The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1897-07-31
CORNER STONE ST. PETERS CHURCH
Blessed and Laid in Position by Arch
bishop Gross.

Blessed and Laid in Position by Arch
bishop Gross.
AT 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon the
ceremonies of laying the corner stone
of the new ST. Peters Catholic church
in this city were begun by His Grace
Most Rev. VIM. H. Gross, Arch bishop
of Oregon, assisted by Revs. A. Brons-
geest, of The Dalles; B. Feurst, of Mt.
Angel, ,and Joseph Schell, of Tillamook.
The walls of the beautiful new edi-
fee were handsomely decorated with
American flags ana national colors,
while Immediately above the platform
erected for the accommodation of the
archbishop and assisting priests large
flag was stretched.
Shortly before o'clock The Dalles
concert band announced the approach
of the hour when the ceremony should
begin by playing number of airs in
front of the new structure aud, when
Archbishop Gross appeared he was
greeted by an assemblage Of some
1000 people.
After the corner stone, huge piece
of granite on which was inscribed $40
the Glory of God and in Honor Of Sc.
Peter, This Church is Erected \. d.
1884," had been blessed by the Arch
bishop, it was placed in position by
dexterous hands. The stone contained
the following articles and documents:
Name ofreigning pope.
Name of archbishop of province of
Oregon.
Name of Rector, ST. Peters church.
Name of superior, st. Mary's Acad-
emy.
Name of president United States.
Name of governor of Oregon.
Names of county and city officers.
Names of building committee.
Name of architect.
Name of contractor.
List of contributors and amount re-
ceived from each.
Names of church choir.
Names of juvenile choir.
Names of Dalles Concert band, who
supplied music for the ceremonies.
List of members of Dramatic Club
of 1890.
Official documents authorizing the
building of the church, by Arch
bishop Gross together with his
torical report of The Dalles Mission
since 1s46 prepared by Rev. A. Brons-
geest and financial report by H. Herb
ring, secretary of building committee.
Picture of Sacred Heart and por-
traits OF Pope Leo XIII, Archbishop
VIM. h. Gross, chblshop Seghers
and Rev. A. Brousgeest.
Newspapers and periodicals, Catholic
Sentinel, of Portland: St. Joseph's
Blatt, of Mt. Angel: The Monitor and
Volkfrund, of San Francisco; The Re-
view by Arthur Prenss; The Church
Organ, of st. Louis; Morning Oregon
ian, "Reminiscences by Rev. L. Verhaag,
the Dalles MEs-MoUNTAINEER and
Dalles Chronicle.
After the corner stone had been
firmly placed, Archbishop Gross took
a position underneath the spreading
American flag on the platform erected
at the north side of the entrance on
Liberty street, and delivered one of
the ablest and most impressive ad-
dresses ever heard in the city. De-
spite the evidences of approaching
years, the silvered locks and furrowcd
brow, this gifted man seemed to have
the power of calling back the vigor of
his youth, and spoke in clear, full tones
and with vigor .hat appeared to be
inspired. His discourse was plea for
Christianity and the dissemination of
Christian knowledge throughout the
world, coupled with review of what
the church has done for humanity, the
hope it extends TO the individual and
the promises vouchsafed by it for the
we'll spent life.
The ceremonies throughout were
impressive, and were convincing of !
,he stability of the Catholic church |
which has stood the test of ages in
every section of the globe and still
ervives as one of the potent Christian
zing influences of time.