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116 S. Highland Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412/441-3800
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The Architect and Architectural
Style
Ralph Adams Cram,
the Architect
The architect who
designed the current structure was Ralph Adams Cram, of
Cram and Ferguson in Boston. Cram also designed Calvary
Episcopal Church (1906) and the Princeton Chapel.
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When Mr. Cram was hired by the
Mellons to build the current East Liberty Presbyterian Church
building, he was given absolute freedom to build the finest and
most beautiful church to the glory of God that he could create.
In his own words (from the Presbyterian Banner, May 23, 1935),
“Of all the cathedrals and churches I have built this is my
masterpiece. This church has been the most profound spiritual
experience of my life.”
Architectural Style
The Church was built in the style
of the Gothic cathedrals of Europe. This style emerged in the
twelfth century, mainly under the influence of the Cistercian
Order and Abbot Suger of St. Denis, Paris. The Gothic style is
characterized by the use of pointed arches, the emphasis on
light mediated through colored stained glass, and the cruciform
floor plan. There is a wonderful video in the church library
about the building of such cathedrals.
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ELPC from Penn Avenue
(click to enlarge)
Architecture in Detail (PDF)
History Timeline
History Brochure (PDF)
Pipes of Glory
ELPC Organ
Restoration Project
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Planning for the church occurred
twice weekly for three or four years, and the meetings were held
mainly at the Duquesne Club. Mr. McKelvy was the committee
chairman prior to his passing. He was succeeded by Mr. Fisher,
president of Jones and Laughlin Steel Company. Sessions lasting
two or three days would be held to discuss things like the
hundreds of doors in the church, each of which had to be studied
to determine which way the door should open, and the placement
of each knob.
The building, which occupies one
city block, cost approximately $4 million to construct. Interior
dimensions of the Sanctuary are as follows: nave length 202
feet, nave height is 75 feet, breadth of transepts 117 feet. The
windows are the work of four stained-glass companies, and a
number of skilled craftsmen in wood and stone contributed their
remarkable talents. The pipe organ in the Sanctuary is an
Aeolian-Skinner, which ranks among the largest and finest organs
in the country.
Groundwork was commenced August
18, 1931 and the cornerstone laid by Mr. Mellon June 19, 1932.
Mr. Mellon died suddenly December 1, 1933, but construction
continued as his family carried the work to its conclusion.
On May 12, 1935 the work was completed
and the building dedicated. 5,500 people attended the dedication
services. 1,700 members of the church, bearing admission cards,
filled the pews of the sanctuary with 3,800 people listened to
the service in the chapel, social hall and other rooms throughout
the church via a permanent speaker system. |
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For more information,
call the church office, 412/441-3800 or email info@cathedralofhope.org.
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