The Cathedral interior still laid in an unfinished state. In May of 1878 a contract was awarded to John D. Clarke and Charles Nagel to erect scaffolding and finish the plastering of the interior of the Cathedral. The groined ceiling was erected under the direction and supervision of Rev. M.M Meara. Seeing the near completion of this grand Cathedral, Bishop Rosecrans decided to have a very special consecration performed on October 20, 1878. All the clergy of the diocese were asked to assist at the sacred ceremonies and a large number of the hierarchy of the United States had accepted invitations to be present during the celebration.
It was a cool, bright and comfortable day with the ceremonies beginning at 5 o'clock in the morning and took nearly 4 hours to complete.
Celebrants of the Consecration
| Consecrator | Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger of Fort Wayne Ind. |
| Assistant Priest | Rev. J. B. Schmitt, Lancaster |
| First Deacon | Rev. G.H. Ahrens |
| Second Deacon | Rev. H. B. Dues |
| Sub deacon | Rev. M.M. A. Hartnedy |
| Chanters | Rev. J. B. Eis Rev. P. Kenmert Rev. F. Moitrier Rev. P. Thurheimer |
| Master of Ceremonies | Very Rev. N. A Gallagher |
| Asst. Master of Ceremonies | Mr. L. W. Mulhane |
Table 5 (Archives of St. Joseph Cathedral)
Celebrants of the 11 o'clock
Pontifical High Mass
| Celebrant | Right Rev. Silas Chatard, Bishop of Vincennes, Indiana |
| Assistant Priest | Rev. J. Donahoe |
| First Deacon of Honor | Rev. F. X. Specht |
| Second Deacon of Honor | Rev. J. Jessing |
| Officiating Deacon | Rev. F. J. Campbell |
| Officiating Sub deacon | Rev. D.B. Cull |
Note: The vestment worn by Rt. Rev. Bishop Chatard was made by Miss Mary Joyce of Columbus while she was attending school at Ursuline Convent, Brown county. It was presented to Bishop Rosecrans and reserved for this special occasion. A very lavish and decorative piece it was. 11
Table 6 (Archives of St. Joseph Cathedral)
The Most Reverend Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, occupied the throne at the Gospel side , while Right Reverend Bishop Rosecrans sat on another throne erected at the Epistle side of the Cathedral. Right Rev. Bishops Gilmore, of Cleveland, Toebbe of Covington, Dwenger of Fort Wayne, Kain of Wheeling and Spaulding of Peoria assisted in the sanctuary. Seated within the sanctuary railing were about fifty priests. The musical portions of the Mass were rendered by a choir of fifty voices selected from all the choirs of the city with a few volunteer professionals under the direction of Professor J. J. Nothnagel.12 An afternoon procession was held at 3 o'clock consisting of 37 societies from Cincinnati, Springfield, Straitsville, Shawnee, Zanesville, Lancaster, Circleville, Newark, Dayton , Marion and Columbus. 10 of the best brass bands in the state participated in the procession. The procession was a mile and a half in length and was 22 minutes in passing. Between 2000 and 2500 individuals were in the procession that day.13
Bishop Rosecrans died the day after the consecration of the Cathedral. His tomb lies directly below the Cathedral’s main altar in the lower level.
Societies in the procession
for the Consecration of
St. Joseph Cathedral
October 21, 1878
| Columbus Police - Sgt. Benningholf and 20 Policemen |
| Grand Marshal - P. A. Egan |
| Aides - Captain Wm. Riches P. Bresnahn Michael Burns J. E. Lee D. McAllister Jacob Ims, Sr. Charles Korn Wm. Kinterschitt Frederick Weber John Schmitt |
| Garrison Band |
| Knights of the Red Cross on horseback |
| Great Western Band, Cincinnati |
| Knights of St. Martin, Cincinnati. |
| Knights of Lyola, Cincinnati |
| Knights of St. Patrick, Cincinnati |
| Lytle Greys Drum Corps. |
| Knights of St. James, Cincinnati |
| Continental Band, Springfield |
| Ancient Order of Hibernians, Springfield |
| Ancient Order of Hibernians, Straitsville |
| Ancient Order of Hibernians, Shawnee |
| Ancient Order of Hibernians, Zanesville |
| Ancient Order of Hibernians, Columbus |
| St. Patrick’s Pelican Band, Zanesville |
| St. Patrick’s Benevolent Society, Zanesville |
| St. Thomas Benevolent Society, Lancaster |
| St. Joseph’s Benevolent Society, Lancaster |
| St.. Joseph’s Benevolent Society, Circleville |
| Grandville Band |
| St. Patrick’s Benevolent Society, Newark |
| St. Aloysius Society, Newark |
| St. Vincent D’Paul’s Society, Dayton |
| Ancient Order of Hibernians, Dayton |
| St. Joseph’s M.B. Society, Columbus |
| St. Aloysius(Boys) St. Patrick’s Columbus |
| Seventh Regiment Band, Springfield |
| Knights of St. Patrick, Springfield. |
| Father Matthew T.A &B Society, Springfield |
| St. John’s T.A.&B.Society, Dayton |
| St. Patrick’s T.A.&B. Society, Marion |
| St. Patrick’s T.A.&B. Society, Columbus |
| Holy Name Society(100 members) Columbus |
| Forth Regiment or Millers’s Band, Dayton |
| Knights of St. George, Dayton |
| Knights of St. George, Newark |
| Knights of St. George, Lancaster |
| Hemmersbach’s Band |
| St. Aloysius(Young Men’s)Society, Columbus |
| St. Martin’s Benevolent Society, Columbus |
| St. John’s Benefit Society, Columbus |
| Columbus Cadet Band |
| St. Francis Xavier Benevolent Society, Columbus |
| St. Paul’s Young Men’s Benevolent Society, of St. Mary’s, Columbus |
| Police Commission in Carriages |
| City Council in Carriages |
| Citizens in Carriages |
Table 7 (Columbus Evening Dispatch 10/21/1878)14
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