St. John the Divine

The Board of Trustees of New York's great cathedral met in the Synod House and made plans for the completion of the vast sanctuary. The project was started over 50 years ago by Bishop Horatio Potter. The cornerstone was laid in 1892. During the ensuing decade and a half the chancel and seven chapels were dedicated. In 1911-14 the foundations of the tremendous nave were laid, reminding one of the appeal of the Roman Catholic Cardinal to the mediaeval churchmen of Seville: " Let us lay here the foundations of such a cathedral that men will say we were mad ever to have attempted it." Ten years of inaction have followed, and the foundations have been tantalizingly vacant. Upon his induction to office, Bishop Manning declared that it would be preposterous to think that the New York which could raise a dozen colossal skyscrapers could or would not erect one tremendous cathedral.

His earnest plea for action is now realized. He is honorary chairman of a national committee, of which Franklin Roosevelt is active head, to raise $15,000,000 at least, for the completion of the cathedral. The New York chairman is Elihu Root. The cathedral is national, or even international, in its interest, for when it is completed it will be by far the largest cathedral in the Protestant or in the English speaking world, second only in size to Seville and St. Peter's.

A "drive" during Winter and Spring of 1924 is expected to bring in enough money to start work on the nave. No money will be spent at the present peak of building prices, however, and even with favorable conditions, 15 years would be necessary to complete the gigantic structure. Fortunately, cathedrals have souls, and cannot be made by machine. Ten thousand worshippers will be able to gather for prayer, in the completed house of God.