East Liberty Presbyterian Church

By Elapl - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0

Location:

116 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Description:

East Liberty Presbyterian Church, also known as the Cathedral of Hope, is a historic Presbyterian congregation and landmark church located in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The congregation was founded in 1819 on land donated by Jacob and Barbara Negley, and its first building was a small brick school and meeting house. Over the years, as the congregation grew, successive church buildings were erected on the site, with the present structure being the fifth. The current church building was constructed between 1931 and 1935, funded by Richard Beatty Mellon and Jennie King Mellon in memory of their mothers, and was designed by renowned architect Ralph Adams Cram in a grand Gothic Revival style.

The church occupies an entire city block and is noted for its soaring 300-foot tower, intricate art and architecture, and impressive stained glass windows created by multiple studios. Interior features include oak and teak woodwork, clerestory and transept windows depicting biblical themes and Christian symbolism, and a richly detailed chancel with scenes from the life of Christ. A prominent carved marble reredos above the pulpit and a large bell cast by the Meneely Bell Foundry add to the church’s architectural significance. Over the years, additional spaces such as the Trinity Chapel and Wayfarers’ Chapel were added, enriching the church’s facilities and mission. Today, East Liberty Presbyterian Church continues to serve its community as an active worshiping congregation and cultural presence in Pittsburgh’s East End.