The sixteenth installment of the "Boston Post's" "Famous Cats of New England" introduces us to two holy chapel holy terrors:
Church mice have received publicity for years and years. Now appear Blackie and Nicodemus, two church cats, to meow violent protest and assert that there is no such animal as a church mouse. Not at least up at the Mt. Vernon Congregational Church, corner of Beacon and Massachusetts avenue, in the heart of the exclusive Back Bay, at any rate. Blackie and Nicodemus have seen to that.Definitely my kind of Cats of God.
To live all of their lives in a church; to be on the most intimate terms with the minister, the Rev. Sidney Lovett, and with all the deacons and dignitaries has been the privilege, above that accorded to any other cats in New England so far as the Post has yet learned, of Blackie and Nicodemus. Yet the honor sits upon them lightly. There is little of their church atmosphere reflected in the deportment of the Mt. Vernon Church cats.
"Holy terrors" in fact is the appellation that many of the congregation bestow upon them; even while there is not a worshiper but has a very friendly feeling for the mischievous kits that do so much to enliven church sociables, suppers, Sunday school meetings and even sometimes actual services in the main church.
~December 24, 1920
That would be a good way to find homes for a few cats: every church could have a couple of cats, like shop-cats in businesses. At least Blackie and Nicodemus found their home.
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