Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral (Fargo, North Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral |
|
|---|---|
The new cathedral in 2023
|
|
 Location in North Dakota
|
|
| 46°49′34.17″N 96°49′7.29″W / 46.8261583°N 96.8186917°W | |
| Location | 3600 25th Street South Fargo, North Dakota |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| History | |
| Founded | 1872 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Charles W. Moore Arthur Andersson |
| Style | Postmodern |
| Completed | 1992 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 350 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | North Dakota |
Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral is a special Episcopal cathedral located in Fargo, North Dakota, United States. It serves as the main church for the Episcopal Church in that area.
Contents
History of Gethsemane Cathedral
Early Beginnings in Fargo (1872-1875)
The very first Episcopal church service in Fargo happened on August 29, 1872. It was led by Reverend Joseph A. Gilfilian, who came from Brainerd, Minnesota. At first, services were held in a dining tent used by the Northern Pacific Railway. Most people attending worked for the railroad.
During the colder winter months, the church met in Pinkham's Hall. This hall was located at the corner of Front (now Main) and 3rd Streets. The small church group was known as the Church of the Crossing.
In the summer of 1874, work began on a permanent church building. It was built at 204 9th Street South. The land for the church was given by General George W. Cass. The building was finished the next year, in 1875, and was named Christ Church.
A few years later, a strong wind actually blew the church building off its foundation! It was rebuilt and then became a "parish." A parish is a local church community. At this time, the church was renamed Gethsemane.
Becoming a Cathedral (1883-1900)
On October 11, 1883, the Episcopal Church created the Missionary District of North Dakota. This was done by splitting a larger district into two. Fargo was chosen as the "See city," which means it was selected as the main city for the new church district.
By the 1890s, the Gethsemane church building was too small for its growing community. It had also been blown off its foundation a second time! So, plans were made for a new, larger church.
The new church was designed in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features tall arches and detailed stonework. The original plan was to build it with red sandstone. However, because of a national economic problem, the plans had to change. The church was built as a wood-frame building instead. It still had a sandstone foundation. The wooden parts were decorated to look like stone.
This new church was built at Second Avenue and Ninth Street South. On September 2, 1900, Gethsemane was given the special title of a "cathedral." This made it a very important church. Interestingly, it was the only Episcopal cathedral in the United States made mostly of wood.
Fire and a New Beginning (1980-Present)
In 1980, the historic wooden cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list recognizes important historical buildings. While the church was being renovated, a terrible fire broke out on September 12, 1989. The fire destroyed the building completely.
After the fire, the church community moved to a temporary place. They used a storefront building that used to be a business college. Walls were removed to create a space for worship.
A brand new cathedral was designed by architects Charles W. Moore and Arthur Andersson from Austin, Texas. They designed it in a Postmodern style, which is a modern style of architecture. It was sometimes called "Prairie Gothic."
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new building happened on May 18, 1991. The new Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral opened its doors the following year, in 1992. The church was able to pay off all its construction debt by January 2003.
See also
