St. Paul's Cathedral (Buffalo, New York) Explained

Saint Paul's Cathedral
Location:139 Pearl Street, Buffalo, New York
Country:United States
Denomination:Episcopal
Website:St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral
Founded Date:10 February 1817
Founder:Samuel Johnston
Dedicated Date:22 October 1851
Consecrated Date:22 October 1851
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:"Active"
Completed Date:May 1873
Height:274feet
Construction Cost:US$160 thousand
Materials:Medina sandstone
Embedded:
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St. Paul's Cathedral (Buffalo)
Nrhp Type:nhl
Location:Buffalo, NY
Coordinates:42.8827°N -78.8764°W
Area:less than one acre
Built:1849–1851
Architect:Richard Upjohn
Robert W. Gibson
Architecture:Gothic Revival
Designated Nrhp Type:December 23, 1987 [1]
Added:March 1, 1973
Refnum:73002298
87002600 (landmark designation)

St. Paul's Cathedral is the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York and a landmark of downtown Buffalo, New York. The church sits on a triangular lot bounded by Church St., Pearl St., Erie St., and Main St. It was built in 1849–1851 to a design by Richard Upjohn, and was believed by him to be his finest work. Its interior was gutted by fire in 1888, and was redesigned thereafter by Robert W. Gibson, and it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987 for its architecture.

History

In 1848, vestrymen of St. Paul's in Buffalo formed a building committee to erect a new stone church. Being familiar with architect Richard Upjohn's work through his recently completed Trinity Church in New York City, they desired no other architect for the job, and immediately engaged Upjohn for the commission.[2]

Major structural events:[3] [4] [5] [6]

The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in 1973. In 1987, the property was further declared a U.S. National Historic Landmark.[7]

Architecture

The cathedral has an irregular plan, whose largest component is the nave. It is built out of red Medina sandstone with an ashlar finish. The walls of the nave are supported by buttresses crowned with Gothic finials. The main tower and entrance portal are at the southwestern end; the tower rises 275feet, with a tall steeple topped by a cross. A small tower rises 125feet from the north end. The interior features floors of slate and marble mosaic, with the floor around the altar made in France. The altar is of Mexican onyx, and the chancel furnishings is of oak, all designed by Robert Gibson.[7]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: St. Paul's Cathedral (Buffalo). 2007-09-19. National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service.
  2. Web site: Saint Paul's Episcopal Church: 1849–1851 . Napora, James. 2014-09-04.
  3. Web site: Cultural Resource Information System (CRIS). New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Searchable database. 2016-04-01. Note: This includes Web site: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: St. Paul's Cathedral . 2016-04-01 . Cornelia E. Brooke. PDF. May 1972. and Accompanying four photographs
  4. Web site: National Register of Historic Places increase / National Historic Landmark Registration: St. Paul's Cathedral . c. 1987. 2009-06-14 . Carolyn Pitts. New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
  5. Web site: Accompanying four photos.
  6. Web site: St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral. LaChiusa, Chuck. 2011-05-25.
  7. and