Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-07-08
IMPROVEMENTS At
OLD ST. MARY'S
RedemptOrist Fathers Are Making
Changes in Historic Church.
DURING PRESENT REGIME.
Interest Of Esteemed Rector Appre.
ciated by Energetic Parishioners.

with the triennfal appointments
forthcoming for the Redemptorist Fa-
theirs of St.Mary's and the possibility OF
transfer for the Rev. James Barron,
its rector, il is deemed opportune TO
give the improvements made in his.
toric St. Mary's during the present re-
gime
June 3, one year ago, saw the wooden
aisles of st. Mary's removed and re-
placed by most durable vitreous tiles
hard enough TO cut glass They are
so artistically inlaid, so exquisitely de-
signed that they claim the observation
of any visitor TO St Marys
Rev Father Barron entrusted this
work to the marble firm of Gait & Son,
of Baltimore. To their honor. be Il
announced, they have done their work
most conscientiously. with much salts
faction. This firm, at the bidding Of
the Rev. Rector. removed the old plas-
ter wainsccating about the church.
putting in their stead beautifully Vein
ed white marble They did the same
to the column bases, save that they
tempered the white prCportionately
with marble panels of a greenish hue
1t is manifest that the Rev. Rector
selected these species of marble after
much consideration and consultation
The next alteration decided upon was
side exit from the church. This was
placed midway between the sanctuary
and the rear of the church The same
marble firm attended to the marbling
of this exit. Here may be seen as neat
ly finished, ormamented side entrance
vestibule as can be found in any
church OF our large cities. Convenience
then urged the Rector TO do away with
the doors on the pews of the church
Though these doors agve the church 4
colonial touch, their removal has add
ed much to the beauty, neatness, not to
mention the quiet of the edifice. Each
pew was then furnished with oxidzed
copper hat clasps apprrtenances that
have relieved the anxiety of the wor-
shippers occasioned by placing their
hats on the seats of the pews.
Shortly after Easter, Rev. Father
Barron recalled the firm of Gault & Son
of Baltimore. because of an appreei-
able bid they gave him on further i'm
prcvements he determined To make.
This time the entire sanctuary. the al
tar and railing steps were put in most
select Italian and American marbles.
With these new marble additions. it is
acknowledged by all that St Mary's has
taken on a richer and more inspiring
appearance. Further. the communion
railing and pulpit, singular types OF
cabinet work, have been minutely re-
paired and repolished. advancing, i'm
no small degree. the general effect of
the marble sanctuary work. The rear
of the church has been somewhat en-
HANGED by the removal of the two con-
fessionals. One. that of the Rector.
was inserted in the wall on the left
aisle, directly opposite the side exit.
This change served to give the church
an air of studied proportionatenes
The new walnut doors with upper
panels of Clipped glass. have been re-
Gently placed at the main entrance.
opening into the body of the church
from the vestibule, which, because OF
their workmanship, prepare the Wis
itor in a way for what he may see
within. Two Holy Water" fonts. oi
Carara marble direct FROM Italy, an
gels three feet nine inches high, hold
ing receptacles for the Holy Water
were donated to the church by a mod
est. unassuming friend of St Mary's
These are to be erected or either side
CT the immediate entrance, and. no doutl
will increase much the church's attract
| ;veness.
Studying these improvements, we
cannot refrain from proffering the
whole-souled and energetic zeal among
the parishioners of st. Mary's. no little
ccmmendation for enabling their es-
teemed Rector to give the interest he
has hitherto to the adornment and or.
| namentation of this church.