St. Aedan's: the Saint Peter's University Church

St. Aedan’s Church is at the corner of Bergen Avenue and Mercer Street. Ground was broken on the feast of St Joseph, March 19, 1929. The building, which a newspaper of the day called an imposing jewel of architecture, a marvel of light and ornament., was completed for a cost of $1,000,000. The style of the church is Romanesque, which is characterized by semicircular arches, massive walls, enormous piers and small windows. It is a heavy style, in contrast to the upward reaching light Gothic style which succeeded it in popularity during the Renaissance. The overall effect is one of stability, permanence and security.

The enormous dome at an exterior elevation of 108 feet and a diameter of 60 feet gives majesty and dignity to the building. The exterior of the church is built of face brick in autumn colors which harmonize well with the color and texture of the red sandstone. The stone work of the main entrance has a mass of carved ornament and carved capitals of the columns.

An important feature of the main facade is the unique design of the rose window. The vine forming the molding of the rose window is symbolic of the Savior as the True Vine and the branches with flowers symbolize the true believers who abide in Him. Surrounding the rose window are the symbols of the four evangelists carved in stone.

In the tympana of the three main doors are sculptured representations: The Widow’s Son of Naim, Jesus preaching to the multitude on the shore and the Primacy conferred on