The Ottawa Journal

A considerable amount of Ottawa talent took part in a concert at Dawson, Osgoode. Tuesday evening in aid of St. John's Temperance Hall, recently erected in that place. Messrs. P. and J. Gorman, W. Wall, E. Jones, from this city appeared on the programme, and J. Riel of Manotick, and C. O'Neil of Kemptville also contributed to the pleasure of the affair. The concert was organized by Rev. Father W. T. McCauley, parish priest of Dawson. There was a large number of people of all denominations present

St. John's church Dawson, intends treating the young folk to another pic-nic this year on June 17th.

Rev. Father McCauley's pic-nic at Osgoode yesterday in aid of the Dawson Catholic church was attended by about six hundred people. Mr. C. Murphy of this city gave an address. Following him were political addresses by the political candidates, W. C. Edwards and E. N. Hurtubise.

The solomn reopening and blessing of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church at Osgoode. which was damaged by fire last Armistice Day, was carried out yesterday in the presence of a notable gathering, ecclesiastical and lay. Mgr. J. H. Chartrand, vicar-general, blessed the beautiful new edifice. He represented His Grace the Archbishop of Ottawa.

The pastor Rev. A. Gorman welcomed the visiting clergy and expressed heartfelt thanks to all who had so unselfishly assisted in the rebuilding of the sacred structure.

Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father F. Corkery, South Glouchester, a former pastor of the church. Rev. M. J. Gorman, of Farrellton, acted as deacon, and Rev. M. T. O'Neill, of Richmond, as sub-deacon. Rev. Father John O'Neill, St. Brigid's Ottawa, delivered the sermon.

Among the clergy present were Mgr. J. H. Chartrand, vicar-general; Mgr. W. E. Cavanagh, Almonte; Canon T. P. Fay, St. Brigid's Ottawa, Rev. Father F. Corkery, South Glouchester; Rev. Father P. C. Harris, Metcalfe; Rev. Father M. P. O'Neill, Richmond; Rev. Father John O'Neill, St. Brigid's Ottawa; Rev. Father M. J. Gorman. parish priest at Farrellton, a brother of Rev. Father G. H. Gorman, of Huntley, a cousin of the latter; H. J. Morin. architect, of Noffkle, Morin and Sylvester; George Cashman, contractor; Michael McCloskey, foreman of works, and Robert Strang, decorator.

When the old structure was destroyed by fire, Rev. Father P. C. Harris of Metcalfe, formerly of the Blessed Sacrament church, Ottawa, disregarding the danger entailed, removed the sacred host and vessels to safety.

Rev. Father Gorman informed The Journal last night that it seemed fitting that the church should be reopened and blessed on the day that the Pope made his broadcast from Vatican City.

Fire of unknown origin caused damage estimated at around $20,000 to the Church of St. John the Evangelist, on the old Prescott road. three miles east of Osgoode, late yesterday afternoon. The blaze was first discovered about 4:15 o'clock by the family of Philip McEvoy. who immediately notified the sexton, Thomas McCarthy.

The Osgoode Fire Brigade, the first to reach the fire, was later reinforced by No. 10 chemical truck, sent out by the Ottawa Fire Department on orders of Chief J. E. Lemieux, and the Nepean Fire Brigade, under Fire Chief Richard Hayes.

Reached the Roof.

The fire started in the vestibule of the sacrist and worked its way through this portion of the edifice to the roof. Though several times the firefighters felt they had the situation in hand. the blaze proved to be particularly stubborn, and it was not until about nine o'clock that the fire was under control.

News of the fire spread rapidly throughout the entire district, and the road leading to the church was choked with automobiles. Many parishioners came long distances on foot to give what assistance they could, and willing hands salvaged everything movable in the church. including the three altars and the rows of pews.

Saved the Host.

Rev. Father P. C. Harris, of Metcalfe. formerly of Blessed Sacrament church, Ottawa, was one of the early arrivals on the scene, and undeterred by the flames, removed the sacred Host and Vessels to safety.

The Osgoode Fire Brigade arrived at the fire with a motor pumper. A huge zinc tank was placed adjacent to the church and a bucket brigade was hastily organized to replenish it with water from a creek about half a mike away. This enabled the fire-fighters to utilize the pumper throughout in their efforts to check the blaze.

No. 10 chemical truck arrived at the fire a little after six o'clock and final re-inforcement came from the Nepean Fire Brigade.

Will Use Parish Hall.

Rev. Father A. Gorman, parish priest, well-known as the former curate of St. Brigid's church here, stated last night that pending the rehabititation of the church, mass would be conducted in the parish hall. That damage was not heavier than it was he attributed to the fact that the church was semifireproof and offered considerable resistance to the flames.

The present stone church was built in 1918 at a cost of $30,000 to replace the old wooden church used up to that time. The stone church was dedicated by Mgr. Routhier, in the absence of the late Archbishop Gauthier. Rev. Father F. Corkery, now parish priest at St. Mary's, South Gloucester. was pastor at St. John's at that time. Largely through his efforts, the church damaged yesterday was erected to care for the spiritual needs of the many Roman Catholics in that district.

The presbytery which was in such danger of destruction last night is 10 years older than the church.

Rev. Father Gorman thanked all three fire brigades for their fine work before they returned to their respective stations.