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Auxiliary Bishop Sylvester
Rosecrans Lays Cornerstone |
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The Catholic Telegraph Photography Project: A Blog |
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| On June 6, 1866, ground was broken for
the first Catholic Church in Wilmington; eighteen days later, June
24, the cornerstone was laid by the Most Reverend Sylvester H.
Rosecrans, Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati and later Bishop of
Columbus. "This church was a brick structure 35x60 feet, with a striking spire, surmounted by a large gilt cross. On the tower, at the base of the spire, were four more gilt crosses, the whole giving to the front a handsome appearance. The interior was modest, yet well finished, possessing a beautiful main altar for so small a church. There was also one side altar, and a gallery for the choir. "Four years were to elapse before the building was ready for dedication, although services had been held in it regularly for some time previously. The delay seems to have been caused by the fact that a cyclone tore the roof off on March 17, 1868. The dedicatory services on October 5, 1870 were discharged by the Most Reverend John B. Purcell, Archbishop of Cincinnati; it was on this occasion that Archbishop Purcell gave the name of St. Columbkille to the Church for it was on his feast day that ground was broken for the church." (Description from parish anniversary booklet Saint Columbkille 1866-1966; |
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Return to Sylvester Rosecrans, Part 5 |
(11/30/2010) |