Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-09
n2s.yerS GM $EtonE

side by the main spirc and on the right
hand by a smaller spire. The total height
of the main spire is 40 feet and II Is
surmounted by a copper gilt cross. Tho
entrance for the choir Is la this tower.
which forms lobby that contains a
handsome stairway finished IN oak lead
ing up 10 the gallery. The small lance
windows indicate the winding OF the
stairs Above the gallery floor are n
cluster Of FIVE narrow-long lance win
dows. Above these windows are tho
openings for the belfry which are started
from deeply recessed sills and are archsd
and moulded In stone. The belfry con-
tains the handsome bell presented TO the
church by the Catholic Hibsrnian Bene-
fetal Society. Weighing 900 pounds.
made by McShane & Co., OF Baltimore
il cost 500. and "a the largest bel in
tho city. The stone work OF the splra
finishes above the belfry with rich
copper panelled and moulded balustrade.
the buttresses at the four corners
being finished as pinnacles with copper
finals.
THE CORNERSTONE.
The cornerstone was laid on the 10Th
Of September, 1895. with the elaborate
ceremonies OF the Catholic Church. II IS
Of Richmond granite and was presented
by the Catholic Hibernian Society.
THE INTERIOR.
AS one enters the building through the
main entrance, there is a small storm yes
thule, which opens into a lobby w1tn
three entrances to the nave Of the church.
on the left of the lobby are the stairs 70
the gallery, and on the right Is the bap-
tistry. Tho nave OF the church IL Tvr~
feet, and has oak pews seating lT6 persons
The two holy-water fonts az The entrance,
of white marble. and the sanctuary lamp
are the gifts OF the Catholic Hihetnlan
beneficial Society. The gallery for the usa
OF the choir IS situated over the lobby
and baptistry. The sweet-toncd cabinet
organ for the use OF the choir, presenter
to the church on the occasion OF the dcdi'
cation, Is the gift of Colonel Thompson
Lennig, OF Harrisonburg, Va, % be used
IN the interim while waiting the pcyna-
nent organ FOR the church. The wainScot
OF the nave OF the church Is OF natural
white pine finish. The aitar-rsil H. %
oak, also the confesslOnals. and arc ~
Gothic design. There are six large lanos
windows on either SIDE which are tenn
porarily glazed with plain glass stained.
1t Is intended 10 permanently MI these
openings with art-giass pictures. over
the main altar is an art-glass picture or
the patron saint Of the church. ST. Francis
OF Assist. The main and two side affairs
are temporary, and will DO replaced by
marble ones. The walls and ceilings are
finished i'm plaster. sand finish, for fres-
Going. The groined Gothic arches OF the
ceiling are formed in a unique manaer
without columns. and form one OF the
most pleasing features Of the interior.
( The arches are moulded and all corbels.
capitals, ETC., are richly carved.
THE SANCTUARY.
The sanctuary IS roomy and eonve-
niently arranged, and the apsis farms
q polygon shaped recess for the main
altar. There are sanctuary-rooms-on
for the clergy, and one for the acolytes--
on one side. and small chapel on tie
other side in the rear. with passage
way back OF the apsls between them.
The church is warmed and ventilated by
the Peck-Hammond system.
THE BUILDING COMMITTEE.
The Building Committee, consisting OF
Rev. John McVerry (pastor), c. J. Arm
stead. Dan. Crimmens. John Fallon. Dem
mis- Brown. John Donovan. and William
Wholey, accepted the design Of 4. j..
Collins Sc Son. of this city. out OF some
fifteen designs submitted, and the build
ing has been erected under their super
vision by Montague Payne, contractor