“Altarations”: Interior of Historic Cathedral Church of the Saviour Lost?

Representatives of the Preservation Alliance and Partners for Sacred Places – which promotes the appreciation and revitalization of the nation’s historic places of worship – recently meet with a small delegation from the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania to learn of ongoing changes to the interior of the diocesan cathedral at 37th and Chestnut Streets in West Philadelphia.

The Church of the Saviour is designated as historic by both the City of Philadelphia and the National Register of Historic Places. Nonetheless, under the stewardship of Dean Richard Giles, the cathedral’s interior is being transformed from its Victorian-era exuberance to a stripped-down, “re-ordered” worship space. Much of the religious art and furnishings are being removed, and decorative finishes from the turn-of-the-century “American Renaissance” period are being painted over in the name of liturgical reform.

The Preservation Alliance and other preservationists and community members, including some Episcopalians, argue that the extent of the renovations go well beyond what is necessary for re-ordered worship practices, and instead enter the realm of the personal aesthetic preferences of the Dean.

The current church dates from 1906 when it was rebuilt after a disastrous 1902 fire according to the plans of architect Charles Burns. The highly decorative interior includes a wide variety of stained glass windows, – including one by Tiffany Studios – pre-Raphaelite-styled murals by noted artist Edwin Blashfield, and carvings by Tait McKenzie. Most of the original wall stenciling and other decorative finishes will be painted out, replaced by a “neutral” color, according to the Dean.

The Alliance is awaiting a response from the Cathedral Chapter to a request to tour the ongoing renovations. It is hoped that the Alliance and others can convince the Dean to moderate the extent of interior changes currently underway. The church’s interior is not protected under Philadelphia’s historic preservation ordinance. Those wanting to comment on this story may email the Preservation Alliance, or the Diocese at cathphila@aol.com.