Heritage, Summer 2004 Page: 22
39 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Kfl <;e~~~;~ { T "he Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is one of a handful
of original Dallas buildings that dates to the 19th
century, making it a rare historic gem in an ultramodern
city.
Designed by renowned architect Nicholas J. Clayton, the
church was dedicated in 1902.This Victorian Gothic treasure
sits at the cornerstone of the Dallas Arts District, Ross and
Pearl Streets, and shares the location with other noteworthy
structures. Those include the Morton H. Myerson Symphony
Hall, the Nasher Sculpture Garden, Dallas Museum of Art,
the Booker T. Washington School for Performing Arts, and
~i~~ ~~";;~;~S ~'T ~the soon-to-be-built Dallas Center for Performing Arts.
Today, the cathedral is one of the finest remaining examples
of high Victorian Gothic architecture in Dallas, and the
last remaining example of Clayton's work in the city.
Clayton was prolific in Texas, and some of his other contributions
to the state's architectural legacy include the Church
of the Sacred Heart in Palestine 1890; St. Edward's
Historic Gem Shines In A City on the GoThis page, top: early
image of the cathedral
from the collection of
Texas/Dallas History and
Archives Division, Dallas
Public Library. Below,
architect Nicholas J.
Clayton. Opposite: a procession
to lay church cornerstone,
1898. All
images provided by
Cathedral of the Sacred
Heart.University, Austin, 1888; and Galveston News Building, 1883; University of Texas
Medical Department Building, 1888, Bishop's Palace, 1886, and St. Patrick's Cathedral,
1874, all in Galveston.
In Dallas, parishioners gathered on June 17, 1898, to set the cornerstone for the
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (see photo on next page), and that icon is still visible today.
When the church was dedicated four years later, the souvenir brochure described the
cathedral as a "stately structure of pure Gothic architecture 104 by 160 feet in size. It is
built of pressed brick and when finished will have a large and small tower. The clerestory
is of unusual height giving a very imposing appearance. The roof is of tile and all material
used in the construction is of most substantial character."
When key elements of the cathedral design are investigated, it is interesting to note that
the city of Chicago and its craftsmen played an important role in the building of this Texas
church. A further study of key players in the church planning and construction provides
the link. The Flanagan & Biedenweg Company of Chicago crafted some of the cathedral's
stained glass windows. Others were produced by that city's Ford Brothers. A third Windy
City business, Ludowici Roofing and Tile Company, was responsible for the fireproof everlasting
roofing described as interlocking terra cotta tiles. Bishop Edward J. Dunne, chief
fundraiser for the Sacred Heart Cathedral project, was pastor of All Saints Church in
Chicago for 20 years before coming to Dallas. It was probably through his association that
these Chicago businesses were given the opportunity to participate in the building of a
cathedral thousands of miles away from their home base.
While these out-of-state builders played a big role in the construction of the new
church, Texas artisans were also well represented. In addition to architect Clayton, who
had moved to Galveston in 1872, Thurber Bricks, owned by the Texas Pacific and Coal
Company, produced the dark red bricks that were used for the Victorian Gothic cathedral.
Even though the pointed arches of the church identify it as a Victorian interpretation of
Gothic architecture, the red brick exterior with contrasting stone trim is usually associated
with Romanesque Revival architecture. Decorative and innovative use of brick is one
of the distinguishing characteristics of Clayton's architectural work.
Though the exterior of the cathedral was beautiful and inviting, the interior was exquisite
as well. When Sacred Heart Cathedral was dedicated in 1902, two Dallas newspapersH E R I TA G E SUMMER 2004
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Texas Historical Foundation. Heritage, Summer 2004, periodical, Summer 2004; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth45373/m1/22/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Foundation.