The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-06-11
DEDICATED TO GOD.
CEREMONIES OF CONSOLIDATING THE NEW
CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LOWELL, MAss.-Dx-
scRIPTIoN OF TIE EDIFIcE.


scRIprIoN OF TIE EDIFIoE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
LOWELL, June TO- 1871
The new Catholic church OF the Immaculate Con-
ceptionone OF the finest, indeed the largest
In Now England. except the Boston Cathedrai-was
dedicated with improssng ceremonies this forenoon.
The attendance OF Catholics from the i'm mediate
vicinity was more than sufficient 70 Ill the sdiHcs
thrice over, and among those conspicuous In the
gathering were many OF other denominations. nclud-
ing such as General Butler, Mayor Stott and
others Of distinction. Tho ceremonies Of dedication
were conducted by the Most Rev. Archbishop Williams
OF Boston, assisted by Bishops O'Rcy, Of Springfield
De Goesbriand, of Burlington Vt, and large number
of clergymen from different sections OF New England
~uct PROCESSION ftNF
At ten O'Clock procession was formed in the
sacristy which marched around tho wallis inside and
outside the church, the priests chanting psalms and
tho Archbishop sprinkIing the walls with holy water
Bgh mass was commenced on the return of tho pro-
cesson; Rev. Joseph Antoine. OF Canada Provincial OF
the Oblate Fathers, by whom the church was built
being ceobrant Rev. Joseph Ponsardin, Of Biddeiord,
Me-, Deacon and Rev. Philip j. GarrigAn, OF Fitch
burg, sub-deacon. Rev. D. OReardon. OF Lowell was
master Of ceremonies and Rev. William Riordan. OF
Lowell. was cross bearer. r.l
THE SERMON.
During the mass Bishop o'Rsilly. OF Springfield,
preached iorcible sermon on the unity OF the
Christian Church The mass sung was Haydn's In
perial No 8, under the direction Of p P. Haggerty.
The singing was finely done by large choir.
In the evening vespers sung and Bishop De
Goesbriaud preached sermon. the church being
crowded on both OCCASIONS
DESCRIPTION OF THE EDIyicE.
The beautiful temple OF worship dedicated with
such imposing ceremonies has been six years In the
OF building The chief material is black granite
the style Of architecture carly English Gothic, tho
whole euifco cruciiorm 10 construction. The base
ment OF the structure, which il reached by wide
and lengthy stairway, will seat nearly two thousand
persons and is TO be used chiefly for sunday school
purposes aud miscellaneous church meetings.
wide and short flight OF stone steps at ID. soutSsriy
end Of tho building Two large double doorways open
INTO the spacious vessouie and there are three en-
the gallery. There Is double doorway leading
directly to the auditorium, In Tho cast transep but
Is the purpose not TO use II except OF
egress. Two winding stairways iead IRON the vesti-
bule TO tue choir and organ cutlery All the doors
The auditorium commands the admiration Of the
OF design and brilliant con-
ceptlon TO be the country Its length Ia 1y2
feet, and the height from floor TO ceiling - 70 feet II
has three aisles running lenghwise and contains 322
pews OF six seats eacha seating capacity OF 1882 per-
ASIDE from the largo choir gallery In the audi.
forum clear story and aisle supported on
sixteen massive wooden cluster columns resting on
iron columns in the basement. Tho capitals OF these
columns ure richly ornamented with siucco work OF
modern detail, representing ecclesiastical and
scroll Work and ioi.ase GroineS arches 0' arc
finished with stucco mouidinss, having cor
with the capitals Richly ornamenIed s.ucco WORK.
forming pasers and arches Gothic detail are laid
out on Tue outside wa. OF each transept under the
transept trncery window, which richly glazed with
stained glass Extending around the entire church
between tho windows, on level with tho spring Of the
rl.aosr
belt representing modern foliage consisting
principally OF Gala lilies. passion flowers, and
exceedingly attractive and finely wrought. Beneath
the clear story windows. extending along the side
me ,ransepts inches are formed BY projecting stucco
ornamental ut the spring OF tho arches At the
spring OF The ground arches above the aisle pendants
projected with ornamental c0rbes of leaf flower
work aud stucco and capitals OF flower and lily work,
representing principally aud Gala lilies. with
foliage IN keeping These pendants project from the
face OF the pasering SIX eignt inches and present
striking feature The clear story windows arc SEE In
small Gothic arches The wood finish Of tho auditorium
is cherry aud ash tastefaly worked Of Gothic
sign. The pews substantially made with panelled
backs the ends being Of simple but neat design. The
wainscoting Is iour feet high, and consists OF ash
sheathing set vertically and capped with cherry mould
ing. with panels above, formed BY ornamental arches
ornamental front Of wood In Gothic detail repre-
ssnting pointed arches The wood work Is tinted to
the organ and choir Of two hundred volcea
THE LIGHT ARRAN0EMENTs.
ana ss arH o. s0a
! burner containing on i've Jets The auditorium
the walls Is richly ornamented prousIon, In
unconventional gothic detail representing foliage ana
floral ornaments Brackets are projected underneath
arches stucco, forming inches, Ia which TO be
placed statues Of the Blessed Virgin and The Twelve
Apostles In the portions Of the chancel are side
affairs OF wood.
The grand altar Is most deliberately and attractivey
nnhw Fact al yra an = M
The varieties Of marble used in IL arc Bardglio Rtoc,
SIcan Belgian black, Irish black, Italian siatuary
and American ossL has eighteen fect frontage at
the base has table three and half feet wide aud
eighteen cet high Tho altar rail Is OF cherry, lastly
The floor Of tue sanctuary is covered with rich
carpet The cnancc Is located apse, which 10
the nigh altar just described.
Tue windows all stain ed glass Of the most
skilul workmanship and large proportion OF
them are IN position; although some are 10 be
supplied, and their places are Temporarily &C.
cuped by the ordinary windows All OF
them arc gifts OF members or friends Of the
church. There seven illustrated doors In the
upper portion Of tho chance wall, follows-.'rne
Blessed Virgin" ''rhe Sacred Heart OF Jesus "s,.
Joachim, and s.sL Joscphn over tue doorway in tho
cast transept is very largo semcircular window the
design upon representing ming rne Ascension o. OR
sents ..rhe Assumption OF the Blessed Virgin" and
ceptIon. Other windows portions or windows, pre-
sented BY different friends. bear appropriate illustra-
lions
The organ is, next TO that In Music Hail. Boston, the
largest In Now England.
CORNER sroNK
Tho corner stone was laid on Thanksgiving Day, In
1871. In the presence oil thousands OF spectators,
BIshop--now Archbishop MISUNDERSTANDING. and
many Church dignitarics being In attendance. The
basement story was finished TO BIO occupied for
religious services the first Sunday Of July, 1872.
The work OF construction has rapidly progressed toward
completion until the present time, except At brie in
tcrvais during cold weather, and the gratifying result
Is that tho Catholics OF Lowell now rejoice 10 of
tho finest and largest churches TO be found anywhere
In America.
DEDICATION OF A CEMETERY.