Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-06

ANY church." says Ralph Adams Cram,
the architectural writer. In his interesting
work on Church Building" where the
bishop establishes his throne, becomes a
cathedral, but the cathedral line is more
than this. AS the altar is the center, the
elimination of each individual church. so is
the cathedral the center and elimination
Of the whole church, Structurally it is the
work of generations OF men striving to
show forth in ZONE sort the glory Of the
heavenly city, the power OF the church
triumphant"
1t is a sign Of educational progress and
development when a community begins to
realize these things and to call for the
inception of an edihce in accordance with
them. to become the focus OF enlarged and
united religious activities.
This has taken place in the Catholic
community Of Omaha. The growth Of the
city and increasing Importance of its Catho-
lie societies make the demand imperative.
The result Of this feeling materislized last
week at the retreat" of priests at Creigh-
ton college. when the design Of the pro-
jected cathedral was shown by its architect
to the assembled clergy.
The new cathedral Is to be placed at the
junction Of Fortieth and Burt streets on
a magnificent lot in a highly Catholic
neighborhood. close by the Sacred Heart
convent. the bishops residence and the
homes OF some OF his most prominent
parishioners. The style OF architecture
shown in the design is Spanish renaissance,
which naturally prevails In Mexico and
South America and is we'll adapted to this
part of the country. Another point in favor
Of this style was suggested by the architect
II. e., that Spain, most deeply OF Catholic
countries, is also the only one whose ca
thedrals were all originally built for wor-
shippers Of that faith and have never been
appropriated by any other. This is a point
OF sentiment. but as such will doubtless
appeal to those who are interested in the
cathedral.
A short description will properly accom-
pany the plan here shown.
The building is 70 be Of gray stone. as
also the structural Interior portions. Its
plans may be described as a great auditor
ium. the eastern end terminating in a
round apse. enclosing the sanctuary. There
are TO be seating accommodations for
about 1880 persons with a total capacity
much above this. Opposite the sanctuary
under the western rose window, are the
choir and organ loft. 1anked on either side
by massive stone towers, severely simple
in the shaft and richly ornamental above.
Through the west portal one enters a
spacious vestibule, or narthex. connecting
at each end with the ambulatorium. or
surrounding way, by which one can make
the tour OF the church without disturbing
the worshipers In its main body. Reached
from this passage on north and south and
surrounding the apse are grouped memorial
ehapels. A large winter chapel is at the
left Of the side entrance. where the tram
sept OF the Gothic cathedral is usually
found. Across the church, in the other
arm OF the cross are this sacristies.
Beneath the whole is a great crypt. where
services may be held for many years. pend
ing the completion OF the superstrueture;
and where the permanent heating and ven
tilating apparatus will be placed. The priv
ate chapels and ambulatorium will be
lighted through hrst story side windows;
the nave and apse chiefly through clerestory
windows. The main roof Is in the form Of
a huge barrel vault with richly moulded
ribs. penetrated by the arches Of the clere-
story windows. The whole structure will
be over 26O feet in length by IT'S in width.
the roof Of the nave rising to a height