Cathedral Church of All Saints (St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands) facts for kids
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 |
The Cathedral Church of All Saints is a special Episcopal church located in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of the Virgin Islands. You can find it in the city of Charlotte Amalie. This beautiful church was built in 1848. It was created to celebrate a very important event: the end of slavery.
Contents
Building the Cathedral
How the Church Was Made
The Cathedral Church of All Saints was built using materials found right on the island. The main part of the church is made from strong stone. This stone was dug up from quarries nearby.
Special Bricks from Ships
Look closely at the church's windows! You'll see yellow bricks around the gothic arched frames. These bricks have an interesting story. They were once used as ballast on ships. Ballast is heavy material that helps keep a ship stable in the water.
When ships arrived in St. Thomas, they carried these bricks. Merchants would then unload the bricks. This made space for them to load up local goods. They would fill their boats with molasses, sugar, mahogany wood, and rum. Then, they would sail back home. The yellow bricks were left behind and later used to build this church.
What is a Cathedral?
A cathedral is a very important church. It is the main church for a bishop. A bishop is a leader in the Christian church. The Cathedral Church of All Saints is the home church for the Bishop of the Virgin Islands. It serves as a central place for worship and community events.
A Symbol of Freedom
The year 1848 was a significant time. The church was built to mark the end of slavery. This makes the Cathedral Church of All Saints more than just a building. It stands as a symbol of freedom and hope. It reminds people of an important moment in history.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Todos los Santos (Charlotte Amalie) para niños
- List of the Episcopal cathedrals of the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- All Saints Cathedral School
