Evening star., 1936-05-24
Cathedral Children's Chapel
Is Only One in Ne,u World
st. AIbans Memorial to Son of PhiIa-
deIpkia Benefactors Is Inspiring Place
of Worship for Youth.

upon the Book OF Holy Writ which he
carries in His right hand.
To his right Mary the mother, in
white veil and mantle of madonna
blue over crimson robe, bids you
combine faith with works in this in.
junction carved just beneath her
statue, Whatsoever He saith unto
you, do Ii"
Love One Another"
st. John. young and eager, despite
his clasped hands. is on the opposite
side of the Christ as His devoted
friend and companion. He enjoins
childhood with the inscription. Little
children, love ane another"
This central portion of the reredos
above the altar is framed on either
side by beautifully carved group of
four angels whose attitudes express
hymns of praise to God.
To the left as we face the reredos,
under canoped niche of lace-like
carving, stands st. Peter in a brown
robe holding the two keys with which
We always associate him. Beneath his
otdbuc tllc NOIuS, NITOW III grace,
carry their own significance.
st. Paul balances st. Peter on the
right in robe of blue. Like a gleam-
ing sword. his missioner's staff and the
scroll which he carries, signify to you
the stalwartness of the apostle who.
upon his evangelical travels. ever in
sisted that he be accorded the rights
of his Roman citizenship. Fittingly.
the admonition of his famous counsel
is carried in the lettering, Children
obey your parents in all things"
Below the statue of st. Peter is an
extraordinarily beautiful carved panel
which depicts Christ as a lad of IL
among the doctors in the temple. The
simplicity of His white tunic and the
force of His earnest manner are in
dramatic contrast to the rich back
ground of the ancient temple and the
colorful robes of the high priests Sc
cure in their dignity and learning, yet
awed and amazed at the flaming zeal
OF this Hebrew youth. Below is in.
Scribed Christ's answer to His mother
when she asked Him why He had not
accompanied them on the homeward
journey from Jerusalem. II must be
about My Fathers business"
Christ With Child at Knee.
Balancing this panel below the
statue of st. Paul, is one showing the
white-robed figure of our Savior seated
in the midst of His disciples with
young child at His knee. Its inscrip-
ton. Suffer little children to come
unto me-" is significant of the spirit of
the chapel itself.
In niche of the stone wall next to
the grilled opening separating the
Children's Chapel and the adjoining
one of st. John is compelling statue
of st. Michel Staying the Dragon,
carved from the stone of the wall II.
self. St Michel according to tradition.
typifles the prince of guardian angels.
to whom was ever intrusted the charge
of keeping mankind in ways of holi-
ness. The dragon signifies the evil of
the world. It's symbolism of the victory
of self over sin is forceful one
Inset in this same stone wall on the
opposite side of the chapel is a narrow
Gothic door. 1t opens by means of a
wrougnt-iron handle upon a winding
stair that gives access to the crypts
below.
From the deep recess of the chapel's
only window, inset as if 1t we're in a
storied shrine of old. stands a life-sized
bronze figure of Christ as a little
child. His arms outstretched to YOU
In eager welcome. 1t is the handivork
of Mary Aldrich. who was once a stu
dent in the National Cathedral School
for Girls, which is in the Mount st.
Alban inclosure.
AS your eyes leave the pictured en-
bodiment of those from scriptural and
Christian history, made real 10 you
because of their association with chill
dren, they go skyward to the loveliness
of the fan yaulting which constitutes
the ceiling of the chapel Although
this vaulting gives the impression of
height. its full detail is easily dis
cernible. Its fifteenth century effect Is
one of lightness and grace in pleasing
contrast to the massiveness and re-
straint Of the general lines of the ca.
thedral.
The four keystones of the arches are
each inscribed with a one-syllsble
word beginning with L. In turn you
note, Love, Light, Life and Law.
Cross and Crown.
The center symbol of the vaultlng
Is the familiar combination of cross
and crown, known to every child who
attends Sunday school because of its
universal use as pin of all denomina-
tions. Surrounding it are IL carvings.
symbolic of the infancy and early life
of our Savior. Among these are the
Star Of Bethlehem. the three gifts of
the wise men. the two turtle doves
that were sacrificed in the temple at
the time of our Lords presentation.
the Paschal Lamb indicating that our
Lord was the Lamb of God. the sacred
monogram I. H. S.. signifying the CIV
ing of name. the open scroll typify-
ing the mandates Of the law because
Christ was a human child subject to
them, the little praying hands already
asking for Divine guidance and the
carpenters tools significant Of the
trade which Jesus learned from His
father.
At the point where the vaulting
meets the side walls of the chapel
there is an ornamental frieze which