The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-02-11
NEW CATHEDRAL PROJECT
It's Inception and Growth.

ITO 4A%Cp11OA dAA O4OW tNs
There is no doubt that the idea of
building cathedral worthy of the
growth and prominence of the Arch
diocese of st. Paul had often entered
the mind of it's Archbishop; but the
magnitude of the protector the Ca
thedral, to be worthy symbol of the
Catholic faith of the sons of Mime
sofa, would have to be second to none
in America-caused him to postpone
from year to year the undertaking. At
last the time for definite action ar
rived. Il thought" he said, that I
could allow things to remain as they
are and leave the work to a younger
bishop, but SO many and so urgent
were the requests from the people for
the Inauguration of the Cathedral pro-
ject that could not refuse to listen"
The time was opportune for the in
ception of the work
On Holy Thursday night, March 81,
1904, as Archbishop Ireland sat in his
Office in the Cathedral residence re-
fiecting on the good days work done
morning services, the large attend
ance and the deep devotion of the
people; the rich, plaintive chant in
which the Seminarians had just sung
the Tenebrae, and realizing that his
Cathedral afforded neither accommo-
dalton for the immense congregations
| that sought admission on such solem-
mites nor the most favorable environ
ment for magnificence of ritual, the
thought came to him like an inspira-
ton: HAS not the time come for a
great Cathedral in st. Paul?" Hap
4 PLY his decision was soon reached
that the time was ripe for such an
enterprise and that prompt action was
necessary.
| There was one, and only one, site
in st. Paul for great temple; and
something had to be done at once in
order that it might be secured for the
purpose for which nature seemed to
have designed it.
Accordingly, on April 8, the sits,
known as the Kittson Property on the
brow of st. Anthony's Hill overlook
ing the city of st. Paul, was purchas-
ed for fifty-two thousand dollars. That
was the first step towards the realiza-
ton of a grand cathedral in st. Paul;
and that it was well taken is the uni
versal verdict.
The site is an ideal one. 1t is a
noble eminence protected from the
encroachments of commerce, central
for the Pensioners whom the Cathe-
dral will serve, and easy of access for
the whole city. AS one stands upon
it, looking eastward-the thorough
fares of trade resonant with restless
energy at his feet; Summit Park en-
bellishing a gently sloping approach
from the northeast, and a little farth-
er beyond, on neighboring elevation,
the Capitol, gigantic pile of white
marble, rising majestically into the
realm of storms; the restful vista of
palatial residences on Summit avenue
stretching around to the right, firing
ing background of prosperous
homes; and the Father OF Waters in
the distance on his journey to the
ocean, lingeringly departing from
scene so charming-he enjoys pan
oramic view of rarest beauty.
Upon this matchless pedestal, built
by nature for some choice specimen
of architecture, willing hands and gen.
erous hearts are erecting the Cathe-
dral of st. Paul; and when future gen.
erations go UP to this monument of
faith, this house of the Lord, exalted
above the hills, they will admire and
bless the spirit that animated their
forefathers in the ancient faith to do
such great, and noble things for God.
On July Is, the Most Reverend
Archbishop appointed Board of Con-
tsultors-inte1ligen and jealous Cath
Ollie laymen chosen from the different
parishes of the city-to assist him
with their wise counsel and active
Incorporation in the work of building
the cathedral. At their first meeting
on July %, he outlined in a general
work. Mr.. e. L. Masqueray, of New
York, was selected to prepare the
lplans and specifications for the new
cathedral. When the plans were
roughly drafted it was found that the
site was not large enough to make
suitable setting for the proposed
building. Convenient approaches from
Summit avenue were an impossibility
and as additional property could not
be purchased at the rear of the site it
was finally decided to buy the lots on
the opposite side of the avenue and
move the avenue about ninety feet
eastward. This would allow the
STRENGTHENING Of its curve at that point
and the diminishing of its abrupt de-
scent. This was accordingly done and
as now laid out there will be in front
Fof the cathedral ITO feet OF open
ground. The removal of the buildings
on the opposite side of the avenue
gives magnificent, unobstructed per-
49, e r~~-sY i. Il