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Tour St. Luke's Cathedral - A 150-Year LegacyYou will discover a congregation that is 150 years old, founded by Francis Eppes, grandson of Thomas Jefferson.
You will see a cathedral designed by the renowned firm of Frohman, Robb and Little. You will learn how lead architect Phillip Frohman went on to become the chief architect for the completion of the Washington National Cathedral.
You will step inside a building chosen in 1922 by Bishop William Crane Gray to be the cathedral for the newly designated Diocese of Southern Florida. You will stand where the cornerstone was laid on Easter Sunday, April 12, 1925, and where the cathedral was dedicated on Easter Eve, April 3, 1926.
You will also see furnishings that survived from the original wooden Carpenter Gothic mission church built on this site in 1872.
What You Will See Inside:
You will admire the beautifully carved eagle lectern, donated by the Shine family.
You will see the carved oak high altar and the reredos — the decorative wall behind the altar — given by St. Clement's Church in Philadelphia.
You will view the intricate carved oak pulpit, also designed by Phillip Frohman, which will be shown to you as it was dedicated in memory of Bishop Gray on St. Luke's Day in 1926.
You will look up to see the Rose Window, a radiant jewel of light above the east portal. You will learn that it measures approximately 22 feet in diameter and is considered one of the 10 largest in the United States, beautifully framed by the great organ in the gallery above the narthex.
You will experience the stained glass, mostly the work of Willet Studios in Philadelphia. You will follow the story of Jesus's life told in the lower windows, and you will see the Apostles and Prophets of the Old Testament depicted in the clerestory windows above.
You will stand beneath the magnificent, hand-carved crucifix of the "Welcoming Christ." You will see how it spans 11 feet in width and measures 15 feet in height, designed by Wippell & Mowbray Ltd. of Exeter, England, and exquisitely carved from limewood by DeMetz and Son Studio of Ortisei, Italy.
Finally, you will walk through the ambulatory that encircles the main altar. There you will discover stained glass windows depicting the Four Seasons. You will see how, read horizontally they show the seasons, and read vertically they reflect themes that connect across time from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
Meet on the steps of the church, 130 N. Magnolia Avenue, at 10 a.m. Parking is available on Magnolia Avenue or in the Parking Garage across from the Orlando Public Library.
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130 N Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801-2300, United States
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