The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-04

Services i'm connection with the lay
ing and blessing Of the corner stone
for the new Russian orthodox Catholic
church, recently erected at the corner
of South Fillmore avenue and Division
street were held yesterday morning.
The members of st. Paurs and st.
Peters Russian society conducted the
services in the presence of about 700
persons, most of whom will comprise
the congregation of the new church.
The members of the society met at
Sharak's hall, on Twenty-second street,
and marched in a body to the church,
where the other members Of the con-
gregation had already gathered and at
$50 o'clock the services were held. Rev.
George Hushkak, of Old Forge, officiat-
ed and was assisted by Rev. Alexander
10th, of Wilkes Barre. The beauti-
ful ritualistic service used in this mo-
mentuuus ceremony was carried out in
full, and was followed by the celebrat-
ing of a mass.
In addition to the ST. Paul's and St
Peters society. representations from
the st. Mary's society, Of Wilkes Barre
and the st. George and ST. Michael 3
society, of Old Forge, We're present and
participated The edifiCc is now prac-
tically ready for the holding of the
regular church services. During the
next two weeks the finishing touches
on the interior. such as the placing Of
the seats, the arrangement of the sane
tuary and altar fittings, etc, will be
put in and the first service will be held
Sunday, April L.
REV. HUSHKAH RECTOR.
Rev. G. Hushkah. rector of the Rus
sian church at Old Forge, will be in
charge and will conduct services on
alternate Sundays at both churches,
The church ana it's congregation come
under the jurisdiction of Bishop Mich
olas Alasklnski. Of San Francisco,
The edificc at which the above SER
vices were held yesterday was COM
pleted a few weeks ago, having been
in course of erection since November
last. Architect Percy Morris drew
the plans and the building was erect
ed by Mulherin d Judge. 1t is a frame
building with basement, and the sup
crstructure is surmounted by the regu-
lation three mosque-shaped towers
Upon each of the towers is placed a
large cross.
The main auditorium will be used
for the regular church services and is
40X6O having a seating capacity OF
about 500 The basement, which is fin
ished plain. will be used for day and
Sunday school purposes. The lot upon
which the edifice stands is SOX15O, and
the total cost of the property will reach
$1,000. About two-thrds of the full
cost is already paid and the greater
part of the balance is pledged. So the
new church. which will be known as
st. Paurs and st. Peters Russian Or.
thodOx Catholic church, begins it's ex,
istence under encouraging conditions.
ORGANIZED TWO YEARS.
St PauIs and st. Peters Russian
society, which forms the nucleus Of the
congregation of the new church, anC
was instrumental in it's erection, wa!
organized about two years ago. It's
membership is about 100, composed
mostly of citizens Of this country, ant
it is very conservative. Michael Shar
ak, at whose hall the society meets, i!
a progressive fellow and to him be
| longs the main credit of organizing the
| society and later the setting on foo
| plans for the erection of a church foI
| the Russian speaking people of thi!
| city. The society went at it in a prac
| tical manner, and it is now nearly
| year since the first steps We're taken.
| The following are the present Of
! ficers of the society: John Lukutch
president; William Lotta; vice presl
dent; Michael Strach, secretary, anc
John Fyrkal, treasurer. John Hyrdu
sinski was elected superintendent o
the Sunday school and John Csuka
| lowski was made church treasurer.