Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-11
THE NEW CHURCH.
LAYING OF THE CORNER
STONE OF THE NEW
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
A Proud Day for the Members
and Friends of That Church.
OVER THREE THOUSAND PEO-
PIE WITNESS THE CERE-
MONIES.
Brief History of Catholicism in Wichita,


Etc.
Last Sunday marked an epoch in the his
tory Of Catholicism in this city, fraught
with great interest to the members of
that ancient and religious sect, the occasion
being the laying Of the corner stone to
their new temple Of worship, now in course
of erection, located ut the southeast corner
of Fourth avenue and Second streets, and
whose spire will ere long be pointing heav-
onward, reckoning on TO a higher AMI bet
ter Life all those who have espoused the
faith Of the holy Ca tholic church.
One of the essential elements of Christi
anity is growth. The penteeostal baptism
which descended with the sound OF u
mighty, rushing wind upon the disciples
gathered in the little upper room ut Jeru-
salem, nearly 1000 years ago, energized
forces which, within the short period of a
single generation, invaded the cultured
centers of Greece and Rome and stamped
their indelible impress upon the classical
civilization Of those mighty empires. And
thus, all along the line OF the ages,
since the founder of the worlds
best faith commissioned his disci-
piles to Ego and preach the Gospel
TO every creature" the all-conqueriDg
zeal of the army which is marshaled under
Their the banner OF the cross, has triumphed
over the fires OF persecution the sword Of
the spirit has proved potent TO the over
turning of strongholds, and the church
militant in the face of tribulaton, distress
and peril has proved more than victorious
over all its foes, and stands confessed in
this, the high MONDAY of the worlds best
civilization, the great center from which
radiaie those mighty, moral and intellectu-
al influences which have wrought the splen-
did achievements of this golden age.
The history of the Catholic church in
Wichita has proved a striking exemplifca-
ton Of that spirit Of aggression which is
the genius. of christianity, and which. it
may be said, is peculiarly characteristic OF
a church which is recognized as one Of the
leading pioneers in the work OF eyangeliz-
ing the world. In the year 1872 little
band of believers, numbering some twenty
men and women, organized themselves in
to congregation, and lacking for a bethel
IN which to hold their services, met, from
time 10 time at each others house for wor-
ship, and from this small beginning, and in
the face OF all the discours gements and
vicissitudes which beset the path OF the
pioneers of Wichita, this little congrega-
ton was prospered of God. and multiplied
in numbers until to-day it has n member
ship of between GOO ana 200. and will short
ly worship in one of the most splendid edi-
fees in our glorious young state. In
connection with the present splendid
prosperity and encouraging future
of the Catholic church the fol.
lowing sketch of its
PAST HISTORY
may not be undressing: Fathers MUIR
phy and Coles were the first priests TO
teach the small band Of believers that gath
cred at each others homes in 1872, when
there was no house OF worship. During
the pastorate of the latter the old Presby
terrain church on Water street. between
First and Second streets, was purchased ut
a cost of 500, or whereabouts, and moved
to where il now stands. At that time $500
was an enormous burden for the church TO
assume, and the building was commodious
to an extreme. In February, 1873, the frs
priest, Father Swiemberg. was located
here, and from thence dates regular sery-
ices. Al this time the membership was
nearly forty. About the first Of July, 1874,
he was succeeded by Father }. Z. Schurz,
who remained in charge until November.
1879. when he was relieved by Faith
er Mccall, who presided over
the church until the 18th of
last August when the present pastor,
Father Kelley was assiDged to this dioces e.
| During the year 1873 the Parochial school
was established by Father Swiemberg and
young lady from Leavenworth placed 10
charge. During the time OF Father Schurz
the school ran down badly-in fact, was
entirely discontinued, but when Father
Mccall came it was again revived, and has
! been in a healthy state Of growth ever
since. The school now numbers sixty pu-
| pills and is in the charge Of Miss Lizzie KEEL
ley, sister OF Father Kelley. The lot on
which the old church stands was donated to
he congregation by J. II. Mead. With the
coming of Father Kelley came new life to
the church. Additions have been made to
the parsonage, and the inside Of the old
church has been renovated, and the school
building moved to its present location near
the old church. By him, active steps were
inaugurated looking to the building OF a
new church which should be in
keeping with the present large membership.
and as fruits of his labors ist he foundation
for new edifice, to be built after the
Gothic pattern, and TO be 96x54 feet, and
In all respects finished in the most artistic
and modern style.
The ceremonies in connection with lay
ing the corner stone were beautiful and
impressiye-in every respect in keeping
with the noble work to which the new
structure will be dedicated, and were wit
messed by nearly three thousand people
sunday afternoon, although the das was
exceedingly warm and lily intended to
bring out our citizens
The procession formed on Main street. in
front of Russell hall, at about O'Clock, and
order, headed by
Chief Marshal J. j. Nohen.
Senior officer of each society.
Altar Boys.
Wichita Guards and brass band.
u. A. X. drum corps.
Grand Army of the Republic.
Turnyerein Society.
Firemen.
knights of Labor.
Brotherhood OF st. Joseph.
Holy Angels.
Young Ladies' Sodaliiy.
Altar Society.
Children in wagons.
Clergy in carriages.
The press in carriages.
Citizens in wagons.
The line of march was from Russell bali /
south on Main street 10 Douglas avenue.
thence east on Douglas avenue to EmpOria: |
thence mort TO Central avenue; thence east |
10 Fourth avenue; thence south TO Catho-
lie church, where each society was assign |
ed TO its place.
The imposing column, a. il moved /
through the streets on its way 10 the church /
presented grand and noble sight, and one |
which win long retain ylace in the mem
Dries OF the thousands who witnessed it. A 1
more beautiful spectacle could hafdiy be !
imagin ed than the little children, dressed I
in white, who formed one of the most in
terestipg features Of the parade, a. did also /
the column Of young ladies, their white (
sashes, mathematical of the purity Of young /
womanhoOd, and blending with the other |
features OF the procession in such a manner /
as to present an inspiring and beautiful co.
umn. ON reaching the church the process
sion halted and the exercises began by ut.
Rev. Bishop Fink, Of Leayenworth, assisted .
by Father Wiegand, OF Illinois; Father 4
krans, of st. Marks, and the pastor Father
Kelley, blessing the foundation Of
the church which consisted 1
in sprinkling it with holy
water. The address was made by Father
Wiegand, and was mastery effort, re-
al a