The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-06-19

INpRovEACENrs ATTHE 81. ALFHoNsut
CHuRoH.-Hearing that the improve
mentI which have been in progress at the
ST. AlphonGus Church for some time past
were about completed, We yesterday call
ed at the church and were shown over
the building by Rev. Father Collins, the
assistant pastor, a courteous and polite
gentleman, who took pleasure in giving
Us all the information desired.
The interior OF the st. Al
phonsus church Is perhaps as hand
some as any in this part Of the
country. The damage csuSed by the fire
last winter has-been repaired, the walls
and ceiling frescoed, and the whole inter.
Tor OF the building made as attractive as
art can make II. The Improvements pro-
posed are not yet all complete, but It may
be we'll 10 describe what has been done,
a. we'll as say a word in regard to what
there is yet to do.
The frescoiugi Is most elaborate, and has
been done in az artistic manner. We did moi
learn the names Of the artists, but under.
stand that they belong in Cincinnati; aud
that they were paid 5000 for their work.
The design presents no new or original
features, but the coloring has been done
| with excellent taste, and the effect Ia very
beautiful. A beautiful Greek cross In
the centre Of the ceiling Is the mosi
striking feature Of the frescoing. It Il
the intention, we understand, TO suspend
a costly chandelier from the centre Of
this cross, which will have 4 very pleas
ant effect upon the rich coloring Of The
ceiling, q -
The altar OF the church, with all ils
holy attributes as seen from the the gal
lery, drew forth an involuntary ex'
preston Of admiration from the reporter,
On either side are statues Of st. Barbara
and St. Elizabeth; on the top, two arch
angels with outstretched wings, and i'm
mediately above, in a niche, the statue
Of St. Alphonsus, the patron Saint oil the
Church; above all the figures Of two an'
gels, enyeloped In clouds, with scroll work
between upon which the words "Gloria
in Excelcis" appear. At the side affairs
are the statues oil 81. Joseph and the
Blessed Virgin. The communion rail,
loo, has been neatly touched up by the
painters brush, and harmonizes well
with the imposing display within the
chancel. Altogether, the sceneis one Of
splendor and magni6ce1ce, and as viewed
BY the light for the Blessed Sacrament,
which Is characteristic OF old cathe-
drals, reminds one Of an ancient
church In Rome.
There are four gas gets on each side oil
the main aisle, and about half way be.
tween the aisle and the wall. These gas
jets, which also have been painted, each
have six burners, and when lighted at
night add much 10 the effect Of the scene.
II is the intention 10 remove the present
windows from the building, and substi.
tute stained glass, which will give q rich,
mellow light, thus making the imposing
ceremonies peculiar to the Roman Cath.
Ollie Church as impressive as possible.
The pews Of the church are TO be paint.
ed and vanished, and many other i'm
provements made, and when completed
the St. Alphonsus Church will be n Of
the most beautiful and comfortable places
Of religious worship in the vicinity. Rev
Father KreuSch, the pastor Of the church.
has the hearty support Of his congrega'
ton in thus improving and identifying
their place Of worship.