The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-22
HISTORIC SPOT.
Corner Stone OfHOly Name
Church Laid.
Bishop HarkinS and Many
Clergy Assist in Ceremony.
An Imposing Procession Of Military
and Civic Societies.

For the parishioners OF the Holy Name
OF Jesus Church parish, which parish
comprises quite section of the North
End yesterday WAS day OF quite notable
significance, for it witnessed the laying
Of the corner stone OF their handsome
new Catholic church. Rt. Rev. Bishop
Harkins OF the diocese of Providence
ofiiciated, and a large number OF the clergy
OF the diocese. His Honor Mayor McGuin-
ness, City Treasurer ID. J.. ID. Granger.
prominent Protestant residents of the
neighborhood and large number of Cath
olics from all parts OF the city were IN at
tendance.
In more than one way the laying OF
the corner stone of this new church edi-
ii ce is a notable event, moi only in the
history of Catholicism, but-of the gene
raj religious work OF Providence. The
Church site is on camp street, opposite
jenkins street, and tue ground is not
only beautiful, but 1t Is his,
toric for there, as the orator OF
the day stated, more than 100 years ago
were eDcRmped the soldiers OF His Most
Christian Majesty, the King OF France,
who by their valor and the bravery of
the forefat hers OF this republic were TO
win freedom under God Tor the strug-
cd the greatest OF all the ceremonies that
the Catholic Church directs--tbe sacrifice
! of the mass-by the chaplain of those
Catholic soldiers. There too, beneath the
assem- bed thousands that took part in
yesterdays ceremony, lay smiling val
Ieys, all the beauties OF nature and the
public. buildings and happy homes of our
beautiful city.
Far off in the distance loomed the tow
ers of the splendid cathedral of SS.
teter and Paul, on the site OF the first
Catholic Church that was erected in this
city, and a little nearer the more recently
erected but still far more.than genera
tion old, the spre of st. Patrick's
Church, from part of which parish some
II years ago the parish for which the new
church is to be built was set OF. Then,
teo. was visible the splendid charita bic
institutions that he charity of the peo-
pie of Providence, irrespective OF sect or
creed have established.
Yesterday was begun the 60th year of
the reign OF one OF the sovereigns of
Europe whose dominion is one of the
greatest on the earth, one whose people
have by their language won dominion
where the arms OF their soldiers have
failed. Yet when Victoria became the
ruler of the British Empire there was not
Catholic church in the city of Provi-
dence, and but one Catholic Church
had been blest in the State of Rhode
L land. lhen there were less than 1909
souls who professed the Catholic faith in
this city or for miles around II. Now to
her many rich church editioes IS to be
added one that Will but add testimony
to the esrnestness and self sacrifice, OF
the mcmbers OF this denomination.
The new Church will, however, be a
reminder of olden times even than those
above Noted, of time beyond even
Christianity itself for though most
Catholic churchs in New England are of
the gothic type, which nobly expresses the
union OF the strength of the barbarian
with the mildness of the teachings of
CHRIST, this structure will be more after
the type OF those churches in Italy that
seem 10 plead for the beauty OF the older
civilization. IT VIII In fact be similar
to those vld basilicas in which the old
Romans gathered to talk OF things that
now seem CGt idle gossip. but which
were tinctuT,d by q disgust for all that
was, as they termed 1t Barbarism. The
new structures will have those improve
ments that in course OF time were deemed
advisable for the basiioas structures
that were TO be devoted tc church pur-
poses and il is built after the noblest
models of its kind.
At the head OF the professions OF clerics
and acolytes walked yesterday he archi-
toct OF the church as he has been Of over
$50 churches and other Catholic institu-
tions in New England and the Middle
states, Mr.. James Murphy. The ritual
OF the church for such ceremonies gives
to him this place OF honor and ne has
worked into the plans OF these structures
the beauty that every one who has visited