Sunday, June 15, 2014

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord - 228 North 12th Street

Looking at main entrance of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Williamsburg
Russian Orthodox Cathedral-Williamsburg
View of Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord from McCarren Park
Russian Orthodox Cathedral-Williamsburg
The verbose titled Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord was originally named Saint Vladimir, after the Russian Saint who was a converter of Russians to Christianity.[1] Built in 1921, the church was designed in the Russian Byzantine style by architect Louis Allmendinger.[1][2] Allmendinger was also known for designing the "Mathews Model Flats", progressive tenement buildings in the Long Island City, Woodside, Elmhurst, Maspeth and Rdgewood neighborhoods of Queens.[3] The most striking feature of this building is the large copper onion dome; otherwise the building's design is relatively simple. The church is laid out in a Greek Cross and lacks some of the embellishment of many other notable Brooklyn Churches.[2] Although simple, this Brooklyn church is a striking example of ecclesiastical architecture and a north Brooklyn icon. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1969.[1]


Plaque 1


Plaque 2


Plaque 3


Plaque 4


Plaque 5


Cornerstone

There is quit the array of plaques to remind you of the importance of this church, lest you forget.


References:
  1. Greetings From Greenpoint. Brooklyn Public Library.
  2. Morrone, Francis An Architectural Guidebook to Brooklyn. Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 2001.
  3. "The Mathews Model Flats, A Place That Matters" The Municipal Art Society of New York. Online. 4 March, 2009