The evening world., 1888-02-21

street and Second avenue, which were fitted
up as q chapel.
The success of his efforts to establish the
parish was SO marked that within q year from
the beginning of the services a fine site for
the new church had been purchased on Sec
ond avenue, and on May 80, 1869, the corner
stone of the edifce was laid. Archbishop
McCloskey oficiated, assisted by Vicar-Gen-
eral STAIRS, the sermon being delivered by
the Rev. William Morrogh. The erection of
the church went rapidly forward from that
time until its completion in 1870.
The dedicatory ceremony was performed
April 80, 1870. by the Very Rev. William
STAIRS, vicar-G General, under, the invocation
Of the Epiphany of Our Lord; The Rev; pr.
sermon was preached by the Rev. Thomas s.
Preston, of st. AIMS, now Vicar-G General.
Thu style Of architecture of the building,
which was planned by Architect LIE Brun, is
Italian of the thirteenth century. being a
pure example of the Lombard style. 1t is
built of Quincy granite, the upper part being
of Ohio and Belleyille sandstone. Its dimen-
sions are &C by 145 feet. and the tower at the
southeast angle is 125 feet above the base
ment. The interior decoration of the build
ing is simple, but artistic and impressive in
its effect. The church has O seating capacity
of 1850 and will comfortably accommodate
1000 persons.
One of the first things accomplished by DIR.
Burtsell after the organization of the parish
was the establishment of q parochial school,
but this was discontinued after three years,
for the reason that the expense of maintain
this, however. the pastor and his assistants
gave instruction to the children of the Sun
day-school on certain week days, o system
which proved very successful and has accom-
During his visit to Rome in 1876 DR.. Burt
sell obtained an audience with the Holy
Father, and obtained a special .plenary in
diligence tor the parish of the Epiphany. He
alon r,t,rnhacnI in Iunno Fronoa nhf1rnh
vestments of sumptuous elegance, which
are worn only on special occasions. They
are said to be the finest in use in any church
in this country.
In 1876 the limits of the parish were en-
larged SO that it now extends to Broadway.
Its Catholic population is numbered at about
twelve thousand. In 1885 the church was
thoroughly repaired and redecorated. the
altar paintings representing many Scriptnral
scenes, being the finest in any church in this
| city, except, perhaps, st. Stephens. They
were executed by Philippe C~ostaggini, who
has since been chosen to continue the work
in the Capitol at Washington begun by
Brumidi.
The parochial school building in Twenty
second street, which for some time past has
been building, is now nearly completed and
months. 1t is five stories high and its di-
mansions are 10 by so feet. Its cost when
completed will be $65. 900.
The Rev. DIR. Richard Lalor Burtsell, who
II Bull Inc paSGOI OI tue OnuTcu VI Gue
Epiphany, was born mist. Mary's Parish in
this city April IA, 1910. His early education
was received in the parochial schools of st.
Peters Parish and the College ofsSt. Francis
Xavier. He studied theology. in Montreal
and completed his ecclesiastical education at
the College of the Propaganda in Rome in
1857, where he took the degree of Doctor Of
Theology in 1862. He was ordained priest in
the same year by Mgr. Clement, Archbishop
of Damascus. He also obtained an audience
and a special blessing from the Holy Father
the same year before his return to the United
States. In November. 1852, he was appointed
assistant pastor at st. AIMS Church and con-
tinued to perform the duties of that Office
until he was chosen by the Archbishop to
found the parish of the Epiphany. His pres
ent assistants are the Rev. John Thomas
Power and the Rev. James B. Donnelly.
TIL Church. of the Epiphany was conse-
Grated Jan. s, 1887, by Archbishop Corrigan,
assisted by Bishop O'Connor, of Omaha
Bishop Moore, of Florida; Rev. DR.. Nc
Sweeney, Rev. Father Donnelly and Rev.
DR.. Mcdonnell. The sermon was preached
by the Very Rev. F. S. Preston, Vicar Gen.
eral. The church was densely crowded
throughout the entire ceremonies.
- On the 10th of August last DIR. Burtsell's
pensioners celebrated the 25th anniversary
of his ordination, and paid q glowing tribute
of reverence and affection for their pastor.