Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-08-23
VERY IMPRESSIVE
CEREMONIES
Was Laying of Corner Stone of St.
Thomas Church
SC. Thomas Church,
Aug. q, 1909.
Rev. 4. J. Purcell, Rector.


:
So reads the corner stone Of the
new st. Thomas Catholic church OF
Occur d'Alene. which edlfce prom
ises to be one of the finest Catholic
churches in the state, and which was
laid yesterday afternoon at $3.50
O'Clock. AS If to mark the approval
of the higher powers the day was
clear and warm and the blue sky let
the bright rays of the August sun
shine pour forth full upon the work
to be blessed in the name of the
Lord of Hosts. The beautiful
weather made it possible for the
large assemblage of church members
and friends to gather at the appoint
ed spot. and fully an hour before the
ceremonies opened people began to
arrive and the large area of ground
surrounding the foundation was COW
cred before the appointed hour 1t
is estimated that over two thousand
witnessed the ceremonies. The pro-
gram as given in Saturdays Press
was carried out complete and was
most impressive throughout
On the platform, which will be the
altar of the church, was erected a
large cross and it was in front of
this that the greater part of the cere-
mony took place. The cross was
blessed by the bishop, as he sprin-
killed. upon 1t holy water and stood
surrounded by the attending clergy,
the acolytes and his body guards, %
fourth degre9 members of the Order
of the Knights of Columbus, of Spo-
kane, who came to participate in the
exercises.
The aeolytes sang and Bishop Clio
rieux chanted a prayer just before he
proceeded to the station where he
was to bless the corner stone. The
march was then taken up and the
bishop and his attendal is went to
the northeast corner of the fonnda-
ton, and there in a most impressive
and solemn manner touched and
blessed the corner and the stone.
which by this time contained the cop
per box, in which had been sealed
the articles as given in Satur-
days Press, at the same time saying:
In the faith of Jesus Christ we
place that corner stone in this foun-
dation in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost, that true faith, fear of the
Lord, and fraternal love may here
flourish, and that this place is des-
tined for prayer and to the invoking
and praising the name of the same
Jesus Christ. who. with the Father
and the Holy Ghost liveth and reign
eth forever and ever. Amen"
Bishop Glorieux then sprirkled
upon the stone holy water and re-
cited the Fiftieth Psalm. This was
followed by a march around the en-
tire foundation, during which time
the bishop sprinkled the holy water
as he walked. During the above a
hundred children, ranging in age
from to 15 years. from the Sisters
school. sang very beautifully. and it
was inspiring to hear their sweet
voices out in the open air and in 4
way participating in the event which
to them, as to the older ones, meant
blessing for today and for all time
to come.
After the corner stone had been
laid the program part came. and
there, under the shadow of the eros
and the canopy of heaven. the large
assembly listened to three eloquent
and inspiring addresses. The first
was by Attorney knight. who stepped
forward. and for thirty minutes the
large crowd was simply held SPELL
bound by the eloquent words and
thoughts that came from the speaker.
| He said that he could not understand
why he had been chosen to thus APP
pear before so honored a body as the
bishop. the clergy, and 50 large a
eoncourse Of people. but upon being
asked by Father Purcell to give n
short address he consented to do So
The speaker said that he felt hon
ored at thus being privileged. al
thugh the task seemed quite beyond
him. He congratulated those who