Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-09
CORNER STONE LAID.
First Service Performed Over the
Rising Catholic Church
In THE BOROUGH OF CHARTERS.
Hibernians Turned Out and Father Sheedy
Preached the Sermon.
MORE THAN 5000 SAW THE CEREMONY

The corner stone Of the new Catholic
Church and school at CHARTERS was laid
Yesterday by Bishop Phelan in the presence
of a large concourse of people. A special
train on the Lake Erie Railroad conveyed
great numbers to CHARTERS, and it is long
since the little town echoed with the tramp
of SO many feet,
Three companies of the Hibernian Rifles,
under Major Coyne, Quartermaster o'Don.
nell and Lieutenant Callaghan, were drawn
up at the railway station to await Bishop
Phelan's arrival. Every other window was
gailv decorated with the national flags, OF
all sizes, and here and there the emerald
emblem of Ireland peeped unobtrusively
from behind its more gaudy neighbor.
The Bishop drove in a close carriage, at
tended by Fathers Cosgrove and Sheedy;
and guarded by detachment of the knights
of St. George. A procession was then
formed, consisting of the Knights of st.
George, the st. James and st. Martin
Young Men's Societies, numbering about
80; Division 10, A. o. r., of Temperance
vile, and a delegation from the c. M. b.
A, with the Hibernian Rifles bringing up
the rear. The Hibernian Band and the
knights of St. George Band played alter
nately on the march from the town, along
Main street to the site of the new building.
The Hibernians looked gallant body OF
men, indeed, as with
-"Files arrayed, in helm and blade
And plumes in the gay wind dancing"
they strobe stoutly In the wake of the
Bishops carriage.
The episcopal party were met at the steps
of the platform and escorted to their seats
bv the Reception Committee, consisting of
J. Z. CoHan, d. Hurley, F. Launinger, j.
Il. Linsler and W. P. Lamb.
Among the clergy present besides Bishop
Phelan were Rev. ]. A. Cosgrave, Rev. T. Cor
coran, Rev. o. P. Gallagher, Rev. S. T.
Schramb. Rev. Nj. NJ. Sheedy, Rev. l. Kane,
Rev. R. Tobin, Rev. W. Graham, Rev. D. ].
Gallagher, Rev. Joseph Voght, Rev. Father
Foley and Rev. Father Bernardine.
FATHER sHEEDY's DISCOURSE.
Rev. Morgan NJ. Sheedy, rising to preach
the Introductory sermon, said that the oc-
cssion foreibly recalled to his mind q text
taken from the Book of Proverbs, namely,
the text the builder alluded to was God
Himself, the edifce which Ee built was but
the manifestation of His own power. God
in creating the vast universe had laid the
foundations of house. For six days and
six nights that house kept steadily rising
from its foundations, till it was finally COM
pleted in all its greatness and beauty. But
its greatness and beauty only family shad
owed forth greater house to be built-the
wondrous mystery of the immaculate con-
ception of Christ By this work of eternal
wisdom, this second house, the "Word was
made flesh" and our Redeemer came among
u.s.
Yet another house was founded by the
supernal wisdom-the great Christian re-
ligion, which Christ instituted in the ever
memorable words, Thou art Peter, and
upon this rock 1 shall build My church
Every century, every generation, brought
this latest house nearer to completion and
perfection. God Himself was the mighty
architect of this building; His laborers were
the apostles and disciples. The foreman of
house, He selected in St. Peter. He prom
Used that neither the powers of darkness,
nor the Vaccinations of earthly enemies
should prevail against Els church. No
storms would ever be able to shake the edi-
fee which the Deity himself had raised.
Most of the audience were inmates of that
great house. They should be indeed CRATE
full for such privilege.
Father Sheedy then compared the erection
of the Almighty's house with the humble
structures that His children we're building
in His honor the world over, and more es-
pecially 10 the little church of CHARTERS,
which would soon rise from its foundations.
ST. CATHERINE THE PATRON.
The new church was to be under the
patronage of st. Catherine. The old would
find its walls haven of rest and peace; the
young folks would learn their religion be-
meath its roof while they conned their daily
tasks. They would there obtain that in
struction which leads to lie eternal, and
would be strengthened and armed for the
great strife of the world; they would learn a
gospel which is the safeguard of society, and
the true answer to the skeptic and the
doubter. 1t was a gospel which countless
sages had shed their blood for and spent
their lives in upholding.
The conclusion of Father Sheedy's mas
terly discourse was occupied with an elo-
quent benediction upon the future church,
and prayer for its veal and prosperity.
The ceremony of blessing the church walls
was then performed by the Bishop, assisted
by all the clergy present, singing psalms as
they passed round the foundations, The
cornerstone was then laid. The following
names, inscribed upon sheets of paper, were
inserted beneath the stone: Leo Kill, .Su-
preme Pontif; President Benjamin Har-
rison, Governor Beaver, Mayor McCallin,
Bishop Tuigg and Bishop Phelan.
The stone being laid, another procession
was made round the church, the ceremonies
concluding with the Psalm, "Laudate
Dominum."
The Rishon then left the oronnds .r5
the crowd, which numbered over 5000
broke up and scattered in every direction.
The bands played stirring airs along the
road back to the station, and the strictest
order was observed.
Rev. Q. A. Cosgrave, of Temperanceville,
will take the pastoral charge of st. Gather
ines for the present. after which Rev.
Father Coyne will assume control of the
church.
Entitled to the Best.
untitled m rba l>oe+ +,,o. .l.a;-