The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1919-12-13

as had previously obtained. After
serving with zeal as assistant for
three years, Father Rowan was as
signed to a similar office in the parish
of st. Joseph, st. Paul. His place
was taken by Rev. C. j. Normoyle and
early in 1914 by Rev. VIM. Luby.
In 1911 when the parish of North
field had finished paying it's share
toward the new Cathedral of st. Paul,
the question of building a permanent
| and substantial parish church was
proposed and received general accept
ance.
Architect John Wheeler of st. Paul
was instructed to draw up plans and
specifications for a new church that
would cost thirty thousand dollars. In
September, 1912, his plans were &C
cepted, and, at the beginning of the
following year. February 4th, 1913, the
architect was instructed to call for
bids. On Sunday, March 9th, at a
generally attended meeting of the par
lsh the trustees were authorized to
enter into contract with Mr.. Henry
r. LANCE of ST. Paul, the lowest of
eight bidders, who was to have the
church finished ready to be occupied
December oath, 1913, for the sum of
$32 10000. The contract was duly
drawn up and signed and the work of
construction began about the first Of
May. The ground was broken for the
excavation on April It'll, 1913
The work progressed very satisfac-
torily. The cornerstone was blessed
and laid by Rev. Thos. F. Gleason.
former pastor of the parish on Sun
day afternoon, June 18th, at three
o'clock. Very Rev. II. Moynihan, rec
tor Of ST. Thomas College, preached
in the morning at the solemn High
Mass, Father Gleason in the after
noon, and Rev. Oliver Dolphin, pas
tor of Anoka, preached at the even
ing exercises.
The next great day in its history
was the dedication of the new church.
This, in itself, was most solemn
| event. The presence Of Archbishop
ireland on the occasion, added fea-
ture that appealed even to those not
of the faith The evening before he
blessed the church he delivered an
eloquent and mastery argument ON
the Immutability of the Christian Re-
lgiOn to an audience that taxed to the
utmost the capacity of the building.
The audience showed by their fixed at
tention how closely they followed the
argument. The speaker himself was
conscious of their responsive spirit
so much so that after the lecture he
insisted that it was the best audience
| that he had ever had, not the largest
of course, but the best. This was
certainly a high compliment, even to
the cultured center of Mortified.
After the lecture he held an informal
reception for the few living members
of the Grand Army, giving to those of
the Minnesota Third, his own regi-
ment, the kindest greeting.
The following day, February oath,
1914, surrounded by many clergy and
a great concourse of people, the Arch
bishop solemnly dedicated the church
and congratulated the priests and the
people on the success of their work,
and prayed that the blessing of the
, Almighty God would be the reward
of their many sacrifices.
The church has an accommodation
of about five hundred and fifty, and
is comfortably filled at each of the
two Masses on Sunday, showing a
membership in the parish of about
seven hundred, though two hundred
more should be added if the nominal
! Catholics would practice their faith.