St. Thomas Church Opening Ceremonies

“For the new St. Thomas’ church, Fifth avenue, New York, a musical conductor has been engaged at a salary of $5,000 a year and an elegant residence besides. This places St. Thomas’ church next to a certain Roman Catholic church in this city, which is reported last year to have paid upward of $7,000 for its music and less than $1,000 in salary to its priest.”

“The music was especially excellent, the chants being mostly Gregorian.”

“The organ [by Hall & Labagh] is in two sections, having reversed action, and is placed in the chambers on either side the chancel and opening into the chancel and octagon. The organ screens are open traceried so as to expose the pipes, which will be richly illuminated. The organ is supplied with air by a caloric engine of great power. There are galleries in the transepts, in the aisle and east end of nave, over the vestibule, but they are so arranged as not to project into the main body of the church, the nave and octagon being entirely clear.”

“The choir consists of a quartet of solo artists, and a volunteer chorus, the whole under the direction of Mr. George William Warren.”