Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1884-09-19
Dedication Of st. Roses Church

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Sunday last, the 14th instant, was a gall
day for the parish of St. Rose. This wa
the time fixed for the blessing of the churcl
by Archbishop Gibbons, who came from
Baltimore on the day previous. 1t was a
most suspicious time for the ceremony, the
late severe heated term having passed, was
succeeded by a fine bright atmosphere an
pleasant temperature. The Archbishop was
assisted by Father Leonard, resident pastor
and Father Holden, of Baltimore, who was
the celebrant at High Mass Precisely a.
1Of o'clock the ceremony commenced, as
usual on such occasions, with a processio n
of the clergy, acolytes and bearers of the
emblems Of faith and holiness. After max
ing the circle of the church outside, the pro-
cession entered and the services of blessing
were completed within.
The church of st. Rose, first erected on
this site many years ago, by the munificence
of the late Mrs Ellen M. Maher, was des-
troyed by fire, April 22d, 1888. The new
church, just blessed, was commenced almost
Immediately after the fire, and by the zeal
and exertions Of the pastor and members of
his congregation, soon rose from her foun-
dations, Phenix-like, and reported ready
for service within seven months afterward.
The solemnity Of the occasion attracted a
large throng from the surrounding districts,
who manifested their respect and admira-
ton for scenes rarely enacted outside our
cities.
The High Mass, at IL o'clock, was chant
ed in accord with every appointment likely
to contribute to the dignity of service so
sacred. Mr.. Augustin Hartman had pre-
viously secured the good offices of the prin-
cipal members of St. Mary's choir, of Wash
ington, who in the rendering of most
beautiful mass and brilliant solos, WINGED
the talent and training of practiced must
clans. At the conclusion of the ceremonies
the members of the choir and others, to the
number of seventy-flve, were kindly enter
tair ed by Mr.. Hartman at his residence
near the church.
But the most impressive and enjoyable
feature to note was the sermon preached by
the Archbishop, his text being the Unity
and Catholicity of the church. He happily
treated the subject by illustrations from the
parallels of our Lord, such as 1.-THE mustard
seed the good shepherd, the vine and branch
es." He eloquently described the growth,
prosperity and indestructibility of the Ro-
man church amidst all the trials and perse-
cutlons she had to contend with In the
face of violent religious and political up
heavings; whether assaulted by despotism,
paganism, heresy or scism, she never laltered
in her obligations to God or man-never de-
waited title from :he course provided by
her divine founder. She saw the rise and
fall of dynasties for the last 1900 years. she
will continue to prove her condition vigor-
GUS and effulgent for all time to come, in re-
lance upon the promises of Him who said :
behold am with you for all time, and the
gates of hell cannot prevail against you"
After the conclusion OF the ceremonies
and final blessing the Archbishop, outside
the church on its pretty lawn, received the
greetings of many friends and members of
st. Rose. Many Of these were contributors
to this neat and handsome ediflce, though
not of this congregation. The crowd in and
outside the church was noticeably large, in
GLIDING many Protestants friendly TO the
success of the new building,
The notice published proposing 10 charge
twenty-five cents admittance TO the church
was afterwards revoked.