Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-02-08
Complete Great
National Cathedral

Washington. Feb. 7-(By A. Pr
Plans for immediate completion of a
great American National Cathedral,
larger than Westminster Abbey and
rivallinS the celebrated structures Of
Europe were announced here today
at the annual convention of the Epis-
copal Diocese of Washington.
Costing ten million dollars, 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 place of Americas
celebrated dead and as "A witness for
Christ in the capital Of the nation"
The plans contemplate more than
diocesan cathedral; they embrace
national shrine.
Although the construction Of a
cathedral on the heights Of Mount
Saint Alban in the northwest section
of Washington. has been going on
slowly for some time, 1t was not until
very recently that it was decided to
raise the funds to complete the editice
Immediately as Il national UNDER
taking.
Making the announcement today,
the Right Reverend Alfred T. Hard
ing, Bishop of Washington. pointed
out that at the last general conven-
ton of the Episcopal Church both
houses unanimously adopted reso-
luton which "commends the erection
without delay at the capital of the
nation of a great cathedral to witness
to the spiritual ideals of America"
This said Bishop Harding, lis
the basis of the appeal we are now
making to the churchmen and church
women of our land. We are con-
WINGED 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 time towards materialism."
Beginning in comparatively small
way, the first Bishop of Washington,
the late DR.. Henry Yates Satterlee.
made it his lifc's work to acquire and
pay for the site. which has grown
until now it comprises siXty-four
acres, on the heights of the North
west section. overlooking the POto-
mac, and with the national Capital
spread below in panorama. Already
on the property is a school for girls:
its building the gift of the late Mrs.
Phoebe Hearst. There is also a boys
school. the building for which was
given by Mrs. Harriet Lane Johnston,
niece Of President Buchanan, in
memory OF her two sons. James Blu
chanan and Henry Elliott. The
Bishops home which stands in the
Cathedral 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 cath
edral. 1t was presented by the Arch
bishop. Dean and Chapter of Can
terbury Cathedral England. a great
stone Peace Cross also stands on
the grounds. erected at the close of
the Spanish American war and dedi-
Gated by the late President Mckin-
ley.
The cathedral has been designed
by one of the greatest English arch-
tects, the late George +. Bodley and
his American associate, the late
Henry BauShan. 1t has been pro-
nounced one Of the most beautiful in
the world. 1t will be seen that in it's
great proportions the cathedral will
be larger than Westminster Abbey.
for its whole length, outside meas
urcment, will be five hundred feet:
its width one hundred and thirty five
feet. Its great central tower will
rise to two hundred and sixty five
feet. and its twin front towers will
be one hundred and ninety-tiVe feet
tall. The massive central tower
erected on the great eminence will
nave an elevation of six hundred and
forty four feet above the CITY of
Washington, making it the most con-