Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1912-08-03
Bishop O'DOnaghue and Many
Priests at the Impressive
Exercises.
Realization of Long Cherished
Dream by the Older Par
ishiODers.
FATHER SCHUHMANN'S SERMON

In the presence Of an assemblage
that numbered thousands and en-
braced many non-Catholics the cor
nerstone of the imposing and hand
some new st. Brigid's church was
laid with beautiful but impressive
ceremony by the Right Rev. Denis
O'Donaghue, Bishop of Louisville,
and a large number of the Catholic
priests of the diocese last Sunday
evening. As the pastor, Father jan
sen, the Bishop and clergy emerged
from the old church, escorted by st.
Vincent de Paul and Holy Trinity
Communicates of the Knights Of St.
John as a guard of honor, all the
available space surrounding the new
edifice and the streets and Sidewalks
leading to Baxter and Hepburn ave-
nues were filled with people eager to
witness the cornerstone laying and
hear the words of the eloquent
Father George Schuhmann, ID. D., OF
st. Johns, of which parish St.
Brigid's was once a part.
The services began with the SER
mon Of Rev. Father Schuhmann at
$40 o'clock and the sun was sinking
In the west as Bishop O'Donaghue
blessed the stone and placed 1t in
position. Father Schuhmann desig-
mated st. Brigid's parish daughter
Of st. Johns church, of which the
mother was justly proud, and
pointed out that all of the territory
now embraced in Father Jansen's
parish was a part of st. Johns until
about forty-six years ago. Surveying
the surrounding territory with it's
many beautiful homes and improve
ments, he said a stately church edi-
flee such as st. Brigid's would be
when completed would enlive1 the
Catholic spirit and would be the
-reaSixa ts>ssses< 10ss 3 -AAsasSsbe ssrea1n
of the older members of the parish.
The old church building was unique
in that it was church, school and
parish house all in one. Dwelling on
the long-felt need and necessity for
a new church, he quoted the oft
repeated remark that when st.
Brigid's church was mentioned az
tention was called to the spacious lot
where the new edifice will stand.
Naming Catholic institutions now on
the Newburg road and others TO be
erected. Father Schuhmann said st.
Brigid's will be the gateway to the
Roman road of Louisville and will
stand a pedestal to the faitn and
generosity of the people of the High
lands. Pointing to the stone, brick,
ore, lumber and other material, now
crude and rough, he said that in the
erection of the church they would be
given unity, symmetry and beauty
that assures power and dignity.
Father Schuhmann declared the
church a mother at the cradle of the
nations, and above all was placed the
cross. 1t was the church that
preached slaves were children of
God and maintains the principle that
the weak must be sustained by the
strong. He next dwelt briefly on the
influences of the confessional, that
and gives poise to man
through life. And above all was the
finger of God directing the church in
teaching respect for superiors, gov
ernment and law. In concluding he
paid high tribute to the pastor, Rev.
Father Jansen, telling of his work in
Paducah prior to coming to Louis
vile. st. Brigid's will be the fourth
church erected by him and will be
one of the finest in Kentucky.
Following Father Sehuhmann's
sermon the Bishop and clergy pro-
ceeded to the wooden cross on the
rear of the lot and blessed the spot !
where the altar will stand At the
laying of the cornerstone Bishop
O'Donaghue was attended by Rev. /
Charles p. Raffo as deacon, Rev.
Thomas White as subdeacon, and
Rev. Patrick Monaghan as master of
When the exercises were
concluded the Bishop and clergy re-
turned to the parish house, where
they were entertained at supper
served by the ladies of the congrega-
tion. II
Ground for the new structure was
broken May 20, and 1t is hoped to |
have the church completed by next
Easter. Then for long years it will
stand a monument 20 the Christian
piety and zeal OF its present priest
and people.