Christ Church Cathedral (Springfield, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Christ Church Cathedral |
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| 42°06′12.13″N 72°35′8.95″W / 42.1033694°N 72.5858194°W | |
| Location | 35 Chestnut St. Springfield, Massachusetts |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church in the United States of America |
| History | |
| Founded | May 13, 1817 |
| Consecrated | May 25, 1894 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Lord, Fuller, and Wadlan |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1874 |
| Completed | 1876 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brownstone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Western Massachusetts |
Christ Church Cathedral is an important Episcopal church located in Springfield, Massachusetts, in the United States. It serves as the main church, or cathedral, for the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts. This beautiful building was recognized for its history and architecture in 1974 when it became part of the Quadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
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History of Christ Church Cathedral
The story of Christ Church began on May 13, 1817. Its first home was in the chapel of the Springfield Armory. Colonel Roswell Lee, who was in charge of the armory, helped the church get started.
In 1824, a fire at the armory meant the church had to move out. The space was needed for other things. For a while, services were held in different places around Springfield. These included the Methodist church and the old court house.
On October 28, 1838, the church was reorganized. This happened under the leadership of Rev'd Henry Washington Lee. He was Colonel Lee's son. Henry Lee later became the first Episcopal Bishop of Iowa in 1854.
Building the First Church
In 1839, the church bought land at the corner of State and Dwight Streets. A new church building was constructed there. Many people helped pay for this new church. One of them was Anna McNeill Whistler, who was the mother of the famous painter James Abbott McNeill Whistler. Her family rented a pew, which is a church bench.
The new church was a rectangular building. It had a square tower with small turrets on top. In 1851, the church needed more space. The rector, Abram Newkirk Littlejohn, saw this need. The building was made larger. More seating was added, along with a chancel (the area around the altar), a vestry room (where clergy prepare), and a library.
Around the same time, the Ladies' Society bought a large organ for the church. It cost $687.50. Rev'd Littlejohn later became the first Episcopal Bishop of Long Island.
Building the Current Cathedral
The church continued to grow. By the 1870s, it was clear an even bigger church was needed. So, the current church was built at a new location on Chestnut Street. This land was bought in 1874.
Construction started that same year. The very first service in the new building was held on May 21, 1876. Famous architect Henry Vaughan designed some important items for the church. These included a Processional Cross and Office Lights, which are still used today. These items were made by the well-known Gorham Manufacturing Company. Henry Vaughan later became famous for designing the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C..
Early on, the tower of the new church developed cracks. It had to be taken down. The tower was rebuilt in 1927.
Becoming a Cathedral
On November 19, 1901, the first meeting of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts took place at Christ Church. Later, on February 7, 1929, Christ Church officially became the diocesan Cathedral. This means it became the main church for the diocese. The Very Rev'd Dr. John M. McGann, who was the church's rector, became the first Cathedral Dean.
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