Christ Church Cathedral (Mobile, Alabama) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral |
|
|---|---|
Antebellum engraving of Christ Church
|
|
| 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, also known as Christ Church, is a very old and important Episcopal church. It is located in Mobile, Alabama, in the United States. It is a beautiful building with a rich history.
Contents
History of Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral was started in 1823. It was the very first Episcopal church group in Mobile, Alabama. It was also the first one in the entire state of Alabama. Before this, some of the earliest Anglican church services happened at Fort Charlotte. This was when the British were in charge of Mobile.
Building the Church
The first stone for the church building you see today was put in place in 1838. The church was finished being built in 1840. The outside of the building is covered in stucco, which is a type of plaster, over bricks. It also has special stone decorations. The church is built in the Greek Revival style. This means it looks like ancient Greek temples.
Storm Damage and Repairs
In 1906, a very strong hurricane hit the Mobile area. The storm caused the church's original tall steeple to crash through the roof. This destroyed both the steeple and part of the roof. After the storm, the church was repaired. However, the steeple was not put back on at that time. This gave the church the look it had for many years. A new steeple was finally added in April 2017.
Inside the Cathedral
The inside of the church had to be rebuilt after the 1906 hurricane. It now has amazing stained glass windows. These windows were made by famous artists. Some were created by Franz Mayer & Co.. Others were made by Tiffany Studios. These windows show colorful pictures and stories.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 2005, Christ Church became the main church, or "cathedral," for the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. A diocese is a special area that a bishop oversees. Before this, there were some changes in the church's leadership. Some people who worked at the church and some members decided to leave. They wanted to join a different church group. But the church kept going strong. It grew enough that the Diocese chose it to be the home for its bishop. This was a big step for Christ Church. The Diocese had not had a main cathedral for its first 35 years.
See also
