St. Paul's Cathedral (Oklahoma City) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Paul's Cathedral
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 Location in Oklahoma
Location in the United States
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| Location | 127 7th St., NW. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
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| Built | 1904 |
| Architect | Arthur J. Williams |
| Architectural style | Norman Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001096 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1977 |
St. Paul's Cathedral is an important church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States. It is the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma. This means it's where the bishop of the area has their official chair. The cathedral has been recognized as a historic place since 1977. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2020, about 881 people were members of the church.
Contents
The Story of St. Paul's Cathedral
How the Church Began
St. Paul's started as a small church group in 1891. This group, called a mission, met in different places. One of these places was even the federal courthouse! In 1893, they built their first wooden church building. The group grew, and by May 14, 1902, it became a full parish.
Building the Cathedral
The first stone for the current church building was placed in 1903. The very first church service in the new building happened on March 13, 1904. A building for church activities, called the parish house, also opened that same year. In January 1909, the leaders of the Episcopal Church in Oklahoma decided to make St. Paul's their main church, or Cathedral. Later, in 1949, another building was added for education.
Rebuilding After a Tragedy
St. Paul's Cathedral was badly damaged on April 19, 1995. This happened when a bomb exploded at the nearby Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The explosion was very powerful. The Celtic Cross on top of the church broke into pieces. The roof was lifted up, and the walls pushed outwards.
The cathedral had to close for two years because of the damage. It needed a lot of work to be rebuilt. The church also bought more land. They built a new facility for offices and programs that help the community. All the repairs and new additions cost about $7.5 million.
What St. Paul's Cathedral Looks Like
Church Design and Style
Arthur J. Williams designed St. Paul's Cathedral. He used a style called Norman Gothic. This style looks like old churches from the Norman period. The outside of the church has a tall tower that looks like Norman castles.
Inside the Cathedral
Inside the church, there are beautiful features. Behind the altar, you can see two special windows. These windows were made by Louis Comfort Tiffany, a famous artist. Other Stained glass windows on one side of the church show important figures. These include St. John, St. Paul, and St. Luke.
On the other side, the windows show scenes from the life of Jesus. You can see pictures of his birth, when he was crucified, and his resurrection. The altar, where services are held, and the pulpit, where sermons are given, are also special. They are carved from Carrara marble, a beautiful white stone. Even the baptismal font, used for baptisms, is made from this same marble.
See also
