Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-26
iRYAN'S CHURCH GIFT
GREAT CATHEDRAL THAT WILL
BE DEDICATED AT RICHMOND.

Richmond Is to have one Of the greatest
cathedrals in the country. 1t will be dedi-
Gated on Thanksgiving morning in the pres
ence of a great crowd, the most distin-
.guished Catholic prelates of the country
participating. A dispatch from Richmond
says: The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
is the gift Of Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas F.
Ryan.
1t will take it's place as one of the four
greatest cathedrals in this country. Right
Rev. Augustin Van De Vyver bishop OF
Richmond, is a personal friend of Thomas
F. Ryan, and interested the New York
financier in the project of rearing a cathe-
dral which will stand as monument of the
Catholic Church in the south.
A cathedral such as Mr.. Ryan has made
possible was first contemplated by Monsig-
nor McGill the confederate bishop Of Rich
mond, in 1865, who purchased the eastern
portion of the block on which the granite
pile now stands. The remainder of the
block was purchased by Bishop Keane in
1885, Bishop Van De Vyver was enabled
through Mr.. and Mrs. Ryan to begin the
building of the cathedral five years ago.
The cornerstone was laid June f. 1903 by
the late Father Conway of the Jesuit Or
der, at that time stationed at st. Ignatius'
Church. Saith street and Park avenue, New
York city.
Interior Arrangement
The immense stone pile occupies a pic
turesque as well as commanding location.
embracing an entire block In the heart of
the fashionable part of Richmond and fac
ing upon Monroe Park, with it's acres of
grass and trees. AS one approaches the
main entrance as far away as half mile
the great dome, surmounted by massive
cross, looms up and commands attention
and admiration. Leaving the avenues and
entering the park, through the trees the
broad portico, the twin towers and the clois-
tered walkways are seen, and the charming
Italian renaissance architecture appeals
delightfully."- to the eye
On entering the cathedral The scene is
no less pleasing, for the vast nave flooded
with soft light stretches away to Join the
away, bathed in the subdued glow from the
stained-glass windows above the altar
On the walls of the north and south
aisleS appear the stations of the cross in
beautiful bas-relief, while below are placed
the confessionals. At the east end is built
the organ loft, in which one of the most
magnificent organs In the country has been
installed, the design being in perfect keep
ing with the architecture of the building.
At the south end is choir surrounded
by a great iron grille, and containing the
simple yet handsome altar with it's great
bronze crucifiX and candlestands. To the
right of the altar facing the east, stands
the bishops throne and the stalls for the
priests, while opposite is set the pulpit.
with its graceful sounding board and addi-
tional stalls. Massive bronze gates sepa-
rate the choir from the transept.
The cathedral is lighted by hundreds of
electric lights set in the ceiling and around
the great dome, while between the pews OF
the center and side aisles great candelabra
furnish light for the congregation. With
in the cathedral are five affairs and two
chapels all of which are beautiful and cost
1y. The building. vast and churchly,
breathes an atmosphere of dignity and
peace.
Who Will Attend.
The conservation will be attended by
scenes of magnificent churchly pomp and
ceremony. 1t will take place at o'clock
Thanksgiving morning, followed by pontif-
cal high mass at II am. Among the dig
nitaries who will be present are Cardinal
Gibbons Archbishop Keane Of Dubuque,
Monsignor Falconio apostolic delegate;
O'Connell of Washington: Monsignor Nor
throp, bishop of Charleston; Monsignor
Haid, bishop of North Carolina: Monsignor
Donahue. bishop of Wheeling; Monsignor
Kelly, bishop of Savannah; Monsignor
Monaghan, bishop Of Wilmington, and
Monsignor Kenny. bishop OF Florida.
Mr. and Mrs. Ryan. with friends from
New York, will witness the ceremonies The
governor of Virginia. the mayor of Rich
mond and city officials have been assigned
seats In the cathedral. Admission to the
services viii be strictly by invitation
Bishop Van De Vyyer has labored for
thirty years as priest and prelate In Rich
mond. He was made bishop of Richmond
in 1889, succeeding Bishop Keane, who had
been appointed rector of the Catholic Uni
versity.