Cathedral of the Incarnation (Garden City, New York)
| The Cathedral of the Incarnation | |
|---|---|
| Denomination | The Episcopal Church |
| Website | www.incarnationgc.org |
| History | |
| Founded | 1876 |
| Consecrated | 1885 |
| Architecture | |
| Heritage designation | National Register of Historic Places |
| Architect(s) | John Kellum, Henry G. Harrison |
| Architectural type | Neo-Gothic |
| Style | 13th-century floriated English Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1876 |
| Completed | 1885 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Belville Brownstone (exterior facade), cast iron/iron (structural), rare marble (interior appointments) |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | The Episcopal Diocese of Long Island |
| Deanery | Central Nassau |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano |
| Dean | Michael T. Sniffen[1] |
| Subdean | Eddie Alleyne[1] |
| Canon(s) | Adam Bucko, Kate Salisbury[1] |
| Assistant priest(s) | Bruce Griffith, Daniel Ade, Mark Kowalewski[1] |
| Curate(s) | Cameron Walker[1] |
| Deacon(s) | Denise Galloway[1] |
| Laity | |
| Chapter clerk | Charles Janoff[1] |
| Verger | Kyle Sabo[1] |
Cathedral of the Incarnation (Garden City, New York) | |
| Location | Garden City, New York |
| Coordinates | 40°43′16.28″N 73°38′32.5″W / 40.7211889°N 73.642361°W |
| Built | 1871 |
| Architect | John Kellum, Henry G. Harrison |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| Website | www |
| Part of | A. T. Stewart Era Buildings |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001864[2] |
| NYSRHP No. | 05921.000090 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 14, 1978 |
| Designated NYSRHP | June 23, 1980 |
The Cathedral of the Incarnation is an Episcopal cathedral in Garden City, New York. It is the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island.
Built to the memory of 19th-century merchant Alexander Turney Stewart, the Cathedral of the Incarnation is the only single-benefactory cathedral in the United States, and the only one that is built in memory of a single individual.
Founding and Consecration
Following the death of Stewart in 1876, his widow Cornelia Clinch Stewart decided to build a church in his memory. In consultation with Abram N. Littlejohn, the first bishop of the Diocese of Long Island, she agreed to make the memorial church the diocesan cathedral, moving the center of Episcopal life from Brooklyn to Garden City.[3]
The cathedral was designed by architect Henry Harrison of New York City, with Rev. Dr. Th. Stafford Drowne planning the windows[3] and James L'Hommedieu of Great Neck serving as builder.[4] Groundbreaking occurred in 1876, with the cornerstone laid in 1877.
On Tuesday, June 2, 1885 the Cathedral was consecrated by Bishop Littlejohn with eight other bishops and clergy from around the country present as Mrs. Stewart, accompanied by the Stewart executor Judge Henry Hilton, presented the deed of conveyance and a bond of $300,000 as an endowment for the care an maintenance of the building.[5] The project included not only the cathedral but also the Cathedral School of St. Paul for boys, the Cathedral School of St. Mary for girls, and a 32-room Bishop's House. St. Paul's School, dedicated in 1879, eventually accommodated 300 boys on its 40 acre site, while the Cathedral School of St. Mary was built in 1892.[4]
Music Program
The cathedral is historically known for its music ministry, led by Canon Lawrence Tremsky (Northwestern University, M.M.). The Men & Boys Choir, which originated during the 19th century, was the reason that the train station in the area was initially constructed - to transport the boys from their homes in Brooklyn or Manhattan to rehearsals and services. During the 1930s, the cathedral formed the first American cathedral girls' choir - known as the Schola Cantorum. The choirs sing a repertoire of choral music, from plainsong to modern works, selected carefully to coincide with the themes of the season. Evensong is sung on the first Sunday of each month in the traditional English cathedral model (Magnificat, Nunc Dimittis, an anthem, and Anglican chant psalms). Special seasonal liturgies include traditional "Lessons & Carols" one or two Sundays before Christmas.
The cathedral is notable for its stained glass windows and icons. The mural icon of Christ Pantokrator, permanently installed at the cathedral, was crafted by the American artist Guillermo Esparza.
A new organ was constructed by the firm Casavant Frères Limitée in 1986 on the 110th anniversary of the death of A. T. Stewart.
Tours are offered upon request, as well as the cathedral being open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Wednesday - Sunday).
There are a variety of services held throughout the weekday noon services Tuesday - Thursday, Sundays, 8:00am Traditional Mass, the Family Mass at 9:15 (held outdoors during the summer under the tent, and is pet-friendly) and the 11:15 Choral Eucharist featuring music by the cathedral choirs (10am Sung Mass during the summer).
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Cathedral of the Incarnation: Clergy & Staff". Cathedral of the Incarnation. June 25, 2025. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b Baldwin, William M. (1936). The Cathedral of the Incarnation in the Diocese of Long Island. Garden City, NY: The Cathedral of the Incarnation: Description and Historical Background from Various Sources.
- ^ a b Smith, Mildred H. (1994). Garden City, Long Island in Early Photos 1869-1919. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
- ^ Davis, John W. (1977). Dominion in the Sea: History of the Diocese of Long Island. Hempstead, New York: Sentinel Printing Company. p. 72.