Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-06-29

station, WueTc crown Oh ScNcIdl nun
dred people had assembled. The Ben
wood and Belaire divisions Of the A. O.
H., with Mayors band, were waiting
to receive the delegation from Wheel
ing. In a short time the carriages con
tanning the escort committee with
Bishop Kahn arrived from Wheeling,
and the procession was formed and
moved in the following order:
Mayor Manhood and members Of City Counci,
Marshals, Louis Cooke, Michael Deegan, Fred.
Thoner and Ferd Biedenbach, mounted.
Mayors Band, Is men.
knights of St. George, OF the Cathedral. 40 men.
Carriage containing committee, composed oi
JOS E. Barrett John Deegan, Louis
Cooke. Sr., and Joseph He'll
Carriage with Rt Rev J. J. KAN, Rev. joseph
Mullen and Rev. T. McMenamin.
knights of ST. George, Of ST. Aiphonsus
Church, 20 men.
ST. Alphousus Society $40 men.
Heatherington's Bind, Of Bellaire, 16 men.
\. o. H.. OF Wheeling, $50 men.
A. o. H., or Bellaire, 81 men,
A. O. II OF Martins Ferry. 30 men.
A. y. H., OF Benwood, GO men.
The route of march was gone over, as
published in yesterdays REGISTER, the
line being everywhere greeted with
cheers. The splendid marching of the
uniformed Heights, their white and
red plumes waving in the breeze, ana
their bright swords scintillating in the
rays of the sun, was everywhere mark
Of admiration. The A. o. I'll. and the
st. Alphonsus Society also came in for
their share OF commentator, all wear
ing neat badges, carrying canes. anc
d
Crowds lined the sidewalks along the
route of march.
At the church temporary floor had
been constructed, while on the north
west corner stand was erected for the
clergy. The different organizations
filed on the floor, which was reserved
for them. Upon the stand were RI.
Rev. Bishop Kain, Fathers McElligott
and OKane, of the Cathedral, Rev. JOS.
Mullen, of the Church of the Immacu-
late Conception, Rev. Father Hermann,
of the st. Al phonsus. Rev. Father Fltz
gerald, of Bellaire, Rev. ). ). Mating
~, Of Martins Ferry, and the pastor.
Rev. p. McMenamin. There were also
the gentlemen composing the Building
Committee, and Mayors c. w. Sea-
bright, OF Wheeling, and Joseph Ma
mood, of Benwood. At o'clock the
Bishop arose and addressed the assem-
blage briefly, as follows:
"This immense concourse is sufficient
testimonial Of the widespread interest in
work which is to begin this afternoon-thc
formal commencement of this new church
in honor of St. John the Baptist. | am
sure the heart of Father McMenamin l.
reioiced. as he looks over this sea Of heads
and beholds around these foundation
stones so many devoted friends. The sight
is enough to cheer him in the work which
will require so much Of his attention. As
we look about this little town Of Benwood,
we may well wonder how good Father
McMenamie expects TO erect such mag
nificent edifice to the glory of God. Yet
none are here this afternoon with heart
more full OF courage and determination
than Father McMenamin, and he is cheered
on this occasin by the presence OF so many
well-wshers and supporters.
The church which will be commenced
this afternoon is the successor Of one which
fulfilled its mission for nearly quarter Oh
a century. Doubtless many OF those who
are present to-day witnessed the laying OF
the cornerstone of the first church, anc
have been cooperating all those years with
the pastor in its maintenance. Even that
church, in its day, was considered quite
large. Many of you for nearly quarter
of a century have gathered here Sunday
after Sunday, and Gay after day, to wor-
ship Almighty God. You stood before us
altar in the solemn sacrament OF marriage,
ana here your offspring were regenerated
to God in baptism. Here y0u have often
gathered 20 hear the word of God, and IL is
+h.t GlI oh ~
will cling tender memories. Bat in the
Advise Providence of God the church has
disappeared. Flood after flood touched its
floors. until it finally became undermined,
and even unsafe, anyhow do you know
it was blessing in disguise. God may
have wiled the destruction of the church,
only that a larger and handsomer ediiice
should be reared in its place. If mere
handful of Catholics were able to build and
nav for the old church, / think the much
larger edifice begun to-day will meet with
the same success You are numerically
much stronger today, and non-Cathollcs
are as well disposed toward you as guar
ter OF century ago. There is nothing
which does more toward promoting Chris
tian morality and civilization than the
church itself. There those principles are
promulgated day after day. Who OF US
WOUlQ WGHJ W i've III al. Npiui4iuhi III
less we had over US the rules of conduct
laid down by Christ, the law giver: and
who of us would recognize as a safe foun
dation any other basis for morality. The
Christian religion is the only safeguard OF
true morality. Therefore all Christian
people should take an interest in thi:
church, knowing that within 1t:
hallowed walls are promulgated The
principles of Christian morality
And if non-Catholics take this view
how much more should Catholics aiC
their pastor. You should be proud 10 SCI
these walls high up and the tower courtin:
the very clouds of heaven, surmounted b.
the cross, the emblem Of Christ's church
The edifce begun to-day will be large init
dimensions and beautiful in its proportions
An honor and pride TO you and your chill
dren.
| appeal to you as Christians, proud o
YOUR religion, and as citizens, proud Of you
country, to do your utmost in cooperating
with your pastor. that the church may D.
yours. Il is only your church when th'
| last dollar is paid, and then you can hand I
over TO Gods service. To all, then. | ap
! peal. Give some little In contribution Z
| This good work. There will be those amOnl
Won who will test your good will. aud upOi
| The friends Of the work whose beamir
| counteuauces are looking toward re to-da
| I beg OF Aim ghty God 20 Ocstow bis beue
dicfiou"
The formal laying q the eorue
stone then took place according 20 ~
Impressive cerenouy Of the Cathoii