St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Jamestown, New York) facts for kids
St. Luke's Episcopal Church is a special old church located at 410 North Main Street in Downtown Jamestown, New York. It's part of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York. This church is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's recognized as a historic building worth protecting.
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The Church's Amazing History and Design
St. Luke's Church has actually had three different buildings over time. The very first church was built in 1854. It was designed by a famous architect named Richard Upjohn. The church bought the land for $2,000, which was a lot of money back then! The first stone of the church was placed on September 27, 1854. The church was officially opened on May 6, 1856.
A Fire and Rebuilding Efforts
Sadly, on the Sunday before Christmas in 1862, a problem with a chimney caused a fire. The church burned down. At that time, Jamestown didn't have a water system for fighting fires, so the flames couldn't be stopped.
But the church community didn't give up! They started rebuilding right away. They used the same foundation and the same building plans as the first church. The first stone for this second church was laid on June 18, 1863.
A New Stone Church
In January 1890, the church received a very generous gift from a woman named Mary Prendergast. She left $125,000 to build a new, fireproof stone church. This new church was built to honor her daughter, Catherine. The first stone of this third and current church was placed on November 29, 1892.
What the Church Looks Like Today
The church you see today is made of strong, rough-cut Medina sandstone. It mixes two old building styles: Late Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival. It was designed by William P. Wentworth. The church has a traditional cross shape when you look at it from above.
It also has a square bell tower on its northeast side. This tower has a clock on each of its four sides. Its corners are rounded and topped with pointy spires. Inside, the church still has its original stained glass windows that show lambs. It also has a beautiful front with arches and a large, round "Rose Window" on the west side. St. Luke's is even being considered for the Medina Sandstone Hall of Fame!
New Stained Glass Art
In 2017, new stained glass windows were added to the church. These windows were made by Beyer Studio. They show the four seasons of plants and animals found in Chautauqua County.
Famous People Connected to St. Luke's
A Supreme Court Justice's Connection
A very important person, Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, grew up attending St. Luke's. He was confirmed there and even played the organ when he was a boy.
When Justice Jackson passed away in October 1954, something incredible happened. All eight of the other Supreme Court Justices traveled with his body and his family to Jamestown. They all attended his funeral at St. Luke's. This was the only time in history that all the sitting Supreme Court Justices were together in one place outside of Washington D.C.!
