The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-02
RAISING OF AN ALTAR.

The Rituuiistc Church OF Sc. Mary the
Virgin Description Of the Altar.
The marriage of two patrons Of the church was
yesterday made the occasion OF imposing religious
and social ceremonies ut the Protestant Episcopal
Ritualistic Church Of 81. Mary the Virgin, located
in west Forty-ffth street. In which Rev. T. Mckee
Brown rector; Rev. rather Noyes, late OF ST. Adams,
and assistant rector, and Rev. Father Ulmstead,
sistant minister OF Trinity Chapel. participated.
The occasion combined also the Inauguration (by
the administration to the welded couple or the
blessed sacramenD OF The memorial high altar
which has been In the course OF construction there
for several months past. IL Will be recollected that
the hurch OF st. Mary the Virgin Is buils upon
land donated to the trustees by John Jacob Aston,
up on the sole condition that 1t shall be forever OF
the Protestant Episcopal faith and usage and so
IL Is.
The altar IS OF white Italian marble, built IN the
French Gothic style OF the eleventh century, and
was erected by lnemDer or the parish III memorial
OF his deceased wife, 1t Is approached from the
Dody OF tue church ~ nine steps upon which are
engraved the beautiful words OF the '.MagnIfcap'),
the highest OF wnicn Steps, nearly SIX feet rom the
moor OF the nave forms Inc platform or loot pace,
whence Inc main structure The altar Is seven.
teen feet In length, including the wings, ana It's
height TO the Top OIL Tue cehre spiIe OF
extends the whole length OF the communion table,
rising TO the height OF twenty one ieet above IL,
with clnOped niCnej al eacn end Tor Statuary sup
ported BY slender columns with richly carved caps
From the centre oil TINS super altar projects the taOer
nacle, ali exquisite piece OF sculpture, over wnicn
within al elaborate canopy stands cross OF olacA
marble with crimson tints, nearly i've ieetin hegn
surmounted by delicately carved dove, In purest
marble, descending with extended wings the SYM
Dol Of the Holy Spirit The roof Is Oi tesseiated
marble slate, supporting SIX golden candicstcks,
while upon the super aitar are many others appro-
pirate III number and design TO the usages vi tue
Anglo. Catholic ritual. Al the base OF the three
altar steps ana upon the carpeted platform
stand the Sanctus Lights, OF superb design
and workmanship. each fifteen feet III height from
the hOor. These are used only wnen the ''sanctus"
Is sung. The elaborate and beautiful carvings on
the altar are delcately ornamented at intervals
with gold and crimson In tasteful relief the door
or the Tabernacle, within which are deposited me
sacred elements, Is formed OF q very elaborate
piece Of mlssa painting In gold and colors.
The erection oil tins superb altar Is destined 10
have an influence upon the church at large oy call
ing attention 10 the necessity OF sermons 10 the eye
as well as TO tie ear, ana exciting more DEVOTIONAL
feeling among the people. .,
To-day lFrlday being the feast Of the purncationIl
OF the Blessed Virgin Mary the patroness SAINT ol
this little church, hign mass win be sung there Ut
eleven clock, as well Is on every Sunday morning
o. hapas ten. The Seata are ree Anu VAC cuuScu
usually crowded