Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 65, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 May 1909 — Blessing of the Corner Stone. [ARTICLE]

Blessing of the Corner Stone.

The corner stone of the new church at St. Joseph’s College, was laid Sun day afternoon as announced last week. A number of visitors from abroad were present to assist at the celebration. It was also gratifying to notice the large number of friends from Rensselaer and vicinity who came to the college to witness the ceremony. The procession ot students, faculty and officiating clergy was formed Id the college building. Thence they proceeded, lead by the cross-bearer, to the new church. Arriving on the platform of the vestibule, the Rt. Rev. Mgr. Oechtering, V. G., Ft. WayneInd., blessed the corner stone following minutely the impressive ritual and ceremonies of the Catholic church for such dedications. The mechanical work of placing the stone in position was done by the contractors, the Medland Brothers. Rt Rev. Mgr. Oechtering having contracted a severe cold was unable to favor the audience with an address. In his stead Rev. John Gormley, of the college faculty, delivered an eloquent sermon explanatory of the use and needs of a church and religious services in the education of our American youth. There is no true education of the mind without rea 1 moral training of the heart “God grant that the youth of our state and nation may throng its sacred aisles in ever increasing numbers, that they may be filled with the plentitude of true wisdom, which is to know Thee, O Father and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" It may be of interest to the readers to know the meaning of the inscription on the corner stone: D. O. 11 Oratorlum Sancti Joseph. To God

the Best and the Highest, this church of Saint Joseph is dedicated. The architect, J. Gaul, of Chicago, inspected the work last Thursday and expressed his entire satisfaction witl the manner and progress of the erection of the building.