The Washington herald., 1911-12-17
FATHER GRIFFITH
HONORED TO-DAY
For Twenty Years the Rec
tor of st. Augustine's.
LONG CAREER IN PRIESTHOOD
Occasion VIII Be Marked by
Solemn High Mass. Presentations,
Dinner, and ReceptiOn-Prom-
inent PreIates to Be Present
Throughout the Function.

Solemn high mass with a special mu-
steal programme in the presence of
prominent prelates of the church, a re-
ception in his honor, a dinner, the pre-
sentation of a purse on the part of his
congregation and a personal gift by his
assistants, will mark the twenty fifth an
niversary of ordination to the priesthood
of Rev. Paul Griffith, rector of st. Au-
gustine'S and the twentieth anniversary
Of his rectorship OF that church, which
takes place to-day.
viii Celebrate Mass.
Solemn high mass will be celebrated at
II o'clock. with Father Griffith as cele-
hrant; Rev. Father Carroll, of st. Pat
rick's deacon: Rev. Father Ireton, of
Baltimore, subdeacon, and Rev. Father
OConnor of St. Augustine's. master of
ceremonies. The sermon Will he preach
ed by Rev. George DOUgherty, treasurer
Of the Catholic University and former
colleague of Father Griffith. Among
the clergymen who will occupy seats
in the sanctuary are Mgr. Russell.
Of st. Patricks; Mgr. Mackin, of
St PauTs: Mgr Starr. of Bal
timore; Rev. Dr. Aiken and Rev. DIR.
Kirby, of the Catholic University; Rev.
Father Mari, OF the Immaculate Con-
Ception: Rev. p. J. OConnell. of St. Vim
cent de PauIs: Rev. Father Cassidy, of
st. Stephens, the Rev Messrs. Whelan.
RibDle. and Williams. of Baltimore. and
Rev. Father Harrington, of Barnesville,
Md.
At 4 dinner at the reCtory following
the mass, at which the invited clergy will
he the guests, Rev. Father Alonzo Olds
and Rev. Mr. O'COnnor, assistants of
Father Griffith, will present their beloved
pastor with a personal gift. consisting
of a comfortable leather armchair.
A reception will be given by the con-
GregatiOn in honor of their pastor in
the basement of the church after yes
pers and henediCtion. at which he will
be the recipient of a purse as a token
Of the deep esteem and appreciation in
which Father Grlrith is held by his as
sistants and his congrega ton
Born SfNty-five Years Ago.
Rev, Paul Griffith was born in Ireland
sixty-fve years ago. Coming to this
country with his parents at an early age.
he settled in Illinois. In early manhood
+" came 10 Washington. and for several
years held a clerical position here.
Finding his vocation was to he a priest
of the Catholic Church, he entered ST.
Charles College, ElliCott City. to study
and make his preparation for the priest
hood. After remaining there six years
he entered st. Mary's Seminary. BaIti-
more, and pursued his theological stud
les.
Burdened with Debt.
After his ordination in 1886 he was as
signed to be pastor of the Catholic Church
at CIarksville, Nd. This charge he held
until 1892, when he was sent by Cardinal
Gibbons to assume the rectorship of ST
Augustine's which. at that time, was
burdened with a debt of nearly 5000
BY diligent efforts and wise management
the church under Father Grffith's direc-
ton was able to pay off the last INSTALL !
ment of this debt almost five years ago
His administration has been eminently |
Although the church vas founded solely |
for the purpose of caring for the col |
cred population. St Augustine's numbers !
among its pew-hOlders quite number of |
well-known white people
As soon rs the church debt was paid |
off, Father Griffith set to work and start !
ed a fund for the establishment of a |
parish school. To secure the school site |
and property a debt of $4,000 has been |
incurred. An organization. known as
St AuEustine's Parish Association, has |
been formed for the purpose of Iiquidat- |
ing this Indebtedness and to assist by |
its offerings the various needs of so |
large a parish.
Origin of Parish.
The parish of st. Augustine's had its |
origin in th,. devotion to the cause of
education of Rev. Charles J. White. of !
St Matthews Church; in the soIicitude |
Of Archbishop Spalding, of Baltimore.
and energy and zeal of Rev. Felix Barot-
ii, the first regular pastor of the parish
In the year 1863 Father White deter
mined on the erection of a large school
for the Colored children of the north
western section of the city. Early in that
year a twO-story brick house was begun.
to which, later, a frame addition was
added. which was opened for divine serv-
ices February II, 1856
The Chapel of Blessed Martin having
been dedicated for divine worship, it be-
came the parish church for colored peo-
pie throughout the city. The rapid in
crease Of the congregation made neces-
sary the assistance of the Jesuit Fathers
attached to Georgetown University, and
Tor about year Fathers Kelly, Cleary.
and others were pastors of Blessed Mar
tins.
In the summer of 1861 Bishop Foley
appointed Rev. Felix Barotti pastor of
the congregation. Archbishop Spalding.
Who was then on a visit to Rome, di-
-ected his vicar general, Very Rev
Thomas Foley. TO appoint Father Ba-
,otti.
Temporary Chapel.
In 1873 lot was bought in L street
md frame building was erected, to be
Ised as a hall and eventually as tenn
oorary schoolhouse and chapel. This
laH was dedicated for divine service on
Sunday, April l, 1874 The foundation for
he new church in Fifteenth street, he
ween K and L streets northwest, va.
placed without delay, and the cornersto"
vas laid June II, 1874 Two years late
he church was completed. and dedicate,
IN Trinity Sunday, June IL, 1876 May
II11lERs =.