Calvary Episcopal Church (Pittsburgh)
Encyclopedia
Calvary Episcopal Church is a parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
that was founded in 1855. The church rented space from a German Lutheran Church until a building was constructed in 1861.
Due to Pittsburgh's industrial growth during the late 19th century, the church acquired a new property in 1904 and built a Gothic Revival-style building designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram
. Charles Connick
designed approximately 70 stained glass
windows for the church between 1920 to 1939.
In 1921, Calvary Episcopal Church joined with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation to make the first radio broadcast of a church service.
and Henry Scriven over actions taken by a special convention the diocese held after the 2003 General Convention. At the special convention, the diocese had passed a resolution that asserted that all property of individual parishes belonged to the parishes themselves, rather than to the diocese. In the suit, Calvary claimed that the diocese could not take such an action, as it violated the Dennis Canon
. Eventually, the suit was settled out of court. The final settlement did not affirm Calvary Church's central contention that diocesan property was held in trust for the national church, but it created a process by which the diocese agreed to make decisions about property and assets should a congregation wish to leave the diocese.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
that was founded in 1855. The church rented space from a German Lutheran Church until a building was constructed in 1861.
Due to Pittsburgh's industrial growth during the late 19th century, the church acquired a new property in 1904 and built a Gothic Revival-style building designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram
Ralph Adams Cram FAIA, , was a prolific and influential American architect of collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings, often in the Gothic style. Cram & Ferguson and Cram, Goodhue & Ferguson are partnerships in which he worked.-Early life:Cram was born on December 16, 1863 at Hampton Falls, New...
. Charles Connick
Charles Connick
Charles Jay Connick was a prominent American painter, muralist, and designer best known for his work in stained glass in the Gothic Revival style. Born in Springboro, Pennsylvania, Connick eventually settled in the Boston area where he opened his studio in 1913...
designed approximately 70 stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows for the church between 1920 to 1939.
In 1921, Calvary Episcopal Church joined with the Westinghouse Electric Corporation to make the first radio broadcast of a church service.
2003 Lawsuit
In 2003, Calvary Episcopal Church sued the diocese and Bishops Robert DuncanRobert Duncan (bishop)
Robert William Duncan, Jr. is an American bishop. He has been Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America since June 2009. In 1997, he was elected Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh...
and Henry Scriven over actions taken by a special convention the diocese held after the 2003 General Convention. At the special convention, the diocese had passed a resolution that asserted that all property of individual parishes belonged to the parishes themselves, rather than to the diocese. In the suit, Calvary claimed that the diocese could not take such an action, as it violated the Dennis Canon
Dennis Canon
The Dennis Canon is a common name used for Title I.7.4 of the Canons of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America.The Canon states:-History and Purpose:...
. Eventually, the suit was settled out of court. The final settlement did not affirm Calvary Church's central contention that diocesan property was held in trust for the national church, but it created a process by which the diocese agreed to make decisions about property and assets should a congregation wish to leave the diocese.