The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-06-17
IN HIS HONOR.
RECEPTION GIVEN TO REV.
AUGUST sCHwERTNER.
A Grand Dinner Served at ST. Cecilia
Hail = Services at st. Peters
Church Taken Part In by the
Newly Ordained Priest.

celebrated the first mass in his career as
priest, Sunday, in the church in which
he had been brought up from birth, the
st. Petsr's German Catholic church. OF
Canton. life long resident of this city,
surrounded by friends who had watched
him from boyhood to the time wien he
had reached his most exalted position, it
was but natural that the services over
which he presided should attract audi
snces to flll the edifcs to overflowiug.
Standing room was at premium both
morning and evening.
The church had been beautifully dec
Grated. Flowers, potted plants, ever
green, etc, were arranged in artistic
manner. The altar was also decorated
and In the evening especially did it pre-
sent magnificent spectacle with its
myriads of candles brightly burning with
background of white and green.
Solemn high mass was celebrated at
o O'Clock o. m. The knights OF st. John,
in uniform, commanded by Capt. Frank
Cheveraux, marched to the oh lrcb, ac-
companied by the Catholic Young Mems
Association, and were given seats in
front. The family Of Mr.. A. Schwertner,
together with relatives, also occupied re-
served seats in tbefront Of the large edifice.
Seated within the altar rail we're Rev.
Fathers Weber, Of Louisville, Farrsr, of
Cleveland, Buohholz, of Cleveland, Kuhn
Of Massillon, THEM, Of Randolph, and
Kunert of Harrisburg Rev. Father
Schwertner was celebrant The choir
rendered Hsydn's Mass No, 3, accom-
panied by organ and orchestra, under the
direction of Prof. K. Schelliug, with Miss
Louise Wernet and MIR. Ed. Lang as solo
lists
Rev. Schwertner conducted the mass
without fault or any apparent uneasi o ess,
which might have been expected as
result Of nervousness consequent upon his
first celebration. he has splendid ply
sique and voice, and made great impress
sion by reason of his dignifled bearing.
In his rendition of the preface Of the
mass, especially, was his pure and reso-
pant voice notsd and admired Rev.
Schw ertner has every natural qualiflca-
tion for his position and his future sue
&c IS is assured.
Rev. Buchholz preached the sermon of
the morning, in German. He spoke of
the joys the day had brought tor TIE fam
lily anu friends of the celebrant, ana
dwelt at some length on the duties of the
priest to the people and the people to the
priest, and referred pleasantly to the new
priest which the church had brought out.
Following the mass, the family Of MIR.
Anton Scbwertner stepped forward to
the altar rail and received communion at
she hands Of their son and brother. 1t
was an affecting scene.
During the morning service Millard's
Veni Greater" was rendered by the
choir, with organ and orchestra. Miss
Ida Piechele sang for offertory "Ave
Maria" with violin obligato by Mr.. e.
The music was a pleasing
feature of the services, and much credit
is due the choir and organist, Miss Anna
Bolnsr and Director Sohelling.
At the conclusion of the service in
the morning, inany of the church mem
bers went forward to the altar, where
on bended knees ttey received the bless
ing of Father Schwertner.
AT O'Clock the relatives and friends
of the newly made priest assem- bled in
st. Cecilia hall, where a banquet was
served. In the hall of the school build
ing were four long tables, spread with
the delicacies of the season, served under
the direction OF Bast Bros. A menu of
unusual excellence had been prepared
At the first table were the family of Mr.
A. Schwertner, together with the visit
ing clergy and relatives. At the second
table were seated the choir and orches-
ira; at the third were invited friends
and at the fouth we're others who had
in the service of the morn
ing, including the little flower girls and
After the dinner the guests were
called to order by Mr.. Joseph Fl. Dumou-
liz, who acted as toastmsster and called
upon several Of the guests for remarks.
Among those who responded were Fathers
Forrer and Buohholz of Cleveland, Weber
of Louisville, Them of Randolph, Arnould
of Canton, Kunert Of Harrisburg, Kuhp
of Nassillop, Ankley of Wooster and
Kuebler OF Canal Fulton, together with
Messrs. Joseph and Charles Biechele and
A. 5cwhertner. The remarks were all
of an appropriate and complimentary
nature, and the afternoon was for the
most part passed at the table in pleas
ant manner.
Again at O'Clock the church was filled,
many standing In the aisles, while others
couli not gain admittanoe. This was
probably owing to the fact that Rev.
Father Schwertner was to make few
remarks. After the singing by the choir
OF Fiskes "Vesper," Rev. Buchholz de-
liyered sermon In English. He spoke
of the three-fold power given the Roman
Catholic church, of, first, teschiug the
truths OF the Bible; second, ruling, and
third, administering the saoraments,
through the priests. he took these up
separately and handled them In thor
ough manner "The Catholic church, y