The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-05-25
TWO new CATHOLIC
CHURCHES HERE,
Father TeurIings Has Decided or
Plans for Two New Churches to
Replace Present One.
ONE FOR WHITES AND ONE FOR
NEGROES.
Church for Whites to Be Built or
Present Site, Other Site Not
Decided.

Rev. w. ]. Teurlings, pastor of S.
Johns Catholic church, has finally d.
cided upon plans for the constructio
of two new Catholic churches in LIZ
fayette, and has called a meeting Q
his ushers for next Friday night t
discuss ways and means for imme
diate action. 1t has been evident TO
some time that the present edific
was not only antiquated, but entirel
inadequate for the large and ever in
creasing congregation. Father Teur
lings says that owing to this over
crowded condition the negro member.
have expressed a strong desire to hav,
church of their own, and as the size O
the parish fully justiiies this separa
tion, their wishes will be granted an6
a separate house of worship granted
on suitable site not yet selected. Al
the laying of the cornerstone of St
Charles College, Grand Coteau, recent
ly Father Teurlings had a conference
on the subject with Archbisop Blenk
and the matter was carefully and dill
gently discussed. The conclusion was
reached that the wishes of the colored
people in the premises were entirely
legitimate and proper and that two
separate churches would serve best
the interest of church and religion
generally.
The church for the whites will be
built on the present site of st. Johns
church and will be brick structure of
much larger proportions. The style
OF architecture will be Byzantine BASIL
lea, and when completed the new
church will not only be an ornament
to the town but a proud monument to
the love and devotion of the Catholics
for their mother church. Father Teur.
lings has labored hard to bring about
the conditions necessary for the sue
cessful completion of the important
and responsible task in contemplation
and declares himself sanguine over
prospects for an early relization of his
hopes and aspirations. The faithful
OF his flock have expressed an entire
approval of the plans and have declar-
ed their willingness to be taxed each
one according to his means in order to
secure the completion of the new and
imposing edifice within as short
time as possible. Father Teurlings es-
Inmates that $4,000 will be necessary
to build the new church and possibly
more by the time it is properly finish
ed and furnished. The amount named
will be subscribed promptly. but it is
probable that debt will be incurred
In order to properly finish the building
In all its beauty and symmetry. The
entire matter will be thoroughly dis
cussed at the meeting of the vestry
next Friday evening at o'clock at the
presbytery, and definite steps taken to
carry out the plans SO carefully and
diligently conceived and formulated
by Rev. Teurlings, whose earnest devo-
tion and executive ability have in
spired his faithful flock to the greatest
enthusiasm in the prosecution Of the |
enterprise that means 50 much for the |
cause Of religion and the prosperity Of |
the local church.
Father Teurlings contemplates soon
70 organize society ~ tb., Holy name
among the men Of his congregation.
Blenk is anxious that each
parish in his diocese organize this
society for the promotion of purity and
the infamous habit Of bias
pheming among men. The society is
strictly devotional and no dues or fees
of any kind are imposed. The princi.
pal obligation assumed Is to avoid +
blashemy, prejury and immodest Ian
guage. and Father Teurlings hopes to
organize with large mebership soon.
Last Thursday evening Father Teur-
llngs preached an elegant sermon and
vas followed Friday morning by Faith.
n Chombon, Friday evening by Father
Rochard, Saturday morning by Father /
Sarazin and Saturday night by Father
Eawton. Father Lawton also preached
Sunday Morning. The forty hours
ldoration in connection with the SER
vices on ascention day was very i'm
pressive, and was enjoyed for the first
lime In the local church. The host
vas exposed Thursday, Friday and I
Saturday. the Knights Of Columbus !
attending on Friday. II