The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-10
MRS. STEWARDS CATHEDRAL
Formal Dedication Of the Magnificent
Pile of Stone Reared as a Monument.
The Cathedral of the Incarnation, Built in
Honor of the Late Alexander T. Stewart
Its Windows of Rare Beauty.

NEW YORK, April 9-The Cathedral of the
Incarnation, at Garden City, L. l., erected by
Mrs. Cornelia NJ. Stewart as memorial of her
husband, the late A. T. Stewart, was dedicated
this morning. There was a large gathering of
the Protestant Episcopal clergymen and others.
who filled the edifce to its full capacity Mrs.
Stewart and Judge Hilton were in attendance.
The Rev. DIR. Drown read the usual Thursday
services and Bishop Littlejohn, of the Long
Island diocese, preached the sermon, taking for
his text the thirteenth verse of the sxtieth chap
ter of Isaiah. After this the Bishop admins
tered the communion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The order Of the cathedral is pure Gothic in
in the foriated style. The spire is 207 feet in
height and the apex of the nave is about seventy
feet above the foundation. The material is
brown sandstone, from the Belleville quarries
in New Jersey the same as Trinity Church in
New York city. Its extreme length is about ITO
feet, its transept seventy-fve feet ard nave
about sixty feet It's interior finish is of the
most complete and perfect character. The
organ was built by Hilborne L. Roosevelt is
worked by steam power and electricity, has 158
stops, and connects with chapel organ, tower
organ ard az echo organ, located
above the ceiling Of the transept. 1t
also connects, at the organ bank in
the chancel, with the famous Centennial chimes
of thirteen bells i'll the tower, and the whole
can be played by the organist at one time. The
bishops throne, the deans throne the sedalia
for the clergy, the desks for the choristers and
the organ cases are all the finest specimens of
cabinet work, made from dark mahogany which,
with the variegated marble floors, the beautiful
stained glass windows, the bronze columns and
capitals and the light Ohio sandstone of the in
terror, produce a soft and pleasing effect.
Altogether the windows number about $780,
and as a whole are unequaled in quality. The
designs for the windows of the church were from
suggestions by Judge Hilton, under whose per-
sonal supervision the whole work of building has
been perfected and completed These will prob
ably be the greatest attraction to those who visit
the cathedral.
The windows of the nave, transepts and choir
tell the story of that great central fact of the
Gospel which gives the cathedral its name. The
artist has chosen for portrayal those events
which cluster around the birth Of our Lord
Fourteen of these windows are Of the same form
and size, and the series begins at the left of the
main entrance and extends to the chancel and
back again the other side to the staring point
Each window is ancet-shaped, divided by stone
muions into three vertical sections, and having
a cpsped circle in the tracery at the top The
first scene represents the annunciation. In the
circle is the head of Elias; under this occupying
the upper half of the middle panel. is the veneer
able figure Of Isaiah holding a scroll. The lower
half of the window represents the fuflment OF
his prophecy The Virgin seated holds in one
land an open book, while the other is raised to
denote the earnestness with which she listens to
the message of the angel She is dressed simply
in blue with red under garment. and these are
the distinctive coors of her dress throughout the
series. Instead however, of a matron's Golf, she
wears over her head a handkerchief knotted
loosely under her chin, and allowing her golden
hair to fall in loose ripping mass over her
shoulders In the middle panel are an out
stretched hand and a dove descending in rays Of
light. Over the Virgin and Gabriel are worship
ping gels, while the symbol of the Spirit is
surrounded by heads of cherubs.
The second widow represents the communica-
ton to Joseph which removed his scruples to
takesMary IS his wife. In the upper half of the
middle panel is the figure of ST Joseph holding
the bndded rod, while either side are St
Joachim and St. Anna, whose names are given
in early legends as the parents of the Virgin.
Joseph middle aged man, is lying asleep on a
couch in the lower panel and at his feet stands
an angel in white apparel holding scroll, on
which are the words. For that which is con-
ceived in her is Of the Holy Ghost."-St Matt l..
20. AT the head of the couch is a plant whose
scarlet blossoms stand out in sharp relief against
the dark green foliage. Over the divan is a vase
of Annunciaulon lilies. Above this vase is a
small medallion which represents the marriage
of Joseph and Mary. The two parties stand on
either side of the priest and JOSEPH is handing
to Mary a wedding ring This is followed by
the salutation of Elizabeth and it by scene
which represents the arrival at the stable in
Bethlehem
Joseph and Mary are crossing the rough pave
ment of the courtyard, which is Uttered with
grain in the stalk, while servant clad in short
scarlet tunc opens low door to admit them
into the stable. Within the outstretched
heads of the ass and the The dropping form
and downcast head of the Virgin tell plainly her
great need of rest and shelter, while the anxiety
of Joseph is written in the SET stern lines of his
face. The crescent moon and the twinkling
stars show how greatly the travellers have been
belated BY the weakness and WEAKNESS of the
Virgin The text is, There was no room for
them in the inn. st. Luke, H., z.
Then comes the arrival at the inn. The head
of the prophet Obadiah occupies the circle at the
top, and beneath it is winged angel bearing a
scroll with the words: He came unto his own,
and His own received Him not."-St John. j. 2.
Below is scene which, if the sequence Of events
had been observed should have changed places
with that which precedes. Here is represented
the turning away Of weary travellers from the
inn at Bethlehem On the doorstep stands
burly figure waving off the wayfarers, who are
seeking admission. The keys at his girdle show
that he is master of the inn Pride and AFRO
gance are expressed in every line of his face and
figure, and his dress is in marked contrast with
the simple apparel of the weary travellers.
Joseph stands before him and points to the
drooping form of the Virgin, as if pleading that
she, at least, might be admitted beneath his roof
The genealogy of Christ is then told in a series
of tablets, followed by windowed picture of the
nativity, and another representing the shepherds
of Bethlehem, who gaze with wonder on the
dazzling vision. Several sheep lie at the shep
herds feet.
Space fails in which to follow seriatim the ar
tistc marvels which make the cathedral windows
wonders of beauty and delight, and simple
catalogue must suffice to tell the presence of
window pictures representing the TIE Deum. the
wise men before Herod. the wise men at Beth
lahem, the fight Into Egypt. and the return to
Nazareth.
THE CHANCEL.
The chancel is lighted by thirteen large lancet
windows, which portray the figure of the Lord
and the twelve apostles all represented as stand
ing and of more than life size. The minute de-
tails which have been introduced so freely in the
other windows are here no longer used, and the
artist has concentrated all his skill on the eX-