Cathedral of Saint John Gualbert
| Saint John Gualbert Cathedral | |
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 Location in Pennsylvania
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| 40°19′31″N 78°54′55″W / 40.32526°N 78.91530°WCoordinates: 40°19′31″N 78°54′55″W / 40.32526°N 78.91530°W | |
| Location | 117 Clinton St. Johnstown, Pennsylvania |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| Website | Cathedral of Saint John Gualbert |
| History | |
| Founded | 1835 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Co-cathedral/Parish |
| Architect(s) | Louis and M. J. Beezer Comes, Perry, and McMullen |
| Style |
Italianate Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1895 |
| Construction cost | $75,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 124 feet (38 m) |
| Width | 66 feet (20 m) |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Spire height | 180 feet (55 m) |
| Materials | Steel, brick, terra cotta |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Altoona-Johnstown |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Mark Bartchak |
| Rector |
James Crookston |
 
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| Part of | Downtown Johnstown Historic District (#92000941) |
| Added to NRHP | August 7, 1992 |
James Crookston
The Cathedral of Saint John Gualbert is the co-cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona–Johnstown, located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. It is also a contributing property in the Downtown Johnstown Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.
The architects of St. John Gualbert Church were natives of Altoona, Louis and M. J. Beezer.Bricklayers, an architectural monthly published in Boston, stated at the time, "Constructively and artistically, this design offers a great deal of interest. As far as we can recollect at this moment, it is the only building of its kind in existence."
The most unusual feature of the church's construction is its steel superstructure: almost 170,000 pounds (77,000 kg) of steel were used to construct the foundation. Another 420,000 pounds (190,000 kg) were used for the structure of the nave and roof. The prodigious amount of steel used—that is, about 590,000 pounds (270,000 kg)—allowed the cross to be placed in its position at the highest point of the tower several days before the cornerstone was laid; the roof was completed before the foundation walls were even constructed. Construction on the church began on August 7, 1895, and was completed at a cost of $75,000. The cornerstone was laid on October 13, 1895.
The cathedral building extends 66 feet (20 m) in width on Clinton Street and 124 feet (38 m) in length on Locust Street, and the main body of the church is 47 feet (14 m) tall. The 180-foot (55 m) high campanile on the right side of the facade was built in an Italianate style, with decorative details illustrating ecclesiastical ceremonies and traditions. The smaller, 104-foot (32 m) tall tower on the left houses the church's 3,200-pound (1,500 kg) bell, which once occupied the tower of an older church in Johnstown. The bell had survived a fall from its belfry during the 1889 Johnstown Flood, and was recast in 1890.
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Wikipedia