The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1912-04-19
DIAMOND JUBILEE AT SAINT
JOHN S CHURCH.
Anniversary of Conservation on
Next Sunday, April 21st.

Ne&C sunday, April 2ISC.
Saint John's Catholic Church, Eas
Second street, this city, was the frs
Catholic Church TO be consecrated in the
United States, and the occasion will be
| commemorated on Sunday, April 2Ist,
with special and impressive ceremonies
which will be attended by and partici-
pated in by some of the leading church
men of this country.
The Improvements to the interior OF
the church, which have been in progress
! for some time, have been completed,
! and now the edihce may be said to be
! one of the handsomest in the entire
| State. Last November the church be-
| gan a series of improve ments to the
exterior, including new roofing concrete
walks, repainting, etc. Later on II was
| decided to improve the interior, by re-
irescoing and redecorating. Altogether
the cost Of the work will amount to
| almost $40, 600.
While Catholic Churches are not re-
dedicated after Improvements are made
the anniversary services OF the original
conSecration will mark in way. the
reopening ofthe handsome church. Only
when free of debt can a Catholic Church.
be conseCrated, and the Frederick
church holds the proud distinction of
being the first Cotholic Church in the|
United States to be conSecrated, accord-I
ing to historical sources which are nowT
considered reliable, and which have beenI
investigated by Father VIM. !. Kane,
pastor of Saint Johns Church.
Father Kane has prepared a booklet
on the history of the church, which will
be distributed as a memorial at the com
ing Jubilee. Some interesting facts are
brought to light concerning the past OF
the Frederick church The first Catholic
Church in Frederick was erected IN 1863,
under the direction of Father Williams
an English Jesuit. This occupied the
site OF the present residence of Mr.
Frank l.. Stoner, on the north side o
East Second street In 1900 this was re
placed by another church, built under
the direction of Rev. Father John Du-
bois, occupying the location where Mr.
Frederick w. Cramer's residence now
stands. The corner stone of this church
has been preserved and may be seen in
front of the present church.
In 1888 the present Catholic Church
was started and built under the super
vision of Rev. Father John McElroy.
Jesuit. -Four years later, Just seventy-iVI
years ago, the structure was consecrated
it being the first Catholic Church in tht
United States to have conservation
On account OF this fact, added interes
is given to the coming celebration, whicl
is diamond jubilee
Practically all OF the arrangements 70
the services to be held in connectio
with the anniversary have been con
pleted, and Father Kane announced tn
names of some of those who will tax
part in the services and others who WI
come to Frederick TO be present on til
occasion.
In the morning at 80 a. M,
Sunday April 2Ist, Rt Rev. O.
Corrigan, auxiliary bishop of the did
cese, and assistant to the Cardinal wi
will be Rev f. p Mackall, MIDLAND
Elkridge; archprest Very Rev. loser
Iesuts in the New York Maryland pro
ince; master of ceremonies, Rev. Tol
McGovern, Mount Saint Marys Colleg
and the preacher at solemn high mas
Rev. Richard Tierney, S. J., of Woo
stock College.
In the evening at 7. 80 O'Clock soIen
vespers will be held. Rev. DR. Villa
A. Fletcher, rector of the BaItimo
Cathedral, will preach.
Among those who have accepted i'll
tations to be present at the anniverss
celebration are: Rev. A. !. Mas, s.
rector OF Woodstock College; Very Rd
Justin Mccarthy, provincial of JoSephi
IN the United States; Rev. Berna
Bradley, President of Mount Sa
Mary's College;' Rev. James OConne
Brunswick; Rev S. !. Cavanaugh, II
erty; Rev, John Wade, pastor Of Sal
Philip and James, Baltimore; Rev. I'd
Hayden, 'Emmitsburg; Rev, F. E. era
Saint Charles College; Rev. John I'll
ney, Mount Saint Mary's; Rev. Alb
Smith, Hagerstown
The Catholic Church, with the
provements completed, makes a W
beautiful appearance. On the inter
the Improvements consist of refresco
and general renovating. A number
memorials have been introduced, to q
l.. V. Baughman, John Eisenhauer, M
Margaret Besant. and p E. Long, wi
the children of the Sunday School
sented the Pascha candlestick.
The paintings in the church have be
restored. The magnificent paint
The Cruciixion," by Gagliardi, abe
the altar was restored by a Rom
artist The altar itself was marbleis
the decorations here being in white !
gold. One of the prominent features
the decorations is the handsome
picture on the ceiling OF The Asc
sion, " the work being done by Bara
In the transepts are paintings of the f
t.vanoeliStS