ALUMNI CHAPEL

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CHAPTER VIII HISTORY OF ALUMNI CHAPEL ­ OPENED FOR REGULAR SERVICE­

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DECORATED AND SOLEMNLY REOPENED ­ CEREMONIES ON THAT OCCASION ­ LIST OF VISITORS ­ DESTROYED BY FIRE ­REBUILT AND CONVERTED INTO ALUMNI HALL ­ NEW ACCOM­MODATIONS FOR OUR SOCIETIES. .J

NIAGARA'S Alumni who assembled here in large numbers on 1the 11th of November, 190~, beheld among other changes j

wrought at Alma Mater since their graduation the trans­formation of the old stone chapel into a hall for theatricals, gym­nastics, and other college society purposes. At first sight this may have seemed to them a desecration, but reflection, we fondly hope, demonstrated to them the wisdom of the course pursued.

The old building known as Alumni Chapel, because erected largely through contributions from Niagara's former students, was, we may say, the pet project of Father Rice's life as head of "Our Lady of Angels." Cherishing the hope (never realized) that our institution would one day stand in the midst of a flourishing parish made up for the most part of employees dependent on us for their livelihood

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and dwelling on our domains, he determined to erect for divine wor­ "-'>.::' ~ I

ship an edifice in keeping with our surroundings. As usual, the first .~

money obtained for this purpose was through a mortgage, $~4,OOO, jI

the liquidation of which, as of other connected debts, entailed innu­merable hardships on the Seminary in Father Rice's time and that of subsequent administrations.

If we were writing from a merely sympathetic instead of an his­torical point of view we might class the project of building this Chapel among the most heroic incidents in the life of a heroic man. Its destruction by fire would have to be recorded as unparalleled in tragic import by any occurrence in our history save the conflagra­tion of December 5, 1864. It has been repeatedly affirmed by those who were intimately acquainted with Niagara's fourth president that worry connected with the building of this Chapel undermined the health and shortened the life of Father Rice. In the light of this truth it would be no exaggeration to say that every stone in that old, gray, weather-beaten pile spoke eloquently of him who has been termed Niagara's second Founder. It makes clear, likewise, the

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eagerness of his successor, the lamented Father P. V. Kavanagh, to further by every means available the culmination of the project and have the Chapel opened for services, even though the congrega­tion dreamed of by Father Rice never materialized in our neghbor­hood. Through the generous assistance given to Father" P. V." by Niagara's Alumni and other friends of our institution, Alumni Chapel was at length finished, a fitting monument to his predecessor, and was regularly opened for divine worship, June 16, 1888, fourteen years after the corner stone had been laid.

Let-us give what we may call a digest of the Chapel's history: The plans followed from the beginning in its erection were substan­tially the same as those used in the building of the Community Church at the Barrens, Perry County, Mo., that old homestead of the Vincentian Fathers in America. This latter church was closely modeled after a famous one built by the Congregation of the Mission at Monte Citorio in Rome. Owing to that common obstacle, lack of funds, work on our Alumni Chapel was discontinued after the walls had been erected and the roof put on. So it remained, as noticed above, for about fourteen years, unplastered and unused, save for the basement, which was made to serve as a recreation hall for the stu­dents of the junior department, and one of the sacristies, which was fitted up as a sale room for student commodities. When amateur theatricals suffered a spasmodic boom at Niagara, about 1884, a stage spacious enough for professionals was erected" right in the heart of the future sanctuary," and here it was that our college thes­pians fretted away many an hour allotted to them for the amusement of their studious brethren.

When the Silver Jubilee of the institution was celebrated in November, 1881, the interior was fitted up for temporary service to accommodate the vast number of clergy and laity who assembled within its walls on that occasion. In 1887, Rev. James O'Connor, now of Seneca Falls, N. Y., also one of the earliest students of the' institution, inaugurated a systematic movement for the gathering of funds sufficient to complete the interior of the Chapel. So suc­cessful was his undertaking that by the middle of June of the fol­lowing year the edifice was opened for regular worship, as above stated.

The active part taken by former students of the insitution in the completion of the Chapel by means of their generous donations made it in truth an "Alumni Chapel," practically the result of their generosity, and as such it was known by the faculty and students as

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well as by those outside the institution. Many others, however, not among the alumni contributed at various times to the "Chapel Fund" and by their practical interest in the work helped materially to make the success of the undertaking easier and greater. At first the finish of the walls and ceiling was of a modest and inexpensive character. The windows were plain, the pews the same as had been in use for several years in the old chapel; but by degrees, and always through donations, stained glass windows were set in, new pews furnished, artistic decorations added to the walls and ceiling, until at last the plain interior was transformed into one of the best appointed chapels in the State.

In May, 1897, the Chapel as closed to divine worship and given over to a firm of decorative painters, the inmates of the University attending services meanwhile in the domestic chapels of the institu­tion. It was at first intended to have the reopening in the early part of the following scholastic session, but adverse circumstances inter­fered, and it was not until the ~5th of January, 1898, that the cele­bration took place. The ceremonies were most elaborate and impress­ive in character, as may be seen from the exhaustive report given in the Index of February 1st, of that year, and which we reproduce in its entirety:

"Viewed in every way, the solemn reopening of Alumni Chapel on the ~5th ult. was a memorable day in the history of Alma Mater. The return of old students, the ceremonies in the Chapel, the hearty flow of good feeling at the banquet board, all spoke as eloquently of the loyalty of Niagara's sons as the newly-reopened, splendid and substantial testimony of their filial affection towards their college home.

" Alumni Chapel is the large stone structure to the south and east of the main building. Its style of architecture is patterned after a church of the Vincentian Fathers at Monte Citorio in Rome. It was erected through the joint contribution of old students and friends of the college. They consider it now a special charge of theirs, and hasten to make any improvements tending towards its adornment or the comfort of those who meet in prayer and adoration within its walls. In consequence of the wishes and generosity of members of the Alumni Association, it was decided to refresco and redecorate its interior. Italian artists were employed. The work occupied the summer and autumn months of last year, and though completed for some time its solemn reopening was deferred till the ~5th ult., for the convenience of parties interested.

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"So much has been said about its interior beauty in former issues, we shall now take the liberty to forego further description. We may say, however, that when the artists had finished the last detail, and looked upon the whole effect, they considered the work just completed one of their finest performances in America. Mem­bers of the Alumni Association who were present on the ~5th uIt. expressed themselves as higWy pleased with the rich coloring, deli­cate blending and the calm spirit of beauty pervading all. We may say further that any word picture we might attempt to make would fall short of giving to our readers an adequate idea of the interior of Alumni Chapel as it is to-day.

"In response to the invitation to attend the solemn reopening of Alumni Chapel quite a large number came, considering their exacting pursuits and the distance separating many of them from their college home. Those who were so fortunate as to be in a position permitting their presence on this occasion waived aside for the nonce the cares and labors of intervening years and stood again as of yore within the halls of old Alma Mater. Grey hairs and wrinkled brows spoke to one another of the springtime agone, of the days when their little world was hedged about by college 'bounds'; when they dreamed of little else save the pleasantries and pranks of student life and the longings of student hearts, and when out upon the campus,

'Sleights of art and feats of strength went round, And still as each repeated pleasure tired, Succeeding sports the mirthful band inspired.'

"It did one's heart good to hear the merry laughter of these students of other days while they related 'old time' reminiscences and experiences mellowed by the flight of years and seasoned per­haps, too, with a little humor. It seemed as though they were living over again a whole lifetime in a single day and a single day in a whole lifetime.

" Others were present, too, whose separation from student labors had not been so long. Their beaming countenances and cheery words told of their joy on revisiting the old halls whence they went forth but a few short years before with the holy chrism scarcely dry upon their brows, or as young graduates, proudly bearing their sheepskins, the token of scholastic triumph and the guarantee of future success. Old professors, now laboring in other insti­tutions of learning, were among the guests, renewing old

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friendships with their disciples and eagerly mqumng about absent ones.

"What could express more strongly than all this scene the strength of the golden bonds of fraternal feeling existing between student and student, between student and Alma Mater, and between student and professor? Surely there was something in it all to make one feel that there is some peculiar charm and binding force about college life which far outweigh its labor and separation from the fireside and associations of home.

" Shortly after 10 A. M. the guests retired to the Chapel now to be solemnly reopened. A Solemn Pontifical Mass was celebrated by Rt. Rev. T. M. A. Burke, D. D., Bishop of the Albany diocese, assisted by those mentioned on the programme appended. A Cecilian Mass by Groiss was rendered by the sanctuary choir in a very credit­able manner. The sermon for the occasion was preached by the Rev. J. L. Reilly, '74, a former editor of the Index. His worq.s upon the life, character, and labors of St. Vincent de Paul were among the finest verbal paintings it has ever been our lot to hear, and the burst of oratory in his eulogy of our Blessed Mother was simply superb. In a word, his sermon was a masterpiece of Christian doctrine, fine English, and charming delivery. We regret very much our inability to obtain the manuscript for publication. Programme of Chapel exercises follows:

Oelebrant, RT. REV. T. M. A. BURKE, D. D.,

Bishop of Albany.

Assistant Priest, VERY REV. M. P. CONNERY, V. G., '72,

Buffalo Diocese.

Deacon, REV. JAMES O'CONNER, '67,

Rochester Diocese.

Sub-Deacon, REv. F. S. HENNEBERRY, '79,

Archdiocese of Chicago.

First Matlter of Oeremonies, REV. R. M. REILLY, '98,

Albany Diocese. J

',' {Second Matlter of Oeremonies, ." ~REV. W. M. BERNET, '98,

Buffalo Diocese. 1 .,1

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SIJ'1"11lQ11" REV. J. L. REILLY, '74,

Albany Diocese.

Mass, Cecilian, Joseph Groiss

Proprium MisSle (composed for the occasion), . . Tento Orchestral Accompaniment by N. U. Orchestra.

Musical Director,. . Rev. E. M. FARRELL, C. M. Director of Orchestra, . . Mr. C. A. LouIs KRaEGEL.

" At the conclusion of Mass the corridors were filled with a surg­ing crowd of humanity that kept up a continual hum of conversation in utter disregard of our rule of silence in the corridors. In this happy scene we were scarcely able to recognize our college home, usually so quiet and peaceful. Everyone seemed thoroughly happy in this reunion under the very walls of Alma Mater. Some, indeed, greeted for the first time in many years the companions of their student days. There were venerable figures rendered dear by associ­ation with other years, whose very presence would have rendered the occasion memorable. Fathers Kavanagh, Landry, Hickey, C. M., Father O'Conner - these, indeed, are names to conjure with among Niagara's sons.

" But we must turn our thoughts from these tender reflections to a more prosaic, but not less agreeable, subject. Shortly after 1 o'clock the dinner gong signaled the hour for the refreshment of the inner man. An elaborate menu had been prepared by our Rev. Pro­curator. We vouch for the viands, but not for the French in the following list of good things:

MENU Huitres en Coquilles.

Hors D'Oeuvres. Olives. Celeri. Raves.

Potage. Tortue al' Anglaise.

PERMARTIN OLOROZO.

Poisson. Saumon au Court Bouillon. Pommes de Terre Parisiennes.

SAUTERNE.

Releve. Entrecote de Boouf au Jus. Haricots Verts.

Panais Sautes.

CHATEAU PONTET CANET.

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Entree. Ris de Veau en Croustade. Points d' Asperges au Beurre.

Roti. Dinde aux Canneberges. Puree de Pommes de Terre.

VEUVE CLIQUOT PONSARDIN.

Salade. Laitue. Tomates.

Dessert. . Tourte d' Abricots. Glace ala Vanille. Fruits Varies.

Gateaux Assortis. Biscuits Ii l' eau de Bent. Fromage Roquefort. Fromage Canadien.

Care Noir. Cognac. La Flor de Cuba. 41

TOASTS

THE HOLY FATHER.

'The clouds that gather 'round the setting sun Do take a sober coloring from an eye That hath kept watch o'er man's mortality.'

- Wordsworth.

OUR MOST HONORED ALUMNUS,

Rt. Rev. James Edward Quigley, D. D" '72. 'He was a scholar, and a ripe and good one; Exceeding wise, fair-spoken and persuading.'

-Henry VIII.; Act IV.

OUR MOST HONORED GUEST,

Rt. Rev. Thomas M. A. Burke, D. D. , A man he seems of cheerful yesterdays And confident tomorrows.' - Wordsworth. . ,

Address by Rev. R. M. Reilly, '98, Albany Diocese. !

NIAGARA'S FORMER PRESIDENTS.

'Oft in the stilly night, Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me.' -Moore.

OUR ALUMNI.

'Where were you bred, And how achieved you these endowments? ' ,

-Pericles; Act V. ; i

NIAGARA'S JOURNALISM. ,.. j

, Ay me! what act that roars so loud, ,.:1iAnd thunders in the ' Index' ? ' 'j

-Hamlet; Act III. .'l

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" To say that the banquet was set in the most exquisite taste is only to do justice to our inner convictions. During the various courses the time was enlivened by the rendition of excellent music by the N. U. Orchestra, under the direction of Professor Kraegel.

"Fr. McHale, after a vain appeal to old Alumni, finally found himself obliged to assume the duties of toastmaster. Despite his reluctance, however, he proved himself an adept in the art, and charmed everyone by the tact, grace, and elegance with which he introduced the speakers.

" As the first toast was Our Holy Father, Leo XIII., Fr. Mc­Hale deemed it fitting that the one among the guests nearest the Pontiff in dignity should respond to the toast; he, therefore, called upon the Rt. Rev. Bishop of Albany. Bishop Burke, in his own inim­itable style, declared the fitness of praise for the venerable Pontiff . of Rome from his children. Then, with a happy anecdote, he set the tables in a roar and made clear the manner in which he was to treat his subject. He pronounced a stirring eulogy of the Pope as a master of the three great arts of poetry, oratory, and statesmanship. In response to the name of 'Our Most Honored Alumnus,' the absent Bishop of Buffalo, Very Rev. Fr. Connery arose and deftly expressed the sentiment of all present. He spoke of Rt. Rev. Bishop Quigley's honorable career at Niagara and of his after life so full of labors and fruit. He regretted the necessity that caused his absence on this happy occasion, where so many were gathered who were at once the children of him and his Alma Mater. A kindred feeling of regret was in every heart, but as the father's welfare is more precious than the children's pleasure, we can only express the hope that his return will find him refreshed and invigorated.

"The address of Rev. Mr. Reilly to 'Our Most Honored Guest,' followed; it surpassed even the usual high standard of excellence of the gentleman's productions. Rev. Mr. Reilly spoke in behalf of the student body and afterwards, as senior among them, in behalf of the Seminarians affiliated to the Diocese of Albany, in expressing love and esteem for Bishop Burke. The words of the Rt. Rev. Bishop in reply were warm and cordial. We will ever cherish his expressions of good will as most precious memories of a memorable day. That his associations with Old Niagara, its faculty, and its students may be as warm in the future as he declared them to have been in the past is our dearest wish.

"When Fr. Kavanagh arose to respond to the toast, 'Niagara's Fonner Presidents,' an outburst of applause broke spontaneously

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from every corner of the refectory. It was evident that those ten­derest feelings of filial affection still flourished in the hearts of Fr. Kavanagh's children with perennial vigor. Fr. P. V., to use the old and endeared abbreviation, spoke in his happiest vein of the early struggles and vicissitudes of those whose lot it was to guide the for­tunes of Old Niagara through trouble and misfortune to final triumph and success. From his boyhood days, when our present institution was an infant of a year's growth, with one slight inter­ruption, until four years ago, when he cast his burden upon younger shoulders, he was actively engaged in the work of the University; now he may well look back with pleasure to years well spent,filledwith labor and fruitful in results. Forsan et haec olim meminisse juvabit.

'Oft in the stilly night, Ere slumber's chain has bound me, Fond memory brings the light Of other days around me.'

"Of Fr. Kavanagh's own personality we need say nothing. To all our guests, and to many students still within the walls of Old Niagara, the memory of the years of his active service as president is still green within the heart. To mention his name is to call up a thousand fond recollections; to speak in his praise to those who know him is' to paint the lily, to throw a perfume upon the violet.'

"Very Rev. Dean Harris, of St. Catharines, spoke in behalf of 'Our Alumni.' Dean Harris is a man of exquisite culture, and for years intimately associated with the University. His pungent wit and flow of elegant language were a real treat. He was followed by Rev. M. Noonan with the last toast on the list, 'Niagara Journal­ism.' Fr. Noonan, whose name is an honored one among our former editors, spoke in glowing terms of the past history of the Index and of its value as an incentive to progress toward perfection in literature. His usual happy vein of humor ran through the entire speech. For his words of encouragement to the present staff we thank him from our hearts. Recognizing our own mediocrity and our inability to surpass, it shall ever be our ambition to emulate, our predecessors in office.

"In closing, permit us to express the hope that the completion of the noble structure, the occasion of the festive gathering, and the happy termination of the day, may bind in even closer bonds our Alumni and Alma Mater.

"V\Te were able to obtain the names of the following visitors: Rt.

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Rev. T. M. A. Burke, D. D., Bishop of Albany; Very Rev. M. P. Connery, V. G., Buffalo, N. Y.; Very Rev. J. F. O'Hare, V. G., Rochester, N. Y.; Very Rev. P. V. Kavanagh, C. M., Emmittsburg, Md.; Very Rev. J. J. Sullivan, C. M., Brooklyn, N. Y.; Very Rev. W. R. Harris, St. Catharines, Ont.; Rev. James O'Connor, Seneca Fall~, N. Y.; Rev. F. S. Henneberry, Chicago, Ill.; Rev. J. L. Reilly, Schenectady, N. Y.; Rev. J. L. Lowery, LL. D., Troy, N. Y.; Revs. J. J. Hanlon, J. H. Mangan, and T. J. Walsh, Albany, N. Y. ; Rev. J. McCarthy, Troy, N. Y.; Rev. F. McGuire, Albany, N. Y.; Rev. J. Lanigan, Buffalo, N. Y.; Rev. P. Cronin, LL. D., Tonawanda, N. Y.; Rev. E. M. McDermott, Buffalo, N. Y.; Rev. T. Caraher, Ellicottville, N. Y.; Revs. D. Walsh and J. F. Kelley, Buffalo, N. Y.; Rev. M. J. Noonan, Warsaw, N. Y.; Revs. J. Roche, N. Gibbons, and E. Gibbons, Niagara Falls, N. Y.; Rev. J. J. Leddy, Lockport, N. Y.; Rev. M. J. Kean, Buffalo, N. Y.; RQv. M. J. McNab, Medina, N. Y.; Rev. M. O'Shea, Hammonds­port, N. Y.; Revs. P. S. Gilmore and C. O'Byrne, Buffalo, N. Y.; Rev. J. J. Nash, D. D., Portageville, N. Y.; Rev. A. M. O'Neil, Phelps, N. Y.; Rev. J. Gillhooley, Olean, N. Y.; Rev. T. F. Gleason, Niagara Falls, N. Y.; Rev. T. J. Brougham, Batavia, N. Y.; Rev. J. F. Ryan, Buffalo, N.Y.; Rev. E. Rengel, East Aurora, N. Y.; Rev. J. F. Tracy, Dayton, N. Y.; Rev. S. E. Airey, Buffalo, N. Y.; Rev. E. J. Duffy, Akron, N. Y.; Rev. Fr. Michael, O. S. F., Buffalo, N. Y.; Rev. Felix Scullin,Barkers, N. Y.; Rev. P. J. Mul­laney, Lewiston, N. Y.; Rev. D. Ryan, Bergen, N. Y.; Rev. F. Sullivan, Albion, N. Y.; Gregory Doyle, M. D., Syracuse, N. Y.; Revs. J. W. Moore, C. M., W. J. Likly, C. M., and A. C. Murphy, C. M., Germantown, Pa.; Rev.M. A. Taylor, New York City; Rev. T. J. Sullivan, Thorold, Ont.; Rev. M. Clune, Syracuse, N. Y.; Rev. T. F. Gregg, New York City; Rev. M. Salley, Port Jervis, N. Y.; Rev. M. Krischel, Cohocton, N. Y.; Rev. P. Conway, Chicago, Ill.; Rev. Charles O'Reilly, Edwardsville, Ill.; Mr. M. W. Griffin, Lock­port, N. Y.; Mr. A. Masse, Batavia,. N. Y.; Mr. Eugene Kennedy, Buffalo, N. Y.; Mr. P. Sullivan, St. Catharines, Ont.; O. E. Mc­Carty, M. D., Messrs. J. W. Lennon, M. T. Ryan, and E. M. Flynn, Niagara Falls, N. Y."

On the morning of August 5th, a little over six months after its solemn reopening, the Chapel was destroyed by tire, nothing but the walls remaining after the flames had spent their fury. It was at first supposed that the tire was incendiary in its origin, but later investigation pointed to that mysterious agent, spontaneous combus­

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tion, from some oil-soaked rags which had been used the day previous 1 Jfor polishing the floors, and which were afterwards carelessly thrown .1

by an employee into a corner in one of the towers. Through the efforts of the priests, students, and workmen who had gathered in hopes of saving the structure, but found themselves unable to check the progress of the flames, the sacred vessels, pictures, vest­ments, statues, and some other ornaments were rescued from destruc­tion. The interior was completely destroyed, the roof falling in, and only the stout walls resisting the onslaught. After the fire had died out they were found quite intact, standing like grim protectors over the sacred ruins beneath.

The question of restoring the Chapel to its former condition or of remodeling the plans so as to produce a more serviceable struc­ture was seriously debated by Father McHale, the President, and his faculty. It may not be generally known that the old Chapel had been pronounced by an expert in architecture to be unsafe on. account of the heaviness of the roof, which threatened, he affirmed, under an extra pressure like that of a Niagara snow-fall to bulge the walls and cause an entire collapse of the building. Besides, the main purpose for which the Chapel had been originally begun, the housing of a congregation, gave no hopes of realization, whereas the need of a suitable hall for the various functions inseparable from life in a boarding college had been urging itself upon the authorities at Niagara for many a year.

n was accordingly decided to make use of the insurance money, $19,506 obtained from the burning of the Chapel, in the erection of what is now known as Alumni Hall. When the students reas­sembled in September, 1898, they found divine service conducted once more in the old Chapel on the top corridor of the north wing, while workmen were busy transforming the ruined Chapel into a shapely structure. By the 30th of May, 1899, Alumni Hall was ready for dedication, and was blessed by Vicar General Connery with those solemn ceremonies which our Church prescribes for such occasions. The priests and laity who were present at the formal opening expressed their astonishment and satisfaction at the trans­formation effected in so short a time. Inspection of the new build­ing demonstrated to them, as we believe it has to subsequent visitors, the wisdom of erecting on the ruins of the old Chapel a hall as commo­dious and well appointed as that which we now possess. For the bene­fit of those who have not seen this addition to the comfort provided for

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Niagara's students, a description of the hall is here appended: I

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The basement, running the entire length of the building (which is U~ feet long and 76 feet wide), contains a bowling alley of reg­ulation size, and is also fitted up as a gymnasium with all modern concomitants, including shower baths. The first floor is divided into apartments suitable for music, society, and class rooms. On the floor above is located the college theater, with seating capacity for 400, all the chairs of the latest pattern, while the stage in roominess and supply of scenery would serve the purposes of a professional troupe. When the actors of by-gone days at Niagara recall the limits placed on their aspirations by cramped quarters, poor light, meagre wardrobe, and other discouragements better remembered than recorded, they will agree, we think, that a first-class dramatic hall was one thing always needed and always overlooked in this vicinity. The study hall, the play hall, and later on the P. V. K. Shakesperian Hall (now once more the University Chapel) were turned occasionally into" theaters," but except in the last case the accommodations were too miserable for anything like successful renditions (apart, of course, from the splendid qualities of the actors themselves). To the left of the dramatic hall are two society rooms, one occupied by the R. E. V. R. members, the other by those of the S. O. L. A. The B. L. A. and the N. C. A., or Band Associa­tion, are located on the first floor, where also may be found the quarters of the J. J. V. T. C. C., an organization of recent years, but deservedly popular because of the inducements which it holds out to its members. As it is intended in the course of this history to give due attention to the origin and aims of all the societies exist­ing at Niagara, it will not be necessary to explain here why the youngest society in the house has the largest" pay roll."

On the right of the dramatic hall are physical and chemical laboratories, work rooms, store rooms, cubby-holes in plenty, showing how every foot of space has been utilized to the best advantage. The entire building is lighted by electricity, with acetylene gas in reserve, both supplied from plants located on the premises and employed for illuminating also the adjacent buildings.

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