Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Detroit, MI - This Old Church on Waymarking.com

--text from church website--

The original site of St. Paul’s was on what was and remains Detroit’s "main street," Woodward Avenue, in the block bounded by Congress and Larned – presently the site of One Detroit Center (1992). The church moved to its second site by 1851.

The Cathedral Church of St. Paul was designed by Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) of the firm Cram, Goodhue, Ferguson of Boston and New York, and who was then America’s leading exponent of the Gothic Revival architectural style. He chose to design the Cathedral in the 14th-century English style of Gothic architecture, an early form of this style in which the features which one normally associates with Gothic architecture – soaring, pointed arches, wide expanses of stained glass, and elaborate tracery – are present, though in simplified and severe form. The massive pillars which support the roof (and eventually the central tower, should it be built) are more typical of Norman architecture, the architectural style which preceded Gothic. Likewise, the very slight points to the arches are closer to the rounded arch that was typical of the Norman style. Even so, in the Cathedral we see the elements of the Gothic style emerging. For example, the very small flying buttresses which help support the weight of the lead roof, the arched roof of the nave, and a tower at the crossing are all typical of Gothic architecture. Built entirely of limestone, the Cathedral is also built according to medieval construction techniques. There is no steel superstructure in the building at all – a surprising fact, given its wide use in commercial buildings and skyscrapers of the same period – so that its enormous weight is entirely self-supported.

Cram felt that the Gothic style best expressed humankind’s relationship God, and he deliberately designed the building to put that idea forth. The Cathedral is intentionally dim, for example, to suggest the mystery of the Divine, and much of the lighting that you see in the Cathedral is actually a later addition. In the massive power of its overall size and in the delicacy in its details, the Cathedral is certainly one of Cram’s best works, and it remained one of his personal favorites up to his death.

Date the Church was built, dedicated or cornerstone laid: 08/13/1851 Age of Church building determined by?: Cornerstone or plaque If denomination of Church is not part of the name, please provide it here: Episcopal If Church is open to the public, please indicate hours: From: 8:30 AM To: 4:30 PM If Church holds a weekly worship service and "all are welcome", please give the day of the week: Sunday Indicate the time that the primary worship service is held. List only one: 8:15 AM Street address of Church: 4800 Woodward Avenue Detroit , MI United States 48201 Primary website for Church or Historic Church Building: [Web Link] Secondary Website for Church or Historic Church Building: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
1) A photo of the church is required for visits to a waymark.

2) Please share some comments about your visit.

3) Additional photos are encouraged. If you can have information in addition to that already provided about this church, please share it with us.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   08/27/2022 bobfrapples8 visited it 07/18/2013 The D Zone visited it 07/29/2008 Rattrak visited it

View all visits/logs