The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-02-24
RAPIDLY ADVANCING TOWARDS
COMPLETION ON THE BROW
OF ST. ANTHONY HILL.
Walls Nearly Up to Cornice-Tran-
septs Finished-Imposing Facade
Chaste In characterization and Rich
In Symbolism.

The new Cathedral of St. Paul is
rapidly assuming shape on the brow
of ST. Anthony Hill. AS tier upon tier
of masonry is set in position in it's
massive walls, and facade and tran
sept grow towards completion, very
little is left to the imagination in
forming an idea of what magnificent
edifice it will be when the cap-stones
are put in position and the gilded
cross rises above the majestic dome
During the past year construction
work went on steadily until the cold
weather babe mason and bricklayer
lay aside their trowels, awaiting the
warmth of returning spring to make
it possible to resume them. 1t is a
pleasure to be able to state that the
work planned for the year 1911 was
brought to full completion
Since building operations began in
the spring, the exterior walls of the
four large chapels and of the seven
smaller ones that encircle the sane
tuary have been completed. The walls
OF the main building have, for the
most part, been carried up to the corn
ice, height approximately of eighty
feet above the floor. Tie front walls
of the transepts are completed togeth-
er with the large rose window in each
The opening in each of these windows
is nineteen feet in diameter.
Work on the facade of the Cathe-
dral has made notable progress. The
rose window above the front entrance
has been placed in position with the
exception of the upper portion of the
main arch and the carving above it
which represents Christ and His
Apostles, twelve figures in ALL The
remainder of the facade will be fin
ished as soon as possible after the
beginning of next seasons operations,
and the work will go forward on the
cornice, the main roof and the upper
portion of the sanctuary walls. That
much done, all that remains is the
massive dome which is approximately
one hundred feet in diameter and will
carry the surmounting cross three
hundred feet above the floor of the
sacred edifice.
An Imposing Facade.
The facade of the Cathedral will he
very imposing. The cross which sur
mounts it's central part over the main
entrance will be one hundred and
twenty-five feet above the floor
and the towers on either side will
rise to height of one hundred and
fifty feet. Over the main entrance will
be two allegorical figures represent
ing Science and Religion, the former
bearing torch, and the latter a cross
The work of carving these figures
from plaster models is now being car
rled on. Between these figures is a
garlanded cartouche with the words:
Frat lux vera quae illuminat omnem
hominem venientem in hume mundum."
Gle was the true light which enlight-
eneth every man that cometh into this
worldly. In addition to these figures,
the facade will also be ornamented
with two statues representing st.
Peter and St Paul, each twelve feet
in height. These statues are now
being modelled in plaster and will be
chiselled next spring out of the gran
lite blocks already in position. Designs
are also in preparation for the group
of Christ and His Apostles which will
be carved above the main arch that
surmounts the rose window. The
inscription under this group will be:
"Euntes, ergo, docete omnes gentes"
("Going, therefore, teach We all
nations').
Rich In Symbolism.
The symbolism of the statuary orna-
menting the facade of the Cathedral
is worthy of note as being in full keep
ing with that of the whole edifice.
The Cathedral is the Church of the
apostolate as suggested by the name
OF its patron, Saint Paul. In the inter-
Tor reigns the Master enthroned in the
sanctuary. To His right and His left
are the two princes of the Apostles,
Peter and Paul, each one represented
in his own spacious chapel Back of
the sanctuary are the chapels of the
nations, dedicated respectively to the