The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-05

who took for his text the words Thou
art Peter and on this rock I will build
my church and the gates Of hell shall
never prevail against IL. The speak
er said that on an occasion of this kind
Il was natural that they should glance
backward and consider the laying Of
the foundations OF the first church 1900
years ago when the Saviour OF man
kind charged Peter in the words OF the
text The speaker then In eloquent
periods rapidly sketched the history
OF the church during the dark ages
when II was compelled to conduct It's
services In the catacombs of Rome
because of the persecution Of those who
opposed Christianity. He told Of the
subsequent trlumphs and said the es-
tablishment of the church marked the
downfall Of sin and the opening of the
road to salvation Since it's foundation
the church has been the one constant
thing IN creation
Father Malone congratulated the
congregation on their temporary home.
He said 1t would be to them a midway
station where they could work out
their salvation. IL was a sacred task
to build a temple to God, he said, and
every member OF the congregation
should give their worthy pastor their
hearty cooperation In supporting and
sustaining 1t. you are Fortunate"
said Father Malone "in possessing
pastor who has the confidence OF his
bishop and the esteem of his brother
priests simply because he deserves It,"
At the conclusion Of the mass Bishop
OHara addressed few words to the
congregation. He said the church he
had just blessed was not intended as
the congregations permanent place OF
worship but would serve them as a
place where the holy sacrifice of the
mass can be offered up until such time
as a permanent structure can be erect
ed. He commended the spirit the con-
gregation had shown and hoped they
would continue to give their earnest
support to their Jealous pastor.
FREE FROM DEBT.
Just before the congregation was dis
persed Father O'Donnnell addressed a
few words Of thanks to 1t. He said the
donations Of the day had been more
generous than he had any reason to
expect. They amounted to over $4,000
which would enable him to clear every
cent of debt off the temporary church
building
The music Of the mass was under the
direction of Prof. T. J. Davies and Miss
Anna Bell of Providence presided at
the organ. The soloists were Mrs. j. j.
Lynch, and Miss Cecilia Walsh, of
Providence; Prof. w. J. Kelly, Parsons:
William Lynott, Providence; John
Kirby and James Doyle, Bellevue.
In the afternoon Father O'Donnell
conducted a service for children and
in the evening Rev. j. v. Hussie, Of
Bently Creek conducted vesper SER
vice and preached sermon. The solos
at vespers were sung by Miss Anna
Brown of Olyphant and Prof. w. j.
Kelly Of Parsons.
The church blessed yesterday is a
very substantial looking structure
though only erected as temporary
home for the congregation. 1t Is a
frame structure neatly painted and
fronts on Fifth avenue, two large doors
furnishing ample means for quickly
emplying the auditorium which has a
capacity for seating about 800 persons.
The building is 120x47 feet in size and
the auditorium Is 16 feet in heighth.
There is a basement II feet high under
the entire auditorium. Light streams
into the church through fourteen large
Venetian glass windows. At night 1t
is lighted by gas. The sanctuary is en-
closed with a rail of carved oak. A very
attractive piece of work is the altar
which was simply but artistically dec
grated for yesterdays services.
The parish Of Holy Cross was created
and Father O'Donnell assigned to It
on May 1 and on July the contract
for the church was let.