Christ Church Cathedral (Mobile, Alabama) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral |
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Antebellum engraving of Christ Church
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| Location | 115 South Conception Street Mobile, Alabama, Alabama United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| Website | Christ Church Cathedral |
| History | |
| Founded | 1823 |
| Dedicated | 1842 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| Years built | 1840 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Central Gulf Coast |
Christ Church Cathedral, often called Christ Church, is a very old and important Episcopal church. You can find it in Mobile, Alabama, in the USA. It's a special place with a long history.
Contents
Discover Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral is a historic building in Mobile, Alabama. It is known for its beautiful Greek Revival style. This means it looks a bit like ancient Greek temples. The church has been a central part of the Mobile community for many years.
A Look Back: Its History
The church started in 1823. It was the very first Episcopal church in Mobile. In fact, it was the first one in the entire state of Alabama. Before this, the first Anglican services happened at Fort Charlotte. This was when the British were in charge of Mobile.
The main building we see today began construction in 1838. It was finished just two years later, in 1840. The building is made of brick covered with stucco. It also has special stone decorations.
What Happened in 1906?
In 1906, a very strong hurricane hit Mobile. The storm was so powerful it knocked the church's original steeple down. The steeple crashed right through the roof! This caused a lot of damage to both the steeple and the roof.
After the hurricane, the church was repaired. However, the steeple was not put back up at that time. This is why the church looked different for many years. A new steeple was finally added in April 2017.
The inside of the church also had to be rebuilt after the 1906 storm. Today, you can see amazing stained glass windows there. These windows were made by famous artists like Franz Mayer & Co. and Tiffany Studios.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 2005, Christ Church became a "cathedral." This means it became the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. A diocese is like a church district. The bishop, who is a church leader, has his main seat at a cathedral.
Before 2005, there were some disagreements within the church. Some people and leaders wanted to leave the Episcopal denomination. But this attempt was not successful. The people who wanted to leave eventually did. The church then worked hard to rebuild its community. It grew strong enough that the Diocese chose it as their main church. This was a big step for Christ Church.
See also
