The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-02-17
GREAT AME ER|CAN .CATHE EDRAL II BE BUILT AT CAPITAL
Beautiful Church To Be Erected By Episcopa|ians Will Surpass Westmin-
 ster Abbey in Size

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-(By Asso- cited lress.)-pians Tor immediate completion of a great American Ma tional Cathedral, larger than West minister Abbey and rivaling the cele- brated structures of Europe were announced here at the annual con vention of the Episcopal diocese of Washington.
 Costing $10,o00.00o and with it's great central tower rising above the Washington monument, the great edifice Is planned to take in the hearts of Americans the place which the old Abbey occupies among the British nation; to probably become the final resting ulace of America S celebrated dead and as "a witness for Christ in the capital of the nation"
 The plans contemplate more than diocesean cathedral: they embrace national shrine.
 National Uno-rraking
 Although the construction of a cathedral on the heights of Mount saint Alban in the northwest section of Washington, has been going on slowly fer some time. it was not un- til very recently that it was decided to raise the funds to complete the edifice immediately as national un- dertaking.
 Making the announcement today. the Rt Rev. Alfred T. Harding, bish- op of Washington, pointed out that at the last general convention of the Episcopal church both houses unani- mously adopted a resolution which comments the erection without de- lay at the capital of the nation of great cathedral to witness to the | spiritual ideals of America"
 This said Bishop Harding" is the basIs of the appeal we are now making to the churchmen and church women of our land. We are con vinced that this witness for Christ in the capital of the nation will be a potent agency in lifting the minds of men to spiritual realities and thus counteract the trend so evident in our tune towards materialism."
 Paid For Site
 Beginning in a comparatively small way. the first bishop of Washing ton. the late Dr. Henry Yates Sat terlee, made it his life's work to ac- | quire and pay for the site, which has | grown until now it comprises s4 acres. on the heights of the northwest | section overlooking the Potomac. and with the national capital sprea q below in panorama. Already on tbo property is school for girls: it's building the gift of the late Mrs. Phoebe Hearst. There is also boys school, the building for which was 1 given by Mrs. Harriet Lane John ston, niece of President Buchanan. in I memory of her two sons James Bu- : chanan and Henry Elliott The bsh- ops home, which stands in the Ca thedral close. was the gift of Mrs Susan Evelyn Murray. In the little sanctuary stands an exquisitely carved stone pulpit which ultimately will be placed in the completed ca thedral. It was presented by the archbishop, dean and chapter of Canterbury Cathedral. England. A great stone Peace Cross also stands In the grounds, erected at the close of the Spanish American war and dedicated by the late President Me- Kinley.
 The cathedral has been designed by one of the greatest English archi- tects, the late George F. Bodley and his American associate, the late Henry Baughan. 1t has been pro- nounced one of the most beautiful in l the world. It will be seen that in it's great proportions the cathedral will be larger than Westminster Abbey. 1 for it's whole length. outside measure ment will be 800 feet: it's with 1855 feet. It's great central tower will ] rise tos260 feet. and it's two front