Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Archdiocesan Cathedralof the Holy Trinity |
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| The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity | |
The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan
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| 40°46′11″N 73°57′22″W / 40.769647°N 73.956118°W | |
| Location | 319 East 74th Street New York City, New York 10021 |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Greek Orthodox Church |
| Membership | 800 families |
| Website | thecathedralnyc.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1891 |
| Dedication | Eleanor Roosevelt |
| Dedicated | September 14, 1931 |
| Consecrated | October 22, 1933 |
| Relics held | Saint Nicholas of Myra |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Kerr Rainsford, John A. Thompson, Gerald A. Holmes |
| Architectural type | Byzantine Moderne |
| Completed | March 4, 1932 |
| Construction cost | $577,000 ($12,400,000 in current dollar terms) |
| Specifications | |
| Bells | Electronic, fitted 2013 |
| Administration | |
| Archdiocese | Archdiocese of America |
| Metropolis | Direct Archdiocesan District |
The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is a beautiful Greek Orthodox church in New York City. You can find it on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, at 319–337 East 74th Street. This church is very important because it's the main cathedral for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It's also where Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has his official seat.
The church was first started in 1891. It moved to its current spot in 1932. It was the second Greek Orthodox church in all of the Americas. It was also the very first one in New York City. Today, it is the biggest Eastern Orthodox church in the Western Hemisphere.
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What Happens at the Cathedral?
The cathedral is home to about 800 families. It often welcomes important guests and visitors.
- The church holds regular worship services. These services are even shown on television.
- It has a Sunday school for children.
- There's an afternoon school and the Cathedral School for grades N-8.
- People can join Bible study groups.
- Many other groups and activities help people connect and learn.
History of the Cathedral
Early Beginnings
In 1891, the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church started in a small part of another church. This first home was on West 53rd Street. It cost $50 a month to rent. This was the second Greek Orthodox church in the Americas. It was the first one ever in New York City.
In 1904, the church bought its own building. It moved to a Gothic-style Episcopal church at 153 East 72nd Street.
Building the Current Cathedral
Sadly, the East 72nd Street church burned down in 1927. Two years later, new land was bought. A new church was built for $577,000. This new building was designed in a Byzantine style.
Eleanor Roosevelt, a famous First Lady, helped lay the first stone of the new cathedral. This happened on September 14, 1931. Holy Trinity moved into its current building on March 4, 1932.
The church was officially dedicated on October 22, 1933. Patriarch Athenagoras I of Constantinople, a very important leader, dedicated it. He called it "The Cathedral of all of Hellenism in America." In 1949, the church started the Cathedral School. In 1962, it became the main cathedral for the archdiocese.
Recent Events
On September 18, 1999, Archbishop Demetrios became the leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. His special ceremony took place at the cathedral.
Many famous people have connections to the church. Opera singer Maria Callas was baptized there in 1926. In 2001, TV journalist George Stephanopoulos and comedian Alexandra Wentworth were married at the cathedral.
Cathedral Architecture
The outside of the cathedral looks like Romanesque Revival style. It is made of red brick and limestone. The architects who designed it were Kerr Rainsford, John A. Thompson, and Gerald A. Holmes. They also designed Hunter College Uptown, which is now called Lehman College.
The inside of the church is very beautiful. It has Byzantine mosaics. The walls, columns, and altar are made of botticino marble. There are also colorful Italian stained glass windows. The artwork on the dome was created by Georgios Gliatas. He was a student of a famous artist named Fotis Kontoglou.
