Cathedral Church of All Saints (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) facts for kids
The Cathedral Church of All Saints is a beautiful Episcopal church located in Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the main church for the Diocese of the Virgin Islands. This special church was built in 1848 to celebrate the end of slavery.
The church was constructed using strong stone found right on the island. Its unique Gothic-style arched windows are framed with yellow bricks. These bricks were once used as heavy ballast on ships. Merchants would leave them on the waterfront to make space for valuable goods like molasses, sugar, mahogany, and rum for their journey home.
Quick facts for kids Cathedral Church of All Saints |
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| 18°20′42.01″N 64°55′53.25″W / 18.3450028°N 64.9314583°W | |
| Location | 3 Domini Gade Charlotte Amalie, United States Virgin Islands |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church in the United States of America |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1848 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Virgin Islands |
History of the Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of All Saints was finished in 1848. This was a very important year because it marked the end of slavery in the Danish West Indies, which later became the U.S. Virgin Islands. The church was built as a symbol of freedom and hope.
Building Materials
The builders used materials that were easy to find nearby. The main part of the church is made from stone. This stone was dug up from quarries right on the island of St. Thomas.
The yellow bricks you see around the windows have an interesting story. In the past, ships used heavy materials called ballast to stay stable in the water. These bricks were used as ballast. When ships arrived in St. Thomas, they would unload the bricks. This made room for goods like sugar and rum to take back to other countries. The church then used these leftover bricks for its construction.
What is a Cathedral?
A cathedral is the main church for a diocese. A diocese is an area managed by a bishop. The Cathedral Church of All Saints is where the Bishop of the Virgin Islands has their official seat. This makes it a very important place for the Episcopal Church in the region.
See also
- List of the Episcopal cathedrals of the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- All Saints Cathedral School
