Michael Patterson

Review of Grace Cathedral

As the third largest Episcopal (Anglican) cathedra...

As the third largest Episcopal (Anglican) cathedral in the United States, Grace Cathedral is a marvelous crown atop Nob Hill. Compared to counterparts in Europe, Grace Cathedral is rather small and made of modest materials. What makes the cathedral great are the building s geometry and the stained glass windows by the Connick studio in Boston, Willet studio in Philadelphia, and Loire studio in Chartres, France.

Liturgically and musically, Grace Cathedral offers the best of the Anglican tradition in an unlikely location. Visitors and seekers from other liturgical Christian traditions will easily recognize the structure of the liturgy. Others, who are suspicious of religious institutions (probably for good reason) will find a community that welcomes questions and is unperturbed by doubt.

Full disclosure - I have been a member of the Grace Cathedral community since the mid 1990s; therefore, my review review is somewhat biased. Nevertheless, as an individual who craves intelligent discourse, anonymity (sometimes), welcome (sometimes), and beauty, Grace Cathedral is a welcome refuge.