New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-09
OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH
SPLENDID SERVICES AT ST. MARY THE
VIRGINS.

HIGH MASS SUNG WITH ALL THE ACCESSORIES
OF IMPRESSIVE RITUAI.-FATHER RICHIE
breaches THE SERMON
High and ornate ceremonial IN the frotes'a'.
Episcopal Church was seen in Ito fullest ana MUS
impressive development at the services Westerns.
OF the opening of the new Church OF ST. Mar! uo
Virgin The building which is in Forty-sxth-st.' De-
tween Broadway and Sixth-ave.. has already oeen
described in The Tribune The solemn ceieora'oi
OF the Holy Communion, called by the au'""'eN
Churchmen the high mass. at 1915 In the morn
ing was one OF the most magnificent services ever
held in this city and few like It have ever oeeh
seen in Episcopal churches in this country MUSIC
OF the highest character, stately professions anu
splendid vestments features of the worship III
the Church OF ST. Mary the Virgin yesterday.
The nave. transepts and chapels or the chu'c"
were filed with people. but admission was 10y
card there was none Of the crowding "nich ~
often mars an occasion of the kind. Father Up
3ohn one OF the assistant priests of the parish was
the master Of ceremonies and guided the ecciesas-
teal professions with grace and dignity
The entrance into the sanctuary of Father bro"n'
rector OF the parish and ceebrant of the mass
opened the services. He was accompanied os III"
assistants in the mass. Father Mason VINO reau
the Gospel and Father Stanton. VINO read tne
cpistle and two acolytes and crucier The priests
were ROBBED In splenddly embroidered eucharsuc
yestments and the acolytes and cruciier wore reu
cassocks and white abs. with red girdles Each OF
The former carried a large lighted wax candle set
in candle-sticks Of heavily embossed brass.
Then the choristers and the rest OF the Clergy
moved into the church and took their places IN 'he
chancel The procession from the altar was then
begun An acolyte swinging censor lea the udlh
as IL moved from the chancl through the anio"-
latory which almos; circles the chancci' ana uo""
the east aisle and up the centre aisle to the altar
4 crucifer came next. and then two acoiytes pear
ing lighted candles. They were followed by the
choristers in black cassocks and white cotias ana
then came the clergy, similarly roDed. father
Brown and his assistants in the mass. with TWO
acolytes and crucifer. followed. The Rev arthur
Richie rector Of ST. Isnatiuss Church. who was
,be preacher OF the day, walked next. ard Bishop
Grafton of For du Lac Wis. with the Rev Daniel
J. Oden and the Rev. John H. Knowles; t .t dea-
cons Of honor and t he hn We're the ias, The
Bishop wore mitre. the episcopal hat. and richly
chaplain and deacons also wore copes The priests
of the altar beretas. the priesty cap ana me
other clergy carried them in their hands. Clergy,
acolytes and choristers bent the Knee before lhe
altar as they entered the cnapS eJo decorated with
flowers and poted plants on which the light Of the
Foundation is Jesus Christ: Her Lord" reading the
summary Of & ana then en- 4 Esc GSf
and Kyre Eson sung in their proper Sfr order
Father Ritche's sermon was an able ueIehce Oh
CsR0l aGeip the a people Of the parish their
achievement in completing their new en- chu III an"
Then The of the mass was sung tlle essen
rial act of this being the consecratio OF the sacred
elements the bread ard wine. Incense was burned
at the conservation and at frequent other tunes IN
The service was closed with a procession from
the chancel. -. 80. col,
Among the clergy in the procession but not taR-
ING mari I'm the services, were the Rev. Henry II.
SARGENT Superior of the Order OF the Holy Cross;
The Rev: r. r Nichol Warden OF the Com amcs
Kerr Chaplain United states Army; the KEY
James w Clark of Washington; the Rev. Jonn a.
Stanton. SRI the Rev c. r; D. Crittenaoh' o. III
caeo: F. E. Mortimer. of Jersey CITY; talAer
Tavlor and the Brothers of Nazareth VINO nave d
home in West sixty th-st. ,., -,
The music was especially fine. 1t was rendered by
the choir OF the church. with orcAesUaI ACCOM-
paniment. 80, ,..h =. .bo oorlv
Three masses were said in the cAurch in me carry
morning and vespers were held at O'CLOCK