Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-02
Conservation Of St. Clements Church.

COhsccrauOn OF Sts ClemohtB Cuurcls
Yesterday about ten o'clock the con-
secration services of st. Clements
Catholic Church in this city began.
Archbishop Heiss and quits number
of priests were present ard took part
in the imposing ceremonies.
AS beginning OF the ceremonies
ashes were strewp in two diagonal lines
from the four corners of the church.
In the ashes we're written the Greek and
Latin alphabets. Then the Archbishop
and his attendants made the circuit of
the church amounting on the way the
twelve crosses, from each of which de-
pended bracket bearing burning
taper. During the ceremonies the
Psalms and the litany of All Saints
were sung. Then the altar was conse-
Grated. This altar does not rest upon
the floor, but upon two pillars built up
out of the solid earth. The top of the
altar is marble slab seven feet long
and 81 inches wide. in which Ave crosses
are carved. On each rests candle
stick holding taper, which was kept
burning during mass. In the middle
of the marble top is sunk cavity or
"sepulcher' containing the holy relics.
These are the relics of st. Bonlface,
| st. Victor, st. Ursula and her assistants
and other martyrs. The relics were
| placed in zinc box, tied with red
ribbon and sealed. They were wrapped
in a parchment bearing record of
from where and whom these relics were
obtained, how they were brought here
and by whom approved. The whole
top of tho altar was Amounted, but es-
pecially the five crosses. The process
sion passed around the altar thirteen
times, sprinkling holy water and burn
ing frankincense.
After the conservation Rev. Father
vahey preached short sermon in Eng
fish, giving brief review of the history
of the Catholic church and the persecu-
tons and trials it had undergone, and
closing with plea for Catholic schools
as necessary for the safety and MAIN
tenance of the church.
After the sermon the impressive cere-
mony of high mass was performed by
Father Albers, of Keller, with Father
Dreiss as Deacon and Father McNulty
as sub-Deacon. The excellent music
which accompanied the mass was by
Mr.. Nusang and his we'll trained choir,
who came up from Keller for the occa-
sion.
After high mass Rev. Father Stetter,
of Dyer, Indiana. preached a sermon
in German.
| The Archbishop then performed the
ceremony of confirmation upon about
seventy candidates, to whom the Arch
bishop made an address in German and
English.
The benediction with the blessed sac
rament was then given and the cere-
monies closed with the singing of the
| TIE Deunn.
Besides those already mentioned the
following were present: Rev. Father
Ketting, of Milwaukee. secretary of the
Archbishop; Father Haverstock, of
Seymour; Father Wibbert, of Platte
vile; Father Weinhart, of Min eral
Point; Father Stehle, of Keller, Father
Dempsey, Of Highland, and Father
Schumacher.
A collection of about $40 was taken
up to pay the expenses of the conse-
Grafton.
|. With the exception of the pews
(Which are made but not fastened in)
the church is now completed except
some decorations, frescoes, pictures,
etc., which will be put in when the con-
gregation feel able to do SO. The con-
gregation have incurred small debt
and no further expense will be incurred
until this debt shall be paid. But as it
is they have a magnificent edifice of
which they may well be proud.