The New York herald., 1879-03-17
NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH.
FIRST SERVICES HELD IN ST. PATHrcKs CHURCH
OF NORWICH, coNN.--sERMoN BY THE PASTOR,


FIoE.
lBY. TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.1
NORWICH. March 16. 1872
Tho first services in the new Catholic church OF
this city, named in honor of Irelands patron saint
was held to-day. Admission was by tickets, which
previously sold for from 81 to SIS each. Ncavy
three Thousand people were in attendance. High
mass celebrated by the Rev. Fathers Shahan
and Mc(ice. The altar which unveiled for the
first time. is of beauty. The floral decora-
tions were elaborate.
THE SERMON.
The sermon by Father Shahan OF en-
couragencnt and congratulation lie said The true
faith in the spirit OF St. Patrick had led the Catholic
people TO make the requisite sacrifices to this
noble temple to the worship of tho living God Al
though the Affections OF Job had been sent upon
them at times the Irish people arc preserved to
propagate His Gospel All over the earth tho
chapel. the church and tho great cathedral
bells proclaim to tho world that tho
children of ST. Patrick assembling to their CALL
You have raised a monument to your faith that is
destined to last for centuries When people ask how
the poor Irish people can build the finest
churches in tho country tell them it is not
poverty but the faith that has not been
apostatized. Had this people chosen to aban-
don the faith of their fathers they might now
being in foreign land. Catholic feet the first
to tread the soil of those United States Yon have
erected one of the finest ecclesiastical structures
this Continent. This is the house OF God. and may
itbe the gate to heaven for all your souls. The i'm
inense audience was deeply affected by Father
Shahans sermon. which occupied nearly one hour
In duration
THE NEW EDIFIcF.
The church is regarded one of the most beauti-
ful in the country. The excavation was appropri-
ately began on st. Patrick's Day, 1870. under
ths supervision % Of the then pastor Father Daniel
Mullen, who died In january. 1873. At the time
of his death he expended ovor s225.0
on the structure the completion Of which no
his career. The corner stone laid with i'm
pressive ceremonies on July l3. 1873. In March.
p. strahan was appointed to the charge aud has
since lnbored with untrng zeal for the completion of
the sacred edifce. The dimensions as follows:-
Length Dos feet: width OF nave and aises 20 fcct;
transept 10a feet tower 81 feet square and $40 feot
high Tho architecture is Gothic. and closely
sembles that Of the Cologne Cathedral regarded as
the finest specimen of the style in the world. Nave
and aislcs are divided by heavy moulded pillars
mounted by, foliated capitals The frescoing is
elaborate and very beautiful.
The figure painting is by Daniel Muller, of Brook
lyn, n. \. The figures life size and will number
forty. They are painted in panels of ten feet III
height. in vivid coors. and represent tho Madonna.
the Resurrection. Christ and the Apostles.
Peter walking to Jesus on tho wator. while
Of f. tho &c crucifxon. The @ ceiling ~ s Challenges
the attention and admiration OF all who enter the
church. and is considered by artists the finest In tho
country. not excepting the great Cathedral in New
York city. The iresco painting was executed by Mr.
Braycr, of Boston Tho interior Of the structure Is
under the skilled eye of Edmund OKeefe of Spring
field. Mass. The inner work is to be lad In black
walnut and ash, tho designs being beautiful and
unique The high altar is from the works of Smith
Crano New York, and cost S3.00O. The large and
exquisitely stained windows. some forty in number.
are from Morgan Brothers, New York. who assert
thcm to be the finest in this country. Tie
church will be lighted by electricity upon its
plcion. The large organ. with its handsome Gothic
'front.' fills the spacious front gallery and is second In
size to the Centennial organ in the Buffalo Cathedral.
The architect Of this immense structure is Mr. James
Murphy. OF Providence II. /. Tho huge bcll which
weighs $500 pounds is from baltimore, Nd made
ct the works of Henry Mcshane. 1t was blessed
july last by the late Bishop Galbcrry.
assisted by the Very Rev. Thomas Walsh
and DR.. Mc(ilynn, Of st. Stephens Church,
New York, who delivered sermon to throng Of ut
least eight thousand people.
After ninc years of hard toiling and anxious thought
1t Is matter OF extreme satisfaction to the Catholics
of Eastern Connecticut to know that they have
erected o monument that shall stand when all
who live shall have turned into dust
The entire cost Of s300000 has becn paid with
the exception perhaps of small sum. few months
moro will be necessary to complete the building
dedicatory services but 1t considered advisable
considering its nearness to completion. TO hold scr-
vice yesterday, Sunday 16, it bcpg tho Sabbath on
the eve of st. Patrick's Day. and tho ninth anni-
versary since the structure commenccd.