The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-17

l which is 300 feet high is a circular cor | nice. with buttresses and two rows ol windows, adorned with columns and niches with saints and over the buttresses are small domes to the number of six teen, between which domes stand angels
 with trumpets and censers.
 The top of the dome somewhat resem- bles that of St. Peters, but over 1t there is a gallery like that of the dome of the Invadides at Paris. But 1t is adorned, in the case of Nova Sancta Sophia, with the four apocaiyptical animals. The top of the dome is finished with globe hay ing the shape of ciborium resting on a ground of cherubim. the whole being sur mounted by the cross.
 The beauty of the interior is revealed at a glance. The entrance commands a view of the whole church, from the floor to the top of the edome-something nowhere else seen except at St. Sophia in Con stantinople and the Rotunda in Rome. The four pillars which support the dome are each fifty feet in diameter. They have columns and inches filled with re- hefs of the doctors of the church. The pillars supporting the chapeis and the naves have mosaics expressing scenes connected with the blessed sacrament. At the end of the church, in the main chapel, there is representation in relief of the Last Supper of our Lord and Sa- viour Jesus Christ and His disciples. sur mounted with an immense glory and an- gels. Under the east window, on the first fioor Is a row of mosaics expressing mir acles caused by the blessed sacrament. There are in all eleven chapels. commem- orativs of the apostles who received wor- thily the blessed sacrament.
 Over the chapcls there runs the grand cornice around the entire edifice and this is the base of semi-circular naves. In- stead of columns there Is a caratid which carries the ribs of the arches. On the ceilings of the naves appear representa- tions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus adorn- ed by angels. the miracle of Bosena and other miracles of Jesus. Above-sthem is a bas relief around the main dome six teen feet high on marble expressive of the possession of the blessed sacrament. This bas relief will extend a total length of 45o feet. Over this are two rows of windows with columns and angels be- tween them, the figures of the angels being each sixteen feet in height. The dome is divided into four panels. Tn the center. facing the porch, will be the fig ure of the Lamb of God over His throne. blessed by God the Father, surrounded by angels and saints. On the other panel Is a reproduction of the dispute of the blessed sacrament by Raphael. Over the whole Is a lunette for lighting the top of the dome.
 All the pictures are to he reproductions in mosaic of the masterpieces in Rome. The columns throughout the church. of rare marbles. stand around the chapeis so as to leave a clear view from each chapel of the entire building. The cell inss of each of the chapels is 1so feet from the pavement. Words convey but a faint impression of the perfect beauty of the building. as it will be seen when com. pieted in all the spiendor of its orna. mentation and in its magnificent sym metry. The brightness of it's coloring. the blending and harmonising of the tints and hues of the mosaics and pillars, and the atmospheric effects can scarcely be depicted on paper. If St. Sophia of Con- stantinople remains one of the wonders of the Old World. Nova Sancta Sophis will be the greatest wonder of the new and the most fit. imposing and beautiful temple ever reared to the majesty of the Divine Master by his devout servants among men.