The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-26

The weather Is the only thing that
the pastor and people OF st. Johns
church, South Side, hope to remain
propitious, to make the ceremony OF
the laying OF the cornerstone OF their
new church, tomorrow afternoon, one
OF the most important religious cere-
monies that the annals Of the Scranton
diocese can boast of. Although only
two weeks were consumed in the prep
arations, the energy OF the people is so
great that results will show that this
short time has been all that was re-
quired.
In no church in this vicinity, nor in
any parish hereabouts, will one ind
more earnest workers in the cause Of
religion. This condition Is due more to
the zeal Of the pastor, Rev F.. j. Mel
ley than to a spirit Of self-abasement
on the part Of the people. When there
is any work to be done, and commit
tees are chosen, it is with q view 20
the success OF the object in hand. The
results frequently obtained are mar
Vicious, and men who would not speak,
as the result of political or social strife,
flnd themselves aiding each other in
works promulgated by the pastor,
The condition OF the parish is the
best proof Of the efficiency Of the
methods pursued by the pastor. E.-
tablished in 1886, the parish embraces
about one-third OF the Nineteenth
ward. one-third Of the Eleventh ward,
and about two-thirds of the Twentieth
ward. The first church was built in
1886, and was small frame structure,
the first pastor being Rev. r. A. Nc
Andrew, now Of Wilkes Barre; the FIRST
assistant being Rev. NJ. j. Millane,
present curate al Dunmore. Rev. F.. ].
Melley, the present rector, succeeded
rather McAndrew, and the assistants
nave been Fathers Dunn, Lucas, Walsh,
Moffatt, McCabe and Fleming, the lat
ter being now stationed there.
FATHER MCABE WILL PREACH.
Father McCabe will preach the dedi-
catory sermon tomorrow afternoon He
Is considered one Of the most fercible,
earnest and convincing speakers in this
diocese, and he considers it a mark of
the highest esteem that he has been
asked to speak on the occasion, and
many persons familiar with his ability
Will journey to the South Side tomor.
row for no other purpose than to listen
to him.
The first ediflce erected for Worship
was a onc-story frame structure on
Fig street, where the parish had pur-
chased three lots. This was super
seded the next year by the present
temple Of worship. The basement is
devoted to meeting purposes and en-
tertainments, the first floor is dedi-
Gated to church purposes, while the
second floor a
This latter feature is appreciated to
the extent that, during the years that
1t has been used for such purposes, the
number Of pupils has averaged six hun
dred per annum. The course of study
is most thorough, the pupils passing
satisfactorily the difficult examinations
that fit them for the work in the In
ternational Correspondence Schools,
There are eleven teaching Sisters.
Besides the building referred to
above, the congregation also owns
parochial residence on Pittston ave-
nue., convent on Fig street two
vacant lots opposite the church prop
erty on Fig street, besides three lots on
Plttston avenue, the site Of the new
church. All Of this has been acquired
since the erection Of the parish. and it
is free from debt. The spirit of the
people may be guaged from the fact
that at the last meeting Of the Catho-
lie Mutual Benevolent association, one
OF the parish societies, the members
voted an altar as it's contribution to
the new church.
ESCORT COMMITTEE.
Tomorrow's celebration is, or will be,
| the first public appearance Of Right
! Reverend Bishop Hoban officiating at
such a function in this city. John Glib
! bons, marshal for the occasion, has
! appointed a committee from the parish
who will ride in carriages, and act a..
an escort for the bishop. This COM
| mittee consists OF Michael McGarry,
Malachi Coyne, w. G. O'Mahey, M. j.
| Donahoe, p. w. Gallagher, Dr. j. j.
Walsh, DR.. j. A. Manley and NJ. J..
| connerton. The aides TO the marshal.
| appointed by Mr.. Gibbons, are: c, G..
! Boland c. II. Boland, Peter Robling,
jr', f. ]. Dickert, Patrick AZ. Tighe,
Martin j. McHugh, John Ward and
/ Michael G. Langan.
The parade will form at 2 o'clock.
and the order to march will be given
at 2.3O o'clock. This latter will. of
course, depend on the hour at whi-h
Bishop Hoban arrives at the orchard, ,"
but the committee will try to time hi,
appearance, so that the programme as
. arranged will be carried out.
The formation OF the parade will
probably be in the following order.
Grand marshal and aides, the st. Paurs
Pioneer corps, carriages containing
n