The Cathedral of St. John
271 N Main St Providence, RI 02903 | (401) 331-4622
info@cathedralofstjohn.org | www.cathedralofstjohn.org
SERVICES
Sunday: 8:30am and 10:30am
Sunday School: 10:30am
Wednesday: Holy Eucharist 12:10pm
CLERGY
Bishop Geralyn Wolf, Rector
The Very Rev. Harry Krauss, III Dean
The Rev. Dcn. Barbara Mays-Stock (Deacon)
A Welcome from the Dean
Here at the Cathedral of St. John, the worship of Jesus Christ is at the center of our life. We have a two part ministry here, both as a Cathedral - a mother church for the diocese, and as a parish church that focuses on relationships within our cathedral family and neighborhood.
Throughout the year we offer a variety of worship events, education for young people and adults, and a chance to participate in outreach to our neighbors. We enjoy a stimulating diversity of peoples which reflect the population of Providence. The cathedral congregation is a wonderful gathering of folks from all of the neighborhoods of our city and beyond.
At the same time, we are a focus of worship and activity for the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island. This is our Bishop's church, and as such, we are also the site for ordinations, conferences, and diocesan programs which plug us into the issues and concerns of our part of the Christian community in Rhode Island.
We look forward to welcoming you to our cathedral family and community.
-The Very Rev'd Harry E. Krauss, Dean
History
This colonial parish was established in 1722, one of the four original parishes in the state. The church contains antique communion silver, pew boxes, and is the site of many historic grave sites. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and is both a National Historic Landmark and a National Historic Site.
From the Providence Preservation Society: The Cathedral of St. John is the successor to King's Church, organized in the same location in 1722. The building as it exists today was designed by Providence's Federal-era architect John Holden Greene and built in 1810. In 1929, the building was designated as the official Episcopal seat for the Episcopal Diocese of Rhode Island and has been known as the Cathedral ever since. The church is constructed in Smithfield stone with brownstone trim and combines Federal forms with Gothic detailing: the end-gable-roof Federal mass is articulated with lancet-arch windows with tracery. A clustered-colonnette-porch introduces the projecting gabled vestibule, which supports a square clock tower and belfry with spiky pinnacles above it. Inside is a low-saucer-dome ceiling nave supported by clustered colonnettes. The church is also home to an 1851 Hook organ. The building has been enlarged and somewhat remodeled, notably in 1855, 1866, 1906, and 1967, but still retains its architectural integrity.
The State of the Cathedral Building: The deteriorated church tower is causing the rotting of wood structural elements as well as cracking and crumbling of the interior plaster walls and the sanctuary ceiling. The building received a new roof after being included on the 2007 Most Endangered Properties List but many windows remain broken or boarded and the building is still in an overall deteriorated state. |