Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1923-03-31
CA THEDRAL ToBE
NATIONAL SHRINE
EpIsoopaIlans Plan Structure In
Washington to Rival Great
European -Edifices.
ABBEY Of U. S.
oe..'ns s'o,ooo,ooo Il; !s-p'.nn.d 70
Take tho Place In Amsrieen Hearts
That Old Abbey Occupies tn
British Nation.

completion Of great American nation
al cathedral, larger than Westminster
abbey and riyaling the celebrated
structures Of Europe, were announced
here at the annual convention Of the
Episcopal diocese Of Washington.
Costing $4,000. 900. with its 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
with the British nation; probably to
become the final resting place OF Amer
ica's celebrated dead" and as "a wit.
ness for Christ In. the capital Of the
nation" The plans contemplate more
than q diocesan cathedral; they en-
brace q national shrine.
Although the construction Of q
cathedral on the heights Of Mount
Saint Alban. in the northwest section
Of Washington, has been going on Slow
ly for some time. it was not until very
recently that It was decided to raise
the funds to- complete the edifice i'm
mediately as q national undertaking.
Making the, announcement Rt. Rev.
Alfred T. Harding, bishop Of Washing.
ton, pointed out that at the last gen
eral convention Of the Episcopal
church both houses unanimously adopt.
ed q resolution which "commends the
erection without delay: at the, capital
Of the nation Of q great cathedral to
witness to the spiritual ideals Of Amer
ica."
Site includes slxty.Feue AerssA
Beginning in comparatively small
way, the first bishop Of Washington.
the late DR.. Henry Yates Satterlee,
made It his LIES work to acquire and
pay for the site. which has grown un.
til now it,eomprises "a acres, overlook
ing the Potomac. Already on the prop
erty is a school for girls. There is also
q boys school, and the bishops home
stands in the enclosure, close by. A
great stone peace cross also stands
in the grounds, erected at the close Of
the Spanish-American war, and dedi.
Gated by the late President Mckinley.
The cathedral has been designed by
one Of the greatest English architects,
the late George r. Bodley, and his
American. associate, the late Henry
Baughan.o It has been pronounced one
Of the most beautiful in the world.
It will be seen. that in It's great pro
portions the cathedral will be- larger
than Westminster abbey. for its whole
length, outside measurement will be
500 feet: It's width 1876 feet. Its great
central tower will rise to 280 feet, and
its twin front towers will be 1875 feet
tall. The massive central tower, erect.
ed on the great eminence, will have an
elevation Of GA feet above the city Of
Washington, making II the most con-
spicuous and commanding object in
the capital.
Apss Already Built
The apse is already erected. The
Bethlehem chapel, beneath the apse. is
at present used for services. A con.
siderable portion Of the choir already
is in process Of construction. and the
foundations Of the entire structure.
also In process Of construction. will be
completed within the coming year.
The present value Of the property
with it's endowmenta and investment
funds has been conservatively estimat-
ed at more than $4,O00,00O.
Behind the present national move.
ment are to be numbered some Of the
best known Americans. Among those
who are taking an active part are the
following members Of the Cathedral
chapter: Charles G. Glover. chairman
Of the board Of the Riggs National
bank. at whose home in 1893 a meet
Ing was held which resulted In the
charter Of the Cathedral, Foundation /;
Henry White, former American ambas-
sador to France; James Parmele. trus-
tee Of the Carnegie Foundation Fund ;
Corcoran Thorn, Bishop Perry Of
Rhode Island. Bishop Rhinelander Of
Pennsylvania, Very Rev. G. G. r. Bra.
tenahl, dean Of the cathedral; Rev.
William L. Devries, the chancellor, and
Rev. James r. Freeman, rector Of the
Church Of the Epiphany.