The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-02-06
Rebuilt Sacred Heart Church
 Yies WithEuropean Cathedrals
In Tudor Gothic Style, Myrtle Avenue Church Ranks With Any In Coun- try-Soon to Be Com pleted.


 roof, the Sacred Heart church in Myrtl eavenue is fast nearing com pletion, it being thought that the fin 1shing touches on the structure will be given within the month. Those who have been fortunate to inspect the church, among them being prom inent architects and connoiseurs in ecclesiastical work, have unanimous ly pronounced the church to be one of the finest structures in the East, if not in the whole country.
 Of the 18th Century Tudor Gothic type, every detail in the church has been made to conform to this style both inside and out, the result being a harmonious whole which brings out to the fullest extent the beauties of this type of architecture.
 The outside of the church is of pressed brick trimmed in granite, the contrast being one which lends dis tinctton without lessening the general effect in the slightest degree. There are five entrances on the Myrtle ave- nue side of the church, three in front and one on either side. In addition to these there are other entrances at the side of the church.
 The reaf has been extended so as to include a large vestry and a baptis-
 
 the famous Gothic apses of Euro pean cathedrals, have been built on either side of the nave.
 The addition Of the apse on either side and various other features em- Dodying the Gothic style of architec- ture, make the Sacred Heart church 8 smaller replica of those famous cathedrals in France and Italy which have proven loadstones for beauty loving people the world over. In fact, in all but name, the Sacred Heart church is now cathedral, it's appearance more resembling this than many of the larger and more costly structures in this country.
 While the exterior of the church is charming to the eye and presents that magnificent appearance so necessary in ecclesiastical structures, it is the interior which deserves to the fullest extent all the praise that can be law ished upon it.
 In the interior of the church the same Gothic style has been used that adorns the exterior. From pews to ceiling everything is in conformity, even the lighting fixtures blending with the rest of the church to pro- duce an effect almost impossible of being surpassed.
 All of the woodwork in the church is hand carved in funed oak, even the pews having typical Gothic cary ingS on the sides. The pew screen which greets the eye upon entering the church, is a magnificent piece Of the woodcarver's art and furnishes in itself a piece of architecture worthy of praise wherever found. The confessionals, of which there are three, are also hand carved, the orna- mental work being of the Gothic type to conform with the rest Of the church.
 In the large vestry behind the cen- tier altar is located the vestment case, Ione of the largest and most complete i5n the country. This also is of ifumed oak as woodwork imm ediately surrounding the altar in front. En- frances to the church have above them the hand-carved wooden canopy which is a distinctive feature of Gothic architecture while the fumed oak background against which the lower part of the altar IS set heightens the beauty of the latter to a remark able degree
 The Blessed Virgins altar on the left of the church, located in the apse, while naturally smaller than the cen.
 
 of style and perfection of finish to be found In the larger one while the same is true of the altar in St. Jo- seph's chapel located in the opposite apse-
 The three altars are of Carrara marble and set as they are against and in contrast to the dark fum ed oak, produce an effect of beauty and majesty not excelled in this section ot ehe country
 The beauty of the altars is further heightened by the panelling of gold tapestry which forms a background for the spires. the white marble stand ing out in pleasing contrast to the furnished tint of the gold cloth
 The mosaic windows in the churcF are among the most beautiful speci mems of their kind to be found, this being particularly true of the one il the front of the church which is nor, Ihan 25 feet in height and seen ag1ov in the light of the setting sun con stitutes one of the most gorgeous pictures ina maginable-
 The windows in the south side O the church illustrate the variou passages from the Apostles Cree while those in the opposite side DOT tray the Lords Prayer. Between tn windows on either side are handSom Stations of The Cross The window in the northern apse illustrate scene in the life of the Blessed Virgin whil those in the opposite side represen Iictoria1ly events in the life of S Joseph
 The treatment of lighting fixture in the church is particularly forth nate as it is in this that the effect c so many otherwise beautiful church es is spoiled The fixtures, of dar metal in the chromatic treatmen have just the sufficient tinge C l.ronze about them to tighten thei effect and blend harmoniously wit the rest of interior. Lighted, the Illuminate the church in an artist fashion without producing glare any kind, while unlit they provid artistic ornaments of exception; beauty.
 The altar rail, which is not yet place, will also be of Carrara, marb with q top rail of gold. In all plac where marble is used in the churc