The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1886-07-15
SILVER JUBILEE.
Rev. LOsis hSffsr, ~ LSsisVille, Csls-
bratsa the Happy Event.
An Immense Gathering of People, and "a
Notable Day for NImlshiIlen Town
shIp--One Thousand People
SIT Down to Eat.

biee of his pastoral charge OF the above
named congregation. The committee
having charge OF the celebra ion, the
whole congregation and citizens spar
no labor In haVing everything In excel
lent preparation.
On wednesday morning large tent
| 60X150 feet was erected bet cen the
church and parOchial school, and was
elegantly decorated with flags, bunt-
ing, evergreen and notices, under
which tables were erected for the
seating of six hundred persons at once
The school houses, the towers of the
church, and trees in front of the church
were heavily decorated.
At 6 o'clock on Thursday morning the
Louisville COrnet Band, which furnish.
ed music during the day rendered Rev
| gratulAt10ns poured IN from all direC
tiOns.
At 8 o'clock the band led the march
from the pastoral residence to the
church, the Interior of which was deco
rated In most beautiful manner. A
large arch mounted on two large col
umns, In front Of the sanctuary, wrap.
ped with evergreen and flowers, from
which was suspended the words In large
silver letters, "SilVer Jubilee" and the
| figures 1851 and 1886" When the SOL
emn high mass was celebrated by Rev.
L. Hoffer, ReVs + Sinner, of Cleveland,
o., master of ceremonies; G Verlet, Mas
sillon, Deacon; +. Berkel, Canton, Sub
deacon.
Rev. James OLeary, of Lima, O., de,
liVered very impressive sermon in
English, and Rev. +. NJ. BOff, of CleVe-
land, In French. Among the clergy that
we're present were: ReVs, V, ArnOuld, P.
j. Mcclure, Canton; James KOOns, Mas
sillOn; f. Matternick, Navarro; +.
MontrOis, DanVille; P. BishOf, Mlllers
burgb; j. NJ. Puetz, Tifin; R. Zins-
myeier, Sheffield; X. j. VBJtman, Canal
Fulton; P. Becker, P. CsDitaus, f. Mar
tin, of Cleveland.
Excellent music was rendered by the
clergy were. first seated at the east table,
which overlooked all the other tables.
Next were the invited guests Of the
members Of the congregation, then
members of the congregation, were soon
seated at the tables, which were waited
on by 140 young ladies all dressed in
white. Among the attractions at the
clergy's table was cake, presented by
A. j. Myers and wife, of immense size,
considered to be the largest one ever
seen In this locality.
During the progress Of the dinner
Rev. HOff9r was taken by surprise to a
platform we'll decorated with flowers,
near the clergy table, and on behalf Of
the congregation j. <. MOnnOt, In de-
livering the presentation of 500 silver
dollars spoke as follows:
Father, by unl MIN JUS consent Of
the committee, on behalf of the cOhgre-
CATION l rise to congratulate you upon
his event. | ask you to excuse me a
few moments while address the con-
gregatiOn.
Rev. Father, st. Louis congregation,
ladies and gentlemen: Twenty five
years have elapsed since Father HOffer
assumed charge Of this congregation,
and we have assembled to day to cele-
brste the event, to show the honor, es-
teem and high respect we owe to Rev.
Father. In casting glance over the
field OF his labOrs In this parish, and If
was Obliged to speak Of my recOllec-
tiOns of when they began, could not,
as they began before my birth and per-
haps majority of the members Of the
congregation within reach of my voice.
But our fathers and mothers can we'll
recOllect and teach US history
WHICH CAN NEVER BE ERASED.
Twenty-Five years or a quarter of a
century ago, since when the lives of
nearly a generation have passed away.
1t brings us back to the year 1851; q
year that will ever be remembered and
recorded In the nations history, and is
still fresh In the mem Ory of those whose
hair has turned gray by time and toll
of services to their religion, their cOun-
try and their homes during the year
1861. When that dark cloud hung over
the nation which had the appearance
of distress; when the weaping mother
stood upon the threshold Of the door,
with tears In her eyes and Offering
prayers to God for the safe return of
her husband or s0n who had bade her
farewell to enter that bloody field of
conflict.
This COD gregation added not few
names to that gallant roll of honor. In
the same year another dark cloud hung
over this village. When the Sunday was
the scene of discOrd, disuniOn, quarrel.
ing and fighting caused by intemper-
ance. It was then another important
event occurred. Our hOnOred Father
came, and by his zeal and energy
brought the weight to bear heavily on
this monster evil, and in few years
checked the dire disaster. These are
historical ia 'ts Of the village and the
workings of Father HOffer. They are
taught to US by our parents, and will
long be remembered by them. When
the influence of religion became evident
to all and Catholics soon won the re.
spect Of all their 0nCatholic fellow
citizens; when brotherly love sprang up
on all sides and has ever siuce been on
the increase under the leadership of the
person that we are hOnOring to day; un-
der whom the congregation increased so
rapidly that 1t become necessary to en-.
large Its Buildings, which were erected
under his management and through the
sweat of bis brow. They stand as living
monuments Of history, which are more
easily heard than the volumes that are
In our librarles-f0r they are open to all
and are seen by every visitor to the vii
lage. Twenty-Five years seems t1 be a
long time indeed, at least to the young;
but not so to the old, who can hardly
realize that 1t has been more than few
years ago since Rev. Father Hoffer ar
rived here. Bu. when they recall to their
the many changes that have
undergone, the labor that has been &C.
cOmplished by this congregation under
his administration, they then cannot
realize and can hardly believe that such
q change could have been accomplished
had they not been summoned to give tes-
tim0ney Of the same In
LESS THAN HALF A CENTURY.
Not MANY years ago schOolmates of