Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-14
4 NOTABLE OCCASION
Dedication Of The New Catholic CHURCH.
Petersburg.
,rRY IMPOSING CEREN"N'''
IL, LARGE crowd rrcscnt-bc""'''"'
Interior Encct-sermon OF
,T,o Memorial Windows
and Other Donations.


pov OFarreu IS the beloved pas
Tor MAS on sunday morning oeo'''''u
% tho service Of Almighty God win I'M.
,,s,,r and impressive ceremonies VI
.... there was crowded assemo'aee
Icon, but admission was only by cara
AID Father oFarrsn mad so carefully
,-..,,,s FOR this that while the church
MAS fnei. every one was comfortably
,.,,.d. there was no crush, and every
ching passed Of In perfect order
SCENE OF BEAUTY.
r., church is one Of the handsomest
and mos, substantial in tho city. Its cost
,ss about $500 The Interior with its
..,srb marble affairs and statuary. its
Ono memorial windows It's stations OF the
eros, so tastefully arranged its soft and
dsicato frescoing. lis elegant furniture
and carnetiug. its new and delightful
endorsements for lighting. its aspect in
deed. IN al respects. was scene OF
beauty. And the effect OF this scene was
enhanced by the tasteful arrangement al
white and pink nowers-not in profusIon.
but in great tas,o-in delicate vases about
he affairs and in the recesses. The main
altar was handsomely decorated with pot
,ol plants. and the reflection from The
lighted candles against its polished sur
face added greatly 70 it's beauty.
AN EARLY SERVICE.
I'M order 10 shorten the services OF dedl-
cation. Bishop Van dc Nyyer assisted py
Fathers T.. NJ. Tierney. Of Falls Church
and Rev j. T. OFarreu consecrated the
affairs al 6 o'clock 4. ~ The regular
dedication services OF the church were
begun at 1890 A. ". These were con-
Quoted by Bishop Van de Nyver. assisted
by a number OF priests.
Rev. !. T. OFarreil was the celebrant
OF high mass. and the following priests
took part. Deacon. Very Rev. b. +.
KELLEY. vicar-gcncral Of Savannah; Sub
beacon. Very Rev. II. G. Cutler. vicar
general of Richmond. Master of Ceremo-
mics. Rev. T.. ST. Tierney, Falls Church.
Chapisins 90 Bishop Van dc Vyver, Rev.
- Donohoc. ST. Patrlcks church, Rich
nond. and Rev. #. J. Wilson. Of Norfolk;
Chapalns 90 Bishop Keane, Rev. J. b.
OReny and Rev. Father John, 0. S. b.,
of Richmond.
THE OBLIGATORY SERMON.
Right Rev Bishop j. }. Keane, rector Of
Inc catholic University. in Washington,
and known and beloved Of all Catholics
ss well as Protestants in Virginia. preach
,d the dedicatory sermon. lie took as his
text the first chapter of the Gospel Of
So John. particularly the first verse. COM
mcncing. In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the
rs ord was God" lie spoke in substance
as follows.
This sublime passage Of holy Scripture
gives us the true meaning and purpose
Of the solemnity that has brought us
here this morning. We will glance for a
moment only az the eXternals of this
occasion. and then follow the guidance OF
the Holy Apostle in trying 10 estimate
lfs internal meaning. This Is happy
day for The people Of Petorsburg-a glo-
ous day--a day 20 be remembered and
f0 hc talked or Ten years ago. when We
ifsf began to talk about building a church
Do Petersburg. 10 looked TO Us like a
.ream that would hardly ever be realized.
Il anybody had then told us that a church
Nke this would be standing here at the
'ud of ten years we would have said he
eionCed to mOonland and not here-he
MAS a dreamer.
We thank God Il is done. and here the
-urch IS. II Father OFarrell had told
me- then that he thought of A church
ife this I would have told him 10 please
remember the circumstances OF his peo-
ole. that they were far from being rich
Ha he. no h4H IN
WITH and DC has realized what another
nam would not have undertaken. Great
credit is due TO them, and from my heart
congratulate them. This day reminds
ono Of one day years ago. when In Europe.
] heard Of a wonderful old medieval
cathedral, situated in a little town in
Holland and I visited this town IN order
10 see the wonderful cathedral Not
knowing the town. / asked a gentleman
io kindly lead me 10 the cathedral, and
o' said 10 would be a great pleasure 10
slow 10 Co me. When We came in eight OF
fe Ipe.b structure he said: 1--WE do
not build churches Ike that nowadays,
0e build banks and railway stations"
Sow. friends, ] do not like that II is
tgat that We should build banks and
aiiWay stations. for they represent the
material progress OF our country. With a
Nelope into banks and railroad stations,
! would say. God who has told us 10 at
iend 20 these things here below, Is the
essfd God who tells us that our home
above aud there is no incompatiblity
.'t"oeu the two things at al, and the
s'Al'fo nent accomplished hero In this
Gown or Petersburg by little handful of
tthoics none being wealthy. shows that
inc spirit that built the medieval caihe-
IIsl SIN beats On tie hearts Of men.
Thank God for this.
FALSE TO CIVILIZATION.
"Il would be a bad thing Tor the world
~ we would only build railroad stations
and banks II would be bad thing for
'he World n 70 forgot Gods house and
neglected Gods heritage. il would he a
ltIso civilization, 10 would be based on
te'fe principles. DO would have 10 crumble
f"i 80 10 pieces and every man who
cps ln the erection Of house Of God
ah enlightened mana friend Of true
'NIhfation. While / return thanks and
''' blessing upon the good Catho-
- people Who have labOred with their
i.slor 20 build this church. l return spe-
'i lNfNhs, in HIS name, In the name of
.'' h. mop and my own 10 the good nom
."tnoics who have co-Opcrated in this
'auuInl huilding They knew their
GOWN would boz better town for house
p 200 Ike this. God Will reward them
~. wat they have done. and God enable
people 10 finish what they have so
"ei begun. IL this house is only partly
'-+ mouse Cor while a building has a
' sage OF a lien on IL II belongs only
i' 1od. partly 10 the creditors);
'et r me case, Ia Gods name may IL
Ils mouse hight soon. Get IL out of
'. Na.as o. an creditors and put 1t at
- ieet and say Father. IL Is Thy
o- cooperate with your pastor in
----- v. and Won knoA his zeal moods no