The evening times., 1895-09-26
is ALMOST -A-AEV CHURCH
Unrivalsd Beauty ofthe Decorations
Of st, Patrick's.
Pope Leo Sent "a Stone From St Peters,
Which Is Jnlaid IN Large Mosaic
on the Sanctuary Floor. :.
--.NaS>

The interior of St. Patrck's Church on
Tenth street presents a picture OF unri
vailed beauty and richness OF decoration
among the many handsome churches of
Washington. The work of finishing the
interior has been SD far completed that q
fair idea of the result may now be OBJ
tanned by a visit to the church.
Entering through the rather somber
blue tinted front, which is in keeping
with the ancient and pure style of Gothic
architecture, one is struck with the spIen-
dor and brilliance OF the scene toward the
sanctuary
The ceiling of the sanctuary audi
toriuni and choir is cOlUred In light blue.
on the ground OF which are designs at
effective distances, in arabesque. The
other Distinctive color is the gold of the
acrhes. capitals of the ais.e columns, and
OF The pilasters. The pilastcrs are covered
with gold from capitals 10 bases.
The only relief ta these two colors are
the natural wood of the choir, the highly
poliShed brown Scotch granite colOnnades
on either side of the aislcs. and deeper gold
color in the stuccO work on the arches OF
the side chapels, and later on there wi be
further contrast in the white of the new
altar, which will be conspicuous enough to
tone the color OF the sanctuary.
The ceiling of the sanctuary is, as stated.
of light blue. the ground being studded with
stars and arabesque designs in gold tints.
There are two tiers of windows OF cathe-
dral glass, with purple and blue lights
predorninatng. The ceiling is "rnamentcd
with ribbed arches, which spring from
the capitals OF pilasters at about half the
height of the ceiling frnm the floor.
Beneath these windows are others eX-
tending around the sanctuary. but which
are sunk in. embrasures of carved wood
work. In these, sacred figures are painted
on a background OF gold.
The next prominent feature is the work
which extends from the capitals of the
Scotch granite columns To the ceiling of
the auditorium. The capitals are Cnrinth-
ian and are gilded richly. half hidden in
them being groups of electric arc lights.
Resting on the capitals of these columns,
which are ten in number and cost 81 900
each. are lesser columns gilded and in. the
Corinthian style.
From the capitals Of these rise to. and
cross. the ceiling twelve triple arches.
These intersect at six points midway of the
ceiling and at these points are rosettes con-
tanning electric lights. Opposite the center
of each of the five arches is q window
without other ornaments than the stained
glaEs in many colors.
Another conspicuous feature in the fres-
coer's work are a series OF cherubim on
the upper walls between the windows, and
also the winged heads of angels. These
have been put in with due regard to proper
effective.
Nothing could be finer than the gorgeous
work around the entrances to the cbapels.
The entrances are made to represent
Gothic cdoorways. The arch OF the entrance
presents triple. curved lines, which rest
on twin Corintbian columns, and these
are gilded from the capitals to the floor.
Between the fines OF the arches the space
is filled in with Il series of stars in stucco,
or plaster, the tint being dark red gold.
The sanctuary floor is beautifully tiled.
In the center is a large mosaic, and in the
center of this is perhaps the most interest
ing of IL the single features OF the reno
walton. This is piece OF stone from st.
Peters Church at Rome, the gift OF the
pope to the Rev. Father Gloyd, the vencr-
able and beloved rector Of ST Patrick's
Yet with all this mass of beauty in arcbi-
tectural design or placing OF the colors,
there is nothing confusing. The lines
are, in fact, severely simple. but by fire.
quent repetition they give one the sense
OF richness and variety.