Evening star., 1924-08-31
BROTHER SCHR0EN,
GEORGETOWN, DEAD
His Plastic Decorations Are
Found in Many Leading
Catholic Churches.

Francis c. Schroen, S. j., lay
brother Of the Jesuit Order for the
last 25 years. whose plastic decora-
| tions and paintings adorn many of
the leading Catholic churches and
colleges in the country, died late Fri
day night at Georgetown University
| after a lingering illness.
His last undertaking was to dec
| crate the Church of the Holy Name
in New Orleans. Decorators and
architects came from far and wide
to admire his art, for Brother Schroen
had long been recognized as one of
the leaders of his profession. The
magnitude and responsibility of his
last task impaired his health and he
returned from the South to George
town University about three months
ago a wreck of his former self. He
was 81 years old.
Services will be held for Brother
Schroen tomorrow morning at 9
o'clock in Dalhgren Chapel, at the
college. and the body will be buried
in the college cemetery in the
walks" where Brother Schroen fire.
Quently strolred in the late years of
his life. Rev. John B. Creeden, S. j.,
president of Georgetown University,
will say the mass, which will be at
tended by the family and friends of
the deceased.
Brother Schroen is survived by one
daughter, Mrs. P. G. Molteni of John
son City, Tenn, and IL brothers and
sisters. who reside in Washington
and Baltimore.
Although death has claimed Brother
Schroen, his spirit lives in the abun-
dant evidence of his artistic ability
in nearly every Catholic college and
church in the Maryland-W Washington
province. At Georgetown University
he decorated CASTOR Hall, which has
long been regarded as one of the most
beautiful collegiate halls in the
United States. Other evidences OF his
work at Georgetown are to be found
in the Riggs Library, the students
reading room, the Philodemic room,
the parlor the corridor and the main
hall. Holy Trinity Church in George
town also is another notable example
Of his art.
At Fordham University his skill is
recorded in the boys chapel. St.
Johns Church and other buildings.
At Philadelphia Brother Schroen
painted and embellished the Gesu,
one of the biggest churches in the
country. The pictures he painted of
the saints in the form of medallions
are much admired.
Some of Brother Schroen's best
work is to be seen at st. Francis
xaviers, New York, and at st. Igna-
thus. At the new Boston College his
work is prominent everywhere-in
the rotunda, the library. the audito-
rum and parlors. Shortly before his
death he went to Jamaica, where he
decorated the new cathedral, and the
result is lasting memorial to his
skill, which only an earthquake can
destroy.
Worked in Obscurity.
Many visitors at Georgetown Uni
versity have admired CASTOR Hall. but
few have ever known the name of the
man responsible for it's artistic
beauty. During the 25 years in the
Jesuit Order. Brother Schroen work
ed in comparative obscurity and out
side of the order and the men in his
profession his name was little known
When he left Washington to per-
form his last work, in New Orleans,
he was evidently in good health, and
his friends and brethren were shock
ed at his appearance upon his return
But he had done his work, which to
him was allimportant. Brother
Schroen was described as simple, modest
and charitable. and he long refrained
from the publicity which his work
OtherWlSe would nave drawn TO him.
Born in Bavaria January T., 1857,
he was brought to this country by
his parents when an infant. They
settled in Baltimore, residing in St.
Michael's parish. His father was a
tailor and he wished his eldest son
to follow in his footsteps. But the
boy had other tastes and aspirations.
He was a born artist and he prac-
ticed drawing from his earliest years.
When he left ST. Michaers School he
became a house painter and later a
skilled decorator, his speciality be in 6
plastic decorations. He soon estab-
lished a reputation with Baltimore
firms. At the age of 21, he married
Miss Mary Meldick, and they had one
daughter.
After his wife died. through a
series of strange circumstances. Mr..
Schroen met with business reverses
and later, determining to follow the
advice of his confessor, a Passionist
father. he applied for admission as
a Jesuit 1ay-brother. After the
usual preliminary probation, he
began his novitiate at Frederick,
Md. June 21, 1898. His ability as a
decorator was soon recognized by
the Jesuit fathers, and Brother
Schroen was commissioned to per-
form the work which stands today
as his lasting memorial.