St. Ann’s Catholic Church Dedicated, A Beautiful Edifice in Every Respect
Impressive
Services Attended by Thousands of People
The Weekly Journal (Lafayette, Indiana) Fri, Aug 4, 1889
Sunday was a happy day for the people of St. Ann’s parish. It marked the completion and dedication of the handsome new church edifice erected by that congregation at the corner of Wabash Avenue and Green Street. The church was not erected in a day and its completion and dedication is the triumph of industry and generosity and fidelity of the members of the parish. The church was in the course of construction for several years and was built carefully and well. In addition to being sightly, it was substantial. It will stand for years as a monument to the liberality and enterprise of the people who built it. The people of St. Ann’s parish are not wealthy, but they are independent in spirit and progressive in character. When it was found that the time had come to erect a new place of worship to accommodate the growing congregation the task was undertaken with zeal and determination. No hand was idle in the good work. Even the children entered into the spirit of the enterprise and contributed their share. As a result of this toil and economy and waiting, there came the grand triumph yesterday when the church was dedicated and consecrated to its sacred use. And the members of the congregation were not alone in the happiness brought by the day. People of their faith came for miles to participate in the exercises and to congratulate the people who built the church. They came to admire the structure and to rejoice in its dedication.
St. Ann’s Parish
St. Ann’s Parish was organized in 1870 as an auxiliary to St. Mary’s parish. Rev.
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| Rev. George Hamilton |
Sketch of the Pastor
The New Church
The new church is certainly a beautiful place of worship and, as Father Campion has declared, the members of its congregation and its faithful and zealous pastor have the right to feel proud of it. It occupies a commanding site with a frontage of sixty feet on Wabash Avenue and a depth of 115 feet on Green Street. At the southeast corner rises a tower 110 feet high. On the first floor and forming the base of the tower is a baptistry. The main entrance to the church is through a double arch. The structure is of brick and stone and is admirably proportioned. Everything about it is symmetrical and pleasing. The church complete cost about $27,000. Of this, eleven thousand dollars is represented in the furnishings. The foundation of the edifice was completed in 1896. The available funds were then exhausted and work on the structure was stopped until the following year. The corner stone was laid on September 12, 1897, and the edifice enclosed. Since the laying of the corner stone the work has progressed steadily. Where so much time was consumed in building the structure was naturally benefited. Every part of it was built carefully and well.
The Interior & Stained Glass
Windows
The interior of the edifice is strikingly beautiful. The richly stained-glass windows and the handsome altars were contributed by different members of the congregation. The walls and ceiling were done in oil and the leading colors of pale green and cream blend harmoniously. It is one of the finest pieces of decoration to be found in the city and is exquisite in its artistic effects. The aisles and the space in front of the altars are laid in tile. The woodwork is oak, and the pews are of the same material. The pews are nicely arranged and are comfortable. The galleries, the choir loft and everything in connection with the church are handsomely finished and nicely located. The church is equipped with a splendid Kimball organ operated by a water motor. The church is illuminated by incandescent lights, and they are arranged to give best possible effect. The acoustic properties are excellent. Admirable taste has been used in furnishing the church and everything in it new and bright and pretty. The lighting by day and by night is excellent and it would be impossible to find a more complete or prettier interior. It would not be proper to say that the church is massive or imposing, but it seems to have been the purpose to appeal to the lighter and brighter side of life. Everybody who visited the church yesterday could not but help admire the symmetry and beauty of the structure.
The Dedication
The
dedication of the edifice took place at 10:30 o’clock yesterday morning. The
service was a solemn high mass and was very impressive. The seating capacity of
the church is about 600 and, while the attendance at the morning service was
smaller than at any other time during the day, there was a fair-sized audience
present when the services opened. The officers of the mass were: Celebrant, the
Very Rev. John H. Guendling, vicar general of the Fort Wayne diocese; deacon,
Rev. P. J. Crosson of Wabash; sub-deacon, Rev. P. J. O’Reilly of Fort Wayne;
master of ceremonies, Rev. Charles Guendling. The Very Rev. M. E. Campion of
Logansport was selected to deliver the sermon, but, as he is just recovering
from the effects of an attack of illness, he was unable to perform that part.
His place was taken at a moment’s notice by Rev. Charles Guendling, director of
the St. Joseph orphan asylum, who performed the duty assigned him in a very
satisfactory manner. The music at this service was a beautiful feature and was
rendered by a number of soloists and a chorus assisted by an orchestra. Joseph
Etten acted as musical director and Miss Elizabeth O’Keefe presided at the
organ. The following program was rendered: Prelude, Priests’
March..Mendelssohn, Violin, Flute, and Organ. The Mass by Theodore De ‘la Hache
Kyrie, Gloria Credo..De ‘la Hache Offeratory, Regna Terrae .. G. Curto, Soprano
Solo and Chorus. Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnes Dei… De ‘la Hache “God of
Might”…Chorus. The solo parts in the mass were carried by the different
soloists selected for the occasion and the solo part in Regna Terrae was taken
by Miss Kathleen GAven, who was at her best and the rendered the part in an
artistic manner. Everyone who had any part to perform in rendering the music
arranged for the occasion sang well and the music rendered yesterday has never
been surpassed on a similar occasion in this city.
At the close of the morning service the members of the church and the visitors who had come in on special trains from different quarters were given an opportunity to dine. An excellent dinner was served by the ladies of the congregation in the school building, formerly the old church, and refreshments were served on the lawn surrounding the parsonage. The ladies were kept busy during the noon hour and all through the afternoon and served a large number of people.
The Parade
The parade in the afternoon was an imposing affair and was viewed by thousands of people. It started from Hibernian Hall, corner of Third and Ferry Streets, shortly after two o’cock under the direction of Michael C. Sheehan, grand marshal. The Citizens’ Band of Peru led the way. The marshal was accompanied on horseback by his aids, namely: Edward Gallagher, representing the Young Men’s Hibernian Society, William Gerlash, representing the Catholic Foresters, John Keefe, representing the Ancient Order of Hibernians, George Miller, representing the St. Joseph Society, Will Moser, representing the Knights of St. Paul. The Knights of St. John were represented on the staff of the grand marshal by John Finan of Elwood, colonel of the Fourth district, Thomas S. McDowell, colonel of the Third district, John B. Wilkin, lieutenant colonel of the third district, and Joseph Shoemaker, adjutant of the third district. The Uniform Rank of the Catholic Knights of America was represented by John W. Volpert of Peru, chief of staff, with the rank of brigadier general. The staff was followed in Society; William Gerlach, representing organizations. The marching column was composed of the Elwood Band, Ohlsen’s Band, the Lafayette Military Band and by different organizations of the Knights of St. John, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Catholic Knights of America, the Catholic Foresters, the Catholic Benevolent Legion. The Knights of St. Paul, the Young Men’s Hibernian Society, the St. Joseph Society, St. Patrick’s Society and the Uniformed Rank of the Catholic Knights of America were also represented. The Hibernian Rifles of Fort Wayne, Captain Ford commanding, a company of well-drilled men, made handsome in appearance. The Volpert Zouaves of Peru, in their unique uniform and in their admirable drill, attracted a great deal of attention. There were several hundred men in line and the parade, which disbanded in front of the new church, was a credible and imposing one.
Afternoon Service
As all of the visiting societies did not reach the city in time to attend the morning service, a service was held at 3:30 o’clock in the afternoon to give them an opportunity to see the church. Many of them accepted the opportunity and the church was crowded. The first member was an organ voluntary by Miss O’Keefe, who played Handel’s “Largo.” This was followed by a beautiful solo by Mrs. William Schultz who sang “The Holy City.” The Very Rev. M. E. Campion then took the occasion to thank the visitors for the part they had performed in the dedication. He said that when he was pastor of the church he had prayed for the day when the congregation would be able to assemble in a new place of worship, and thanked God that he had been permitted to live to see that day. He complimented the congregation and its pastor upon the splendid results that had crowned their efforts. He spoke of the day following the night and said that the congregation had passed through the night and was now enjoying the light of day. He declared that the edifice that had just been dedicated is a credit to the city and to the church, and that the congregation has a just right to feel proud of its new church. The services closed after Joseph Rembusch sang a selection from Cherubini entitled, “Tu Rex Gloria Christe.” The solo was rendered in fine style and was a fitting close to the service.
Evening Service
Solemn
vespers were held last evening at 7:30 o’clock. The seating capacity of the
church was tested by the people who assembled to witness this beautiful and
impressive service. The officers of the service were: Celebrant, the Very Rev.
M. E. Campion; deacon, Rev. F. J. Dandurand of Auburn; subdeacon, Rev. R. J.
Pratt of Arcola; master of ceremonies, Rev. Charles Guendling. The following
musical program was rendered by the soloists and chorus, assisted by the
orchestra, and was quite elaborate: Psalms…Gregorian Chant, Dixit, Dominus,
Confiteuor, Beatus; Vir, Laudate Pueri, Laudate, Dominm; Magnificat…A.H.
Rosewig, Ave Marie…Selected Contraito Solo by Miss Nan Callahan, with violin obligato
by Prof. Alfred Viol; Offeratory, Regna Terrae, G. Curto Solo by Miss Kathleen
Gaven with chorus; O, Salutaris…Rossini Bass Solo by Joseph Rembusch with a
quartette accompaniment by Miss Anna Cassel, Mrs. William Schultz and John
Dietrich; Tantum Ergo…Millard Soprano by Miss Kathleen Gaven with Chorus,
Laudate Dominum…Fiske.
The
music throughout the day was of the highest order and was greatly enjoyed by
the audiences. The soloists who rendered such excellent service were: Miss
Kathleen Gavin and Miss Anna Cassell; Altos, Mrs. William Schultz and Miss Nan
Callahan; tenors, John Dietrich and Eldon Lewis; basses, Joseph Rembusch and
Charles Reyer. The chorus which so ably assisted the soloists was composed of
the Misses Flora Schilling, Stella Carter, Mary Moynihan, Mary Crowley, Mary
Martin, Mary Flannigan, Agnes Naughton and Grace McNary. The orchestra which
rendered such valuable assistance to the soloists and chorus was composed of
the following players: Violins, Prof. Viol and Will Hehemann; second violin,
John and Chas. Reifers; viola, William Powers; cello, Charles Riedlinger; bass
viol, John Riedlinger; cornet, Frank Jamison and Albert Zink; flute, John W.
Fletemeyer; clarinets, Henry Lehnen and Frank McNeal.
The following members of the Catholic clergy in attendance: the Very Rev. John H. Guendling of Fort Wayne, Rev. P. J. O’Reilly of Fort Wayne, Rev. F. J. Dandurand of Auburn, Rev. P. J. Crawley of Lebanon, Rev. P. Quinn of LaGro, Rev. John Dempsey of Crawfordsville, Rev. P. J. Crosson of Wabash, Rev. Francis Jansen of Frankfort, Rev. Father Benedict of Rensselaer, Rev. Charles McCabe, Rev. Father Lucas, Rev. Father Clement, and Rev. Charles Guendling of this city, Rev. R. J. Pratt of Arcola, the Very Rev. M. E. Campion of Logansport, and Rev. R. J. McGee of Providence, R.I.
Volpert Zouaves
An organization that attracted particular attention in the parade was the Volpert Zouaves of Peru. This organization was formed five years ago and takes its name from General John w. Volpert who was its organizer and who commanded it for two years. He was succeeded as captain by the present commander, John R. Huber, who has held that position for three years. The first lieutenant of the company is Gus Schubert and the second lieutenant is John Tully. Captain Huber is a graduate of St. Viateur College and of St. Joseph College and has had an excellent military training. His home is in Peru and he is in charge of the gents’ furnishing department of the largest clothing house in that city. He is not only a capable drill master but devotes a great deal of time to the Zouaves. They are recognized as one of the crack military companies of the state and have won a number of prizes in competitive drills. They were called upon several times to act as escort to the late Governor Mathews and, from their willingness to turn out on any occasion and by their proficiency in drill, have won a very enviable reputation. After the parade yesterday they gave a short exhibition drill on the lawn at Rev. P. F. Roche’s residence. After performing such difficult maneuvers as forming a pyramid, a triangle, a cross, a figure eight and other maneuvers, they received the applause of spectators. The movements executed by them during the parade were greatly admired. General Volpert, for whom the organization is named, is chief of staff to J. W. Nordhouse of St. Louis, major general commanding the Uniformed Rank of the Catholic Knights of America and holds the rank of brigadier general. He is a very clever gentleman and is justly proud of the splendid organization that bears his name.
The Peru Band
A special train was run from Peru to the city yesterday and the organizations brought here by the train were accompanied by the Citizens’ Band of that place. This band has for its instructor Prof. Steve Carpenter, a musician of recognized ability, and is managed by Ollie Kelly. It is the leading band of Peru and is one of the finest in the state. It has been in existence for a number of years and makes a specialty of concert music. It was given the place of honor in the parade yesterday and attracted a great deal of attention. Last evening in front of Hibernian Hall, while the visitors were waiting for their trains, the band played a number of selections. Everybody admired the music, and all were sorry when the band marched up the street to take the train.
Elwood Delegation
One
of the organizations making a fine appearance yesterday was St. Joseph
Commandery No. 274 of Elwood, Captain J. W. Short commanding. The commandery
was accompanied by Colonel John Finan stated to a Journal representative that
St. Joseph Catholic Church at Elwood, a structure costing $40,000, would be
dedicated on October 8 and that preparations are being made for a grand
dedicatory service.
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