Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-12-16
Tho Dedicatofy Services at 81
Jossphs Church, Gardiner.

GARDNER, Dec l5-The dedication Of
St. Joseph's Catholic Church was cele-
brated on Sunday, and though somewhat
abridged by the winter weather in the way
of corsecraiug the exterior, occasioned
much Joy tn the parish and was of great
interest to those Protestant friends who had
the good fortune to be present.
The ceremonies attending all Catholic
services are very impressive, and were par
ticula-ly 50 on this occasion. The beauti-
full ves,ments of the Bishop and attending
priests, the sonorous Lstin, in which every
thing vocal is delivered, the glesmig &
candles, the fragrant burning incense, the
solemn or glad music of the choir, the
white robed alter boys. the homage paid BY
the priest. in their worship, and the specta
Gle OF huadreds of communicates with
bowed heads made picture at once dra-
matte ard impre s.ive, and one not mem
Der Of the church could not fail to see how
strongly and deeply the Catholic methods
may appeal to its parishioners. Bishop
Hesly cOHsecrsted the building. Rev.
Father O'Brhn Of Bangor acted as cell
brant, assisted by the Rev. Fathers
from Portland. Augusta, Bath and Halo
we'll The building has been entirely re-
modelled and beau,ifed. and met the en-
tire approval of The clergy and parish The
decorations by J. W. Berry Of Gardiner
are strikingly original and peculiar TO the
Catholics use, which, by the way, offers
greater opportmi les for effect than strac-
lures erected for Protestant worship. The
centre field of the ceiling ls very light and
soft, separated By gold lines into four pan
h,.& Af nat
shape and size framing full sized Bible
AZ the conjunction with the first and last
letters of the Greek alphabet resting upon
it. Tbs centre field is surrounded by a
hand PAINTED border in dull colors. suggest
ing green red and straw with copper edge
lines, the same border joining and banding
the centre pieces Four light blue panels
covered with basket diaper square out the
corners and butt on to gray ground with
q void band stripe. The maiu ceilirg bor-
der is very wide and continues entirely
around the room mex the cornice.
It's larger figure 10 geometrical pattern
| in yellov upon a red and dull green ground
edged with black Alternately are smaller
circles ornsmented With cross. In the
| four corners are emblems of the church
the spikes, the crown of thorns, the
chance and the sacred heart. The wall is
in two color portions, the upper light yel.
lowish brown, the lower much darker.
| Between the two and running completely
| around the room and over the sanctuary arch
es is heavy border in conventionally leai
forms. The top of the wooden dsdo has a
wide border of Grecisn design in eo'or and
bronzes. The sanctuaryis made naturally
the most prominentin color and decoration
of any portion of the charch, the ceiling
| being in light blue with centel
emblem Of the dove bearing the olive
branch and on ,ither side done in gold the
monogrsms of L. NJ. T. snd I. II 5. The
upper wall surface is light canary and the
freize pendant drapery in god and blue
The lower wall surface isheavy red with
stee ell in copper ard lighter shade of wal
color. The large altar, eatirely new. Wal
also decorated by Berry and is imposing
though ehaste in cream and elaborate aolt
hand painted ornamentals. The toser is il
blue ami red and the vestry in quiet colcr
of line ornaments.