Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-06-30
lcommunioaied.l

ANNMmulloaie1.I
The corner stone Of 81. Augustine church vas laid
on the 18Th inst, announced, in the presence Of
vast oOnoOurse Of people Of all shades Of religion,
by the Rt Rev. Richard Gilmore Bishop Of clevslAnd,
prelAie Of historical fame to the readers Of the
NORTHWEST Never before didNApOleon people witness
such sight although the ceremonies connected with
the laying Of the corner stone Of purely rclg
ous nature, aud singular to many there was not the
least disturbance to be noticed that would in any way
reflect upon . community on the contrary the whole
procession was 4 signal proof that the citizens Of
Napoleon law abiding and respect the constitution
Of the U. S. which guarantees TO every man the free
and unmolested exercise Of his religion. The ri.
Rev. Bishop was assisted by the Rev. E. HAnnin, Of
Toledo, o. who, after the death Of Bishop Rapp, held
for few years the position Of administrator Of the
Dioces Of Cleveland o., and from whom the present
pastor OF the congregation received his appointment
Father Hannfn acted deacon I'm the procession and
Rev. J. B. Young, Of Defiance, o., as sub.deaoon.
The preparatory services commenced I'm the old
Church at 2o'clock p M, but owing to the want of
sufficient space only few hundred people could
participate therein the larger part being forced TO
wait out side in front and around the Church until the
services were over, when the procession moved i'm
mediately to the site for the Church. south on
Main st. to Front, west on Front to Monroe, North
onMonroe to the corner of Clinton and Monroe street
It indeed beautiful sight to many people
march in such fine order, and Messrs Otto Honeck
and D. Hartnet with their assistants deserving Of
great credit for the pains taken in marsheling the
procession and what is deserving especial mention is
the fact that not only the members OF the Church
participated in the procession but also the various
c;,,; Of M
good feeling and friendship. The Clerk and COM
Council of the town honored the procession with
their presence.
The Light Guards in their stately uniforms COM
manded by Capt. H. f. Cary made fine impression,
and the Grand Army of the Republic fully repre-
sented and under command of Maj. l.. G. Randall, the
verans who bled for the Union willing in time
of peace to honor the cross the symbal of salvation
which was carried at the head of the procession;
special mention is also due to st. Johns Benevolent
Society of Defiance, o., all the various members
thereof wearing beautiful regaas and carrying in the
procession as we'll the flag of the Union also the
banner of their society," this illustrating the fact that
Catholics are as staunch defenders of the Union
they are of their religion
When the procession had arrived at the new Churcf
the Rt. Rev. Bishop before commencing to bless tn,
corner stone, stated in a few remarks what he wal
about to do and quoted from memory the documents
that to be deposited into the stone which
was as follows:
In the year of our Lord 1881, the 18th day of Jun,
Jas A. Garfield being President of the U. S. ant
Chester A. Arthur vice-President; Chas. Foster be
ing Governor of Ohio, and A. ]. Hickenlooper
Lieut.. Governor;J. NJ. Shoemaker being Mayor of tn
town of apoleon, Henry county, o., the ston
for st. Augustine Church was laid by the Rt. Rev
Richard Gilmore Bishop of Cleveland, o.. the Rev
/ NJ Putt being at the time rector of the Mission H
II. Woke, T. F. Shoner, Otto Honeck, NJ. Worth ant
Fred Fisher being the members of the building com
mittee. Alex S. Young Toledo, architect of tht
Church. r. Gilmore, Bishop of Cleveland o. Their
was also deposited in the stone copy of thu
NORTHWEST, Henry County Signal, Luxenburgl
Gazette and Catholic Uniyerse besides few old coin
The sermon at the occasion preached by Rev
N. A. Noes, President of St. Marys Theological Semi
nary, Cleveland, o. The Rev. gentleman stated in
plain the object of the Church building ant
proved to his audience in forceabe way the necessity
Of religion The of convincing nature thu
great ability and deep learning Of the speaker Th
Rt Rev. Bishop also addressed the community, ant
the words spoken by him eagerly listened to ant
fully appreciated; he is a powerful speaker and al
though outspoken on all questions of religion he ii
nevertheless a friend of the Union, his MOTIF
, being "He who serves God the best serves hi
country the best" He finished by encouraging al
to help in the erection of the building and gave
warm tribute to all who have done and especial.
did he thank the citizens of Napoleon not connected
with the Church for the liberal assistance they hav
piyen to the nostor of the CONGREGATION,
Taking all in all the laying of the corner stone wal
grand and calculated to create feeling
friendship and good wishes between Catholics ant
the citizens of all shades of religion in Napoleon
The collection taken up at the occasion amounted t.
s17a &c. The Meme Band and Drum Corps executed
} some fine music at the occasion. ~