Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-10-24
CONVENT AND SCHOOL IS
BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURE
Architectural Triumph in
Spanish Style.
CHAPEL Is TYPE OF ITS OWN
Instead Of Being Apartment in Cen
eral Organism It Is Detached, and
Is Given Individual Character in
Whole Mass.

One OF the most interesting prob
lens In ecclesiastical architecture which
shows the artistic possibilities so IA =
miliar to European travellers is seen
in ST. Gertrude's Convent School for
Girls. 300 Stuart Avenue. II has been
pronounced to be one Of the few beau
tiful examples in the United States; IT
is not merely square mass Of utili-
tartan masonry.
st. Gertrudes gives a fresh and in
dependent study of this attractive prob
lem. To Insure an expressive and pic
turesque Issue the Benedictinc Sisters
entrusted the task to a wcl!-known
architectural firm Of Boston
ADOPT SPANISH COLONIAL
STYLE OF ARCHTTECTIRE:
Throughout the various stages Of the
composition OF the design the clients
and architects worked together with
more than common sympathy and un-
Outstanding. a long step in the right
direction was taken when it was de-
cided that the chapel, instead OF becom
ing mere apartment in the general
organism, was SO far detached TO admit
OF Its being given it's individual char
acter as a unit In the architectural
mass. The architectural style which
offered the largest claim 10 considera-
ton. in point Of picturesqueness and
traditional sentiment. was the Spanish
Colonial or mission style. This was
not however, slavishly followed but
"a free rendering was adopted which
suggested almost equally the l3yzan-
tine. This permitted the Introduction
Of brick Guoinings In conjunction With
the cement material ordinarily associ-
ated with buildings in California It
made also for a variety of color and
for a greater feeling of structural vi
tally. The point OF junction Of the
convent with the chapel made an agree
able point for vertical ascent which
took the form of All attractive little bell
tower. Further 10 enhance the pic
turesQueress OF the exterior appear
Gncc a Spanish tile of varied color tex
tnre va. used for the roofing through
out The design is not yet completely
developed, as the architecture. for its
full effect, is dependent upon the land
scape gardening.
Access for the public is had to the
chapel from a door within the main
vestibule. the public portion OF the
chapel being divided by q simple grille
Of wood. The main portion Is lined
on both sides with stalls against a
high wainscot OF cypress. The chapel
is ceiled by an unbroker barrel vault.
The altar is set in a great niche. whose
arch is concentric with that of the
ceiling
DEVOTE SECOND FLOOR
TO CELLS OF SISTERS
The electric lighting is OF the semi
indirect character, and gives a beauti-
. full effect. There are six alabaster pen
dants. three on either side. and the
effect OF the light Altering through
Pompeiian bowls is soft and leaves
little 10 be desired
spacious sacristy is provided with
a communicating door 10 the breakfa ST
room. a parlor and waiting-room are
provided at the left OF the main en-
trance for the public. Other rooms on
this floor are the large community
room. opening on an attractive logsia
with two small music rooms just behind
this ON the northwest corner OF this
floor is the studio
The second floor is devoted 10 the
cells or sleeping rooms for the Sisters.
with large infrmary toward tho
south. Convenient TO tho sick room
is a spacious and we'll protected sleep
ing porch, while access is had directly
from the intirmary 10 the large oratory.
through which the invalid Sisters may
assist at services in the chapel.
Underneath the chapel in the high
basement are two brilliantly lighted
classrooms of the entire area OF this
portion OF the structure. Here. too. is
the refectory, with It's serving room.
large kitchen and storage room. The
laundry. boiler and coal rooms are
situated in the northeast corner.