This pamphlet was conceived in enthusiasm by men and women who are bristling with PEP to build a Beautiful Church in St. James Parish. They are impatiently waiting: they are clamoring for action. They want YOU to know what they propose doing. They hope you will be with them. Don't look for a seat in the Grand Stand-People who do things move-the disinterested sit and watch -- Our Parish Big Drum is beating a marching tune – “LET'S GO."
Dear Parishoner:
This issue of "Let's Go" is devoted almost entirely to designs of churches submitted to the Parish by three reputable architects. Each has its peculiar feature and is an admirable effort to solve the difficulties that are presented by the physical contour of the site, the dimensions of the lot, the size of the church, the grouping of the three units comprising church, rectory and convent and the cost of the buildings.
The contour of the site suggests a pedestal setting for a church. It has a frontal on three streets, Tamm Avenue on the east, Nashville on the north and Wade Avenue on the south. The lowest elevation is a point on Tamm Avenue frontal which is nine feet above the level of the side walk and which gradually rises to the west till it reaches an- elevation at the back of the lot of seventeen feet. The sidewalk on Nashville Avenue inclines thirteen feet from front to back of lot and there is an inclination of fifteen feet along Wade Avenue. This involves a separate problem for an architect. He must endeavor to place the group of buildings at a grade level that will make access easy, landscaping beautiful, excavation not costly with cuttings of ground not to exceed the fills necessary to the landscaping.
The size of the lot presents another difficulty. It is only 165 feet deep and fronts 200 feet on Tamm Avenue. The best field of vision is from Tamm Avenue, and, as the lot is only 165 feet from this street, there is scarcely sufficient room to place a church of the proposed seating capacity facing this approach without risking a danger of not having proper proportions, acoustics and sufficient background.
One architect, to solve this problem, has designed a church that faces Nashville Avenue, and thereby avails of the greater breadth of the lot. To give the semblance of a church facing Tamm Avenue, he cleverly set the main door of the church at the center of the eastern side and from this erects a tower that presents a magnificent front to Tamm Avenue: He has also a door and suitable front on Nashville Avenue.
A third problem is to arrange the group of buildings in such a manner that the best exposure be given for air and sunshine to the units involved and as much privacy as possible to the occupants of the rectory and convent. With this admirable aim, two of the architects have so placed the rectory, convent and church as to make a court yard that opens on Tamm Avenue which gives both convent and rectory southern exposure and a great deal of seclusion.
The fourth problem is to give the greatest amount of advantages for the least cost and to erect units of excellency in architectural design. This is really the biggest of all the problems and involves all the others. It opens up another feature which pertains to construction and style of architecture and which calls for technique and detail of design. It is really the work that gives an architect an opportunity of manifesting his ability, and is so peculiarly professional, an architect cannot help but have heartache when he expects a decision on the perfection of his plan from one who is not an architect.
I have decided to submit these sketches to some reputable architect who is a disinterested party. There are a number of plain facts which the parishioners and myself are competent to judge. In matters that are outside of our sphere we will seek advice from those who are more competent.
So far I have no decided inclination to accept one of the sketches and reject the others. I feel like the lady who had three lovers at one time. She liked John best of all, but Jim was wealthy and Harry was pretty. 1 will maintain an open mind for a week or two and listen to all who have a right to express their views.
I am calling a meeting of all the parishioners for Thursday night at 8 o'clock, when we will discuss the three designs and endeavor to come to a decision as to which one we shall present to the archbishop for approval.
Yours in Christ
PATRICK J. O'CONNOR, Adm.
DESIGN NO. 1
Design No. 1 is the sketch of a church of the Tudor Gothic style of architecture. This style is marked by arches that come to a point suddenly. It is a type of the Old English Church and is considered one of the most classic styles that has developed in ecclesiastical art.
The proposed church has three aisles. The middle aisle separated from the side aisles by arches resting on pillars twelve feet high. The apex of these arches to be 14 feet. Each of the side aisles to be 14 feet wide and each arch to be lighted by a window 8 ½ x 6 ½ . The center aisle is to be 33 feet wide which gives the church an entire width of 61 feet.
Close to the sanctuary the church widens out through arches into transcepts, almost every seat in which has a view of the altar. Thus there is a space around the chancel which is much wider than the body of the church and which will carry three magnificent arches, one facing the door and directly over the altar railing and one on either side 42 feet high.
The height of the walls is set at 32 feet and the apex of the gables would rise to 42 feet. The entire length of the church is 136 feet. The vestibule to be twelve feet deep and the sanctuary 28 feet. The upper walls of the clear story of the church are lighted by windows 7x6, and the gables on the side wall will each be lighted by windows 10x20.
It is proposed to have cut stone in all the window sills and to have artificial or cut stone in each of the arches.
The church is to face Tamm Avenue, elevated above the side walk about 14 feet flanked by a tower on the northwest that would have an elevation of 86 feet.
In this as in all the other sketches there would be four approaches to the church, one from each street. The entrances from Nashville and Wade Avenues would have an elevation of not more than five feet above the side walk, and the church floor would be only two feet higher than the driveway from which the church could be entered from the back. .
The rectory is set on the building line of Wade Avenue and facilitates the digging of a cellar, as is the convent on the north side, and these two buildings extending toward Tamm Avenue encloses a secluded space between the church for rectory and convent.
This plan gives a southern exposure to convent and rectory and groups the units so as to present to Tamm Avenue an unbroken line of buildings.
DESIGN NO. 2
This arrangement of rectory and convent around a cloister is a scheme, the virtue of which, will be apparent when the whole section is solidly built up. The three buildings will face Tamm Avenue and the plan eliminates the cost of a tower.
The style of architecture is Romanesque and is marked by the tubular arch in the nave and over the doors and windows.
The plan has pillars setting within the outer walls along the side 24 feet high extending three feet into the church, supporting arches over the nave 48 feet high and transverse arches 32 feet from floor to apex.
There shall be five transverse arches on each side lighted by windows 16 feet high and 5 feet wide. One of these windows will open into the convent porch on 2nd floor and shall be used to give the Sisters an opportunity of witnessing the services whilst remaining in the convent.
The church will be practically free from pillars in the interior. Its masses are all simple, its parts few. The plan is one that offers a solution of the vexed question of seats in aisles. The transverse arches are pressed back against the side wall which, nevertheless, give the requisite variety and shadow, whilst the one on either side of the sanctuary widens out into transepts that shall be supported on the north and south by gables and lighted by windows similar to those in the body of the church. The width of this transverse section shall be 76 feet, whereas the body of the church from pillar to pillar shall be 45 feet.
The length of the church shall be 128 feet, the height of the cross on the gable above the side walk on Tamm Avenue shall be 82 feet. The window in front of church in this approach shall be 16x7. There shall be a Rose window behind the altar 8 feet in diameter and two smaller windows 4x9 lighting the sanctuary.
The side walls measured from floor to church to plate line of roof 33 feet high. The pillars and window frames are of cut stone. The decorations appearing on the front wall and parapet at front entrance are of cut stone.
BAPTISMS IN AUGUST
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Mr. Thomas Hasty and Fireman Capella purchased and moved into two of the homes, built by Mr. Arthur Pahl in the O'Gorman Subdivision.
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"Jack," said Sister, "were you given the name of a Saint in Baptism?" "No," replied Jack, "I was named after my grandfather."
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Mr. Martin Coad and family spent the past few weeks at a club house on the Current River, near Poplar Bluff. Martin says the fishing was excellent.
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The same staff of teachers that taught at St. James School last year, have returned with the exception of Sister Mary Therese, who has been transfered. Sister Vinentia takes her place.
DESIGN NO. 3
This is a sketch of a pure Gothic Church such as is the one at The College. It is located across the lot along the western boundary, and is from wall to wall 158 feet long.
To give it a facing on Tamm Avenue the architect designed a massive entrance in the middle of that side and has erected a massive tower over the vestibule. This imposing front sets back from Tamm Avenue 53 feet and gives an admirable perspective.
When one enters the church he arrives in an ambulatory and at his left there is Our Lady's Chapel 13 feet wide quietly resting outside the main body of the church and extending from the main door south to the altar rails. It is connected with the body of the church by beautiful Gothic arches through which there is a full view of the altar.
Along the ambulatory there are stately pillars which are 31 feet high and which carry the beautiful Gothic Arches in the Nave to a height of fifty-four feet. These pillars are massive till they reach a height of eight feet when they take on smaller proportions and make a setting for the transverse arches which are carried to a height of 16 feet and rise gracefully within three feet of the outer walls and enclose the ambulatory, and on one side Our Lady's Chapel. The Sacristies can be seen through the arches at the sides of the sanctuary and form a part of its width. The arch in front of the sanctuary is ten feet lower than those in the body of the church, and space extending upward as well as the entire ceiling is laid in solid oak.
The windows form two rows one above the other; the greatest lighting effect will be from large stained glass windows above in the clear story.
There will be only two rows of pews in the body of the church. The nave from altar railing to vestibule where sets the pews, is 100 feet long and only 38 feet wide. This is in accordance with the best tradition and is almost an infallible index of good acoustics as it is generally conceded that there is a risk when the width of a church is greater than the height of the side walls. In this instance the walls are 42 feet high.
The objection to this scheme is evident; it cannot be erected for $150,000 in granite. The estimate rendered and guaranteed by the architect is granite $175.000; brick $150,000 and this exclusive of interior decorations which may be procured at a cost of not less than $20.000 and to suit the rest of the construction ought to cost $50,000.
The architect states he can reduce the plan to a cost of $150,000 but the number of eliminations will take considerably from the beauty of the construction.
EUCHRE AND LOTTO
Tune in on this! St. Ann's Sodality will give a Euchre and Lotto in the school hall on Wednesday evening, September 22nd, at 8 P. M.
The Euchres given by St. Ann's Sodality usually draw a big crowd, because the members are hustlers and the fancy work prizes which they make are sought after by connoisseurs.
Ladies who want to help the good cause, which is to raise a fund for an ornament for the new church, are requested to make a few prizes. Ring Mrs. George Wiber, Hiland 1899-W; or Mrs. Hugh Marshall, Hiland 1501-J on the phone and they will call for your prizes.
OR BE FOREVER SILENT
Three sketches of a church will be submitted for consideration at a meeting of parishioners which will be held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, September 9th at 8 o'clock. One of the three is the sketch of the church that shall be built and which shall stand on Tamm Avenue, we hope for many centuries.
Everyone of the parishioners are invited and will be given an opportunity of expressing of their views and of influencing us on the selection.
'Tis the last chance for saying what the church shall be. If you don't avail of it, Be Forever Silent.
ANOTHER BROTHER OF TONY'S DIES
Antony Palumbo had been reveling in delight that the Cardinals were at the head of the National Baseball League, 'till a call came to the Rectory, Thursday, announcing the death of his little brother. This is the second one of the twins to pass away rather suddenly. He was ill only 24 hours. He died in the doctor's office.
Tony has completed his fifth year at the Preparatory Seminary and intends entering the Kenrick Seminary, Tuesday, September 14th.
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Most people who are back from their vacations have 4% envelopes on their shelves that Father O'Connor would like to have. No! not empty. They always make a better impression when they have something in them.
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The very warm summer made many people irritable. It’s getting cool. Don't remember what was said in a heat. "The anger of man worketh not the justice of God."
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Mr. Ed. Pierce has been on vacation during the past week if building a granitoid wall in his cellar could be called a vacation. Having finished the wall he and his wife drove to Kansas City.
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Mike Moloney reports that the mule whose ears Father Pohl was featured as shooting off, died of the fright on seeing a picture of his narrow escape in "Let's Go."
DEATH OF MARTIN MOORE
He lived next door to the Convent and close to the Rectory for a period of fifteen years. He and his family were always the last to say farewell to the priests or sisters when they were departing and the first to welcome them on their return. He was a kind-hearted, good natured man that was respected and loved by all his neighbors.
His death came after a protracted illness. He saw it coming and prepared; the parish priests and sisters were often at has bedside and were a great source of consolation and spiritual strength to him in his last sad hours. Father O'Connor, Mrs. Moore and family, Miss Moore, his sister, and a few of the neighbors were present when he passed away on Monday evening, August 23rd.
A large gathering of neighbors and friends were present each night of the wake and the church was crowded on Thursday when his funeral took place from Mass.
He retained through his mature years a boyish enthusiasm for the heroes of his youth. He usually could be found of an evening conversing with a crowd of boys and narrating to them the feats of the great pugilists and athletes of the past half century. He was an inspiration to them to emulate the Corbetts, the Sullivans and the other notorities, and if a priest came along, he would recall when he was a student in St. Louis University and tell of the wonderful priests that were in those distant days. He took an interest in all the Parish meetings and was for many years president of the Holy Name Society.
He died a happy death. The whole community mourns for him. May he rest to peace.
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Miss Margaret Harris, 6217 West Park Ave. returned from a two weeks' vacation, which she spent touring in Chicago and Detroit.
CHURCHES YOU SHOULD SEE
That you may have an opportunity of judging for yourself the ability of the architects who have submitted the sketches for our New Church, we recommend that you visit St. Wenceslaus (Bohemian) Church. 3014 Oregon Ave., St. Ambrose (Italian) Wilson and Cooper Aves.,, also the Good Shepherd Convent Chapel.
Father O'Connor and a party of parishioners will visit these churches today, Sunday, September 5th. They will leave the Rectory at 2 P. M. All are invited.
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Sister Bernice, O. S. B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Murphy, 6438 Lloyd Ave., is home on a week's visit. She is very delighted with her "new" niece and the rest of Danny Murphy's children.
CATHOLIC EDUCATION
It is just a consideration of values; IS life more than the raiment, is the soul worth more than real estate? Your child's soul, your child's character, your child's well-being are involved. The clock of time cannot be turned back, its movement is toward time to come. On the morrow your child will have saved or lost its soul. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his immortal soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul.
Education is a preparation to be efficient. It should also be a preparation to rule one's passions. Ability and depravity are not unusual, and parents have wept not less bitterly for clever children whose careers have been blighted by passionate indulgence that has led to disgrace and ruin.
Religious education endeavors to impart to a child moral principles based on the divine law of right and wrong; it develops the spiritual in man's nature and gives him a nobler ideal of life. It teaches him the divine plan in creation and shows him the true value of things.
Education without religion gradually causes the decay of virtue. Everywhere in the land there are manifestations of indifference to God and his laws. Crime records are too stupendous to be hidden. Everywhere it is being deplored that the rising generation is alarmingly irreligious and lawless.
Recently Judge Ben B. Lindsey of the Denver Juvenile Court gave out data which tends to show that our high school boys and girls are, in large numbers indulging in immorality. Virtually the prevailing code of morals is "Don’t be found out." That is the only wrong. Being caught is the great sin. The Ten Commandments do not matter. "Many of the young people," he adds, "have banished all idea of religion and future chastisement for sin. As a result impurity and dissipation are indulged in regardless of everything but appearances."
True a smattering of religion can be given to a child who does not attend a parochial school; a healthy Catholic tradition in the home backed up by the parents who have deep religious faith and a good environment is an immense asset, and is really a necessary background for Catholic education, but as a rule Catholic children who go to the public schools have not these advantages, they go to the public school because it is the line of least resistance, and experience teaches us that most of these parents are indifferent as to whether they attend Sunday Mass and instruction.
The children of those parents who are conscientious deserve a better opportunity of acquiring a complete Catholic education, the religious day school is the very best and often the only practical way of bringing up children in the religious spirit. "Religion," says Father Scott, S. J., "is not a garment to be put on at stated times only. It is or should be a part of our very being; something inherent in us, a vital principle which animates our purpose in life and conduct. Religion on Sunday with the rest of the week a religious blank is not calculated to implant in a child the habit of religion. Unless religion be a formed habit of living as God directs, it will not affect conduct to any great extent. Now a habit is not formed except by repeated acts. The religious mind is not the result of merely hearing pius maxims and good counsels at stated intervals, but of being in a religious environment and cultivating religious practices."
The Nuns, the classroom with its crucifix, the devotional practices, the whole trend of the day's work in the Catholic school without any loss of secular knowledge, develops in the child a realization that the one great thing in life is to merit God's approval.
Thus religion takes deep root and becomes as it were a part of one's nature. It becomes a matter of daily life and not merely of occasional observance. The religious formation instead of interfering with educational progress, actually helps it.
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Mrs. Bovard and her girls spent last week at the River, where she developed several bright ideas for promoting the interest of the Mothers' Club.
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Adeline O'Gorman and Vera Berch have returned from Wisconsin University, where they took a special course during the summer.
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Genevieve Nixon narrowly escaped a serious accident whilst touring to Farmington. The automobile in which she was riding skidded and she and another young lady were thrown over an embankment.
PAROCHIAL SCHOOL
There is a mistaken idea prevailing in the Parish that the Parochial School is overcrowded, and that many of the children have been neglected.
This is not the case. For instance in the graduating class of last year there were 28 children; these had a room and a teacher to themselves not only last year, but on the three previous years. More favorable conditions of receiving an education than these had cannot be conceived. There are very few school rooms, public or private, where a teacher has less than 30 children in a room; yet this will probably be the case in five rooms of St. James School during the academic, year of 1926.
There are seven teachers for eight grades; the congestion arises in two rooms in which there is the need of having a class and a half. The boys of a grade are sent to one teacher and the girls to another; moreover, the crowded condition is not constant, there are a number of the younger children who are Fine Weather pupils, every inclement day disseminates the baby room. Taking it all in all it is evident the rumor of crowded conditions is much worse than the facts warrant.
Parents are requested to send their children to school on the opening day which is Tuesday, September 7th, so that the classes may be formed immediately and that there are no pupils lagging behind and requiring the special attention of the teacher.
Parents should warn children to be careful not to run into the street, unless when they are necessitated to make a crossing, and not before they have assured themselves that they are in no danger of being run over by passing automobiles.
Children whose parents have not been paying the 4% are expected to arrange with the pastors as regards tuition. There are very few parents, who, if they make an effort, are not able to give some contribution towards the maintenance and upkeep of the school.
The school year will open with Mass and Benediction at 8:30, and all the children are expected to be present.
CHURCH DIRECTORY
Pastors
Masses
Sunday and New Year's Day -- 6.00, 7:30, 9:00, 10:00.
Holidays -- 6:00, 7:30, 9:00.
Week Days -- 6:30 and 8:15 during Lent and the Months of May and October.
Holy Hour
Thursday before First Friday at 7:30 P.M.
Instructions for Public School Children
Fridays during school year at 4 P. M., and every Sunday after 9 o'clock Mass.
Confessions
Saturdays from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M. and 7:30 to 9:00 P. M.
Sunday mornings from 7:00 to 7:25 A. M. for the aged and those who are not free to go on Saturdays.
On the eve of solemn festivals and First Fridays -- 3:30 to 4:30 and from 7:30 to 8:30 P. M.
Special confessors on Eves of Christmas and Easter.
Meetings
Parish meetings the last Thursday of each month at 8 P. M. All invited.
Mother's Club meeting first Friday of each month at 2:30 P. M.
Virgin Mother's Sodality -- Tuesday after first Sunday at 8:00 P. M.
Holy Name Society -- Monday after 2nd Sunday of the month at 8:00 P. M.
St. Anne’s Sodality -- ,Tuesday after 3rd Sun. day at8:00P.M.
Visiting Hours to Rectory
Preferably from 8 to 10 A.M. and from 6:30 to 8:00 P. M.
Baptisms
Sundays at 3:30 P. M. sharp. Sponsors ought to be practicing Catholics.
Sick Calls
Don't delay; the pastors will not be responsible for sick calls over the telephone. In all cases confer with one of the Priests.
Bells
Church bells are rung for the Angelus at 6.00 A. M., 12:00 and 6:00 P. M. Also a quarter of an hour before services.
Church Dues
Each wage earner is expected to give 4c out of each dollar earned; for maintenance of priests. sisters, ordinary parish expense and for a building fund. No pew rent or special collections except at Christmas and Easter.
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