Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-24
THE CORNER STONE LAYING
Of st. MichaelS Catholic Church at
EdgingtOn Lane.

The Rain Fell in Sheets, but Big
Crowd Braved the Threatening
Weather-Several Catholic So
cieties Turned Out With Brass
Bands-Rt Rev. Bishop Donahue
OBLIGATED at the Impressive
Ceremony-The Addresses.
The laying of the cornerstone of the
new st. Michaers Church, at Edging-
tons Lane, was accomplished yester-
day afternoon, but under very disad-
vantageous conditions. The rain was
the element that marred the success of
the occasion, and very nearly succeed
ed in postponing the ceremonies alto
gether. Notwithstanding the decided
ly unfavorable condition of the weather,
a couple of thousand people went out
on the various motors, or gathered in
from the vicinity.
The crowds and various societies
were carried out on special motors.
leaving the city at o'clock, 2:30, 800
and $3.50 D. m. The societies went out
on the three and half-past three o'clock
motors. The two local divisions and
the Benwood division of the A. o. II.
attended the funeral of VIM. Fitzgerald
and marched with the remains out to
the north end of McCOlloch street and
from there took the cars to Edging-
tons Lane. The societies present at
tie ceremonies were the Knights of st.
George, with Meister's band; the Parke
and Mullen divisions Of the A. o. H.,
with Hackett's band. of Bellaire; the
Benwood division of the A. O. H.
and the Knights of St. John, accompa-
MED by the ST. Cecilia band, Of Bell
aire; ST. Johns commandery and the
societies Of st. Alphonsus Church.
The skies looked threatening early
in the afternoon. but this was not suf-
fiCient to dispel the hopes Of the people,
who took chances and endured the fall
ing dampness. The rain fell at inter-
walls before the majority of the people
arrived at the church. then cleared up
for a brief spell and it looked as if
there would be a long enough intermiS-
sion for the ceremonies to take place.
However. Just about four O'Clock, the
time set for the commencement of the
programme, a heavy shower began 10
come down, and the people scattered
to gain shelter in the uncovered church.
in the nearby residences. stables and
every available place that offered the
least protection. Many could find no
place TO go and did not fail to get
wetting. A large portion of those pres
ent were women with their children,
and they suffered the discomfort with
the rest.
Finally. about half-past four, the rain
stopped long enough for the ceremonies
to take place. although curtailed and
passed through hUrriedly. These were
preceded by a procession Of the clergy
and societies from a neighbOring resi-
dence to the church. The Knights OF
St. George headed the procession and
were followed by the members of the
Catholic clergy. Bishop Donahue and
the acolytes. followed by the different
church organizations. The priests were
all dressed in their clerical robes.
The blessing of the cornerstone by
the Bishop. and the placing of it in po-
STtion was a short but impressive GER
emony that preceded the addresses.
The choir of st. Josephs Cathedral
was present and sang an anthem OF
praise Bishop DUnahue's address
was brief. owing TO the fact that an
other shower was impending. He
made a striking comparison of the cor
ner-stone Of the church with the stone
upon which Jacob laid his head while
dreaming of angels ascending to and
descending from heaven. To Jacob
the stone was a symbol Of sacredness
of the place where he had dreamed
and the cornerstone which was laid
was typical of the DEGREES which God
had made from eternity that a church
should be built on that spot in which
he should be glorifed and worshipped.
He said the church was to he the house
of God and not to be put to some of
the uses that are done by the separated
brethren of the church. II was not to
he for a prayer-meeting one dav
and a strawberry festival the next. 1t
was 10 be a sacred place. exempt from
contention festivals. political gather
ings. or any other similar uses. The
Bishop. in concluding thanked all the
men. women and children for their
presence, stating that coming out on
such an afternoon they evinced q
strong Catholic faith and a spirit of
Christian bravery. He thanked the
people Of Pleasant Valley for their
generous contributions to the church,
and also thanked Rev Father Paquin
for the zeal he has displayed in fur
thering and originating the project.
In conclusion, he invoked the blessing
Of God upon the place Of worship.
Following Bishop Donahue. Rev.
Father Kluzer, who will be the pastor
of the new church, delivered a short
address in German.
Among those present we're the follow
ing clergymen from out of town: Rev.
Fathers Wehrle. Of Bellaire; Weigan.
Of Bridgeport; McMenamin. of Ben
wood. In a small hole underneath the
cornerstone was placed a tin box con-
tanning a history of the origin Of the
church. a list of subscribers. copies Of
the daily papers Of Wheeling. and of
the Catholic Church Calendar, and
coins Of each denomination from five
dollars 70 one cent.
BUSINESS FOR THE DOCTORS.
officers Michaels and Walker Jointly
secured a bicycle Saturday night at