Talk:Basilica of St. John the Baptist

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it seems more likely that the final designs for this cathedral were drawn up by an OJ Schmidt from Hamburg, Germany. In his letter to Cardinal Fransoni of November 1838, Fleming states: "I met some of the distinguished Professors of that Art in the principal places of that neighborhood and having thus selected the most advantageous course to pursue, I finally adopted the plans furnished me by Mr. Schmidt the Architect of the Danish Government resident in Altona whereby, I shall be able to complete a most extensive Cathedral, a House for the Bishop and Clergy, a convent, schools, etc, at an expence by far less than by the plans of the English or Irish Architects I could expect to raise buildings of little more than half their magnitude, and I also engaged him to construct for me a model of the building by which means I myself may be enabled to a conduct the work without incurring the enormous expence of bringing a professed Architect for that purpose." Also in Novemeber of 1838 he writes to Schmidt: "I take the earliest opportunity that offers on my arrival here after an exceedingly protracted voyage to transmit to Mr Graham of the Belvedere Hold Three Thousand marks being the full amount I have engaged to pay you for the construction of a model of the church of which you furnished me with plans." and further in the letter: "Permit me here to acknowledge your polite attention in the preparation of the plans I have already had and my entire and unqualified satisfaction at the style of their execution and to reiterate my hope and expectation that the model you are building will realise all my wishes to have an Erection raised in this country worthy as well of the great subject for which it is destined as also of the high character of the distinguished Artist to whose superior talent the design is due." Thus, it is possible that the design of Jones influenced the final design, however it seems as though Schmidt drew up the final plan.