Eve. Service

THE EVENING SERVICE

In the evening at half-past six, pontifical vespers were sung. these being followed by solemn benediction, which was given by Bishop Hedley, his lordship being assisted by the Very Rev. Canon Wilson, and the Very Rev. Canon Wade, the Rev. Fathers Driffleld and Gibbons being in attendance. The choir was again under the skilful leadership of Mortsignor Williams, and Mr. Banes’ orchestral band rendered further valuable services which will long be remembered by those who heard them. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. W. Croke Robinson, MA., who gave a remarkable discourse on "The Question of Continuity." From historical facts, which, he contended, could not be contradicted, and which went back to the date of the introduction of Christianity into England; he held that Rome had always been the forerunner of religion inthis country.

He pointed out that when Augustine arrived in England he appealed to ‘the Welsh Bishops to assist him in propagating the gospel through England. If the Bishops of Wales were not in communion with Rome, he, as legate of the Pope, could not have asked them to co-operate with him in preaching the gospel he had received. The preacher stated that, having reviewed the history of England. he had come to the conclusion that there was no greater anomaly than that of ritualism, which, he maintained, was doing solid work’ for Rome. If a Catholic priest were to enter a Protestant house to spread Catholicism he would not be received, but when a ritualistic clergy-man came in carrying with him exactly the same doctrines, save that of obedience to Rome, he was received, as it were, with open arms. It would not happen in the days of those present, but in the years, or centuries it might be, to come, as England and Wales were once faithful to the see of St. Peter, God in His providence would again bring a closer union about. During the French Revolution, when the priests of France had to fly for their lives, they came to England. where they were received and entertained in the houses of the principal non-Catholics, and the work that they then did was now being blessed by God.

There having always been the backbone of true religion in England, it might be hoped that God, in His own time, would give the people again the religion of their fathers. The evening service was attended by a large congregation. The function connected with the opening of the church was in all respects a complete success, and is likely to promote a most excellent and harmonious feeling in that locality. Cardinal Vaughan and Bishop Hedley repeatedly expressed their felicitations and congratulations at the success of the ceremony. The Bishop, who is a gifted musician, stated that he had never heard Hadyn’s 4th Mass—one of the most difficult ever written—so. beautifully rendered. Cardinal Vaughan, after visiting Nazareth House, left by an early train on Tuesday afternoon for London, his engagements preventing a longer stay in Cardiff. (From the unsigned report in St. Peter’s Chair, Vol. VI. – No. 69,Cardiff, September, 1893)

All of the above events, so full of the joy and hope of a young and vibrant community, took place on Tuesday 29 August, 1893. On 22 October, 1967, about a year after a compulsory purchase order had led to the dispersal of the people of Newtown to make way for development, Holy Mass was said in St. Paul’s for the last time. The abandoned church became a target of vandals and was eventually demolished.