Stories from the First Cathedral 8: The Guild House of the First Cathedral

"Liturgy, in its literal sense, means 'the work of the People.'"  Normally the word is used only in connection with public worship - and this may indeed be the highest form of human worship - yet the work of the people of God includes more than prayer and praise and preaching. The Guild House, like parish houses in general, grew out of at least two developments in the late 19th century; a larger awareness of the social implications of religion and the increasing role of the laity. Neither was an altogether new idea. In the late 1880's 'organized work' burgeoned in the Parish requiring space and facilities for a variety of groups. Women took the lead in most of these activities." ( The First Cathedral by the Venerable Ben Scott and Robert Neslund, 1987.)

The Guild House on the grounds of the Cathedral city block opened in 1894. The Cathedral shared the block with the Guild House but there was a large separation between the two buildings. I believe in the 19th century this separation existed for a purpose. The Cathedral was a Gothic structure, which reflected prestige and grandeur. The Guild House was a Romanesque style of architecture reflecting the "arts and crafts"  type houses built in America during this time period. The Cathedral building was used for worship and liturgy. On Sundays the "people from the hill" congregated in the nave to gather and celebrate with the beautiful music created by the grand organ. Faculty from Shattuck Military School, St Mary's Girls School, St James School for middle school boys, Seabury Divinity School students and staff formed, along with the common people, the congregants of the Cathedral. The common people centered their ministry at the Guild House. Many fun and festive community events happened at the Guild House. The Great Hall was at one time the largest public space for events in Faribault. 

The Guild House and the Cathedral lived out changes and evolutions of church life in the city of Faribault, which was once called "The Athens of the West." More to come on the buildings that housed the people of God in southern Minnesota.