The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-24
THE GREAT CfTH EDRIL.
A High Altar that viii Cost n Quarter Of a
MtIIion-A WOrk Of Art to Rival Anything
Of the Kind in the Christian World.

BIiIlion-A WOrk of Art to Rival Anything
Of the Kind in the Christian World.
At the instance of Vicar-General Quinn,
aconvocation oftbe priests OF the diocese OF Now
York was held yesterday to devise means for
erecting the High Altar in tho new cathedral In
Fifth avenue. The altar when completed will
cost about $2JO,000, and 10 Ia proposed that tho
diocese Of New York shall defray the entire ex-
pcnses. When completed the altar will be one
OF the most magnificent In the world. Its
principal parts being erected In Rome and
others In IT. Brcuc, France. The design Is by
Mr James Il. Renwick, the architect Of tho
cathedral. The High Altar will occupy tho
eastern extremity OF tho building and be sup-
ported bv platform to be reached by three
broad marble stepa rising from the moor OF INC
sanctuary, The table will be OF white marble
resting on columns Of precious marble with
bases and foliatcd capitals 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 repre-
sentnticns OF the Passion OF Christ, ana tho
smaller statues OF the Apostles. The altar " TO
be twelve eet four inches long by two feet
four inches wide.
Extending its entire width behind the altar
are to be two marble steps lnlaid with precious
stones, on which will stand the candclabra OF
gut bronze. These steps are lntersecteu by tnc
tabernacle resting on the altar. Tho tabernacle
is to be three feet wide and six feet high. The
tabernacle Is TO be OF Carrara marble, inlald
with precious stones, and adorned by exquisite
Roman mOsaics representing sacred emblem
ana tho crown Of thnrns. Toe door OF the tab
ernacle IA to be OF brass, Ore guilt, the arch sup
ported by columns Of tie richest marble, inlaid
with cCms cut In facets, with the ggure OF an
angel kncoiing on elch side.
The stylObate AZ tho rear of the altar Is 20 be
thirty feet IN length by ten feet m height, d.
yided into 1--WE parts The central division SUP
porting the tower and suire Of tho reredOs Is
six feet in width. Tho nist divisions on each
side seven feet six inches long, and each
por ing n tower aud fpre. Ihe base OF the
rercdus Is OF white marble, inlaid With alahas-
ter aud crnamented on cach side by pas fehet,
tho Gospel side reuresenting the Agnus Del, ana
the Euistle side the Dove. Tho rCredus Is Ill
vidcd into 1--WE sections. having central tower
and spirc, and two Ranking towers and spires.
The nrst story of the central tower h six feet
square and sixteen feet high, having two Clus-
tered columns Of red ana green marble, with
white marble bascs and foliated capitals stand
iug ON each side Of the central niche, which Las
background Of white marble, decorated with
foliage. marble canopy covers this taocr-
naClc. Under THIS canopy VIII stand splendid
crucifx. with the foot resting on the roof oi the
tabernacle The second story OF the central
| tower, directly over the canopy, Is i've teet six
inches hizh, SUPPORTED by sixteen collinnS Of
| polished marble. with bases ana capitals OF
willie marble. On the four upper angles OF the
| columns arc kncclng figures OF angels. The
| spire Of the central tower ~ fifteen and half
| feet nigh, "a iour-sidcd, and hHed IN with tho
| richest pierced tracery and brackets OF beeuti-
fu foliage, and final at the toy supporting the
| centrel cross, which supports the whole. Inc
entire height OF the central tower and spirc,
| from the floor OF the sanctuary to the base Of
| the cross. Is forty-egnt feet. ihe two corner
towers are four and a half feet so ARE aud
eighteen and q half feet nigh. On the gospel
side will bo It. Peter, and on the epistle SIDE St
Paul, each nearly six feet In height
| Between the central and side towers are six
| inches. with traceried heads and grotncd cell.
| ings three being on each side OF the central
| tower. ne inches Will contain the figures Of
| six angels bearing shields, on viii h are carved
the embcuis Of the PASSION Of Jesus Christ.
These arc all Of white marble, five and a half
| feet high. The inches are surrounded by
gablets Of richly pierced tracery, with finals
| and brackets OF foliage. Over the columns arc
the kneellng figures Of saints and martyrs.
These figures crown the columns, and behind
| thcm run up pnnuCles through the cOrnice,
| which finishes the whole, and Is richly moulded.
| The work for the altar proper ana the base on
| which the roredos stands Is done IN Rome, by
| the wel-knOwn sculptor Chrmlnini. Tue nicnes,
spires and statuary Of the rercdos by NJ. Paul
| Guiue Of st. Brieuc. France. Most Of tho
pieces OF the altar are nearly completed, and It
| Ia proposed To set them up In the new cathedral
| by the latter part OF next year. The main roof
of the great ediuce is nearly completed. The
| grOning of the arches In the interior has al
| ready been commenced. The stained window
| panes are soon to be put in place.