The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-04-18
CATHEDRAL ERA
in AMERICA
THIS COUNTRY is SEEING NEW
ERA-NEW STRUCTURES NOW
BEING BUILT COST MANY MIL
LIONS EACH AND RIVAL EU.
ROPES GREAT FANEs.

1t is said that there is in America to-
day as strong ambition to build great
cathedrals as there was in Europe CEN
turtles ago when the great fanes there
started to rise. Five really great struc-
lures are already projected. and one
among the greatest in cost and time OF
construction the world has yet known,
the cathedral of st. John the Divine, is
to be consecrated on April 19, although
1t Is far from complete. The other four
are Grace cathedral, San Francisco,
which is TO surmount what used to be
Knob hill, and SIS. Peter and Paul,
Washington, on a site that overlooks
the national capital, Protestant Epis-
copal; and the Cathedral of st. Louis
in st. Louis and the Cathedral of st.
Paul in st. Paul, Roman Catholic. Bos-
ton, Denver, Brooklyn, and some other
cities have cathedrals partly finished
or projected, while many cities. like
New York, Detroit. Memphis, Cleve-
land, Albany, Omaha, Philadelphia and
Chicago have structures called cathed-
rails, and possessing cathedral founda-
tions, either Roman Catholic or Pro-
testant Episcopal. The st. Paul and
st. Louis cathedrals involve expendi-
lures of 100000 to 100000 each,
and will seat 1000 to 5000 each. The
st. Paul edihce, now under construc-
ton by Archbishop Ireland, occupies
site on st. Anthony's hill that over
looks both twin cities. It's style is
French Gothic, and its material is Am
erican granite that is white and beau
tiful. To date $4,000 has been ex-
pended.
New York Cathedral.
The New York Cathedral, to be con-
secrated next week, is finished in sane
tuary and two chapels only, but has
cost $3,750,000 OF the 100000 it will
cost before completion. It will be $40
feet long, 296 feet across transepts and
its spire will rise 425 feet; dimensions
that rank with the greatest in the
world. Its style is Gothic of the If
teenth century, and its material a
pinkish cream granite. 1t will cost
100000 a year simply to maintain serv-
ices in 1t in it's present unfinished
state. All Of the study put upon
European cathedrals, making them so
interesting when written up by trav-
elers. has been put upon the New York
fame 1t is not bald-mere granite
and mortar-but like English cathed-
rails 1t pictures in stone and carvings
much for which ii stands In the
sanctuary floor is a stone from the
ancient Church of st. John the Di-
vine, Ephesus, where it is claimed. the
evangelist was buried. The temporary
auditorium now to be opened will seat
1000, but the completed building will
seat 5000 to 10000. 1t will be many
years yet before it is completed. It is
to be used Immediately after 1t is
opened next week. for great meetings
Of many kinds, not merely for public
religious worship
Why Build Them
The late Cornelius Vanderbilt once
called on Bishop Potter of New York
and asked why put $40, 900, 900 and fifty
years into one church? He backed his
question with an offer of $1,000 600
enough he thought Bishop Potter de-
clined his offer, and to him and to
others stated that If commerce builds
palaces for it's trade, If public com
fort builds palaces for hotels, re-
ilBlOh TRUST hcSp up us enQ. But
christian leaders who plan these
cathedrals do not say that all churches
should be large. The business OF re-
ligion and missions is as we'll man
aged, by and large. as the business Of
trusts, government, education: The
plan is: A few churches that are
large and that show christian faith
Of the twentieth century; then many
other small churches. Christian lead
ers are not without policy. For ex-
ample. EpiscopaIians in New York
have a comprehensive plan for New
York It is. old Trinity, at the south
ern end, worth with site, $50, 000, 900;
ST. Thomas costing $S,OO0,000 now
building, in Fifth avenue; the cathe-
dral at the northern end, and a Bronx
church house, costing 100000 across
the Harlem. These provided, and
backed by Grace and other famous
parishes, Episcopa1ians are building
other small churches to reach many
people. The strategy is broad, and
1t knows why It puts $1O,0OO,OOO into
one structure, and in another location
declines to put property but rents
front parlor at $50 a month.
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