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's the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington. The church is located at 166 Market Street. It was started way back in 1796, making it the oldest Episcopal church in Kentucky! Even with changes over the years, the church still looks much like it did a long time ago.
The church also created a place called the Old Episcopal Burying Ground nearby. Many people who died during the cholera sickness outbreaks in 1833 and 1848 were buried there. Most of the remains have been moved because of flooding.
Christ Church Cathedral works with local groups like the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association and Seedleaf. Together, they have created a community garden. This garden grows vegetables mainly for people living nearby. It encourages everyone to help with growing, picking, preparing, and saving the food. Every year, hundreds of pounds of vegetables are given to local families and groups. In 2009, the garden grew bigger to include fruit trees and berry bushes.
The church has also helped honor London Ferrill. He was an important preacher at the First African Baptist Church. He led his church for 31 years. By 1850, his church had 1,820 members, which was the largest in Kentucky. London Ferrill was one of the few religious leaders who stayed in Lexington during the 1833 cholera outbreak. During that time, 500 out of 7,000 people in the city died. This included almost one-third of the people who went to Christ Church.
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 honored this way. In 2010, Christ Church helped put up a monument for Ferrill at the burying ground. They celebrated with a special service with First African Baptist Church. They also supported getting a state highway sign for the site. Christ Church even named its community garden after London Ferrill.
The current leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington is Bishop Provisional Mark Van Koevering.
Contents
History of Christ Church
The building you see today is the fourth church built on this spot. It was finished in 1848 and made even bigger during the American Civil War.
James Moore became the first leader of Christ Church in 1796. He started holding services in a small wooden building where the church stands now. He was also the first President of Transylvania University. In 1803, a proper brick church building was built because the first one was too small. In 1814, an even larger brick building was built. It was covered with stucco to look like stone.
Christ Church became a cathedral in 1897. A cathedral is the main church for a bishop. It stayed a cathedral until 1944. In 1989, the church became the cathedral again. It has been the main church for the diocese ever since.
In 1976, Christ Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is an important historical site. It was chosen because of its beautiful architecture and its role in the area's history.
Church Leaders
The church has had several important leaders over the years.
- From 1997 to 2010, Morris K. Thompson Jr. was the dean.
- Since 2011, Carol Wade has been the dean.
Music at the Cathedral
Choirs
Christ Church Cathedral has had choirs that follow the English Cathedral tradition for over 50 years. This means they learn to sing in a special way, like choirs in big cathedrals in England. Boys, girls, and teens learn about history, church services, languages, and art through music. They also learn to understand religious songs and texts.
By working and learning together, the choir members become good friends. They also become part of a group that supports everyone's efforts. Being a chorister at Christ Church Cathedral helps them be a part of lively church services. The choirs have sung in famous cathedrals in England, like York Minster, Canterbury, and Westminster Abbey. They have also made many recordings, including Sing We Merrily in 2013. The Cathedral also has a choir for adult women and men.
It is believed that the first performance of Handel's Messiah in Kentucky happened at Christ Church. This might have been in 1813. Musicians and singers came from Cincinnati for this special event.
Organ
The church has had several organs over time.
- An unknown organ was installed in 1814.
- In 1848, a very large organ by Henry Erbern from New York was put in.
- There was also a Barkhoff organ in the 1800s.
The organ used today was built by Walter Holtkamp Sr. from Cleveland, Ohio. This organ is a great example of the "American classic" style. It can play all kinds of music, lead the church members in singing hymns, and play along with the special sound of the Cathedral choirs.
The organ has many different and colorful flute sounds. It also has clear and strong main sounds, bold reed sounds, and warm string sounds. The pedal section has five stops that make very deep sounds.
In 1999, the Holtkamp Organ Company updated the organ. They improved the control panel and added a new Festival Trumpet sound. The Buzard Organ Company helps take care of the organ.
Images for kids
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Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky.
