Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-07-02
LOCAL AND PENINSULAR
THE NEW RACE COURSE AT
HARE'S CORNER.
Imposing Ceremonies mt Newark
on 4 Sunday-Large Attendance
Mass by BishOp RecIVer.

| Spe 'ial Correspondence of Gazette and Journal.
NEWARK, June 29.-The Catholic ele-
ment of Newark had anxiously looked
forward for some weeks to the consecrn-
ton yesterday, of their handsome new
| church of st. John the Baptist and it is
chiefly due to their indefatigable efforts
that the church has been so expeditiously
| paid for and relieved of all debt This is
doubly surprising when it is stated that
the church was built ut great cost less
| than a year ago and within few weeks
has been beautifully and appropriately
decorated in the interior with great
| additional expense until it is now one of
the handsomest Roman Catholic churches
in the State exclusive of Wilmington.
All day Saturday active preparations
were being made for the comfort and en-
| joyment of the large delegations of WISH
tors that were expected from Wilmington,
Elkton and the surrounding towns. Mr..
j. j. Pie, with characteristic kindness,
offered the use of his capacious lawn
Deer Park, and threw wide the portals
of his fine mansion for their enjoyment.
The special train from Wilmington
bearing the Knights of St. Lawrence,
Divisions Nos. l and of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, accompanied by the
First Regiment Band and large contin-
gent of Wilmingtonians arrived at the
Newark station about 1890 o. m, in
very disappointing rain. A line of march
was at once formed and proceeded to the
town, a mile from the station. They
marched through town and proceeded at
once TO the church.
Admission to the church was obtained
by card and it was already half filled
affairs bore large bouquets of choice cut
flowers, blending harmoniously with the
rich colors of the decorations.
The choir from st. Peters pro-
Cathedral, led by Mayor-elect Rhoads,
opened the services by singing. High
Pontifcal mass was celebrated by the Rt.
Rev. Bishop Becker, assisted by the fol-
lowing priests Fathers Kelly, Finn and
Fallon of Wilmington Brady of New
Castle; Birmingham of Dover Lyons of
Newark and the Rev. James McCollen,
s. S., of Baltimore, Md, and other
clergymen.
The ritual was peculiar to the occasion
and occupied over an hour. Bishop
Becker then delivered typical address,
defining the purpose of the services and
touching upon the revision of the Old
Testament and endeavoring TO impress
upon his hearers the priority and inn
portance of the Church of Rome and its
institutions. He alluded eulogistically to
the Christian spirit which actuated his
people in rearing such handsome edifioe
Of worship. The congregation then
marched to Deer Park on the depot road
and there partook of the abundant re-
freshments that had been so generously
prepared.
The afternoon was spent pleasantly in
partaking of refreshments and enjoying
the excellent music of the First Regiment
Band. The address which was TO have
been delivered by the Rev. James McCol-
len of Baltimore, Md, was not made
owing TO misunderstanding in reference
to the time of departure of the trnin,
proving disappointment to all who had
come with that expectation.
The day was veritable gala day here,
and it is estimated that ], 500 people were
in town to witness the ceremonies. To
make matters more complicated "big
quarterly" meeting was held among the
colored people. The train returned to
Wilmington at 4.30 o'clock with many of
the excursionists, although considera-
BILE number remained over until-the regu-
lar 9.26 p. m. train in order to attend the
evening vespers.
Mayor-elect Rhoads, during the day,
received the numerous fluctuations of his
friends with equanimity and promised
them good straight-out Democratic re-
form.