NAVE CEILING PANELS

Four entirely different designs are carried out in the seven bays of the beautiful Spanish ceiling. There is a gunite (concrete) vault or ceiling under the tile roof which protects the lower ceiling against dampness and any leaks that may occur on the tile roof. The paintings on the nave ceiling are on perforated aluminum sheets behind which are two inches of rock wool insulation for acoustical purposes. Experts have pronounced the building acoustically perfect. Mineral paint was used on the apse dome, nave and east walls. Mineral paint will last for centuries. Mineral paint does not fill the pores and therefore will not destroy the acoustical properties of the plaster, and also become brighter as time passes. The Keim process was again used which German painters perfected. Hundreds of pounds of paint are stored in the basement for any future use. Behind the faint round spots on each of the main arches are anchors from which scaffolding was hung so as not to hinder other craftsmen in the church during construction.

CEILING PAINTINGS

Felix Lieftuchter's monumental painting continues across the length of the vaulted ceiling in seven bays, formed by the extension of the piers rising from the cathedral floor. The nave ceiling has 28 prophets, kings and sybils of the Old Testament, studded and highlighted with touches of gold now made visible with the skillfully designed uplighting. Above the sanctuary and altar, the sacrifice of Jesus completes the Old Law and establishes the New Law with Mary, Mother of Sorrows. Close by and surrounded by an angelic group holding the implements of the Passion. On either side are Old Testament sacrificial scenes. Melchisedech is the high priest shown on the left, Abraham and Isaac on the right.