The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-22
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER
AND ST. PAUL.
A GRAND EDIFICE
When the Dedication Occurs.


day, November 20.
This building Was commenced, and the corner
stone laid, September 9, 1916, by the llmCnted
ard memorable Archbishop kcudriulS, the then
Bishop Of Philadelphia. Tho splendid church
edifCe just completed IL high tribute to his
memory. As tho promotion Of Bishop kcndrick
to the Archbishopric of Baltimore, it was CON
iinu,j by the late Bishop Neumann, and is now
! rHpidy progressing towards i's completion under
the auspices Of Right Rev. Bishop Wood.
The Cdifcc Is 1856 'ect wide, PIG feet long. end
lOl feet inches high 10 the apex Of the pcdi
mCnt The extreme diameter Of the dome nc its
base is II feet, and It's total height over 2l0 faat
The plan Of the Cditico Is that Of the modern
Roman CruCitUrm churches, having i'm the centre
a great nave. The vaults over the nave aud tran
scpts arc about 1S feet high, cylindrical and
pauelcd. Over the intersection Of tho cross
vaults l. the CClcbra cd peudCutve dome. which
l. iu the highest degree grand and imposing.
The side s.slCs and tranSepts arc divided from
the nave by massive piers. Thee piers support
the arches on which the clcrcstory is built ths
piers being richly Crnamented with iO.i4tti
mouldirEs, relieved by hutcd pilasters Of the
Corinthian order, with enriched bases ana c.ui-
ta.s. These pillars support an cnfablaturo, ia
cludipg the architrave, inezc, cOrnice and block
ing course, over which springs the vautCd semi
circular ceiling. The nave and transepts arc each
80 feet widc and respectively 1872 feet and l3S feet
long, the vauted ceiling being high. The domcd
aislcs are % feet wide aud AZ feet high. Tho
sanctuary or ChSnCCl is 80 feet wide aud IS feet
deep. The Chapels on each side ara % feet widn
and 80 feet long. The interior of the main dome
Is 81 feet in diameter, and is height lj6 eotaboyo
the pavement.
Unhle most buildings in this country, thcro
are no SIDE windows, aud all the light Is intro
duced from above, which, taken in conjunction
with tine prevailing color of tue whole interior
made to resemble Paris stono), heghtons the
architectural elect and impartS the solemn and
religious tone appropriate TO such an edidCe.
This novelty attracts great attention, aud elcits
considerable comment, inasmuch as but few can
readily understand the principle Of action. Tue
light is mainly introduced through the lanterns
of the great dome, the small pendentiyo domcs
over the aisles, aud the large semi-circulat win
dows at the west end.
The sanctuary 80 the east end Is fifty feet
square, and the high altar within it will be ono of
the most magnificent in America, being ap-
preached by fight of marble steps, gracefully
relieved as TO color, and being exceedingly
Chaste in design and neat in execution. There
are two bread steps, intended for the deacon and
subdeacOn, which are great improvement upon
the system generally in vogue, inasmuch rs tho
steps TO be occupied by these officials are very
generally too narrow and contracted In size.
The very richest style OF the Roman COriu-
THAN order prevails throughout the building.
The front on Eighteenth street is o bsdutfui
Cesign by John Norman, Esq, Of highly deco
ratiye character very cTeditaOlo to the skill aud
taste OF our townsmau. This plan consists Of a
purtiCO Of four gigantic columns, sixty feet high
and six feet in diameter, finished with richly
sculptured bases and capitals. Over these are
arChi ectural taste, and upon the friezC is en-
graved The Latin inscription" N M1jOrcpl Del
Giorjam" -"For the greater gloryo God" The
main entrance is approached Uy a flight Of steps
forty nine feet long, and over tue central door
WAY is the large west window, and over the side
doors will be inches tO receive the figures of the
patron saints of the Church, SIS. Peter and Paul.
These inches, together with tho dcorwiys aud
large window, are relieved with hold and
richly executed srChitravc. The wings, which
are lower than the central tdcGde, are also deco
rated with columns, pilasterS, and entablatures,
and surmounted by towers rising to the altitude
Of 10 feet.
The marble pavement Is laid on brick arches,
covering the whole area of the building, and re-
ilcCting much credit upon Mr.. John Baird, to
whose supervision the entire marble work OF the
hui ding was entrusted. The railing surround
nE the sanctuary is of tho most superior quality
Cf Italian marble cXtant, highly chaste in design
and ueat IL execution.
There il a frcsco paiutingiof the Cruclfxion on
lhc main altar, from the pencil Of Constantine
BIumCdi, Esq, ul well as all the other iasiDgs.
Ii is a magnificent work of art, Gnd will bc por
wauent and lasting, being genuine frescOlng
upon the fresh mortar
Al tie feet of the agoni2cd Saviour is seen the
Blessed Mother in an attitude Of keen anguish,
whist the beloved disciple st John and 81. Mary
MHgdalen are close u hand; in the rear is NicO-
drmUs and Il Roman soldier whilst far Oft In tho
distance are groups OF Ph8risecs in oNultan. gec,
their desire of revenge satiated with the death Of
the Saviour. In size, the painting corresponds
with the dimensions Of The Cathedral. The paint
ing above the CruUihXiOn represents the Eternal
Father and tho Holy Ghost, under the usual
symbol Of a dove. There are four figures in
ChiorO Osc,To, representing the four Apostles
st. Peter, st. Paul, ST. John, and st. James the
greater.
there are also four medallions in the corner Of
tie dome, which represent the four EvauSelists,
Matthew, Mark Luke, and John, whilst massive
painting in the apex Of the dome represent3 the
glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin into
] IN. n, tIl Of lp a lpppFatpn
by two large paintings, representing the Nativity
! Cf our Lord, and the Alteration Of the Kings from
the East. The eight small inches will be filled
with statues in chiaro OScirO OF the remaining
apostles. The paintings are all ariistCally beau
tltul, and are de6cryedly marked feature Of the
splendid edifce.
On the main altar, in prominent letters, arc
placed the memorable words of Christ TO ST.
PCCr-"1H Is PetI1,S ct Super hdnc petTdHl oedi-
| fcGbO ccrlrgidm tHedpa'-"lhou art Potter, and on
| this rock / will build my Church"
Over the large window at the west end and
overlooking the choir, ave the words ofSt. Paul
IaS ciCctiOHis est mihi iste, at portet nOeH mean
! cOiaul GeutiJiis"-"ThOu art to me vessel Of
| election, that thou mayest carry my name before
| tie GCnilCs."
! POHtiGCal Mas will be celebrated by Right Rev.
! Bishop Wood, and the dedicatOry sermon
| preached by Most Rev. Martin +. Spsudng,
archbishop of Baltimore. There will be no ser
vices in Hhc other churches, with the exception
l
| all the clergy of the city 10 attend. Hadyn's
Mass in ID will be sung bya full choir with organ
| and orchestral accompaniment, and the services
will be most thoroughly grand and impressive.
! The Sacrament Of Confirmation will be con
iered upon the same day, and at the close Of the
dedication ceremonies the jesuit Ia hers will
| commence a mission, which will last for fifteen
days, during which thousands will avail them
s,lyes of the opportunity to Partake OF the bread
of living life.
In commemoration Of the opening, the Bishop
has had prepared bronze medal, which is being
designed at the United States Mint, by Mr.
Faquet. 1t Is three inches in diameter, and neal
in design and execution. Upon the one side is q
view of the Cathedral surrounded by the inscrp
tion :-"Cathedral of st. Peter and Paul. began
1876, finished 1864" On the diverse side is an
elaborate interior view of the Cathedral, drawn
in exquisite perfection. Over the upper semi
circle are the words, IiI es Petj7S, &c, as above
and under the lower half Of the circle Is the
yereiCe Of St. Paul, Vas eleCti0nig, &c, as GOoy,
stated. These medals will be sold to those de
| siTing 10 preserve 50 beautiful memcntO of thii
most interesting event to the Catholics Of Phila
delpbia.
The marble pavement above referred to is to bl
covered with pue flooring, which We regret 4
say almost excludes II from view. The pews arr
10 be Of white pine, with Gaping OF mahogany
and will, Of course, face the main altar. Tit
pulpit will be placed at the southwest pillar o
the building, which causes those occupying seat
east of il to sit with their backs towards IL. IL
| remedy this those news will be DrOyided will