Cathedral Church of the Advent
The Cathedral Church of the Advent, located on the southeast corner of 6th Avenue North and 20th Street in downtown Birmingham is the mother church of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama. The Advent was established as a parish church in 1872, one year after the founding of the city, and was one of the first churches to be built downtown. The first building on this site was completed in 1873, but was soon after destroyed by fire. The present structure, designed in a modified Romanesque style by Wheelock, Joy, and Wheelock, was occupied in 1883, with completion of the tower and portico in 1885.
In 1982 the Church of the Advent became a cathedral, when the Diocese of Alabama sanctioned it as its seat. Today, nearly 4,000 members comprise the Church of the Advent, making it one of the 10 largest Episcopal churches in the United States.
On April 30, 1983 the church was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
The Cathedral is known for its historical building and courtyard garden, as well as for the reputation of its music program. In 2005 the Cathedral Choir was named "Best Church Choir" by readers of the Birmingham News.
A major project to preserve the sandstone exterior of the Cathedral was undertaken between 1999 and 2005. During this same period the Rector's Garden was redesigned to improve drainage and accommodate a columbarium, and the belltower was refitted for a carillon of fifteen bells, cast by Fonderie Paccard of Lac d'Annecy, France.
The current Dean of the Cathedral is Frank Limehouse.
Former rectors
- Paul F. M. Zahl
- Larry Gibson
- Charles Carpenter (1960s)
- Thomas J. Beard (1887)