ST. JOHN’s CATHOLIC CHURCH, CROMWELL.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 34, 6 July 1870, Page 5

ST. JOHN’s CATHOLIC CHURCH, CROMWELL.

—o—• PKAST OP ST. PETER AHD ST. PAUL. One of the most interesting ceremonials ever celebrated on the Northern • Gold-fields took place last Wednesday, in connection with the dedication and blessing of St. John’s Catholic Church in this town. The fact of that church being the first place of public worship erected here lent unusual interest to the occasion. The severity of the weather, and the almost impassable state of the roads and rivers, combined to prevent the attendance of any large number of strangers from the rallying districts ; nevertheless Father Royer and the ever-welcome Father Norris put in on appearance, and at 11 a.m. on Wednesday they wended their way to the new building. Wo may here briefly note the dimensions of the new church. It is 3(5 ft. by 13 ft. in the clear, and the walls are 10 feet to the oaves. It is built of the best totara and pine, weatherboarded, and lined from floor to ceiling. Owing to the frame-work having been blown down at an early stage of its erection, the Committee, in order to avoid unnecessary loss to the builders, had to depart to some extent from the original plans ; but to an unpractised eye the change has made no perceptible alteration in the general appearance of the building, which is exceedingly neat and well finished. At about noon, high mass commenced ; Father Norris, celebrant, and Father Royer, assistant priest. Mr Ignatius Loughnan presided at the harmonium, and accompanied it vocally. After the first Gospel, Father Norris read the Epistle .and Gospel of the day, taking his text from Acts xii., v. 1 to 11 ; and Matthew xvi., v. 13 to 19. The rev. gentleman, in his usual eloquent and fervid style, demonstrated the great faith of St. Peter, his miraculous escape from tho lion’s den under Herod, and his reply to our Lord when asked, “ And whom do yon say I am ?” dwelling forcibly upon his appointment as head of the Church. Tho preacher then gave a short sketch of the history of the Church, tracing it from tho fall of Adam down to tho times of Noah, Abraham, Jacob, and Aaron, and thence to the coming of our Lord, who made all perfect. Ho also alluded to tho influence of tho Church over us in this life from tho time we enter its portals at the baptismal font, describing tho sacraments down to tho last extreme unction as we retire to the grave. It is needless to say that the preacher rivotted the attention of tho congregation throughout his sermon ; and those ladies and gentlemen of other denominations who attended seemed pleased and edified with the whole proceedings.—Mr charily made a collection on behalf of the building fund, and over £3O was contributed-—a handsome sum indeed, considering the small number of people who were able to attend, Vespers and evening sorI moo brought the day fed a close—a day that will ‘me Jong jrwj pkisaVirhly rtme'mbwed by many in Groin-weal. ■ . . • ■