New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-03
GAVE 100000.
New Church of St. Jean Bap-
tiSte Built by Him.
ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY
Edifce, Which Will Accommo-
date More than 1000, One
of Finest in America.

Thomas F. Ryan, II was announced
yesterday, gave $1,000 600 TO pay for the
new Church Of st. Jean Baptiste, now
nearing completion at the corner of Lex
ington avenue and 10th street. At the
time the building of this edifce was UNI
dertaken, about two years and a half ago.
IL was said that the Lord would pro-
vide" in carrying to completion one Of
the most costly edifices Of the Catholic
Church in America. There was no inkling
that Mr.. Ryan was to give the money
necessary to realize the splendid plans
then agreed upon. The church is gift
to the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament.
The new church will take the place of
the little brick building on, the north side
Of 18th street, few doors east Of Lex
ington avenue, which has been in charge
of the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament
for many years. Mr.. Ryan has taken a
great interest in the work OF the order for
a number Of years. especially since 1t
has been under the direction Of the pres
ent superior. Father Letellier. who came
to this country from Canada. He has
ciety a seminary at Suffern.
The order has many foundations
throughout France, Austria, Spain, Italy,
South America and the United States Its
work, particularly in New York City, had
grown TO such proportions that IL was
found that the old quarters were entirely
Inadequate The new church will accom-
modate from 1000 to 5000 communi-
cants, and it is said It Is one Of the finest
examples in this country of the classic
Roman style Of architecture. 1t is Of
| cathedral-like proportions, occupying 102
feet on Lexington avenue and 200 feet in
10Th street, giving ample space to house
as great a congregation as any church
in America
It is In the form Of a Latin cross, with
three naves. II has twin towers, each 100
feet in height. and great dome, rising
thirty feet above them The drawings Tor
the church were shown at the recent In
ternationaI Exhibition in Turin, Italy. and
the architect, Nicholas Serracino, Of No.
ITO Broadway. was awarded the gold
medal for his work
The seminary at Suffern given by Mr..
Ryan, called the Mount Bymard Semi
nary, after the founder Of the order, Is
| intended for the training Of young men
| in the priesthood, particularly for the
| service OF this congregation The facili-
| ties of the seminary are complete. and
| from forty to fifty young men, devoted to
the order Of the Fathers OF the Blessed
Sacrament, are now being prepared there
for the work. The necessity Of so extensive
| an educational establishment Is shown by
the fact that fifteen priests will be re-
ouired at the new Church Of st. Jean
Baptiste alone. IT was the number or
communicates in the congregation, as
well as his appreciation OF the work OF
the fathers, that led Mr.. Ryan TO give
so large a sum for the building of the
church. He was moved to his final de-
cision when he learned that the number
of communicates is already five thou
sand, and that the number would prob
ably be greatly increased with enlarged
facilities for their. accommodation.
During his trip abroad last summer Mr..
Ryan engaged some Of the best decorators
in Europe TO do the interior decorations
| of the church. AS soon as the building
is completed they will be set TO work
adjoining the walls with magnificence in
keeping with its great proportions