St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral (Hastings, Nebraska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. Mark's Episcopal Pro-Cathedral
|
|
_from_W_1.JPG) |
|
 Location in Nebraska
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Junction of 4th and Burlington Hastings, Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Built | 1921-1929 |
| Architect | Ralph Adams Cram |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 87002086 |
| Added to NRHP | November 30, 1987 |
St. Mark's Pro-Cathedral is a special Episcopal church building in Hastings, Nebraska, United States. It's so important that it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. This means it's a historic landmark! In 2020, about 247 people were members of the church.
Contents
History of St. Mark's Church
Starting the Church in Hastings
In 1880, a person named Rev. John W. Greenwood came to Hastings. His goal was to start an Episcopal church. At first, there was no church building or many members.
The very first church service happened on April 25, 1880. It took place in a public hall. The church officially got its name, St. Mark's, on May 3, 1880. This meeting happened in a store.
Bishop Robert Harper Clarkson from the Diocese of Nebraska helped out. He promised $400 to build a church. A wooden church was built for $1,200. Bishop Clarkson officially opened it on January 23, 1881.
Becoming a Pro-Cathedral
Later, a group called the Daughters of Saint Mark's had an idea. They wanted to build a new church. This new church would honor the late wife of the church's leader, Jessie Hornbrook Young.
In 1912, they raised $10,000 for this project. Bishop George Beecher thought Hastings should be a main church city. He suggested the new church become a cathedral.
St. Mark's was named a pro-cathedral in 1918. A pro-cathedral is a church that serves like a cathedral, but isn't the main one. It was the cathedral for the western part of Nebraska until 1946. That year, it joined with the Diocese of Nebraska. St. Mark's kept its pro-cathedral title to remember its history.
Building the New Church
A famous architect from Boston, Ralph Adams Cram, was chosen. He designed the new church building. The first stone, called the cornerstone, was placed on December 5, 1922.
Money ran out after only the basement and some walls were built. A small chapel was made in the basement. People didn't want to go into debt to finish the building.
As more money became available, the church was finished in 1929. It cost $125,000 in total. However, the original plan for a central tower was not completed then. An education building, also part of Cram's design, was added in 1959. The square tower at the center of the church was finally finished much later, in 2001.
Church Architecture and Design
The St. Mark's church building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Its design is a great example of the Late Gothic Revival style. This style is calmer than the older Victorian Gothic style.
Outside the Church
The church is built from limestone. This stone has a rough, natural look. It gives the building a single, strong color. The church's design looks like old English Gothic churches. It is long and has a roof that isn't too steep.
There is a tower in the middle, where the parts of the church cross. Two octagon-shaped towers stand on either side of the front of the church. The main entrance sticks out from the front. It has double doors with strong supports called buttresses. Above the entrance, there is a tall, three-part window called a lancet window.
Inside the Church
Inside, the church has a long, rectangular main area called a nave. There are arched walkways on both sides. The roof has a special design with exposed wooden beams. These beams are part of a system called "king post trusses."
The walls inside are smooth and plastered. All the windows have beautiful stained glass. The pulpit, where sermons are given, and the lectern, where readings happen, are in the center. Seating for the choir is also in this area. A special screen, called a rood screen, and the altar are at the very front of the church.
