Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-01
THE CARDINAL INVITED

To Witness St. Philomena's Celebration-
MAGNIFICENT Improve@ent About Fin.
ished-Historical Matters Developed.
st. Philomena's R. C. Church, which has
been for some time the subject of exterior
and interior repairs, will be formally re-
opened on the first Sunday of October by a
grand Jubilee service commemorating the
fiftieth anniversary of the existence of the
parish. The interior has beenrepainted and
vanished, and the woodwork in the chancel
and back of the altar has been handsomely
relieved withgilt. The immense height of
the apex of the roof-60 feet-has necessi-
tated the use of an elaborate system of scaf-
folding, now being removed. The prevail
ing tint inside is almost white, with
splashes of sea-greer, and the glitter of the
varnish will add to the general effect, mas
much as q complete system of incandescent
lights is to be put in. This is said to be the
first Roman Catholic church in the two
cities to permanently adopt electricity as a
means of illumination. The altar lights will
continue to be by candles and tapers, al
though some of the side lights will be in
candescent. Father Werner stated that
the interior repairs would cost not far from
s., 900.
The scafolding on the exterior Of the
church was erected to admit of what is
called pointing" technical term signify
ing the replacing of old and decayed plaster
or brick, much of which on the front of the
steeple needed repair. There will not be
any attempt made to paint the exterior of
the church. Father Werner alluded to the
use of coal by Pennsylvania engines in and
TnsA ind onfl
said that the locality of the church is Just as
badly affected by smoke as in the old days
when coal was universally burned. He
stated that he intended to protest to the city
authorities and demand that existing ordin-
ances be enforced, because locomotives could
use coke or charcoal very easily within city
limits. The church will be open for the
celebration of the feast of St. Alphonsus
next Sunday.
Rev. Father Bernard Beck, of st. Philo-
ihena's clergy, has in press history of ST.
Philomena's parish. The volume will be
out in few days, and it contains much
that is of interest bearing upon the early
ecclesiastical days of Pittsburg. st. Philo-
mena's parish was the first location of the
Redemproriss Fathers, who came to
America in 1882, and founded the Pittsburg
church on April 13, 1889, it being the first
German Catholic Church in America. The
parish was the mother church of Western
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia and en-
listed the earthly labors of German priests
of great eminence and piety. The old
''factory church" which was used as a
place of worship for many years being
superseded by the present structure IA years
since. will be the subject of quite extended
notice. 1t contained the first bell used in
Western Pennsylvania in public worship.
The ancient bell is carefully preserved by
the church authorities and will be brought
out for the jubilee service. 1t will then be
taken to the chapel of the ST. Philomena
cemetery.
Rev. Father Werner has invited a num-
Der of Pennsylvania clergy and various
bishops of the churches to be present, and it
is possible that His Eminence, Cardinal
Gibbons, will be prevailed upon to attend
the elaborate services now in course of
preparation.