Parish History

PART 2: The Stone is Laid

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At 10.30 am on Tuesday, 13th May 1879 the ground was staked off and the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Strain, the event being reported in the 'Haddingtonshire Courier' -

'The ceremony of the laying and blessing of the foundation stone of the new Roman Catholic Chapel was performed with due solemnity and in accordance with the rites of the Church.

The ceremony began with the fixing in the ground of a cross where the Altar is to be, while the antiphon 'Place here O Lord, Jesus Christ, the sign of salvation and allow not the destroying angel to enter' was recited. Then followed the 83rd Psalm: 'How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts'. Prayers were then said, after which the foundation stone was blessed in the name of Him who is the 'conerstone, cut out of the mountain without hands', and who being 'the beginning and end of all things', will be the beginning, continuance and consummation of this work which is begun for the praise and glory of His name.

Then a special prayer was said that all who aid the building might receive health of body and soul. While all the foundations were being sprinkled with holy water by the celebrant, the Litanies were being recited. While the cement and foundation stone were being put in readiness, the following antiphon was said, 'Jacob, rising in the morning, took the stone and set it up for a title, and pouring oil on it made a vow to the Lord - truly this place is holy and I knew it not.' This was followed by the 120th Psalm: 'Unless the Lord built the house ...'

The stone was then laid in the name of the Blessed Trinity, that true faith and fear of God and brotherly love might flourish there, and the place be devoted to prayer and the invocation and praise of Our Lord, Jesus Christ. After this it was sprinkled with holy water, while the celebrant said, 'Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me and I shall be made whiter than snow', after which the 90th Psalm was said, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord ...'

Then followed another antiphon, 'How terrible is this place; this is no other but the house of God and the gate of Heaven' succeeded by the 86th Psalm, 'The foundations thereof are in the Holy Mountains', which terminated the ceremony.

The building is expected to be open for worship about the beginning of August. The complete plans contemplate a nave, chancel, sacristy and residence but, in the meantime, it is only intended to finish the nave which will cost about £800 and will accommodate about 200 of a congregation.'

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