Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1893-06-26
ST. JOHNS DEDICATED.
; SLAVONIANS PARADE AND MAKE A
FINE SHOWING.

Assisted by Several Priests Bishop O'Hara
Consecrated the Edifice to the Worship
of God-Something About the New
Church and Its Pastor.
The sun shone brightly yesterday
morning and seemed to offer cordial
welcome to the hundreds of excursion
lists who came to town to take part in
the ceremanies of dedication at st.
John'sSlavonian Roman Catholic church.
At 10 o'clock, the hour appointed for the
exercises to begin, the building was
crowded to the doors. After the sprink-
ling of the outer walls with holy water
by Bishop o'Hara, accompanied by
number of priests, the altar and interior
portions were blessed while the litany
was being chanted. Then followed
solemn high mass, Rev. Ignatius Jasko-
vitz being the celebrant; Rev Edw.
O'Reilly, of ST. AIMS, deacon; Rev. Jos.
Mazsotas, of st. Kasimer's, sub-deacon,
and Rev. T. ]. Quinlan as incense bearer.
When the mass was concluded the
bishop preached an instructive and in
structive sermon, which was listened to
attentively by the large audience.
AT o'clock the visiting societies form
ed in line and were soon joined by the
Catholic organizations of town. The
parade was formed in the order given in
Thursdays issue and went over the
principal streets. The different societies
made very good showing and with an
abundance of music the parade was con-
sidered IA fine one in every way.
ABOUT THE CHURCH.
The church presents very handsome
appearance both outside and inside. Its
dimensions are 40x75 feet, and it was
erected at cost of $4,000. OF this
amount over $4,000 had been paid off
before the ceremonies began yesterday.
The building has seating capacity of
500, and is situated on lot 75x125 feet,
which was donated to the congregation
by Coke Bros. & Co.
The movement to erect the edifice was
commenced in March, 1892, by John
Shigo, Sr., Andrew Hamara, John HUI
dak and Andrew Hudak. Upon the
death of the first-named last September
his son, John Shigo, Jr., took his place,
and assisted by other members of the
committee and st. Johns Sayonian
Society, the work of procuring funds,
etc., was continued increasingly, and in
a very short while the small debt yet
upon the church will be paid.
The altar arrived here on Saturday
from Mauch Chunk, were it was made,
and was Immediately placed in position.
This, with the interior decorations and
bell which has been ordered, cost a little
over 81, 900.
The cornerstone was laid by Bishop
O'Hara on Sunday, September %, 1892,
just nine months before the date of
dedication.
THE PASTOR.
The Plymouth Star of Thursday last
had the following to say of the priest
who has been appointed pastor: Rey.
l. Jaskovitz, for some time past pastor
of st. Stephens Hungarian Catholic
church, has gone to Freeland, where
church has been assigned him by Bishop
O'Hara. Father Jaskovitz is courteous
and amiable gentleman, who won the
respect of all with whom he came in
contact, and it is to be hoped that he
will find in Freeland that rest and peace
which he was unable to secure among
his turbulent parishioners in Plymouth.
He is succeeded here by Rev. Joseph
Kossalko the first nastor of St Stenhen,s