The Newtown bee., 1900-10-26
The Home Circle.
 ANEW CHURCH AT OAKVILLE. SKETCH or THE CHURCH OF ST MARY Ak0DALENE.

The fortunes of the Catholics of Oak vile have been inseparably bound up with the lot of their coreligionists of Watertown. For we'll nigh . quarter of Q century both have worshipped side by side before tho same altar and have been ministered to by the same clergy. Weak, numerically speaking, the Catholics Of Oakviile are stalwarts in faith, models of erous in the support of every parochlal
 work. Tho frost and snow of winter,
 the heat of summer, the rains of the sea-
 sons have never operated any deterring influences. Though living at . distance
 from the church, they have given 8
 splendid example of fidelity to religious obligations. In their attendance at N lass
 and in the reception of the sacramento
 they have given evidence of the faith that
 their religious training, to the admoni-
 tions of ecclesiastical superiors and the
 manifold duties they owe to God and
 their neighbor, the all-bountiful Father
 has lavisnly bestowed His blessings upon them. To gather within the shelterlng . walls of their own church, ''be M ever 50 humble," and to kneel before an altar they could call their own, was for years the object of their hearts' desire, and now, blessed by God, they witness the fruition of their hopes. The first tation by tho Oakville Company, through its secretary and treasurer, J. a. Bron- son, of the fine lot on which the church stands. Encouraged by this generous
 gift, plans for the church were drawn by Architect Joseph A. Jackson, of Waterbury, and the contract for it's erec- tion wal. awarded te Charles O'Connor of
 the same city. On Monday, April 30,
 1900, the pastor, the Rev James a.
 ODonnell, turned the firlt spadeful of
 earth on the spot over which the altar
 now Stands and on the day following
 work on tho basement was begun. The
 work of constraction was carried on viz. orously, and Sunday. July p, witnessed the impressive ceremony Of placing the corner stone. Over two thousand per
 sons were gathered about the edifice
 when the Rig Int Reverend Bishop Tier ney began the ceremony. A special train ran from Watertown carrying sev- eral hundred people, while another
 special train of SIX cars ran from Water bury with every seat taken. The bishop roy of Derby, and the Rev T. II. Crow ley of Waterbury. Rev James McGuane of Waterbury, was Master of Cere- monies. Among the clergy present were The Rev P. skelly, Litchdeld, the Rev T. M. O'Brien Thomaston; the Rev M. P. Lawlor, Waterbury; the Rev James Gleeson, the Rev J. Curtis, the Rev J. B. Lawless, the Rev Charles Coppens of Waterbury tho Rev F. c. Dunigan of Bridgeport. Many prominent non-Cath- olics, clergy and laity, occupied seats on the platform.
 At the conclusion of the ceremony, the nAk kI~~ thedral, Hartford, preached the sermon, taking his text from II Par. VIII-17.-| ''I have chosen and have sanctif1ed this | place that my name may be there for. l ever, and my eyes and my heart may re- ] main there perpetually." Following the | sermon Bishop Tierney addressed words l of congratulation and encouragement to l the assembled multitude. During the ceremony the bishop used gold trowel, on tho front of which was engraved a handsome cross, over which was this in. dalene, OAkville, Conn.,, used by Bishop Tiernsy at the corner stone, July P, 19OO." The trowel was awarded to the Leagh Desgh Club of Waterbury, as 1t was the largest contributor on the occasion. The corner stone laid, the people eagerly awaited the day when their church, sanctifled by the prayers of Holy Church, pronounced by the Bishop, would be declared open for divine and a few weeks ago, as they gathered about the altar to assist for the first time in their new church home at Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the sentiment of gratitude in its full measure filled their hearts, and each one of the loyal little band exclaimed with the Royal Psalmist ssWhat shall I render to the Lord for all the things He hath rendered to me"- Palms, CXV, 12. The ceremony of dedication was performed by the Rt Rev Michael Tierney, D. D. The Mass was