![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ld-HnbuvSVMJzCwVfSGw-kt-T8R3m9PKmLVyzUWtEVQZFXuWIGcmVGaxDRwVMydc2GCqZA15vjGuI5ovmYppJF-q8RvVwNNyEIrgjX8EZBOF1g3PEi_70TvBzGvbEbFPerR8-avmRe8/s400/gardens+3.JPG)
Located adjacent to
Cairnwood is the
Bryn Athyn Cathedral; Literally next door or if you want to be technical, in the side yard of the house.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghDis5zDBONOOT9s_kDQukE2O9s7U7Nx1Ce0pznK7MRlSEiaetnBOKCR9PGQScOFh2rZz4Ro9MCivu9F9FS3nDmnZc83tg-yKz1jUtMlb7OTodlEJUAUKu-nVWm8mh-J9OuMv14QnBT3o/s400/bryn+athyn+cathedral+3.JPG)
The Cathedral is the seat of the "New Church" and was donated by John Pitcairn and was mainly designed by his son Raymond Pitcairn.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1N8UI4Aa0-pyGRDuN-Kc8QK3IkB0Csn3KZ4LFkviTTehaZB0vIxW2FFcDGRBjriQs4o5F7QmxS30nELp5QGVJSsBuATRn7EepMkClpECDoetZS5Pd1pOJtFNy2Kp8NbKB0CBpzPN-Is/s400/cathedral+facade+2.JPG)
Of course the benefit to this location is that each room of the house (Cairnwood) is afforded picturesque views of a gorgeous cathedral. Plus the commute to chapel for the religious Pitcairn family was definitely convienent!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PRTBZZzxHhXCjSAKnxNkCHZ8U3cmw95v1agkhqHdvgxSW9mnsy_koPbNvNjtBpcc70LQvmRDPYpq1J6Xuu4pWCp-feF35i1lFJl5IwnOJfFffFZZyGx3QNWYiXQIjiVB1ZU7gZnbWLg/s400/front+garden.JPG)
The main bulk of the structure was started in 1913 and finished in 1919. Designed in an early Gothic style, later smaller additions (designed by Raymond) are in Norman Romanesque.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiop3XEJAqV-tnJOA7GX9TqEVLJ9EPGJX4PS4uujB8se5lxiVR-VSFMYQofYp4XODRLIl9T4YMFmKFrpn0wscV32fjk1Ka7da1_LYJUbOl4UXcld5rtmrPPXr8xVaHVi5gtVKW3LigIkEQ/s400/gardens.JPG)
Strangely enough, this style is historically earlier creating the impression that the larger main tower was built later.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrp1jm_Rzx7HgqQ4SQXphi2oTs9KdRumFu7qLyqJp2QJ5R9Aww5rOxTLoJApvgbEBFf2b-DBNTgNYXqJnGCFGX8Zbf4FxiGYJ17p8uNr_rZ5QP18n3E41v8SqWk-N81ztXXdyZZMM0Pc/s400/Bryn+Athyn+Cathedral.JPG)
The design was based on Gloucestor Cathedral in England and is immense (the main tower rises 150 ft!), only plunked down in rural Pennsylvania.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2ghjm0WTuXdqo-ajCfiQX3co_lFw2l4t7FsPa5dUx30E-Gpl618nDUt5Z_0UrK11GQovdMgeFjNgJXrX-Y7wjp4DFFAP4OowtJvh24HLlwHVVhClEiCq1_qxj3vY4295o-SOufSJT60/s400/cloister+2.JPG)
Beside the tower is a leg of a cloister which was designed to be fully enclosed (creating a square courtyard) but was never completed.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcla-8Agx6Dv7gp4odCgnp_QVGecmStSQnubDKP49xI-YMjL8y15r3qkMya5j-DOp1av2eDMakIwAZKu0KHC7BCyIMmXhfc2rFWii_lDL4yN547EylB0oc1F1w2vDanm5CdAfn7cFcCI/s400/cloister+4.JPG)
Here you can see the beautiful detail to the stonework.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8-wxhf74X9bb3LIssT3pYW-j-41wiaMxG1iQg7CikDM-Swf_3WlNUEEOdpme2O0b-VChyphenhyphenBgtA8oza99zCYHodr84gMJmnBojMlXrBzU_Oi73CUVqlBWRGbJ8_UKx3MMKfbfgkZZ0nhQ/s400/cloister+interior+2.JPG)
The church sees a lot of active use as you can see by the furnishings and immaculate cleanliness.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrmL9TFXMVKUs_1wPrjPJDu4A3l8lG_6G0YMLIqJo68AMrMfDPzwjRsNLSqF8Wvm2yTDIpyOCJmaomS5BxC4eUbb3iMGLuop7npm2YcoIa0G4e5-GGDYFfvybJN8UCFIeP2eqiNWToFw/s400/cloister+interior+3.JPG)
Stone as far as the eye can see.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixIdYy5TH1deTjqNadGyb3onIut9rwhRFuG0R1qjPrPQzO3bqqCIm9bphxlaDil3wpKHgNizaOES0micGTe60ig6xsvc-2hMSYDNIL31WeYALFBa2Z19GcygNFnkUV1oohZPxkLC3c7Xw/s400/cathedral+small+tower.JPG)
The superb craftsmanship of everything makes this building so special, just look at these door handles.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ1yh14M47-y1AVCHFpyhiwsEwMir-HZ4q4yfA24FJQj_xBptyXMDDnli09hRVnXA-fyr0AkgeVFLVdaACMEhpUsBT3SbzHVovO_ZcIXszXxLOOvhekeVcB_xvnte0NHZWwJ0qHP3yLQ/s400/detail+2.JPG)
Everything is as special as a Cathedral should be.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhQ-3MTAbLK7238aned4PC07tkQjsHn9GDdJ7smT304dJw4fdMbqw0FgNCxfw6zfjcBywgYG_RwjtdZa_eIG27vhMKVZnHBLFitDnIDL9gVIM_3_VMdVXidLM2XptWSYdp6lMBax6vko/s400/side+door.JPG)
I loved this little private side door off an intimate garden.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjaOpBJlAmCDgQtSwHBfCeFzUchDVCCoAQP1sQdtN003RKQwNdkKneZyIuOitPy8wKWk8G5PO83fnU-vKKXPOLvCLwY6DJQISfr2vhjLCmEB4fg5ZaRUoBbXj1SZfgG0H0vD1YzfcUww/s400/side+door+detail.JPG)
No detail was overlooked.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgxQIZ3XQv3HrBUL_01fTTvfdSM_iVbMh1eujPQae9xzqaC-ENYolG68L3xwErdbzpVOcxmAAuFltmYPVqb9lPq5mq5Bxx93w0GgaxQH5jJvu0R8UD9sRLE1bVPO30fLgJnrv0Fmyg1s/s400/exterior+stair.JPG)
The details of this side exterior stair were really incredible.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNpPL2Kb00O2U_GQmgqwlQpuBM041faCBSqE8HQGBLr1koPkHySmMhVAJZ-ponPf3rhXy_LRTNyRHwPjBQulvxHBOqlNvc7XFXLTJ2oDS78luStIjqOP1o4k41irxlBO7uizpgs7t4GTI/s400/exterior+stair+detail.JPG)
Ezekials Tower, seen here, was completed in 1926 and lies off to the side of the main structure.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwcElkzUxu6wICeslwQIgyWN_ZluZVyQwf8YM3W0HuC_FBW-_6lbrQBeXkR3qR0HoJUpTo2PkepxdwqHHsSemnC9qTQjhni6fqLKAZwH-HrYp_t2olsa8QvTfSg5PY6eAQMmSaXB5spM/s400/side+chapel.JPG)
Again, I just couldn't get over the amount of detail.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcwLdKBN9X3trvVgJmcNw-vVn50X2jnoGZ4FknNBw-n1yHNREdvSAt__eJ4mZt9JS4SQ-cKerfOvZDa11sCw1JwqDEcLL_DIF7fLEd5noC60o85QExNZc4nTvcQQjs5FHh5Othttys2E/s400/side+chapel+detail.JPG)
Even each little basement window grate was different and a work of art.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQJD-kvEjr21NfOYRv46hyphenhyphenV9Sn0e2I3cLPd9tIiYcgeksSFtJCUMCJXsl8Ll6pu7VK2-BRjjSvFQP6cJm4yOMVYFxol6z-L9lzqgI7vjME3vAaFSLYGiH4MVowZsfKs8ORVbTA3ntziyc/s400/ironwork.JPG)
Before going inside, lets take a look at the floorplan.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOV09qwTVfvEJ8IhfRgSBj7LVQl5cDT4Aw3LzopDNASYmHidh39ODHyixJBrMqs4YgNWvcKuxn2xsYskCx8j1dTHmKFJUwgM5_m9D2E_rTLUuLdwG3C4h_UBTH6aiHLllE9u2TyO2oLQI/s400/FloorPlan.jpg)
If you look closely, you can see that nothing was built straight. This was purposeful and not a result of being done mainly without drawings (in the 20th century no less!). This mimic'd ancient cathedrals of Europe where it was also done intentionally.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT5vmLDVzrGuRx_taTBI7WT-wl_tqhMfmRJPXnBQOCR29yG2a4ZGEDvX__d7X5Lefm_47UQ3IteMEI3Xy4Vct_zSeANRNJQfdIGO5DsfIEV94gHpCiZp4ih_tQ949LgxfOx9G3SsFq3vY/s400/interior+choir+hall.JPG)
To the North of the church lies Michael's Tower (the main entrance) and the choir hall (seen above).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7yukB4rn2GGzZLeKSemz7DGoC5gV2qPSoV2hgUa8XpWdTwuBmSDlnjbEbyHLi3mSy-uX4Iki2q66jssx5dIbQ1bE4RfKoXcQv2P-FwzGyc1jPgT9Cjz2dVdOogyuWtPVNLHd0wi_6pGU/s400/cathedral+front+door+interior.JPG)
I thought this was a shame as the main entrance to the chapel is this gorgeous metal door, facing a spectacular view.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB15SS_etn0CDx3JATEQZTEcUpYL1W03MS_0UVyul1qNn7lFCzHYtyiHgbf0Rqz3-xOAzYSOoG_M_ADdjUVurhyphenhyphen0yf3AdvvvAfhBbxP5P_5kIcU0xSdRa_TjENpAPL2cZraFKeJqzf8Ec/s400/church+interior.JPG)
Can you believe this cathedral is in rural Pennsylvania?!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46-xuoVn1QsyMtNqyCb64PrEhUTUkvB5R13uU9e4qHvwwCoZ3sldYJUWJK83-S8xSzPAxX8w1eOs2nSlGerZ0v4W7r6EFr-fTPsqtpLKAbLdMbXfvqdx0dbDWSTeRKSgOFXZ97F1L59g/s400/roof+beams.JPG)
All of the wood seen here is teak and the Pitcairn's bought an entire boatload of the wood which had been an order left by someone else (who doesn't love a deal). Teak is used for ceilings and doors here at the Cathedral as well as in Raymond's own amazing house which I will show you next week. The guide I spoke too said the family still has a barn full of the unused teak!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIQzoVd9LjNCnypzZTjw0ve7F6JRLlZnNriVKtnA0jSH7zj7I8vpE3tC2zREKzjPaaBIioBqRGM-CYSPS6u1kKp-yoJsFIvvSE4PVRxg4C19JBVBRHKC6B7AHThJpchSihtiioNSb9KSk/s400/interior+window.JPG)
Fittingly enough Raymond developed the techniques used in creating all of the stained glass on the grounds of Cairnwood. I say fitting as part of the families' fortune, if you will remember, came from the forming of PPG (Pittsburgh Plate Glass).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1yDa0Ix5Y1uOfiwYi6DM85iuolnZYC4iD8CNeLxuHooZyZL8qtegKUY1Qrsl9ApoA_yl1Dw79SDaaeWUxutxyH3Ppg7R8bxU71glQTnkRBrn8Hw0ZBmKyLov_-KVzM9-WOtkTcTq50c/s400/stained+glass+2.JPG)
Raymond collected and studied medieval stained glass to replicate the lost techniques used.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7WtLuzZSxsDj5PM49pIqU7K6Fad5IGkE0FMvxe1lF1uWBQCrIQYyX9p6U1-lUzAH_b5gJPniYs8pdW9qKjk6vF1QO7HwdeHmpw1aysZsbN170RKW9xyoOFyDlF0XRap_cwj7I_0hMuqc/s400/stained+glass.JPG)
The details on these windows are incredible and you would never guess many were created as late as the 1960s.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkDsAt6UkktdAVa_5g8W5usYkkV-jlKm_LwWa8-Bvx9aKiAsASSyLin8DsiAZmZpMNCyj5Jz-clm4W_29HUoK4tz6Q4ndCKbJ3F9R2l9YN6lnW2cmaowUqJ0ttaaFtiBhSVc5hHfn72I/s400/stained+glass+detail.JPG)
Again, I urge you all to visit and support both
Cairnwood and
Bryn Athyn Cathedral!