Decatur Daily Democrat, Volume 52, Number 126, Decatur, Adams County, 28 May 1954 — Page 11

FRIDAY, MAY 21, UM

Male Choir To Sing At Dedication

- ■%w J X x ''' •■/>' / * a W? *•' a W ; '':-. < ' X ' r .■ > i f’F -zV I irtMiMi. J^".-- &' & r <z. ?•> yiMi y r •‘vWr I IEISI- ■ l * WwKlI i Mr ■•• .;a o>' 4 ?-; MHBH JsSw Jj» SHHM •* ' * L, '- : • KXBH9*| I X i it' rX^HkW-- v; ’ kXiZ» ( +F K«K 1 <X > **' Ki L'rf ‘ii’is-. -l»sHsWßFia\ 1 3 ?; . : «.- f ■HvC. >• v '-*• I* > Hv, u Up. iwr fWwWwy -■ J-J ’ " fewjl XX - —•— Outstanding Feature of the interior decor is the huge Venitian mosaic pictured above. It is formed of thousands of tiny pieces of fine-grade gold and colored glass and is probably one of the finest pieces of church art in this section of the country. The mosaic, reaching almost to the ceiling, forms a reredos or backdrop for the main altar. It depicts the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven. The picture of the Virgin is done in colors on a gold background.

Indianapolis Firm General Contactor.F. A. Wilhelm of Indianapolis was the general contractor for new St. Mary’s church, corner of Fourth and Madison streets. Wilhelm has built several churches in Indiana, including a Catholic church and rectory at the east edge of Bloomington. Award of the general contract and those for electric wiring, plumbing and heating, Mere made in June, 1951. These principle contracts were awarded to the McKay Electric Co., for the electric wiring and to Schwagman-Witte Co., both of Fort Wayne, for heating,. Ventilating and plumbing. The three general contracts approximated 1780,000. The contractor broke ground for the new church, Mdrch 12, 1952, a delay in staring work on the building arising from post-war government controls on materials. Baker and Schultz of this city did the excavating work and built the foundations under the rectory and church. Concrete for the vast building project was furnished by the Yost Construction of this city. Msgr. Seimetz, pastor, dug the first spade full of dirt in an informal ground-breaking ceremony, which launched the building project that will be formally dedicated next Monday.

'V C' iB Ik 11 iP I' Xt l 1 ■rT ™ I wEm- Jw>u w "'■■Ll - | '(b * i Ife r - AX' 1 . w 1 ■MI ' W 8 Bl ' W * Bf -*** BoiH The cornerstone of the new church was sealed ‘bv the Most Rev. Leo A. Pursley. — Auxiliary Bishop of Fort Wayne on December 14, 1952. * 1 ■ . . . <■ ....•-,

MS. PWaf®*. < • •aaSr < v 8 ii- L i -BL F ■ H ’... " r H B o ® ® ® I " r »» B* *’?iSiliHl r ’ > ’ • <♦ A ■ ® ml '*■ - I fß** > i lly SB - v- ■ -■" ir~ ■ •< The above picture shows the south transept of the church, facing Madison street. The entrance to the north 1 transept is identical.

Data On New Church The new Catholic church seats 750 people. Its overall length is 158 feet and the width at the transepts is 84 feet. The nave itself is 58 feet wide. The narthex dir vestibule is l 8 feet by 24 feet. The nave contains 28 pews and

each of the transepts have 10 pews. There are eight arches formed along each side of the church by stone pillars. A small clerestory window of stained glass is above each arch. The tip of the cross atop the tower of the church is 146 feet from sidewalk level.

TSS MCATUR DAILY DBMOCIAT, XWOATUM, ■ 1 ..^ 1111 - I

The 28-vofce male choir organized at Bt. Marra Catholic Church will elnr the solemn dedication Mass for the new edifice. The Hev. Lawrence Heimann, C. P. P. S., head of the music department at St. Joseph’s College, who helped organise the group, Will ho guest conductor for the dedication , event. . ' The choir, directed hy Lawrence Pursley of this city, and accompanied by Sr. M. Paul. C. 8. A., will present music which conforms with the ancient tradition of the Catholic church. All three types of choral music prescribed by the church—Gregorian chant, polyphony and modern music — are performed by the eholr. Much of the chant dates from the early church music of the fifth and sixth centuries. For the proper of the dedication Mass the choir will sing “Ttrrlbilis Est” by Rosstat The ordinary of the Mass will be from “Missa Immaculate Conceptions” by Lncinlo Reflce. "BenedleirnttS Domine” by Mettenlieter will be sung at the Offertory. At the benediction of the Most Blessed . Sacrament ”O Salutaris” by Perosi-Heimann and “Tantum Ergo” by Aiblinger-Heimann will be sung. The recessional song will be "Magnificat” by Neiland. Included in the choir are Cyril Becker, Patrick Briede, Paul Briede, Donald Eyanson, Fred Eyanson, Fred Foos, Robert Gage, Robert Gage, Jr., Robert Heimann, Edward Heimann, Joe Kelley, Michael Kohne, Ralph Krlegel, George Laurent, Artbttf Lengerich, Leonard Lengerich, John Moore, Charles O’Shaughnessey, Robert O’Shaughnessey, Cletus Rumschlag, Jerome Rumschlag, Thomas Rumschlag, Hubbard Steiner and Paul WolperL "ijl It •-' -08 l i I ■ >/■'-'■ I ARCHBISHOP NOLL The blessing and dedication of new St. Mary's church will be done by the Most Rev. Archbishop John F. Noll, D. D., Bishop of the Fort Wayne diocese. One of the foremost Cathoik leaders in the country, the 79-year-old Archbishop was born in Fort Wayne, Jan. 25, 1875. He attended St.-Lawrence College, ML Calvary, Wis., and completed his theological studies at Mt St. Mary of-the-West, near Cincinnati. He was ordained a priest, June 4, 1898. _ He was consecrated Bishop of Fort Wayne, June 30, 1925 and was elevated to Archbishop last year. Archbishop Noll is the founder of Our Sunday Visitor, Catholic weekly published in Huntington. Brick Rectory To Be Razed This Summer . The 69-year-old brick rectory on Fourth street, directly north of the new church, will be razed immediately after the close of the Catholic school, Msgr. Seimetz stated. Msgr. Seimetz explained that while children wore around the premise, it would be dangerous to tear down the building. He plans to remove the residence this summer. Located on the south side of the alley, it is adjacent to the Catholic school building. -The 10-room, two story brick residence was erected in 1885 by the late Rev. H. Theo. Wilfcen, who was pastor of Bt. Mary’s church from 1880 to 1913. In the souvenir program published in 1938 for the Centenary of the first Mass celebrated in Decatur, the cost of the rectory is listed sst J 7.000. _ . - The rectory was remodeled by the late Rev. JpHtfs A. Seimetz, who succeeded Father Wilken tn 1914. . " _ ______ Fort \Vayhe Man Heads Construction Wayne M. Morningstar, 3026 Pennsylvania St, Fort Wayne, was the superintendent of construction for F. A. Wilhelm, general contractor, who carried the constructjofTworLTWough to conipletiou; ...

It Was Our Privilege

to be the 4.... ...... : GENERAL ■ ■ CONTRACTOR . ■■ tJ .. «(• ' & < « ,*.*-£•< A•« >,.• ...» - ;■ * fl 4 , ’ ’ . - ' . . .■, .• ■■ ..'yJ 1 •” . 7 for the New St. Mary’s Church WE Extend Our Oonfralultiiens and Thanks to the Congregation and Megr. Solmotz

F.l WILHELM ■- . ■ GENERAL CONTRACTOR J ’ ■ ...X ■ . ' Indianapolis* Indiana

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