The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral was build around 1902 as a place where Slavic people can come and not only receive religious comforts but a sense of belonging and safety. The Church was partially funded by the Tsar of Russia at the time and the members of the community it encompassed.

Images

Holy places, Building, Architecture, Byzantine architecture

Holy places, Architecture, Place of worship, Chapel

Holy places, Building, Byzantine architecture, Architecture

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

The Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral is located in the Ukrainian village in Chicago. They offer a range of different serves that help provide to the community in a number of ways. They provide soup kitchens, religious services, vigils and other extraneous services, depending on what the community may need at that time. They operate to serve the Russian population that surrounds them. They started as a Church in order to give the older generations somewhere that could remind them of the homelands of Russia, and to provide sanctuary for them based on the prejudice they could face from the other communities. While they are now more accepted into their area, they have faced discrimination in their time there.

The original designers and architects of the Cathedral based the design from buildings in southern Russia as that is where many of its congregation immigrated from. The design of the church was meant for it to resemble those in southern Russia so much so that some say the original building looked like it could be on the street corner in Russia and nobody would bat an eye. The building has been remodeled multiple times but they have tried to stay true to the design and just revamp it to continue to look similar to those in Russia, so that newer immigrants can feel the comfort and safety of a Russian church in Chicago. The Church was constructed around 1902 but had been a church previously as they have held services since 1892 but those were held in houses. The church was consecrated in 1903 but did not become a designated cathedral until 1922.

The Church was founded as a way to bring Russia and Slavic culture to Chicago to help with the transition to American culture. The Tsar Nicholas II of Russia sent money to help finance the building of the Church and the betterment of the people immigrating from his country. He sent about $4000 to the building that would be about $121,110.70 in today's money.

The Cathedral has stood for over 100 years as a symbol to the Slavic people of safety and a sense of home.

Sources

https://holytrinitycathedral.net/.

“Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Cathedral.” Chicago Architecture Center - CAC. Accessed October 26, 2020. http://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/holy-trinity-russian-orthodox-cathedral/.

Namee, Matthew. “1905 Photos from Holy Trinity Cathedral in Chicago.” Orthodox History, September 26, 2019. https://orthodoxhistory.org/2010/12/27/1905-photos-from-holy-trinity-cathedral-in-chicago

Korte, Amy. “Slice of Life: Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral.” Chicago Architecture, February 24, 2015. https://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2015/02/24/slice-of-life-holy-trinity-orthodox-church/

https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1902?amount=4000