Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-26
CHURCH Celebrations.
ELABORATE DECORATIONS AND
EXQUISITE MUSIC
RENDERED..
VERY LARGE CONGREGATIONS
Were the Rule at All the Special
Services--sermons Appropriate to
the Day which Was Celebrated.
The Catholic and Episcopal Ser
vices Particularly Elaborate.


The Christmas services in the
churches yesterday were more than
usually elaborate, and the congrega-
lions were very large. At st. Josephs
Cathedral extensive preparations had
been made. and the services were more
brilliant and impressive than in many
years. The decorations in holly and
evergreen were very tasteful. On the
gospel side of the altar, a handsome
crib was constructed, and was brill
liantly lighted. while myriads of can
dies burned from the high altar, and
the bright vestments of the clergy and
the exquisite music of the choir, made
the scene most attractive.
At five o'clock a high mass was cele-
brated. Mozart's mass was sung by
the augmented choir under the direc-
ton of Prof. Sebastian Rafferty,, and
the instrumental portion was supple
mented by the Opera House orchestra.
The programme has been published in
the Register. The edifice was crowded
at this service, many on-Catholics at
tending. A brief sermon, appropriate
to the day was preached by Rev. Faith
er Galway.
After this there were low masses
every half hour until nine o'clock,
when the mass for school children was
celebrated, and the Rev. R. F. Harris
delivered the instruction.
At 1920 o'clock there was solemn
pontifical high mass, with Rt. Rev. P.
]. Donahue as the celebrant. The Rev.
VIM. Hall was deacon; and Rev. Rich
ard J. Farrell, of Mt. st. Marys College,
sub-deacon. The sermon was preached
by Father Hall, and was very inter-
esting and appropriate discourse, ex-
planning the significance of the feast
which the Christian world was cele-
brating.
Last night Pontifcal Vespers were
sung The celebrant was Bishop Dona-
hue; Rev. r. ]. Farrell sub-deacon;
Rev. o. H. Moye master-of-ceremonies
All the collections during the day were
for the support of the Seminarians, and
they amounted to large sum.
The services at the other Roman
Catholic churches were conducted on
a similar elaborate scale. At ST. AL
phonsus and the Church of the Immac-
ulate Conception, there were high
masses at five and ten o'clock, and
large congregations were the rule. The
musical programmes heretofore pub
lished were rendered by the choirs.
The decorations were lavish and taste
full. At st. Alphonsus, the early mass
was celebrated by Rev. Father Hya-
cinth and the late mass by Rev.
Father Martin. Rev. Joseph Mullen
conducted all the services at the
Church of the Immaculate Conception.
There were no services at ST. Luke's,
as the congregation is temporarily
without a rector. There will be mid
night service next Sunday night, for
which the choir has prepared the most
elaborate programme it has yet at
tempted. At st. Luke's yesterday
morning, there was a large congrega-
ton. The rector, Rev. Jacob Britting-
ham, preached an appropriate sermon,
and the special music was of high
order
At st. Paul's church on the South
Side yesterday morning an interesting
service was conducted by the pastor,
Rev. Herman Haas. Special music
was rendered by the choir, under the
direction OF Prof H. M. Schockey. The
Sunday school gave a fine entertain
ment at the church in the evening. The
programme consisted of musical and
literary selections, appropriate to the
occasion and was heard by a large
audience. A treat was given to the
members of the school.
The Christmas services held at the
Wesley NJ. E. church yesterday morn
ing was attended by large congrega-
ton. The service was conducted by
the pastor, Rev. G. Bleakley. The fol-
lowing special music was rendered by
the choir:
Anthem "A. Bierley
Rejoice, the Lord is King
Anthem. ........J. II. Alleman
The Herald Angels Sing.
''Ye Nations All Be joyful
Male Quartette .................J. Z. kinSey
At the WOrkhouse.
The prisoners at the city workhouse
were treated to a delightful Christmas