Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-26
New Roman Catholic Cathedral
fm PhfIa ieiDhia.

fn PhiIa ielphia.
The Philadelphia Inquirer gives an &C
count OF the grand Roman Catholic Ca
thedral of st. Peter and Paul, in that city,
which wss.dedicGted few days ago. The
corner stone was laid September 9Th, 1886,
by Archbishop Kenrick. Bishop Newman
continued the work until his death, when
it was taken in charge and completed by
his successor, the Right Rev. James F.
Wood, Bishop of Philadelphia, under
whose administration it was completed. It
exceeds in size and grandeur the cele5ra-
ted cathedral at Montreal, and, with the
exception Of one temple In Mexico, it Is
the largest church in the western hemis-
phere. The cost is estimated at over half
million of dollars, the whole of which
was raised by voluntary contributions
The general design was Napoleon lie
Brun, who also superintendent its oonstruc-
ton. The front was designed by John
Eotman.
The plan Of the edidce is that of the
modern Roman cruciform churches, having
great central ns7e, from which the side
aisles and trsnsepts are divided by mass
i've piers. The nave and transepts are
each 80 feet wide and 1872 feet and i2s feet
respectively in length; the domed sisles
are 22 feet wide and At feet high. A pc
elliar feature is that thss there are no side
windows, the light being entirely intrOdu-
ced from above, adding much beauty and
solemnity to the effect.
Over the central doorway is the large
west window, and over the side door are
inches prepared to receive the figures of
Thnzo ~ e.
gether with the doorways, are relieved
with bold and richly executed architee-
ture.
On the main altar is a fresco painting of
the Crucifxion, from the pencil Of Con-
stantine Brumedi - most magnificent
work OF art. at the feet of the agonized
Saviour of the world is seen the Blessed
Mother, whilst the beloved disciple St.
John and Mary Magdalene are close at
hand In the rear is Nicodemus, while
groups of Phsrisees stand eKultingly at a
distance. This grand painting was pro-
duced on wet plaster, and is q genuine
fresco. As the artists progressed, after
sketching out his work, he would pick out
q few square inches of the dry plaster, and
replace it with wet So he did until grs-
duslly the whole surface had been painted
upon. By this means the plaster and the
painting dried together, and gave the
whole delicate softDess and indestructi-
bility, which can be attained in no other
way.
Above the Crucifxion is painting re.
presenting the Eternal Father and the
Holy Ghost. There are four figures in
oliiGro osctra, representing st. Peter, St
Paul, St. John and st. james, the Greater
There sre also four medallions in the
corner of the dome, which represent the
four ngelists-Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John-whilst in the apex of the dome
a massive painting represents the assump-
tion of the Virgin Mary into Heaven. The
ends of the transept are decorated by two
large paintings, representing the Nativity
Of our Lord, and the alterations of the
Kings from the East. The eight small
inches will be filed with statutes in ehiaro
oseuro of the remaining Apostles.
In prominent -letsers On the main altar
are placed the words of Christ 70 Potter
"a Is fetrus, ct super nahe petram edln-
cabo ecclesium menm." "Thou art Peter,
and on this rock will build my church
At the west end over the large window,
and overlooking the choir, are the words
of St. Paul: HYas elections estsmihi iste
ut .portet nomen naeum corsm Gentilus.
Thou art to me vessel of election, that
thou mayest carry my name before the
Gentiles."
The dedication will probably be one Of
the most imposing ceremonies Of the kind
that has ever taken place in this country
among those who will participate are Arch.
bishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, McUloskey
of New York, and Spaulding, of Balti
more and Bishops Sweeney, of st. Johns
n. B; Lynch, of Toronto, Canadai TimoR
of Buffalo; De Goesbriand, Of Burlington
Vt; Dominicls, of Pittsburgh; Loughlin
of Brooklyn; Bailey, of Newark; Luers, o
Indiana; Mcfarland, Of Providence, anC
the Mitred Abbot of Latrobe, one of tn,
most venerable looking men in the Roman
Church.