The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-01-19
ST. J0sEPHs DEDICATED.
The Handsome Structure on Capitol
Hi Oneneh.


Hill Opened.
st. Josephs Catholic Church, on Capt.
tol Hill. was dedicated yesterday morning
by Cardinal Gibbons with impressive GER
emonios. The processi on of prelates EN-
tered the crowded edficc at 1880 and
marched to the sanctuary. Under q
crimson canopy at the right of the altar
sat the Cardinal, while near him were
Bishop Keane, Archbishop Corrigan and
Rev. DIR. O'Gorman of the Catholic Uni
versity, together with the faculty of that
institution
Haydn's third or imperial mass was
sung by the choir. Rov. DIR. Chapcllc was
the cclebrant assisted by Rev. Mccoy as
deacon and Rev. Delaney as sub-deacon.
One hundred voices constituted the choir,
supported by full orchestra.
Bishop Kcanc preached the dedicatory
sermon, taking his text from the fourth
chapter of the acts Of the Apostles. He
outlined the three grand tableaux pre-
sented in this chapter; first the perfect life
cxistant at one time on earth, when crea-
ture and Creator were in perfect harmony,
when the light and life OF the Creator de
sccnded upon and filed the creature of his
making; then the plunging of the world
into the darkness of sin and corruption,
and the wiping out of the corruption of
the world by the flood then the restora-
ton of the perfect link of heavenly love
and earthly existence by the advent of
Christ and his sacrifice.
At the conclusion, "Alma Virgo" by
Hummel, soprano solo and chorus, was
sung and after the mass rocessional, by
Wagner.
Cardinal Gibbons addressed the congro-
cation from the altar in praise of the
church they had erected, and warmly
eulogized the pastor through whose eff
forts the new building was secured = He
had q peculiar interest in the Church of
Joseph as the laying of tho cornerstone
of this building was one of the first duties
he had performed as bishop. This was
twcnty-threc years ago. lie also dwelt on
the progress of the Catholic Church, in
dicated by the erection Of such magnih-
cent buildings.
After the services the Cardinal and pre-
lates sat down together at dinner in the
parsonage. At o'clock in the afternoon
the Cardinal confirmed a number of per-
sons. Last evening vespers was sung.
The newly-dedicated building Is a
stately edifice, built upon the site of the
old church, the corner stone of which
was laid by CARDINAL then Bishop, Glib
bons in 1868. In December, 1887, it was
abandoned by the congregation and the
structure removed. The present building
100 feet in length by rs feet in width is
built of IIummestown stone, and is ofpure
gothic architecture. A beautiful square
tower is yet unfinished on the southwest
corner. 1t is modelled after the noted
Campanie of Venice, with windows
throughout its height. When completed
the upper portion will consist of light
gothic arches, covered with asharp-angled
roof and surmounted by u large latin
cross.
There are three entrances, one on the
corner of G and Second streets one in
the bay window on the north side and the
grand entrance, which is through mas.
sive carved archway.
The church is beautiful in the interior
the ceiling, which is So feet high, bein-
ornamented with heavily grained arches
| The nave, which is 32 feet wide and 10.
| feet deep, is separated from the side aisl,
by large pillars of alternate stone an5
brick.