Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03

James F. NJ. Lucas as the first pastor of
st. Peters Church, and he took charge the
50 day OF September. 1921. Father Lucas
was born In the city of Rennes. France
was ordained priest in 1912, and three wears
later emigrated to the United States
Dedicated to st. Peter.
He said the first mass in the new church,
october, 1921, and the church was dedicat-
ed to st. Peter, prince of apostles on the
4th day of November 1921.
1t wds plain red brick structure with a
rough cast facade, and had a shingle roof.
In November, 1921. Rev. John F. McGerry
was appointed the first assistant pastor of
st. Peters and continued to assist Father
Lucas until August u, 1896
Its First Jubilee,
The first Jubilee after the opening of st.
Peters occurred in 1925, and Father
Lucas, wearing his cassock, surplice and
heretta. marched at the head of the con-
sregaton in procession to st. Patrick's
and Holy Trinity churches. respec lively.
Father Lucas taught many of the youths
OF the neighborhood, particularly instruct
ing them in Christian doctrine and his
emory is reYered by the sons and grand
sons OF that generation. He was received
at Georgetown College into the Society ~
Jesus July II. 1s23. and soon after became
the assistant pastor of Holy Trinity Church
Georgetown, then, as now connected with
the college. Father Lucas died in Febru-
airy. 1871, at Frederick, Nd, having lived
just fifty-nine years and seven days
Rev. Matthew Z. beagle came to ST Pc
ter's early in October lS2J az Father
Lucas first assistant pastor, and. when
the latter entered the Society of Jesus he
became the second pastor. He was the I'M
Gle of Rev. Jacob A. Walter well remem-
bered as d former pastor of ST. Patrick q
church.. and was of French-Arcadean dos
cent. Father beagle was born in BaIti-
more September H. 1900, and was ordained
there in 1926 :.
assistant in 1881, and, on his demise be-
came the pastor the same year. remaining
until December, 1882. Rev. Father Peter
5: Schneider became pastor at the close Ct
shortly after by the Rev. P. Velmans. q
Belgian. who was in turn succeeded nv
Father Joseph Van Horsigh in July, 1884.
Kew Joseph Van Horsish was born In
Antwerp and commenced his theological
studies in the land of his birth When ne
came to st. Peters he called tho original
pastoral residence his Cow house." and set
ABOUT raising funds for the erection of a
new home. The result was the constr,lc-
tion OF the present cdifice, to which some
ADDITIONS have been made Father Van
fiorsish was justly popular with his con-
creation, and his many virtues were in
scribed on memorial tablet in the churc h.
KEY. Edmund A. Knight, the next pastor
was a scholarly man, and attracted much
attention to ST. Peters He was succeeded
by Rev. Francis E. Boyle, who had been
assistant to Father Knight and had been
called by Father Knight his boy Frank. u
Father Boyle afterwards became pastor OF
st. Matthews in this city, and when he did
SO the archbishop appointed Rev. Jeremiah
OSulllVaa to the vacancy in ST. Peters
parish. Father O'Sullivan was one of the
most eminent priests who ever served al
st. Peters. That this was true is attested
by the fact that he died not long ago as
the bishop of Mobile
The Present Pastor.
The next pastor was the Rev. George w
Devine. who stayed two years, and was
succeeded by the present pastor, Rev
James OBrien. Rev. Father O'Brien wa.
born IL Virginia. but received his academi.
| cal education at ST. Charles College, Ell.
| colt City, Md He received his theological
training at St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore
and has served the following charges since
his accession to the priesthood: Lonacon.
Ing. Allegheny county. Md; st. Thomas
Baltimore county. and st. Peters, Wash.
ington, to which he was assigned April q
1855 One Of the first things Father
Oh rten did on coming to Washington wa.
| to erect q new house Of worship and there
are today few church edinces In Washing
ton equaling 1t. st. Peters day having oc
CURED within the octave, the celebratio,
tomorrow In also to be partly In his honor