The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-06-20
The Egis & Intelligencer
Bel Air, Md, June 20. 1890.


st. Stephens Catholic Church, near Bradshaw
Baltimore county, was dedicated with imposing
ceremonies, last Sunday. June Is, by Cardinal Glib
bons. A large concourse of people were present.
special train carried from Baltimore to the spot
number of clergymen, about 100 uniformed mem
Scrs OF the Knights of st. Joseph and Knights OF
st. Vincent, and number of women and children en-
The societies were met at Bradshaw station By st.
Stephens cavalry, composed of endorsement, under
the marshalship of Leonard &. Qunn num-
don were also present. The Frankllnville and
Emmort0n bands headed the procession, as IL
marched to the new church. mile distant. he
representatives. of Catholic beneficial societies also
Swelled the ranks.
The horsemen were reviewed at the church by
Cardinal Gibbons, from the pastoral residence. =
The clergy took up the procession to the church at
1890 O'Clock. passing between the open ranks OF
The clergy then made the circuit of the interior,
the Cardinal performing the ceremony OF blessing
tile structure. The procession then entered and
recited Then followed the blessing of the interior,
after which the congregation was admitted.
Solemn high mass was celebrated by the Rev.
Don Luigi Sartori. The Rev. j. L. Barry, of st.
Joseph's, was deacon, and Rev. w. l.. Jordan, Of
st. Brdget's, of Canton. sub-deacon. Rev. j. j.
The Rev. Peter Mccoy, of St. Mary's Star of the
Sea, and the Rev. George w. Deyine of St. Johns,
were deacons of honor to the Cardinal
Haydn's Mass No. was rendered by choir of
twenty-five voices, with orchestral accompaniment,
under direction of Prof. j. A. Linhard, of St.
JosephS Church.
The Cardinal preached an eloquent discourse
from the throne. He reviewed the condition of the
world under Paganism 1900 years ago. showing
that under the Roman empire the people wor-
shipped everything except God. He advised his
hearers to be loyal to their faith and obey the laws
of God After the services the Cardinal and clergy
men and choir were entertained by the pastor at
dinner.
st. Stephens Church is built after the French
Gothic style of architecture of the thirteenth GEN.
tury. The material is local "nigger-head" stone,
almost all of which was given and hauled by the
congregation. 1t Is laid in random "rubbie" work,
with brick trimmings, which make an attractive
appearance. The church is rooted with slate. The
plan OF the building is rectangular and is 46 feet
by 55 feet to the sanctuary arch, graceful curve
nal sanctuary p feet deep, so that the entire di
mansions are i6 feet by II feet. This latter part
has groined and vaulted ceiling. There are two
Sacristies one at each side of the sanctuary. The
sanctuary is lighted by three lancet windows, the
centre being representation of st. Stephen in
the act of making his declaration of faith. The
main body OF the church is also lighted with lancet
windows of Venetian glass, five on each side. The
front is ornamented with a rose window of Vene-
tian glass, and six small windows in the front gable
There are three affairs OF Italian and cOlored
the gift of Mrs Laura A. Cuttings. The side affairs
of the same style as the main altar that of the
Blessed Virgin being. the gift of the pastor IN
memory OF his ordination. The st. Joseph's altar
is the gift of the Fleury family, in memory of
Augustine Fleury. Two beautiful columns
surmounted by Roman bases flank the high
altar. They are of pure alabaster, worked by
SkiIifIl Italian artists at the celebrated Etrusean
seating capacity is about 800. The passage, of the
gallery, which is at the front end of the church,
can accommodate one hundred worshippers besides
the organ and choir.
The building has tower 15 feet square and 1872
feet high on the west side. 1t contains the stair
way to the gallery and bell stage, and is
ed by slated spire. All the windows in the edi-
flee are gift and memorial windows from members
of the church and its friends.