National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-04-19
p" ST. AuGusr1EEs CHURCH.
Description Of the New Church Edifce -Dedi.
cation pay-Grand Organ and Concert.


The real, perseverance and industry shown by
| the congregation worshiping at ST. Augustne's
(eQlored) Catolic church Of this city, under the
pastorate Of the excellent and worthy Mther, Rev
Felix Barrotti, in the ereeiion'of so magnificent
| o temple of worship as the one we are about to
| describe. is eOmmendablo in the highest degree.
The magnitude Of the efforts is only equaled' by
the rapid progress of Catholicism among the col
ored people in the city Of Washington during a
brief period Of twelve years. From small two
story brick building, erected for school purposes,
with less than a hundred communicates, they are
about to enter and take charge Of one Of the most
commodious and elegant church edifees in the
country, With accommodations for one thousand
i've hundred persons, the cornerstone Of which
was laid by the Most Reverend Archbishop Bay-
ley, June u, 1874, with the most impressive eer-
emory.
THE NEW CHURCH.
has frontage Of IS feet, with depth of 1876 feet
In the clear. The basement walls, feet thick
and l211 feet high. are built of Seneca stone, the
work being done by Mr.. Thomas O'Brienjn the
walls are Of fine pressed brick, with trimmings Of
Seneca and Ohio freestone. The laying of the
brick is the work Of master mason and reflects
credit on Mr.. John Chapman, Of this city, the
builder. The stone trimmings, furnished by
Messrs. MCGOWAN 4 Co., of this city, are unique
work. rnhed BY 'ae & o Ba
more. The summit Of the building is ut present
S % darnq PGss IS s mn pn
tower
two hundred feet u height
THE INTERIOR
is not only faultless style, but is grand in its
conception and finish as to rank IL among the
finest church edihees in the country. The ceiling
and is, together with the walls, lovely to gaze
upon; the soft delicate tints blend in such sweet
harmony as to at once recognize the handicraft Of
one of Italy's most gifted artisans-Lorenzo
Seattagha. The distinguished artisan has also
succeeded in placing high up around the altar
nN fhraA of no NEA hA
Church, which, as works of art, are equal to any
thing in the same line in this country the centre
and more prominent figure is that OF Saint Angus
tine, after whom the church is named. On the
right is that of Blessed Martin de Porras from
S the Church was named med after
sary by the requirements of canon law which de-
clares that only Saints can be patrons Of the
Church.) On the left is Blessed Peter Clayer,
whose memory is revered by all good Catholics
for his purity and the service rendered the
Church. Immediately around the base Of tine
altar are twelve inches, in which will be placed
Apostles.
and rarest materials, and will be in perfect har-
mOny with the general surroundings. The STAIN
most beautifully has he performed the artistic
and delicate task assigned him. The rays of SUM-
beam never shed more lovelier tints than those
which cast their reflections in and around the in
terror Of this beautiful edifee. The arrangement
Of light for the building is in perfect keeping with
.ne generai Saeenenee Minch prevails throughout
around the massive but graceful columns which
support the roof So perfect is the arrangement
that the bright but soft light, letting from twelve
burners, forms n complete haloaround the column.
The baptisma font is located in a recess specially
Of the building. The floor iG laid with marble tile.
and the recess contains three beautiful stained
windows1the centre one representing the bap-
tism of Christ, with the dove descending from
Heaven, and the others represent Mary,
THE MOTHER OF JESUS,
and st. Michael. The fount will be of the purest
Italian marble, and the whole is in admirable
mar WIFI ' ane genera Pa en 0a tne building
of ash, with polished walnut finish. Each pew
will bear metallic number Of an original design,
holstering will be in unison with the prevailing
colors. The choir is located Immediately over the
main entrance, and is large and well lighted, and
will contain an organ contracted for by Father
Barroti with Messrs. Heiner & Schumacher of
Baltimore, of which the following is description:
1t TO be % feet wide and II feet Deep with two
manuals, front and casing to be made of walnut
and ash, with gilt and illuminated front pipes
The keyboard will be Of the best ivory and ebony,
The organ will have the following stops, with
their dimensions: TenOroOn, 16 feet, number of
pPees stoh Us ppe. rchr
leSt, q pipes; duliGana, feet pipes great
twelfth 23< feet, 81 pipes; fifteenth, 2 feet, 81
pipes; dufci cOrnet 5 ranks, SO5 pipes; trumpet,
Of pipes IN great organ, loss, tsweIf organ;5 "a.
Pipes; Stop dispsOn ies pipes; Esrau iSSs
principal, feet, 81 pipes; valid flute, . feet, 81
pipes: fagonet, ranks, 10 pipes; eornopeon,
feet, 81 pipes; number Of pipes in swell organ &c.
(pedal organ and accessoriesl
Double open diapason, 10 feet, q pipes; violin
bass 1o feet, p pipes; subbass le feet q pipes;
violincellO, feet, q pipes; couplings for great
and swell; couplings for pedal and great; COUP
lings for pedal and swell; tremulo calcant; Gre
organ, los; whole number Of pipes in organ, 1,s1.
As will be seen, the organ will be grand, and its
construction in the church will be such as not to
interfere with the beautiful circular stained glass
window in front Of the building and in the imme-
date rear Of the choir, but will be so arranged
to form an additional ornament by building in
front and around Ii, thus permitting the lovely
rays beaming through the stained glass window
to reflect back the brilllancy which emerges from
the surroundings Of the altar.
The church will be dedicated June IL but an
opportunity will be afforded on Monday evening
next, April q, to inspect this beautiful church, at
which time its opening will be celebrated by
grand concert in which the following profession
ais and amateurs, among others equally noted,
will participate: Prof S. Schneider, Marine band;
Prof Antoine GloetZner, Mesdames q. Y. Smith,
b. T. Lengarder, l. S. Kimball and Messrs.
Holer, Miller and Lorenzo Seattoglia. The array
of talent which will be presented, together with
the fact that the proceeds are TO be exclusively
devoted towards meeting the demands on the
tion to those named in connection with the build
ing of the church, the following are deserving of
more than ordinary notice for the admirable man
ner in which they acquitted themselves in the
specialtes assigned them: Mr.. Harper, carpenter
ing; plumbing, Carter, Bride & Co.; gas fixtures,
G. Y. Davidson, Baltimore; slate root, NJ. White
& Co.; galvanized iron, W. 7. Gebhart; iron col
umns, T.. G. Smyser; ornamental painting,
Filippo COstaggoni pews, Messrs Lancaster &
Thompson, Richmond, Indiana; painting, Patrick
Hikey.