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.
Just inside the main, west, entrance to the nave one will find, first a visitor guest book and second, this stone holy water font. Of white marble with a brown marble pedestal, the font is intricately carved, both on the bowl and the base. Atop the bowl is a wrought iron frame meant to hold the wooden lid when the font is in use.
On the flat top of the font, to one side of the bowl, is a plaque dedicating it to Henrita Brown Bertles (October 31, 1887 - May 4, 1943) and John Francis Bertles (July 18, 1876 - June 1, 1937). Unfortunately, the only readily available information online for the couple is at ancestry.com, .ca and .au and we are no longer members. We surmise that Henrita and John were past members of the congregation at the cathedral.
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.
From St. John the Evangelist Cathedral