Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-11-24
THE NEW PHILADELPHIA CATHEDRAL.

trophy marks the unhalowed ground
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THE NEW PHILADELPHIA CATHEDRAL.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral of st Peter and ST. Paul
in Philadelphia which has been progress of erection for
eighteen years consecrated Sunday with imposng
ceremonies large number of the most eminent dignl-
area of the church took part in the sacred ceremonies
about two hundred priests altogether being present The
dedcatory sermon preached by Archbishop SPALD.
mo, of Baltimore The following is description of the
Cathedral:
This is the largest church 10 North America, and only
eYoelled by one in the city of Mexico 1t exceeds in size
the great church OF Notre Dame at Montreal Canada and
has been paid for il las been built BY periodical colec
tons among the Catholics Of Philadelphia and occasional
10 the untry churches OF that diocese
The sdfce was designed by Napoleon l4eBrun, Esq
and built Of dark brown stone Every thing about 1t Is
massive Huge columns adorn the front and are sur
mounted by capitals which IN turn support the
solid brown iron-cf the roof The cornee the largest
of any building 10 the United States and projects farther
forward Though massive, every thing Is eaboratey Or
namented.
The building shspsd like aud is ZIG feet long
1856 feet WIDE and l02 feet high to the apex of the psd
ment The extreme diameter OF the dome at It's base ID
II feet and ts entire height 20 feet The plan of
the building ia that of the modern Roman cruciform
churches, having in the centre great nave The vault
over The great and transepts is about 70 feet high
cylindrical and psnelled Over the intersections Of the
cross vaults is the celebrated pendentive dome, which
is in the highest degree grand and imposing The side
ases and tfsnsepts are divided from tae nave ey
tory il built the piers being richly ornamented with foil.
ated moudinss relieved by base and capitals These pill
lars support an entabuiature including the afenIraVe'
fe2e corncs and blocking course, over which springs
the vaulted semi circular ceiling The nave and ranseps
are each so feet WIDE and respectively 2 feet and ls
feet long the yaulted ceiling being very high The domed
sses are % feet wide AZ feet high The sanctuary
or chance is so feet wide aud "A feet deep the chapes
on each side 90 feet wide and 80 feet long The mite
ror of the main dome is 81 feet diameter and ts height
l5G feet above the pavement
Unlike most of the other Catholic Protestant churches
in this country there no side windows the lights being
introduced from above and taken in conjunction with the
color OF the whole interior which is made 10 resemble
Paris sone heghtens the architectural eec and mpars
solemn nd religious feeling to the worshpper so appro
pirate to such etfce The light is mainly introduced
the lanterns Of the great DOME the small penden
tive domes over the aisles aud the large win
dows at the west end OF the building
The sanctuary at the east end is fly feet square and
the high altar within it 10 of the most magnificent in
America 1t is approached by flight Of marble steps,
gracefully relieved to color ercssdngychaste in
and neat in execution.
The very richest style Of the Roman C0rnthan order
prevails throughout the building The front Eighteenth
street consists of porco of four gigantic columns sIty
feet high aud six feet in diameter finished with richly
scupured bases and capitals Over theee entaba
ure and pedment in architectural and
upon the freize is engraved the Latin Inscription I'D
,aajore Del coriam -" For the greater glory OF God "
The main entrance approached by ght OF steps forty
feet long over The central doorway the large win
dow and the side doors are nches IN which VIII be
placed the figures Of the patron saints OF the cathedral
Saints Peter and Paul These inches together with the
doorways and the large window relieved with bold
and richly executed archtrave The wings, which are
lower than the central facade also decorated with
umns pilasters, and entabatures and surmounted by
towers rspp TO the sttude of hundred and ten feet
The floor n of splendid marble work laid on brick arches
covering the whole Of the building and partially
covered with pine board flooring The pews are Of white
pine with Gaping Of mahogany and will lace the main
altar The pulpit placed at the south west pillar OF the
building which those occupying seats east OF it to
cit with their backs TO the preacher TO remedy this,
however those pews are provided with revolving backs,
which answers the purpose admirably The railing
rounding the sanctuary o the most superior quality OF
italian marble, highly chase 10 design aud neat 10 eKe-
cution
There il fresco painting of the CruciRxon the
main altar lrom the pencil Of Constantine Brumidi. The
paintings are as follows At the feet Of the sgonzed Sa
yiour in the crucih1ion seen ths Blessed virgin ~ tne
attitude OF keen anguish whilst the beloved disciple, st.
John and Mary Maedalen close at hand IN the
are Nicodemus and Roman soldier and far Of 10 the
distance groups OF pharsees IN excellent giee al the
death Of the Saviour The size OF this painting
ponds with the dimensions of the cathedral The painting
above the crucfxon represents the Eternal Father and
the Holy Ghost under the usual symbol oil dove on the
sdes are four figures in car0 0Tcro representing the
four Aposesst Peter st Paul. st. John, and St james
the greater There sso four medalons 10 the corner
OF the DOME which represent the four EvangelssMat
thew Marx Luke and John--whe massive painting IN
the apeI Of the dome represents the Assumption OF the
Blessed Virgin Heaven. Some idea OF the msssyeness
and heghh of the dome may be formed when we tell our
readers that this painting which is at the top the dome
in the inside is in circular form, ard twentyseven feet
broad and nearly eighty six feet around the outer edge,
yet looks small enough for ones hands to span it, The
ends Of the trapsept decorated by two large paintings
representing the Nativity Of Lord and the Alteration
of the three Wise Kings from the East There are, also,
eight small nches which will be filed with statues of the
remaining Apostles. The paintings are all fine pieces Of
artistlcal workmanship, and atrsct much attention.
Above the main altar in prominent letters placed the
memorable words Of our Saviour to St. Peter In es
Psrus 81 super hanc petram Gdcnbo ecctesiam ,nsam
"Ibou art Peter and this rock will build my church"
Over the large window at the west end 10 another nscrp
ton from ST. Paul: "Vas esonis mih iste ut portet
nomsn meu coram Gsntibus-"H He is to me vessel OF
election that he may carry my before the Gentles