The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-02-26
ANTHONY OF PADUA
Impressive ceremonies at
the Dedication of the
Polish Church.
BISHOP WIGGER OBLIGATED
The Church Societies Not Allowed
to Have Music in the Parade
Many Priests Present.
BISHOP WIGGER OBLIGATED

The new st. Anthony's Polish Catholic
Church, erected on the westerly side of Mon
mouth street, just north of Sixth street, was
yesterday dedicated by Bishop Wigger, with
the usual imposing dedicatory ceremonies.
Long before ten o'clock the edifice was
solidly packed with people, and the adjacent
streets densely thronged with those Unable
to gain admission. Hundreds congregated
to witness the arrival of the bishop and the
procession escorting him. The bishop ar
rived in the city by the Pennsylvania Rail
road at $50 A. NJ, and was received at the
depot by several members of the church and
one of the church societies, and by them
| escorted to the residence of the pastor, Rev.
was met and warmly greeted by the latter
and the visiting priests, who were to a
part in the ceremonies.
Shortly after ten o'clock several civic and
uniformed societies, including st. Anthony's,
st. Joseph's Holy Rosary, immaculate con-
ception and young mems societies of st.
Anthony's Church, arrived at the pastors
residence and formed in open column, reach
ing herefrom up Monmouth street to the
front of the church. and between the lines so
arranged were driven the carriages, contain
ing the bishop, Rev. Father Kukowski and
the visiting clergy.
A PRETTY SCENE.
In advance of the bishops carriage
walked fourteen girls, of from ten to twelve
years of age, attired in white, who strewed
| flowers on the street, presenting a very
pretty scene. No music accompanied the
| procession, it being understood that the po-
lice authorities declined to grant the neces-
sary permit.
The services in the church commenced inn
mediately upon the arrival of the clergy.
The dedicatory ceremonies took place first,
after which the bishop celebrated pontifical
high mass. Rev. Father VAIL of st. Boni-
face Church was deacon, Rev. Father
Mooney of st. Mary's Church sub deacon.
| Rev. Father Dornin of st. Bridgets Church
| and Rev. Father Harpes of st. Peters
Church were the deacons of honor.
A powerful and eloquent sermon in Eng
lish was then delivered by Rev. Charles j.
Kelly, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of
Grace. Hoboken, followed by a sermon in
Polish by Rev. Father Wysiecky, of Brook
lyn. The church and congregation were
| blessed and benediction pronounced by the
bishop. Besides the clergy named, there
were other prominent priests present. The
very fine music attending the services was
rendered by the church choir n Bard
! Singing Society connected with the church.
The collections amounted to a large sum, the
donations being exceedingly liberal. 1t was
said that Mr.. e. Jeyinanowskyof New York,
a warm friend of Father Kukowski, con
| tributsd S 1000.
At the conclusion of the services the bishop
and priest returned to the residence of the
pastor, and there partook of an elaborate
dinner. In the evening at Solemn Vespers.
the church was again crowded, Father
Kukowski officiating.
H NEW EDIFTcE.
The new eiifce is a handsome and stately
structure, built of blue stone with brown
stone trimmings, and has a sieeple of great
height covered with slate and surmountet by
a massive gilt cross, giving it a most COM
manding aspect. The windows are OF
cathedral colored glass and of elegant de-
signs. There are three large entrances from
the front, opening into q spacious lobby,
from which there are also three entrances TIC
the auditorium, II two stair ways
leading to the upper floor. The wood
work of the interior Is of white OAK
very handsomely furnished. There are three
affairs, all elegantly fitted for their require
ments. The basement, which is divided into
separate class rooms, is already Furnished
and completely fitted up in every particular
for q school. These apartments ave all the
most modern Improvements and afford the
utmost comfort for the tuition Of children.
| Objection to these rooms that they are toe
dark has been made, but there are several
large windows on each side, and it is believed
that any difficulty of that character will be
overcome. Special care has been taken to
have the basement dry AMI in the best SAM
tary condition. The old frame church build
ing on Sixth street will be sold.
The total cost Of the building is S52,S00, Of
which about So, 600 has already been paid,
leaving a balance due of q little over $4,000
which the trustees expect to be able to pay
within a year. The new church is one of the
finest in the city and will soon be furnished
with a grand organ, for which several hun
dred dollars have been subscribed and are
now Ia the hands of the pastor.