Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1911-05-06
Cornerstone of New st. Angus
tines Church Last sunday
Afternoon.
Archbishop SpaldiDg Was Cen
trail Figure But silent
Spectator.
Imposing Ceremonies Attended
the Rite and Many Were
witnesses.
BRIEF SKETCH OF The CHURCH

The cornerstone of the new st.
Augustine's church on Broadway,
near Thirteenth, was laid with all
the solemn ceremonies of the Cath
Ollie church last Sunday afternoon.
The weather was decidedly incle-
ment until a few minutes before 3
o'clock, the hour set for the cere-
mony. Then the sun shone out and
the programme was carried out as
originally arranged, with the excep-
ton that the Right Rev. Bishop
O'Donaghue was Ill and unable to
attend. Between 1900 and 1900
people braved the weather to witness
the exercises. They were interested
both because it was Catholic cere-
mony and because Of the presence of
Archbishop John Lancaster Spald-
ing, OF Peoria, now one of the lead
ing thinkers of the country and of
the world. formerly pastor OF st.
Augustine's church. The Rev.
Father Felten officiated at the bless
ing of the cornerstone and made a
brief address, in which he stated
that Bishop O'Donaghue regretted
that he was too i'll to be present, but
sent his blessing to all who were
present.
Shortly before 8 O'Clock the pro-
cession formed in front of the pres
ent rectory on Broadway, near
Fourteenth street. In tn van was
st. Augustine's band. Following
the band were members OF the Cath
Ollie Knights and Ladies of st.
Anthony. Then came the members
of Mackin Council. Y. NJ. l., who
acted as guard of honor to Arch
bishop Spalding and the escorting
clergy. The Archbishop rode in an
automobile. with the Rev. Fathers
Patrick Walsh and Edward Bachman
as assistants. More than a score of
! clergy followed in the wake OF the
automobile containing the Arch
bishop.
The Rev. Father Francis Felten,
pastor of st. Augustine's, officiated
at the ceremonies. while the Rev.
Father Patrick Monaghan was cross
bearer. The Rev. Fathers George
w. Schuhmann and George Weiss
were the cantors, and Rev. Father
O. p. Alderman was master of
! ceremonies. Assisting Father
Felten were Rev. Fathers James
Assent and John Pfeiffer.
| On arriving at the site of the new
church the procession OF clergymen
and acolytes wendell its way toward
wooden cross erected to indicate
| the r,1o urh he t,, al 4C
| to be erected. After this had been
blessed by Father Felten the pro-
cession returned to the front Of
the church, chanting the Litany of
, the Saints. After the recital of the
proper prayers Father Felten took
an iron box containing matter that
will make rare food for antiquarians
In years to come, and placed Il be-
meath the cornerstone. The box con-
talned copies OF the current daily
papers. of the Record and of the
Kentucky Irish American and sam
pie coins OF the present day, with
data concerning the history of St.
Augustine's parish. The corner
stone was fitted into place and
sealed by Father Felten.
Then stepping forward on the
platform arranged for the purpose
Father Felten delivered brief adj
dress, in which he described the
meaning OF the ceremonies that had
been performed and explained what
the church taught through those
rites. In conclusion he thanked
Archbishop Spalding, the other mem
bers OF the clergy and the laity for
their attendance. He also read a
message from Bishop O'Donaghue
regretting his illness and bestowing
his blessing on the new church.
Archbishop Spalding took no part In
the exercises. but witnessed the
ceremonies from seat in the auto
mobile. The ceremonies closed with
the singing OF the '-Te Deum."
The procession then turned west
on Broadway and proceeded to
Father Felten's rectory. The men,
bers OF Mackin Council and knights
of st. Anthony opened ranks and
allowed the clergy TO pass through
Father Felten was host at a banquet
to the visiting priests, but Arch
bishop Spalding returned to his
room at the Seelbach.
st. Augustine's is a church fol
colored Catholics. The first ediflce
was built at Fourteenth and Broad
way In 1868, where the present
church stands. The first pastor and
founder was Father John Lancaster
Spaldlng, now an Archbishop
Father Spalding was nephew OF the
Most Rev. Martin John spalding
Archbishop of Baltimore. and
previous to that second Bishop Of
the diocese OF Louisville. II was al
the suggestion OF his uncle thai
Father spaldIng built the fIrsl
Church OF st. Augustine. He la
bored and worked among the colorec
people there until he loft the dioces'
for a wider field.
Various priests ministefed 10 thu
people Of that parish until Fathol
Felten was assigned there twelve