| St. John Gualbert Cathedral | |
|---|---|
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  Location in Pennsylvania Show map of Pennsylvania St. John Gualbert Cathedral (Johnstown, Pennsylvania) (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| 40°19′31″N78°54′55″W / 40.32526°N 78.91530°W /40.32526; -78.91530 | |
| Location | 117 Clinton St. Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Status | Co-cathedral/Parish |
| Founded | 1835 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Louis and M. J. Beezer Comes, Perry, and McMullen |
| Style | Italianate Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1895 |
| Construction cost | $75,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 124 feet (38 m) |
| Width | 66 feet (20 m) |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Spire height | 180 feet (55 m) |
| Materials | Steel, brick, terra cotta |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Altoona-Johnstown |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop | Mark Bartchak |
| Rector | Matthew Baum |
St. John Gualbert Cathedral | |
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| Part of | Downtown Johnstown Historic District (ID92000941[1]) |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 1992 |
St. John Gualbert Cathedral is theco-cathedral of theRoman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, located inJohnstown, Pennsylvania, United States. It is also acontributing property in theDowntown Johnstown Historic District on theNational Register of Historic Places.
The architects of St. John Gualbert Church were natives ofAltoona, Louis and M. J. Beezer.[2]Bricklayers, an architectural monthly published inBoston, stated at the time, "Constructively and artistically, this design offers a great deal of interest. As far as we can recollect at this moment, it is the only building of its kind in existence."[2]
The most unusual feature of the church's construction is itssteel superstructure: almost 170,000 pounds (77,000 kg) of steel were used to construct the foundation. Another 420,000 pounds (190,000 kg) were used for the structure of thenave and roof. The prodigious amount of steel used—that is, about 590,000 pounds (270,000 kg)—allowed the cross to be placed in its position at the highest point of the tower several days before the cornerstone was laid; the roof was completed before the foundation walls were even constructed.[2] Construction on the church began on August 7, 1895,[2] and was completed at a cost of $75,000.[3] The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1895.[3]
The cathedral building extends 66 feet (20 m) in width on Clinton Street and 124 feet (38 m) in length on Locust Street, and the main body of the church is 47 feet (14 m) tall.[2] The 180-foot (55 m) highcampanile on the right side of the facade was built in anItalianate style, with decorative details illustrating ecclesiastical ceremonies and traditions.[4]St Mark's Campanile inVenice,Italy was the inspiration for this tower.[5] Given that the original campanile in Venice collapsed in 1902 and was rebuilt two years later, this one in Johnstown is nearly a decade older. The smaller, 104-foot (32 m) tall tower on the left houses the church's 3,200-pound (1,500 kg) bell, which once occupied the tower of an older church in Johnstown. The bell had survived a fall from itsbelfry during the1889 Johnstown Flood, and was recast in 1890.[4]
The roof of the church was originally laid in earthen Spanish tile, but was replaced with slate in 1915. Theshingles currently in place were laid in 1994 due to deterioration of the slate and to reduce the weight of the roof.[4] Another later addition were the four large bronze doors in place at the entrance to the church. Installed in 1965, they were cast in Italy and depict four scenes in the life of the church'spatron,St. John Gualbert.[6]
The cathedral's interior features round arch windows andpilasters withCorinthiancapitals. It is capped with acoved andcoffered ceiling.[5] The bishop'scathedra is located at the center of theapse wall.
The church's 1897pipe organ was donated byAndrew Carnegie through the influence ofCharles Schwab. Newstops were installed in 1915, and it was electrified and rebuilt in 1922. The organ now consists of 1,929 pipes, having been again rebuilt byTellers Organ Company ofErie into a three-chamberedelectro-pneumatic pipe organ in the 1950s.[7] The choir loft also houses the studio and control room used byProclaim!.
The originalhigh altar and many of the accompanying statues were removed in post-Vatican II renovations and now reside in the crypt of theCathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona.[8] The Shrine of Saint Anne, a chapel at the rear of the building that measures 32 by 48 feet (9.8 by 14.6 m),[2] was designed by Comes, Perry, and McMullen, aPittsburgh architectural firm, and constructed in 1895.[9]
On November 11, 1957, the Diocese of Altoona was renamed as the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, which made St. John Gualbert the co-cathedral of the newly designated diocese.[10]
The cathedral parish of Saint John Gualbert has had eight rectors since its founding in 1891:[11][12][13]
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