Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1912-05-18
Bishop O'DOnaghue WillPonti-
ficate and Conduct Impress
sive Ceremonies.
Lasting Monument to Energy
and Zeal of Pastor and
People,
FATHER RAFFO'S GREAT WORK

Tomorrow the Rev. Charles p.
Raffo, pastor of st. Charles parish,
will have the happiness that marks
a great event in the life of the good
priest-the dedication and blessing
of an imposing and beautiful church
where his people may practice the
only true religion and worship God.
For years pastor and people have
looked forward to this day, when
they will see blessed d holy temple
that will stand a monument to their
energy and pious zeal for almost
countless generations to come.
st. Charles parish was founded by
the Rev. Father Raffo many years
ago, and under his wise and fatherly
ministration it has grown until to-
day 1t is one of the strongest in the
Louisville diocese. For years the
people worshiped in the frame edi-
flee at Twenty-seventh and Chestnut
streets, their numbers constantly
Increasing and requiring a larger
church. But with foresight they
awaited until 1910, when on Novem-
Der 13 the cornerstone was laid and
the erection of the present magnifi-
cent structure commenced. Day by
day the work was watched and its
completion will be solemnly blessed
tomorrow morning
! With impressive ceremonies the
Right Rev. Denis 0'Donaghue,
Bishop of louisville, will bless the
new Church of st. Charles Borromeo
at 10 o'clock and pontificate at the
solemn high mass that will follow.
The Bishop will be attended by a
number of the clergy and the scene
will indeed be an inspiring one. Rev.
! Father Hayes, of Bowling Green,
lone of the most eloquent pulpit
orators in the South and class
Fmate and college chum Of Father
Raffo, will preach the dedicatory
sermon, The choir will be augmented
and viii render programme spe-
eially arranged for this occasion.
From all parts of the city and
diocese will come friends of Father
Raffo, and the gathering will prob
ably equal that which witnessed the
cornerstone laying.
The style of the Church of st.
| Charles Borromeo is Roman Doric,
as interpreted by Vincenzio Scam
ozzi. a noted Italian architect of the
sixteenth century. The design and
plans for the building were drawn
by C. A. Curtin, of this city, who
vigorously adhered to the details,
both interior and exterior. Outside
the dimensions of the church are
74x14O feet, while the auditorium is
81 kx99 feet, the nave being forty
three feet long and forty-eight and
one-half feet high. These dimensions
give the interior a spacious and Inn
posing appearance. The structure is
composed of steel, stone and brick,
and the floors are of concrete with
Venetian mosaic finish. The large
and beautiful altar and communion
rail are of marble, artistically inlaid
with Venetian mosaic and brass
trimmings. About nine hundred
people can be seated in the church.
but 800 more can obtain admission
II necessary. Here it is worthy to
note the rapidity with which this
church was erected and completed
Just eighteen months.
Tomorrow afternoon at 3 O'Clock
Bishop O'Donaghue will administer
the sacrament of confirmation to a
large class, and on the following
Sunday morning many will receive
their first holy communion from the
hands of Father Raffo. who has been
indeed a busy priest and should then
take a deserved and needed rest.