Extracts continue here:

“The new church is a credit to the body, it is built of brick, the inside measurement being 60 x 21 feet. All the details are well-carried out and the church furniture is very imposing. The altar is composed of pine varnished, a large cross bearing the initials IHS forming the front decoration. All the numerous details such as candles, crosses, etc have been procured, and the church now stands thoroughly fitted-up for worship.

“Sunday dawned clouded in grey mists, a light rain fell during the early morning, but it cleared off about eleven. Of course there was a great gathering. After a saunter round the grounds and a glance at the prospect I felt inclined to compliment the Cardinal on his good-taste and long-headedness, for the site not only affords one of the prettiest and most charming views of the township and its outskirts but its elevation at once strikes the first glancer and gives to the church that pre-eminence which every church likes to gain. From every part of the town you can see the simple crosses of the new church gleaming against the dark background of mountains, and the effect is not easily erased either from mind or memory.

“But it is now half-past ten and the doors swing open; the patient waiters throng in, and take their well-earned rest. Inside everything looks bright and fresh, from the flower decked altar to the brand new carpet which covers the steps ascending thereto. By eleven the place is packed – but the ventilation has been so well looked after that little inconvenience is felt. The Cardinal’s arrival causes a slight stir; he is attended by four priests: Fathers O'Haran, Coffee, Le Rennetel and the parish priest, Father Harnett.

“The ceremony then commences. Being ignorant of the ritual of the Roman Catholic Church, I cannot chronicle any departures or additions, but believe High Mass was celebrated. The first business however was the consecrating of the edifice. This was effected something after this manner. The officiating priests being all clad in their robes of office, the Cardinal positively gorgeous in rich robes of broidered silk and a resplendent mitre, marched down the aisle – His Eminence blessing and sprinkling as he went the walls and people with drops of water shaken from a pine bough. Very stately and magnificent he looked, and the whole group of priests and acolytes formed a rich group of colouring.

“On their return the service was proceeded with. Special efforts had been made to render the music worthy of the occasion. A soprano, contralto, base, and tenor had been imported from the city; the consequence was that for the first time in Mittagong the congregation had the pleasure of hearing the unsurpassed music of their church rendered in a manner somewhat worthy of its musical excellence. The local choir will be under the immediate supervision of our school-master Mr Doyle (who is himself an excellent musician and has been for some time conductor at St Mary’s Sydney) so there is little doubt the Roman Catholics of this beautiful neighbourhood will soon acquire that reputation for good music which follows them everywhere.

“Mr Doyle’s talented wife filled the post of organist in a manner that left nothing to wish for. On Sunday the new instrument sounded splendidly; it has a fine rich tone, and is quite powerful enough for the building. Mr Doyle conducted, and the musical portion of the service left little to be desired.

“Father Le Rennetel (of the Marist Fathers) addressed the people, and spoke well and rapidly for 20 minutes. He dwelt mainly upon the benefits society had received from the humane and gentle influence of the Catholic Church, stating that even Protestants would look upon the opening of that new church with joy because it added one more barrier to the wave of infidelity overspreading the land.”