The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-08-02
BIG CHURCH
DEDICATED
Financial Embarrassment Of
Newport Catholics Ended
WERE TROUBULOUS TIMES
The Notes and Mortgages on One Of the
Finest Structures in the State Have
Been Wiped Out Exercises
Yesterday.

Newport, Aug, 2--st. Mary's Roman
Catholic church. the erection Of which
was begun five years ago, was dedicated
yesterday, a large number OF elergymen
and laymen being present. The dedi-
cation began in the morning with tho
blessing of the church BY His I0rdship.
Bishop Z. Racicot, Of Montreal Fol-
lowing this sermon in English was de-
livered Is the Rev. d. 3. O'Snllivan Of
Sc, Albans, and sermon in French by
the Rev. Il. }. Auclair, Of Montreal
AT 1890 o'clock refreshments were
served, and between the hours Of and
6 o'clock there was an excursion on
Lake Memphremegog on the steamer
Lady Of the Lake for the purpose Of
viewing the church from distance, to-
gether with the surrounding country
At 1880 O'Clock Yespers and benedieti0n
Of the blessed sacrament we're held The
present pastor Of the church is the Rev
]. NJ Bastien who was appointed to the
place last january, while his assistant
Is the Rev. 2 T. Boivin who came here
in February from Alburg
The dedication Of st. Mary's church
closes litigation extending over three
years or more. Soon after the erection
of the edifce WIS begun the trouble
started, il being alleged that the pastor,
the Rev A. n. MIermont, was acting
without the authority OF the Rt Rev
j. s. Miehaud bishop Of the diocese Of
Burlington Work was continued.
though slowly, until about three years
ago when it was impossible to proceed
further because Of lack Of funds.
In September last the Barton Savings
bank foreclosed the first moragaga ND
on the church and red stone house which
had been erected under the direction Of
Father Clermont. Beside this mortgage
there were first and second mortgages
and over $4,000 Of unsecured debts tie
latter being held largely by members Of
the parish and business firms Of Nem-
port. A large portion Of the debt was
held by members Of the parish. some Of
whom put IN practically all the money
they had, expecting that when the
church was opened they would net their
money back, and nearly al contributed
very largely toward the reduction Of the
debt
Several propositions were made look.
ing towlrd 4 settlement Of the dieleulfy
There was lagse hali buit bv Father
Giermont a number Of wears ago upon
his own land, upon which there was
mortgage of about $4,000 81 addition
to the mortgages on the other property,
and the mortgage Of this han offered
to cancel the mortgage On it. Father
Glermont offered the bishop and diocese
the new church. the new preshYtery, the
hail. and an the land ne owned, except
a small piece which was morteaqed for
al il was worth, provided the diocese
wo1d furnish S35.850 and the interest
which had accrued since January j,
fa0s. A proposition was also made to
the bishop and diocese By hauking
firm ia Montreal to furnish Father Cler
mont $40. 800 without any liability on
the part 81 The bishop Of diocese. pro-
vided the bishop would authorize the
church to be opened and consent to the
loan.
This last proposition was refused aud
the diocese voted To offer $4,000 for
al the property which Father Clermont
owned, with the condition attached that
he should then resign the pastorate Of
the churehe here.
IN January last Father Clermont was
assigned to the pastorate Of the church
in Richmond and at that time the Rev.
J. M. Bastien came here from Alburg.
In June the business affairs Of the
church were settled by A. G. White
more, Of Burlington, the diocesan attor-
ney. The Orleans Trust Co, Of this
place was paid its mortgage of $4,000;
the Barton Savings Bank, S20.000j and
the claims Of the unsecured creditors,
which amounted to $4,000, were set
tied BY b payment Of so per cent, It
was then announced that the church
Guild be opened for services soon
In the opinion Of many people Father
mistake was an error Of
Judgment and his friends maintain that
there was no intent on his part to de-
fraud any Of the contributors to the
church building project It is asserted |
that he put every dollar Of his own In
to the project that That he left here PEN
niless and broken hearted.
SUDDEN DEATH AT wATEPBUPY