Cathedral Church of Saint Paul (Des Moines, Iowa) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St Paul's Cathedral |
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| St Paul's Episcopal Cathedral | |
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| Location | 815 High St. Des Moines, Iowa |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish church |
| Founded | October 15, 1854 |
| Dedication | Paul the Apostle |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Foster & Liebbe |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 109 feet (33 m) |
| Width | 73 feet (22 m) |
| Materials | Granite |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Iowa |
St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral is a beautiful church located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It serves as the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. This historic building is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Paul's Episcopal Church.
Contents
History of St. Paul's Cathedral
Early Days of the Church
St. Paul's began its journey on October 15, 1854. The very first service was held at Fort Des Moines. Ten people who were members of the church attended this first gathering.
A few years later, in 1857, a church building made of brick and wood was finished. It was located on Seventh Street. Before this building was ready, services took place in the old Polk County Courthouse. By 1870, the church members decided they needed a new, bigger building. They bought the land where the church stands today.
Building the Current Church
Construction on the current church building started 13 years later. It was finished in 1885. The first service in the new building was held on Easter. William Foster, a famous architect from Des Moines, designed the church. He was part of the firm Foster & Liebbe.
The church was built in the Gothic Revival style. This style looks like the grand churches from the Middle Ages. Originally, the church had a wooden steeple. However, a big storm in the 1930s destroyed it. A new steeple with a strong steel core was built in the 1960s. Later, the tower was made even stronger to hold a carillon, which is a set of 25 bells.
In 1939, a kitchen was added below the main worship area, called the sanctuary. The Rambusch Company redecorated the chancel in the 1940s. The reredos, a decorated screen behind the altar, was also added then.
Growth and Changes
In 1950, the church's main priest, called the rector, Rev. Gordon V. Smith, became the sixth Bishop of Iowa. A new building called the parish house was built in 1952. This building was designed by Brooks Borg Architects and Engineers. It created new spaces for classrooms, offices for the clergy (church leaders), a large hall, and a chapel.
A special moment happened on December 18, 1976. The Rev. S. Suzanne Peterson was ordained as a deacon at St. Paul's. She was the first woman to become a deacon in the Diocese of Iowa.
In the 1980s, the church decided to stay in downtown Des Moines. They undertook a big renovation project that cost $1.4 million. More changes were made when St. Paul's became the main church, or cathedral, for the diocese. The cathedra, which is the Bishop's special chair, was installed in 1993. It was hand-carved by a local artist. A new pipe organ was also installed at this time.
Over the years, St. Paul's has helped start other churches in the Des Moines area. These include St. Luke's (1905), St. Andrew's (1950), and St. Timothy's (1960).
Becoming a Cathedral Church
In 1992, the Diocese of Iowa decided that St. Paul's would become a liturgical cathedral. This means it would be the main church for special services in the diocese. It shares this honor with Trinity Cathedral in Davenport, Iowa.
The special ceremony to make St. Paul's a cathedral happened on October 23, 1993. Bishop C. Christopher Epting, who was the bishop at the time, took his seat in the new cathedral in December 1993. Important church leaders from other places also attended this special event.
Why St. Paul's is Important
St. Paul's Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010. It is important because of its connection to the famous architectural firm of Foster & Liebbe. St. Paul's is the only one of three churches designed by this firm in Des Moines that is still standing.
The church is also significant because it's the last religious building in an area once known as "Piety Hill." Many other churches and a synagogue used to be there, but they have since moved or closed.
Architecture of St. Paul's Cathedral
The cathedral church is about 109 feet (33 m) long and 73 feet (22 m) wide. Its outer walls are made of strong, red granite stones. The lower part of the church, which is now visible, is made of gray-buff limestone.
The central part of the church, called the nave, is taller than the side sections. This creates a clerestory, which has windows high up to let in light. The roof is covered with red slate. The church tower stands in front of the main building. It has strong supports called buttresses on its corners. The top corners of the tower have stone pinnacles, which are like small spires.
The main entrances to the church are on the west side of the tower and on the east side of the narthex (the entrance hall). The front of the cathedral has a beautiful tracery window and a stone cross at its very top.
Inside, the nave has six sections, called bays. Each bay has a pointed-arch window. There are also smaller windows in the clerestory. All the windows are filled with colorful stained glass. The ceiling in the nave is vaulted, meaning it has curved arches. It is supported by a line of columns.
The chancel area, where the altar is, is raised higher than the nave floor. This is where you'll find the wooden altar, the pulpit (where sermons are given), choir seats, the bishop's chair (cathedra), and the altar rail. The wall behind the altar has seven windows showing Jesus Christ, the Four Evangelists, St. Peter, and St. Paul.
The Guild Hall, which is part of the parish house, is covered in red granite, matching the cathedral. The rest of the parish house is made of brick. The Guild Hall's style is a modern take on Gothic architecture. An enclosed courtyard connects the cathedral and the parish house.
The Pipe Organ
The pipe organ at St. Paul's Cathedral is a very special instrument. It was built by Casavant Frères Ltée. in 1997. The organ is located at the front of the sanctuary, and you can see some of its pipes.
It has a traditional console, which is like the control panel for the organist. The organ has three keyboards (manuals) and a pedalboard for the feet. It has 84 stops, which control different sets of pipes, and a total of 3904 pipes! This allows the organ to make a huge variety of sounds, from very soft to very loud and grand. It uses an electro-pneumatic system to make the pipes play.
See also
Images for kids
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The shield of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.
