National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-01-28
ST. MATTHEW'S CHURCH.
How the Ediiee was Commemorate II
teFestinE History.

a. l.
teFestfnE History.
The grand march of events knows no such thing
| as trifcs. A single whispered word may change
| the whole course of a life and upon the accident,
as il appears 10 us. Of II delayed message may hang
| the destiny of nation. The society now known
! as st. Matthew'S Parish owes the commencement
of the enterprise which crystslized into the present
| church edifice to a woman and an episode of
love. Cupid hurled his darts from a masked
battery behind pair of bright eyes, and demol-
ished human heart. The course of true love ran
not smoothly, and the fair one became the bride of
another. The heart of the lover turned toward
the truths of the church, and the love for the
creature, purified by suffering turned toward the
Creator The need Of a new church had been
deeply felt fer long time, and 10 this worthy pur-
| pose the young man ben! his energies In 1888
| John p. Donelan bought of W. s. Nichols the
| ground on which st. Matthew'S Church now
| stands.
| Tic society was not large, and very few of its
! members had more than enough of this worlds
| goods for their own needs: but who ever knew a
Catholic band to fail if church was to be built?
The task indeed herculean but to it were their
best efforts devoted. On the DIST of September,
1858. the cornerstone ofthe building was laid. The
day was fair and favorable in every way, and the
procession made most imposing appearance as
il wended its way along the streets where numbers
of delighted spectators had gathered to watch its
progress The city was bright with flags and flow
crs and banners, and the Marine Band enlivened
the scene with music. The sermon was preached
by Rev. DR.. Ryder al st. Patricks Church, and the
ceremonies were conducted
By BISHOP ECCLESSoN.
The untiring energy OF one or two leaders i'll the
movement pushed The enterprise rapidly forward
and on the DIST of September, 1870 just two years
from the day of the laying of the cornerstone the
light-hcarted and triumphant laborcrs assembled
for the purpose of dedicating the temple to the
service OF the Most High. Dr. Morarty, of Phiia-
delphia, preached the sermon, and Archbishop
Eccesson and the clergy of the city assisted at the
services. The building committee received many
congratulations upon their success. Their names
were Thomas CaFbery, John Queen, Ignatius AIudd
and Joseph Harbaugh.
A peculiar feature Of the Catholic Church is that
no house OfwoTship can be cOnsecrated while any
vcstige of debt remains. The next task was to
clear their beautiful edfce for the ceremonies of
conservation. Steadily they laborcd yet another
two years, and on The 18th Of May, 1912, the last
dollar was paid, and the church was ready for the
final dedication.
Rev. DR.. Power Of New York, preached the SER
mon. Pontfcal mass was celebrated by Bishop
Fenwick. assisted by Bishop Dubois and Arch
bishop EcclesSon. The prosperity of this church
overcast its sky those gathered through tears
above the loved and lost.
MANY HAPPY BRIDE
has knelt before the altar, and many winning
title face has been raised in baby wonder to the
vaulted arches as the holy drops Of baptSmal
water fell upon the head of innocence. Many
waxen face has lain in the cold silence of the last
repoSe while the mourneTS SorroWed and the priest
sought to pour upon broken and bleeding hearts
the oil of consolation OF the original members it
is believed but two, remain-Mr. Nicholas Callan
and one other To the energy and devotion of Mr.
Callan the church probably owes more than
TO any other man. His hand and heart were
the most powerful agencies in its growth and pros
perity. This church has been singularly fortu-
nate in its choice of pastors. For over eighteen
years the venerable Father White, who died about
selor of this people. Under his kindly administra
ton there were many acceSsions to its member
ship, and in the hearts of Il loving people he
builded unto himselfa monument more enduring
than marble. His name will go down to chill
dren's children as being of the -noblest, gen
TEST and atSSSt of the brotherhood.
MANI OF THE RESIDENTS
Of Washington remember with pleasure the con-
trOverSies between Father White and Rev. Dr.
Newman of the Metropolitan Church. These dis
cnssionS, although waxing somewhat warm at
times, We're nevertheless characterized by Chris
tfan fOrbearance and spirit Of charity which
left but little bitterness behind, and proved
that at least a few of the leaders in things
spirit of bigotry and intolerance to over
shadow the delicacy of the Christian gentle
man The present incumbent, Father Boyle, is an
able and efficient minister, and many are drawn
to the church to hear his excellent diScOuTSes.
They are characterized by remarkable flueney and
elegance as well as sound doctrine and pure
Christianity
Father Boand the assistant, celebrated his first
high mass on Christmas Day of 1879, since which
time he has been in constant attendance. The
mUslcai portion OF The service is prominent fea-