The Cecil Whig., 1885-06-06
improvements in ElktOn Catholic
Church.

The paintings in the Catholic church
of our town will be completed in a
very few days, and the event will be
marked on Sunday, June 18th, by very
special and impressive ceremonies.
Rt. Rev. Bishop Becker will be
present and will officiate at the solemn
Mass in the morning, at which he will
preach the sermon and administer the
Sacrament of Confirmation. In the
evening, he will deliver MS famous lee
ture on "1'he Last Supper" explaining
the Catholic belief of the Divine Pres
ence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist
This is one of the Bishops best and
most learned lectures, and will, no
doubt, prove highly interesting. 1t will
be quite appropriate likewise, as the
whole sanctuary of the church above
the main altar is taken up with a rep
resentation Of the scene of the Last
Supper copied from the immortal work
of Leonardo da Vinci in Milan. 1t
must be seen to be appreciated. None
but an artist can describe it. 1t is 26
feet in length by 20 feet in depth, and
makes of the sanctuary thing of beauty
rarely to be excelled.
In fact, the entire interior of the
church has undergone complete
transformation. 1t would be difficult
to find a more beautiful finished and
artistic piece of workmanship in any of
the churches of our largest cities, and
Elkton ought to be proud to possess it.
1t supasses the work done by Mr.. Leeds
in the new Catholic church of Newark
and places him in the front rank with
the best church artists of the country.
The chief painting on the ceiling is a
very large copy-I3XS feet-of Murll-
los great masterpiece of "Our Lady
of the Immaculate Conception" which
the French Government purchased
some years ago for the enormous sum
of $3.50, 900. The Virgin is surrounded
by thirty-two cherubs, in the grouping
of which and in the blending OF light
and shade and dress so as to make one
harmonious whole is best displayed the
incompatible skill of the artist which
has made the name of Murillo forever
imperishable. The fidelity with which
Mr.. Leeds has reproduced this great
painting can best be Judged by those
who have seen the original and who
can make allowance for the drawbacks
of its reproduction on low and flat
ceiling. The other paintings in the
church are also very fine and are copied
from the best masters. Busts of the
four Evangelists adorn each side of
Murillo's Immaculate Conception.
Over ST. Joseph's altar is representa-
ton of the death of St. Joseph, and
over the Virgins Altar is represented
the Mother St. Ann, teaching her Vir
gin Child. Over the gallery is copy
of the Alteration of the Shepherds at
the birth of our Lord, an old Spanish
painting, which formerly occupied the
chief position in the sanctuary and was
donated to the church many years ago.
Between the windows and over the gal
lery ceiling are other religious represen-
tations and emblems appropriate, con-
stituting in all IS different figures, 2S
emblems and 800 panels. Add to all
this ii large Stations of the Cross
painted on canvas and imported from
France and the repainting of the beau
tiful affairs originally belonging to the
Cathedral in Wilmington and the two
superb statues of Adoring Angels made
by Froc. Robert ct Fills of Paris, which
will rest on the pedestal of the main
altar, and the refurnishing of the sane
tuary with new carpets, and the alsles
with new mating, and the improve
ments to the sacristies, and the new
confessional, and the material increase
in the vestments and sacred vessels,
and it is not too much to say that the
little church has truly undergone a
marvellous transformation, and needs
only stained glass windows to make it
perfect joy forever. The church will
not be free for inspection until after
the I4th instant.