_The Catholic._--Previous to 1857 the members of the Catholic Church met for service in the home of Mrs. McQuade, in Canterbury, and at the corners in what was then known as the Weaver house. Three gentlemen, John Diffendale, Daniel O. Callahan and John McClean started a building fund, each contributing one hundred dollars. The next on the list was a non-Catholic, Mr. Henry F. Chadeayne with fifty dollars. Mr. Stephen Gillis gave 50,000 bricks from his yard. But a few weeks elapsed before there was money enough to justify their purpose of building a church, and a lot was purchased at the top of River avenue, which commanded a magnificent view of mountains and river. The building was erected by Messrs. Little Brothers & Co., of Newburgh, and would seat about 150. About twenty families represented the entire congregation. But only a few years elapsed when it was found wholly inadequate to accommodate the resident population, and the summer visitors would have filled one three times as large. It was supplied from St. Patrick's, Newburgh, a priest driving down on Sunday morning, and returning after service. After A. E. Mattheissen and the Harvey and Sherwood families settled here, steps were taken to build a larger edifice. The present lot was purchased for $1,000 and nearly $2,000 more was in the savings bank, when an application was made for a resident clergyman, and in 1870 Father Ambrose Keogh was sent by the Archbishop of New York. His health was very delicate, and at first it seemed a task beyond his strength to attempt to erect a church, but the present fine building is a monument of his perseverance and energy. The corner-stone was laid in 1871 by Bishop McQuade, of Rochester, and the following year services were held in the basement. A handsome rectory was built and furnished at the same time. It was connected with a mission at Washingtonville. After five years' service Father Keogh was transferred to Tuckahoe, and was succeeded by Father Mackin. There was a mortgage of $13,000 on the property and Cornwall prosperity had begun to wane, and the churches were among the first to feel it. Meeting the annual interest and current expenses were nearly all that was attempted at that time, with the exception of the purchase of a cemetery for $2,000. At the end of five years Father Ward succeeded to the pastorate, and immediately took steps to complete the upper part. This he did, at a cost of about $8,000, without increasing the mortgage. He was succeeded by Father Gordon, who paid $8,000 of the debt during the five years of his incumbency. His promotion to a large city parish was followed by the Rev. Phillip Ahearn, who was in turn succeeded by the Rev. James Curry. A heating plant, electric light and village water were installed at this time into both church and rectory. Two handsome side altars were built with three costly statues. In 1901 he was appointed to St. James' Parish, New York, and was succeeded by the Rev. James S. Fenton.