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Cathedral
facade on Main Street at dusk
View west from Main Street. One
of the oldest Gothic-style churches in the United
States, Christ Church Cathedral is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. Building began
in 1827, and the church was consecrated in December,
1829.
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The
Cathedral circa late 1800's:
View
looking south along Main Street. Note: trolley tracks
and horse drawn buggy.
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View of the Chancel from the Center Aisle
When it was built, Christ Church measured 100 feet
long by 70 feet wide. In 1879 the chancel was recessed,
adding 16 feet to the length. This addition is marked
by the molded arch. Ohio stone was set in place
in rough block, and the moldings cut after it was
in position. The roof inside the arch is oak, made
in the form of a barrel vault with molded ribs and
elaborately carved bosses where the ribs intersect.
At its highest point, the ceiling rises 46 feet
above the floor of the church. It consists of six
trusses put together without mortise or tenon. This
is an early example of what later became Ithiel
Town’s patented design for bridges.
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View
of the Chancel from the Balcony
The present organ, dedicated in 1965, is located
on the right side of the Chancel. The original Christ
Church owned the first organ in Hartford and in
this part of Connecticut. Until the 20th Century
the organ was situated in the rear gallery. The
brass eagle lectern – symbolic of St. John
carrying the Word throughout the world – was
made by John Harman & Co. of Birmingham, England.
It was added to the Church in 1879.
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The
High Altar
The heavily carved High Altar was inspired by a
tomb in Canterbury Cathedral. The front panels are
carved with the symbols of the four writers of the
Gospel. The center panel features Christ’s
cross surrounded by fleur-de-lis. The 27 foot high
Chancel window depicts the Transfiguration. Given
in memory of the Rev. Dr. Wheaton, it depicts Christ
in the center light above the transom. On the right
is Moses with the stone tablets and on the left,
Elias holds a book. Peter, James and John fill the
lower lights.
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Chapel
of the Nativity
Replacing the Chapel built in 1879 (now the Choir
Room), the Chapel of the Nativity dates from 1907.
The walls are painted blue and stenciled with fleur-de-lis,
the symbol of the Virgin Mary. Overhead, the dark
blue ceiling is painted with stars, a reminder of
the sky over Bethlehem the first Christmas. The
floor is red Mercer tile. There is a carved wood
screen behind the altar; three painted panels that
depict the Annunciation, the Crucifixion and the
Nativity and a painted tile mosaic portraying Dorcas
giving clothing to the poor (Acts 9:36-42).3.
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The
Antiphonal Organ
The antiphonal device Built in December 2001 by
the Austin Organ Company, completed the original
1965 plan. The rear gallery organ is enclosed in
a handsome case of red oak, and provides support
for congregational singing. The Trompette-en-Chamade
stop, horizontal pipes made of brass, is the crowning
glory of the rear organ as well as a triumphant
sound over all the organ. With the addition of the
antiphonal division, the Cathedral's organ has sixty
stops and seventy-one ranks of pipes.
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| Stained
Glass Windows
The style of the eight stained glass windows is
copied from The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford.
Each window is divided into three bays by mullions
rising to intersect the arch. Twenty five feet high,
a transom divides the upper and lower compartments.
Most were made by the London firm of Heaton, Butler
& Bayne.
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Stained
Glass Window 2
The style of the eight stained glass windows
is copied from The Church of St. Mary the Virgin,
Oxford. Each window is divided into three bays by
mullions rising to intersect the arch. Twenty five
feet high, a transom divides the upper and lower
compartments. Most were made by the London firm
of Heaton, Butler & Bayne.
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The
Parish House, 45 Church Street
Built in 1916, the Parish house is where the Cathedral's
main offices are located.
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The
Parish House (continued)
The Auditorium (shown here), Reception Room and
Youth Room provide space for both parish and outside
community meeting and performance activities. Center
City Churches' Manna Community Meals walk-in soup
kitchen operates from the basement kitchen and dining
area.
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