The daily critic., 1890-09-22
HALF A CENTURY OLD.
SEMI CENTENNIAL OF ST. MATTHEW'S
CHURCH CELEBRATED YESTERDAY.
brated by Cardinal Gibbons-ser-
mon by Rev. Father Rich
History Of tho
gfruefure

Matthew'S Catholic Church was ob.
served yesterday with imposing cere-
monies. The old edifce was throngei
with members Of the congregation and
strangers in the city The pontiicial
high mass at II o'clock was celebrated
by Cardinal Gibbons, with the Very
Rev. Dr. Magnien, s. S., assistant
priest; Rev J. A. Walter Of st. Pat
rick's Church, deacon Of the mass:
Rev. James f. Mackin, sub-deacon;
Revs NJ. J. Walsh and John Lloyd.
deacons of honor, and Revs. T. j.
Kerviok and +. A. Williams, masters
Of ceremonies.
The cardinalate colors prevailed In
the altar coverings and the pulpit was
decorated with evergreen and smilaX.
To the left Of the sanctuary a throne,
embellished with scarlet tapestry, had
been provided for His Eminence. Car
dinal Gibbons,
The music of the mass was Of the
highest order Of excellence. The num-
bers sung were as follows "Asperges
Me-" by G. Thunder; ''Kyrie Eleison,"
by George Wichtl; "Gloria in Excelsis
Deo," by Saverio Mercadante; "Credo
In Unum Deum," by +. Silas; "Sanc-
tus ct Benedictus" and "Agnus Del"
by Charles Gounod. Before the ser
mon, "Veni Creator" by Cannon, aud
at the offertory, 'Jubilate Deo," by
Diabelli-a soprano obligato, solo aud
chorus.
The following named ladies and ge1.
ilemen composed the choir: Soprani-
Mrs Laidee Rossiter, Mrs. Smith, the
Misses Mary Sweeney, NJ. Phillips, An
nette Gibson, Rita Weit2el, l. Chap
man, Lillian Hunt and Mrs. II Con.
quest Clark; alu-The Misses Mar.
guerite Nolan, Blanche Yewell, Laura
Zeh, Emma Dougherty, Lucy Patterson
and Eva Cowling; tenori-Messrs. Will
liam H. Burnett, Charles NJ. COnnell,
Nulta 9. Davies and James Patterson;
bassi-John IL. Nolan, Michael A. Don.
nelly, George r. Sheriff, Edward T.
Barbour, Peter c. Treanor, A. H. Rit.
ter, John +. Blackmar; baritone l.. f.
Gannon-choirmaster Mr.. Waldecker
was organist.
The sermon was delivered by the Rev.
- AAhNNna ANAAhNAAef d y IANaNNAENN VI
Georgetown University. Ii was brief
but Impressive, and in the course OF
which the distinguished prelate and
scholar referred TO the continuity Of
the Catholic Church, which had with
stood the rise and fall Of empires and
repablics; whose prosperity was ALWAYS
progressive and never backward He
spoke Of the beautiful ceremonials Of
a.. l. "a 4 IL.
through the ages had sustained its
priests and people In always having the
presence Of Christ before them, aud
which gave them hope Of a better and
higher life hereafter. To attain that
higher life, he said, that all should live
In a higher devotion to their religious
duties, aud more aud more In the love
Of God.
At the close Of the sermon the choir
sang the "Laudate Dominum," followed
by the blessed sacrament aud benedic
tion.
Rev. DR.. Chapelle entertained the
Cardinal and the reverend clergy at
dinner at the pastoral residence adjoln.
ing the church.
The history Of St. Matthews Church
Is very interesting. In 1888 Rev.
Father Matthews, the pastor OF 81. Pat
Iick's, began the formation OF the new
parish Of St. Matthew. The ground
upon which It Is built was purchased
from w. S. Nichols, and its first pastor
was the Rev. John p. Donelan, who
had for his assistant his brother, Rev
James Donelan, who upon the formers
transfer 10 the Detroit diocese succeeded
as pastor. The second pastor was the
Rev. Henry Meyers, who died 10 1874,
pastor Of 81. Nincenrs Church, Balu-
more. The third pastor was Rev. John
Is, ByTne, whose assistant was Rev. Il.
l.. s. WaldTon. The former died at
Mount St. MaTy's College, EmmilsbuTg
Md, and the latter few years ago at
Pikesyille, Nd. The fourth pastor was
Rev. Charles L. White, who ministered
10 this flock for twenty-one years. He
had great ability both as a speaker and
writer on the leading subj ects of the
day and was a cultivated musician. He
enlarged the church, placed in II the
lne organ now In use, and frequently
conducted the choir ever when his
voice quiYeTed with age az weakness
AT his death, April. 1878 ne was sue
eeeded BY the Rev. Francis 4. Boyle, a
BaltimoTean. His first mission was TO
Rockville.
On May %, 1882, The Rev. DR.. Cha
pelle, who had for many years been
pastor Of ST. Joseph's Church, Balti-
more, became pastor Of ST. Matthew s,
where he still remains. IB addition
10 bis well known ability as a theologian
be IS a most eXcellen practical mana
germ every thing connected with the
interests Of his large parish.
When the corner stone Of ST. Mat
ihew's Church as laid By Archbishop
Eceleston among the interested spec
tatoTs were President Tyler and Mr.
Fillmore afterwards Presideu) who
occupied a carriage. On the platform
were seated heads Of depaTtsmenls. OIL
GERS Of the Army and Navy, President
GoldsbOTOugh and others Of the Board
Of Alderman. The church was dedi-
Gated September 2l 1910. By Arch
bishop Ecclest0n, and two years later,
May 10, 1912, the Indebtedness having
been liquidated Il was COuseCrated by
the same pTelate.
The first series Of sermons preached
In the church was by Father Rider,
president Of Georgetown University,
and attracted distinguished audiences,
including President Van BuTen. Since
that date nearly every President has at
tended some service az ST. Matthew S.
On May a ls4l President John Tyler s
sister was baptized there by Father
uonelan. il has been the fay0rite church
Of members Of the diplomatic CORPS. and
some imposing ceremOnials In honor Of
foreign rulers have taken place within
us walls The solemn 0bsequles for the
Tepose of Pope Plus IN and for King
Alfonso Of Spain, the funeral years ago
Of the Spanish Minister, that of the