Cathedral Church of St. Paul (Boston) facts for kids
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St. Paul's Church
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(2017)
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| Location | 138 Tremont Street Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Built | 1819 |
| Architect | Alexander Parris Solomon Willard |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000730 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | December 30, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | December 30, 1970 |
The Cathedral Church of St. Paul in Boston is an important historic church. It belongs to the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. You can find it at 138 Tremont Street in Boston. It's right across from Boston Common and near Park Street Station.
This church was designed by famous architects Alexander Parris and Solomon Willard. It was built in 1819. St. Paul's was the very first church in New England built in the Greek Revival style. Because of its special design, it was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970. In 2018, Amy E. McCreath became the first female leader (called a dean) of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.
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History of St. Paul's Church
Starting in the 1800s
St. Paul's Church was started in 1819. At that time, Boston already had two other Episcopal churches. These were Old North Church and Trinity Church. Both of these older churches were part of the Church of England before the American Revolution. The people who started St. Paul's wanted a church that felt completely American.
The church's design was quite unusual for its time. It was built in the Greek Revival style. The architects were Alexander Parris, who also designed Quincy Market, and Solomon Willard, who designed the Bunker Hill Monument. The outside of the church is made of granite. The front has a special sandstone design that looks like an ancient Greek temple. This look has stayed almost the same since it was built. There was a plan to put a carving of St. Paul preaching above the entrance, but it was never finished.
Some famous people attended this church, including Daniel Webster.
Changes in the 1900s
By 1912, the area around St. Paul's had become mostly businesses, not homes. So, the church became the main cathedral for the diocese. This meant it was the most important church in the area.
Around this time, the inside of the church was updated. A new architect named Ralph Adams Cram helped with the changes. He was known for designing large Gothic churches like All Saints' in Boston and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.
For many years, from the 1880s to 1980, St. Paul's had a special choir. It was made up of men and boys who sang during Sunday services.
Church Design and Features
The center of the cathedral has a unique design called The Labyrinth. It's a winding path on the floor meant for quiet thinking and meditation. This labyrinth was inspired by one found in Ravenna, Italy.
Some of the stones used for the outside of the building came from other famous churches. These include St Paul's Cathedral in London and St. Botolph's in Boston, England.
In 2014, the church began big renovations inside. These were finished in the fall of 2015. During this time, skylights were added to the ceiling to let in natural light. The ramp around the altar was made easier to use for everyone. Also, the beautiful stained glass windows and other parts of the chapel were updated.
Leaders of St. Paul's Cathedral
The leader of a cathedral is called a dean. Here are some of the people who have served as deans of St. Paul's:
- Samuel Farmar Jarvis: The first rector (leader) from 1820–1825.
- Alonzo Potter: Served from 1826–1831.
- Edmund Swett Rousmaniere: Became the first official Dean of the Cathedral in 1912.
- John Bowen Coburn: Served as the fifth Dean starting in 1980.
- Amy E. McCreath: Became the ninth Dean in 2018. She is the first woman to hold this position.
Gallery
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1851
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c. 1881
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probably 1908
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2008
See also
