The Saint Paul globe., 1905-01-29
CATHEDRAL TO BE IN
RENAISSANCE STYLE
Architects VIII Be Invited to
Compete for the
Contract

After considering the matter from
every viewpoint the building commit
tee of the new Catholic cathedral de-
scided yesterday to ask that architects
competing for the contract to prepare
plans must make their preliminary
sketches in the Renaissance style Of
architecture. During the past week
the committee has held frequent meet
ings together with Glenn Brown, the
Washington architect, who acts in the
capacity of their adviser and who has
been in st. Paul, a guest at the Min
nesota club, for the past week.
In speaking of this decision last
evening Mr.. Brown said: "The style of
the Renaissance was decided upon by
the committee to be the best fitted to
the purposes of the building. This style
is the one offering the greatest oppor-
tunity to the architect for beautiful
effects in ornamentation and decora-
ton. Some of the most beautiful and
noted cathedrals in the world are built
in this style, and as examples might
name st. Pauls in London and ST. Pc
ter's in Rome; also the Louvre in
Paris.
I'VE are working now preparing
list of the architects whom we shall
invite to join in the competition, and
we shall probably select about eight
men. The prize in the competition
contract for the cathedral, but each
contestant will be allowed a sum of
about one-half the cost to him of pre-
pairing sketches and plans, probably
$780,
We have not decided as yet wheth-
er or not any St. Paul architects will
be invited to take part in the compe-
oil xxyi1 l,a
residents Of the United States is about
as far as We have progressed"
Another important announcement
was made yesterday by the commit
tee. 1t was to the effect that every
architect competing would be invited
to submit sketches and plans for beau
tifying Cathedral hill and the neigh
borhood Immediately surrounding. The
committee will at once begin working
for municipal and state legislation
looking towards the end of carrying out
this idea, and a hope is cherished that
a plaza may be built leading directly
from the cathedral to the state capitol.
Date Is Not Yet Decided
The date at which the sketches for
the building are to be in hands of the
committee is not decided yet, but the
competing architects will probably be
asked to submit them in October, that
the decision may be made with all eX-
pedition After the contract for the
plans is made it will probably take ten
months or year for the successful
architect to prepare his full working
plans, and 1t is the wish of the COM
Inittee to begin operations as soon as
ii is possible.
Glenn Brown, architectural adviser
to the committee will leave Monday
evening for his home in washington.
a Of he ncf
best known architects in the country,
and at the present time is the secre-
tary of the American Institute of Ar
-chitects. He is also the author of sew
eral works on architecture which have
attracted wide attention. Perhaps the
most notable Of these is his History
of the United States Capitol" a pre-
'tentions work in two volumes.
Natural Advantages
This is Mr.. Browns first visit to ST.
Paul, and while he did not grow Wild
ly enthusiastic over the city's great
beauty, he talked interestingly of his
observations
am much pleased with the natu-
raj advantages offered by the site Sc
lected for the Cathedral, and l should
say that it will present a most dig1li-
fed sight with the stately cathedral
browning its summit said Mr.
u. Ii
that dignity would be greatly en-
-hanced if the city could be induced to
begin a systematic and harmonious
future treatment of the city, its park
ings, buildings, etc.
The Renaissance style of archi-
lecture which We have decided upon
for the edifice is, in my opinion, the
best, for it gives not only great oppor-
tunlties for ornamentation, but it also
gives the chance for the large audi
torium which is particularly desired.
1t is style of architecture that per
mits dignity and refinement of the ex-
terror as we'll. An unlimited treat
ment of marble will enter into the .ex-
terror of the building, and we shall use
mural paintings and mosaics for the
interior decorations.
The Cathedral will nave a nave
tIansepts and choir; and at the cross
ing of the nave and the transepts the
auditorium will be topped by a low
dome which viii form a fitting crown
ing feature for the hill on which the
Cathedral will stand. The site will
lend itself to an imposing treatment of
terraces and steps which may readily