The morning call., 1891-01-12
TIE NEW ST. MARY'S.
Something of Its History and Great


Something of Its History and Great
Beauty.
The new cathedral which was solemnly
dedicated yesterday is without a rival in
elegance Of proportions, picturesque ex-
terror and exquisite conceptions in the in
terror 1t is the browning work of Arch
bishop Riordan's efforts to build a temple of
worship in San Francisco worthy of the city
and lis Catholic people. Imposing as it is,
however, and ornamental to the city, this
grand edihce is intended only as a tenn orary
cathedral Perhaps decade of years hence
it will be necessary to prepare for the cree
ton of magnificent stone cathedral, which
even now is in far-away contemplation.
The present sacred edifice, designed in the
modern RomanesQue style. carries with its
every part the spirit and feeling of the
churches OF the south of France. where brick
construction in ecclesiastical architecture at
tanned the highest standard of excellence.
Occupying corner lot 412 feet long by 100
feet wide, fronting on Van Ness avenue,
and surrounded by O'Farrel and Franklin
streets and Lily avenue. centrally located
and in full view of almost every portion of
the city, the site is the most prominent and
charming that could be desired.
The site was purchased several years ago.
but not until Archbishop Riordan, with his
characteristic enthusiasm as a church.
the Cathedral planned and erected. On the
1st of May, 1887, the corner stone was laid
AMID great pomp and impressive cere-
monies.
Very Rev. Joseph SASHA, 81, preached
on the occasion. In the course of his re-
marks lie said:
LAND OF MARY.
America may truly be called the Land CT
Mary, for 1t was discovered by the enter
prise OF Catholic genius, under her auspices,
under her banner and under her guidance
Santa Maria was the name of the ship that
brought the immortal Christopher Column.
bus to the shores of the New World; and,
as the first land described and touched hy
the intrepid Catholic navigator was named
after the Divine Savior, the island of San
Salvador, so the next on which he set his
foot was styled after Mary, Santa Maria de
la Conception"
The earliest shrines in this new CONT
nent were reared under her invocation
bays and rivers, plains and mountains, val
leys and hills, resounding with her hal
lowed name. The first city on the mainland
that became bishops see was St Mary's,
and now on this day the whole expanse of
the western continent from the icy regions
of Arctic SHOWS to the burning sands of Pat
agonla,, from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
from the st. Lawrence to the Missouri
along the banks of the Amazon, the Plata
and the Orinoco, this continent, L say, is
studded with cathedrals, temples, ShrineS
and affairs. around Which daily and hourly
assemble millions of her devoted children
to chant the praises of her who nearly nine
teen hundred years ago sang in prophetic
strain. All generations shall call me
blessed
AT no distant time. we hope, to Join our
voice to this mighty chorus of hymns and
praises to the Virgin Immaculate under the
vault OF the new St Mary's Cathedral"
That day has come, and the reverend
speakers wish been realized.
THE NEW EDIFICE.
The church proper, including the steep
approach, covers an area of $50 feet in length
and 100 feet in width, and with Its corner
campanile rises to height of 200 feet above
the curb. 1t is constructed entirely of red
brick and adorned with soft gray-toned
granite trimmings and corbelled cornices,
and spanned by frame roof covered with
stating. Its broad facade with tall gable,
hanked by tower on either side, with its
delicatey traced windows and sculptured
entrances, is approached by a granite flight
Of forty steps, sixty feet wide. which for
generous and magnificent effect has no equal
in this country. The subordinate tower
rises to height of 100 feet, while the princi-
pal tower or campanile rises to twice that