Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-11
AMERICAN CIGAR COMPANY, Man,
AT COLONIAL BEACH
CORNER STONE OF CATHOLIC
CHURCH LAID YESTERDAY.
Large Party From This City Partici-
pated in Exeroises-Knights
of Columbus Choir. +

Special Dispatch to The Star
COLONIAL BEACH, Va, June 10-A
large party of Washingtontans came to this
resort today to participate in the corner
stone laying of the new Roman Catholic
Church, which has been officially named st.
Elizabeth's- The local contingent was out
in force. and the day will doubtless be Iong
remembered by those who took part. Rev.
F. A Ryan, 8, j., who Is attached to the
southern jurisdiction OF the Jesuit order
and at present resting in Washington after
the completion of advanced studies at
Woodstock College, In Maryland, officiated
at the. cornerstone laying and also preached
the sermon A male choir composed OF
members of the knights Of Columbus, as
sisted by several ladies. gave a musical
program.
I'VE have gathered here this afternoon
Father Ryan said, Ito lay the cornerstone
of another temple 10 God, and from the
shores of the Potomac we shall life up the
lamp Of faith, and above this town and by
this river we shall set the cross of9Christ--
so tht today when the concupiscence of the
flesh and the pride of life are the gods
which the nations adore, we may bring
Jesus Christ into our individual lives, into
our home life, into our social life. into
recreations and lawful amusements-Jesus
Christ and all that He stands for--His
teachings, His commandments. His church,
His sacraments and His grace
After dwelling on the lessons to be drawn
from the occasion, Father Ryan said that
the non-Catholies of the town ought to
tend as hearty a welcome to the church as
their Catholic fellow-citizens
Stone Set in Place.
: At the conclusion of the sermon the
stone was set In place, the act being car
ried out with solemn reading of the ritual
of the Catholic Church for such ceremonies
The occasion was rendered doubly impress
sive by the singing OF hymns, the more
popular of which were participated in by
the onlookers. Before the stone was In
cased In cement and brick work there was
placed In a small copper receptacle the
usual clerical notation of the ceremony,
giving the names of the President of the
United States. the governor of Virginia, the
mayor of Colonial Beach, the bishop of
the Richmond diocese, the pastor of the
church and the officiating clergyman
There was also a complete series OF United
States coins. copy Of The Evening Star,
The Richmond Post-Dispatch and the local
paper At the conclusion OF the ceremony
Father Ryan announced the name OF the
new church-St. Elizabeth s-accompa1ying
the same with a lucid explanation OF the
intent of the Catholic Church in naming it's
structures after saints.
About three years ago the resident and
summer colony OF Catholics here began
discussing the practicability of an edifce of
their own. The corporation of Colonial
Beach had erected a union chapel. but the
waiting of turns among the various de-
nominations to hold services Sundays was
not found altogether satisfactory. A num-
Der of meetings were held, and finally
committee was appointed to actively push
the project. j, Blake Clarke was made the
chairman, with DR.. r. H. Reh as treas
urer. Others of the committee were Joseph
Dlerken. ]. NJ Rupert, William o. Meaiey
w. J. Cullen, Henry Hull and DR.. A. ID.
Wilkinson. with Rev. d. J. Coleman of
Fredericksburg. the pastor of the new
| church.
Marked Progress Reported.
| Early In this year marked progress was
reported. Mr.. Joseph Dierken Of the gov
eminent printing office at Washington an
nounced that he was prepared to donate the
lot, parcel OF land 6oxl50 feet, to the, west
| OF his cottage He had interested two New
| York friends In the proposed foundation,
| each OF whom contributed $500 willis an
| other friend In Dubuque Iowa, donated a
1 handsome altar, which Is now OF, the
| ground ready to be installed whesa the
| church is completed. A Baltimore clergy
| man sent a gold chaiice, while other mem
bers Of the committee secured various dona-
tons suitable for use about the sanctuary
| Mrs Dlerken also took an active part and
| has had donated complete bed room set
/ To be used by the attending Clergyman and
| other fittings Tor the sacristy and pttssf's
study. An organ has been Contributed.
/ while Mr.. Frank Waicott OF this city made
| a donation OF a large bell, which wan used
/ for the first time today. In fact. the church