Morning journal and courier., 1889-09-30
SACRED HEART CONsECRATED.

Impressive Services Marked the Event
 Yesterday m0rAing-TWo Bishops
 and sixty Priests Participate In she
 Services-A Rehearsal of she Church's
 History.
 The Church of the Sacred Heart was conse- orated yesterday with impressive ceremonies. The services of conservation began at o'clock in the morning. A large crowd of Catholics and others interested in the church were in attendance. The services consisted chiefly of an exhibition of the relics of the martyrs St. Stephen and St. Victor. Among the off cers and high Catholic officiaries who partici- psted in the work of conservation were Bishop McMahon; deacon, Father Mulholland of St. Francis church; sub. deacon, Father Russell of St. Patrick's church; thurifer, Father Murphy of Waterbury; mssters of ceremonies, Father O'Donnen of Waterbury and Father Coyls of Stafford Springs. The procession was an interesting affair. It con- sisted of e cross-bearer, two aoolytss, four chanters, two masters of ceremonies and the deacon and sub-deacon accompanying the bishop as his ministers. They solemnly marched to the room where the relics are kept in sepulchre near the main altar. The crowd that filled the church watched the pro ceedings in silence. Then the bishop began . profound address upon the special signia- oance of the ceremonies.
 At 10:s0 o'clock in the morning the sol- emn pontifcisl high mass was celebrated by the Right Rev. Matthew Harkins, bishop of by Rev. Father Mccarthy, s. J. of New York. The musical programme. which was elegantly rendered, was as follows:
 Mercadantes Mass in B flat assisted by @ chorus of soloSMIss Moran. % with violin obiigato. Thomas Thomas ouartette-.veni Gre stoF. .".......
 Messrs. Lauttenback, Smith, Miller and Nugent. The choir was composed of Misses Moran and Farrell, sopranos; Miss Hubon, alto; Messrs. Wrinn, Nugent and Miller, bassos; and Messrs. Conly, Lauttenback and Smith, tenors. The choir of St. Patrick's church also assisted. Prof. Brennan presided ct the organ.
 Solemn vespers was celebrated at 7:3O filled the fine church. Rev. Richard Burke of Worcester, Mass, preached com prehensive sermon. The music rendered was:
 Willard yesge,s and Magnificent.
 A'" ''~''~ '' Miss Nellie Farrell ''' H'S''n' ouartet-hessrs. Laustenback' n' Smith, Miller and 70 salutaris," solo. Holden Tantum Kago duet and chorus. ......... .Rossini As is we'll known, the Church of the Sacred Heart is free from debt. The religious ceremony of consecration is only held after the church debt has been entirely obliterat- en. Rev. Father McKeon, the present pas tor, has labored steadily for the church ever since his ordination. He is jubilant that the entire burden of debt has been removed. The church's first pastor was Rev. Father Shehrey, who reduced the debt from $4O, ,O00 to about $25, 900. His successor, Rev. Father Coleman, out down the debt to $17,OO0. Under the next pastor, Rev. MT. Muloahy, now of Waterbury, it sank to $12,000.
 Rev. Father MoKeon was the appointed was the debt of $12, ,00O confronting the pres- ent able clergyman. when Bishop McMahon placed him in control, but there was great deal to be done in the line of improvement that in itself must necessarily increase the financial burden of the parish. In the first place the interior of the old church was reno- vated, beauti6ed and improved for the time being. Father McKeon realized, soon after the increasing Catholic population in that district, it would be incumbent on him to provide more church room for his growing congregation. He began, therefore, the preparations to enlarge the church. A new addition to the old church was built. This Is the portion that was opened to the pa. rishioners for the first time for regular ser vice yesterday.
 The church without the addition accom- modated about 1 ,000 persons. With the new building there will be room enough for 800 more worshippers, making a total seating capacity of 1 800. There is qniet, elegant plainness and richness in the interior orna- mentation of the church since the new build- ing has been erected. Three beautiful altars have been constructed. These altars cost $8, 800 alone. The whole expense of the new building and the improvements on the old to conform with the architectural designs of the new part. was between $18,000 and 419,000.