Christ Church Cathedral (Lexington, Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral |
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 Location in Kentucky
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| 38°02′55″N 84°29′48″W / 38.04864°N 84.49669°W | |
| Location | 166 Market St. Lexington, Kentucky |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church in the United States of America |
| History | |
| Founded | 1796 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1848 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Episcopal Diocese of Lexington |
Christ Church Cathedral is an important church in Lexington, Kentucky. It is the main church, or "seat," for the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington. You can find it at 166 Market Street.
This church was started in 1796, making it the oldest Episcopal church in Kentucky. Over the years, the building has been updated, but its original look has been kept. The church also created a nearby burial ground, called the Old Episcopal Burying Ground. Many people who died during the cholera outbreaks in 1833 and 1848 were buried there. Most of the remains have since been moved because of flooding.
Christ Church Cathedral works with local groups to help the community. They have a community garden that grows vegetables for people living nearby. Residents are encouraged to help with growing, harvesting, and preparing the food. Every year, hundreds of pounds of fresh vegetables are given away.
The church has also helped honor London Ferrill, a significant religious leader from the past. He led the First African Baptist Church for 31 years. By 1850, his church had 1,820 members, which was the largest in the state. London Ferrill was one of the few religious leaders who stayed in Lexington during the 1833 cholera outbreak. Many people died during this time, including almost a third of Christ Church's own members.
When London Ferrill passed away in 1854, he was buried in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground. He was the only African American person to be buried there. In 2010, Christ Church helped put up a monument to honor him at the burying ground. They also held a special service with First African Baptist Church. The community garden at Christ Church is named after London Ferrill to remember his contributions.
The current leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington is Bishop Provisional Mark Van Koevering.
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History of Christ Church: A Look Back
The building you see today is the fourth church structure on this spot. It was built in 1848 and made larger during the American Civil War.
The first leader of Christ Church was James Moore, starting in 1796. He held services in a small wooden building where the church now stands. James Moore was also the first President of Transylvania University. In 1803, a proper brick church building was constructed. This new building replaced the smaller wooden house that had quickly become too small. Later, in 1814, an even bigger brick building was built. It was covered in stucco to make it look like stone.
Christ Church became a "cathedral" in 1897. A cathedral is the main church of a diocese, where the bishop has his special chair. It remained a cathedral until 1944. Then, in 1989, the church was re-established as the cathedral of the diocese. It has been the cathedral ever since.
In 1976, Christ Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is recognized as an important historical site. It was chosen because of its unique architecture and its role in the history of the area.
Who Are the Deans of Christ Church?
The "dean" is a leader at the cathedral. Here are some of the deans:
- 1997–2010: Morris K. Thompson Jr.
- 2011–present: Carol Wade
Music at Christ Church Cathedral
Music is a very important part of Christ Church Cathedral.
Choirs: Singing Together
For over 50 years, Christ Church Cathedral has had choirs that follow the English Cathedral tradition. This means they are trained in a special way, similar to choirs in big cathedrals in England. Boys, girls, and teens learn about history, language, and art through music. They also learn to understand religious texts and songs.
By working together, the choir members become good friends and feel like part of a team. They learn what it means to be at the center of lively worship services. These choirs have even sung in famous English cathedrals like York Minster, Canterbury, and Westminster Abbey! They have also made several recordings, including Sing We Merrily in 2013. The Cathedral also has a choir for adult men and women.
It is believed that the first performance of Handel's famous Messiah in Kentucky happened at Christ Church. This might have been in 1813. Musicians and singers for this performance came all the way from Cincinnati.
The Organ: A Powerful Instrument
The church has a large and impressive organ. The current organ was built by Walter Holtkamp Sr. from Cleveland, Ohio. It is a great example of the "American classic" style of organs. This type of organ is designed to play many different kinds of music. It can also lead the congregation in singing hymns and accompany the church choirs.
The organ has many different sounds, including flutes, clear-voiced principals, and warm strings. It also has powerful sounds for the lowest notes. In 1999, the organ was updated. A new "Festival Trumpet" sound was added, and parts of the organ were renovated.
Images for kids
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Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky
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