Gethsemane Cathedral

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Gethsemane Cathedral

Location: Fargo, ND
Architects: Charles Moore; Moore Andersson

On September 12, 1989, the beloved 90-year-old building of the Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral in Fargo, North Dakota, was destroyed by fire. The congregation, which had a strong liturgical tradition, desired to build again and bring to the community a vision for the future.

The selection of the architect Charles W. Moore, the 1991 AIA Gold Medal recipient, and Arthur Andersson of Austin, Texas, was based on their strong design capability, but equally important was their "hands-on" workshop approach with the congregation, as Mr. Moore had done with St. Matthew's in Pacific Palisades. Once again, the strategic alliance created between the congregation and the design team was essential throughout the entire design process. This included all aspects of the building's design and construction, including the lighting design of the entire church complex.

Interior light was a major factor in the design. The lighting design accentuated the different spaces of the church - the community meeting space, the main sanctuary and the chapel. Custom chandeliers and wall sconces, coupled with indirect lighting, were utilized to define the major features of the church. Of special importance was the lighting of the stained glass windows to give a night presence of the church in the surrounding neighborhood.

One of Charles Moore's trademarks was creating "memory palaces" and this church has become the "palace" of the church's ministry and history. And the design process itself provided the congregation an experience of resurrection.