 | This article's lead section may be too long. (March 2017) |
| Christ Church Cathedral | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Christ_Church_Cathedral_-_Lexington_KY.jpg) | |
&sq=&lang=&file=File:USA_Kentucky_location_map.svg)  Location in Kentucky | |
| 38°02′55″N 84°29′48″W / 38.04864°N 84.49669°W | |
| Location | 166 Market St. Lexington, Kentucky |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church in the United States of America |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Founded | 1796 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Completed | 1848 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Episcopal Diocese of Lexington |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Mark Van Koevering, Bishop Provisional of Lexington |
| Dean | Carol Wade |
Christ Church Cathedral is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington and is located at 166 Market Street, Lexington, Kentucky. Founded in 1796, Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest Episcopal church in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.[1] Renovations over the years have sought to preserve the original structure, and it remains relatively unchanged. The church created what is now called the Old Episcopal Burying Ground, located nearby. It held many who died during the cholera epidemics of 1833 and 1848, but most of the remains have been moved due to flooding.
Working with the Martin Luther King Neighborhood Association and Seedleaf, the cathedral has established a community garden. It is operated primarily to grow vegetables for nearby residents, and encourages their participation in all steps: growing, harvesting, preparing and preserving. Hundreds of pounds of vegetables are given away annually to residents and community associations. In 2009 the garden was enlarged to include fruit trees and berry bushes.[2]
In recent outreach, Christ Church Cathedral has supported recognition of London Ferrill, the second preacher of First African Baptist Church. He led his church for 31 years, by 1850 building a congregation of 1,820 members, the largest of any in the state. He was one of the few clergy to stay in the city during the 1833 cholera epidemic, when 500 died of a total of 7,000 people in the city, including nearly one-third of the congregation of Christ Church.[1] At death in 1854, Ferrill was buried in the Old Episcopal Burying Ground, the only African American to be so honored.[3] In 2010, Christ Church supported installation of a monument to Ferrill at the burying ground, celebrating with a joint service with First African Baptist. They also supported approval of a state highway marker for the site. In addition, Christ Church named its community garden in honor of London Ferrill.[3]
The Bishop Provisional of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington is currently Mark Van Koevering.[4]
- ^ a b "Christ Church Episcopal", Lexington, National Park Service. Retrieved 21 August 2010
- ^ "History", Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington, KY Website
- ^ a b Tom Eblen, "Churches join to honor former slave", Lexington Herald-Leader, 21 February 2010, accessed 28 August 2010
- ^ Diocese Website front page, accessed 23 OCT 2013: www.diolex.com