Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-06-07


1859. it was dedicated. the celebration Of the
emi-centennial of which the large congrega-
ton Is now anticipating.
"Some few years the stately edifice to many
appeared out of place, for. with the exception
Of the settlement southeast, the adjacent houses
were few. For little time the services at
tracted from distant parts Of the city, the elo-
quence OF Father Mcguire and others and the
music of the choir in which Cecilia Young's,
Anna Melchars and other voices were prom
tnent, being drawing cards"
HURING the Civil War, when hospitals for
- the wounded soldiers were so much in need,
st. Aioysus Church was ordered taken for this
purpose by the military authorities, but the
members of the church, realizing the imperative
need, but not wishing to give up their new
church, agreed as an alternative to erect a
building for this purpose, and 1t Is said that
within week a building was erected on the
square between and L and North Capitol
and First streets northwest sufficient to &C
commodate 1000 patients. This was opened in
October 1862, and was known as st. Aloysius
Hospital. Over in Georgetown the organiza-
ton of Trinity Catholic Church was not SO re-
Sourceful, and this church was used as mill
tary hospital from october, 1862, to January,
1868.
good account of the dedication of this
church. which occurred on Sunday october
49, 1859. and which was attended by President
Buchanan, me rbers of his cabinet, foreign
ministers and a vast throng of people of all
denominations, appeared in the National In
telligencer the following morning, and reads:
The dedication of St. AloysiuS Church, at
the northwest corner of North Capitol and I
streets, took place yesterday. The day was
beautiful one and thousands OF persons from
every part of the District and neighboring coun-
try gathered to witness the ceremony. From
Georgetown especially great numbers arrived
both in omnibusses and other means of con-
Veyanoe. At the appointed hour Of 10 o'clock
the Introductory ceremonial OF blessing the new
church was performed, by procession round the
church, sprinklng the walls and reciting in
Latin the services appropriate to that cere-
monial. This was conducted by the Rev. Mr..
Vilager of the Society of Jesus, assisted by Rev.
AeSsrs Mcguire and Fulton, S. j. Then came
the celebration of mass, preceded by the per-
6ormance by the choir Of the grand march
zrom The Prophet" of Meyerbeer At the con-
clusion of mass and the performance of the
sGaudeamuS,' a quartette, all eyes were turned
10 the pulpit, occupied by the Very Rev. Arch
bishop John Hughes OF New York, who had
been announced to preach the sermon.
NTHE dimensions OF the church are 100 feet
! In length by about 80 in breadth, forming
o long oblong, with the altar on the west The
height Of the interior from the hoor to the
ceiling is 81 feet. It would be dimcult to plan
anything more intellectually striking and
beautiful than this temple Over the main altar.
which is Immediately Surmounted by Q taber
nacle of white marble, designed worked and
polished In the highest style by Mr.. Jacob
Veighmeyer, is large painting representing
the first communion of the saint to whom the
church Is dedicated, the figures at least the
sine OF life. 1t was executed by Mr.. Brumidi,
well known as the artist by whom so much Of
the decoration of the Capitol Of the United
States has been Performed.
"'ThiS whole building was planned by and
tied he
b. Sestini. Of the Society Of Jesus. and, it is
the bareSt justice to say, conferS the highest
credit on his judgment and taste. In round
figures the cost of the church will be $4,000,
but it IS perhaps complete for all Its pur-
poses such a building can well be-"
The first pastor of st. Aloysius, mentioned in
the city directory of 1860, was Charles I.
StoneStreet, his assistant being Rev. B. j. Ma
guire In 1862 Father Mcguire was serving
as pastor with B. T. Wiget assisting. The as
sistant in 1868 was r. W. Brady. In 1865 Rev.
Father Stonestreet again the pastor and
in 1866, he had assis ing him Revs. A. Roccofort
and A. HitSellberger.
THE corner stone OF st. Peters Church, at
u Second and streets southeast was laid
in 1917 and the church dedicated October 4,
1921. The old building was removed and the
present church dedicated in 1890.
In 1922 the pastor was Rev. James Lucas,
and In 1843 Rev. Father Horseigh was as
6lgneQ 10 LnlS PARISH rev. EDWARD .. fnlgnL
was in charge of services there in 1853, and he
was succeeded 10 years later by Rev. F. E.
Boyle.
In the early days interments were made in
the cnurchyard surrounding the original build
ing.
Many persons who recall the old ST. Matthews
Church, that stood for many years at the north
east corner of H and Fifteenth streets, where
now stands the Southern Building. The
ground for this house of worship was purchased
in 1899, and the church dedicated the follow
ing year, and it seems a residence was erected
about the same time for Father Joseph P. Done