The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-11-24
The Great Roman Catholic Ca.
fhedral I'm Philadelphia.

k0 0KS1t 1OV1AuA SdSSAAOAhS ~
thedral I'm Philadelphia.
q The magnificent Roman Cat lolic Cattle
dral. which has been for several years in
process of erection in Philadelphia, was sol,
emily dedicated to the service of God last
Sunday. The dedication services, which
were Of the most imposing character, were
participated in by the following prelates of
the Roman Catholic Church, and over three
hundred priests:
Most Rev. M. J. Spaulding, Archbishop
of Baltimore.
: Most Rev. J. B. Purcell, Archbishop of
Cincinnati.
Most Rev. John McCloskey, Archbishop
of New York.
Right Rev. j. Fitzpatrick, Boston
Rig ht Rev. John Timon, Buffalo.
Ri ht Rev. John Loughhn, Brooklyn.
Right Rev. Louis De Goesbrian, Yer
mont.
Blight Rev. James r. Bayley, Newark.
Ri ht Rev. John Farrell, Hamilton, Can
ada.
Right Rev. John II. Luers, Fort Wayne,
Indiana.
Right Rev. F. P. Mcfarland, Hartford.
Right Rev. M. Dominec, Pittsburgh.
Right Rev. John II. Lynch, Toronto,
Canada.
Right Rev. B. Winner, D. s. B. Mitred
Abbot, of st. Vincent Latrobe.
Right Rev. Sweeney, Halifax.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING
Standing on elevated ground, fronting on
Logan Square, the new Cathedral raises its
lofty dome high above any structure in
Philadelphia As. stranger approaches
the city, no matter from what point or in
what direction, he sees the towering spire,
surmouuted with its golden cross, standing
bold relief against the sky, as if pointing
the three-fourths of a millionIof human be-
ings surrounding it to that 'house not made
with hands, eternal in the heavens" But
to gain q full appreciation of its noble grand
eur, and to obtain true idea of its impo
sing appearance, closer observation is nee
essary. From Logan Square it presents a
sight which is equalled only by the magni
fcent attractions of Europe. The structure
impresses the beholder with commingled
admiration for it's beauty and veneraton
for the noble cause of religion, to which it
is consecrated. 1t is magnificent, yet not
gaudy; elegant in artistic design, yet sus-
gsstive of something higher-of immortal.
ty. The massiveness of its construction,
and the frmness with which its immense
brown stone walls stand upon their founda
tions, is strikingly noticeable, and mark
tho ediice as structure that will stand
through the coming ages, when all the vast
thropg that surround it to-day will have
returned to dust.
The general form OF the cathedral is oh.
long, and in the form Of cross--being two
hundred and sixteen feet long by one hun.
dred and thirty feet wide. The longer
piece of this cross is one hundred and nine
ty.two feet in length, and the shorter one
hundred and twenty. eight feet-eacb being
City feet wide. From the ground to the
top of the building proper is little more
than one hundred feet, and to the top OF
the dome two hundred and ten feet. The
dome, at the base, is seventy-one feet in
diameter, the walls are ten feet thick, and
from here it rises symmetrically, contract
ing gradually until the apex is reached, and
the eye rests upon the gilded cross which
surmounts it, at distance that makes the
head dizzy. But the exterior ofthe cathe
dral only prepares the mind for the grams
deur and inpressiveness of the interior -
On entering the beautifully agched doorway
scene strikes the beholder which, for
magnifcsnce and sublimity, has rarely been
equalled. Unlike most church buildings,
there are no side windows-tbe edi6ce be.
ing lighted and ventilated solely from the
top. From the ample sky-lights an sbun>
dant food OF hight falls, bringing the splen-
did artistic design of the interior, the ele-
CANT fresco work, and the gorgeous decora>
tions plainly into view. The nave, or long
or portion of the building, is bordered on
each side with row Of massive pillars,
ten feet square, supporting the vaulted cell
ing ats distance of eighty feet from the
ground floor. These pillars are surrounded
by aisles twenty-five feet wide, above
which, at height Of forty two feet, are
number Of small domes, each having a win
dow in the tup, with small stained glass
centre.
The Dimensions Of the sanctuary are
fifty by forty-six feet, the floor being
Of beautiful white marble, the
blocks of which are arranged in such a
manner IS to give it highly pleasing ef
feet. Enclosing the sanctuary is a railing
also Of marble, and polished to the highest
possible degree. The altar is not yet com
pleted, and temporary structure was i'm
provised for the consecration ceremonies
According to the plan upon which it Is be-
FIR taI 81