The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1903-01-10
THE CHURCH OF THE ANNUN-
CITATION

THE CHURCH OF THE ANNUN-
CITATION.
To the constant efforts of our former
pastors. and especially to the untiring
energies and perseverance of Father
Gibbons, our present pastor, is due the
praise of having raised the Annuncia-
tiCn church to the position it now
holds.
Regardless of the many obstacles
and prejudices which confronted her,
at the time of her infancy in this To-
cality, she has Withstood them to the
present time and will Withstand them
for time yet to come.
In 1878, in a rude cabin, then sit
uated in California gulch, mass was
offered up for the first time in this re
gion. Later Father Robinson moved
to Leadville and erected frame
church on West Third street, it being
the first church of any denomination
built in Lake county.
Only five Catholic families were then
residing here, and twenty-five persons
attended Father Robinson's first mass
in the little church.
The construction of the Annunciation
church was commenced in 1879 and not
completed until 1881. The conveniences
were few, the people being obliged to
STAND during the services.
During the intervening years it was
often found necessary to replenish the
building money, so the pastor took his
stand at the door, collecting the con-
tributions from the people as they en-
tered the church.
Some time after the completion the
first mission. was sgiven. by Father
Brady of New York, who was DESTROYS
of silver brick for his own church
in New York, then under construction.
Fathers Damon and Vandereardon,
both of Chicago, gave the next mis-
sion, and during their stay the large
crucifix, which has always occupied a
prominent position in our beautiful
church, was purchased.
While Father Robinson was yet pas
tor someone broke into the church,
entering the window facing Popular
street, and with e a knife destroyed
seven of the stations, Then taking the
statue of the Sacred Heart down from
its place, severed the right hand, LAGER
ating it in a frightful manner. He
broke open the tabernacle, took the
Blessed Sacrament and scattered the
hosts all over the floor, twisted the
candlesticks into all. conceivable
shapes
In 1885 the great church bell, weigh
ing 1926 pounds, was purchased. 1t
was christened ST Mary and given
position 1926 feet above the sea level.
Leaving the church entirely free from
debt, Father Robinson departed from
LeadviIle in 1890 He was succeeded by
his assistant, Father Brown, who had
charge of the. community for num-
Der of years. Father Brown departed
this life four years ago, greatly
mourned by all. He was succeeded by
Rev. J. J. Gibbons, who twelve years
previous had been here as an assistant,
never thinking at the time that one
day he would be our beloved pastor.
When he resumed the onerous duties
of the parish he found the church en-
numbered with debt. Here was a diff
ficult task. but before it he did not
shirk. He began his work with d will
and together with his assistant he can
vassed the entire city, and after a short
time, by his ndefatigable energies, the
congregation had the pleasure as we'll
as the satisfaction of beholding the
burning of the mortgage at an enter
tainment given in the city hall, when
the pastor delivered a speech BETTING
the occasion.
The church badly needed. repairing,
and Father Gibbons at once began his
plans to beautify it. An artist from
! the east was engaged to fresco the in
terror, and in a short time the church
assumed a new appearance.
The old Stations of the Cross were
to be replaced by new ones, and as the
reverend pastor was about TO take
trip to Chicago for the purpose of Sc
Letting a marble altar, he chose the
stations at the same time
When they arrived all were well
pleased with them. The figures were
carved in stone and stood out in bold
relief, looking life-like.
The altar railing, which is of mass
i've oak, is surmounted with a marble
table The pulpit, which stands near
the center of the sanctuary with it's
rich carving, enhances the whole view
of the altar and background. The fa-
therly counsels of our beloved pastor
given each Sunday in loving tones and
with the zeal of a true shepherd never
fail to impress his faithful flock
At each side of the altar is an angel
in the attitude of alteration. The beau
tiful marble altar is between and a
little to the rear of the side affairs.
The design is artistic, the upper
part being of Gothic, while the lower
is Roman. 1t is beautifully finished
with Mexican onyx and has tire mar
BILE steps leading up the front and sides.
She price of this masterpiece was
IS. 700. of which E.-S. prosser donated
81 500. Directly in front of the altar
| hangs the beautiful sanctuary lamp
which was purchased about two months
agoago by Miss Mary Clark, who be-
queathed to Rather Gibbon $3.50 for the
purpose of buying this beautiful lamp
It has the figures of the twelve apostles
cut in silver. -Four rows of pews ex-
tend from the altar railing to the rear
end of the church separated by three
aisles. two large rooms in the middle
and smaller ones nearer the walls for
those who are. particularly devoted to
the sacred heart or his blessed mother
The church is well lighted by electric
lights. and is heated with stealna aud is