The evening world., 1888-02-18

De hEoloNs nv " ptsSNt
and remodelled and fitted for Catholic wor-
ship.
These having been completed, the church
was finally dedicated by Archbishop Hughes,
June 1, 1852, with ceremonies of q most i'm
pressive character. Four bishops were pres
ent and most of the prominent Catholic
clergy of the city and its vicinity.
The Rev. John Murray Forbes, who had
organized the new parish. which in time was
to become one OF the most influential in the
city, was also the first pastor. Under his
ministrations, which continued for seven
years, the church grew and prospered, and
when in 1859 he was succeeded by the Rev.
H. L. Brady, the parish was in a-t1ourishing
condition and numbered many wealthy and
In 1862 the Rev. Thomas s. Preston, Chan
cellor of the diocese, was appointed pastor of
the church. He continued to hold this
office after his appointment, and although the
growing Importance of the parish and its in
c~reasing numbers demanded enlarged quar-
ters, the old building on Eighth street con-
tinued to be occupied. 1t was repaired sev.
eral times by Father Preston, who meanwhile
was looking for O better site further uptown.
II was finally decided to purchase lots on
Twelfth street, an old synagogue standing on
part of the property. The material of this
building was utilized to q certain. extent in
the ereCtlOn OF the new CnurCn, tne corner
stone of which was laid July l., 1870, by Vicar
General STAIRS. The building is pure French
Gothic of the thirteenth century in style, and
is impressive in Its severity and the absence
of any ornamentation whatever. Its frontage
is So feet inc its length 166 feet. This solid
and substantial building cost $3.50, 900. The
interior is quiet and subdued in tone, and en-
tirely in harmony in its style of decoration
with the general idea of the architect.
The church was dedicated Jan. /, 1871, by
Arphhisbnn HnUhaa tho mass haiDD Cala-
brated by Vicar General Storrs and the ser
mon preached by Bishop McCloskey, of AL
bany. The occasion was one of the most
memorable in the history of the church.
Shortly after the completion of the church.
the handsome parochial school In the rear of
the church was built. 1t is under the care
of the Sisters of Charity, and has an average
daily attendance of nearly one thousand pu-
an institution called the House of the Holy
Family for B%efriending Children and Young
Girls which has accomplished great good;
Besides the usual societies for the further
parish there is the st. AIMS Literary Union,
and the Literary Society for Young Ladies,
to both of which much attention is devoted.
The church has continued up to the present
time to enjoy the greatest prosperity. and it
the city. 1t has long been famous for the ex-
c~ellence of its music. and in thisr respect it is
probably unsurpassed by any church in New
York.
The Very Rev. Thomas s. Preston, v. e.,
the pastor of st. AIMS Church. was born in
Hartford, Conn. in July, 1924. He was edu-
Gated in the Protestant faith, was graduated
at Trinity College in 1S4s and studied for the
ministry at the General Theological Seminary
in this city. In 1876 he was ordained a min
lister of the Episcopal Church, but he became
a Catholic in 1S49 for reasons that he has
fully explained in a recent magazine article
that attracted much attention. After q years
study in st. Joseph's at Fordham he was or
dained a Catholic. priest Nov. 16. 1850,
by. Bishop McCloskey. He WA first APP
Cathedral, and then he became pastor
of the Church of the Immaculate Conception
at Yonkers. In 1853 he was appointed Secre-
was made Chancellor of the Diocese, in which
capacity he distinguished himself by his able
management of %sffairss. He was made Vicar
Office. Besides his parish duties he has de-
voted much attention to literary pursuits;
works are The Ark of the Covenant, ~
" Lectures on Christianity" Reason and
Revelation The Vicar of Christ " and
" Christ and the Church."