Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-11-01
New Chapel and
Refectory at St.
Mary Van Buren,.


Van Buren,, Me. Oct. 31-The hand
some new $4,000 chapel and refectory
at st. Mary's College. Van Buren,
completed few days ago, was bless
ed and dedicated with solemn high
mass, Tuesday. Rev. Matthew r.
Thouvenin, S. NJ, president Of the col
lege, officiated at both ceremonies. The
invited guests sat down TO n fine ban
quet followed by the usual post pran-
dial exercises. An athletic program
was furnished by the students in the
afternoon and the entire day was an
exceptionally memorable one in the
history of ST. Marys. Enthusiasm
reigned so high among the guests from
Van Buren, over the future prospects
OF this institution that meeting was
held by some of the most prominent
men after the banquet and Il new
scholarship. which will provide fer
the education OF one worthy student
from the town, was established.
ana new building has been erected
on the northern side of the college
SIOuIluS diItCilS pChih' liz Noi
nected with the administration build
ing by means OF fireproof tower. 1t
is constructed with a cement fonnda-
ton, brick walls, and roof OF salVa-
niZed iron surmounted by a cross of
the same material at the extreme west
gable, directly over that part or the
chapel where the altar is located. The
structure is 30 feet long. 49 feet wide,
and is as high as an ordinary three
story building.
The entire basement, which rGns the
full length and width of the super
structure, is IL feet high and forms an
extremely attractive roomy refectory.
The college has experienced such
steady growth during the past few
years that the old dining quarters were
taxed to their capacity by the present
enrolment In the color scheme of this
room, white prevails, but the lower
section of the walls has been tinted
a duh shade Of old rose. The wall ra-
diators are. dressed inconspicu6usly in
q soft tone of silver. The artificial H.
iumination is furnished through eight
combination electric and gas chande-
liers of pleasing pattern. A spacious
refrigerator is built under the north
wing, in the basement. Access is gain
ed to the refeetery from the culinary
department of the main building by
means of a short passage of fireproof
construction. A short fight of stairs at
the east end of the new dining room
leads directly above through the chap
ell entrance, into the main building
The chapel proper, which occupies
the upper section of the new building.
is one of the prettiest of its size in
the diocese. The guests at the college,
Tuesday, were profuse in their COM
ments of praise for this splendid addi-
ton to the. group of college buildings.
The snow white interior walls rise to
a graceful arch in the center, and at
present their only decorations are the
stations of the cross, executed in bas-
relief on a duh cream color mounting
of AN harmonious design. These sta
tons are the gift of the Alumni Asso-
citation. hS III
Three affairs have been, erected in
the west end: The altar 5f the Sacred
Heart of Jesus which occ0pfesa small
wing at the left the altar Of The Bles-
sed Virgin in the right wing, and the
main altar which stands within a spa
cious chancel in the center. The last
named, finely proportional. is a work
of architectural beauty. 1t is mounted
on a tier of three elevations and
gracefully extends upward into, the
semi circular arch of the chancel. 1t
was designed by the Rev FIR Con-
slant Chauve, a curate at st. Bruno's
church, Van Buren,, and constructed
under his supervision. Two oblong
panels bearing a skilfully carved de-
sign of grapes with sprays of wheat,
typical of the bread and wine used in
the sacrifice of the mass, adorn the
front of the lower section of the altar,
bereath the table, one at either side
of the large circular panel upon which
the Sacred Heart is carved in bas-re-
lief. All of this carving. together with
numerous narrower panels, when are
seen in the upper sections of the al
tar are the work of Father Chauve.
A handsome bronze tabernacle door is
another noteworthy feature of the
main altar. Above the tabernacle, the
highest feature presents itself in the
form of a gracefully rounded dome
cross at the top. The two side affairs.
though much smaller and of a palmer
pattern are also beautiful.
+ At the rear end of the chapel. just
inside the entrance, a choir gallery
with a fine new organ has been in
stalled. Two confessionals are built
under the gallery.
North Carolina pine has been USED
throughout the building, finished win
q beautiful natural stain. The chapel
was designed and erected by L. +.
Moreau, architect and contractor from
Lewiston, who also drew the plans
and built the new church at st. David,
Me-, a short time ago.
After the new building was blessed
on the exterior by Rev. FIR. Ihou-
venin. s. NJ, the procession OF priests
marched into the chapel. singing the
Miserere, and the interior was then
blessed, after which ~the edifice was
open to the students and VISITING
guests. Father Thouvenin was the eel
ebrant of the solemn high mass, with
Rev. Jos. Quinn of Yarmouth. presi-
dent of the Alumni Association as