The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-03
CHURCHMEN
GATHERING.
Preparations for the Laying OF
the Cornerstone.
RECEPTION THIS EVENING
a Notable Gathering In Honor OF His
ExceIIency Diomede Falconio at
the Residence of Or. George
Ben Johnston,


Arrangements are practically complete
for the exercises to be held tomorrow
! afternoon In connection with the laying
of the cornerstone of the new Catholic
cathedral, being erected here. Prepara-
tons for the service are pretty well I'm
ished, and several of those who expect TO
participate have already reached the city.
Others will come III to-day, including His
EXcclency, the Apostolic Delegate. VINO
Will preside over tho ceremonies.
MonsiEnor Falconio Is expected to ar
rive on the 7:15 O'Clock train this evening
from Washington. lie Will DO met at inc
station and will be escorted 10 tho pres
ent Cathedral. where formal reception
will be rendered him. The altar boys and
tho clergy, robed in cassock and surplice,
Will meet at the episcopal residence and
Will march III body into the church.
Bishop Van do Vyvcr will speak on be-
half Of the clergy. welcoming the dele
gate. and Mr.. John G. 11agan Will speak
for the laity. His Excellency VIII make
response. Though brief the service VIII
be a most Interesting one. marking the
first appearance in Richmond Of the dis
tingulshed visitor. a general invitation
to the Catholics Of the city has been cx-
tended.
Immediately after the exercises at the
Cathedral q reception Will be rendered to
Monsignor Falconio By DR.. George Ben
Johnston Mt his residence. on EtSit Grace
Street This second reception VIII last
from $3.50 O'clock until II. Besides the
clergy all OF whom will be present quite
number of prominent gentlemen OF the
city have been invited.
WILL OCCUR MORROW. 3s.
AS stated heretofore the laying OF the
cornerstone will occur tomorrow after
noon It 4 o'clock. A platform has been
erected along the foundation OF the new
Cathedral. and other arrangements are
being made to accommodate the crowd.
which, promises to be very large. The
knights Of Columbus will have charge
OF The arrangements at the grounds.
Members Of the other societies and all
other Catholic men Of the city who can
will meet at 8 O. clock in the afternoon at
the Sacred Heart Church. and will march
In body to the site OF the new Cathe-
dral. The clergy, In cassock and SUR
plce. will attend them.
bishop Janssens. who was In his early life
men and laymen are expected. Bishop
Kelley, Of Savannah. so well known here,
arrived yesterday and took dinner with
Bishop Van de yyver A number Of
priests are also, here, among them being
Father Alph Janssens. a nephew OF Arch
bishop Janssens who Vas wa, Mor his early al, y fe
liam O'Bren Pardow. 8, j.. the eminent
Jesuit OF New York who, will be the ora
tor Of the occasion Of THE laying OF the
cornerstone, also came In last night. He
IL the guest Of Mr.. John NJ. Higgins. No.
| 219 Governor Street.
To-day quite a number OF others VIII
arrive. including Mr.. Joseph II. Mcguire,
Of New York. architect for the Cathedral.
Several bishops and other distinguished
prelates. including DR.. O.Connell, rector
Of the Catholic University. arc expected
Mr. Thomas r. Ryan, the donor OF the
! Cathedral, will probably arrive to-mor'
| row.
COULDN'T BCHIsEL IT.
| It Is curious fact brought to light yes
terday that the much-treaslired corner
| stone will be entirely obscured from view
when the church is completed. 'fhe stone
was brought here fifteen years ago by
| Archbishop Keane, then bishop of Rich
mond from the Garden of Gethsemane. Ii
| the Holy Land IT has been turned over
to the architect and gotten into shape
At first 1t was intended to place the stone
In position where 1t could easily be seen
and the specifications called for about
thrty-seven letters to be chiseled upor
It of appropriate inscription. But
which battles the skill OF the stone.
cutters. 1t Is very hard and heavy an6
brittle Such Is Its composition that II
has been found impossible to chisel the
letters on It. Hence 1t will be put In per
fecty plain and smooth.
A GREAT CATHEDRAL.
Inquiries made yesterday lead to the
belief that the new Cathedral. which WILL
be the greatest church Richmond and the
South has yet seen, will cost considerably
more than the generally accepted price
1t was rumored that It will eventual,
cost as much as six or eight hundred
thousand dollars, but this, 1t is believed
is wide of the mark. 1t was conceded
yesterday by contractors and others
however. that the building complete VII
cost at least $3.50 900 and possibly 100000
An inspection of the plans draws fort
from every one an expression of ADM
ration. The Cathedral will be In ever!
sense of the world a magnificent struc
ture distinct ornament to the city. TIL
dome will rise IA feet from the grounT
and the two bell-toWers will be eacl
100 feet. Up TO the first floor, the exterio
will he OF Virginia granite; above 1t vii
be OF Indiana limestone. The roof will b
guarded by iron Orders. and the Who'll
will be practically freproof At tho On
trance Will be six nuted columns 0
marble. The interior arrangements vii
be beautiful to a high degree. The FOO
will be Of mosaic and terrazza. All 0
the columns. and there will BIO numbe
OF them. will be Of the finest marble, TIL
windows viii be OF stained glass. Their
Will be i've affairs, not counting the on
In the morning chapel, which will be I
the right OF the rear of the building.
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