Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-09
CORNER STONE LAYING
CEREMONIES AT SITE OF NEW
CATHOLIC CHURCH.

The site of tho new Church of the Holy
Comforter. corner 14th and East Capitol
streets northeast. was the scene OF an Inn
pressive ceremony yesterday afternoon at
o'clock. when the corner stone of the house
VI worship was laid. Rev. Joseph l. Ma
guire is the pastor OF this latest congrega-
ton of the Catholic faith in Washington.
In the early part OF October. 1901, Cardinal
Gibbons officially announced determine
ton to establish a new Catholic church In
the extreme eastern section. The growth OF
the city In this direction seemed to make il
desirable. Father Mcguire was assigned to
the task of founding a congregation and
church, and his labors have been rewarded
with success. The first service was held in
small building on the present site in Mo-
vember last. and Immediately the usual ac-
tiyftieS OF parish life were taken UP with
avidity.
Shortly after the organization of the par
ish had been perfected the new church pro-
Ject was launched. and the first fruit of this
labor was realized yesterday In the corner
stone laying. large audience was in st
tendance, though the ceremony was in
measure of a private character. Rev. James
F. Mackin of st. PauFs Church, one OF The
best known of the Roman Catholic divines
of the local diocese. was the officiating MN
lister, having been delegated for the duty by
Cardinal Gibbons.
The usual prayers IN connection with
corner stone laying were read by Father
Mackin, after which Rev. Father Megary,
vice rector of the Holy Cross College, who
has been assisting at this church. delivered
the sermon, which was followed by benedic-
ton of the blessed sacrament in the old
church There was congregational singing
at this service. Rev. Thomas E. Michigan
of ST. Patricks Church assisted at the cere-
mony.
Father Mcguire has announced that invi-
tations to the corner stone laying were ex-
tended to none but the congregation and
those priests whose services were essential
TO an adequate carrying out OF the cere-
mony. There was large attendance, how
ever. as stated and the collection Is re-
ported to have aggregated over $500.
The new church. which is in the Spanish
mission style, is expected to be completed
about December /, when a mission Will be
given by the Paulist fathers, extending over
two weeks.
Personal Sketch.
Father Mcguire, the pastor, was the re-
cipient of many congratulations yesterday
on the success which has attended his min
isterial efforts in Washington. both rec
tor and institutional worker.
He is a native of Baltimore, was born in
1862 and educated at Calvert Hall. After
graduating from there he entered the en-
ploy of the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad
Company, being connected with the So
Letting department Later he was the Bal
timore representative of a business firm.
made president of the United Catholic Lit
erary Association. which was composed of
representatives of eighteen parish organiza-
lions. AS president of the special works
conference of the St. Vincent de Paul So
ciety he visited institutions, and it was his
knowledge of charitable work thus OBJ
tanned that led him to enter the priesthood.
Ten years was spent in charitable work
and after attending ST Mary's Seminary he
was ordained priest in 1889.
Father Mcguire soon became popular with
members of local organizations engaged in
charitable work. and was made a member
of various committees. He was selected as
chairman of the committee on friendly Wis
tting of the Associated Charities, and was
active worker on the summer outings
committee, besides being a supporter of the
board of children's guardians.
AS vice president of the Monday Evening
Club he was associated with District Com
missioner Henry L. West. John Joy Edison,
George s. Wilson, c.. F. Weller General
Sternberg, Charles T. Nesbitt DR.. Percy
Hickling and others.
Father Mcguire has made his home in the
Pancoast apartment house. where he will
continue to reside until the rectory is com
pleted.