The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-05-08
Records Found Connected With
Old ST. Patrick's Church.
REV. FIR. PyNE OPENED BOX
A Collection Of Articles Of Rare and Varied
Interest Found, Especially to Members
Of the Catholic Faith.

Hev william Pyne. pastor OF ST Pat
r,ek.s church. opened a box taken the
other day from the cornerstone of the old
structure that was recently torn down 10
make room for tho magnificent new edi-
fee now in process of contraction near
the corner OF Smith and State streets ana
found a collection OF articles of rare ana
varied interest. especially to members Of
the Catholic faith.
In the copper casket was an inscription
relating the circumstances connected WIN
The event. signed by the pastor OF the
church and by a committee Of l3 members
The meeting is as follows:
I'm the year Of our Lord ls4l and inc
e5th OF the independence OF the United
States of North America. Gregory XVI
being chief pontiff John Tyler. president
OF the United states Samuel w. King
governor OF the state OF Rhode Island, ana
Thomas Burgess Jr,. mayor of the city
OF Providence: the Rt. Rev. Benedict Fen
wick. Bishop OF Boston, attended by the
Rev William Fennelly. pastor: Rev. A.
Williamson OF Boston. Rev. William WI
lev OF Taunton. Rev. James McDermott
OF Lowell and several of the other clergy
of the diocese blessed with solemn rites
and set I'm tho foundation this cornerstone
OF a new Catholic church, 10 he dedicated
10 the Most High God under tho auspices
OF the Blessed Virgin and the invocation
OF st Patrick. on the 18th day of July
(Signed)
Rev william Fennelly. pastor. Com
mittee. John Mccarthy. James Nc
Carthy. treasurer; Patrick o'Connell
secretary: John w. Chanary. Pat
rick Hammond. Henry a Will
lisms. Hugh Duffy. David NJ Hamilton
Edward McCanna. Francis Hughes
James Hugh, owen Hughs, Michael Dill.
lon"
The laying OF this cornerstone was I'm
the 6Sth year OF American independence
Just half way between the date OF the
declaration and the present time.
There was only 100000 population In
the United States The slavery duestiin
was just beginning 90 agitate the minis
Of the leading statesmen and made the
subject OF the speeches delivered by such
orators as Webster and clay. Daniel
o'Connen was stirring up the British Par.
lament IN the interest OF the Irish re-
forms
copy of the New York Firemen'
Journal OF July 10. iSii was also found in
the box. This copy OF the Journal refers
10 the needs OF the country at that time
great and growing naval power.
I'm the face OF such enormous power,
II Is madness for the government 20 hesi-
tate In vastly increasing our steam naval
force The navy of the United States
is scarcely adequate 10 theaprotection OF
our commerce in time OF peace"
The Republican Herald Of July 10. isi1.
found with The others. prints the follow
ing notice Of the laying OF the corner
etone:
"A New Catholic church is TO be erected
on Smiths Hill. at the northerly part of
the city The edhce Is 10 be constructed
OF stone, and its elevated. as we'll as
eligible location. will greatly add 20 the
beuty Of our city. The Catholics have
become so numerous in this city and vi
cinity that their present place Of wor-
ship will not accommodate half their
number. The cornerstone of the new
church is TO be laid on Tuesday next"
An advertisement in the same paper
reads: Tuesday next, July II. at 10
o'clock is the time appointed for laying
the cornerstone OF n new Catholic church.
10 be erected i'm Providence The Rt Rev
Bishop Fenwick will attend on the oc-
easion with a number of clergymen from
the different parishes throughout the dio-
cese. All who may feel an interest i'm the
ceremony are invited 10 attend"
Another paper. the Catholic Advocate,
OF Bardstown and Louisville. Ky. dated
Jan. .. 1871. probably one OF the latest
issues that had reached New England
AT the time OF the cornerstone ceremony.
IN those DAYS Of slow communication.
contains a detailed account OF the ar
rival at Cherbourg. France. OF the Belle
Poule. frigate. commanded by Prince de
Joinvlle, bringing the remains OF the
EmpprOr NapOlCOn from IJaipua
After describing the military pomp and
the display with which the arrival of the
vessel was greeted, the account concludes
as follows
When the procession appeared on the
quay the English troops formed In "A dou-
bic line, through which the car passed
slowly TO the shore Where the English
lines terminated all the officers OF the
French division we're collected. waiting
IN deep mourning and heads uncovered.
the approach OF the coffin. s7he governor
advancing. the captain of the Belle de-
livered up IN the name of his government.
the remains OF the Emperor Napoleon
As soon as the coffin was lowered into
The boat OF The frigate. the general emo.
ton was again renewed-the dying wish
OF the Emperor Napoleon began 20 be &C.
compiished-h remains reposed under the
national flag. All sign of mourning was
from that moment abandoned. the same
honors the emperor would have received
had he been living were paid 10 his
mortal remainH on the 18th az 10 o'clock
n the morning. ali the officers and crews
OF the French ships OF war and fner.
chsntment having assembled on board the
frigate solemn funeral service was
celebrated.