Omaha daily bee., 1909-10-18
Council Bluffs
NEW CHURCH IS DEDICATED
Edifice Of Holy Family Parish COnse-
Grated for It's Intended Uses.
BISHOP DAVIS IN CHARGE
Building is Crowded at Both Morning
and Evening services-ParOchial
school Next Thing ON the
Program.

and Evening servtces-ParOchial
school Next Thing ON the
Program.
The recently competed, handsome church
OF the Holy Family Catholic parish, at
Twenty-third street and Avenue b. was
dedicated yesterday with impressive serv-
ices, conducted by Right Rev. James Davis,
bishop OF the diocese Of Davenport, as
sisted by a number of prominent Catholic
clergymen. including Rev. Monsignon Fla
win Of Des Moines. Rev. Father J. +. Nu-
gent Of Des Moines, Rev. Father James
ONeill of Davenport, together with a num-
Der Of Omaha and local priests. The dedi-
cation service. which was at 1880 o'clock
was attended by a congregation which
taxed the capacity Of the big auditorium
Of the church. The morning service at ST.
Francis xsvier's church vas omitted and
the members Of the congregation attended
the dedication of the new church.
The service opened with the blessing of
the new church by Bishop Davis. all Of
the priests and acolytes taking
part in this impressive dedication service.
This was followed by the celebration Of
solemn high mass, the celebrant being Rev.
Father James ONeill OF Davenport, brother
Of Rev. Father John O'Neill, pastor Of
Holy Family parish, who was assisted by
Rev. Father Patrick McGovern Of st.
Peters church. Omaha, and Rev. Charles
V. Borkheser Of this city. The music for
the mass was prepared by j. II. Gerke,
director of the choir of st. Francis Xsvier's
church. and was rendered by the COM
bined choirs Of the two churches, with Miss
Lulu Tholl at the organ.
Religious Spirit of the hurch
Rev. Monsignor Flavin delivered the ser
mon. taking as his text Religion Shows
Mans Relation to God" Religion" said
the distinguished prelate, is the spirit Of
the church in the uplifting of humanity and
the house OF worship. such as is dedicated
today, is the Indication of this religion"
Following the sermon. Bishop Davis ad-
dressed the congregation, congratulating
the members Of the Holy Family parish on
having succeeded in erecting such q beau
tiful edifice, and the pastor. Rev. John
O'Neill. for the splendid work he had ac-
complished. The bishop said he was greatly
edited on visiting the basement of the
church prior to the service to see over 100
children attending Sunday school,, and he
urged the members OF the congregation to
build a p~aroehial school as soon as possible.
In the evening, Rev. J. F. Nugent Of Des
Moines, who is regarded as one OF the most
eloquent speakers among the Catholic
clergy Of this section, delivered q lecture
on the topic, The Loot Confessional, .
which was heard by a congregation which
for the second time during the day filled
the building. many. as at the morning
service, being compelled to stand.
Descriptions of Edifice.
with the rapid growth OF the western
part Of the city the need OF a Catholic
church in that section became apparent,
the more so as for several years it was
realized that st. Francis xavier's parish,
which embraced the western portion of the
city. was becoming too large. 1t was
finally decided to divide the parish and
after a site for the new church had been
secured at Twenty-third street and Avenue
b the work OF erecting a house Of worship
was begun. The funds we're speedily raised
the contract for the building was let anc
on September s last year. a little ovei
twelve months ago. the cornerstone wal
laie with impressive ceremonies, conducted
by Rev, Father MeManus. the pastor Of
ST. Francis Xavier's church.
The church, hich is of Tudor-GothlC
style Of architecture, Is one Of the hand
soonest in the city. 1t faces north and Il
2xlO0 feet In size, with a tower ninety
sight feet high. II is constructed of COT
feyvine brick. with terra Gotta trimmings
A basement with a nine and one-half-foo
ceiling is underneath the entire building.
Over the exterior OF the main entrance
on Avenue B is a t~repannium represent
ing the holy family. Just inside the mas
sive doors is a vestibule which leads int
{ the auditorium. On either side is a con
fessionaI, while the baptistry is located Il
the northeast corner. Over this vestibul
is located a commodious choir loft witt
a seating capacity Of $50.
The auditorium has a seating capacit
! Of co., A truss roof supports a vaulte
ceiling. which is frescoed In buff. shadinl
to a light tone at the center. The wall
are frescoed in rose red at the base. shad
ing to a soft brown at the ceiling line
: while the decorations are in gold. the Who'll
presenting a pleasing and harmonious ef
feet.
The main altar is located IN the sout
e end OF the auditorium under a vaulte
. arch. II is eighteen feet high and min
feet across and is adorned with statue
OF the four evangelists. Mathew. MARI
y Luke and John. On either side is a smalle
altar in a recessed chapel. one containin
a statue Of st. Joseph. the other tn
y blessed virgin. The sanctuary is finishe
in drapery effect Of a dark green hue &
the base. shading upward into a venetla
D blue. on either side OF the main alta
and opening off on the east and west side
are two smaller sacristies.
n The lighting facilities are excellent an
a the auditorium when lighted at the dedie;
/ ton service yesterday morning presente
a beautiful sight and showed the care an
taste which had been bestowed on tn
important feature. Fifty electric ligh.
follow the outline OF the arch over n
main sanctuary. and fifteen more al
located over each of the side affairs. c
either side Of the altar rail Is a post su
mounted by the statue OF an angel bea
ing aloft a eandelabra OF lights, viii
down the sid aisles extend two rows
standards. twelve In all. eight feet his
and each bearing five lights.
Windows of stained Glass.
All Of the main windows are OF stain,
glass, presented by members Of the paris