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History of St. Augustine

86 History of Parish of St. Augustine, St. Augustine, Pa.

 

church on the outside are 50 feet by 110 feet, including the sacristy which is a lean-to about 15 by 44 feet. That the building is well buttressed may be seen from the cut the photo for which, as well as that of the interior, the choir and altar boys and several other photos were taken by Deck Lane, of Ebensburg. On either side are two semi-octagonal projections, two of which - one on each side - are used for confessionals, in one on the east side is the Baptismal Font and in one on the west, a statue representing Christ after being taken down from the Cross in the arms of his Blessed other. There are three entrances to the church besides the sacristy door - the main entrance on the front, one at the east side of the tower and one on the west of the towerette. There are five windows on each side of the main body of the church, and two windows each in the tower and towerette, and one Catharine wheel window above the main entrance and one above the main altar.

     That appellation, "Catharine wheel window," is derived from the tradition that St. Catharine of Alexandria, Egypt, was martyred on a wheel.

     These wheels have eight spokes radiating from a small circular space in the center, but do not reach the felloe of the wheel; but are joined together, two and two, arcs of a circle which touch the rim of the wheel. Between each two spokes is a rosette and other illuminated figures.

     By way of digression the writer hopes that he will be pardoned for stating that he prefers the orthography C-a-t-h-a-r-i-n-a to Catherine, so much in use and cites the following authority for his preference:

          "O, holy virgin, Catharine,
          Thou who with science, all divine,
          Didst foil the world's philosophy;
          Oh, make our life and death like thine
          In rule of holy discipline,
          That like to thine, our crown may be!"

-Paradisus Anima.

     As you enter the church, the first thing which attracts the attention of the devout Catholic is the main altar, before which burns the sanctuary lamp indicating that the Blessed Eucharist reposes in the tabernacle. The altar, but recently painted and gilded, is beautiful as may be seen from the picture. Above the tabernacle, in a niche, is the statue of St. Augustine, the patron saint of the parish, and


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Lynne Canterbury, Diann Olsen and contributors