The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-20

cadence of expression. Still his periods
are well rounded.
Father Ferguson is an assistant at St.
Patrick's. He has been there less than a
year. Prior to coming to the City he had
charge of country parish within the
ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Archbishop
Rlordan, Recognizing his exceptional
value, the Archbishop, who constantly
keeps watch on the developing talent,
transferred him to the metropolis. The
young clergyman at once demonstrated
his strength of purpose. He was one OF
the first to spring into the arena and de-
fend his church in the issues that now
foment the public mind. His series OF
lectures on the constitutional rights of the
citizen, regardless of creed, color or con-
dition, gave him wide distinction as a
defender Of his faith and conviction.
People in st. Patrick's parish take off
their hats to Father Ferguson on the
street and cheer him in public. They sing
MS praises about their tiresides and hang
his picture on their walls. They like his
frank, open-handed, aggressive manner.
And there are $4,000 or 1000 in the parish.
1t is estimated that an average of 90, 900 at
tend the masses at st. Patrick's on Sun
DAY: 1t Is stronghold of Catholicity.
Inc present church was built thirty years
ago. Preceding its erection the people
worshlped In an unpretentious little frame
church on the sand lot where the Palace
Hotel now stands. The whole Market
street frontage, from Montgomery avenue
TO Third street, was once the property of
the Catholic church. 1t was parceled up
and sold by the late Archbishop Alemany,
however, and the site on Mission street
was purchased and the church built by the
nqGfn9 Hofhar Sv,4 1a
of well-spent life-a man who has done
much to mold and direct the character OF
ms people, and who now rests in the as
surance OF their love and respect.
When st. Patrick's Church was erected
the neighborhood was sparsely settled
NOW it is the center of active commercial
life. 1t is the largest of the downtown
churches. Its architectural design is after
the Gothic. In its tall steeple hang the
only church chimes in the City, and when
they peal forth in musical rhythm the
listener is entranced with the soft, swell
ing sounds. The quiet of the early Sab
bath morn is broken by their metallic
voices calling the people to worship, and
throughout the day the changing melodies
grow apace until the evening vespers are
sung, and then the sweet music of the
chimes floats out over the swelling ocean
and dies away In the stiffness of the night.
At the last mass at ST. Patricks Church
yesterday the Rev. Father Ferguson read
the report of the work of St. Patrick's
conference of the ST. Vincent de Paul So
ciety for the year. The report ran as fol-
lows:
The objects of the Society of St. Vincent de
Paul are to encourage and assist both morally
and materially the deserving poor, particularly
families having permanent residence in the
parish and who are compelled through sick
ness, accident or lack of employment TO apply
for relief.
The above report shows that great deal OF
assistance is required of us by the large num-
Der OF poor families residing within our
parish, and the number increases from year to