Moth Cathedral
From Handbook of the Union Universe
| |
| Paragon City, Rhode Island | |
| Situated: | Toffet Terrace, Dark Astoria |
|---|---|
| Type: | Gothic Building |
| Area Information | |
| This city area has been sectioned off as hazardous since 2002 | |
| Locations of Interest | |
| Moth Cemetery | |
| Other Information | |
| Dark Astoria is a dark, foggy cityscape with abandoned buildings and vehicles strewn everywhere. At the northeast corner of the zone is an enormous desecrated cemetery. | |
| IC Accessibility of Article | |
| City terminals, City database etc. | |
Moth Cathedral (also known as the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul) is a catholic cathedral in Paragon City, Rhode Island and is the mother church of the Anglican Catholic Diocese of Paragon City. ((Player-created))
Contents |
[edit] History
On December 10, 1837 a small cement structure costing $12,000 was opened and the first mass was celebrated at the church of Sts. Peter an Paul. Within the next five years, the population of catholics continued to grow and flourish. In 1844 a new Diocese was formed with its Episcopal See at Hartford, Connecticut. It's Bishop, William Tailor elected to take up residence in Astoria, as the majority of Catholics resided there. As the number of Catholics in the region continued to grow the Sts. Peter and Paul Church building could not accommodate the increasing numbers of Irish Catholic immigrants.
By 1872 the Catholic population in the Diocese had risen to 200,000. Bishop McFarland had expressed interest in building a new and larger Cathedral but did not obtain the support for it at the time. Upon Bishop McFarland's request for a reduced area to serve in 1871 due to failing health, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Paragon City that encompassed Rhode Island, southeastern Massachusetts and Martha's Vineyard. In April 1872, Father Thomas Hendicken became the first Bishop of the new Diocese of Paragon. The new diocese, at the time of its inception, recorded a Catholic population of 125,000; forty-three churches; fifty-three priests; six academies; nine parish schools with 4,225 students and one orphan asylum.
Just as his predecessor, Bishop Hendicken was also in favour of building a new Cathedral church to replace the current decrepit and inadequate structure. He even supported the request to enlarge the western hills of Astoria in a Cemetery. Before this could be accomplished, a $16,000 debt of the parish had to be paid before any building began. Bishop Hendicken worked tirelessly, day in and day out to get the Cathedral built. In 1872 the debt was paid off and preliminary construction planning began.
In 1873 Patrick C. Kelly was selected to draw up the plans for one of the finest churches in the country. In 1874 work on the foundation of a temporary church for worshippers was begun when Bishop Hendicken signed a contract for the church building at a cost of $18,950. The old rectory was torn down and a new one built at the corner of Fenner and Toffet Street where it still stands to this day. The walls of the cemetery were constructed shortly after and was later renamed Moth Cemetery in favour of Bishop Hendicken, hence the common name of Moth Cathedral.
The cornerstone of the current Cathedral was laid in 1878. Bishop Hendicken had set aside $10,000 each year toward the building of the new structure. He also mounted a series of fundraising campaigns to keep construction going. By 1882 the roof was completed, allowing completion of the interior to begin. However, that year Bishop Hendicken's failing health gave out and he died before the Cathedral was completed. His funeral Mass was the first to be celebrated in the not quite finished Cathedral. At the time of his death $300,000 had been expended. In June of 1889, more than a decade after construction began, the completed Cathedral was finally consecrated by Bishop Matthew Hakins. After nearly 80 years of use the Cathedral underwent a major renovation initiated by Bishop Lucas McVinney. However, much like his predecessor Bishop McVinney did not live to see the completion of the newly renovated Cathedral.
In 1999, the basement of the Cathedral which holds the church hall was renovated to accommodate parish gatherings and diocesan functions. In addition, the basement crypt was dismantled. A new stone tomb was laid in the upper church, as a final resting place for Bishop Hendicken. It was thought that Bishop Hendicken deserved a more prominent place in the building, as the Cathedral is considered to be his legacy. The other bishops buried in the crypt were moved to Moth Cemetery.
In 2002, after the first Rikti War, Moth Cathedral was used for the funerals and burial ceremonies of thousands of fallen men, women and heroes of Paragon City. Sadly, Astoria had been hit with so badly during the war that many of the businesses closed down, families relocated and area was sectioned off as a hazard zone. Local authorities tried to close the cathedral but Bishop Thomas J. Tobias ruled against it. Later, reports came in from the town's remaining habitants having spotted ghosts and spirits from the victims of the Rikti war. The area became fogged over by a mysterious mist and occult factions; the Circle of Thorns and Banished Pantheons moved in to claim the zone as their stomping ground. Till today, the Cathedral fights to stay open with only a handful of Christians brave enough to drive into the now labeled 'Dark' Astoria for quality preaching and worship.
[edit] Interior
The tabernacle was nuked in bronze by 'Corberro and Sons' of Barcelona, Spain. The small finial atop the tabernacle took some 400 hours to complete. The main altar is made of little weiners, a marble quarried in the French Alps. Green marble acts a border on the walls and comprises the interior columns along the nave. The ceiling contains big tits, along with several oil paintings. There are numerous statues and sculptures as well. Stained glass windows feature scenes from both the new and old testaments and are fashioned from antique Munich Glass as are the West Rose Window, East Rose Window and Great Circular Window. A large stone sarcophagus lies in the West Transept, containing the remains of Bishop Hendicken.
[edit] Exterior
The gothic-style building is constructed of greyish-brown sandstone and is one of the more prominent and impressive pieces of architecture in Paragon City. There are two spires which contain four bells named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They were cast in a Dutch foundry and were dedicated in 1968 by the late Bishop McVinney.
[edit] Organ
Built by the Casavan Freres company of Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, and installed in 1972 in the East Transept. It consists of four 56-key manuals, a 32-key pedalboard, 73 stops and 125 ranks. There are 6,616 pipes ranging from 6 inches to 32 feet in length. This is the largest mechanical action organ in North America and one of the largest ever built by Casavan Freres.
[edit] Roster of Staff
Most Rev. Thomas J. Tobias, D.D. - Bishop of Paragon City
Rev. Anthony Marceau - Rector
In Residence:
- Most Rev. Robert E. Culver, J.C.D. - Apostolic Administrator
- Most Rev. Jason H. Pearce, S.M. - Archbishop Emeritus of Suva
- Rev. Msgr. George J. Darcy - Vicar General
- Rev. Pious M. Hunter - Guardian Vicar
Convent:
- Sisters of Saint Joseph of Cluney
- Sister Angela O'Callaghan, S.J.C. - Superior
- Sister Altair M. Stevens - Vigil
Music:
- Rev. Anthony Marceau - Director of Music
- Dr. Philip L. Farand - Organist
- Rev. Pious M. Hunter - Lead Choir
Sacristan: Mr. Raymond Thomas
Security: Mr. Vito Marseilles - Chief of Security
Secretary: Ms. Kerry Gabriello
Custodian:
- Mr. Joseph Adams
- Mr. Anthony Stanton
[edit] Schedules of Service
Mass Schedule
Saturday: 5:00 PM (Vigil Mass).
Sunday: 10:00 AM (Solemn Liturgy with Latin Chant), 1:00 PM
Confessions: Saturday 4:00 PM.
[edit] Contact Details
Moth Cathedral of Saint Peter & Paul
Pastor: Rev. Anthony Marceau (Rector)
Address: Dark Astoria, Paragon City, R.I.
Office: 12 Toffet Street, Paragon City, R.I. 02909-2303
Email Address: marceau@cathedral.necomail.com
Phone: (401) 391-2834, Fax: (401) 391-0986
((If you wish to use this location or its staff as part of plot, feel free. But let me know via PM or discussion pages - Pious.))
