The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-11-10
HIGH STREET CHURCH.
An Idea of the New Decorations.

1t is well-known that some time ago the la
dies of High Street Church raised the sum of
81 200 for the purpose Of decorating the edi-
flee, and the committee placed the matter in
the hands of La Fargo, the celebrated New
York artist, under whose direction, but under
the immediate supervision of Mr.. Herbert H.
d. Pierce, of Cambridge, the work has been
carried on. A reporter of the PRESS visited
the church Saturday to get some idea of what
was being done.
The chancel-as well as the walls on either
side-is intended to represent the early Gothic,
while the ceiling, and the reof of the church
on either side of the organ loft, the later
Gothic.
The prevailing color adopted for the decora-
tions-or key of color-is in red, which is in
different shades at either end of the sides Of
the church, so that the effect from the varying
light will be correct and afford a uniform tone.
Having selected the key of color the next
thing was to determine the shade of blue for
the ceiling as the committee were DESTROYS
that red and blue should be the prevailing
colors. That having been decided on, the
bands, or patterns, in various colors could be Sc
lected and put in.
Standing at the centre of the auditorium
and looking towards the chancel it will be
seen that the cornce has been carried across
the chancel, and the front walls ON either side,
in blue, so as to give the idea of breadth The
chancel itself is painted in suggestion OF an ar
chitectural gable, the object being to give
breadth to the attenuated arch produced by
the church architect and the arches of the
doors at either side of the chancel are painted
in the same color in order to produce the same
effect The chancel itself is a Romanesque
arch, within an early Gothic, but this apparent
anachronism has the precedent of good exam
pies. his treatment takes away the perspeo-
tive and gives the flat wall at the rear OF tho
chancel. On either side Of the Gothic
arch the tracery is carried up in blue. gold and
green, outlined in white, while the stucco Or
naments of the arch are in blue and red. The
Romanesque arch is in blue. The spandrels OF
the arches over the door and at the rear Of the
chancel are in gold, and upon that of the
Gothic arch in the chancel angels will be paint
ed in colors, while upon that Of the tympa-
NUNS of the Romanesque arch there will be
beautiful representation of the "Adoration OF
the Mag.'' From this description of the
chancel, and its surroundings, it will be seen
that the design of the decorator has been to
accentuate the chancel colors, so that the eye,
resting first on the ceiling, does not pause
there, but, catching the idea of vastness sug-
gested by the deep blue, which is its prevailing
color hastens to the chancel and is there riv
eted.
The effect Of the decorations is not that of
glare from the gold and red and blue, for these
all blend and harmonic so well with each
other and have SO much of softness and delica-
| cy from the beauty of the patterns, and the
other colors that are blended with them, that,
| like the notes OF grand organ, they attune
| the thoughts of the spectator to the holy char
acter of the pace. There is nothing of harsh
| ness either in drawing or color, and this posi-
| bly, may be owing to the fact that the medium
| in which the work is done is wax, not oils,
which, though much more costly, is far more
| artistic and durable. 1t is the medium used by
| the decorators of the early Roman temples.
| The work that has been accomplished by
| Messrs. La Fargo and Pierce is worthy the at
tention and close inspection of all lovers of
the beautiful, and we congratulate High
| Street parish upon the results of their labor.