Manchester Democrat., 1911-04-26
OPEN NB|GCATHEDRAL
CHOIR OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE
IN NEW YORK Is coNsEcRAr-
ED-cosT $4,000, 900.
CEREMONY MOST IMPRESSIVE
Many Distinguished cIersymen and
Laymen Are Present-Two Reauti-
full chapels That Are Completed
Also Dedicated-Mrs.T Taft Present.

New York. - The Cathedral of
st. John the Divine, the largest
church edifice in the western hemi-
sphere, was formally opened here in
the presence of distinguished clergy
men from both the United States and
Europe together with prominent per-
sonages from the various walks Of
life.
Though the great structure on Morn
ingside Heights may not be fully COM
pleted for rs years to come, the COM
pletion of the crossing" has given
between the colossal granite arches Of
the tower space where 5000 people
may congregate. 1t is this part, the
choir and the two finished chapels,
that was consecrated.
The largest and most distinguish
ed procession ever assembled in an
Episcopal church in this country was
seen at the opening service. Among
those who participated in the cere-
monies were 26 bishops. 400 other
clergymen and the delegates to the
diocese convention. Among promi-
nent laymen who attended the exer-
cises were Mrs. William H. Taft, and
Governor and Mrs. Dix. President
Taft could not arrange to be present.
Among the bishops who took part
in, the ceremonies were: Warrell Of
Nova Scotia, Olmsted of central New
York, Millspaugh of Kansas. Vincent
of southern Ohio, Lyons of Newark.
Burgess of Long Island, Harding of
Washington, Mackay-Smitb of Phila-
delphia, Grafton and Coadjutor Bishop
Weller Of Fond du Lac, Wis; Talbot
of Bethlehem. Pa; Whitehead Of
Pittsburg, Brewster of Connecticut,
Kinsman of Delaware, Lawrence of
Massachusetts, Knight of Cuba.
Sweeney of Toronto and Morris w.
Libert, head of the Moravian church
in this country.
The formal opening service was at
1o:30 o'clock, for which special cards
of admission had been distributed. The
bishops and other clergy, lay trustees.
convention delegates, visiting clergy
of other bodies and representatives Of
educational and similar institutions
made up the procession, which march.
ed from Synod hall into the south
door of the Cathedral, at the eastern
end of the choir. The professional
hymn was Christ Is Made the Sure
Foundation" and other hymns were
Rise, Crowned With Light" and "On
ward. Christian Soldiers" the last
named being the occasional. The
anthem was unfold, Ye Portals" and
was sung by the augmented choir Of
half hundred men and boys, among
them some Of the best known of New
York's soloists. The sermon was
preached by Bishop Greer.
Much of the structure thrown oper
for use is temporary. Parts con
secrated are the permanent ones only
These are the choir, although that Ii
not yet wholly complete, for much O
the interior marble lining is not In
and two Of the chapels, both perma
nent, the one erected by August Bel
mont, which is the middle one, and ii
known as st. Saviour's chapel, and tn,
one given by Mrs. Edward King, i'm
mediately adjoining and known as tn,
Chapel Of st. COLUMBIA. The othe
five chapels are not yet finished.
The cost Of the cathedral to dat,
has been between $3,000,00O and 81,
100000. Some money has been Sc
aside for endowment, and there is n,
debt. 1t is expected that the com
pleted structure will cost total o
Sic, 100000.