The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-11-25
IN HONOR OF FATHER DRE1s
st. Georges church Celebrates tie Silver
Jubilee OF Their Pastor.
Twenty-fi five years ago last Wedn

Twenty-Five years ago last Wednes-
day Rev. Joseph Dreis, pastor of St.
Georges church, was ordained priest
in the Catholic church, and Sunday the
members of the church celebrated his
long service with fitting ceremonies.
The services of the day began with a
solemn high mass at the church at 10
o'clock in the morning, but long before
the appointed hour the streets were
filled with pedestrians eager to reach
the church in time to secure "a seat and
by $50 the church was filed and a
large crowd waited on the sidewalks
by the church. The decorations of the
interior of the church were the most
elaborate ever seen in this city; the
chancel forming a beautiful scene with
its masses of G. >eSnthemums and
roses mingling t0oeautifni tints
with the green oi ivy and palms,
About the entire church were hung
festoons of evergreen, among which
were mingled silver ornaments SYM
bolical of the anniversary to. be cele-
brated At 10 o'clock the mighty
organ announced the beginning of the
solemn high mass, and the various
societies of the church, together with a
large representation Of visiting societies
escorted Father Joseph Dreis into the
chancel.
Mozart's twelfth mass was sang by
the church choir assisted by Bach's
orchestra, of Milwaukee. The music
was under the direction of Prof.
Jacoby and was the finest ever heard in
the city. Rev. Father Henry Dreis,
brother of Father Joseph, acted as
deacon, and Father Philip Dreis acted
as sub-deacon Father Henry Dres
preached d short sermon in German,
referring TO the dignity of the priest
hood, its sacrifices and it's rewards, and
in conclusion spoke in very touching
words of the work of his brother dur
ing the past twenty five years and how
his fidelity to dnty had endeared him
to the members of the various churches
with which he had been connected.
Sunday afternoon an informal recep-
ton was held at sha parsonage, which
proved to be veritable family re-
union. The aged father and mother
and the sisters of the Fathers Dreis
were present and seemed proud that
their sons had made such efforts for
the good of humanity and the church
of their choice.
Over a hundred friends Of Father
Dreis came down from Milwaukee and
Beaver Dam to congratulate him on
the great work he has accomplished
since his ordination and all expressed
the hope that he might be spared to
celebrate his golden anniYersarsaTy
twenty five years hence. All during
the afternoon large numbers of the
members of the church called to offer
congratulations and assure Father
Dreis of the hearty appreciation that
they felt for the work he has done
during his connection with the church
in this city, and the large numbers of
callers showed that the congregation of
St. Georges church love and venerate
their pastor During the afternoon a
large number of congratulatory tele-
grams were received from all parts of
the United States, as we'll as cable
grams from friends of Father Dreis in
Australia and Cuba.
Among those who assisted in the
ceremonies Of the day we're; The Very
Rev Joseph Rainer, president of St.
Francis seminary; the Very Rev. L..
Conrad GONE, of Milwaukee; Prof,
Drexel, P Lippert and Chris Hausnor,
of St. Francis; and Rev. Roche, of this
city.
Sunday evening a social reunion was
held at Simmons hall, at which large
number of members and friends of the
church were present. N. j. Werner
made a short address on behalf Of the
congregation, to which Father Dreis
responded in q very touching talk,
which showed the close relation that
exists between pastor and people.
Bach's orchestra furnished the music
for the occasion and a very pleasant
social time was enjoyed by all present.
Supper was served from s to II o'clock
This paper joins in extending con-
gratulations to Father Dreis on this
his silver jubilee, and expresses the
hope that he may long continue in the
work in Kenosha.