Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-16
ST. AGNES DEDICATED.
Father Cochran's New Church Blessed b.
the BIshor-fisv. Father sheedy De-
-f.nds fhn Faith.

Father Cochran's New Church Blessed b.
the BIshor-fisv. Father sheedy De-
fends the Faith.
st. Agnes Catholic Church was dedicated
yesterday in Soho. A large crowd filed the
sacred sdlfce, and many were turned away
A procession of priests and altar boys was
formed at the home Of Father Cochran, and
they marched to the church. They circlsd
the walls on the outside, as well as in the
edifce, and Bishop Phelsn blessed them.
Father Cochran celebrated high mass at-
ter the dedieatory services were performed.
He was assisted by Fathers Murphy, Tobin,
Gallagher and others. The sermon was
preached BY Rev. Father Sheejy. He took
for his text the words, "Wisdom has built
for herself house." He congratulated the
people on their fine church property, and
said he was glad to be present to share in
their joy and success.
After dwelling on the foundation Of the
Church he referred to the attacks being
made on Catholicism by ministers OF this
city. he said:
"And now that we have seen how the
Divine Builder established His church, let
us hurriedly glance at some Of its more
striking features which impress themselves
even upon the minds of those who look with
suspicion upon her. Among the first i'm
pressions made upon such minds is this:
that she has had q most singular history;
that while the world and all that it contains
grows old. she is ever young; she is ever
putting forth the most marvellous signs Of
youthful vigor. Man and his works every
where perish, but she alone is undying.
II
States live and die, and then are only a
matter ior history. She alone lives on
without the slightest symptoms of feeble
closing years of this nineteenth century is
more marvellous than at any other period in
her history. Amidst the never ceasing change
and transformation going on around, she
alone abides. Her enemies are frightened
at the sight Of her'and have no better mode
OF warfare against her than blackening her
with ISLANDERS. Instead of injEYiDg her or
retarding her progress it only adds to her
strength, and hastens he. advance. There
she stands like the city on the mountain top
that cannot be hid.
wonder not that we rejoice in our Cath
olic faith, and are glad when we daily see
evidences OF the growth Of the church in
this land. We rejoice not 'as those who re-
joice In the harvest, or as the conquerors re-
]oiee when they divide the spOifs, but we
rejoice rather as the priests of old did when
they carried into battle the ark of the
Lord We rejoice as those who love mems
souls 50 well that they would 60 through
much to save them. We rejoice because we
know what blessings, spiritual and temporal,
our Catholic faith can bring to this land
and the people 30 dear to US.
St. Agnes Church was started in 1870,
but was never completed until recently. 1t
is frame structure, beautifully finished
with hard wood inside. The furnishings of
the church are on a magnificent scale, the
organ alone costing $1,000. The church's
membership is about 2, 750, and the parochial
school attendance is 800 pupils daily. Rev.
T. Cochran is the pastor.