribut
he largely to the success of the ceremonies
Miaa Ella Donaoo0 Orpaniak q