St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-19
ST. PETER CLAVER CHURCH.

The new religious home of the col
ored Catholics is situated on Aurora
avenue, between Harrington and Vir-
gina, and is one of the neatest of the
small churches in the city. In the
lower part of the building, besides the
heating apparatus and storage room for
fuel, there Is a commodious hall, which
will be available for sociables, enter
talnments and society meetings. The
church proper is reached by flight Of
stairs in front, and another flight leads
to the vestry on one side in the rear.
The interior of the edifice is hand
somely finished in subdued but warm
.tints, and is lighted by numerous neat
stained glass windows. The main
altar is very chaste design and modest
in size. At yesterday mornings serv-
ice it was handsomely and artistically
decorated with flowers, laced trimmed
altar cloths and gliStenlng candelabrum,
n which many candles were burning,
casting brilliant radiance all around.
There are two side affairs, adorned with
statues Of the Virgin and st. Joseph,
respectively. These were also lighted
by candles and added to the general
pleasing effect. The choir is stationed
in gallery situated over the front ell
trance, where the organ also has place.
The acoustic properties are perfect, the
pews are guiltless of doors, care has
been taken to secure satisfactory heat
ing apparatus, and altogether st. Peter
Claver'S church is credit not only to
Father Casey and his pensioners, but
to st. Paul.
The musical part of yesterdays serv-
ice was pleasing IN the highest degree,
the solo work being especially meritori
Gus, and many head was involuntarily
turned to the organ loft as the pure.
sweet notes of the songs of joy and
praise sWelIed out over the heads of the
congregation. Miss Josie O'Keefe,
choir director, and Miss Griswold. or
ganist, deserve commentator for the
success achieved in a vocal and instru-
mental way. All the singers are alike
entitled to credit. Following are the
members of the choir: Mesdames Noll
and Finley; Misses Bissant, Milon,
Peterson, MOffet. Bowser, Powers,
O'Keefe and Barker; MeSsrS. Banks,
Talbot and Ward.
The Dedication Ceremonies.
Promptly at 1920 Archbishop Ireland,
preceded by cross bearer, acolytes. the
pastor of the church and his assistants.
entered the sanctuary. Before assum-
ing his ceremonial robes the archbishop
explained to the congregation the sig
niticance of the occasion. The blessing
of the church, he said, signified its
formal setting apart from all profane
purposes to the divine service, its dedi-
cation to religious uses. 1t was an Offer
ing of the building to Almighty God as
testimony of gratitude for the ines
Unable blessings he has conferred on
His children. The object of the prayers
offered on such an occasion was to i'll
woke divine mercy and generosity. As
the church should be temple for Gods
service, so the human soul should be a
temple to receive His grace, to preserve
it pure and undefled.
Being robed for the ceremony of dedi-
cation, wearing the inter and carrying
the croZier, the archbishop, preceded as
before by the cross bearer, acOlyteS, pas
tor of the church and assisting priests,
and followed by the beautiful banner of
| the st. Peter Claver's Mems sodality,
| proceeded down the center aisle of the
church out the front door and around
the building, sprinkling the blessed
water as he went. Entering the church
again the little procession wound its
way around the interior, the prelate
scattering the water and DIR. Heffron
recltlng the appropriate prayers. On
entering the sanctuary again the arch.
bishop removed his vestments, took his
seat OH the left of the altar and the
SOLEMN high mass began. Father E. D.
Casey was the celebrant of this first
| service ever held in his new church
III LOTT Of
| Father John LAWYER, subdeacon; and
Mr.. Prendergast, master of ceremonies.
Mastery Sermon.
Archbishop Ireland delivered the SER
mon. He was in peculiarly happy