The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-10-02
NEW YoRK,s GREATCATHEDRAL.

NEW YORK - GkEAi IA AHHDHA"'
A High Altar that VIII Cost guar
Ter ola niIlion-A work of Art TO
Rival Anything OF the Kind In The
Christian World.
Attic instance ar-Genersl Quinn
a convocation Of the priests OF the diocese
Of New York was held yesterday to de-
wise means for erecting tho High Altar
in the new cathedral on Fifth avenue.
The altar, when completed will cost about
s25O,OOO, and it is proposed that the do
cese of New York defray the entire ex-
penses. When complete the altar will
be one Of the most magnificent in the
world. Its principal parts are being
erected nj Rome and others IN st. BrIeuc,
France. The design is by Mr., james L.
Rcnwick, architect OF the cathedral. The
High Altar will occupy the eastern eX.
tremity OF the building and be supported
by a platform to be reached by three
broad marble steps rising from the floor
of the saretuary. The table Will be OF
white marble resting OIL columns OF prec-
ions marble with bases and toliated Capl e
tals of the same material, and are eight
in number dividing the front OF the altar
into three large and four smaller inches.
The larger inches will contain rcpreSen-
tations of the Passion of Christ and the
smaller statues of the Apostles. The
altar is to hc twelve feet four inches long
bv two feet four inches wide.
Extending its entire width behind the
altar are to be two marble steps iniald
with precious stones, on which will stand
the candclabra of gilt bronze. These steps
are interscctcd 10y the tabernacle resting
on the altar. The tabernacle Is to be
three feet wide and six feet high. The
tabernacle is to be of Carrara marble IN
laid with precious stones, and adorned
by exquisite Roman mosaicS representing
ssacred emblem and the crown Of thorns.
The door Of the tabernacle is to be Of
brass, fire guilt, the arch supported by
columns ofthe richest marble, !nlaid with
gems cat in facets, with tho figure OF an
angel kneeling on each side.
The stvlobate at the rear end Of the
altar Is to be thirty feet IN length by ten
feet in height, divided into five parts.
The central division supporting the
tower and spire of the rercdos Is SIX !cet
in width. The first divisions on each
side are seven feet SIX inches long and
each extremity four feet six inches long,
supporting tower and splrc. Inc base
OF the reredos Is Of white marble lnlald
with alabaster and ornamcnted on ca n
side bv has relief, the Gospel side rep
resenting Agnus Del, the Epistlt
side the Dove. The rcredo,
is divided into five sections, having
central tower and spire, and two thanking
towers and spires.
The first story ofthe central towe: Is SIX
feet square and sixteen feet high, having
two clustered columns of red and green
marble. with white marble bases and fol.
istcd capitals standing on each side. OF
the central niche, which has back
Ground of white marble decorated with
foliage. A marble canopy covers the
tabernacle. Under this canopy VIII
stand q splendid cruclhx, with the foot
resting on the roof of the tabernacle
The second story Of the central tower
directly over the canopy, Is hVc leeI
six inches high, supported by sixteen
columns of polished marble, with o't>eS
and capitals of white marble. On inc
four upper angles Of the columns are
kneeling figures of angels. The splre
Of the central tower is fifteen and nan
feet high. is four sided. and filled IN win
the richest pierced tracery and BRACKETS
If beautiful foliage, and Il final at the
ton supporting the central cross, which
.npnorts the whole. The entire height
Of Inc central tower and spirc, IRON the
floor of the sanctuary to the base oil Inc
cross. is forty eight feet. The corner
tower. are four and half feet square
and and lS1 feet high. On the GosPG,'
side will be st. Peter and on the Episti'
side St. Paul, each nearly six feet in
height.
Between the central and side tower:
/ are six inches with tracerlcd heads aho
groircd ceilings three being on eacf
| side OF the central tower. The inches
/ will contain the figures of six angel:
bearing shields. on which are carved the
/ rmblems of the Passion of Jesus Christ
These are all of white marble, five and a
! half feet high. The inches are surmount
ed by goblets of richly pierced tracery
with finals and BRACKETS Of foliage
Over the columns are the knccing fig
ures of saints and martyrs. TheS'
fcures crown the columns, and behin'
run the pinnacles through the corn
ice which finishes the whole, and Is rich
/ " moulded. ,..
The work for the altar proper and tn
base on which the rcredos stands Is don'
in Rome. by the ycll-known sculptor
| Carminini. The inches, spires and stat
nary of the rcredos by NJ. Paul Gaioe o
st Bricuc, France Most Of the piece
Of the altar are nearly completed, "n'
it is,proposcd to set them up in the new
cathedral by the latter part OF next year
Tho main roof of the great ediHce
nearly completed The grooming Of 'hl
arches in the interior has already Deer
commenced. The stained widow pane
are soon to be pu. in place.-Ne'' orr
]