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THE ARCHITECTURE OF HOLY CROSS
Taken from Holy Cross's Solemn Consecration and History published 1886
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STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS

The glass of the nine window happily reinforces the color with bright masses and represents the Exaltation of the Cross with attendant figures of Magdalen and the Mater Dolorosa, the Beloved Disciple, and the Evangelists, excellent in design and drawing, and worthy examples of the Royal Munich School. The remaining glass (in the rose-windows of transepts and the lunettes in the nave ceiling, inserted to give more light to the hitherto darkest portion of the building) has been executed in antique and opalescent glass, and lends an added glow to the quiet color of both nave and transepts.

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To the baptistery, finally, has been given the completing hand in providing the font in marble of varied colors, the bowl of Knoxville, elaborately carved and supported on four shafts surrounding a center shaft, each having ornamental caps and bases, and the whole covered by an airy canopy of wood with carved gablets and tracery, perforated spire with crockets, suspended by an iron bracket with a chain and weight to raise and lower at will.

In giving this description of the work the has been done within the last few months for our church, the rector feels it his pleasing duty to mention here those who, in their several departments, have contributed so largely to the success of the undertaking.

The architect was Mr. L. J. O'Connor, who also supervised and looked after even the most minute details. His skill, displayed in the carrying out and improving upon the original plan of the church, is but a further proof of his genius in the department particularly of ecclesiastical architecture.

Mr. Cornelius Callahan, the builder, has not merely performed his work in the most substantial manner, but has taken a friendly interest from beginning to end. With him it was a labor of love, and we feel deeply indebted to him for his counsel and advice in every matter of importance.

The carpenter, Jethro Washburn, has also done his work satisfactorily. The marble altars, from the shops of Theis & Trueg, in East Forty-second Street, speak for themselves; so also of the gas-fixtures from the firm of Mitchell & Vance, New York. The nine beautiful stained-glass windows in the chancel are from the firm of Mayer & Co., of Munich, well known as the most celebrated designers and artists in Europe. The other stained-glass windows int he transept, in the baptistery, and the clear-story are by Louis Tiffany & Co., of New York, who also contracted for the painting and decorating. The work in this department has been executed under the personal supervision of Mr. Tiffany himself. His treatment of the cupola, his mosaics at he base of the cupola and in the sanctuary, and the whole system of his decoration prove him to be the thorough artist. His conceptions were thoroughly carried out by his able assistant, Mr. Eggleston, whose tact and business management will always earn for him the esteem of those with whom he is brought in contact.

Our thanks are due to all who have helped to make Holy Cross Church what it is to-day; but we feel that we are under particular obligations to those who have been most liberal in their offerings.

We wish to make special mention of the following donations:

the altar of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is the gift of the Young Men's Association of Holy Cross Church. That of the Sacred Heart is the gift of Mr. Patrick Treacy, the gentleman who purchased the first lots for a church in this parish.

The group of statues over the Sacred Heart altar is the donation of Mr. C. Callahan, in memory of his deceased daughter. The statute of Our Lady of Lourdes, over the Virgin's altar, was presented by Mr. Peter McCullough, also in memory of his daughter, lately deceased; while the beautiful statue of bernadette, in the same niche, is the gift of Mrs. Moloney.

Fourteen other contributed towards the stained-glass windows; their names are inscribed on the several windows. The names of the other contributors, down to and including those who donated $25, will be inscribed on a table, as was promised, and placed behind the high altar. But we are just as grateful to those who, according to their means, have given the smallest donation, and they shall equally have a remembrance in the Holy Sacrifice.

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