The Press., 1888-10-18
LOCAL TOPICS PeNN'D AND sCIssORED
THE NEW ST. EDWARDS CHURCH AT sTAF- ]. FORD STRINGS

| THE NEW ST. EDWARDS CHURCH AT sTAF FORD STRINGS
 The new St. Edwards church. dedi cated last Sunday, may we'll be called new since so little of the old building remains
 to make up the new. The part of the old used is the front of the new, it's narrow ness being relieved by two large towers one at either corner. They are finished to point g little above the roof o the main edifice, which finish permanent
 fy completes the eastern one; the other be
 ing designed ultimately to be carrieC further up, and to contain the bell now hanging in the center Bpire, which vii then be removed. The audience room in the new church is in the form of a cross
 the old part forming the base, the new widening into and forming the arms, while the sanctuary completes the figure. There
 is no extIavaesnce in the interior finish
 but 1t is beautiful in effect, planned witl taste, and finished by workmen who knew their business. The finish is in natura wood work, save where imitation of cher ry trimming is made by staining. The ceiling is broken to fit the diffsl ent angles of the roof, braces carved and ornamented showing below it. The wall decorations are beautiful. Panels around the sides give fourteen paintings of the stations oi the cross. Over the main altar Is a large and well executed painting of the cruci
 hxlon. There are other smaller paintings of emblems, etc., and much other fine or. namentation, all beiug the work of Whit taker Bros, of Boston. The west tower contains the baptistry. In this is hand some fount, the gift of Eldredge & Adams of Rockville. It is of polished white mar. ble, on blue marble base, also polished. In this baptistry the windows are of stain ed glass Gas are all the windows in the church), and one each is inscribed as the gift of Rev. P. Donahue, former pastor, Rev. Father Quinn of South Coventry, Rev. Father Furlong of Rockville, and Rev. Father Synnott of Hazardville. The east tower contains the stairway leading to the organ and choir gallery. In this are windows given by s. s. children, by Michael Sullivan and wife, and by Michael Byrnes. At each side of the church, at the angle formed by the enlarged addition, is an, ample vestibule of easy entrance, which are additional to the original front entrance which remains. These new vesti- bules each contain B window, gifts respect lively of J. O. Hasset and Michael Cor coran. On the east side of the church are windows given by T. O'Shea, large one by children of and in memory of MT. and Mrs. John Hanley, by Rev.. w. T. Broder- iek, former pastor, Ed Sullivan, and by Charles Mccarthy. On the west side one by w. J. Williams, w. s. Quinlan, one jointly by the Scapular Society, and by St. Annes Society, large one jointly by Fl. M. Day and Edward Moore, and one by children of Mary. In. the large main sanctuary are two fine windows; one on the right, representing Christ risen, was given by Rev. Fl. DeBruy ycher, the first priest of the parish one on the left, rep rssenting the baptism of Christ, given by Rev. D. Coyle. the present priest St. sanctuary, has a window given by Rev. M. McKeon, a former priest of the parish, and St. Mary's sanctuary, on the left, has one given by Mr. and Mrs. J. Ooyle, pa rents of the present priest of the parish. Excepting the last named and the priests, all the donors are present parishioners.
 i The church has $50 sittings. The main IS ample in space, and contains 8 finely finished altar piece of wood and marble, with onyx pillars. A large orna- mented. railing of brass separates 1t from the auditorium. On either side are the smaller sanctuaries of St. Mary and St. Joseph. each with handsome and appro- priate altar piece.
 The church is lighted with gas, Spring field gas machine supplying elegant burn. CTS, llberally distributed about the build ing. The organ has 500 pipes, and occu- pies the center of the gallery. It was built by Woodbury X Harris, of Boston. Steam heating apparatus has been put in by o. J. Daley, of Waterbury.
 The wood work has been done by H. M. Day, while David Bissett has been in charge of the stone cutting, and Henry Knapp had charge of the stone laying.