The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1907-08-10
PRo-cATHEpRAL STARTED.
Work on New Church Commenced
With Attractive Ceremony.

Five thousand people, representing
every Catholic parish in Minneapolis
and many in st. Paul and the sur
rounding country. assembled Wednes-
day evening on the site Of the new
pro-cathedral at Hennepin avenue and
Sixteenth street. where the ceremony
of turning the first earth for the BEAU
tiful new structure was performed by
Archbishop Ireland and the members
of the executive committee.
The ceremony was the elimination
Of years of hoping and planning, as it
was the most significant event that
has taken place in the history of the
Catholic church in Minneapolis for
many years. The contract for the ex-
cavation and building of the crypt Of
the new pro-Cathedral was awarded
last Friday afternoon. and the work Of
the contractors will begin this morn
ing. .
The ceremony Wednesday night was
made the occasion of an outdoor
kirmess and lawn fete, given by the
women Of the Immaculate Conception
parish, and the tree shaded lawn of
| the beautiful site was gay with dec
Grated booths and enclosures, garlands
of nags and streamers Of bunting sur
rounding a stand upon which the Bat
terry B band discoursed music
throughout the evening.
The important observances Of the
evening began at half past eight, when
Archbishop Ireland advanced to the
edge Of the platform. raised his hand
to command silence. and delivered the
principal address of the evening. The
archbishop said in part:
MY friends, we have assembled here
to celebrate an historical moment in
the history of the Catholic church in
Minneapolis, the moment when the
first actual work is to be done of the
great ornamental structure of our pro-
cathedral. Soon the beautiful dome of
its basilica will rise over the city of
Minneapolis. from spot that half a,
century ago was wilderness. Who, fifty
years ago, would have dared to say
| that in the year 1907 thousands would
gather on this then remote spot to
celebrate the beginning Of work upon
one Of the most spacious and beautiful
church ediflces in the new world:
Fifty years ago all around this spot
| was wilderness, and Minneapolis was
| but small village. Since then Min
neapolis has grown to magnificent
proportions, and we who are 50 vitality
and intimately interested in the erec-
| ton Of this pro-cathedral thank Min
neapolis for having created the posi-
bility Of building it. 1t is the energy
and ambition Of Minneapolis that have
made 1t possible.
I'm the last few years Minneapolis
has grown to be a marvel among the
cities of America. Your new directory
says that it has gone beyond the 3o0,-
900 mark will say that it has gone
beyond the 100000 mark. for tonight
we annex st. Paul to it. Minneapolis is
a city Of industrial. commercial and
civic wonders; a city Of citizens of
pushing energy and noble ideals. These
citizens have made the pro- cathedral
possible. and the pro-cathedral should
be. and will be. worthy Of the munich
pality in which it is placed. 1t will be
one more evidence Of the power OF
Minneapolis-a token that Minneapolis
is a great city.
Though it will be great, a notable
and a beautiful building, its purpose
will be far greater than all it's domes
and towers will signify. 1t will be
erected to the glory Of Almighty God.
1t will be a visible and tangible token
that in Minneapolis the Lord God is
honored and loved. Factories. indus
tries. business houses and municipal
forces and beauties are not alone suf-