The Oskaloosa herald., 1913-05-01
VISITS SAINT MARY'S
Bishop Davis Comes to Parish for
Rededication Service.

Bishop James Davis of the Catholic
church was in the city Sunday making
a friendly visit to the st. Mary's Par
ish of Oskaloosa and for the special
purpose of the re-dedication OF the
church following the refinishing and
the frescoing of the church interior
and the erection of the Stations of
| the Cross" a gift to the church by
Dennis Ragen, In memory of his late
wife, Mrs. Kate Ragen. Frescoing of
| the interior was made possible
| through the kindly Offices of Mrs. Ell
len Chapman and family. The new
coloring of the walls and ceiling, to-
gether with the new paintings and
designs has made "a great change and
betterment in the appearance of the
interior. Altar and church furniture
has been refinished and the improved
appearance is ample reward for the
efforts and the sacrifices represented,
st. Mary's church has been under
going changes and betterments that
are working to the direct benefit OF
the parish. Much has been done un-
der the direction of Father Thomas F.
Lotus in the direction of securing
added conveniences and accommoda-
lions for the church property, one OF
the greatest of which was the recent
making of basement hall or place
for the encouragement and the accom-
mediation of the social side of the
church. A large room was excavated
beneath the church building proper,
walls cemeted, concrete floor laid,
suitable and attractive lighting and
other convenieces installed. There
is neat and roomy kitchen with dish
closets and sink. The furnace room
has been boxed up by air tight parti-
lions and has a room of its own. En-
trance to the new hall is from Third
street at the north end of the church
building. Here an addition was
erected to give protection to the stair
way while providing hat and wrap
room The exterior OF the building
lis now being touched up and re-
trimmed with paint and the general
appearance of the property is in
keeping with the pleasing nature OF
the interior betterments.
The Ragcn memorial is in the form
of fourteen emblematic statues. de
picting the sufferings of Jesus Christ
from the condemnation by PLATE tc
the burial following crucifixion. They
are both elaborate and artistic.
Services appropriate to the occasion
were held by Bishop Davis. The
entire parish joined in the spirit OF
the occasion Sunday and the day was
made memorable in the history of the
local church.
Father LOTUS has been a power for
Accomplishment since coming to the
parrish. In addition to the improve
ment to the church building that has
been accomplished under his direc
Ition, together with the new roof, re
Ipainting, etc, the paving of Thirt
lstreet along the east side OF the build
lug has been completed and pait
for and substantial and gratifying
growth of the church organization i:
observed The parish membership
has a greater interest in the outside
affairs of the church and the accom-
lplishment of new things meets gen
Ieral commentator. But other things
are in prospect. The parish has an
ambition to erect parsonage west
of the church that will be worthy the
site and the purpose served and tc
this end matters are now taking
shape Just how soon this may be
accomplished is not clear at this time
but the change is to be made. In
the meantime, Father Lotus is re
decorating the interior Of the dwelling
for the time being
I st. Mary's parish has reason to feel
gratified at the growth and the &C
accomplishment of recent seasons, but
assurance is given that the good work
has only started.