Grace Memorial Episcopal Church (Wabasha, Minnesota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Grace Memorial Episcopal Church
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The Grace Memorial Episcopal Church seen from the southwest.
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 205 East 3rd Street, Wabasha, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1900 |
| Built by | Cass Gilbert |
| Architectural style | English Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 82003062 |
| Designated | February 4, 1982 |
The Grace Memorial Episcopal Church is a historic church in Wabasha, Minnesota. It was built in the year 1900. The church is famous for its beautiful design and its connection to a well-known Minnesota architect, Cass Gilbert.
Because of its special architecture and importance to the community's history, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. This list recognizes important buildings and sites in the United States that should be preserved. The church is considered the most impressive church building in Wabasha.
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Design and Architecture
Grace Memorial Episcopal Church was designed in a style called English Gothic Revival. This style was inspired by the grand churches and cathedrals built in England during the Middle Ages. The church is a one-story building with stone walls. Its shape is a cruciform plan, which means it is shaped like a cross when viewed from above.
What Makes the Building Special?
The church has many unique features that show its Gothic style.
- Stone and Slate: The walls are made of stone blocks arranged in a random pattern. The roof is covered with slate, a type of dark gray rock that is split into thin tiles.
- Celtic Crosses: At the very top of the pointed roof sections, called gables, there are stone Celtic crosses.
- Entrances: The church has two main entrances. The main entrance has a decorated wooden board called a bargeboard and a pointed Gothic arch. Above it is a belfry, which is a small tower that holds a bell. The second entrance has a different look, with a mix of timber and cobblestone.
The Famous Stained Glass Windows
One of the most beautiful parts of the church is its stained glass windows. These windows are set in Gothic-style frames and are supported on the outside by stone pillars called buttresses.
The largest window is on the northwest wall. However, the most famous window is behind the altar. It is called "Three Marys at the Tomb" and was created by the world-famous Tiffany Studios. This window shows the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene at Jesus's tomb on Easter morning. When it was made, it cost $3,000, which was a very large amount of money at the time.
History of the Church
The church was built as a gift from Thomas Irvine, a successful lumber businessman from Saint Paul, Minnesota. He wanted to build a new church for the Wabasha community. He also wanted it to be a memorial for his wife, Emily Hills Irvine, and her parents.
Emily's father, Horace Hills, had been the minister, or reverend, of the original Grace Episcopal Church in Wabasha from 1872 to 1877. The new building replaced the older one and continues to serve as a place of worship and a beautiful historical landmark.
See also
- List of Anglican churches
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Wabasha County, Minnesota
