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.
On the grounds of the cathedral, in front of Jewett House, the church hall, stands this stone cross. Erected at an unknown date, it was dedicated to all those responsible for the erection of the cathedral buildings. Given that the dedication refers to buildings, plural, we may assume that the cross was erected after 1961, as that was the year of completion of Jewett House. Standing on a square stone base, the cross is unadorned, save for the dedication text, for the first two thirds of its height. Above that it is intricately carved with a grape vine, leaves, shields and other icons of the diocese.
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.
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
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