Scottish Rite Cathedral (New Castle, Pennsylvania) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scottish Rite Cathedral |
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Front view of Cathedral
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| General information | |
| Type | Cathedral |
| Architectural style | Neo-classic |
| Location | 41°0′19″N 80°20′41″W / 41.00528°N 80.34472°W |
| Address | 110 E. Lincoln Ave |
| Town or city | New Castle, PA |
| Country | USA |
| Construction started | 1925 |
| Completed | 1926 |
| Inaugurated | November 8, 1926 |
| Cost | 1.7 million |
| Owner | Cathedral Foundation |
| Height | 180 feet |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | R. G. Schmidt |
| Other information | |
| Seating capacity | 2,834 |
| References | |
| visitlawrencecounty.com | |
The Scottish Rite Cathedral is a big, historic building in New Castle, Pennsylvania, United States. It was designed by an architect named R. G. Schmidt and finished in 1925. People first started using it in November 1926. It was built as a meeting place for groups called Masons. This important building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
During a tough time called the Great Depression, the Masons couldn't pay for the building. They got it back in 1940 and created a group called the Cathedral Foundation. This group still takes care of the Cathedral today.
Discovering the Cathedral's Past
A man named John S. Wallace was an important leader for the Masons in New Castle. He wanted a very large building where all the Masonic groups could meet. The land for the Cathedral was bought in stages, starting in 1918. More land was added in 1921, 1923, and 1924.
Building the Cathedral was tricky because the workers found quicksand. They had to add strong supports called piling to the back of the building. This made sure the huge structure would stand safely. When it was finished, the Cathedral was the largest building of its kind between New York and Chicago.
The Cathedral Today
The Scottish Rite Cathedral is still a busy place. It is used for many events, like wedding parties and big dinners. One of the most exciting things that happens there is performances by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
The main hall where the symphony plays is very large. It can seat 2,834 people. The stage itself is huge, measuring 82 feet wide, 46 feet deep, and 65 feet high.
