National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-03-14
THE FIRE Ar ST. DoMiNrc's.
A Scene OF Devastation and Destruc'
tion-what Was saved.


From the outside there are but few signs
to BIO seen of the disastrous fro at st.
Dominic's Church, although on the inside
the scene is ono Of devastation. the rub
Dish being piled high, and the west end OF
the church, whore the altar stood, thor
oughly ruined. The ceiling is burned and
the walls are charrcd. the plaster being
scorched and falling. The floor was
burned out in places, aud the organ. which
is situated nearly 300 feet from where the
fire was confined is charred aud injured
beyond repair. In the roof OF the nave
there is over 100000 feet Of lumber, about
one-third Of which vas destroyed or ill.,
jured.
THE LOSS
will, it is thought amount to S60,0OO al.
though some of the articles destroyed
wore valued for their association rather
than money value.
THE GRAND ALTAR,
which was totally destroyed. was designed
by p. c. Keelv, aud bull by Smith &
Crane. Of New York. The nine windows
around the altar. containing stained
glass imported from France, were de.
stroyed. Five Of these windows, con-
tanning life-sized figures. were donated
by George Mattingly, Arsenius Harvey,
Mrs. Gen. Sherman, st. DOmiuic's Mutual
Relief Society, aud Rev. Father Alig.
The other four windows were beautifully
ornamentod with crosses, flowers, and
tracery, and wero donated by N. Ii.
Shea, Mrs. Is. Ctmphell, Philip Shea,
and Young & Hill. Thee windows were
valued at 800 each. The handsome
window in ST. Joscph's chapel, donated
lao 4 al L. Il
in the south wall of the church, pre-
sented by Harrison Johnson; the rose
window over the front entrance. pre-
scnted by Mr.. Patrick Cullinane. and
containing figure OF st. Cecilia, aud
the windows in the chapel of Our Lady
Of Lourdes, and most of the windows in
the roof were broken. Many Of the win
dows had to be broken by tho firemen to
get streams of water upon the flames.
| The windows in the chapel of the Blessed
| Virgin, given by the Society of the Chill
dren Of Mary, aud Gems. Hugh and
Charles Ewing, were not damaged.
THE WINDOWS NOT DAMAGED
were those donated by A. L. Hutton, Mrs.
G. V. Browne and daughter Louie. Mrs.
NJ. Renshaw, Mrs. Schrepler, J. G. STAFF
ford, Emma Wimsatt, J. ]. Stafford,
Young Catholics Friend Society, Petty &
Harvey, Mrs. s. Dawson, Bartholomew
Shea, II. and G. Leddy, Harrison johnson,
Mrs. Mary Dalrymple, p. Corcoran, Mrs.
b. Cullinane, Fegan Brothers, Dunn,
Mannix & Mcdonald, James A. McDevitt,
William Buckley, st. Dominic's Benevol-
ent Society, Mrs. J. T. Lewis, J. G. Der
mody, Emma Dermody, James O'Leary,
Harvey & Holden, Knights ofSt Patrick
G. McHugh, and John Welsh, Mrs Grace
| i nnny IA M I'D Ghanh.y MaaCro nNail
and O'Brien, and Mr.. Leitch. The altar
in the chapel of the Lady of Lourdes and
the statue of the Lady of Lourdes, the
gifts of Miss Ida Stewart; the altar in st
Joseph's chapel, which used to stand II
the old church. but was remodeled at thu
expense of the Young Catholics Frienc
Society, were ruined by the fire. Tit
chapel of the Sacred Heart, which wa
furnished by Dir. and Mrs. Edward Dolan
was not materially damaged.
There was a constant stream OF visitors
including representatives from othel
Catholic churches, at tho residence Of thu
pastor yesterday to extend their
SYMPATHY AND AID.
There is debt of $4,000 still over tn,
church. The following was issued yes
terday:
in appeal 10 he friends Of religion and s.
Domintc's Church: A terrible disaster has be
fallen us. The hand of the Lord has been lai
heavily upon us. The devouring elements G
fire have ragged in fury around us, aud dt
stroyed the beauty of the Lords temple. W
appeal to the generosity of all our friends I
assist us to restore to its former beauty tn
house of God. A meeting of the congregation
aud all the friends of st. Dominics through
out the city will be held in the old church Of
Sunday next, March 10, at 3 p. m.
f. ID. DoSNELLY, o. p, Pastor.
Philip N. Dryer, tho architect, ha
been appointed by Father DonDelly {
take charge of the rebuilding Of tn
church. Mr.. Dryer has carpenters n
work erecting temporary altar, making
necessary repairs SO that services can b
held in the church Sunday morning.
is the intention to proceed with the re
building as soon as practicable.