, 1884-08-20
CHURCH AND SCHOOL.
The Catholic Church Almost Made
New With Improvements.
A Large Organ Ordered and Costly
Stained Windows Expected.
Particulars of the School Under the
Supervision of the Church.

St. Johns Catholic church of this city.
besides having the largest membership of
any Catholic church in Wyoming has
also, probably, q greater membership
than any Protestant Society in the Terri
tory. The church building is a good one
but the interior has presented a rather
barren appearance. While the church is
rich, it has not cared to incur any heavy
debt, it being deemed wise to defer any
expensive improvements until they could
be made without infieting a burden upon
the poorer members.
Last week the interior of he church
was entirely ~re-painted in pleasing colors
which will add greatly to other effects
now about to be supplied. Twenty-three
gas-burners have been mounted and as
soon as the Gas Company can furnish the
light, the church will be brilliantly illumi-
mated. Perhaps one of the most MOTTO
able improvements will be the costly stain
ed windows. All of the old windows will
To removed and in their stead will be new
ones Of the finest quality and most artistic
designs. These windows were ordered
some time ago and are expected here in a
short time. The steam heating apparatus,
which has not afforded satisfactory
warmth heretofore, has been rearranged,
the new distribution of the pipes being
such that no further trouble is anticipat-
ed
Who does. not feel a responsive thrill in
his breast when the throbbing melody of
ONE grind old organ makes even the
vaulted roof tremble, as it echoes the
swelling harmony? Such an organ will
soon be in place in the church. 1t was
ordered some weeks since and will proba-
bly, be here during the earlier portion of
September.
Thus reftted the church will be at once
comfortable and pleasing, and will, upon
latter day theories, still further increase
its influence.
Mention has previously been made in
these columns that the old building,
which was first used by the society here,
would soon be used for educational pur-
poses. 1t has been entirely repainted
outside and inside, a new roof has taken
the place Vi the weather tried old one and
other changes are being made.
The building will be divided into three
rooms for classes. the partitions being so
arranged that the rooms can be made one
large apartment when occasion may re-
quire. One hundred and fifty desks have
been ordered from Chicago, that number
representing the seating capacity of the
school. The pupils will be divided by
sexes, the boys and girls having separate
study rooms and Fairgrounds Girls of
any age will be admitted. but the male
membership is limited to those boys who
are less than 10 years of age. In addition
to the usual English branches generally
taught in public schools, the course will
comprise the ancient and modern Lam
guages, vocal and instrumental music,
drawing and painting.
The school will naturally depend upon
the Catholic community for its support,
and, in this connection, it may be of in
terest to state that the records Of the
parish Sunday school show a member
ship of oil. Allowing for those who are
not regular attendants aud for those boys
who may be over thirteen years old, it
will be seen that there are enough young
people, the children of regular attending
members of the church, to insure the
success ofthe school.
At present there are no facilities for
boarding children from other places who
may desire to attend. but should the in
s%titution be as successful as is anticipated,
a boarding school, or convent, will be
added next year. 1t is expected that the
opening of the school will be eontempor-
aneous with the beginning of the Fall
term of,he Public Schools.
The dwelling house adjoining the school
has been entirely reitted and ~refurnished,
and will be occupied by the five sisters
who will have charge of the institution.
1t seems to be generally understood that
the Catholic people of the city will en-
dorse and maintain the new institution Of
learning.