Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-21
.REDED|cATlON OF ST. v|NCENT'S.
A Magnificent Edifice Impress
lively COnsecrated.
The Reconstructed Church and Its
Superb Altar.
The Holy Ceremonies Which Were Cele-
brated-Church Dignitaries Who
Partfcipated-Descrip Of
the Changes Made.

The ceremonies attending the rededi-
cation of St. Vincent's church were
performed yesterday with all the splen-
dor and solemnity of the Catholic ritual,
and for second time the sacred edifice
was consecrated. 1t is difficult to
imagine a more imposing spectacle than
that enacted yesterday, and those whose
fortune it was to attend the service Will
live in memory of the event.
The occasion being an important one
no detail was omitted to lend grandeur
to the ceremony. The vestment OF the
clergy was gorgeous, the sermon OF Rev.
Father Hartnet eloquent and impressive
and the augmented choir and orchestra
which rendered the elaborate musical
programme gave evidence of diligent
study and careful preparation.
Inasmuch as the remodeled structure
is quite different, both in interior and
exterior, from the original it may
be we'll to here give brief description
of it. Its general outline has been
changed from an oblong structure-as
applied to its base-to cruciform, .
representation of the cross, thus giving
it four distinct divisions, its interior
presenting a magnificent appearance.
Pews line the floor from the chancel rail
to the door, and all available space is
given to the seating capacity, even the
transepts being utilized for this pur-
pose. The pews and wainscoting are
in rose color, and variety of hues are
visible in the coloring OF the window
castings and minor ornaments, all blend
ing harmoniously and as the eye reaches
the ceiling in it's search for color,
it rests upon deep blue tint
in fresco. and worthy the
brush of the younger Tojetti. The
choir loft has been enlarged and is now
q commodious space, wholly in keeping
with the remainder of the church and
ample in it's accommodation.
1t is in the chancel that the work OF
art is given an opportunity to shine re-
eplendent. This perhaps is due to the
presence of the new grand altar, which
is beyond question a marvel in the deli
cacy of it's construction.
The base or altar stone was conse-
Grated last Sunday with appropriate
ceremonies, but the superstructure did
not arrive till later in the week, and
yesterday the public was given the fret
inspection of it. Coming as it does as a
gift to the church from a family in the
parish, interest in its construction is
intensified. A Chicago firm are the
manufacturers, and chose for it's lines
the Gothic style of architecture. At it's
base it is fifteen feet in width and,
tapering almost to the ceiling, shows
height of thirty feet. The prevailing
color is white, relieved here and there
with graceful touches Of gold. Numer-
GUS statues of characters prominent in
holy writ stand in artistically carved
inches.
The central figure is cross upon
which is represented the crucitixion OF
our Savior, and at the left, kneeling at
the foot OF the cross and bathed jim tears,
is seen likeness of the blessed Virgin
Mary. At the foot of the cross stand
the holy group, Our Trinity in Sorrow.
Statues of ST. John the Evangelist, the
apostle of love; Mary Magdalen pros
trated at the foot of the CROSS, are also
noticeable. Higher up, and to the right, is
a likeness of st. Vince1t de Paul, and to
the left statue of blessed Perboyre.
Above all are the images of two angelo,
the entire piece forming an altar that
cannot easily be surpassed for elegance
and design.
At 10 O'Clock the spacious edifce was
crowded from ehancel rail to street doer,
were forced to stand throughout the
monies did not comm ence till 10 80, and
over three hours had elapsed before the
vast concoufse was dismissed, some idea
l. Co. onl l>ff ha ~ cy1o
of the occasion. Promptly at the ap-
pointed time the dedicatory services be-
gan. The procession formed in st.
CROSS bearers and acolytes headed
and j. L. Hoover, who Immediately pre-
ceded Rev. Bishop Mora, assisted by V.
r. J. Adam.
Chanting the Miserere the procession
marched around the edi6ce, Bishop Mora
eprinkling it's exterior. This service
completed, the holy train filed into the
church and with stately tread marched
down the center aisle to the main altar,
chanting the Litany of the Saints.
Then, to the chanting of the Laetatus
Sum, the circuit OF the interior was
made. Bishop Mora all the while sprnk
ling and blessing the walls.
Having concluded this rite,
the procession proceeded to
the sanctuary, and preparation
for grand mass was made and later cele-
brated by Very Rev. A. j. Meyer, as
sisted by Revs. j. A. Linn, deacon, and
j. T. Hoover, sub deacon. The singing
of the mass was grand, st. Vincent's
choir rendering it in a manner fully up
+o ;to ,,auol standard of excellpnce
During MACS Rt. Rev. Bishop Mora
occupied the right of the sanctuary,
with Rev. J. Adam, V. g., on his right,
Rev. Mr.. Dye on the left, while in the
sanctuary ard about the chancel were
Revs. N. Liebans, j. Mccarthy, J.
Maestres. I. Montanarelli, B. Fox, L.
Metzler, T. McAulliffe, J. Nichols, IL. &.
Dockerey: :,
mass, Rt. Rev. Bishop Mora spoke
a few kind words 10 the con-
gregation, in which he praised the par
ishioners for their zeal and conscientious
labors. He spoke in terms OF highest
eulogy of the success that had attended
their efforts. For the ofertory Mise
Hattie Knickerbocker sang Hummel's
Alma Virgo, and rendered that difficult
composition with great pathos and ef-
feet. The chorus and orchestration
were faultless.
As the last note died away and the
great organ sounded it's final chord,
Rev. P. Hartnet slowly ascended the
steps to the pulpit to deliver the SER
mon. His discourse was IT, '-7- 49,
second book of Pomale H.at.
which he found