The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1910-07-23
.CATHEDRALS COMPARED.
Some Facts Showing Relative Size
Of London and, St. Paul
Cathedrals.
Work is Gradually Progressing But
it Will Take Years for its
Completion,

i (
mpletion,
l " isse!i.-----..- ---
While the Catholic world is marvel
ing at the grandeur Of the new West,
minister Cathedral, which was conse-
Grated In London few weeks ago, 1t
may not be- amiss to make few str'k-
ing comparisons between the great
English edifice and that which will
soon attract world wide attention from
its commanding position on Summit
avenue, st. Paul. a.
Since the laying Of the cornerstone
on June 2, ,t9o7,sthe st. Paul cathedral
has been gradually assuming form,
and yet, owing to it's vast dimensions,
the work has not proceeded far above
the basement. and, as matter Of fact,
even this. part Of the great edifice il
not entirely complete. Work, however,
has begun on the superstructure which
it is expected will soon progress at the
rate of 300 cubic feet per day. In a
short time sculptors will be on the
scene shaping the granite which will
be used In the. construction of the
building. Here 1t may be. mentioned
that practicallysall the material used
in the cathedral will be secured in. the
state ofseMinnesota, a fact which
speaks well for the resources Of the
North Star state.
St. Paul's and Westminster Compared.
The following comparisons will show
the relative size of the Westminster.
st. Louis and st. Paul cathedrals. The
new Westminster cathedral has floor.
space Of 10000 square feet; the floor
space Of the st.. Louis cathedral il.
about 1880 SQUARE feet, while the
floor space OF, the St. Paul cathedral
is s16,464 sauaresfeet. Architect Mas
aueray estimates the capacity cof the
main floor OF the st. Paul cathedral
at between three and four thousand.
II, however, the entire building wore
taxed to til limit it would IN all prob.
ability accommodate twice that num-.
ber., .stY.s.yss
The dome of the Westminster cathe.
dral is 112 feet above the ground; that
81 the st. Louis cathedral rises to a
height Of 227 feet while, the dome of
the Ct. ]; Pa " saihse will tower 500 feet
above tbs t fanadaatiop land win have a
diameter OF lib feet. -, s:... IL
The st.iiPauls cathedral is not far
from atheenew state capitol; and when
coppleted will rival the latter for the
gfandeur of its architecture. It will
overlook the entire city of St: Paul
from practically every point Of whicb
1T will, be visible. ! The great heigh.
and remarkable dimensions pf thu,
dome will make the. cathedral the first
object to attract thes gaze Of travellers
entering the SANITY City.
There will be thirteen chapels in
the building. At the south end of the
vestibule will be the baptistry and at
the north end will be the memorial
chapel, erected to the honor of those
who subscribed toward the erection 4.
i the building.
Just inside of the vestibule in a
semi circular space Is a large chapel,
and on the opposite side to the north
will be st. Joseph's chapel. On the
west end Of the south transcept will
be a chapel dedicated to St. Peter,
while on. the west end of the north
transcept will be the chapel dedicated
to st. Paul, both patron saints of the
4 cathedral. Outside OF the sanctuary
in the rear Of the main altar will be
La passageWay entirely around the rear
Of the sacristy, into which will open
seven chapels at the rear Of the build
ing dedicated to the apostles Of ma
tions. First will come ST. Patrick's
chapel. dedicated toi3the Irish; then
follow inTtheir regular order the chapel
Of st. Reney, French: st. Augustine's,
| English; st. Boniface. German; st.
Ansgarius, scandinavian; st. Meth
odius and st. Cyril, slay. The center
Of the rear chapel will be dedicated to
fall the saints, land Ythe chapel of st.
Jean Baptiste will sbe dedicated to the
! Canadian French. a3. N 55
It rs the hope Of those in charge Of
the work that the building will be
enclosed within the next two years.
New Catholic School.
| The new Catholic school at Randolph,
Neb, which has just been completed,
4 was solemnly Dedicated on Tuesday