Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-28
CATHEDRAL WORK
WILL COST $365,0()O
Building of Crypt of Nave
and Tower Foundations
Well Under Way.

With the vaulted stone ceiling of
the choir of Washington Cathedral APP
preaching structural completion. it
was announced yesterday that con-
tracts have been authorized, totaling
more than $365,000 for the building
of the crypt of the nave and tie
foundations for the massive western
towers. This new work is now well
under way.
Construction also is going forward
on the Childrens Chapel. This prom
ises to be one Of the most appealing
portions of the cathedral Through
its symbolic decorations 1t will give ex-
preston to Christ's love for children
and to the divine attributes, which
He ascribed to childhood.
1t is expected that 1t will require
about Is months to complete the nave
crypt and the tower foundations. This
new work. when completed, will add
approximately 261 feet to the length
of the crypt fabric of the cathedral
The crypt directly beneath the nave
will be 38 feet in width with two
aisles on the north and south, each
81 feet in width. The total outside
width of this crypt construction, in
GLIDING the massive exterior walls, the
nave crypt, the north and south
aiSles, and the outer aisles is 1873 feet
Plans for this new work were prepared
by Frohmafl. Robb & Little, the
Cathedral architects, and the construc-
ton is being carried on by tho George
A. Fuller Co.
VIII Extend Length Of Nave.
The north and south aisle of the
crypt will extend the entire length OF
the nave and will connect with the
aisle now extending along the north
and south exteriors of the Bethlehem
Chapel and the Chapel of the Resur-
rection. The nave crypt will be vaulted
corridors possessing elements of both
Norman and Gothic architecture and
lined on either side with impressive
colonades Of pillars OF varying designs
They will be used for the formation
Of professions at services which will
take place on the main floor Of the
completed edifice. 1t will be possible
to assemble 1000 persons in these aisles
when services are held at which large
groups will march to their places on the
main floor.
Reports Generous Response.
Discussing this new step in the ca
thedral building program, Bishop Free
man declared that 1928 had been the
most significant 12-month period in the
history of the undertaking, adding that
never before had there been such a gen.
erous response throughout the country.
Bishop Freeman also expressed the
hope that funds would be made avail
able during the present year for the
building OF one or more of the cathedral
transepts. Their construction Is one
Of the aims of the committee now en-
gagged In a Nationwide campaign in
behalf of the cathedral. The move
rnent is headed by Gen John J. Per-
shing as national chairman, George
Wharton Pepper as executive chairman
and Secretary of the Treasury Andrew
w. Mellon, as treasurer. One of the
activities is the formation Of cathedral
organizations in States throughout the
Union. BY this method 1t is planned to
bring the message of the cathedral to
the direct attention of the people of
every State and to afford opportunity
for Nationwide demonstration of "a
living faith in Christianity"