Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Detroit) facts for kids
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Cathedral Church of St. Paul Complex
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| Location | 4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit, Michigan |
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| Built | 1907–8 |
| Architect | Ralph A. Cram |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| MPS | Religious Structures of Woodward Ave. TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002893 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1982 |
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul is a very important church in Detroit, Michigan. It's the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. This church was built in 1907 and was designed by a famous architect named Ralph Adams Cram. It's located on Woodward Avenue in Midtown Detroit, right next to Wayne State University. This beautiful building is recognized as a historic place and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
Contents
History of St. Paul's Cathedral
The St. Paul church community started in 1824. It was founded by Reverend Richard Fish Cadle. This made it the first Episcopal church in what was then the Michigan Territory. It was also the first Protestant church in the area.
The first St. Paul's church was on Woodward Avenue. Later, in 1851, the church moved to a new spot. This was at the corner of Congress and Shelby.
A very famous event happened at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul. The funeral service for Henry Ford was held here. Henry Ford was a business leader who helped create the modern car industry in Detroit. His funeral was on Thursday, April 10, 1947. Many people came to say goodbye. About 600 people were inside the church. Around 20,000 people stood outside in the rain.
Architecture of the Cathedral
The church building you see today was designed by a well-known church architect named Ralph Adams Cram. It was built starting in 1907. The building is actually still unfinished! The bell tower, for example, was never fully built.
The church is made from limestone. It was built using old-fashioned methods from the Middle Ages. This means it doesn't have a modern steel frame inside. The building has tall, pointed arches. It also features large, colorful stained glass windows. The detailed stone carvings are called tracery. These features are great examples of Gothic architecture. The church also has a large art piece made from Pewabic Pottery. In 1912, this church became the main cathedral for the diocese.
Why St. Paul's Cathedral is Important
St. Paul's Cathedral is a wonderful example of the Late Gothic Revival style. This building style was very popular in the early 1900s.
In the mid-1800s, American architects started using the English Gothic Revival style. They were inspired by the beautiful details of old Medieval cathedrals. This was also when the Oxford Movement was happening in England. This movement encouraged Episcopal churches in the United States to build in Medieval styles. American architects copied these "Gothic" parts. They combined them with simpler building plans. This created an American style called "Victorian Gothic." The Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit, built in 1876, is a good example of this early style.
Later, in the early 1900s, more American architects went to new schools. These included M.I.T. and Columbia. Some even traveled to France to study at the École des Beaux-Arts. Architects like Ralph A. Cram believed that Gothic architecture should grow and develop. They didn't think it should just copy old Medieval churches. St. Paul's Cathedral was one of Cram's first big projects. It really shows off his unique "Late Gothic Revival" style.
Current Use of the Cathedral
The current leader of the cathedral is the Very Reverend S. Scott Hunter. He used to be a Canon for the Diocese of Michigan. The cathedral also works with the Detroit Cultural Center to plan different events and programs.
See also
In Spanish: Iglesia Catedral de San Pablo para niños
