East Liberty Presbyterian Church facts for kids
Quick facts for kids East Liberty Presbyterian Church |
|
|---|---|
| (Cathedral of Hope) | |
View from Penn Avenue
|
|
| Location | East Liberty Neighborhood Pittsburgh, PA |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Presbyterian Church (U.S.) |
| Website | www.ELPC.church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1819 |
| Dedicated | 1935 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Ralph Adams Cram |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Specifications | |
| Nave length | 202 feet |
| Width across transepts | 117 feet |
| Nave height | 75 feet |
| Tower height | 300 feet |
| Administration | |
| Presbytery | Pittsburgh Presbytery |
The East Liberty Presbyterian Church is sometimes called the Cathedral of Hope. It stands in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The building you see today is the fifth church built on this spot. The first one was built in 1819.
Contents
Church History
The East Liberty Presbyterian Church started in 1819. The land for the church was a gift from Jacob and Barbara Negley. Their first building was a small brick school and meeting house. The first pastor, Reverend W.B. McIlvaine, started in 1830. He served the church for 40 years.
During Rev. McIlvaine's time, the church grew a lot. More than 600 new members joined. This meant they needed a bigger building. In 1847, Mrs. Negley gave more land. The second church was built, seating about 400 people. As Pittsburgh grew, so did the church. Soon, the second building was also too small.
A third church was planned. The Civil War delayed building it. But by 1864, the new church was finished. Later, the church called new pastors, like Rev. John Gillespie. The church kept growing under leaders like Rev. J.P.E. Kumler. This led to plans for a fourth church, which was finished in 1888.
In 1918, the church celebrated its 100th birthday. Andrew William Mellon and Richard Beatty Mellon, who were grandsons of the original land donors, gave more land. This land completed the entire city block for the church. Later, Richard Beatty Mellon and his wife, Jennie King Mellon, paid for the fifth and current church building. They built it to honor their mothers.
The Main Church Building
The church building you see today was designed by Ralph Adams Cram. Construction started in 1931 and finished in 1935. Richard Beatty Mellon and Jennie King Mellon paid for the entire building. They wanted to honor their mothers. Cram, the architect, was very proud of this church. He called it his best work. He felt that every detail was perfect.
Building Artists and Craftsmen
Many talented people worked on the 1935 church.
- Architects: Cram and Ferguson from Boston.
- Engineers: James L. Stuart, Alexander R. Reed, and Kenneth F. Craft.
- Sculptors: John Angel and others created beautiful carvings.
- Stained Glass Artists: Many artists made the colorful windows. These included Charles J. Connick and Henry Lee Willet.
- Stone Carvers: George Brown and Company, and Sichi and Fanfani.
- Wood Workers: Alexander Howie, R.E. Logan, and Matthews Brothers.
- Metal Workers: Edward F. Caldwell and Company.
Church Organs
The main pipe organ was a gift from Richard Mellon. It was built in 1935 by Æolian-Skinner. It had almost 7,000 pipes! Over the years, it was cleaned and improved. In 2007, a new organ was installed. It uses some parts from the old organ and many new pipes. This organ now has 120 ranks (sets of pipes).
The chapel also has an organ. The first chapel organ was installed in 1919. It had 63 stops and four keyboards. In 1973, a new organ was bought from the Austin Organ Company. This organ has 36 ranks and three keyboards. The beautiful wooden case for this organ is even older. It might be from an organ built in 1888.
Art and Architecture Details
The church is full of amazing art and design.
Penn Avenue Entrance
The main entrance on Penn Avenue has special carvings. On the left, you can see carvings that represent the City of God. On the right, there are carvings of the Tower of David.
Narthex (Entrance Hall)
The narthex is the entrance hall of the church. Its ceiling design is like one found in Cambridge University, England. The inner doors are made of English oak. The windows in the south wall show angels. They hold instruments of praise and the Bible. These windows create a beautiful glass screen. The large rose window above the west entrance is also stunning. The main exterior doors are English oak. The inner doors are made of heavy Siamese teak.
Clerestory Windows
The clerestory windows are high up in the church. They were made by Charles J. Connick. There are ten of these windows. The ones on the east side show scenes from the Old Testament. The windows on the west side show scenes from the New Testament.
Stained Glass in the Transepts
The transepts are the arms of the cross-shaped church. The large rose window in the east transept is by D'Ascenzo Studios. It shows a woman representing the Holy City, New Jerusalem.
The American Presbyterian History Window tells a long story. It shows nearly 300 years of Presbyterian history. It features important figures like Francis Makemie and John Witherspoon. In 2023, a panel showing Thomas Jonathan Jackson was removed. It was replaced with deep blue glass.
Another window, by Oliver Smith Studios, shows three scenes. These include the Haystack Prayer Meeting and Benjamin Franklin's Prayer.
Sculpture in the Transepts
The Mellon family's coat-of-arms is on the south wall of the east transept. A short history of the church is also carved here. It thanks the Mellons for their gift. Five Christian virtues are carved on shields on the west wall. These include Charity, Wisdom, Faith, Chastity, and Patience. The symbol of the Presbyterian Church is carved on the east wall of the nave.
Stained Glass in the Chancel
The chancel is the area near the altar. The windows here were designed by Wilbur Herbert Burnham. They show scenes from the life of Jesus. These scenes are not in order. Four small rose windows celebrate music in worship. They show famous musicians like King David and Johann Sebastian Bach.
Sculpture in the Chancel
Above the pulpit is a "sounding board." In the past, it helped the preacher's voice carry. The large reredos (decorated screen behind the altar) is made of limestone. The carving of the Last Supper, by John Angel, is very famous. It was carved from a huge block of marble.
The chancel floor has a beautiful pattern. It is made from many different types of colorful marble from around the world.
The Tower Bell
The church's tall central tower holds a large bell. It weighs over 2,700 pounds! Barbara Negley donated it in 1867. The bell has been rung for special events. These include the 100th birthday of the Declaration of Independence. It also rang for President McKinley's funeral train. During World War I, it called people to prayer.
Exterior Lighting
For the church's 200th anniversary, new lights were added outside. These lights show off the beautiful architecture of the building. The tower lighting was first turned on in May 2019.
Trinity Chapel
After Richard Beatty and Jennie King Mellon passed away, the church built Trinity Chapel to honor them. The chapel entrance is marked by a carved shield of the Trinity. The doors are made of Siamese teak. The carvings inside are inspired by Peter Paul Rubens. The windows were made by Wilbur H. Burnham. This chapel was also designed by Cram. It was finished in 1944.
Wayfarers' Chapel
The Wayfarers' Chapel was planned to help people during the Great Depression. This was a time when many people struggled. By the time the church was finished in 1935, the worst of the Depression was over. So, the chapel's original purpose was used much later. Three windows in this chapel show the Great Seal of the United States. They also show The Crucifixion and an angel.
The Garth (Church Yard)
The "garth" is like a church yard. In the chapel wall of the garth, you can see cornerstones from the church's earlier buildings. These are from 1848, 1864, and 1887. Four sandstone columns from the 1887 church are also here. A tombstone for John Spahr reminds us that this land was once a graveyard. The garth has a pulpit and is often used for church services and other events.
Images for kids
-
West View of the Crossing
-
The Sanctuary Chancel
-
Nave from the Gallery
-
West View of Nave
-
The 2007 Goulding & Wood Console
-
Narthex Wall
-
Mellon Pew at ELPC
-
East Liberty Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, 2015-03-11
-
Stained glass
-
Christmas concert
-
Trinity Chapel
-
Building lit up at night
-
Sanctuary
