The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-03
NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH TO BE
FORMALLY oPk..ED TODAY.
BISHOP LEHMAN HERE
Head 81 the Diocese Will Conduct Sol
emn Ceremonies Of Dedication
Cost Of the New >Edifice and De
scription Of the Interior.

BklG& OQCllA6 SC1Sh1OAIA VI SA0 0SNA
cation services which celebrate the
transfer of the Catholic church OF
Billings from its old abiding place to
one which is more adequate to the
increasing numbers and power of the
organization. .
Bishop Lehman of Great Falls, head
OF the diocese, Will conduct the dedl-
catory services, a sisted by rather
Grant Of st. Xavier mission, Father
o Carroll of Miles City and Father
STACK of Billings.
These ceremonies of d~edlcation will
begin with a procession which at 10
O'Clock will march out Of the front
doors Of the new church, down the
steps and clear around the building
from south to norLA. The procession
win be led by a cross bearer, fol-
lowed J two altar boys bearing can
dies. Next WAL come the assisting
press and then Bishop Lehman. Dur
ing the solemn marcu the bishop and
Iia5 coadlutors w44l cham prayers.
When the circle of the building is
completed the procession will re-enter
the church and march around the In
side OF the edi1ce in the opposite di-
NI0CIlOuf -1lClu ~ udL L9hCA W1lOA CAC
outer march was made.
People Called In.
Finally the bisnop will mount his
throne, the assisting priests will be
ga.Aered about him within the sanctu-
airy and to the rining OF the bell in the
spire the people Of .-e congregation
W44l%be admitted.
m augmented choir will render
beautiful special music for the occa-
sion, AM the bishop will preach a
short %dedicatory sermon Otherwise
the services Will consist of the usual
high mass and chants. The evening
service at 1880 will also be presided
over by Bishop Lenihan.
1t was intended at, first to dedicate
the new church on st. Patrick's day,
the day of the patron saint of the
cLurcn, but the 1act that bishop Leni-
han was free to preside, this Sunday
and would not be free on March II
dale. s
50 far as the competition of the edi-
flee is concerned the earlier day is
just as suitable. Practically every
thing has been finished and all the
furniture installer in the church. The
sou, 20 edifice itse-- has long been
ready for occupancy, but the furnish
ings and decorations only re
Gently given the last touches.
Inclusive of the outlay for decora-
tons the total cost of .Ae new home
Of the Catholic church will reach
SIZE, 00U. Images and mouelings cost
Sx,100, furniture $4,000, windows
s5,500, interior painting $1,000, plaster
decorations $1,000, and heating plant
$3.50.
Many Contributed.
To raise the sums needed for the
edifce 500 o. people contributed
directly, and through fairs and ba-
zaars %proDably 5000 Indirectly. The
building was designed by Architect
Link and built by contractor Bachelor.
Twelve stained glass windows, por-
traying incidents in the life of Christ,
shed a soft light into the interior of
the! church. Between the windows are
plaster groups in colors showing Incl
dents in the last hours Of Christ, the
bearing of the cross, the last hours
on Calvary, the crucifixion and the de-
scent from thetcross. These are called
the stations of the cross.
he Was are tinted in red, which
shades to yellow as tie roof is reach
ed. The gable of the roof is, painted
light blue but pierced by spears of vel.
low.
Oak pews, IS in number, with seats
for $50 people, fill the floor of the edi.
flee except for the BROAD aisles. At
the right and left Of the entrance are
the confessionals, which are also fin
isAed in oak, anu over the entrance is
the choir loft, ample in accommoda,
tions for a choir Of 100. AS yet there
is no pipe organ in the loft.
The Sanctuary.
The sanctuary is carpated Il green
vile the altar Itself is Of w,..s and
gold. In the top niche in the altar
which is nearly 20 feet high, is the
statue of st. Patrick, the patron saint
of the church, while lower and to the
right and left are the images Of st
Paul and St. Peter. These images arr
nearly life size, and the robes ant
vestments upon them are painted il
green, gold, red and white, making
them sumptuous indeed.
On either side of the altar ar,
kneeling figures Of angels, and upo.
it are u candles, while the whole Il
wired SO thai 1t may be Brilliant.
lighted for services.
In the midst OF Lne central spire o
the altar Is a small wooden doc
scarcely more than a foot high
Opened, 1t reveals another door mad
Of steel. Within this inner door is
Tiny safe lined with cushioned silk
and lace, but freproof, and within thi
receptacle is kept the holy sacramen,
At the bottom of the altar is a ba
relief Of the holy supper.
In the chancel iust north of tn
sanctuary is the star of the hol
virgin, while the cancel s1sth of tn
u R,tuary is occupisl ny The image c
S. Joseph These are nearly life q:
st; tues and r richly colorad in go!t
greer. red and brown.
Riot Of Color.
The church is a riot of color frol
Dashboard to roof tree, ard ~everythin
Is fresh, new and clean.
It Is an ediice wholly in keepin
with the spirit OF the church, and /
all its material appointments carnife
the appeal that the mother churc
makes to all her children. 1t is
NATURALIZATION Of the organizatio
whose tramp is heard around th
world" as Father Organ said in b,
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