The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-07-26


sanctuary and side-altars five stained
glass windows of the finest
artistic design and coloring, from
the celebrated mandatory of the Carme-
lite nuns, at LIE Mans, in France, and a
very large rose-window-not yet put in
of the same style and. manufacture. The
central and larger window, over the sanc-
tuary, represents the Immaculate Con-
ception. 1t was donated to the church by
the Austin bar, some years ago, as a me-
mortal of the late Judge j. Is. Costa, who
was an exemplary member of st. Mary's
parish. The other four artistic windows
over the sanctuary were presented to the
church by various members of the parish,
Their subjects and donors are respect
lively: "St. Peter" the gift of Mr.. Ray
mond REM; "St. Paul." the gift of Mr..
william Walsh; est. John the Baptist,
the gift of ex-governor Lubbock; "St
Joseph" the gift of Capt. 7. W. Watson
The massive rose window, when in place
in the front wall, over the door, will add
greatly to the beauty of both. the exterior
and interior of the church.
The larger of the two bells in the main
tower, weighing 1909 pounds, is the gift
of Mr.. Michael Butler. 1t is
from the McShane Bell foundry
in Baltimore, and an eloquent
tribute to the open-hearted generosity OF
the donor.
The interior of the church is still in an
unfinished condition, but we understand
that the work on the ceiling will be com
pleted during the coming fall The grand
rose window, however, must be postponed
for the want of funds, unless some gen
erous friends come to the front with con-
tributions-a contamination devoutly tC
be wished for.
The new church was begun in 1874 by
the Reverend Daniel j. Spillard, @. s. O..
who came to Austin for change of eli
mate, and took charge of the parish OF
May 4 of that year. Besides the founda-
ton, Father Spillard had much of thu
work on the walls done, when he was re-
called to Motive Dame, Indiana, to fill al
important position in the religious ordel
of which he is a member. He left Austin
with the heartfelt regret, not only OF hi
parishone-s, but also of the host of friend
of all denominations to whom he had en-
deared himself while here. Before leav'
ing he, on September 10, 1882, introduced
to the congregation his brother prizes
and successor, the Reverned Peter Lauth
G. s. O., who pushed the work on the
church to com pletion, and has since hell
the rectorship of the parish.
Under his direction the walls were com
pleted, the building rooted and furnished
and on the goth of April, 1884, the sacret
edifce was consecra'ed by Right Rev
erend Bishop Gallagher, of Galveston, ant
devine service celebrated in it for the frs
time.
In the mean time the debts on tn
church. were paid, after which the paste
turned his attention to the organizing o
sodalities and other religious and beneficial
associations. The schools for the boys o
the parish also received special attention
There are three teachers with 100pupils
The girls psrochial school, ATTENDED by 90
pupils, is in charge of Sisters of the Hol
Cross from st. Mery's Academy.
There are four societies in the parisl
namely, the sodality for ladies, 81
members, established December II, 1882
Catholic Knights (Austln branch, NJ
1872, @. X. of America), SO members, or
ganized January 81, 1885; the sodality fo
boys, 80 members, organized on the feas
of the patronage of St. Joseph, 1885; tn
Children of Mary, for young ladie
40 members, organized December Is, 1877
the Ladies' Aid society, whose object
to assist the INDECENT poor of the paris
80 members; and the Library associf
ton, which has about 300 select volume
upon its shelves.
The officers of the Ladies' sodality fo
the present year are: President, Mrs.
REM; vice president, Mrs. j. F. Pope
treasurer, Mrs. M. Butler; secretary, Mr.
} A. II. Newton.
The officers of the Catholic Knight
are: President, d. F. Kelleher; vic,
president, Jacob p. Schneider; treasure
| John Sheehau; recording secretary, job
F. Pope; sergeant,atarms Joseph KuhI
sentinel, M. Dean.
} Reverend Father Lauth has for som
time been assisted in the care of I'll
: parish by the Reverend John O'Keeffe,
, S. c., late president of the Sacred Heal
college, Watertown, Wis, but who VIZ
/ ordered south by his physician fl
| catarrhal trouble, contracted in parOchit
} duties during the rigors of norther
winter, and took up his residence, durir
his leave of absence, in Austin. We r
, greet that Reverend Father O'Keeffe hi
lately been recalled by urgent duties
his college in the north, which require h
immediate personal attendance. Durir
his brief stay among us he made mar
J friends, who will part from him with r
greet, none more deeply, We are credib
t Informed, than Father Lauth, who four
= in him devoted friend and collaborato