Upon entering the upper church, one is attracted by the sight of the
long
nave flanked on both sides by massive granite columns with richly
decorated capitals and heavy moulded bases. The nave
is covered by a ribbed and vaulted ceiling, which
ends in a deeply recessed sanctuary where a magnificent altar stands
revealed by the soft light from the stained glass window.
The nave is 50 feet wide by 138 feet long and 74 feet high; the
transept is 50 feet wide and 120 feet long, while the sanctuary is 50
feet by 36 feet. The granite columns are
monoliths, 18½ feet high and 2½ feet in
diameter. The four supporting the intersection of the nave and transept
are 3½ feet in diameter; they stand on moulded bases and
are crowned with heavy capitals from which spring the arches of the
clerestory wall and the ribs of the ceiling. All of the granite columns
in the church, including the four in the vestibule, are the gifts of
Mrs William E. Cramer.
The ceiling of the nave is vaulted to the sills of the clerestory
windows. Above the windows the ceiling is vaulted intersecting the nave
at right angles and thus producing a series of groined arches, which
are heavily ribbed and ornamented at the point of intersection.
The main or center aisle is 6½ feet wide and 100 feet long.
The walls are wainscoted in the
same material as the floor of the sacristy to the height of the window
sills. There are five altars; the main one is in the sanctuary and
there are
two in each transcept. The side altars are set in arched recesses.
The choir gallery and organ loft is in the front of the church
over
the entrance. The organ is built so as not to obscure the light from
the rose window. The choir gallery is 30 by 48 feet. In front of it is
a
sloping gallery 85 feet wide by 16 feet deep.
