Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-02-11
Dedication Of St. Francis church.

|
large concourse of people, consistin
not only of the Catholics of this city, bu
of many invited guests and visiting Catholi
Societies from neighboring towns, assem-
bled last Sunday morning at half past tel
!o'clock, in st. Francis Church to witness tn
dedicatory ceremonies of that handsom
edifce.
This church occupies the site of the ole
one-which was removed to make room fo
lit-but covers a much larger area, being
much more spacious in all its appointments
The style Of architecture is English Gothic
the material of the foundation being native
| limestone, that of the superstructure. ser
pentine stone rock from Chester county
Pennsylvania, the exquisite greenish color
of this latter stone, lending much beauty tC
the style of masonry which is in broken
range courses, and blending harmOniously
with the Indiana limestone which forms the
| trimmings-the whole presenting, with its
graceful spires and handsome main entrance
ornamented with artistically carved stone
arches, an architectural effect of surprising
loneliness The elegant stained glass win
dow, which occupies the circularspace above
this main entrance, was executed in Munich
at cost of $500, and is memorial of Mr..
John Geary. The bell, which is the gift of
the Catholic Hibernian Beneficial Society,
cost $500, and is the largest in the city. On
last Sunday it rang for the first time in the
history of Staunton, the Angelus, and thence
forth it will ring three times every day. at
six o'clock in the morning. at noon and at
six in the evening" calling the faithful to
prayer. This beautiful custom. followed
in all Catholic countries, can not but ap-
peal to devout souls of all creeds, since its
object is to recall the minds of the faithful
from their daily concerns and inspire
silent invocation for aid against dangers OF
temptations. or for the better performance
of duty. This touching idea has its express
sion in one OF the most celebrated paintings
of the last half century. The Angelus of
Millet. The weary peasants pausing for a
moment from their toll to offer up a silent
prayer as the tones of the Angelus bell float
to them across the fields.
The interior of st. Francis is quite in keep
ing with the interior, the same Gothic de-
sign being observed in the scheme of archi-
lecture, the unsupported arches, with their
richly carved capitals depending from the
ceiling of the nave, producing most grace
full effect.
The wainescot of the nave is of white pine,
the altar rail, confessionals, and pews be-
ing of oak, finished very handsomely. The |
affairs are temporary and will be replaced |
by marble ones. The marble holy water |
fonts and sanctuary lamp were presented to
the church by the Hibernian Beneficial So
ciety. The cabinet organ was given by Col. |
Thompson Lennig of Harrlsonburg to be |
Used temporarily, awaiting the permanent |
one.
Great credit is due to the building commit
zee, consisting of the pastor. Rev. John Nc
Very, and MessrS. John Fallon, e. j.
Armistead, Daniel Crimmens, John Dono-
van, Dennis Brown. and William Wholey
md also to the architects, 7. j. Collins &
Son, as we'll as to the contractor, Mr. Mon
ague Payne, who so ably carried out the
)lan-the result being one of the most ele-
,ant and substantial church ediices in Vir.
,inia, an ornament to Staunton and pride
o its congregation.
The dedlcatory ceremonies were brief but
and were followed by High
Iass, of which Father McVerry, the pastor,
and Father Dinneen, of Rich
nond, deacon, and Father Payne, assistant
'astor, sub-deacon. Brother Michael, from !
he Cathedral at Richmond was master of {
ceremonies. The sermon was preached by
he Bishop Rt. Rev. Augustine Van De-
Iyver, of the Catholic Diocese of Virginia,
Who presented in very forcible language
he fundamental doctrines of the Catholic {
hurch
The choir of st. Francis, assisted by some '
myers from Harfisonburg, and quartette !
i the Stonewall Band, rendered very effec- ,
iNsv Wiegands, Mass in F. Miss Rose Kin e
10y presided at the organ. The following
program sef the music rendered Sunday /,
morning. 0-'e- :,
Elieson,''
Mr.. Mcmahon. II
-(Sustained by Chorus.
in Excelsis, "............--.T
Mr.. Fields. |.
Sustained by Chorus.) !,
'Veni Creator" (Selected, } ............
Captain F. Lennig. +,
............
Mrs. d. Croghan and Misses O'Connor !.
and Lyons.
)fertory-''Ave Maria" -. Henri Panofka. :
Nile Fleury. 8
luartette- "Sanctus, ''.....
Misses Kirk, Lyons, Messrs. Mcmahon
and Lennig. :
olo -"Benedotus," ................... =
MI. McMahOn and Mrs. ID. Brown.
,udIlettt-. ........... =
Mile. Fleury, Miss Lyons, Messrs. :
Fields and Taylor.
Del, ".................
Miss Lyons.
bona Motifs, Observation-Disclosures. It