Begun in 1925, the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist is one of the few examples of true Gothic architecture in the U.S. Designed by well known architect
Harold Clarence Whitehouse, of the firm of Whitehouse & Price, of Spokane, this cathedral is unique in that it was the only major cathedral to have been completed within the lifetime of the founding bishop. That bishop was The Right Reverend Edward Makin Cross, whose vision was the catalyst for the construction of St. John the Evangelist. Architecturally, it is classical Gothic with a strong French influence. Though dedication of the first section of the cathedral took place on October 20, 1929, it was not totally completed until 1961.
Built entirely of stone, using no wood or steel, the cathedral has a 49 bell carillon in the bell tower. The carillon is played every Sunday at 10:15 AM, as well as the Fourth of July, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and other special occasions. The tower itself is centred in the building, directly over the transepts. 167 feet, 9 inches in height, it is purely Gothic, as is the rest of the building. With rounded columns at each corner, the square tower is topped with a taller spire atop each column and smaller spires, two on each side, atop the ornately crenellated battlement. Ornate and elaborate would be the best two words to describe the tower as a whole.
Dimensions of the Cathedral
Total length........................257 feet, 9 inches
Full interior width.................50 feet, 2 inches
Width across tansepts......................125 feet
Interior height of crossing...................92 feet
Height of nave...................................80 feet
Height of tower..................167 feet, 9 inches
Full seating capacity.....about 1,000 persons
One of the headings in the descriptions below is a link to an in depth discussion of the subject.
Architecture
Together with architect Harold C. Whitehouse, the Bishop began to plan for a gothic cathedral atop the hill. The dream became reality within the lifetime of Bishop Cross, the only time known that a major cathedral has been completed within the lifetime of the founding bishop. The Cathedral has classical Gothic architecture with a strong French influence. It is solid masonry; no structural wood or steel were used. The dedication of the first section of the church was on October 20, 1929, but construction lagged during the Great Depression and World War II. Starting again in 1948, gradually more sections were added. By 1961, the building assumed its present form.
The Carillon
The carillon in Bishop Cross Tower is one of very few in the Pacific Northwest and consists of 49 cast bells. They were cast and installed by John Taylor and Sons of Loughborough, Leicestershire, England.
The bells are sounded by mechanical operation from a clavier on which levers are arranged in sequence like a piano keyboard with a footboard like an organ. The carillonneur strikes the levers with the bottom of a cupped fist and feet. Above the levers, like the upright insides of a piano, stainless wires and turnbuckles are each linked to a single bell and pull the clapper against the bells.
There is no public access to the tower. The carillon is heard best from the lawns surrounding the Cathedral.
Concerts are played on the carillon each week before the Sunday 10:30am service. We also have a concert preceding the Fourth of July fireworks, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and at other times as announced.
From St. John the Evangelist Cathedral