The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-07-13
ELEGANT MEMORIAL ALTAR
PRESENTED TO NJ. JOHN'S CHURCH
BY NIX. And MRS. N. a. BALDWIN.

Bf M IN ~ In NS. ", Il, BALDWIN.
Consecrated by Rev. DIR. Harwood-other
Services Held Yesterday-M by St
Johns and st. Paul's Combined Choirs-
Address by Rev. Mr.. Lines-A Largo
Congregation-Des cription of the Altar.
The interior of st. Johns Episcopal
church has just been greatly beautified
by the erection of beautiful new altar,
a gift to the church from Mr. and Mrs.
Nathan A. Baldwin of Whitney avenue
as memorial to Natalie Baldwin Grin
nell. The altar, with the reliable and
reredos, occupies the greater part of
the eastern wall Of the church. 1t was
consecrated Saturday morning by Rev.
DIR. HARDWOOD, former rector of Trinity
Episcopal church.
AT o'clock yesterday morning COM
munion was held, and at 1890 there
was prayer and sermon. The con-
clusion of the conservation service
was held at o'clock yesterday after
noon. AT this last service the church
was completely filled despite the ex-
tremely warm afternoon, nearly all the
Episcopal churches in the city being
represented in the congregation.
The music at this service was q spec
ial feature, 1t being given by the COM
bined choirs of st. Johns and ST. Paul's
Episcopal churches, st. Johns choir &C.
NJ no ffo ciI nf he "a al
next to the organ, and st. Paups choir
the left side. Mr.. Fowler organist at
st. Pauls, was at the organ, Rev. Mr..
Richards of Richfleld Springs read the
evening prayer and lessons, assisted by
Rev. Mr.. Phillips, assistant rector at
st. Pauls. Rev. Mr.. Means, rector of St.
Johns, made the announcements, and
Rev. Mr.. Lines of st. Paurs made a
brief and informal address, congratu-
lating the members of the church on
the beautiful addition to the church s
interior decoration. He said that while
most of his hearers had many beautiful
objects at home to assist in elevating
their ideas and thoughts, there was a
great class of people who have none of
these things at home, and so it is fit
ting that in public place of worship
there should be beautiful things to sup
ply this lack. He also said that the
proper spirit Is shown when people de-
sire to so beautify their churches At
the time Of the reformation In England
there was a too marked tendency to do
away with church decoration, and this
tendency continued up to recent years,
but is now giving way to a desire for
the beautiful in churches especially.
On the front of the altar is a repre-
sentation of the Virgin and the infant
Jesus, and Mr.. Lines said that this
being seen by persons entering the
church would remind them to keep in
religion what is childlike, true, simple
and innocent The house of God must
be kept as house of worship. We
should keep in mind the thought of
what is childlike and simple in the
church and In life, and that the office
of the church is to bring men to recog-
nize their duties and privileges as chill
dren of God. After Mr.. Lines address,
the service closed with the singing of
the doxology by the choir and congre-
CATION, and the benediction by Rev. Mr..
Means.
The altar is constructed, in great
part, Of oak, thus being in keeping with
the rest Of the interior finishing of the
church. It's beauty is greatly added to
by F'lorentine gold carving. The oak
work is also greatly elaborated by We
netian fret in Mosaic work. The altar
is a design of lilies, which fill the en-
tire front, the central lily becoming a
cross in form.
Above the altar the retable is marked
with the Thrice Holy, and the lower
reredos at the back, decorated detail,
which forms a background for the al
tar cross and vases.
Above the lower reredos, and form
ing the focal point of the entire COM
position. the large heroic figure mosaic
has been set. Here the seated Virgin,
with the Christ Child in front Of her.
forms the upright line of a large cross,
the arms of which are suggested IN the
kneeling angels, which, right and left
of the Christ Child, bend in alteration.
Behind the Virgin, and continuing
the composition to the uppermost part
Of the picture. a large dossal curtain,
In intricate patterns, has been intro
duced, while the marble seat and mar
Bile steps, and the background upon
which the figures rest, extend to the
outn1ost edge Of the composition, right
and left. while an elaborated back
ground Of Venetian gold fills the bal
ance of the composition.
This mosaic Is an adaDtation of the
painting by Ella Condie Lamb, which
was exhibited successfully at the Ma
tional academy of New York two years
ago. and In its adaptation the designer,
G. r. Lamb, has kept very carefully in
mind the requirements of this particu-
lar memorial, and in the detail of the
entire work the proportion of one part
to another has been very carefully con-
s,dered. SO that the lines Of ornament,
in woodwork and in mosaic, harmonize
and become unit in effect.
Above the mosaic composition and
forming a browning part to the entire
work, two flying angels spring forward,
holding in their outstretched hands an
intricate metal crown. In this crown
the electric lights are placed, which
food a soft light upon the color of the
mosaic below and on the face of the
Virgin, and thus help to focus the at
tention to this, the central point of the
composition.
This memorial reflects great credit
upon the Messrs j. & r. Lamb of New
York. to whom the commission was en-
trusted
THE LATE GEORGE A. BUTLER.