The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-26
CELEBRATES FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY AS PRIEST
BISHOP THOMAS sEBAs-
TAN BYRNE.
History of Work Done by This
Eminent Priest and
Church Builder.

Nashville, July 2e.-(speciaI.) y
Fifty years as a prelate of the Cath.
Ole church Is the record of Rt. Rev
Thomas Sebastian Byrne, bishop Oi
the diocese of Nashville, who yester-
day celebrated his fiftieth anniversary
as priest and bishop OF his church
Fifty years ago yesterday he was
ordained parish priest. Twenty
five years ago he was consecrated
bishop and began his work almost
Immediately in Nashville.
The achievements of this remark
able churchman have been unusual |;
indeed, they might be called wonder
full. Most people feel that when they
have established one church, built It,
seen 1t started forward and going
successfully. they have done a great
work. They feel the same about a
charity, and in both cases they are.
doubtless, right. But here is a man
who has never for a day stopped
building. Since coming to Nashville
his achievements have been amazing.
due, perhaps. largely to the fact that
he kept steadily on, always building,
always working.
Here are a few of the things this
great builder has done since coming
to Nashville: He has built st. Thorn
as hospital, and in this set the high
standard for hospital work which has
been rigidly kept to that same high
standard. He has built the Catholic
orphanage on the Harding road and
so has provided for many children
who would otherwise have been des-
titute. s4
He has built the home of the
Little Sisters of the Poor, and so
made secure against want and suf-
fering that most appealing of all
helplessness--the aged homeless. The
Knights of Columbus have done and
are doing a notable work for younger
men-doing it magnificently.
Bishop Byrne has built the beauti-
full cathedral on West End avenue,
the crown piece of his great achieve
ments. 1t is said of this building
among Nashville people; although, of
course, there were Nashville people |
who subscribed to 1t.
The episcopal residence, his own !
home. the home of young priests and |
visiting priests of all ages and or
ders, Is another of his buildings. |
The school building and chapel ad-
joining this is another. These three
buildings are of Roman architecture,
severely plain, of imposing dignity,
and In this have an appealing at
traction of their own.
In East Nashville Bishop Byrne
has built new church and school
to replace the buildings destroyed by
the great fire few years ago. These
buildings follow the style of the West
End structures, though they are not
SO extensive in arrangement and f1n-
Ish. All. however. are built with an
eye single to the substantial, to con-
venience and to usefulness.
The convent schools under the SUI
perviston of Bishop Byrne have pros
peTed, grown, been of great help and
to many young girls
who would otherwise not have been
able to make good. The high order of
these schools has been rigidly main
tanned. and all modern branches OF
education have been added to the
course of instruction in each of these
In Memphis, the ST. Thomas chapel
and school have been built, and are
most satisfactorily.
st. Patrick's church and school have
directory. or home for priests
The convent of the Sacred Heart is
IN acquisition since the coming of
Bishop Byrne to Nashville, and at ,
a suburb of Memphis, a
school and church have been built and {
Ire doing good work. giving faithful
service. | c
In Chattanooga directory has been 9