Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Diocese of Springfield·Episcopal·United States
The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul the Apostle is an Episcopal cathedral in Springfield, Illinois, serving as the seat of the Diocese of Springfield. The current building, the third for the parish, was completed in 1913, with its cathedral status officially clarified in 1979. It holds historical significance as an early Episcopal establishment in Illinois.
Key Facts
- ›The parish of St. Paul's was established on June 19, 1835, by Philander Chase, the first Bishop of Illinois.
- ›The first church building was constructed in 1838, with the second, a Gothic Revival structure, consecrated in 1848.
- ›The current cathedral, designed by John B. Sutcliffe, was consecrated on May 13, 1913.
- ›The Diocese of Springfield was organized in 1877, and St. Paul's became the pro-cathedral sometime after 1879.
- ›Its official status as the Cathedral Church of St. Paul was clarified by the adoption of a constitution and by-laws on December 11, 1979.
- ›The cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield.
- Gothic Revival Architecture of the Second Church Building
- Historical Ties To Early Illinois Episcopalianism and Figures Like Abraham Lincoln's Rector
John B. Sutcliffe, Henry Dresser
About Cathedral Church of St. Paul
Cathedral Church of St. Paul the Apostle
The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul the Apostle is the principal church of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield, located in Springfield, Illinois. This cathedral holds a significant place in the history of the Episcopal Church in Illinois, representing a continuous presence and development of the faith in the region.
History and Establishment
The origins of St. Paul's parish trace back to 1832 when John Batchelder began holding services for Episcopalians in Springfield. The formal establishment of St. Paul's parish occurred on June 19, 1835, under the leadership of Philander Chase, the first Bishop of Illinois, who also founded the Diocese of Illinois in the same year. Initially, the congregation lacked its own building and met in various public spaces and other churches, including the State Supreme Court Chamber, due to the involvement of Chief Justice Samuel L. Treat.
The first dedicated church building for St. Paul's began construction in the summer of 1838. The parish's first rector, Charles Dresser, arrived in May 1838 and resided in a house that would later be associated with Abraham Lincoln, whose wedding vows Dresser witnessed. As the congregation grew, a need for a larger space arose, leading to the construction of a second church building at Fourth and Adams Streets. This Gothic Revival structure, designed by Henry Dresser, was consecrated by Bishop Chase on June 24, 1848. It featured a square tower, battlements, pinnacles, and an exterior of rough-hewn stone with double lancet windows.
In 1877, the Diocese of Springfield was organized, and St. Paul's was designated as its pro-cathedral sometime after 1879, functioning as both a parish church and the Bishop's church. The current cathedral building's site, on the corner of Second and Lawrence, was purchased in 1908. The present edifice, designed by English-born architect John B. Sutcliffe, was consecrated by Bishop Edward Osborne on May 13, 1913. Despite its early recognition as a cathedral, its official status was not definitively clarified until December 11, 1979, when a constitution and by-laws were formally adopted, establishing it as the Cathedral Church of St. Paul.
Architectural Significance
The second church building, consecrated in 1848, exemplified Gothic Revival architecture with its distinct square tower, battlements, pinnacles, and stone exterior. While details of the current 1913 structure are not extensively elaborated, its completion marked a new phase for the cathedral, designed by John B. Sutcliffe.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was St. Paul's parish established?
St. Paul's parish was established on June 19, 1835, by Philander Chase, the first Bishop of Illinois. This coincided with the establishment of the Diocese of Illinois in the same year.
What is the history of St. Paul's church buildings?
The current building is the third for the parish. The first church building's construction began in 1838, and a second, Gothic Revival edifice, was consecrated in 1848. The present cathedral was completed and consecrated in 1913.
When did St. Paul's officially become a cathedral?
Although St. Paul's Church was recognized as a cathedral early on and served as the pro-cathedral for the Diocese of Springfield after 1879, its status was not officially clarified until December 11, 1979, with the adoption of its constitution and by-laws.
Who designed the current cathedral building?
The present cathedral, completed in 1913, was designed by the English-born architect John B. Sutcliffe. It is the third church building constructed for the St. Paul's parish.
Where is the Cathedral Church of St. Paul located?
The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul the Apostle is located in Springfield, Illinois, United States. It serves as the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Springfield.
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