The First Half Century of St Ignatius Church And College

1876, and Fathers Varsi and Wenzel were to divide Father Neri's work between them, the latter taking chemistry; the former, physics. On the Feast of the Epiphany, Father Varsi came to St. Ignatius, bringing with him the broad mind and the generous heart that were to plan so much and execute so much for its future welfare. With his coming, the period of development was drawing to a close, and that of completion was about to dawn. But some months of rest were to be given him, in which, after nine years of arduous toil and ceaseless worry in college management, he would be allowed to revel in the delights of physics, of which branch of natural science he was an accomplished master. On the 26th of the month, the beautiful marble statue of St. Joseph arrived from Rome. It was the gift of James R. Kelly, Esq. It was placed on the side altar which stood to the right of the main altar, the picture of the Sacred Heart which had been there, having been removed to give it place. Here it remained until later the church was abandoned. It was then placed in the present church, where it now stands on its own altar, an object of devotion to the faithful and a memorial to the piety of the donor. In the beginning of May, to the great pleasure of his many friends, Father Affranchino arrived from New Mexico, whither he had gone the preceding year to seek restoration to health. His journey had not been successful, though doubtless it helped to prolong his life. He was soon appo...