Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-29
THE CORNER STONE.
OF the New French Catholic
Church.
Laid Yesterday Afternoon With impress
SiVe Ceremonies.
A Large Number CT Distinguished Wis
itors in Attendance.

been issued, aud the large number
present, showed that the greater
part of them had been accepted
great many of visitors were pres
ent, aside from the large number of clergy
men from other places, who we're in attend
ance, Delegations came from Biide ford,
Waterville, Lewiston, keene, n. H.,
Montreal and Quebec. The church was
prettily decorated in the national colors.
French flag and an Irish flag were
gwen honorary positions among the
profusion of the stars and stripes.
1t would have been impossible to have
found more delightful location or~this
church. Its front side looks down upon the
hennebec, its grounds are spacious and its
surroundings are clean and whole some. 1t
has also the additional advantage of being
near to the larger portion of its parishioners
Work on the foundation was commenced
in July and is now well under way. The
roof is not on yet but the sides are up and
boarded and both floors are laid The build-
is 100 by 60 feet. 1t will contain on the frat
floor large hall and a school room which
will be lighted, heated and ventilated by the
latest and most approved methods. Here
the French parochial school will be held
The second floor is all occupied by the audi
torium of the church proper which has II
comforta BILE seating capacity of over eight
hundred. This floor was fairly packed with
people some little time before the ceremon-
les began. There was no roof covering this
this very fact seemed to lend additional So
lemnity to the impressive exercises of the oc
casion. At about 430 the visiting
clergy headed by the French band,
marched TO the parsonage and escorted his
lordship, Bishop James A. Iiealy, who was
to preside at the ceremony. Over the spot
where the altar is to be built a large mission
AIRY cross had been erected, and in front of
this on either side the clergymen seated
themselves, after passing down the center
isle in procession, conducted by Rev Fr
Doherty. The following clergymen were
present: James A. Healy, Bishop of Port
land; T 6. Plante, pastor; Edward +. IIur-
ley. Winthrop, Me. ; Michael NJ. McDonough,
Whiteheld Charles W. Doherty. Augusta !;
Richard w. Phelan, Rockland; A. ID. La
croi1, Waterville j. w. Murphy, V. g.,
Portland, formerly pastor of st. Marys, Au-
gusta; John O'Brien, Bath Daniel W. Muir
phy, Dover, n. H.. Edward McSweeney,
jeremiah Mccarthy, Gardiner; Narci.sus
Charland, Waterville. At the foot
of the cross was a stanl covered with some
elegant floral decorations.
After selection by the band, the Bishop
blessed the holy water which stood
on a small table near the cross, and which
was to be used in sprinkling the walls of
the building. Rev. Fr. Charland then de-
livered the sermon of the day in French.
Although large number of the cougrega-
ton were unable to understand the meaning
of the sermon,yet Father Charland's fine ear
nest delivery held the close attention of even
them. The French people who were present
say that the address was both scholarly and
able, and fully worthy of Father Cnarland's
established reputation as an eloquent and
forcible speaker.
At the close of Father Charland's
sermon, the Bishop made briei
but eloquent address in English, saying they
had assembled to dedicate the church to Coz
under the invocation of St. Au
gustine, and closed by admonishing hi.
hearers 10 remember the church work
must largely depend upon the manner in
which its members should conduct them
selves He urged upon them the importance
which had been given them by the Fathers
At the close of the Bishops address tn,
choir, composed of clergymen and led b.
Fathers Decelle of Saccarappa and Dugr'
of Biddeford, chanted the Latin hy mn
"Veni Creator Spiritus. An offering wa
taken during the chant, at the close of whicl
the clergy marched in procession to the cor
ner of the church. Here the beautiful whit
marble corner stone. the gift of Mr.. II. NJ
Taught, was blessed by the Bishop an
sprinkled with holy water. Severa
psalms were then chanted and the ston
placed in position with appropriate ceremony
The priests then marched in procession abou
the church chanting psalms and sprinklin
the walls with holy water. 1t was
ceremony both beautiful and impressive
Returning to the auditorium the Bisbo
blessed the congregation and the exercise
closed. AS darkness came on the electri
lights. with which the church will be Lighted
were turned on and added very much to III
occasion. While the greater pal
of the congregation was compose
of people of the Catholic fait
a number of prominent citizens from ott
er churches we're present and listened wit
attentiveness to the impressive ceremonies @
the day.
The marble corner stone which now form
part of the church, is a beauty. On on
face is carved a cross and on the other th
figures 1888, in old English script. A plac
is cut in the top where the jar for holdin
the records is sealed up. In this jar
list of all donors to the building fund {
the church who have given twenty-five do
lars or more. Some of the letters receive
by Father. PlaDte from several of these d.
nors. will be preserved there. The follow
ing is a copy Of one Of the documents depo
, tied there.
PARISH OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
t Founded on the tenth of November, 1873
Rt. Rev. James Augustus Healy, Bishop I