The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-14

The little Church on Main Street in Old Lyme, has finally gotten her "new dress on. She has heen over- hauled from top to bottom, "a com plete face-lifting" job.
 It was the old Protestant church, built about 150 years ago, which had been sold few years ago to the Catholic parish of Old Lyme, and has always been one of the landmarks of the town.
 The pastor of the church, who bought the property from the pre- vious owners, is Rev. Joseph Rice, who is responsible for having u1- dertaken the work of remodeling and restoration, and has taken great precautions SO as not to dis turb the characteristics and historic Colonial architecture of this old building. It is not the common style of architecture used for Cath olic churches, especially the interior, but the problem now has actually been solved.
 After Father Rice received the permission from his excellency, Bishop McAuliffe, to start the work, he called in Frederick c. Necker from New York, the interior design CT and decorator, well known in ecclesiastical circles, to entrust him with this undertaking. MT. Necker has completed this work; and has succeeded in creating unique and interesting solution of the problem.
 The church, which was too small, has been enlarged by an addition to the rear, so as to obtain good sized sanctuary, a proper Sacristy and vestery, also ample meeting room facilities.
 The front and sides of the build- ing also have been greatly improv- ed; a steeple, gracefully terminated with gold cross, has ben erected. The interior has been refined by the installation of columns, wainscotingS and new windows. The color scheme is range of soft oyster gray and white enamel. All decorations are done in "A karat golf leaf, which makes dignified and quiet im- precision.
 In back of the altar is large hanging, called Dorset, made of im- ported damask, scarlet red, eGl- broidered with symbols of Christ, The King, the Patron of the church. The altars are made of oak. Sarv- ings on the Antependium treated in gold. A fine tabernacle of bronze and iron adorns the main altar.
 The side altars draw special at- tention These altars are also made of oak with carved and gilded orna- mentations in the front. The fig ures on top of these side altar, rep resenting the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph are finished in silver. They are modelled in a three quarter re- lief especially for this church and they are styled after the manner of Della Robbia sculpture. They have been exidized in a Danish silver finish and they have the feeling of the Colonial era. The 14 Bar Re- lief Stations of the Holy Cross are also modelled in the same style, fin- ished in antique silver. Through their beautiful modelling, delicacy dAAu S1luplASA1y, t1ACy esAC AAPA CooAFS'
 The use of silver as material, has been successfully recalled through out the interior treatment of the church.
 Candlesticks, lighting fixtures, gates and grilles are well handled in their simple elegance.
 The windows of the church, plain pastel shaded antique glass, from France and Belgium, are ef- fective in their soft harmony.
 A smooth slate tile floor is an ir1- teresting point in this building, not only through the material, but also by the selection of soft colors.
 The entire harmony of material, lines and color, of all appointments, is successful product as whole. It is especially interesting that the