Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis
Encyclopedia
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral
church of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
. Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest religious building in continuous use in Indianapolis.
. It became the cathedral for the Diocese of Indianapolis in 1954. It is known for its Choir of Men and Boys and Girls' Choir, and for its pipe organs, one of which was donated by Ruth Lilly
. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Cathedral also is a charter member of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church.
From September through May the Cathedral offers Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of Men and Boys every Thursday. Evensong is sung by the Girls' Choir on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Choir of Men and Boys was founded in 1883, when it was first decided to put a boys' choir into training. It was not until 1954, however, when Christ Church became the Cathedral of the diocese, that the choir was organized into a professional choral body. The Choir of Men & Boys has achieved an international reputation for choral excellence. In addition to performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Men and Boys have sung numerous commissioned works and have frequently appeared on radio and television broadcasts, including the nationally televised series "The Joy of Music" hosted by organist Diane Bish. The Choir has toured Great Britain and Europe, singing in London (St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey), Canterbury, Ely, Truro, Dublin (Christ Church Cathedral), Paris (Notre Dame), and in the cities of Chartres, Munich, Berlin, Leipzig, Venice (St. Mark's), and Rome (St. Peter's Basilica).
The Cathedral Girls' Choir was founded in 1945. The Girl's Choir is made up of girls ages 8 through 18. The Girl's Choir has appeared in concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared on overseas tours as well, appearing in many of the great cathedrals of Europe.
The Christ Church Singers, the cathedral's voluntary choir, were formed in the 1990s. This choir has been directed by the Assistant Organist & Choirmaster and appears regularly at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy.
The Chancel organ was built in 1989 by Hellmuth Wolff
. The Gallery organ was built in 1991 by 'Taylor & Boody Organbuilders, Inc.' of Staunton, Virginia
and is a gift of Ruth Lilly
. The continuo organ was built in 1996 by John Brombaugh
.
Choirmasters include: Cheston L. Heath (1926-1947), Robert Hobbs (1947-1964), James Litton
(1964-1967), David Koehring (1967-1977), Frederick Burgomaster (1977-2009), and Dana Marsh (2010- )
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
church of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis
The Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, formerly known as the Episcopal Diocese of Indiana, is a diocese in Province V of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. It encompasses the southern two-thirds of the state of Indiana. Its see is in Indianapolis, Indiana at Christ Church...
. Christ Church Cathedral is the oldest religious building in continuous use in Indianapolis.
History
Christ Church was founded in 1837. The present building was constructed in 1857 at 131 Monument Circle and is the oldest building on Monument CircleSoldiers' and Sailors' Monument (Indianapolis)
The Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument is a tall neoclassical monument in the center of Indianapolis, Indiana that was designed by German architect Bruno Schmitz and completed in 1901....
. It became the cathedral for the Diocese of Indianapolis in 1954. It is known for its Choir of Men and Boys and Girls' Choir, and for its pipe organs, one of which was donated by Ruth Lilly
Ruth Lilly
Ruth Lilly was an American philanthropist. She was the daughter of Josiah K. Lilly, Jr., and Ruth Lilly, and the sole living heiress to the Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical fortune built by her great grandfather, Colonel Eli Lilly.Lilly made headlines in November 2002 when she pledged stock...
. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The Cathedral also is a charter member of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church.
Music
The Cathedral is home to the professional Choir of Men and Boys and the Girls' Choir. Each Sunday, the Girls' Choir leads the 9:00 am service and the Men & Boys Choir leads the 11:00 am service.From September through May the Cathedral offers Choral Evensong sung by the Choir of Men and Boys every Thursday. Evensong is sung by the Girls' Choir on the first Wednesday of every month.
The Choir of Men and Boys was founded in 1883, when it was first decided to put a boys' choir into training. It was not until 1954, however, when Christ Church became the Cathedral of the diocese, that the choir was organized into a professional choral body. The Choir of Men & Boys has achieved an international reputation for choral excellence. In addition to performing with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Men and Boys have sung numerous commissioned works and have frequently appeared on radio and television broadcasts, including the nationally televised series "The Joy of Music" hosted by organist Diane Bish. The Choir has toured Great Britain and Europe, singing in London (St. Paul's and Westminster Abbey), Canterbury, Ely, Truro, Dublin (Christ Church Cathedral), Paris (Notre Dame), and in the cities of Chartres, Munich, Berlin, Leipzig, Venice (St. Mark's), and Rome (St. Peter's Basilica).
The Cathedral Girls' Choir was founded in 1945. The Girl's Choir is made up of girls ages 8 through 18. The Girl's Choir has appeared in concert with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared on overseas tours as well, appearing in many of the great cathedrals of Europe.
The Christ Church Singers, the cathedral's voluntary choir, were formed in the 1990s. This choir has been directed by the Assistant Organist & Choirmaster and appears regularly at the 9:00 a.m. Sunday liturgy.
The Chancel organ was built in 1989 by Hellmuth Wolff
Hellmuth Wolff (organ builder)
Hellmuth Wolff is a Canadian organ builder and the founder of the firm Wolff & Associés. Under his guidance the firm set new standards in Canada for historical organ building.-Life:...
. The Gallery organ was built in 1991 by 'Taylor & Boody Organbuilders, Inc.' of Staunton, Virginia
Staunton, Virginia
Staunton is an independent city within the confines of Augusta County in the commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 23,746 as of 2010. It is the county seat of Augusta County....
and is a gift of Ruth Lilly
Ruth Lilly
Ruth Lilly was an American philanthropist. She was the daughter of Josiah K. Lilly, Jr., and Ruth Lilly, and the sole living heiress to the Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical fortune built by her great grandfather, Colonel Eli Lilly.Lilly made headlines in November 2002 when she pledged stock...
. The continuo organ was built in 1996 by John Brombaugh
John Brombaugh
John Brombaugh is an American master pipe organ builder, known for his historically-oriented tracker action instruments, some of which are capable of playing at different historical pitches.-Personal life and early training:...
.
Choirmasters include: Cheston L. Heath (1926-1947), Robert Hobbs (1947-1964), James Litton
James Litton
James Litton directed the American Boychoir from 1985 to 2001 and is widely recognized as one of the leading choral conductors of the day.-Overview:...
(1964-1967), David Koehring (1967-1977), Frederick Burgomaster (1977-2009), and Dana Marsh (2010- )