The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-07
A. GEM AMONG CHURCHES.
FRESCOING. IN THE CHURCH or
ST. JOHN COMPLETED.
Memorial Church Built in white Plains by
Mrs. Nathalie r. Reynai and Was
Fresceed. Gilied and Paint ed At the
Expense Of Mrs. Nathalie Sydney Jarvis.

the costliest and most artistic memoria
church in the United States will be cele-
brated in the Church OF st. John the Evan.
gelist at White Plains to-day, when fol
the first time its congre CATION, which com.
prises some Of the richest and the poorest Of
the State, will view complete in almost
every detail this gem Of American
churches
II Ia the gift to the Catholic church Of two
wealthy women, both converts to the faith
and marks, despite the wealth and luxury OF
their lives. the failure Of their most cher.
ished dream. The church was founded by
Mrs. Nathalie F. Reyral, daughter Of the
late Nathaniel d. Higgins, and was given
to commemorate the death OF her son
Jules Reynal, and Of her father.
When Mrs. Reynal entered the Catholic
Church the nearest place Of worship to her
country estate, Rocky Dell, was some miles
distant. Mrs. Reynal pedtioned the late
Archbishop Corrigan for permission to
erect chapel in White Plains. Owing
to the small number OF Catholics and the
impoverished condition OF their repre-
sentation. in that locality the Archbishop
demurred. Mrs. Reynal then offered to
defray all of the expenses of erection and
support until such time as the congregation
might he enabled to assume responsibility.
Although Mrs. Reynal built and equipped
the church. the painting and fresco work,
which have now been completed, we're given
by Mrs. Nathalie Sydney Jarvis as a
memorial to her young daughter, Anna
M. Jarvis McElroy. whose pathetic love
story was we'll known to have been the
cause OF Mrs. Jarvis's retirement from the
world Of social gayety
Anna Jarvis spent the summers OF her
childhood in White Plains, near which was
the summer estate of the Jarvis family.
Here she met Samuel McElroy. whose
fathers estate adjoined that OF the Jarvis
family. The two as playmates In child
hood became sweethearts. Before she
reached the age Of 10 Anna Jarvis had
plighted her troth to the young college
student The family. wishing to defer the
marriage until their daughter had reached
a more mature age, insisted upon several
years of social life prior to assuming matri-
monial responsibilities. During the severe
winter Of 1900 Miss Jarvis. while attend
ing an evening entertainment contracted
a severe cold. which quickly developed
into acute lung disease.
The invalid was taken to California and
Colorado in the hope Of restoring her health;
every effort that science could put forth
was expended to prolong her life, but In
vain. Early in the winter Of 1901 she re-
turned to New York knowing that she
must die. She was taken to the Hotel
Manhattan, where Mr.. McElroy met her.
and tho young sweethearts were married
a few days before death claimed the bride.
on March IL, which was her birthday.
Few churches in the United States, and
perhaps not many cathedrals, possess 80
great q wealth OF ornaments, veetments
and altar ,,: and saor;sty hs PsrsPhsr
material and Of artistic design. Two
hundred thousand dollars was expended
in The erection and fitting alone: Mra-
Reynal spent two years travelling through
Europe oeoas sen ass. OF art TO sd0i in
the wardrobes Of the priests and acolytes.
There are entire sets Of blond laoes pro-
vided for the service Of the Bishop and
the smallest choir boy. There are costly
a nS'' saee0G n RS 'Pau saT nsns
also contain q fortune in Irish and thread
laces.
Thousands Of dollars are represented
In the vestments. The most valuable Of
this country, is the benediction veil. 1t
is embroidered on mousseline de sole.
showing the design Of the dove in gold,
and having the rays strung from costly
pearls. which once were worn by Mrs.
keynal.
st. Johns is a Gothic Celtic pile Of rough
bewn white marble. 1t occupies half a
b3ock with its grounds and the rectory.
= is temple-towered and .belfried. but the
chimes are the one detail yet lacking in
st. j isba%' seat. Ah ssssy Gssd i has
frontage Of 90 feet and depth Of ils feet.
The triple entrance is crowned with one
of the rarest pieces Of stained glasswork
in this country; 1t shows in transparent
mother. There are thirtyeeisht stained
glass windows. The reredos. which forms
the background Of the sanctuary, gives the
appearance Of cathedral vista, following
I he design Of the arches. The episcopal
OF massive oak. The pulpit is in corre-
6 ponding style and cost 5000. The COM
rail Is Of hammered brass and moss
onyx.
hs ssseons dns and psa p sd1 Tin in
Panzeroni. Just before leaving for Europe ,
last summer Mrs. Jarvis gave carte blanche
TO Father Keefe, the pastor. for these
The dome, which shows the
designed, showing the stellar
A rch The walls, almost every foot OF |
which records symbols OF the history Of the |
Church, show soft shades Of green and
Eilver.
About the stations Of the cross. which |
surround the body Of the church, are hung |
some valuable old masterpieces. Above
The main altar ia one Of the most valuable
modern altar paintings It is q canvas
1925 feet and shows q new Interpretation
II HofYman's "Crucifxion.' st. John IL
represented as leading the mother from
he death scene. while Mary Magdaiene.
instead Of being Frustrated At tho foot Of
he GROSS, Is pictured in the most passionate
pose, with hands pressed to temples. bid
ling farewell to Christ crucihed. Large
paintings OF SIS. Peter and Paul on back
ground of gold adorn either side OF the
sanctuary. One custom adopted in this
,hurch rarely seen in Roman temples is
he sunlight sanctuary lamp, handed
Town from the ancient Jewish custom,
md adopted by the ntualistic churches IS
fulfilling the letter Of the law, The church
s lit by an electric system, the light seeming
o centre around the tabernacle. The mas
i've Gothic pillars are also strung with
iehts. but these are used only when the
.h,irch is garlanded for festival occasions.
The ooion in the stained windows are
70 arranged az to sift a soft rose and amber
"A disnce from the sunliQht. The entire |