Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1920-12-09
DEDICATION OF
ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH
IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY TAKES
PLACE IN CHARGE, OF BISHOP
DRUMM, OF DIES MONIES

I
| God. This marked the elimination
of the aspirations and efforts of the
Catholics of Audubon, who have
been anticipating this day since they
had started plans for their new edi-
flee.
The history OF Catholicy in Au-
dubon goes back some fifty years.
The early settlers, pioneers in
church building, as well as in nation
building, though poor, were determ-
ined from the first to have a church
wherein they might adore their Gre
ator. 1t wGs this thought that caus-
ed them to sacrifice from their scant
earnings sufficient to erect the old
church, which was completed in
1888.
Many of those who contributed to-
wards the erection OF that are no
longer with us; they have been call
ed to their reward, but it was a
great pleasure for those OF them who
are still with us, and we hope will be
for many years to come, to take a
leading part in the financing and di-
rection OF the new, church. The rig
ors of many winters may have
changed their hair snow-white, and
the toll and sweat of many summers
may have furrowed their brows, but
K has not dimmed the pristine ardor
and zeal with which in their youth
they paid homage to their Creator.
Prosperity has not changed them;
adversely did not chill their hearts.
Their love and reverence for God are
still the beacon lights that guide
fhnfr nffnrtu ND ~ 10 fnI duo
to them that the new church has ris-
en- phoenix-like on the foundation
of the old, and added a new ana
browning glory to their years Of
loyal service.
While paying tribute to the old,
that is unquestionably theirs, it
should not be forgotten that their
example has caused the younger gem
Grafton to. follow faithfully in their
footsteps and both equally deserve
to be congratulated on their splen-
did achievements.
The new church is located at the
corner Of Broadway and East Divi-
sion streets. Its beautiful facade
and artistic design strike the OBJ
server che moment that he sets foot
in Audubon. as 1t beautifully caps
the hill overlooking the main street
of the town, Just as 1t crowns the
years OF labor and the ambition of
the Catholics of Audubon to erect a
temple which would be worthy of
their Eucharistic Lord.
The dedicatory services took place
at 1000 o'clock. The procession.
headed by the Cross-bearer and ac-
olytes, started from tie beautiful
new house promptly, and halted be-
fore the main entrance of the church
where the service started. It then
wended its way around the church.
consecrating the building to the
service OF God, while chanting
psalms appropriate to the occasion.
When the procession returned, the
words of the Bishop: "Haec est
Dominus Del, ct porta coeli" ("This
is the house of God, and the gate to
Heavenly, symbolized the meaning
of the blessing given to the exterior
of the building which had just been
completed. The procession, follow
ed by the congregation, then enter
ed the church, which was completely
empty and whose affairs were devoid
of covering or ornament, again SYM
bolizing the fact that it was not un-
til then a place formally set aside to
the worship of God. The Litanies
were then chanted, begging the mer-
cy Of God and the intercession of the
Saints, that this house might ever be
a true house of God and a gateway
to Heaven 20 all who enter its port
ais. This concluded the dedicatory
services.
The affairs were then clothed ana
ornamented and Solemn High Mass
was celebrated by the Very Reverend
F. P. McManus, pastor OF st. Francis
church, of Council Bluffs, and Dean
of the western part of the Des
Moines diocese. The deacon was
Rev. John j. Molyneaux, of Des
Moines Catolic College; sub-deacon,
Rev. ]. c. Maher, of Leon; master of
ceremonies; Rev. John Flavin, of
Des Moines; chaplains, Bishop
Drumm. Rev. Matthew Gleason and
Rev. John Boyian. Assisting in the
sanctuary were Fathers Wrestling, Of
Coon Rapids; Murphy, of Guthrie
Center; McDermott, of Atlantic:
O'Connor, of Bayard, and Murphy,
OF Jefferson.
Leonards Mass in E sharp was
rendered by the choir, with Miss
Mayme Michaels as 'organist.
Confirmation was administered to
a class of fifty-one children and
adults by Bishop Drumm immediate
ly following the Mass. Then fol-
lowed the sermon by Bishop Drumm,
in which he emphasized to the newly
confirmed candidates the necessity
of being well informed with regard
to their religion, standing bravery In
its defense as soldiers OF Jesus
Christ, and always being ready to
exemplify their faith by the practi-
cal conduct of their lives. He COM
mended the pastor, who Is Rev. j..
F. Costello, and the people for the
excellent work accomplished in the
erection of house and church, and
hoped that future years would see
Catholicy blossom into ripper fruit,
and that above all things, in their
hearts would be enshrined a deeper
and more abiding faith in God
Solemn Benediction was given by
Bishop Drumm, with Father Wess-
ling as deacon and Father McDer-
mott as sub-deacon, after which the
TIE Deum was sung, concluding the
exercises.
Dinner was later served by the
good ladies of the parish In the COM
modious rooms in the basement or
the church. 20 crowd OF about three
hundred people,
WERE MARRIED YESTERDAY