Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-05
A NEW INTERIOR.
improvements in St. Patrick's Church
Mean Nothing Else.

improvements in St. PatricIx's Church
Mean Nothing Else.
When it was announced about a month
ago that improvements Upon the interior
of st. Patricks were contemplated many
persons thought that the alterations and
repairs would simply be the work that
every congregation is under the necessity
of putting on its house of worship once
every four or five years. Now it transpires,
however, that the people of st. Patrick's
are determined to make the interior of
their edifice one of the finest in the coun-
try.
Fully thirty thousand dollars is the out
lay that the plans call for as prepared by
the architect, and at least a third of this
sum Is to be spent on magnificent altar.
The carving of the altar is now being done
In Italy by a famous native sculptor 1t is
to be composed of white marble and onyx.
In order that the materials used in the
construction should be of the very best
quality samples were obtained from the
best quarries in the world, and the result
will be seen when the church is ready for
worship again, which will be some time
next fall. Some idea of the size of the al
tar may be gained when it Is stated that
the height from the base to the topmost
pinnacle is more than thirty-five feet, high
er than some ordinary houses.
The Altar and Tabernacle.
The altar proper will be reached by
flight of three broad, fiat. white marble
steps. At the top of these steps will be a
table, also of marble, ard supported at
each end by large onyx pillars, deliberately
decorated at the bases and capitals. Be
tween these pillars is to be bas relief of
the Lords Supper, and to the right and
left of this are to be. respectively, squares
of carving. Along the upper edge of the
altar friaze in relief will run along the
front
Above the altar and projecting nearly
half way toward the front will be placed
the tabernacle. This is to be the crowning
glory of the whole sanctuary, and, in
keeping with the rest of the altar, Will be
deliberately carved and in the same design.
In the center q pinnacle will rise to
height of thrty-flve feet above the base of
the altar, and to the right and left of this
pinnacle are to be smaller cnes, decorated
in the same style es the larger one The
center of these columns is twenty-five feet
in height, and those to the right and left
thirteen feet in height. Above the altar
will be placed q handsome crucifX between
two statues, the subjects of which have
not been decided upon.
Frescoine the Walls.
Besides this altar other work is being
done at present in the church that will
have the effect of harmonzng the whole
interior on tho same scale of magnifcence.
Workmen are engaged In frescoing the in
parent in the graceful tracery that has
made it's appearance in many places on the
walls The figuring and border work is
pecially handsome, and is being done by
Costagni. the artist who is engaged in fin
shing similar work in the rotunda of the
Capitol. Around the top of the sanctuary
will be frieZe of angels, and in inches in
the walls Of the sanctuary will be repre-
sensations of the saints. The general eff
feet Of the cooring of the church will be
that of green and gold, and when lit up at
night by the twelve electric lights now be-
ing paced in position will present a scene
of splendor seldom surpassed in a religious
edifce.
Original Plans Observed.
A fine organ, which will contain the latest
Improvements, Is also to be placed in the
edifice. The architect of the church is Mr..
O'Conner of New York, who also designed
St. Peters Church in this city. When the
original plans were made for st. Patricks
by Mr.. O'Conner he practically designed
church on the plan that it will be when
completed, and the present improve
ments are only carrying out his former
ideas In September, probably, the work
will have been completed, and then the
church will be formally reopened by spe-
cial exercises, though SERVICES will take
place every Sunday during the summer in,