Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-20

% contact. The pastor NJ 11diP'A
r--ry had 4 parish Of seventy miles IN
tr-.h and several counties IN WIDTH
r.. stations were widely scattered,
alb 10 required his entire time to attend
g. tho wants Of his people. Father
I'm de- Vyver labored so successfully
.., Bishop Keane called him 10 Rich
v0rd. to become pastor Of the Cathe-
oval and Vicar General Of the Diocese,
oten the present Archbishop. Janssers,
Was made Bishop Of Natchez lie be-
cr-ne administrator Of the diocese on the
n .gnatlon Of Bishop Keane.
HIS CHARACTERISTICS.
In Bishop Van &c Vyver n vigorous In
'ellect is Joined IA q robust physique.
lie is OF medium height, stout and active.
ITS bearing marks declsivencss Of charac-
,s~. while his face and head indicate in
diligence ana frmness. and his smile is
10 kindly and inviting that those who
cone into HIS presence and greet him,
30, forthwith that he is their Trend
Ia every DEPARTMENT OF priestly work
,na. he tas been called upon 10 perform
lt. duties have been DISCHARGED with
1.rh-min5.l courage ard fidelity. He
las I'll wcI-balanced mind. a calm judg-
mont. RE PRACTICAL sense to voice the
,..r..... OF the people, and his good
r,sa WIS their hearts as well. He is
rieasars SPEAKER. and his sermons mark
lie man Of culture. the thorough student
o. hooks ana human nature. and the
devote. pastor. lie Is often very elo-
,..1t bat his discourses are usually
81 leI-i for practical instruction and are
!.'an1eG - reach, and do reach down
ir,r Tire daily lives Of his people. His
r.as.ak king care. his orderly mind. and
'.--s.-htaIncss have been seen and felt
c- good In the management OF the az
ais q LIS diocese.
10. was too modest ever to aspire 10
.co. Bishop Keane, and when, un-
,ra...ily. the honor came. he would
cave ben glad 90 decline il. but the Sc
i.uon had been made because Of his
.'-e-s for those in higher station knew
pie goodness and his abilities, and no.
trE vas In for him but to accept
a-3 carry forward the work "a bishop,
81 winch he had shown such aptness as
iot,9- AMI yicar-general.
THE DIOCESE or VIRGINIA.
y vii be both timely and interesting
upon il.s occasion 10 glance at the his
'a.y O.. IN. diocese. of its formation.
9ie. md progress. Virginia had, as
C..rv closed her doors against the
Ca't1lee Lord baltimore was not per-
lNi % land. and when his son found
O. O. howe for Catholics In Maryland.
tie fa-.uc.sm In the older Colony left
traces = IT'S bitterness in the penal laws
o1 Der statute books. There were few
Catholics ir Virginia at the period OF
ite j. -lg'ion. and few erniGrants of
Che ancient faith Vontured 10 settle.
lt' saaN as the body was. there were
:l.crt uts. chiefly at Norfolk. where
il.t was formed to bring in Jansenist
Bishop from Holland.
In TIE winter OF 1892 Father Jean
Dubois. Frenchman, who had landed
~ Norfolk in July. 1871. visited Rich
r,ni. bringing with him letters OF intro
l-c'ion q some of the most eminent
n''1s.s, and the General Assembly be-
ts 10 session. he was invited 10 cele-
'-i'e mass IN the hall of the House OF
.-t-atcs. the present Capitol having
,t't been built, and there was offered
o. f-t mass ever offered In Rich
~.a'
Five or six years afterwards Bishop
.fuoI ~ Maryland. to whose diocese
virginia vas attached. established a
mission iC Richmond. and assigned TO
rrnoh cIlar priest. named Father
-t''. Michel ard In private houses,
" rooms temporarily rented for the
.irsr this pioneer In tho Richmond
on served the little flock until 1873.
''lrt Gown 10 enter the Society Of Jesus,
nry,r returned.
4tTe Sc no account OF any resident
for The next five or six years,
-2 n is certain that mass was said
~i' frequently during that interval.
THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHAPEL.
ln ue vii! OF Joseph Gallego. who died
DO i'.a is "a c0dicil dated In June OF that
'eG. 100 which he directs his executors
N ''e Roman Catholic chapel should be
''''r-1 ~ the time OF hts DEATH" 10
l.y ZOO TO rs support
aus chapel" was the southeastern
non ot building lately known as
atfiof' s tOhdcco-factory, on the south
+- of Main street near twenty
.N'h j. was. however. building
by the Presbyterians. who moved
-'HsI uD town, and the vacated hoose
vas ',a-l by the Catholics, and be-
80 me chapel 90 which Mr. Gallego re-
i''4. lflests were sent here al inter-
1s irom Georgetown and Baltimore.
,"'ag the requests OF Joseph Gallego
20, iouni half square OF land,
lining on the south side OF Mar5hail
- and extending from Third TO
c4"n AID here. In 1875. the Catholics
rather Hore) built little wood
chapel In 1884. the Catholic COM
U."'V under Father O'Brien) laid
w eorntr-stone or what Is now st.
enlarged
THE FIRST BISHOP.
., about $50 the Catholics Of Virginia
po.,,. lea IN persuading the Sovereign