HISTORY
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Calvary Episcopal Church was founded on December 24th, 1860 by members of the Sehon Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. The cornerstone of the original octagonal structure was laid in 1872. Completion of the rest of the church, resulting in a variation of a classic Latin cross plan, began in 1888 and was concluded with electrification and gas heat in 1892.
Calvary is in the Victorian Gothic Revival style with limestone exterior. The South Tower was the only cut-stone spire in the US until 1943. The North Tower is crowned with a bishop’s crook (crozier), although Calvary did not become a bishop’s seat.
The church has a wealth of stained-glass windows and woodwork, some of which hail from Tiffany Studios. Other aspects represent a variety of periods and styles. The ceiling of Norwegian spruce is patterned after the 14th century hammerbeam roof of Westminter Hall in London.
Calvary has had many additions and alterations since its construction, including installation of a magnificent Casavant organ with exposed pipes in 1965, and Victorian-period Stations of the Cross in 2012.
“The Ascension of Our Lord”- Tiffany Studios of New York *1916. Just below wind0w- Sanctuary light of ruby glass, 17th century from a Spanish cathedral *1946.
Sanctuary light of ruby glass, 17th century from a Spanish cathedral *1946. Candlesticks, 17th century, from Canterbury Cathedral, slightly damaged when cathedral bombed in 1942. *1960. Below, Altar Cross
Pulpit- brass, polychrome, and marble, Byzantine-style *1891
“Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me”- Renaissance-style window by Mayer & Co. Three vertical panels created by Gothic-design stone tracery *1889
The original 8 brass chandeliers. Originally gas-lit, then electrified in 1903. Band of lights pointing upwards added in 1980s.
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Brass Lecturn with four figures of the Evangelists in late German Gothic style *1891
Stations of the Cross: 14 paintings ring the walls of the Nave. Attributed to German artists working in the Cincinnati area around the time Calvary was built. *2012
​Installed in 1958, flags representing the 12 apostles were made by women of Calvary and painted by former rector, Kimball Underwood