The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1902-01-04
GROWTH OF CHURCH
in BUTTE CITY, MONT.

Twenty years ago st. Patrick S
Catholic church was organized in this
city. the first regular pastor being
Father Dolls, who died three years ago
at Great Falls The first services
were held in a small frame building on
the site of the present church, it being
a mission work when Butte was very
insignificant camp, the mission being
served occasionally from Deer Lodge
by the venerable Father he Ryckere,
who is still in active service at Deer
Lodge. Five years ago the brick church
was greatly enlarged at cost of $780,
600. There is now a debt of about
$4,000 The seating capacity of the
building is $50, and the membership OF
the parish about 5000. The Sunday
school of the church has an average
attendance of 400.
The official board of st. Patrick's
parish corporation is composed as fol-
lows: Right Rev. Bishop Brondel, j.
]. O'Meara. ]. Ferns, o. Chevrier and
Rev. P. De Siere.
The assistants of the pastor of the
church. Rev. Peter De Siere, are Rev.
James English. Rev. Cornelius Har-
rjngton and Rev. Charles McGlynn.
During the past year the church has
been improved and beautified with adj
ditions at a cost of about $4,000, as fol-
lows, New bell. the gift of s. Marches
seau and William Scallon; a fine new
organ. the gift of Miles Finlen and
Mrs. Finlen; a baptismal font, that
was presented by D. J. Hennessy, and
new confessionals that were presented
to the parish by Henry Mueller, O..
Grady. Daniel Tewey and T. H. Kinds
The growth of the church is shown
in a striking manner by the records
of the number Of baptisms and mar
riages. In 1900 there were 200 baptisms
and 200 marriages in the parish, as
compared with 500 baptisms and $50
marriages in 1897. Twenty three years
ago when the work was only a small
mission. there was an average of only
about four baptisms year.
St. Patricks Parochial school is con-
Quoted in the imposing brick structure
at the southwest. corner of Washing
ton and Park streets. There are nine
teen teachers and over 1000 pupils in
attendance. The school is under the
direction of Rev. Peter De Siere, and
Sister Emilia is superioress. st. Jo
seph's Parochial school at Walkerville
IS under the direction of Rev. Francis
Batens. the pastor of St. Lawrence
Catholic church, Sister Mary Ignatia
being the superioress. There are four
teachers in this school and an atten-
dance of 375 pupils.
Sacred Heart, Catholic.
Sacred Heart church was organized
on Feb. 20 last. and in the short period
of its existence the parish has been
built up wonderfully through the able
and untiring efforts of the pastor, Rev.
J. j. Callahan. The fine stone church
al 460-464 East Park street is being
erected at a cost of SIS, 1000. The lot is
valued at $4,000. Recently the base
ment portion Of the structure was COM
pleted so that services might be held,
and imposing dedicatory exercises We're
conducted by Bishop Brondel The
church will have a seating capacity of
900 and a membership of 1000 The
average attendance at the Sunday
school is 600. During the coming year
it is proposed to complete the super
structure of the church. 1t is also in
contemplation to organize a young
mems club and secure fittings and fur
niture for the same.
st. Lawrence, Catholic.
St. Lawrence Catholic church was
erected at a cost of 81, O00 and there is
no Indebtedness upon the structure.
The seating capacity of the building is
SEQ. The church has a membership of
1000. A new parochial school was
erected during the coming year to build
a residence for the sisters who are
teaching in the Parochial school. The
grounds for the church and school were
donated by the Butte & Boston Min
ing company The parochial residence
was erected in 1899. Rev. Francis Y.
Batens is the pastor of the church; as
sistant. Rev. Patrick Ryan.
Largely Chapel.
Largey chapel was erected in 1899
in connection with st. James hospital
for the use of the sisters and patients.
The elegant interior decorations and
fittings were provided by Mrs. Largely.
The chapel work is under the direction
of Father Peter De Siere, and is sup
piled from st. Patricks parish.-Miner.