The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-15
THEWORKINGGIRLS' HOME
New Building Dedicated by Car
dinal Gibbons.
Rddrcsses by the Rev. u. j. stafford
and Others-Ihe Work Being Done
by the Sisters of Mercy-Aid Given
to Women In Search of Employ
ment "A Model Establishment.

st. GATHERINGS home for working girls.
which has just been completed for the
Sisters of Mercy at the corner Of North
Carolina Avenue and First Street south
east, was formally dedicated at o'clock
yesterday afternoon. The ceremony was
conducted by Cardinal Gibbons, Archbish-
Op Of Baltimore, assisted by the Rev. d.
J. Stafford. D. D.. of St. Patrick's Church;
the Rev. J. p. Moran, of ST. Dominick's,
and the Rev. Paul Griffith. A committee
consisting of Ed voight, Charles c. Lacy,
and ]. r. Brown had charge Of the exer-
cises.
An audience of nearly 1000 people gath
cred to hear the programme. which in
cluded an address by the Cardinal and
another by DR.. Stafford. No hall in the
large building could hold such con-
course. and the speeches were delivered
from the broad stone entrance to the
building portion of the Marine Band
Was present and rendered sacred selec-
lions during the intermissions. Prior to
the addresses. the Cardinal, accompanied
by the subordinate priests. formally dedi-
Gated the building by sprinkling holy wa
ter throughout its corridors and rooms.
The public services were opened with
the address by DR.. Stafford. He spoke
eloQuently of the love of charity and the
love for Christ that has done SO much in
making the world better. He spoke OF
the hospitals, the asylums. and the re-
treats that know neither religion nor race
in their bountiful benevolence. He re-
ferred IN terms of particular praise to the
religious orders whose members have
committed themselves to life of virtual
captivity.
Noble works of charity. said DR.. Stat
ford. were one of the glories and the
prides of Christianity. But there was
broad middle class of people, neither poor
nor rich, who stand in need. not Of aims.
but of shelter and protection. 1t was to
reach this class that st. Ca .heriae's
Home had been founded. 1t was raised
up to afford shelter for the young
women who, more credit to them. were
intent on making their own livelihood.
Such girls neither asked nor desired char
ity, in the narrow sense of the word; but
the Sisterhood of Mercy had come to
their aid by establishing home. where.
under the atmosphere of religion, III.
working girls of the city could live far
from the snares of city life. Dr. Stafford
dwelt earnestly on the pitfalls in the way
of any young girl alone in the Capital
without friends, and he declared that thu
Home would be of inestimable service in
shielding them. But st. GATHERINGS was
not merely for self-supporting young
women who had work and wages. 1t was
also for girls from the country coming
here in search of employment. Sucll
girls would find at the home haven of
refuge and would receive kindly assist
ance from the Sisters until they could Sc
cure work and establish themselves.
Here the virtue and purity of woman
hood-all that makes her loveliest and
fairest-shall be fostered and cherished"
he declared in conclusion.
Cardinal Gibbons. who was attired In
the red robes of his high office, made a
brief address. The religion of Christ"
he said lis religion of humanity and
love Christ himself when on earth spent
his life in doing good-in giving speech to
the mute, sight to the blind, and life II
the dead. Whatever of charity now exists
has been inspired by Christ. In pagan
times there was not single hospital nor
asylum anywhere throughout tho worl1.
Now homes for babes. for orphans, and
for the aged are so common in every
quarter as to cause no surprise. 1t is the
mission of the Catholic Church TO anne
liorate the condition of society as a
whole. Those who come TO the aSylums
of the Sisters of the Poor are not asked
their religion, color. or creed. The only
enquiry is. Are you a member CT suffer-
ing humanity and il so admission Is fres
to all. In that same spirit the Sisters OF
Mercy had planned this home. where
young women from all parts CT the coun
try coming to Washington to seek en-
ployment might find shelter and frients."
After the addresses the building was
thrown over to the general public and was
inspected by hundreds OF friends. 1t was
found admirably adapted to the purpose
for which it was planned. The home is the
development OF the work commenced In
Washington seven years ago by the Sisters
of Mercy from the mother house at Mount
st. Agnes College. Mount Washington.
Baltimore County. Nd. The sisterhood
which had previously labored here in the
management of the Douglass Hospital.
near the court house, during the civil war.
returned to the Capital in 1893 to open
home for working girls in need OF protect
ing influences. The first home was at 222
North Capitol Street but the growth of
the institution soon made larger quarters
necessary. The home two years ago was
removed to 80 East Capitol Street where
ployed in the city found a pleasant place
of residence. Still, however, the growth
continued. and in April last ground was
broken for the present Imposing structure
in the triangle at the intersection of North
Carolina Avenue. Z and First Streets
southeast. II almost oyerlooks Garfield
Park, and through its proximity TO several
car lines 1t is accessible from all parts OF
the city.
The building was designed by l.. Norris
and built by W. p. Lipscomb. 1t is of a
undermined Gothic type. of red pressed
brick. with stone trimmings. 1t is three
stories in height with high basement.
and is completely fitted with every mod
ern convenience. The cost was about
$50 900. and it was secured by the Sister
hood by borrowing money. bazar will
be held at Carroll Institute at 9l2 Tenth
Street northwest during all of next week,
TO raise funds for meeting the interest.
The building contains sixty-five rooms.
including the chapel. the culinary Depart
ments. and the apartments for the Sisters.
II will accommodate forty six girls. AL
ready forty have taken advantage OF the
opportunities that it affords The scale
of charges is maintained on basis
planned to make the home self-supporting.
In the case of needy girls just arriving
in the city IT is purposed to provide them
Il home without charge until they can Sc
cure work and become independent. Six
Sisters of Mercy, under Sister Mary Jose
phine, are in charge of il.
The mother house of the order at Mount
st. Agnes is maintaining similar homo
in Baltimore