Saint Johns Cathedral - Cathedral Tours

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Cathedral

We are a church, a parish, and a Cathedral. Why Cathedral? The word cathedral comes from the Latin cathedra, meaning bishop's chair or bishop's seat. St. John's is the home of the Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Florida. The Bishop's chair is in the chancel, along the main axis of the church and in front of the choir.

Part of the rich history of Anglican Cathedrals is education in all facets. In keeping with this tradition, Cathedral tours are offered each Sunday following both the 8 am and 10:30 am services of Holy Eucharist. Cathedral tours are led by trained Cathedral Docents. Please look for the Docents in purple robes at the Baptismal Font.

Additional tours for school groups and visitors to the Jacksonville community may be arranged by contacting Parish Administrator, Monica MacKenzie at mmackenzie@saintjohnscathedral.org.

The Great West Doors

Huge, heavy oak doors open into the back of the church. They also open out into the community and draw us into his sacred space. As we enter, we are facing east, toward the rising sun, toward Jerusalem, the site of our Lord's Resurrection.

The Baptismal Font

Huge, heavy oak doors open into the back of the church. They also open out into the community and draw us into his sacred space. As we enter, we are facing east, toward the rising sun, toward Jerusalem, the site of our Lord's Resurrection.

Holy Communion Chapel

As you stand with your back to the Great West Doors, you are looking down the center axis of the space. Notice that there are smaller spaces to the left and right. These smaller spaces contain pews, and each has a chapel. The space to the left is the north transept and contains the Holy Communion Chapel.

The Ascension Chapel

The space to the right is the south transept and contains the Ascension Chapel.

The Crossing

Now, imagine that you are in an airplane flying low above this place. The center axis and the two transepts form a cross. As long as churches have been built, this cross shape has reminded us to live lives shaped by the cross of Christ. Where the two arms of the cross intersect, we have the crossing. In the middle of the crossing is the altar.

The Altar

The crossing is architecturally the most important space in the cathedral. Visible from every pew, the altar is the Lord's Table where the Risen Lord is both guest and host. Each Sunday morning we gather to hear the reading of scripture and the sermon - the Word of God spoken. Then we come to this Table to receive the Word of God broken - Jesus' Body and Blood. We receive the bread and wine at the altar rail.

Whimsies

Interspersed along the rail are "whimsies," delightful little symbols hand carved by English masters, showing the common heritage of England and America.

The Chancel

The eastern end is called the chancel. During services, the choir and organist occupy the space in the back. A great Cathedral needs great music, and great music is enhanced by a cathedral setting. Look around and notice that the surfaces are tile and marble and stone - hard surfaces that do not soak up the sound. When you are here next listen to the way the music reverberates around the cathedral space.

The Nave

The long axis of a cathedral is called a nave. This word comes from the same Latin root word for naval or navy. Can you see how the graceful Gothic arches at the ceiling form the shape of a boat turned upside down? So this great space is the ship of our salvation. And we believe that when Christ died, was buried and rose again, the world was turned upside down. Alleluia!