Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-24
OF CORNER STONE
CEREMONY AT NEW SITE OF ST.
yINCENT,S ASYLUM.
Cardinal Gibbons to Oficinte - Adj
dress by Rev. ID. J. Stafford of
st. Patrick's Church.

The laying of the corner stone of st. Vim
cents Orphan Asylum for Girls, which will
take place this evening at 3 o'clock, will
add another Catholic Institution to the
many colleges of this denomination which
have clustered around the suburb of Brook
land. The ceremony will be performed by
Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore. and the ora
ton of the occasion will be delivered by
Rev. D. ]. Stafford of St. Patrick's Church.
Many of the clergy of the city, as we'll as
many of the professors and students from
the Catholic University and the neighboring
colleges, will be in attendance, and the Sis
tiers of Charity, who have charge of this
asylum, will also witness this significant
ceremony.
The site of ST Vincent's Asylum is the
well-known Chase-Sprague estate Of Edge
wood. formerly the home of Chief Justice
Chase, Just north of lexington on 4th
street. The plan of the building is in the
form OF the letter E, the frontage being 235
feet and each of the three wings having a
depth of 40 feet. The edifice, which is stu
ated on the highest point of elevation. faces
the south and is surrounded by nineteen
acres OF undulating woods and fields, COM
manding beautiful panorama of the neigh
boring country and the capital city in the
distance The corner stone, which will be
placed in the southeast corner, will be of
white Indiana sandstone, two feet by three
feet by twenty-five inches; while the build
Ing itself will be of red brick.
Will Meet All Needs.
1t is proposed to have the new edifice
capable OF accommodating all of the needs
of an orphan asylum. In the basement will
be located the refectory, a spacious play
room. culinary departments and store
rooms. The first floor will contain the
offices of the institute. parlors. a museum
and large study hall which will also be
In the center wing, the sewing rooms in the
east wing, the intirmary in the west wing
ana several class rooms compose the great
er part of the second floor The third floor
will be devoted exclusively to dormitory
apartments. A ward for contagious dis
eases has been isolated from the rest of the
building in the center wing on the third
floor and all necessary sanitary precautions
have been taken to make the edifice thor
Oughly complete and healthful.
A large force of workmen is busy with
hammer. trowel and pick. Mr.. John S.
Larcombe, the contractor, Is personally su-
perintending the erection. and promises that
the building shall be under roof by Septem-
Der. Mr.. Henry Simpson. the architect, has
shown much thought in the plans, neglect
ing nothing that would add to the accom-
mediation of an institute of this character.
The building is plain in design but speaks
forcbly of its usefulness and object.
Within year ST. Vincent's Orphan Asy-
lum. now located on the corner of 10th and
NNe'
in Its new home. At present there are
nearly one hundred inmates in the asylum
who are greatly crowded for space. When
the new building is occupied there will be
no academy connected with the institute, rs
there is at present 1t will be strictly an
orphan asylum and the st. Vincent's Acad-
envy will remain in its present home until
further arrangements shall be made for its
elsewhere. The new asylum will
continue under the direction of Sister Bap-
tista. who has proved herself to be a wo-
man in whom the guidance and care of
homeless children may safely be intrusted
Established in 1925.
ST. Vincent's Orphan Asylum stands
among the first Catholic institutions in the
capital city. having been established in
1875, under the direction of Rev. William
Matthews. Its first superior was Mother
Rose White. This asylum forms the con-
meeting link between ST. AIMS Infant Asy-
lum and St. Roses Industrial School. At
the first the child is kept until it is seven
years of age. at the second until the age
OF fourteen has been reached; and at the
last until trade has been acquired by
which girl may earn a livelihood At
ST. Vincents Asylum the girl is not only
educated morally, mentally and physically
but she is also taught sewing and the
rules of housekeeping.
With the large number of rooms and the
many accommodations which the new edi-
flee will contain. ST. Nincent's Orphan Asy-
lum will be better able to carry on its
work of caring for the homeless The insti-
tuition is under the direction of Rev John
Gloyd, pastor of ST Patrck's Church who
has always manifested much interest in
the welfare and work of this asylum. The
inmates will have greater freedom over a
larger territory, purer air and more health
fui surroundings in their new home than
We're possible in the house on 10Th street
When the present asylum is vacated, Wood
ward & Lothrop. who purchased the ground
and building a year ago. will use this cor
ner to enlarge their dry goods establish
ment