The Washington times., 1915-12-01
Great Cathedral Is
Illuminated BY Gas
Philadelphia Edfce Artistcally Fitted Up With Gas
Fixtures-James D. Lee, Jr. Tells How Church
Lighting Lends Itself to Architectural
Adornment.

of the lighting scheme. This was out
of the question with gas lamps.
THE improved method Of modern H.
Elimination has back OF 1t as basic
idea the desire to present the interior
at night In the same relative values
OF color and perspective In which II
is observed by day. BY reason OF the
few lighting hours in churches. as COM
pared with other buildings. large install
lations and high cost of energy are
oil small consequence in consid"ra-
tion OF the relative economies OF gas
and electricity.
Unfortunately. there are few build.
ings. and particularly few churches
approaching the proportions OF this
cathedral. which ar" lighted by gas
and could serve as an example OF what
might be expected as a result OF a gas
lighting installation.
"a careful study Of the trend Of de.
veIoDment II the progress OF illumina-
tton revealed the EFFORT everywhere
made to diffuse the light since semi
direct lighting was known success. II
was obvious that: with the low surface
brightness OF the bowls completely
concesling the source OF light. It would
be possible to build w the resulting
illumination nv the reflected light from
the bright surfaces Of the wans and
ceiling. The rich colorinr In 90 fin.
ished frescoes. together with the archi.
teCtural beauty of the church. should
be revealed by the lighting rather than
lost in the dazzling splcndor OF the
THE great height OF the vaulted
arches supporting the ceiling above the
nave suggested at once location for
our semi-direct fixtures. The cathedral
structure Is In the form of Latin
cross. and the outlets were provided In
the two arches in the rear OF the
transept and one for each of the arches
on either side OF the nave.
"Originally provision was made for
outlets to supply gas to four standards
supporting dishes to be distributed about
the large area inclosed In the transept.
These standards were never installed.
nor are they thought necessary. The
purchase Of fixtures was directed so
that we might have an opportunity to
OF the transept. lighting the transept
from these positions rather than by the
use OF standards.
THE complete installation comprises
twelve fixtures. conforming in design to
the architectural period OF which this
church Is a pure example. The heavy
brass cast acanthus leaves. composinC
the rims of the bowls. together with the
fiuted s:anchions making up the tripod
support. ending in the familiar egg and
dart finished the canopy, supply the
motif In design. The fixtures are mas
sive in structure. but hang gracefully
within the supporting arch. the great
height OF which loses in perspective any
suggestion of clumsness.
THE fixtures weigh close to 2ol
pounds each. and are securely fastened
in the masonry OF the arch. The piping
extends through the loft above the
chapels that occupy the aisles on eaci
side OF the nave. and drops down
through the solid structure OF the arch
| and Is supported with bolts.
illumination and brightness measure
ments have been made with carefully
elaborated illuminometer: and accurate
information Is available for future guild
ance. Such information as may be &C
quired from a study OF existing installa.
| tions will be OF inestimable value. and
will insure successful results In latei
UNDERTAKINGS"