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Show ST. PATRICK'S OF EUTTE. The present magnificent edifice and Nourishing parish is the fruit of years of persevering labor and unremitting devotion to the cause of religion by men that rose triumphant over heartbreaking heart-breaking difficulties and disappointments. disappoint-ments. From the summer of 1866 to the spring of 1SS1 the spiritral wants of Butte were attended from Deer Lodge, by Rev. Father De Rychere, who built the first Catholic Church in Butte, under un-der the title of St. Patrick's. The first resident, pastor of Butte, Rev. James Dols, who took up his new and arduous labors on March 8. 1SS1. A physical and mental athelete, Fa.ther Dol was well qualified .to brush-aside the many brambles that impeded his onward march. A parstoral residence was completed the same year, ani was shortly followed by the erection of St. James' hospital, conducted by the'Sis-t- - of Charity. St. Patrick's Church of Butte at this time proved inadequate to accommodate the rapidly growing Cyhnlin. Population. f " In May, 1S83, the cornerstone of the new edifice, part of which still remains, was laid. Rev. Fathers Kelleher and De Rychere assisting Father Dols as the ceremonies. The building was of brick, on a stone foundation, and trimmed w ith cut granite facings. Dedication Dedi-cation ceremonies took place Sept. 17. 1SS4. The enlarged field now taxed the pastor to such an extent that assistants as-sistants were deemed necessary, but experience proved their absence to be preferable to their presence. At this date Father Dols experienced considerable unjust criticism and dissatisfaction dis-satisfaction from his people. The clouds hung darkly for a time, but the sunshine sun-shine of good will finally dispelled the doom. In 1SS5 Father Dois paid a visit to j Holland, in order to recuperate and gain energy, both physical and mental, I for future labors. Rev. L. S. Tremblay of Montreal. Canada, and at that time pastor of Frenchtown. was called to Butte, where he remained for about a year, but hard work and the noxious mineral fumes so far undermined his health that a removal re-moval became necessary in the latter part of December, 18M3, and the Rev. H. J. Van de Yen was sent to Butte afi pastor, to fill the vacancy. About the middle of September, 1SSS, Father Van der Broeck, at present pastor pas-tor of St. Rose of Limas, Dillon, was attached to St. Patrick's, remaining at Butte in that capacity for three vears. j In September. 1SS1. he was transfered to Miies City, and Rev. Cyril Pauwelyn was appointed to St. Patrick's in his stead. In 1SS7 Father Van de Yen laid the cornerstone of St. Patrick's parochial school. The building was ready for occupancy oc-cupancy by the Sisters of Charity in September 6, 1SS9. This institution cost M5.C00 a balance of f 40,000 remaining unpaid. This debt was destined to weigh heavily on the future pastor of the parish. In Jky, 1SS3, Father Van de Ven journeyed to Europe, and Rev. Father De Seire, then pastor of St. Paul's Church, Anaconda, was sent to xiutte to assume charge of St. Patrick's. In July of the fame year he was joined by Rev. Father Batens, the present pastor of St. Laurence's Church, Wal-kerville, Wal-kerville, as assistant. In February of 18&4 Rev. Father Aarts. now of St. Peter's Pet-er's Miscion, was appointed second assistant as-sistant to Father De Seire. To say that tnese three reverened gentlemen had a difficult task before them is putting the case very mildly. Through possible bad management of some sort, the confidence of the people had waned, the parish was under the heavy parochial school debt, the ever hungry interest of which completely swallowed the annual contributions of the people. 'Twas a time such as "tries the souls of men." Zealously did Rev. Father De Seire and his able assistants labor to restore an equilibrium of feel-in feel-in ff. With scarcely a rift 'in the cloud, matters went on thus until the A. P. A. movement of 1S95: that organization, seeing the straightened condition of St. Patrick's parifh. offered to buy the parochial pa-rochial school and thus deal a death blow, as they supposed, to Catholic education in Butte. Such a proposition roused the Celtic blood from "that Saint-hallowed Isle of the sea." The iron reached white heat, and Father De Seire dealt the telling blow by making a special appeal to the people. The Anaconda, company agreed to pay half of the immense debt if the people would raise the other half. Committees- were appointed, and the citizens' sum, with a surplus of $2,700, was paid over in less than three months. The patriotism and religious sentiment of the people had been aroused arous-ed by the A. P. A. effort to deprive them of their school. This feeling, coupled with the immovable confidence of Father De Seire in his parishioners was the m.ainspring to enthusiasm and final success in raising a debt that had settled so darkly over a discouraged fold, but an ever hopeful and zealous f hepherd. The general rejoicing that followed can be better' imagined than described. The festival of felicitation reached its height on June 1, 1836. Rt. Rev. Bishop Brondel of Helena officiated at Pontificial High Mass and concluded his happy remarks on the occasion by naming Rev! Father De Scire as permanent and irremovable paster cf St. Patrick's. . in OCllieillUCl , i-OJl", a ----- was unanimously commissioned by his people to enlarge the Church. The --di-fice erected by Father Dols had long since ceased to accommodate the Sunday Sun-day worshipers. Tavo wings were added ad-ded at a cost of $16,000. and recently $4,000 has been expended in decorating the interior. I The present St. Patrick's has a seat- , ing capacity of 1.200. and is a credit to the energy and untiring labors that promoted it. On Dec 3. 1&96, Father Baterus paid a visit to his Belgian home, and on his return, March 17, 1897, was appointed pastor of St. Laurence s Churc h. Waikerville. Rev. Father Gallagher, Gal-lagher, now pastor at Kalisrel, filled the vacancy during his absence. Tne present clerical staff includes Rev. Father De Seire. pastor; Rev. Father Blaere of Belgium, who came to Butt? in ugust, 1S97; Rev. J. J. Callahan of Omaha, who arrived in September, 1593, and Rev. Fathers English and Harrington Harring-ton both of Ireland, and ordained within the present year. Durinsr Father De Seire s absence in Europe." Rev. Father Callahan is acting act-ing pastor. Asited by ablend'- generous coworkers, co-workers, matters are proceeding in a healthv and encouraging groove. There are about 15,000 souls in the parish. The following societies are all in a flourishing condition: Sunday school- 3.000 children. Mtar society 1.200 members. B. V,' Sodalitv 700 meiibers. League of the Sacred Heart 1,500 members. SU John Berchmaa s Acolythlcal society so-ciety Seventy-five members. Long may Heaven's choicest blessings rest on St. Patrick's of Butte. May each succeeding year beam with a more serene se-rene smile of bright prosperity. To the acting and absent pastor and assistants as-sistants and to all pari sis ion ers The In-termoun-tain Catholic extends best wiahes for a Happy Christmas and a Bright Xew Year. H. E. R, |