The Dickinson press., 1908-12-26
new CHURCH
81 ,s.s.,s
IS BLESSED
First Services Held at St. Mary's
in Richardton. Description of
Most Beautiful Building in
North Dakota.

pressive ceremony of blessing the church
was held by the abbot, Rt. Rev. Vincen,
Wehrle, 0. S. B., in the presence oi
several hundred people. A solemn hiet
Pontifical mass followed and midnigh1
mass was sung on Christmas eve. This
was not the formal dedication, which
will not be held until sometime during
the year 1909, when all the plans have
been completed, but regular services will
be conducted in the new edifice from this
time ON.
Two years and a half ago. in the
spring of 1906, active work was COM
menced in erecting this maenificen,
church, the gem Of the prairies, the most
beautiful building in this state, and one
Of the finest places of worship in the
entire northwest. At the present time
the church proper is practically complet-
ed, including most of the interior deco
rations but it will not be until some
time next year before the entire work is
done.
49, HAS FEW EQUALS
To give fit description of St. Mary's
Abbey requires the pen of a
master of words. No one else could
place ON paper an adequate apprecia-
tion of the grandeur and beauty of the
interior. 1t must be seen to be apprecia-
ted. Such a wealth of rich color, such
beautiful mural paintings, exquisitely
carved wood. and majestic marble effects
are worthy Of a European cathedral. No
matter where one stands, the effect is
more and more pleasing and the wonder
ful vistas opened up by the stately white
marble pillars and graceful arches fill
one with awe and reverence.
1t is impossible to comprehend the
delicacy with which the architect has
handled his work, how every part har-
monies perfectly with the rest of the
building. Every figure has. some SYM
bolic meaning, and every design carries
out some feature of the Catholic faith.
The building requires much study and
repeated visits, to have all the beauty
and harmony revealed.
EXTERIOR OF CHURCH
s Exteriorly one beholds a majestic
structure. crowned with two massive
towers. The building is 174 feet long
and Sc feet wide and the height from
the ground to the uppermost point is
nearly 100 feet The church itself is
erected in the form of a Latin cross.
When the plans Of the abbot are CON-
pieted. heAbbey buildings will form a
quadrangle with the church on one side,
the two present college buildings on two
sides and acollete building to be erected
On the front, forming the fourth side.
The work Of erecting the remaining
structures will be started 40 soon as the
church is completed and the entire work
will be finished in 1909.
e There are three front entrances to the
church. two at the bases of the towers,
and the main entrance in the centre
All the doors are of massive oak with
heavy brass hinges.
The main entrance opens into a small
vcstibule with two inches, one on either
side in which will be placed groups Of
statuary, the subjects to be selected
later. The right door also leads into q
vestibule. The two statues here repre-
cent St Peter. on one side. and St. Paul.
on the Other.
THE eAPTlSTERY
At the left ono enters q corridor lead
Ing to the baptistery. On the wall at
the right is very beautiful statue in
natural colorine, representing Jesus the
Good Shepherd. The baptistery is
ftescoed in tones harmonizing with the
color scheme Of the main part of the
church. The vaulted ceiling is Of Re
lestial blue. dotted with stars of gold.
representing the heavens The bap-
tismal font is Of imitation white
marble, a variety of stone with finish
resembling very closely the purest white
Canara marble The cover is very ar
tiStically wrought of solid brass, in a
symbolic design. 1t is hung on heavy
hass chains which mechanically raise
"a lower the cover with ease. The bap-
tiatIy is separated from the vestibule
III gate Of ornamental iron work.
THE INTERIOR
The first view Of the main body of the
church holds one almost breathless in
admiration. One Of the foremost i'm
pressions is the vastness Of the work.
which 10 heightened by the long vistas
(contina,ed on page 81