The Topeka state journal., 1901-05-01
THEIR OWN CHURCH
Magnificent German Catholic
Edifice Consecrated Today.
New Structure Is Entirely Free
From Debt.
BISHOP FINK OFFICES.
BIesses Entrance and Sprinkles
Doors With Holy Water.
A Class of 115 Is Confirmed by
the Bishop.
BISHOP FINK OFFICES.

The dedication of the st. Joseph Ger
man Catholic church. corner of Third
and Van Buren, streets took place this
afternoon.
At 3 o'clock the Right Reverend
Bishop L. NJ. Fink. bishop Of the
LeaVenWOrth diocese Of the Catholic
church, began the dedicatory services
by blessing the entrance to the new
church, prOnOuncing a prayer before the
doors and sprinkling them with holy
water. Then, clad in the episcopal vest
ments Of the Catholic church and car
rying in his left hand the bishops
crosier. he walked around the church,
saying prayer and sprinkling holy
water upon the walls. He was followed
by priests and altar boys. The same
ceremony was gone through with inside
the building Bishop Fink being attend
ed throughout by Rev. Father Francis
Henry, pastor Of the church; Rev. John
Walleser, Of Clara, kan; Rev VIM.
Michaels. Frankfort; Rev. Father Sina-
mers, Eudora; and Rev Father Humid
hausen. of St Louis.
After the blessing ceremonies had
been concluded the doors of the church
We're thrown open and thousand people
crowded into the auditorium room fill
ing all the pews and even occupying
most Of the aisles.
Following this confirmation services
for 115 persons were conducted by the
bishop without any intermission. Rev
Father Michaels began singing the high
mass and at the conclusion. Rev. Father
Walleser preached a sermon in German,
the services lasting until after II o'clock
and being conducted in the Latin and
German languages.
The floral decorations OF the altar
We're elaborate, being composed Of
potted plants and flowers OF the season.
The communion rail at which Bishop
Fink administered confirmation, has
marble top and was put in at a cost of
several hundred dollars
The history of St. JOseph's German
Catholic church dates back as far as
1881 On February, of that year, Rev.
Father Francis Henry came to Topeka
from Council Grove and began minis
tering to 35 German Catholic families,
then worshiping at the Church of the
Assumption In June Of the same year
three lots We're purchased on the south
east corner of Third Van Buren, streets
and upon them were erected the build
parish school, besides the residence of
the priest IN 1891. four lots were
bought on the northwest corner of the
same block and in the fall Of 1896 found
was begun. The exterior was COM
pieted a year ago.
The building is one of The most sub
stantial in Topeka Thus far about $40
600 has been expended upon it and when
it is completed inside as well as outside
it will represent value Of $50 600. It is
considered to be one Of the very finest
church buildings between St Louis and
Denver. Its dimensions are 130 by 60
and the distance from the ground to the
top of the cross surmOunting either of
the steeples is 165 feet. Inside, only the
sacristy department and the entrance
have been finished, although costly oak
peWs have been put in the main audi
torium room giving the church a seat
ing capacity of 500.
The architect was Peter Stauduvahr of
Rock Island. Ill, and in the construction
the Renaissance style of architecture
va f def