Los Angeles herald., 1891-11-27
The New Asylum CeremOni-
ally Dedicated.
A Happy Crowd Of Charitable
People ON Boyle Heights.
The Fatherless and MotherIess In
Their New Home.
Imprsasiss Religious Services of Thanks
giving-speeches by Prominent
Church and City Dig
nitaries.

the OCcAetOn yesterday OIL Jne ueOlcatlOL
of the new Catholic orphan asylum, on
Boyle Heights. A great deal has beer
said of this noble institution, and it has
long ago been devoted to the purpose
for which 1t was built. 1t is a custom
of the Roman Catholic church to dedi'
cate new buildings whether they be in
tended for private or public use, and this
beautiful idea was the foundation fol
yesterdays exercises. The ceremonious
dedication of the great new edifice was
one of pathetic interest, to which the
gorgeous and solemn rites OF the Roman
Catholic church lent dignity. The Sis
ters OF St. Vincent de Paul, of whom
Sister Josephine is lady superior, and oil
whom Sister Scholastica, who has been
here for forty years, is the oldest mem
Der, saw in yesterdays services a reali-
zation of the dreams which actuated
those members of their order who, in
1853, six in number, faced the hard
ships of transcontlnental journey in
order to establish an orphan
school in the City of the
Angels. The little, old, insignificant
structure at the corner of Macy and Ala
media street is only landmark now,
and has been superseded by the grand
structure representing as much as any
thing the great progress of the last few
decades.
The new building has been erected on
a twelve-acre plot of land on Boyle ave-
nue., about half~-a mile south OF First
street.
The cornerstone was laid with impos-
ing ceremonies on February 8, 1889; the
work was commenced later in the season
and was carried on until the structure
was essentially completed, although a
part of the building is not yet ready for
use. The main portion of the edifice
was finished two months ago, and the
sisters began TO move in on September
"a. There are ample accommodations
for 400 children, and nearly 300 are en-
rolled at the present time.
The architects were Messrs Curlett &
Eisen, and their design is one of unu-
sual beauty, combined with solidity and
comfort.
The style of the edifce is modern
Gothic, and the material is brick, with
stone trimmings, which are specified be-
low. Following are the principal di-
mensions: Length of the front, 246
feet; depth, 19S feet; extreme height of
the main tower, 150 feet; height OF the
octagonal towers, about 100 feet. The
main tower is surmounted by large
gilded cross which glitters in the sum
shine.
The building consists OF basement,
three stories and attic. At present the
main structure is connected with ca
pacious wing, or L. Should necessity
for more space become apparent at any
future period, an entire quadrangle
could be enclosed.
The basement contains play rooms,
dining room, kitchen, pantry, private
dining room and bath rooms.
The first story includes parlor, re
ception rooms on either side OF the en-
trance, and eight class rooms of various
dimensions. In the L are study hall
and recitation room; in the rear, hat
and cloak room, music room and stair
cases.
On the front OF the second story are
the chapel, sitting room, two class
rooms and sewing room. In the l.
are three dormitories, linen closet,
pharmacy and five rooms constituting
the children's infirmary, an Office, two
hat and cloak rooms and toilet rooms.
On the front of the third story are
six dormitories. The l. remains un-
finished in the interior, but the walls
are completed. In the rear are two
lavatories, linen room and dormitory.
The attic is not yet divided into rooms.
The octagonal towers contain closets,
bath rooms and staircases.
The approximate cost of the building
is $3.50, 200, of which about $4,000 re-
mains to be paid. The money expended
was used only for the plain building
itself, almost every form of ornamental
tion having been contributed by friends
OF the institution. The furniture was
also presented by different patrons of
the asylum. Thus, for example, Mrs.
Moore, OF Santa Barbara, placed in the
chapel the beautiful onyx and marble
affairs; Mrs. Childs, OF this city. con-
tributed 800 desks; Mrs. Kerckhoff. 800
beds: Mrs. Mesmer's gift was the enor-
nous range and appurtenances in the
kitchen.
The Sisterslwho conduct the establish
ment consider themselves bound to re-
spond to the confidence which the pub
lie, parents and guardians place in
them, by giving the children a Christian
and virtuous education, fitting them by
habits of industry, intellectual improve
ment, cultivation and refinement OF
manners, for any station in society.
The course of instruction embraces the
usual branches of thorough English
education, the French, German and
Spanish languages and plain and fancy
needle work.
THE EXERCISES.
The dedicatory exercises opened with
devotional services in the chapel, con-
Quoted according to the Roman Catho-
lie ritual by Bishop Mora, assisted by a
number OF priests. A procession was
then formed, tifty-two orphan girls in
white wells being at the head. A group
of sprpliced choir boys carrying q cruci-
fix We're next, and the bishop with mitre
and shepherds crook, supported by his
assistant priests, followed. The hun
dreds Of visitors fell into line and all
solemnly passed through the building,
the bishop blessing all portions OF it.
The 300 children now in the asylum
formed double lines in the corridors. 80
as to allow the procession to pass be-
tween them.
The auditorium was at last reached
by the assembly, the 800 children being
also gathered there. The secular exer-
cises we're then opened by Father Stock
man OF San Bernardino. On the platform
at the time were the Right Reverend
Bishop Mora, the Rev. Fathers Meyer,