Apse

Notice two chairs on either side of the altar. The larger chair on your left is the Cathedra, or Bishop’s Throne. It remains empty except during bishop’s visitations. It serves as a visible reminder that the bishop is the spiritual head of the diocese. This building is called a cathedral because of that Cathedra, or chair! The Cathedra has an ornate staff at one side. This is the crosier, carried by the bishop when giving a blessing or absolution. It is made from Louisiana magnolia wood.

Now look above the altar at the four painted figures. These are the 4 archangels: Michael, Raphael, Uriel, and Gabriel. At the front of the altar are 4 more winged figures.  They show the authors of the Gospels, as traditionally pictured: Matthew (a man), Mark (a lion), Luke (an ox), and John (an eagle).

An altar stone (in the center of the altar) contains the oldest object in the church. In 1936, then-Bishop Morris gave the cathedral a fragment of stone from Glastonbury Abbey, England. It dates from the 2nd century AD. It is set in a square of pink marble from a building occupying the site of the third Christ Church. It was embedded in the altar in 1938.