Cathedral of St. John in the Wilderness

Saint John's Cathedral

Saint John's Cathedral, located in Denver, Colorado, United States, serves as the principal church and seat of the bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. It is a significant institution within the Episcopal Church in the United States, with a history stretching back to the mid-19th century.

History and Construction

The origins of the parish date to January 1860, when Father John H. Kehler conducted the first Episcopal services in Denver City, then a collection of mining camps. He established the parish of St. John's in the Wilderness, a name chosen due to the considerable distance to the nearest Episcopal parish. The first church building to serve as a cathedral was located at 20th and Welton streets, with its initial services held in 1881. Dean H. Martyn Hart, a key figure in the cathedral's early development, was instrumental in founding the Denver Charity Organization in 1887, which later evolved into the United Way.

A fire in 1903 necessitated the relocation and construction of a new cathedral on the current site at 14th and Washington. The architectural firm Tracy and Swartwout was selected in 1908. The initial design featured flying buttresses, intended to support thinner walls and larger windows. However, this proved too costly, leading to a series of redesigns. Subsequent modifications, including a revised plan that excluded buttresses and required thicker walls, resulted in significant structural complications. The foundation, not adequately prepared for the increased weight of the revised design, led to the cathedral sinking during construction. This necessitated the disassembly of some walls and the central arch between the towers for foundation correction before building could resume. A lawsuit against the architects was dismissed, with fault attributed to the building committee. Ultimately, the planned transepts, choir, and great tower were never constructed, leaving the nave as the primary completed section, built of limestone with a "temporary" brick chancel. Construction began in 1909, and the first services in the current structure were held in 1911.

Architectural Features and Significance

The completed nave of Saint John's Cathedral measures 185 feet in length and 52 feet in width, with a ceiling height of 65 feet. The stained glass windows adorning the cathedral were created by the renowned studio of Charles Connick. In recognition of its historical and architectural importance, Saint John's Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Notable Events and Figures

Saint John's Cathedral continues to be an active place of worship. It gained further distinction in 2002 when United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Byron White was interred on its grounds. The Very Rev. Richard Lawson was installed as the cathedral's dean in 2017.