The New York herald., 1879-09-29
CATHOLIC CHURCH DEDICATION.

IMPOSING CEREMONIES IN THE NEW EDrFICE AT
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. By ARCHBISHOP GIBBONS,
OF BALTIMORE.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
Norwich. Conn.,, Sept. 2S, 1879.
One Of the greatest Catholic demonstrations ever
seen in New England occurred in this city to-day it
being the occasion Of the celebrating the dedication
of tho new Roman Catholic church (St Patrick 81.
without the edifce presents grand and majestic
appearance. being one Of the most solid church
structures in this country The interior is just fin
ished. For excellence of style. and finish
1t is unexcellcd. The entire cost will approximate
$4,000. which is already nearly iquidated. The
ground first broken in 1870 and the corner stone
was subsequently laid under the direction of the
late lamented Rev. Daniel Mullen. July IA. 1873.
The work has continuously progressed upon tho
building ever since. Tho magnificent bell which
hereafter is to call the worshipping multitude TO.
gether blessed by the late Bishop Galherry Of
Hartford. assisted by Vicar General Quinn. OF New
York. on July -, 1878.
THE INTERIOR.
The inside is one labyrinth of beauty, the walls
being embelshed with life size paintings number
ing nearly fifty. The altar itself is pcrfo gem.
being gotten up in the highest style of the sculp-
tors art. Yesterday, when it was illuminated for
the first time. it presented sceno grand and sub
lime The floral decorations were magnificent, aud.
together with the myraids OF burning tapers and
gorgeous church paraphernalia, presented scene
to the beholder to be admired.
ATTENDANCE AND SERVICES
Upward of ascoro of priests and bishops assisted
at the dedication services. among the more promi-
nent being His Grace Archbishop Gboons who OFF,
ciated at the morning service; Right Rev. Bishop
Shanahan, OF Harrisburg. and Bishop Mcmahon, of
Connecticut. The street procession long and
embraced many from sister churches in different
sections of the State. Special trains brought in
thousand people from Springfield and Hartford,
while the steamers made extra trips the Thames.
The blessing of the church and its dedication to the
service of God comprised the first service of the
morning, after which pontihcal high waS cole
brated by Bishop Mcmahon. with his assistants. At
the close q solemn offered for the repose OF
the soul OF the late Father Mullen.
THE SERMON
Archbishop Gibbons, OF Baltimore. then delivered
short but interesting sermon from the fourth
chapter of Ephesiaus. The Bishop said he was
greatly impressed with the soemnity OF tho ocea-
sion which had brought the people together. When
he thought upon the beautiful structure before him
and its harmony and symmetry 1t reminded him of
the great Catholic Church, the only true and har-
monious church. in which there is the same obe-
dience to the higher powers that there is in tho
spiritual world. Let US all be governed by the law
OF charity and harmony. Christ's last prayer
offered for unison and concord. As all be-
nevc in one God all have been redeemed by
one Saviour and all hope 60 enter the same heaven.
may believe in one faith, one baptism. II is
cheering TO reflect that the Catholic Church incul
Gates the same spirit as did the apostles She says.
nothing to do with that; but when you enter tho
temple OF God you enter where faith and harmony
dwell In every Catholic churcn to-day over the
up. the doctrines prevail and arc
preached from January to December. The faith
OF to-day is the faith that will be to-
morrow. IL was the same from the beginning
and ever shall be. The faith that ST. ohm preached
Ephesus. st. Patrick in ireland aud st. Ambrose
England is the that is preached 20 Catholics
to-day. Well could the Holy Father in the Vatican
ia 1862 as the priests assembled coming from all
parts OF the world. speaking different tongues OF
different manners, but all OF faith. say. at is
good for brethren TO dwell together In unity"
Appropriate mention was insdo by HIS Grace OF
the beautiful church edihcc the antrng zeal of
Father Shahan and the benevolcncc OF the Christian
people IN their successful endcavor to erect lasting
tribute to Almighty God.
EVENING SERVICE.
The evening service was, IL anything even more
sublime than that of the morning. The church was
crowded from gallery to chancel. Pontincai vcs-
pers were sung by Archbishop Gibbons and the
mon Of the hour preached by Bishop Shanahan from
Isaiah. H., 20 and 81. upon the theme ''the un-
changeability and infallibility of tho Catholic
Church" At the close a serenado was tendcred the
priests at the parsonage of Rev. Z. p. Shahan aud
responses were offered by Father Shshan, Judge
Shields and others.