The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1911-04-19
LARGE CATHEDRAL
DEDICATED TO-DAY
Although Only Partially Constructed
Has Been Twenty Years in
Building.
Bv Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
New York, April 19.-The Episcopal
Cathedral of st. John the Divine, the
largest ecclesiastical structure in the
country and the fourth largest in CHS
tendon, was solemnly consecrated
here today. Although only partially
constructed, it has already been twenty
years in building, at cost of $3,5OO,-
900 and it may take as much longer
to complete it. at total testimated
cost of $10OOO,O00.
vided for about 1,700 persons, but al
though consecrated for present use,
four-fifths of the work remains to be
done, and the full capacity will ap-
proach 1000. At present the interior
walls stand in great part as they were
laid, in jutting tiers of rough granite;
the vaulted roof of the crossing is only
a makeshift of terra-cotta to be torn
down later; the arches from which
the transepts will spread are blocked
with temporary concrete baffles; the
flooring itself is but cement bed on
which the mosaics will yet be super
imposed; only hint of the full glory
appears-and yet so noble is the har-
mony of the ample dimensions, and so
rich the promise of fulfillment, that
the fragment opened to the public to-
day is itself an invitation to worship
''How has this mighty undertaking
been financed?" asks Canon Robert
Ellis Jones. "By the same devotion
and sacrifice" he answers, (which act
uated the best of the medieval cath
edral builders. The cathedral has nc
official source of revenue. No organic
ed effort has been made to draw or
the interest of Episcopalians, and vel
gifts of all sizes have flowed in, from
all quarters. Five dollars come every
year from a seamstress up the Hud
son. The inmate librarian of a city
refuge gave one-tenth Of his salary
and dozen old men In church hom,
earned by making nets and hammock
$3.50, which they begged might b'
built into the cathedral"
A revenue thus derived cannot b,
estimated in advance, but bequest
are now known which, as they mature
will be sufficient to insure continue,
progress. The choir is now roofe
and partly cased with the limeston
which will later finish the entire il
terror. The eight giant columns, eac
So feet high, exclusive of the capitals
which cluster about the altar, betwee
the ambulatory and the chancel, ar
in place, with the names carved upo
them of those whom their donors wis
to commemorate. Two of the seve
chapels in the lapse Of the chance
have been completed, and with thel
their stained glass windows. Thes
are the gifts of August Belmont an
Mrs. Edward King. Seven tapestrie
depicting sacred subjects and wove
originally for Pope Adrian VII in 16S
at Rome, already hang in the space
between the windows of the apse an
the full complement will add thre
more. The organ and carved cho
stalls, the gift of Levi P. Morton, al
in place. The great crossing at tt
intersection of the nave and the tran
cepts, designed for the main assem-
ling place of the congregation, is roc
ed over, and with the unfinished ira
secpts and the nave shut in from II
weather, by concrete screens, the r
naming wing and work on the lantel
and towers above can 60 on witho1
annoyance to worshippers, each tinis
ed unit to be thrown open upon Il
main body of the edifice as it become
ready for use.
In style the cathedral is late Roma
esque, with strong traces of Byzantil
influences, or as the architect in chic
G. Grant LaFarge, a son OF the Ia
John LaFarge, describes it, $50 far
the cathedral in the larger sense