The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

We take great pleasure in presenting our readers, to-day, with an exterior view of the beautiful church which the zealous pastors and devoted people of St. Stephen's parish are, at present, building on Napoleon Avenue, in the Sixth District. It promises to be one of the most beautiful churches in the country, and may well bear comparison, in gracefulness of design and nobleness of form, with the cathedrals of Europe.

The style of architecture is pure German gothic, the chief characteristic of which is the high and sharply-pointed arches, clustered columns, etc. In classic architecture, the regular orders have their respective capitals; but this, like the Norman and Egyptian, has an endless diversity of form.

The body of the church measures 218 feet in length, and 100 feet in width. The side walls are 68 feet in height, and the cross on the summit of the tower will, when completed, be 175 feet from the ground. The façade has four high-arched openings, above which, in as many niches, will be placed stone statues of saints and martyrs. Two tiers of pointed windows, five in each tier, ornament the side walls of the church the higher ones having three mullions in each, elaborately carved, and which will be filled with stained glass of the richest colors.

The lateral walls of the sanctuary have each an immense circular window, known in architecture as St. Catherine's wheel, also quaintly carved in stone, and divided into many compartments radiating from the centre.

The interior, according to the plan shown us, is exceedingly spacious, being divided into a nave and four aisles, with a large vestibule and a widely extended sanctuary. One feature of this church, though seldom seen in this country, is of frequent occurrence in European churches, namely: the balconies overlooking the sanctuary from the lateral walls of the building. These are reserved for gentlemen of the clergy or laity who may wish to witness the grand ceremonials of Festivals without actually taking part in them.

The choir gallery will be highly ornamented with tracery, figures and beautiful designs.

The water-font, at the opening of the vestibule into the church proper, will also be of gothic construction, as well as the pulpit, confessionals, etc.

Indeed we have never seen a design for God's temple more perfect in its details, or more beautiful in its entirety.

The rapid growth of Catholicity in this city is marked by the fact that the three churches of St. Stephen's parish, although within a short distance, each from the other, are not sufficient for the needs of the congregations. We were informed a week ago, that every pew in the English-speaking church was taken; and notwithstanding this, many persons are still disappointed, being unable to secure even a single seat. On the last day of May, during the touching ceremonies in honor of the Blessed Lady, the church was crowded almost to suffocation, and we know that many mothers were reluctantly compelled to return home with their little ones, because there was no room for them within the church. The procession of flower-crowned children, that slowly wended its way through the aisles, was so long that the head came in contact with the rear and thus formed one continuous circle around the walls of the sacred edifice. We then realized how inadequate were the present accommodations to the requirements of the people, and, no doubt, all those who witnessed the ceremonies must have determined to leave no means untried to complete the vast church, destined, one day, to afford ample room for all the devout souls who love to take part in the grand ceremonials performed in honor of God and His saints.

At present, the walls of the new church are completed, and the building is ready for the roof, so much needed for the protection of the walls and the security of the arches; and it is in order to commence this costly labor that a Fair was opened last evening, in St. Stephen's Hall, by the ladies of the parish. We scarcely need to dwell upon the importance of the work, for we can readily understand how every earnest Catholic desires to see a glorious dwelling place for the Eternal God, erected here on earth; and we can also understand how even the scoffer must wish to have his native land made beautiful by monuments of art and works of enduring skill. Catholics, it has been said, do not build for a few years only, but for all time, and it is just such churches as the one we have described which makes Italy the land of grace and beauty.

Our own country, too, will one day have its ancient monuments and its classic shrines, and when that time arrives, our descendants will rejoice that their forefathers gave their hands and hearts to the erection of an edifice so honorable to man's zeal and so worthy of God's glory.