Souvenir of Loretto centenary, October 10, 1899 : 1799-1899 ,Saint Michael's Catholic Church, Part 21

Author: Kittell, Ferdinand, 1847-1927
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Cresson, Pa. : Swope Bros., Printers
Number of Pages: 490


USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > Loretto > Souvenir of Loretto centenary, October 10, 1899 : 1799-1899 ,Saint Michael's Catholic Church > Part 21


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Rosemary.


Hildebert.


Loretta. Thomas Jesse.


HERTZOG James. Mrs. Alice (Seymour).


LORETTO CENTENARY.


301


HOFFMAN Michael. Anthony. Mary E. HoGUE Joseph. Regina. Agnes. Hoque William .I.


LATTERNER John. Mrs. Mary Ellen (Lnther). John Michael. William Frederick.


Charles Henry. Theresa.


LENZ George.


Mrs. Mary Ann (Lantzy- Eckenrode.)


ITEL Joseph B.


Mrs. Christina (Hahm).


Mrs. Mary Eliz. (Hertzog).


LENZ Edward. Mrs. Susan (Baker). Fra Anthony.


LANZ Joseph


LITTLE Francis 1. Mrs. Catherine (Mc-


Anulty). JJolm Henry.


William Joseph


Gertrude Irene.


IVORY Henry Joseph. Mrs. Mary (Watt). Margaret.


Catherine


Rose Saralı.


Dora M.


LITTLE Joseph Vonantius.


Mrs. Eleanora Susan.


Edward.


Clarence Veritas.


Harry.


JONES Clarinda. Alice.


KANE Sarah.


KAYLOR Mrs. Cecilia


(Burke).


LOWE Mary Matilda. Howard.


Rose C.


Irene.


Lonis E.


Mary C.


MCATEER Gertrude.


KAYLOR John G.


KAYLOR Zach. Flora.


Ettie.


Rose.


MODERMITT Mary J.


-


MCDERMITT Francis A.


MCDERMITT Alonzo.


MCDUNN Josephine L. MCGOUGH Mrs. Jane (Null).


Dora. Annie. KERRIGAN Mrs. Mary Am (Helsel-Moreland). KITTELL Rev. Ferdinand.


Mc Coy Rachel. Jane. Agnes. McCoy Edward.


GLASS William Edgar.


GLASS Mary Josephine. GLASS Eugene. GRIFFIN Joseph W.


Mrs. Margaret Eliz. (Par- rish).


GRIFFIN Francis Patrick. GRIFFIN Marie.


Edward.


Rose.


Albert Willian.


HAMMOND George.


Mrs. Jennie (O'Brien). Edna Elizabeth.


Francis.


Demetrius. Raymond.


Sarah Jane.


Martin Glona. Joseph Aloysius.


E. LITZINGER Jesso F.


Mrs. Laura (O'Hara). Leonard. William J.


GLASS James Sherman. Mrs. Ella (Little) Anna Helen. Sylvester. William Edgar. James Reardon.


MAUSE Mrs. Mary (Danghen- baugh). Auna Irone.


Daniel Meredith.


Ida M.


ITEL Francis Henry. Mrs. Gertrude (Sanker). Mary E.


ITEL Francis. Mrs. Elizabeth (Gerst). Charles Albert. Augustine P.


Mrs. Francis ( Ivory). Leo Walter.


LENZ Tiburtus,


302


SOUVENIR


(McGough) Francis Joseph. John E.


Herman J. Laura.


MCMULLEN Joseph A. Mrs. Ann Cath. (Sanker). Martha Mary. Samuel F.


Margaret.


Edna Susan.


Sarah.


Louis.


Mildred. .


MCGUIRE John Heyden.


Mrs. Mary J. (Coons).


Michael Luke.


Catharine Magdalen.


George Albert.


Alice Sarah. Susan Jane.


Mark Abbot.


Bernard William.


MCGUIRE George Luke.


Peter Augustine.


Mrs. Matilda (Luther).


Bertha Mary.


Sylvester John.


Chester Edward.


Warren William.


Rose Mary. Zita Matilda.


Caroline. Raymond Roy.


Charles Herman.


MELOY John C.


Richard.


Mrs. Theresa (Fisher).


Vincent Arthur.


Priscilla.


Mary. Raymond.


Michael John.


NAGLE Clarence.


NASE Francis.


NOEL Samuel. Mrs. Rose (Kane). Joseph. James S. ·


NOEL Albert J. Mrs. Mary A. (Sybert).


Francis. John. Charles. . Mary Ruth. Catherine.


O'NEILL Joseph F. Mrs. Ella J. (Brawley). Simon Homer. Esther Marie. Cora Enlalia. Arline Agatha. Arthur Joseph. Morgan Ferdinand. Leo Robert.


O'NEILL Herman C.


!


LORETTO CENTENARY. 303


(Mullen) Regina. Aloysius Clair.


NOLL Mrs. Christina ( Wille- brand).


MULLEN Mrs. Amma Jano (Ingard).


John A.


NOLL Lonis.


Mrs. Elizabeth (Biter).


Harvey.


Simon.


NOON Michael. Mrs. Eleanor (Noon).


Charles.


Thomas.


James P.


Alexander.


Joseph.


Joanna.


Dennis.


Jane.


MULLEN Catherine. Vincent.


Dominic


MULLEN Mollie L.


Chrysostom.


MURPHY Mrs. Michael (Bar- bara Itel).


Margaret.


MYERS ANTHOY. Mrs. Mary (McGuire). Catherine. Henry Angustine.


MYERS Henry Chester.


NAGLE John M. Mrs. Della (Gallagher).


William.


O'HARA Francis C.


Mary Frances. Simon Peter.


Andrew Joseph.


Mando Ellen.


Morgan Francis.


Robert Michael. Leo Paschal.


O'NEILL, Mrs. Catherine (San- ders).


MCHUGH Venantius M. Mrs. Anie L. (Brown). Margaret E. Mabel M. Catharine G. Engeno V. Harry J. Veronica E.


MCLAUGHLIN James. Mary. MCMULLEN Annie C. Mary R.


MORAN Peter.


MCGUIRE Mary.


MCHUGH Matthew.


Mrs. Frances (Nagle). Walter.


MCHUGH Mrs. Matilda (San- ders). Michael Henry. Frances Amelia.


Alexander P. Honora Elizabeth.


Francis Elmer. Mary Enlala. Louis Ferdinand.


MORAN John E. Mrs. Catherine (Sproat). MOYER Mrs. Ann (McCon- nell). MULLEN John. Mrs. Mary Ann (Dela- noy ). Margaret Ann. Mary Elizabeth. Mary Josephine. Cleophas.


Blanche.


Henry Otho.


George Edward. Walter Anthony. MOQUEENY Margaret. McVEY Daniel.


MCVEY Mrs. Sarah (Ecken- rode). MELHORN Peter A.


Mrs. Ellen (Douglas). Charles. MELHORN Jonathan W. Mrs. Lydia E. (Ecken- rode).


Philip S.


NOON Philip. Mrs. Mary (Hanlon).


O'BRIEN Howard.


Stella. Bertha.


Edward Augustine. William Albert. Ann Elizabeth.


O'HARA William. Mary Amm.


Henry J.


Sarah Elizabeth. Viola Margaret.


MILLER Mary.


304


SOUVENIR


(O'Neill) Mrs. Ida(McCarthy). (Pruner) Edward Raymond.


Francis H. John Walter. RAYMOND Emma.


Louisetta A.


Eugene Victor.


REILLY Mrs. P. (Rose Ellen


Lawrence Earl.


Mildred de Sales.


Noel). RIGGLE Urbanus. Joseph.


PARRISH Thomas L.


Mrs. Ann (Kennedy). Andrew G.


RODGERS Peter. Sarah Genevieve.


Walter A.


RUDOLPH Mary Matilda.


Raymond A.


RUDOLPH William.


PARRISH Alexius.


Mrs. Catherine (Rhyne).


Edward.


Alexius F.


SANDERS Philip J.


Mary.


Mrs. Catherine (Eberly).


Helen.


Joey.


Robert.


PARRISH Rose.


PARRISH Amelia.


Emanuel.


PFIESTER Mary Elizabeth. Peter Joseph.


Mary R.


Clara.


PHALEN Mrs. Mary Ann (Bohe). James Sylvester.


William. Zita. SANKER John.


PLATT Celestine C.


Mrs. Mary (Rudolph).


Mary Caroline.


Mrs. Elizabeth (Storm). Luke T. Angela.


James Gordon.


SANKER Ambrose.


Henry Raymond.


Rachel Esther.


PRINGLE John W.


Mrs. Annie E. (McClos- key).


Mrs. Margaret (Smeltz- er). SARGEANT Thomas.


Thomas Webster.


PRUNER Mrs. W. H. (Mary Little). Mary Bertha.


Mrs. Agnes (Kaylor). William H. James T.


Henrietta.


Mary J.


Emma Caroline.


Emma.


Loretta.


Loretta.


William Henry.


Camilla Marie.


Rose. SCANLAN James Cornelius.


THE GROUND TO THE RIGHT (2 1-5 acres) DONATED TO THE P. R. R. CO. BY REV. FERDINAND KITTELL. LORETTO ROAD STATION. CAMBRIA & CLEARFIELD DIVISION. P. R. R. FROM THE BRIDGE OVER THE "BIG CUT."


Leo P.


Mrs. Caroline (Biter). Louisa Mildred. Stella Catherine.


Morgan. Eva. SANKER Anthony.


Mary Matilda.


Mrs. Elizabeth (Rudolph). Emma. SANKER Linus .J.


305


LORETTO CENTENARY.


(Scanlan) Mrs. Philumena (Strittmatter).


George Louis.


Herman Augustine.


Stella Cordelia.


Bernadette Margaret.


Mary Eveline.


Leo Joseph. Mary Theresa. SCANLAN Joseph Augustine. Mrs. Harriet (Conrad). SCHNABEL John A.


(Sheehan) Edward A. SHERRY Jacob.


Mrs. Regina (Flick). Amelia.


Francis Xavier.


Vincent Damian.


William Jerome.


Rosalia Regina.


Gervaise Anicetus.


Almira Bertha. Henrietta Luella.


Mary. SCHNABEL Joseph H. Rosalia.


SHERRY John C. Mrs. Mary Helen (Rosen- steel). John Edwin.


SEYMOUR Martin.


Mrs. Rosanna (Buck).


Sylvester. Henrietta.


Anna Philumena.


Raymond Albert.


Libertus Andrew.


SEYMOUR George. William. Tibertus.


Leonard.


Blanche.


Edgar. SEYMOUR Isidore. Mrs. Theresa Cordelia (Bishop.) Regis Thomas. Mary Matilda.


SILL Anthony J. Mrs. Elizabeth (Cooper). Austin Anthony. SMELTZER Mrs. Anastasia (Kerrigan.)


Wilfred P.


Leila Gertrude.


Prudence Blanche.


Michael Joseph.


Ellen Theresa.


John Francis.


Mary Walburg.


Henry Ralph.


George Augustine. Mary Esther. SMITH Emory L.


Olive Ann. Loretta Cecilia. Catharine Thecla.


Mrs. Mary E. (Dougher- ty.) Clara Mary. William Howard. Walter Leonard.


SHEEHAN Timothy. Mrs. Rebecca (Burgoon). Eliza Rebecca. Mary Ann. SMITH Charles Alan.


SHARP John C.


SHARP Joseph. Mrs. Elizabeth (Fogle).


Romanus Titus. Genevieve Regina. SHIBER Mrs. Susan (Beiter) .. Ella. Aloysius.


Anna Mary. Englebert Joseph.


Peter Albert.


Purcell Pius.


Mary Elizabeth.


306


SOUVENIR


(Smith) Mary Eleanor.


STEBERGER Jacob.


(Stoy) Edward. STOY William.


(Vanght) Mary Emma.


VOLK Henry. WILLEBRAND Peter J. WILLIAMS James.


Mrs. Matilda C. (Ham-


mond). Henry Angustine. Wur Thomas.


May Myrtle.


Ethel Lorenc:


SUMMARY.


LORETTO OUTSIDE BOR.


THE BOR


SI


Under 5 years of age.


i Females 7


51


.


23 --


116


139


Between 5 and 15


7 Females 15


184


149


35-


261


296


mond).


Eleanor V. J.


Between 15 and 21.


Females 10


22


172.


to1


John.


James J. Mary G.


Mario.


TIERNEY John J.


George.


Mrs. Susanna (Bradley).


Bertha.


Mary V.


Leonard.


James F.


STEVENS William F.


Sarah Jane.


STOCK George.


John A.


Males over 21. married.


.11


158


1000 112


Mrs. Mary (Simindinger). Michael.


Margaret J.


Females over 21. married.


15


174


219


Mary.


TOMLINSON Charles.


George.


Mrs. Ellon Cath. (Shaffer).


Harry.


Caroline.


120


607


Patience.


Michael.


Bertha.


Lama.


Irene.


Howard.


l'males under 21


SO


629


STORM Francis Augustine.


TOMLINSON John E.


Mrs. Lucy (Strittmatter).


Total.


200


1117


1326


Families ..


Gilbert Eligius.


Alfred Joseph,


TOMLINSON Simon P.


Mary Edna.


TOMLINSON Cecilia.


VAUGHT Simon.


Mrs. Mary Magd. (Hort- 70g).


LORETTO CENTENARY.


307


Mrs. Walburg (Behrin - ger). Joseph. Elizabeth. Alexander.


Mrs. Ida (Bradley). Mary Irone. SYBERT Catherine. John. Jennic.


Henry.


Francis.


STEVENS Jacob.


Mrs. Lucy (Coons). Raymond. Englebert. .


SYBERT Pins Alphonsus. Mrs. Annie M. (Haid.) William Joseph. Ralph John. Charles Adrian. George Bradley.


STEVENS Michael. Mrs. Mary J. (Gardner). Matilda.


THOMAS Ann U. Margaret.R.


Bridget A. Susan M.


\ Males


20


127


147


STEVENS Harry Mrs. Elizabeth (Ham- THOMAS Michael P.


1 Males 12


28:1


311


Over 21 years of age.


i Pomales il


285


$356


129


568


697


Total.


200


1117


1326


ummarried


17


125


50


341


·ind 26


111


157


245


350


Total.


Malos under 21


260


317


312


STORM Gilbert Andrew. Mrs. Elizabeth (O'Han- lon).


Stella Margaret. Clement Joseph. Walter Agustine.


230


1


105


Laura.


1 Malos


Charles Augustine. Henry Vincent. Clement Clifford. Mary Dorothy. Ida Rosalia.


1 Maloy 16


TOTAL.


STOY Andrew. Jennie. Sophia.


Joseph.


303


SOUVENIR


THE CHURCH (1817), CHAPEL (1852) AND RESIDENCE (185) OF FATHER GALLITZIN, THE CHURCH WAS TAKEN DOWN, THE CHAPEL REBUILT AND THE RESIDENCE REPAIRED IN 1291.


LORETTO CENTENARY.


309


THE CENTENARY.


On April 1, 1891, Rev. Ferdinand Kittell assumed charge of St. Michael's Church, Loretto. Having from his early youth entertained a feeling of deepest reverence for the saintly Father Gallitzin, he determined while in his new posi- tion to do all in his power to make more widely known the name and the memory of the illustrious apostle of the Alle- ghenies. With this view he sought first of all to restore, where possible, and to preserve from further decay, the buildings erected by Father Gallitzin in the early part of the century. The old log barn, which stood near the "Plank Road, " a little distance in front of the old pastoral residence, was for years appropriated by the tramping fraternity as a convenient nocturnal abode, and was found on examination to be not worth preserving. Consequently it was razed to the ground and the pine logs hauled to Himmelwright's saw- mill and converted into boards, which, with the stone of the foundation, were used in the construction of the new_Pa- rochial Hall.


The frame church, erected by Father Gallitzin at his own expense in 1817, and which served as the parish church nntil 1854, was found to be in a greatly dilapidated condition. It was the carnest desire of the pastor to repair it, and to pro- serve it as a valuable historical landmark; and for this pur- pose he deputed all the carpenters of the congregation to carefully examine the structure, and to report on the possi- bility and cost of restoring it to its original condition. They reported unanimously that the building was too much dam- aged by the ravages of time and weather to justify any out- lay for repairs, which at the best could not be of permanent character; and it was therefore decided to take down the building, and to lay out the ground on which it stood in burial lots. The sanctuary part was reserved for the interment of the parish clergy, and the area of the auditorium, 40x60 feet,


310


SOUVENIR


was laid out in eight lots 15x18 feet, with a walk four foot wide dividing them, and sold at 850 cach to the following named persons:


No. 1. Elizabeth Lacy. No. 5. Rug. and R. W. Litzinger.


No. 2. Rev. Geo. W. Kaylor. No. 6. Francis R. Flick.


No. 3. P. J. Sanders. No. 7. B. W. Litzinger.


No. 4. Rev. F. C. Noel. No. 8. Mrs. Susan Gallagher.


The entire area of the old building was enclosed by a neat railing to mark the spot where the first church was erected on the Alleghenies, -the first indeed at that time ho- tween Lancaster, Pa., and St. Louis; for the frame church, taken down in 1891, was erected on the site of the original log structure built a century ago.


To obtain the means wherewith to carry out his plan as to the other buildings, the pastor issued the following appeal to the public:


AN APPEAL FOR FUNDS


To Preserve from Ruin and Decay, the Chapel and Residence of Rev. Demetrius A. Gallitzin, and to Ereet a Suitable Monument to His Memory.


"Died on the 6th of May, A. D. 1840, at his residence, Loretto, Cambria County, Penna., Rev. Demetrius Augustine Gallitzin, forty-one years pastor of the flock in the midst of whom he expired, beloved and lamented. He was a son of Prince Gallitzin, Minister Plenipotentiary of Russia at the Court of Holland, and was born at The Hague, on the 22nd of December, 1770. At the age of twenty-two he came to Amer- ica to prepare himself, by traveling, for the high station he was to occupy in life; but he, soon chose a different career, and entered the Seminary of Saint Mary, Baltimore, to pro- pare for the holy ministry. He received the holy order of Priesthood from the hands of Dr. Carroll, then only Bishop of Baltimore, on the feast of St. Joseph, March the 19th, in the year 1795, and was subsequently employed in the sacred . ministry at Conewago, whence he visited the immense dis- trict (around Loretto) where he fixed his residence in 1799. In the midst of a few poor families he began his apostolic


311


LORETTO CENTENARY.


labors, and lived to see several large congregations gathered around him, whose spiritual wants, in the remote parts of the country, required the aid of several priests. His bond- less charity has been experienced by thousands, who owe to him every temporal comfort, besides the blessing of Rolig- ion."


1


The above obituary, printed in the "Catholic Herald" soon after his demise, gives but a faint outline of the life and labors of the Pioneer Missionary of the Alleghenies. They can be appreciated only by those who consider the immense obstacles he had to overcome before he succeeded in firmly establishing a colony on the rugged mountains and in the inhospitable climate of Cambria Comty. Ile generously devoted forty-one years of his noble life, all his brilliant talents and a princely fortune tothe great undertaking which brought. sneh benefits to Religion and to the State. More than a half century has passed since his death, and, as yet, his merits have never been adequately recognized.


In this connection the Very Rev. Thomas Heyden, D. D., of Bedford, Pa., one of his biographers, wrote as follows:


"As the railroad cars of the Central Pennsylvania route pass westward through the great tunnel, and emerge thence over the cloud-capped peaks of the Allegheny chain of mom- tains, the listless, msuspecting throng of passengers are suddenly awakened by the cry of the conductor, when ho sounds forth the name given to this station, Gallitzin! And this, to use the words of a late reviewer, is all there is to remind them of the son of one of Russia's proudest, noblest. families, who for nearly half a century foiled so disinterest- edly for the spiritual and temporal welfare of his fellow men, on this same mountain.


"It is true, his inconsolable flock, not long after his decease, created to his memory an humble monument, but not. at all worthy of this great man, and it is to be hoped that a more suitable and superb one will soon mark the sacred spot. where so much worth is inferred, a spot worthy to be a place of pilgrimage, where all who want to have revived in them the spirit of faith and sacrifice and charity, will often resort,


:


312


SOUVENIR


locus pietatis (the place of piety) as the tombs of the martyrs and confessors were called in the primitive church."


It is to realize this ardont hope that the undersigned issues this appeal. The old stone house in which for so many years the venerable Prince-Missionary made his home. and from which his well-tried soul ascended to heaven, and the humble chapel, likewise of stone, in which for so long a period he exercised the sacred ministry, have commenced to succumb to the ravages of time, and, unless they be repaired, . will soon form but a shapeless mass of ruins. Erected in the carly part of this century, they are valuable historical landmarks, and are worth preserving for the sake of the hal- lowed associations and memories with which they are con- nected.


.


The old frame church, built at Prince Gallitzin's expense in 1817, which at that time was considered a marvel of archi- tecture, is thought to be too far decayed to merit the cost of repair. But the foundation wall will always remain to mark .the spot where the sacred edifice was erected.


The "humble monument" of shapeless sculpture, erected by the congregation in 1847, is composed of blocks of rough mountain stone, which the frosts of our long and severe win- ters have forced apart, leaving large crevices, annually grow- ing larger, through which the rain and the melting show penetrate to the vault beneath, where the remains of the heroic missionary are preserved. These blocks will have to be re-set and securely clamped so as to maintain them per- manently in position; and when this is accomplished, it is . proposed to replace the unsightly (and now decayed) wooden cross and coffin which surmount the so-called monument, with a life-size and life-like statue of the venerable Gallitzin, for which the pile of massive blocks would serve admirably as a pedestal.


To accomplish all this is beyond the means of this con- : gregation. At any rate, the name and fame of Gallitzin are not the exclusive property of the Loretto parish: they belong to the Church and to the country at large.


313


LORETTO CENTENARY.


.


If, therefore, you' who read this appeal, care to aid in perpetuating the memory of one who was great as a Prince, a Missionary, and an American citizen, kindly send a contri- bution, however small, to


REV. FERDINAND KITTELL, Pastor. St. Michael's Church. Loretto, Cambria County, Pa. June 15, 1891.


The appeal met with a hearty response on the part of the general public. From near and far contributions came flow- ing in, until the total amount reached the sum of $2.138.12. With this money the pastor was enabled to rebuild Father


CHAPEL AND RESIDENCE OF FATHER CALLITZIN


Gallitzin's chapel, part of which had already fallen in, and the rest was in danger of falling: to repair Father Gallitzin's honse, which until 1874 had been the pastoral residence, and to render it again useful as a domicile: to seenre a metallic casket into which his venerated remains wore transferred


314


SOUVENIR


·


from the original, then greatly decayed, coffin, and to repair the ravages which time had made in the monument erected in 1847.


When all this had been accomplished there was nothing left towards completing the design of honoring the name of Father Gallitzin, and of perpetuating the record of his life's work. by erecting "a snitable monument to his memory." Years passed, and money was needed, and generously con- tribnted by the parishioners, for other improvements. The time for celebrating the great Centenary was fast approach- ing, and it was seen that it would be impossible for the people of this agricultural parish, where very little money circu- lates, to raise the large sum required to procure a statne of the illustrions Gallitzin. It was under these circumstances that on the 19th of last April Father Kittell laid the case he- fore Mr. C. M. Schwab, President of the Carnegie Steel Com- pany, Limited, who was pleased with the suggestion, and at once most generously offered to defray the entire expense of the statne. The contract for its erection was given to Mr. O. E. Wilkinson, of the marble and granito firm of Jas. Wil- kinson & Son, Ebensburg, Pa. It was at first intended to place the statue on top of the stone monument as it stood: and the credit for procuring the magnificent granite base which now sup- ports the statue is due to Mr. Wilkinson, who repro- sented to Mr. Schwab that the design would not be complete without it. It is needless to state that Mr. Schwab heartily approved of this suggestion, and cheer- fully bore the extra, and quite considerable, expense. 0. 1%. WILKINSON.


315


LORETTO CENTENARY.


In the meantime the most active preparations were bo. ing made for the worthy celebration of the Centenary, which was first fixed for September 29, the Feast of St. Michael, Patron of the parish, and afterwards changed to October 10. Committees were appointed to arrange for the varions de- tails, invitations were issued, and the celebration duly adver. tised in the public press. The citizens of Loretto vied with each other in their efforts to make the old town assmne a gala-day appearance. A dozen arches spinnet the mriin


THE MAIN STREET OF LORETTO. FROM CORNER NEAR THE CHURCH


street of the borough at varions points, and every house was decorated with overgreens, bunting and flags, The members of the Loretto Council Y. M. L. had charge of the decorations on the church gronnds and down at the old honse, and the three arches that they erected were much admired. The pa- pal colors, yellow and white, displayed in honor of Monsignor Martinelli, the Apostolic Delegate, were everywhere in ovi- dence, and mingling with our glorions red, white and bhe. prodnee I a pleasing and beautiful effect. The interior deco.


316


SOUVENIR


rations of the church were very elaborate. A large picture of Father Gallitzin was suspended high above the sanctuary. and from it festoons of evergreen were looped to the five col- umns on either side of the nave, connecting with large pie- tures of his ten successors in the pastorate at St. Michael's, one on each column. Intermingled with the festoons of evergreen were festoons of yellow and white bunting; and from the organ gallery was suspended a national flag, 24x36 feet, kindly loaned for the occasion by the County Commis- sioners. On the Gospel side of the sanctuary was erected a throne for the Apostolic Delegate, and directly opposite, a similar one for the Rt. Rev. celebrant of the Pontifical Mass.


Great anxiety was manifested lest the statue, cast by Bureau Bros., sculptors, Philadelphia, should not be in read- iness for the date announced for the unveiling. It was not


ATRIVAL OF THE BASE CF THE STATUE, CCTCLFR 6.


until the evening of Friday, October 6, that the three im- mense blocks of polished granite, weighing fifteen tons, and destined for the base of the monument (see picture) arrived at the church. Yet it speaks well for the energy displayed


317


LORETTO CENTENARY.


by Mr. Wilkinson and his corps of workmen, that he finished his contract by the following Monday afternoon, and an- nouneed everything in readiness for the ceremony of the next day.


On Sunday, October 8, rain fell copiously, and though it did considerable damage to the bunting already in place, it did not dampen the spirits of the parishioners, for the naven i which they were making for beautiful weather on the 10th was not yet conelnded, and they felt sure that their prayers would be heard. And, as the event prove l, their prayers were heard beyond their utmost expectations.


On Monday, the 9th, the weather was still of a threaten- ing aspect, but in the afternoon the clouds rolled by, and all nature gave indications of a beautiful day on the morrow. A grand demonstration had been arranged in honor of the Apostolic Delegate, whose arrival was expected at about 5 o'clock in the evening. At the request of the pastor, nearly the entire congregation assembled in the church yard, whore at the proper time the procession was formed. First went the cross-bearer and two acolytes bearing processional lanterns; then the flag-bearer carrying the Stars and Stripes, followed by the Loretto Cornet. Band: then marched the children who on the morrow were to make their first Holy Communion and to be confirmed, each carrying a flag: these were followed by the students of St. Francis' College, and by the older members of the parish. The Rev. pastor, accom- panied by Rev. Martin Ryan, of Gallitzin, and a number of acolytes, all vested in cassock and surplice, brought up the rear. Four papal flags were carried in the ranks.


The procession moved down the road to Cresson, and halted near the foot of the hill to await the arrival of the Most Rov. Delegato. In due time his carriage was seen descending the opposite hill, escorted by fifty young men of the parish on gaily decorated horses, marshaled by Mr. W. Edgar Glass, and followed by a long retinne of conveyances decked ont with the papal and national colors. At the first sight of the Monsignor's carriage a mighty cheer was raised by the waiting ranks; handkerchiefs wore waved, the band


.


318


SOUVENIR


played a lively tune, and these demonstrations of welcome, as hearty as the one given in Loretto to the Papal Nunzio, Monsignor Bedini, in 1853, were frequently renewed as the pro- cession slowly returned, and only ceased when the Delegate, alighting from his carriage, entered the church, and thence passed to the parlor of the pastoral residence. Monsignor Martinelli was accompanied on his trip by Rt. Rov. Bishop Curtis, of Baltimore, and by Very Rev. J. A. Zahm, D. D., Provincial of the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Notre Dame, Ind., whose mother was born and reared in this parish, and was baptized by Father Gallitzin,




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