The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-21
THE NEW ST. ALpHoNsUs CHURCH.


the Romanesqne Style-The RedemptOrist
Fathers as MissiOnaries-The Church 10 BE
Dedicated mt Easter.
For many years there stood in Thompson street,
near Canal, small and unpretending church. but
which, like all edices OF the kind in New York and
elsewhere, was attended by crowded and devout
congregations. Even early IN the mornings OF
week Gays, winter and summer people might be
seen vending their way to render homage to the
Almighty within its walls. This was St. AlphOnsus'
church, which was dedicated in 184s by the late
Archbishop Hughes. 1t was In charge Of missionary
priests, Fathers OF the Congregation of the Most Holy
Redeemer. or Redemptorlst Fathers. the name by
which they are more generally known. The want
OF more extensive accommodation for the numerous
and rapidly increasing Catholic population had
been long felt in the old church, and the Fathers
resolved to undertake the important and costly
work OF erecting
A SPACIOUS AND BEAUTIFUL TEMPLE
In Its place. Fully relying upon the devotion and
lioeraity OF their people, the Redemptorlsts felt
confident that the necessary funds would be real
lied. They commenced about year since 10 make
arrangements TO supply the pressing need FOR more
space. The result is TO be to-day in the mag
nincent edince on South Fifth avenue near Canal
street, and which presents the best evidence OF
cessful perseverance, No one who looks upon the
elegant and imposing structure and an architectu-
raj ornament OF which New York may be proud. 1t
is noteworthy that for many years past the project
OF religious enterprises have selected sites for
their buildings in the upper part Of the city, and
with the exception OF ST. Alphonsus none have 10.
Gated any place south OF the neignb0rhood Of Canal
street. This church Is missionary temple for the
people Of all nations, and the field chosen by the
jealous Fathers is one where vast amount OF good
can be accomplished.
TIE EXTERIOR.
The Romanesque style, In which the church is
built introduced in the eighth and continued to
improve until the close OF the twelfth century, when
it was succeeded by the Gothic. 1t differs from the
latter in having semclrcle govern strictly all
arches, shorter and smaller windows. ana piasters
instead OF buttresses. The whole proportions are
not SO tall or slender as the Gothic. Numerous Ca
thedrals, churches and abbeys in Europe OF the
mediaval age, are built In the R0manesque style.
Among the most celebrated are the cathedrals of
Spier, Worms, Bonn and Mayence. 81. Alpnonsus
which Is closely followed IN all Its details The site Is
partly upon tnat occupied 10y the Old building and on
new piece Of ground extending from Thompson street
to South Firth avenue The exterior IL com pleted.
Ohio reestone has been used In the 'front.' the arches
alternate with North River bluestone and Nova SEQ
tia drab stone. The columns are OF seneca red
stone and North River bluestone. The rear is butt
OF Philadelphia compressed brick; all other walls OF
North River hard brick, OF which Two mlons and
half have been used. The front mas been arranged
for Two sreepies, only one of which is finished. The
construction OF the other is left for future time.
The walls OF the steepe are us feet high, which,
with the sprc, makes the total to the top 1870 feet
walk to the roof is 100 eet and on THOMPSON street
six feet additional. The small tower Is thirty five
feet above the ridge or the roof The gable end con-
talns statue OF 81 ApnQ1SuS eight feet SIX inches
in height, cut In ONO Sandstone.
THE vESTIBULE.
The vestlDule has flight OF granite steps, with
ID
through three large DOORS over the vestbule are
three double windows richly ornamented-the MD
die with the Papal arms. Above Is large rOseite,
seventeen feet IN diameter, surrounded by embems
OF the four Evangellsts-Matthew, Marx, Luke and
sented respectively by an angel a lion, an OK and
an eagle. Each holds the Gospel OF which he was
we wTiIer open at the commencement OF the first
THE INTERIOR.
The entire length OF the church from street TO
walls. The latter are two feet and twenty inches
respectively thick III the church and clear-story,
inches IN diameter. All the timber used is yellow
pine, which Is OF very durable description. Alto
gether the construction Is OF the most solid kind.
The INTERIOR In It's character and arrangements will
be, when finished, oil the most Imposing appear
ance. II Is divided into nave and Two alses The
seventeen and nall feet. over the latter are gal
lenes The floor Is laid out in marble tiles, and the
me entire Duildng viii he heated by steam All
the church furniture IS walnut, and manufactured
according 10 new designs.
THE SANCTUARY.
The sanctuary Is spacious, and when finished will
be well adapted for the full display OF the Pontcal
rte. II Is built square, with the view or employing
every inch Of ground. From the altar rails the
depth twenty eight feet AT the height OF twenty
hve feet the dome becomes octagonai. The sacris-
ties are on either side OF the chanccl, over which
are orstorles opening into the sanctuary by rIfo-
brated Munich house OF Meyer q Co.. from
designs prepared by the architect, Mr.. Fran.
els George Himpler. The main altar Is 10
DO surmounted by canopy, and will
be fortynve feet IN height There win be two side
affairs, one to be dedicated TO the Blessed Virgin
the other 10 81 Joseph. They WIN ali DC richly or.
namented aud surrounded Dy over thirty statues.
Inis work has not yet arrived from Germany, but
expected m q few weeks IL Is believed that they
are masterpiecea tasteful and varied in design, and
will compare fav0rably with the most elegant and
beautiful IN the Unllod Statea Over thu altar are