There is a correction to last month’s article on the original altar at Wexford. The original altar contained three tall spirals built in gothic style reaching toward the heavens. The middle section stretched above the sides and was topped with a large cross. This cross was replaced with the golden dome and Celtic cross in 1910 when the wooden spire was replaced with a cement dome

topped with a cross on the outside of the church. Thank you to sharp eyed readers for helping point out the correction.

In the church, the main altar section was set back approximately eighteen feet forming an arch shaped room that reminds me of an opera or theater setting. GLORIA EXCELSIS DEO was written above the top of the arch. GLORIA EXCELSIS DEO translates to Glory to God in the Highest. A large cross was placed on top of the arch facing the congregation between GLORIA and EXCELSIS. On the outside edge of the arch, a rope shaped adornment enhanced the arch from the bottom of one side, across the top touching the bottom of the cross, and down to the floor on the other side. Today, the inside of the church has a picture of the pascal lamb where the cross was located on top of the arch.

A railing was built along the front of the raised platform allowing the parishioners to kneel in a row along the front of the railing when receiving the Eucharist. The Priest would distribute Holy Communion moving down along the railing with an altar boy holding a communion plate beneath the chin of each person. The purpose of the communion plate was to catch any particles of the Eucharist that may fall.

There is an interesting story about how Communion “Bread-of-Life” is given to parishioners. In the early centuries of the church, up to the 4 th century, it was common for the faithful to receive shared blessed bread directly in their hand. By the 9 th century, unleavened bread had transformed into individual sized pieces called hosts, that when blessed, become Bread-of-Life. Receiving

communion on the tongue became more prevalent due to concerns about the Real Presence of Christ and potential for misuse. It was not until the Second Vatican Council in 1969 allowed the reintroduction of the practice of receiving Communion in the hand. The Holy See later confirmed the practice of receiving Communion in the hand. Today, both ways of receiving Communion are permitted.

An article in the Allamakee Journal dated November 11, 1891, stated that: “Wexford parish is still without a priest although the people down there look for one from day to day. It was conditional with Father Hore, who established the colony, on leaving and turning the property over to the diocese, the church should never be left without a pastor.” The Allamakee Journal also mentioned that the newly ordained Father Hetherington, of Ireland, became pastor in early December 1891: “The people of Wexford are highly elated over their new shepherd, Father Hetherington. He is a young man, but an able, zealous disciple of the cloth, and has already endeared himself to his parishioners. He has young people of his flock grouped into sodalities and societies and his work thus far promises much good for spiritual as well as corporal benefit”.  (Allamakee Journal, January 13, 1892)

Today, the people of Wexford are highly elated over their current shepherds, Father Joseph Sevcik and Father Philip Agyei. Both are young man, but able, zealous disciples of the cloth, and endeared to the parishioners. Another article from the Allamakee Journal, December 21, 1892, proclaimed: “Nopper has just completed two beautiful side altars for the Wexford Church. We saw them in the Brewery Thursday last, as painter Lagerson was putting the finishing touches on them and must say that they show off handsomely and for the money, we don’t believe could be duplicated anywhere.

They were finished in white and gilt, have three crosses each. When placed in position they will be quite an ornament to the church.”

The three crosses in the side altars were arranged with the middle cross higher than the two side crosses like the design on the main altar. In 1892, Father Hetherington donated two life-size statues: the Blessed Virgin Mary Statue and the Sacred Heart Statue. The Virgin Mary statue was placed inside the side altar on the left side in front of the church. The Virgin Mary statue is wearing a blue cloak over a white robe tied with a sash. A white veil covers her hair. Mary’s hands are outstretched toward the parishioners, and her right foot is stepping on the head of a serpent.

The Sacred Heart statue was placed inside the side altar on the right side in front of the church. Jesus in the Sacred Heart statue is wearing a red cloak over a white robe. His left hand rests below the visible sacred heart that is surrounded by a golden halo. Jesus’s head is slightly bowed and his right hand rests along his side.