The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-05-07
MIssouLA.s NEW CHURCH
THE congregation of ~. Francis >asiers
Ia Build y ~. 600 Ediare.

THE congregation of ~. Francis >a,iers
to lsuild y ts:. 600 Ediace.
spcial q, the Standard.
MIssoVLA, MAY at the close of SER
vice Sunday morning Rev. Father Do
medi exhibited To his congregation tile
plans of the new church which il is their
intention tn build. A careful cxamina-
ton 81 these plans made by the STAND
AIDS correspondent convinccs him That
the new ediiice will he one of the most
beautiful churches la Montana. Situated
Ia tho cast If the present structure u
facing on Pine street. with its spirc reach
ing ia2 feet toward heaven, IL will he a
landmark visible for miles and "a source
of pride to the people of Missoula regard
less Of religious preferences. The church
is Go Toe built ~ brick will stone trim
mings. the outside dimensions being 81
Ivy IL, feet and the height Of the wall a2E
feet, Rising from the middle oil the
from, j. the stecple. octagonal in form
and surmounted by "A large Roman cross
matk Of some bright metallic substance
which will not rust q tarnisii. lbc
front j. decorated with the inscription.
sSt. Francis Navicr's Church, $780, two
monograms and two inches containing
statues OF 81. Peter and 81. Paul. Upon
entering either of the three front doors,
one finds himself In the vestibulc. Di-
pctly over the vestibuls IL the choir. IN
front Of which is a gallery with a seating
capacity Of $50. where IL is intended To-
have the children from the parish school
sit. The body of the church is divided
into three aislcs separated from each
other by rows OF columns. The
nave or big central aisle IL ~ feet high
in the clear. while the side aisles
are ~ feet high in the clear. The capac-
ity, including the gallery. IL about six.
.l--I . .l-,t .t.It lttpslras.sI
people can find seats in case the church
is crowded. Besides the front doors
there is a door on each side. so that
ample means Of exit is afforded in ease Of
lire ar other calamity. The sanctuary at
forls room for three affairs. the central
Gated "a the Sacred Heart Of Jesus and
the Blessed Virgin Of the Seven SORROWS.
The ceiling of the church Is in panels, on
which will he painted some Of the mys-
,crics Of the life OF our Savior. behind
the sanctuary il the sacristy, entered from
the outside by "a door ia the rear. Above
il l. a room which may he used as "a par
ish library. The same door that furnishes
entrance To the sacristy also admits To the
basement, which il Of the same dimcn-
sions as the church and in which IL Is in
tended In have the Sunday school room.
In the entire plan the utmost attention
has been given Ia making the building at
sFitsa NV '"Es ~ 'NN'
in ease of fire. The parishioncrs may
well feel proud Of IL when il Is finished.
The history Of st. Francis Navicr's
parish is "A history Of uninterrupted growth
and prosperity. When, about 1st5, the
Jesuit fathers established the little indian
mission NJ Holl Gate, they had hut slight
reason tn expect such development. The
mission grew and Missoula grew, until in
ls73 there were - or 10 white Catholics In
The owl At that time. with the fore
sight for which they are noted. the faith
srs purchased the property now occupied
by the hospital and academy. They gave
"A few hundred dollar for what is now
worth more than as many thousand.
About ls7i the little church was moved
from Hell Gate Ia Missoula and used as n
school house. In lSS3 the congregation
had grown 81 much that IL Was necessary
In build the present church, which. being
q 10y - feet, was considered very large.
In lsSh was finished the academy of the
Sacred Heart, conducted by the Sisters III
Providence and having enrolled at the
present time about ~ scholars, az whom
about ~ are boarders.
Early this spring the new ~. Patrick's
hospital was completed. IL - also under
the control of the Sisters of Providence,
and is one Of the finest hospitals in the
state. II indeed il is not the very finest.
The congregation of lsSi, under the
charge Of the two faithful priests. Fathers
Diometi and Jenna, has entirely out.
grown it's present accommodations and
finds il necessary Ia build the new church.
Its estimated cost is S22,O0O, an amount
ihc raising Of which will doubtless prove
q heavy tax on So large "A congregation.
lnasmuch as the church will he such an
ornament Ia the city, attracting the favor
able attention of strangers and proving a
source of pride Ia residents, il certainly
cannot Ice amiss Ia bcspcak for those who
havc. in charge the raising Of funds tho
most liberal treatment from all who feel
an interest in the spiritual and temporal
t.