Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-05

The alterations and improvements
now going on in st. Peters Pro-
Cathedral have reached point that
some of the most expef fenced builders
did not believe possible, The walls of
the church have been raised four feet.
very strong new roof has been put on
and is now receiving Its covering of
fine slate under the supervision of Mr..
Grier, and Friday the work Of tearing
off the other double roof began in
earnest.
This has been done since the begin
ming of May without any serious inter-
ruption of the church services except
on Sunday, June 18th, and then the
congregation had to croYd into the hall
of the female school opposite for morn
ing service only.
Some idea can now be formed Of the
boldness and magnitude Of the pro-
posed alterations, which promise to
make old st. Peters, one of the prettiest
churches in the State of Delaware.
The interior ceiling will be yaulted,
and decorated in papier mache panels
inclosing beautiful rosette and will be
in rich lily white color. Over the
centre of the nave will be large oirou-
lar ventilator and dome, and three
smaller domes will be built into the
roofs over the side aisles. The columns
in the sanctuary and through the
church will be encased In Myceanean
marble and will make fine contrast
with the white papier mache decora-
tions. The old windows and porches
of the trs nsept have been removed and
are now replaced by large colonial win.
dows. In day or two the old galleries
will have disappeared forever. When
Archbishop Corrigan paid visit to the,
church two years ago, he pointed to the
seat he occupied when preparing for his
first communion and confirmation.
which were administered by Bishop
Newman, then the bishop Of Philadel-
phia, to which Wilmington belonged.
The contract time for finishing the
improvements was fixed as the middle
of August, but at the request CT Mr..
Healy, the contractor, was extended to
October. The ceremonies of the OPEN
ing will be very elaborate, hut the del
tails have not been decided upon.
The people of St. Peter IS deserve the !.
greatest praise for their enterprise and
generosity. This is the third altera-
tion they have made to their church
in the past ID years, and they have
found the whole expenses without out
side appeals and have besides paid off
debt of $4,000, the other expenses
were nearly or quite 100000 The
present improvement will cost s12, 600,
which will not include the beautiful
windows to be placed in the church
later. Eight thousand dollars have
been subscribed, $1,000 of which have
already been laid In.
To these improvements must he added
the entire renovation of the house ad
joining the church left by the McGraw
estate and to be used by the Franciscan
Sisters in charge of the boys school.
This will cost 81, 200, more than one
half of which has been paid for. Mr..
Healy is justly proud CT his achieve
ment.
Messrs. james Megary and L. Kienle
are experimenting the improvements
on the sisters house.
Next Sunday is the patronal feast of
the church and where there were three
roofs few days before it is expected
that the new roof will be all that will
remain and the timid people will have
no reason to keep away from church,
since no accident of any kind has &C.
Cured SO far.