GLENFINNAN — NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 34, 20 December 1873, Page 9

GLENFINNAN — NEW ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

(From the ' Inverness Courier,' September 18, 1873.) A nbtv Honian Catholic Church in Glenfiuuan, Invernessshire, builfc at the sole expense of the Rev. D. MacdonaM, wa3 recently opened with great solemnity. The ideas and wishes of the founder have been most successfully carried out by ih.s architect, Mr IS. Welby Pugen, and this perfect architectural gem is an additional proof to the many previously existing of the versatile and original goiiius of its architect. The church is situated on an elevated platform overhaugiug the upper end of Loch-Shiel, in tho midst of some of the most romantic scenery in Scotlaad. The various colour of atone of which it is built produces a very pleasing effect. The style is early English, and the church consists of nave, aisles, and sanctuary, with two tide-chapoU, one terminating each aisle. The chancels and sido-chapels avo thrown into one opeu space by ineaus of four arches, two at each eide. The,

beauty of the design fcai been admirably carried out by the builder, Mr A. Kltohie. • • - '• - ... • i St ;F' n 'l? D » who * aTe hi- name to *!»• romantic glen, was a discipleot St. Columba and a bishop, and the ruins of a monastery founded by him still exist on a pretty littls verdant island in Loch, BMel, and the ancient bell, said to have been used in his time, ia still to De seen within its ruins. The weather on the opening day was brilliant, and the visitors, who had passed the night at the hospitable mansion of Gilfinmn, the seat of Mr Maodonald of Glenaladale, were roused by the strains of the identical bagpipes played at the first *i™ c " n § of the e^n" in this very spot in 1745, and again at the field ot isttiicrden, and «ver since carefully preserved as a most precious fielrloom m the family. By a singular coincidence the gathering for the opening of this church took place on the anniversary day of the eventful gathering of the clans. Soon parties from all quarters began to arrive on foot, in carriages, and many in boats. At 11 o'clock a *!raf cannon announced the arrival of the barge of Lord Howard of GIMMp with his laroily, manned by a crew of his tenants, who had ' rowed tl« whole length of the loch, a distance of 24 miles, from Shortly after eleven Archbishop Byre, with the Biabops of Jiexliam and Newcastle and Northampton, at either side in their purple ro.es, proceeded to the church, accompanied by a brass band, and lonowed by the rest of the com r any. The procession of the bishops •nd priests having made the circuit of ehe church outside, high mass was sung by Archbishop Eyre, assisted by Canon Oonsittof Durham, *cv. Angus Macdonald, Rev. Eneas Chisholm, and Bey. Angus Mactariane. Bishop Strain of Edinburgh and Bishop Macdonald of Aberdeen were unavoidably absent. Among the clergy present were :- J-lie Right Rev. Monsignore R. Tate, D.D., President of St Cuthberfc's ? &c'& c ' U 4 haw 5 the RR ® V8 ' D * M^i W. Dawson; A. Reid, J. Macdonald, H. Macdonald. C. Macdonald, D. Macdougall, and D. Macinnps. The church was crowed chiefly with Catholics, interspersed with a few Protestants of the neighbourhood. Atnongst those present may be mentfoned Lord and Lady Howard, the Hon. Alice Howard, the Hon. Francis Howard, the Hon. Jidward Noel, James Anderson, Esq. ; Alexander Macdonald, Esq. ; the Misses Macdonald otDaleleo, Miss Macdonell, Master Stott, Mrs and Miss Blackburn of Roshven, Mr and Mrs Cameron of Inverailort, the Misses Gillespie, the Miesos Robertson, Mr and Mrs Macdonald °* Jnvernevis and family, Mrs and the Misses Macdonell cf Keppoch, Mrs Macdonald, Ord, &c. Apologies were received from Lady Gordon of Drimmin, Robert Gordon, Bart, of Letterfourie, Miss Alexandnna Gordon, Robert Monteith, Esq of Carstairs, and Alexander jw* q " The Bermon was Poached by the bishop of Hexham and jNewcastle, who paid a feeling tribute of respect and affection to Uie founder of the church. The service was concluded by the"Te Ueum. ■ " In the afternoon the company were entertained at lunch in the mansion. The &uly noble-looking Highland piper, who had previously performed -on the terrace, was introduced, and presented with a glass of wme by Lady Howard of Glossop, in which he drank to the health of all around; On the company retiring to the drawing-room space was cleaved for dancing, and .successive couples joined in the invigorating steps of the Soottiah reel, which was led off by the young lJirdand Lady Howard. The^dance was kept up with great spirit until the setting sun, on the msjestic out lines of Ben-Nevis, wurncd those from a distance tti&t it was time to separate j and thus ended a day long to be remembered by all those who shared in its enjoyment.