The Washington herald., 1909-03-30
BUILDING OF GREAT
CATHEDRAL BEGINS
Work Oh Foundations of the
Editice Under Way.
MRS. sATTERLEE ON GROUND
widow of Bishop of Washington
Expresses Pleasure at Seeing Con-
and Paul Actually Started-WiH
Have Seating Capacity of $1,000.

Work on the foundations Of the Wash
ington Cathedral Of SIS. Peter and Paul
at Mount St. Alban, in Wisconsin avenue.
was started yesterday. and within the
next two days laying Of the masonry at
the east end viii be under way
It Is planned to begin building opera
tions at the east end, where the altar
stone was laid in May last and work 10
the west first completing the foundation
wall around the altar site. A dozen work
men started breaking ground yesterday.
This force will be augmented to-day and
Tomorrow. and by Thursday a full force
VIII be engaged on the new edifce
It is understood that Henry Vaughan.
OF Boston. the architect. viii visit the
grounds within few days.
Arthur Heaton. supervising architect.
visited the ground yesterday and con-
suited with members Of the contracting
firm OF Richardson & Burgess. who are
in charge Of actual construction work.
Fear Delays I'm Construction.
II is hoped 10 complete the cathedral
within three years. but as much Of the
II is probable there viii be many delays.
The greatest delay. it is thought by the
contractors. will be in laying in place
the massive pillars and heavier stone
work
Many Episcopalians visited St Alban
yesterday and commented favOrably on
the Inauguration OF active work Mrs
Satterlee. widow Of the Bishop Of Wash
ingtOn, was visitor, and expressed her
pleasure at seeing work actually started
on the building. which wiz owe. in large
measure. its existence 10 the indefatig-
able work OF her husband. Several clergy
men Of the Episcopal Church visited the
Close yesterday. an depressed their de-
light at the start Of the work
Standing on the highest part OF Mount
ST Alban. nearly 40 feet above the Po-
tomac River. covering an acre and a half
Of land. with the ground sloping away
from IL on every side. its roof line ap-
pearing 10 the eve on a level with the
top Of the Washington Monument. the
new cathedral viii stand q thing Of
majestic beauty IN plain view Of all
Washington.
Rising 30 feet from the center of the
building viii be the main tower, cOmpar-
ing favoTably. IN point OF beauty. with
bey. Two towers Of lesser height will
rise from either side OF the altar.
VIII BE Thing of Beauty.
Passing down from tower TO roof and
walls. any one standing on the esplanade
Of the Capitol win view the aying but
tUesses. the dsepIy-recessed windows OF
transepts, the tracery Of the clerestory
windows. the carved pa-apet, crotcheted
pinnacles. the statues with their canopies.
and great surfaces OF massive stone ash
lar or plain surface. Transforming the
Mount into a thing Of beauty.
The chief entrance 70 the edlfce viii
be at the west end. Flanked by two
great protecting towers. a great door
way similar 20 those Of the French ca
thedrals viii take the place Of the large
west windows so prevalent IN England.
The arches. simple and massive. BY their
very simplicity viii give an INSPIRING
and impressive appearance. The central
arch is to be seventy feet in height and
the two side ones fifty feet. These arches
VIII lead into deep pOrtico. twenty-five
feet deep and stretching nearly the whole
width OF the cathedral.
Entering the doorway the wOrshipers
will get a full view down the length OF
the nave 10 the altar. High above the
congregation will rise the cross, in the
middle Of the chancel arch. The chanceI
arch itself viii be a characteristic fea-
ture. nearly two feet broad The under
side will be beautifully scUlptured.
From every part Of the great cathedral.
whether a person gazes from the west
end Of the aisles OF from crossings Of
nave and transepts. the brightest spot
Of light viii fail on the Jerusalem altar
or communion table, OF soft dove colored
marble. standing In pure simplicity. with
the richly carved and lofty reredos be
hind IT,
VIII Seat 1900 Persons.
The new cathedral. when completed.
VIII seat 27.Oo0 persons. or only I0OS0 less
than the great Milan Cathedral. and
900 more than ST Paurs. in London
The plans for the cathedral were drawn
by the late DR.. G. F. Bodley. r A. OF
London. and Mr.. Vaughan. Both men
have planned many famous buildings.
Arthur Heaton. the supervising archi-
tect chosen by Architect Vaughan. Is a
Washingtonian. He is a comparatively
young man and his position is = respof-
sible one. He is the architect for the
Marlboro and Highlands apartment
houses In Washington, and has done
many other pieces of work. demonstrat-
ing his ability TO take active charge OF
the great work of building America :
studied in Europe in 1903 and 1904 and has
Won an enviable reputation IN the ar
chitectural world