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Protestant Episcopal Church of the Saviour

Architect
Charles M. Jr. Burns
Year
1855
Style
Romanesque Revival
City
Philadelphia, PA
Protestant Episcopal Church of the Saviour
Photo: Smallbones, Public domain
See it on the map

Built in 1855 and designed by Charles M. Burns Jr. in the neo-romanesque style, the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Saviour at 38th and Ludlow Streets survived a fire on April 16, 1902, and was rebuilt in 1906. In 1992 it became the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, taking on its present name, the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

the building

A stripped-down interior. A controversial 2000-2002 renovation under dean Richard Giles removed the pews, altar, and other furniture and sold them, stuccoed and whitewashed the decorated stone walls, and introduced modernist chairs, lighting, and an immersion pool alongside the historic baptismal font.

the style

Burns designed the church in the neo-romanesque style in 1855, though the interior's stonework was later stuccoed over and whitewashed during the 2000-2002 renovation.

More on Romanesque Revival

the architect

Charles M. Burns Jr. designed the original 1855 church building; little else about his career is recorded here.

significance

The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and became the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania in 1992.

nearby

All 127 buildings in Philadelphia