The Indianapolis journal., 1893-09-10

most any other house OF worship
in the West. Designs were at once
of the original architect of the building.
which was, rs Ii stood. com mpleted In 1874
The church was, prior to these improve
ments. conspicuously barren of decoration
or refined OrnamentatiOn.
The spires are Gothic oct8gonals and
reach a height of 1874 feet. including the
gilded crosses. which are eight feet high,
supported by globes two feet in diameter.
In each corner are pinnscles thirty eight
feet in height. The general character OF
the interior ornsmentation is light Gothic.
while the prevailing tints are terra
Gotta and straw. The vestibule
has been increased to q depth or
twelve feet and occupies the entire front
of the church. 1t is dore in ouartered oak.
and is well lighted with ground glass. IN
six double doors and two high triple WIN
dowR- The first feature observed on enter
ing the place is an ornamental ballustrade.
twenty feet from the floor end five feet
wide. 1t represents white marble. backed
by the softer-hued Sierra VezZa or Tuscan
marble. Over the CAPS are alternate sera-
phim and lotus leaves in bas-relief. The
emblems are after the same style. and are
straw-gllt IN color. Tbs ballustrade Is o
rich break in the expansive walls which
rests the eye on its way to the high ceiling.
The brackets that n pheld the arches have
been transformed into triple arches with
ornamental capitals and bases. At the in-
Perception of the transepts and naves the
columns are in clusters of nine. mar 0le-
lied, giving on appearance or solldity and
finish which IL very beautiful. The tran
sept windows are improved by marbleized
double columns which broadens their sp-
pearapce. The bases of the side chapel
arches are enriched by elegant capitals of
relief work in foliage. They were for
merly lighted by small circular windows.
These have been replaced by gothic WIN
dows of rich cathedral glass. This effect.
of course. Will be one of warmth and lux
ury. The sanctuary Is enriched by bas-re-
lief work and holdings. which furnish
lifting background for the transcendent
white altar that has distinguished this
church since Its erection.
The choir gallery has been extended six
teen feet, and wears q front of quartered
oak, highly polished and eXqulstely
carved. Under the gallery floor Is q space
thrty-two feet deep, which will be occu-
pied by mammoth organ now being built
in St. Louis. The wood work has been re-
vanished. The fourteen stations OF the
cross are enriched by elegant stucco frames
in imitation OF colored marble. Over the
arches from the relieved ornamental work
are juttsd incandescent Liz Is. thirty six on
either side the church. There are also
three large brass electrolIers. one with
capacity of forty-eight lamps. and two of
sixty lamps.
Gong back to the auctusry 1t is found to
measure thirty feet In depth. with five
sides EN- belllshed from the wainscoting to
the window with relievO work, closely ro.
1 sembling white marble. Each panel con-
tains the coat of arms of Pope Plus TX.
Pope Leo XIII. Bishop De ST. Palais and
Bishop Chatard. the popes and bishops
under whom the church was begun and
completed. Here are also found rows of
cathedral stalls. The sanctuary is lighted
ct the top by tbirty-twO incandescent
lights. The ceiling OF this portion Of the