Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1891-07-11
AT ST. JOsEPH'S.
Rc-Openiug Of the Catholic Church Of
Salem-a Fine Interior.

One of the finest improvements
made In Salem this year is certainly
that just completed under the direc-
ton of j. s. White, pastor of st.
Joseph's church. The cost of the
work will be not far from three thous-
and dollars, and any who will go
and look at the work will be con-
vinced that it has net been injudi-
ciously expended. The people of
this society will hereafter have as
fine a house of worship as there is
in the city, and in some respects 1t
can have no superior anywhere for
the purpose for which it is intended.
In honor OF these improvements
and the resuming of services, which
have been intercepted for two
months. Archbishop Gross, of Port
land will be present at the services
sunday and will preach morning
and evening. In the morning bigh
mass will be at 1920, in the evening
vespers at 7:30. The church will be
filled as usual when he favors our
city, as he is always welcomed by
large audiences.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH.
Where before bare walls, naked
rafters, rough sheathing and square
posts stared i'm the faces of the wor-
shippers at st. Joseph's church, now
a richly finished interior will greet
the view of members who attend.
The ceiling has been changed into
grand main central gothic arch, run
nIng thro' from end to end, and each
side is cut into seven smaller in
tersecting gothic arches, support
ed by octogon columns, of wood.
The base and capital of each column
is finished in heavy mouldings.
The organ loft and gallery extend
across the front end of the building
"a heavy timber truss supporting
the gallery. This is hidden in the
heavy gallery rail. The gallery is
completed book with rack, and
lighted from large window in the
gable, and will be devoted exclusive
ly to the singers. The walls are
in white finish and excellently
match the woodwork of the whole
interior, which is alternating strips
of California redwood and white
Oregon spruce. A broad stairs leads
to the gallery. The interior of the
church is 100x50 feet, with front
tower projection 7xl4 feet. A four
foot wainscotting runs around the
walls, with heavy six-inch mould
ing at the top. AT the right of the
entrance is the confessional, hung
with three portlers of cretonne. The
main auditorium now has seats for
$50 and can find room for 600 coEl-
fortably. Three years ago when the
house was opened at least 1900 were
inside.
Proceeding up the central aisle to
The nave of the church the real
beauties of st. Joseph's strike the
eye. The pure white overhead, the
simple natural finish of the woods,
and the perfect simplicity of decora-
tions are admirable. The commun-
ion rail is of ash. The broad san3t.
iary is carpeted with Brussels that
leads up the steps of the main altar,
on which are the six altar candl'
sticks, of gilt brass, thirty inches
high. On the side altars, at the
right are The figures in full life size
of the Virgin Mary, on the left st.
Jossph, each with four lights, uni
form in design with those of the
main altar. The statues are deli
cately tinted figures of not small
artistic merit. In front of the main
altar hangs the sanctuary lamp,
wherein is kept burning a light con-
Over it hangs an oil
painting of the crucifiction. On
either side are the vestries and re-
gala for the different offices of the
The entire floor is painted
to match the woodwork. At the
right of the altar will be placed a
memorial tablet of black Belgian
lettered in gold in honor of
Rev.. Decraene, a pastor of Salem
who died Sept. ~, 1873. The
whole church is lighted with tinted
glass, and the effect of
the colors is very pleasing, in con-
-rast with the white walls. The
acoustic properties of the church are
very fine.