Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-09-06
PRACTICALLY FINISHED.
ST. Msry's New Church Formally
Opened Last Sunday.

Last Sunday, sept. 1, was the occasion
of an event of great Importance to the
pastor and congregation of st. Mary's
parish-the formal opening of the upper
part of the handsome new church for
regular service.
high Mass was solemnized, with special
music.
The church has a seating capacity of
700, which proves tobe none too large,
as the congregation now almost fills
every pew.
The church, which is 1853 feet long and
SO feet wide, with square tower of 100
feet, built of rock-faced marble in the
Romanesque style of architecture, forms
one of the sights of the town, being
prominently located at the head of Acad-
emy street.
On entering the church visitor would
be at first sight impressed with the SIM
pie and chaste effects. But an extended
view will show perfection of detail and
blend of tone color that is rarely seen.
With nothing to obstruct the view-as
the ceiling is supported by trussed
arches-a full view of the three altars is
obtained. The nave of the church is
Romanesque, supported by paneled ribs.
The apex of the ceiling is 40 feet.
The main altar is of Rutland white
statuary marble, and the side altars of
regalico. The chancel rail and vain
Italian marble, producing a splendid
effect; while the baldachino, or canopy,
over the tabernacle is of statuary marble,
the same as the material of the main
altar.
The candlesticks are of gold, in Byzan-
tine style, the lamps Romanesque, while
the sanctuary floor is covered with green
velvet.
The triumphal arch of the chancel is
supported by tiuted pilasters; and the
plaster capitals and corbels are finished
in old ivory. Ten medallions, repre-
senting the instruments of the Passion
surround the base of the dome of the
sanctuary, which is finished in gold,
while the chancel is lighted from the
roof by circular light ~ feet in diam
eter. The deeply recessed panel of the
main altar Is faced by the Lamb of the
Apocalypse in the rear of supporting
columns, all of white marble. The sane
tuary is finished in maroon and Tuscan
red, with gold dome, with borders and
frieze in imitation Mosaic.
The angles of the dome, as we'll as all
angles or cornice moulds, whether wood
or stucco, are richly embossed.
St. Mary's parish is to be congratulated
upon the practical completion of their
beautiful church. The parish had grown
to such size several years ago that a
new and larger edifice became necess-
ity, and Father j. NJ. Gelot started at
the beginning of his pastorate to build
the present structure; but was obliged,
by i'll health to discontinue, and to the
present pastor, Father J. d. Shannon, is
due the credit for most of the work
The first missionary priest that came
to this town was the Rev. James Nc
Quaide in 1922. He left here the follow
year, and in 1880 Rev. jeremiah O'Calla-
CHAN came here as a missionary of the
whole State occasionally until 1884.
Then the State was made into two mis-.
sions, and the Rev. James Walsh came to
this part of the mission and remained till
1885. In 1887 Rev. John B. Daley came
here and built, in 1889, the brick struc.
ture now known as the "Old Church.
on Wey bridge street. Father Daley re.
manned here till 1854. Then the first
bishop of the diocese of Burlington, the
Rt. Rev. Louis de Goesbriand, sent the
Rev. Joseph Duglue. Among other pas.
tors who have otiiciated here was the
Rev. Father Cunningham, succeeded by
Rev. E. r.. Moloney, he in turn being
succeeded by Rev. Henry Lane; next by
Father j. NJ. Gelot, who started the new
church; and later by the present lncum-
bent, Rev. j. ID. Shannon, who has since
his arrival here, about eight years ago,
labored without rest to complete the
beautiful church which is not only an
acceptable house of worship and credit
to the faithful pastor and his flock,
but it is one of, if not the finest structure
in the town or county, house of prayer
erected by the sacrifice of the faithful
many, rather than by the large dona-
tions of a few.