[My SF Past] Grace Cathedral
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Gloria Lenhart
Feb 15, 2012, 5:38:14 PM2/15/12
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Lewis Hobart, architect 1910
Completed 1964
Grace Cathedral is third largest Episcopal Church in the U.S. – St John the Divine in New York is the largest (and still incomplete), followed by the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Designed in the Gothic style, the exterior is made of reinforced concrete hammered to resemble stone.
Construction on the Cathedral was halted in 1930 when funding ran out, and a blank wall was installed to protect the finished portion. The structure remained that way for over 30 years until Ben Swig, the Jewish owner of the Fairmont Hotel, helped raise funds to finish the front portion.
The Gates of Paradise
1940s casting from original by
Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1540
These doors are an exact replica of those made for the Baptistry in Florence Italy by the great Renaissance artist. It took Ghiberti 27 years to complete this masterwork. The mold for this set was cast from the original doors when they were taken down and hidden for safekeeping during World War II. The replicas were installed for the Cathedral’s dedication in 1964. The original doors in Florence were replaced with replicas in 1990, and the originals were moved to a museum for preservation.
The Labyrinths
Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path and no dead ends. People walk the labyrinth as a tool for meditation or quiet thought; please be respectful of people using the maze during your visit. The outdoor terrazzo labyrinth was installed in 1995; the limestone one inside in 2007.
Stained Glass
Inside the Cathedral, notice a distinct difference between the windows in the back of the church and those nearer the front. The front windows were done in 1966 by the artist Willet using the faceted technique, which uses thicker, more brightly colored glass. The windows toward the back of the church were done by Boston artist Charles Connick in the 1930s using thinner glass, more subtle colors and painted panels.
The smaller windows along the top, done in 1970 by French artist Gabriel Loire, are known as the Human Endeavor series. Look for tributes to Frank Lloyd Wright, Robert Frost, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein and astronaut John Glenn.
A four-year project to clean and restore all the windows was completed in 2010.
The Interfaith AIDS Chapel
This is chapel, dedicated to the rememberance of all those who died of AIDS welcomes all faiths. The three-part altar piece is by artist Keith Haring, who completed it within two weeks of his death from AIDS. A display of sections of the AIDS quilt, which was started in San Francisco by activist Cleve Jones, is regularly changed.
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Posted By Gloria Lenhart to My SF Past at 11/13/2011 02:35:00 PM
Completed 1964
Grace Cathedral is third largest Episcopal Church in the U.S. – St John the Divine in New York is the largest (and still incomplete), followed by the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Designed in the Gothic style, the exterior is made of reinforced concrete hammered to resemble stone.
Construction on the Cathedral was halted in 1930 when funding ran out, and a blank wall was installed to protect the finished portion. The structure remained that way for over 30 years until Ben Swig, the Jewish owner of the Fairmont Hotel, helped raise funds to finish the front portion.
 |
Grace Cathedral, unfinished
circa 1954
|
1940s casting from original by
Lorenzo Ghiberti, 1540
These doors are an exact replica of those made for the Baptistry in Florence Italy by the great Renaissance artist. It took Ghiberti 27 years to complete this masterwork. The mold for this set was cast from the original doors when they were taken down and hidden for safekeeping during World War II. The replicas were installed for the Cathedral’s dedication in 1964. The original doors in Florence were replaced with replicas in 1990, and the originals were moved to a museum for preservation.
 |
| The sculptor Ghibert (left) and his son |
The Labyrinths
Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path and no dead ends. People walk the labyrinth as a tool for meditation or quiet thought; please be respectful of people using the maze during your visit. The outdoor terrazzo labyrinth was installed in 1995; the limestone one inside in 2007.
Stained Glass
Inside the Cathedral, notice a distinct difference between the windows in the back of the church and those nearer the front. The front windows were done in 1966 by the artist Willet using the faceted technique, which uses thicker, more brightly colored glass. The windows toward the back of the church were done by Boston artist Charles Connick in the 1930s using thinner glass, more subtle colors and painted panels.
The smaller windows along the top, done in 1970 by French artist Gabriel Loire, are known as the Human Endeavor series. Look for tributes to Frank Lloyd Wright, Robert Frost, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein and astronaut John Glenn.
A four-year project to clean and restore all the windows was completed in 2010.
The Interfaith AIDS Chapel
This is chapel, dedicated to the rememberance of all those who died of AIDS welcomes all faiths. The three-part altar piece is by artist Keith Haring, who completed it within two weeks of his death from AIDS. A display of sections of the AIDS quilt, which was started in San Francisco by activist Cleve Jones, is regularly changed.
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Posted By Gloria Lenhart to My SF Past at 11/13/2011 02:35:00 PM
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