Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral |
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| The Cathedral Church of Christ | |
Christ Church Cathedral in 2016
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| Location |  Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| Website | cccindy.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1837 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | William Tinsley |
| Style | English Gothic Revival |
| Years built | 1857 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Indianapolis |
Christ Church Cathedral is a very important church in Indianapolis. It serves as the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. The church community, called a parish, officially started in 1837. The building you see today was built in 1857. It stands on Monument Circle in the middle of downtown Indianapolis. This new church replaced the first one built on the same spot.
The famous architect William Tinsley designed the church. It is built in the English Gothic Revival style. This makes it the oldest church building in Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana, that has been used continuously. It is also the oldest building on Monument Circle. Christ Church is well-known for its amazing music. This includes its pipe organs and its special choirs for men, boys, and girls. The church is also famous for helping the community. They hold an annual strawberry festival to raise money for good causes. Christ Church Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1973. It is part of the Washington Street-Monument Circle Historic District.
Contents
The Story of Christ Church Cathedral
How the Church Began
In the 1820s and 1830s, the first Episcopalians in Indianapolis met in different places. On July 13, 1837, Christ Church parish was officially formed. This was the first Protestant Episcopal church in Indianapolis.
The First Church Building
In 1838, the church members bought land on Governor's Circle. This area is now known as Monument Circle. They started building their first church there. The first stone was placed on May 7, 1838.
This first church was small and made of wood. It was painted white and built in a Gothic Revival style. It could hold about 350 people. The first church service was held on November 18, 1838. Bishop Jackson Kemper officially dedicated the church on December 16, 1838.
Christ Church was one of five early churches on the Circle. It is the only one still there today. By the mid-1850s, the first church building was getting old. So, the members decided to build a new one. In 1857, another church bought the old building. They moved it to Georgia Street, where it was used until a fire destroyed it in 1862.
The Church Building Today
In 1857, Christ Church built its second church. This is the building we see today, Christ Church Cathedral. It stands on the same spot as the first church. Located at 131 Monument Circle, it is the oldest church building in Indianapolis. It has been used continuously since it was built. It is also the oldest building on Monument Circle.
The church was designed by William Tinsley, who was from Ireland. It was built in the English Gothic Revival style. The building cost between $32,438 and $37,750. The first stone was laid on June 24, 1857. The first service in the new building was on May 22, 1859. A tall spire was added to the church tower in 1869. Electric lights were put in the church in 1886.
Over the years, Christ Church has been updated many times. In 1900, architects made the church bigger and added a new porch. In 1927, the basement was dug out to create more space for classes and activities. More updates happened in 1954 and 1973.
On October 10, 1954, Christ Church became the main church, or pro-cathedral, for the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis. In the 1960s, the church faced challenges as downtown Indianapolis changed. But the church decided to stay and keep helping the community. Christ Church Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1973.
What the Church Looks Like
Outside the Church
William Tinsley's design for Christ Church is in an early English Gothic style. It has a cross-like shape, with the main worship area at the east end. The front of the church faces west. The outside was originally red brick but was later changed to limestone.
A tall, eight-sided spire was added to the tower in 1869. This was ten years after the church was built. The spire has a special decoration at the top. It includes the Greek letters Chi and Rho, which are the first two letters of the Greek word for Christ. The outside of the church also has tall, Gothic-style windows and a pointed roof. The front and sides each have three tall, narrow windows. In 1900, a porch was added to the church.
Inside the Church
We don't know the original color of the inside walls. But the ceiling, with its wooden beams, was first painted light blue. Two panels above the altar had words from a prayer called "Sanctus." The main seating area, called the nave, originally had pews entered from the sides. Later, a middle aisle was added.
Over time, new things were added inside. A white marble altar was put in in 1900. A wooden screen was installed to separate the altar area from the rest of the church. There are also beautiful memorials. These include a stained-glass window showing the Resurrection and a window showing the church's history. There is also a white marble baptismal font and a bronze statue of a young John the Baptist. In 1954, the inner doors and altar area were painted red. This color is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
What the Church Does
Christ Church is very dedicated to helping others and is a strong leader in Indianapolis. It is especially known for its community service and charity work.
Because Christ Church is in the center of downtown Indianapolis, it became a hub for many good causes. During World War II and the Korean War, it ran a canteen. This canteen fed and entertained thousands of military members.
The church also hosts a popular annual strawberry festival. They held their first strawberry festival in 1857 to raise money for building the current church. Since 1965, Christ Church Cathedral has hosted a strawberry festival every summer. The money raised helps local, national, and international charities. The festival was even shown on the Food Network in 2007!
Christ Church also helped start several other Episcopal churches in Indianapolis. These include Saint Luke's, Grace, Saint Paul's, Saint George's, and Saint Philip's. In 1839, Christ Church started an early school for young women. This school later became Saint Mary's Seminary.
Today, Christ Church members go on mission trips to places like Ecuador and Haiti. They also help local non-profits like Dayspring, Damien Center, and Second Helpings. The church held a special service after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. They also host an annual memorial service for homeless people who have died.
Music at the Cathedral
Christ Church is famous for its music. The church is home to a professional Choir of Men and Boys and a Girls' Choir. There is also a volunteer group called the Christ Church Singers.
Choir Performances
Every Sunday, the Choir leads the 10:00 a.m. service. The Coro Latinamericano leads the 1:00 p.m. service. From September to May, the Choir performs a special Choral Evensong every Thursday.
Choir of Men and Boys
In 1883, Christ Church started a boys' choir. This group later became the Choir of Men and Boys. In 1954, when Christ Church became the main church for the diocese, the choir became a professional group. The Choir of Men and Boys became known around the world for its excellent singing.
They have performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They have also sung many new songs written just for them. The choir has appeared on radio and TV. They have toured Great Britain and Europe, singing in famous places like Saint Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey in London. They have also sung in Paris (Notre Dame), Venice (Saint Mark's), and Rome (Saint Peter's Basilica).
Girls' Choir
The Christ Church Cathedral Girls' Choir started in 1945. It is made up of girls aged eight to eighteen. They have performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They have also toured overseas, singing in many of Europe's great cathedrals.
Christ Church Singers
The Christ Church Singers are a volunteer choir. They were formed in the 1990s. They perform under the direction of the church's assistant organist and choirmaster.
Cathedral Choir
Recently, the Choir of Men & Boys and the Girls' Choir joined together. They are now called the Cathedral Choir. This choir includes both young singers and adults.
Choirmasters
Many talented people have led the Christ Church choirs over the years. Some of them include Cheston L. Heath (1926–47), Robert Hobbs (1947–64), James Litton (1964–67), and Christopher Caruso-Lynch (2019-present).
Pipe Organs
The church has several impressive pipe organs. The Chancel organ was built in 1989 by Hellmuth Wolff. The Gallery organ was a gift from Ruth Lilly. It was built in 1991 by Taylor and Boody Organbuilders. The church's continuo organ was built in 1996 by John Brombaugh.
Church Members
When the church started in 1837, it had thirty members. By 1850, its membership grew to 153 adults and 108 children. In the mid-1860s, during the American Civil War, there were about 250 members. By 1882, Christ Church was one of six Episcopal churches in Indianapolis. In 1963, it had 1,145 members.
Famous Members
- Eli Lilly, a well-known businessman.
See also
