Omaha daily bee., 1911-11-19

il ance. Rev. w L. Mcnamara
4A4A1 the pastor. wen heartiest com
mendation from the many visiting priests
for the magnificent work he has &C
complished within few years.
Having built an academy and tho hospi-
tai IN Alliance the work Of building a
place Of worship 10 compare favoraby
with these institutions stlu remained for
the Catholic community. This work was
accelerated by the total destruction by
fire OF their old place ~ worship, on
the night OF February q last. From the
ruins only the bell was saved to repre-
sent the sacrifices OF tho pioneer Catho-
lies in this section. This bell has been
hung IN the new church.
A. the lots on which the church had
stood were nearly mile from the
academy and the hospital, and as this
locality was rapidly becoming a business
district e was decided by a vote OF the
parish not to build new church ON this
location. -Four lots were accordingly pur-
chased on the corner OF Ninth street and
Cheyenne avenue FOR 5000. On ono OF
these lots stood a residence which, after
II was moved north 90 make room foi
the church and renovated. vas suitable
for a parsonage.
s. C. Reck. an Alliance contractor who
built the academy and the hospital, also
erected the church. The architecture Is
gothic. the material being Denver glazed
brick 20 the water table, and turkey egg
from there 20 the plate. The plans we're
drawn by ]. +. Dietrich OF Omaha. Neb.
Acoustic properties were carefully con-
sidered in the plans. with the result that
they are perfect. Tho dimensions are
t6xso feet, with sacristry and a sanctuary
1sxs2 feet.
The interior is finished IN mission style
The seating capacity In the main body Is
800. and 100 IN the gallery, and the base
Inent, lSxso feet Is partitioned off leav-
ing a large hall. fully equipped for en-
tertainments. The building exclusive OF
furniture. cost sss,Ooo and BY the time II
is fully furnished the cost viii exceed
eso0Oo
The new property b In debt to the ex-
tent Of $1,000, but 10 offset this, the
Catholics stlll own the old property,
valued at approximately 5000 so that In
comparison with the vast strides made
BY the community during the last five
years. this debt appears trlflinE. on prop
gty asgregating $4,000 In value.
Sc. Agnes Academy.
To sec this building AZ II now stands
ons would hardly suppose that rs re-
Gently as four years ago, II hardly was
thought or Then the ground occupied
wes nothing but virgin prairie land. In the
summer OF 1905. the subject was first
preached by Rev. Father Devose, at that
time pastor OF the Catholic community
in Alliance, and before anything could
be done towards making a start on this
work Father Devose left this pastorate,
and was succeeded by Rev. Father w. L.
Mcnamara. who was IN such III health
At that time that a years rest was es.
aentiaL
II was therefore not until January, 1907
that a committee was appointed. TO con
slider the advisabillty OF purchasing q
block Of land on which to build tho acad
envy. The committee decided 70 ieav,
the selection OF the site. as well az othei
arrangements In the hands Of the pastor
who chose a block OF land owned by th,
Lincoln Land company. This land wa
purchased upon the condition that th'
company give a three-year option on M
adjoining block at a nominal figure
which the company readily did. AZ at tha
time land valueB had not nearly Rp
preached the figure at which they nov
stand.