The German
Catholics have a special church in Union Street, near St. Mary’s,
Whitechapel, which is filled every Sunday morning and evening with a
very devout congregation, drawn largely from the working classes. The
remarkable feature of this church is the bachelors’ club which is
connected with it, or with which it is connected, for the backbone of
the mission seems to be the club. The full members are all unmarried
men, mostly young. A married man can only be an honorary member; a rule
made to avoid all chance of petticoat government. The club, which
adjoins the church, is open every evening, but its activities are
greatest on Sunday. On that day it opens at 10 A.M., closing at 11
o’clock for Mass; and after the service the members enjoy a glass of
Munich beer. Then some dine at the club, but the greater part go home.
At 4 o’clock, when the priest gives a short address to the members, the
club is again full, and amusements, billiards, &c., fill the time
till 7, when the club again closes for the evening service. Afterwards
ladies are admitted. The entertainments of the club include lectures,
concerts, and dramatic performances. The priest is its president.
Perfect order is maintained. It is not a solitary institution, but to
be found, we are told, wherever there are many German Catholics. More
than a thousand of such clubs exist in various parts of the globe,
affiliated in such fashion that to be a member of one is to be welcome
at any other, wherever it may be. Amongst the members there is, no
doubt, something of that mixture of class which seems to be always
practicable under Catholicism. |