The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-04-18
OPENING
OF New Episcopal Cathedral
In New York
To Occur with Appropriate
Services Wednesday
Eighteen Years Required To
Build The EdifiCe
Many Noted Members OF The
Clergy To Be Present
As Well A Distinguished
As Well A Distinguished
Public Officials

New York, April 15-,After more
than eighteen years building the choir,
the crossing and two chapels of the
Protestant Episcopal Cathedral of
st. John the Divine, on Morningside
Heights are completed and ready for
their opening and dedication on We'd
nesday next. Preparations for the
first service in the chapel of the cathe-
dral on the morning of April 10 are
practically completed and judging
from the program the opening service
will be q brilliant and interesting
event, worthy Of the most magnifi-
cent and monumental cathedral struc-
ture in this country.
The President of the United States,
The Governor of the State of New
York and his staff, the dignitaries of
the Protestant Episcopal Church and
of other denominations, distinguished
members of the Bench, public officials
of the State and of the City and many
other noted members of the clergy
and the laiety have been invited to
attend the opening service and it is
fair to assume that nearly all the in
vited guests and many others, not
specially invited, will be present on
that occasion.
When the doors are thrown open
IN Xkyadpacdov ,o0rpino th0ea who
hold cards of invitation will be admit
ted to the crossing, an open square of
SO it., in which chairs to accommo-
date 1,4O0 persons, have been placed.
Bishop Greer will preach the conse-
Grafton sermon. The music that has
been arranged for the occasion will
be in keeping with the memorable
character of the event.
The choir will consist Of thirty
boys and twenty-five men, all picked
voices and thoroughly trained by Mr..
Miles Farrow, the organist and choir
master Tine magnificent organ, the
largest and most complete in this
country and one of the largest in the
world, will be played for the first time
on that occasion. 1t has four manuals
and 109 stops and is capable Of pro-
ducing some seven thousand tones.
The organ is divided into two parts,
operated by electricity, and placed
high up in the galleries, over the two
choir stalls. 1t is played from gal
lery over the sough stalls.
According to the program arranged
the invited guests will assemble in the
Synod Hall and proceed to the south
door of the Cathedral, at the western
procession has been carefully pre-
prepared and every effort will be made
to prevent confusion. Special seats
in the crossing have been reserved
for every one of the invited guests
In the afternoon of the day of the
dedication at Evening Prayer there
will be appropriate music but no ser
mon and the service will be open to
the general public.
The location of the Cathedral, upon
the highest point of the crest over
looking Morningside Heights, 120 feet
above the level of the sea, Is ideal
1t affords a magnificent view of the
city and the Sound on one side ant
of the Hudson and Jersey Hills OF
the other.
About the year 1890 1t was decided
to build the Cathedral and architects
were invited to submit plans in com
petition. The plans submitted by Mr.
G. Grant La Fargo were accepted ant
the cornerstone OF the edifice was lai,
on st. John the Evangelist's day, De
cember 27, 1892. Ever since that tim
the monumental work has progressed
slowly, 1t is true, but steadily and, VI
to the present time about 3,500,00
have been expended in the construS
ton. The first part of the cathedra
to be finished was the crypt, in whic
for several years daily and Sunda
services have been held The stril
ing feature of the crypt is the beaut
full MOSAIC altar, containing more tina
million pieces of glass and costin
more than $4,000.
At the present only the choir an
crossing, 24o feet long, 100 feet wid'
with an interior height of 100 feet