The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1910-07-18
PRO-CATHEDRAL
CHURCH NO MORE
elSHcla., OSBORNE. DEPRiVES
SPRINGFIELD CHURCH OF
DISTINCTION HELD 80 YEARS
BLOCES CATHEDRAL PLAN
Says Bishop Seymours Desire For
Central Church With Associated
Building Has Not Been
Realized.

The following taken from a Spting-
field newspaper of recent date, and
relating TO the church parish former
~ in charge of Rev. r A. De Rosset,
rector OF the Church OF the Redeem
err. cf Cairo, will be of interest to
the members of the church both in
this city and throw ghout the Episeo-
pal Diocese of Springfield;
st. Paul's Episcopal church of this
city Springfield no longer enjoys
the distinction of being pro-catle-
lral, which it has held for over thir-
ty years, or since the late George
Franklin Seymour became bishop Of
the diocese of Springfield. The
change from pro-cathedral to a parish
church has been brought about by
Bishop Osborne, who in letter adj,
dressed to the wardens and vestry OF
ST. Pauls Pro-Cathedral says that ne
thinks the time has come when he
should relinQnish the privilege &C
corded him when he became bishop
OF using the church for cathe-
dral and ii had been used by MS
predecessor, and that the church
should no longer be considered OF
called the pro-cathedral of the do
cese
Bishop Osborne gives as his reason
for this that neither the bishop 81
the diocese through him should be re.
sponsib'e for that which neither he
or the diocese controls, and also tnal
the existence of pro~cathedra
stands in the way of any plan for q
cathedral proper. AS there are proba
bly, many members of the church il
the diocese who would be willing tr
make gifts fer the erection OF ca
| tnedral or to provide for such gifts
ia their Wills If they saw any hop
or likelihood for the RELATION o
| such an undertaking
Bishop osborne's Letter.
| Springfield IT., July S. 1912
70 the Wardens and Yestry OF st
Paul's Pro-Cathedral Church
Springfield Illinois.
Gentlemen: have to ackuowledg
the courteous letter of Mr.. Charlie
Richardson, clerk Of the vestry, ir
forming me OF the resignation as rec
tor Of the Rev f. A. D. Rosset. O
the acceptance Of the resignation an
OF the vacancy in the rectorship G
the parish.
Il hope there will be no long V;
1aacy hut that suitable priest ma
soon be found for the post of rec,o
and shall be glad to give you ever
assistance in my power in findin
SUCH
you will remember that on til
death of Bishop Seymour you by
unanimous vote Offered me St. Paul
to be a pro-cathedral, as it had bee
to my predecessor. The cGurch hi
been so known and used ever sine
and | thank you for the courtesy.
ut seems to me, however, that ii
time has come when should reli
quish the privilege and that s
Parl's churcn should no longer
considered or called the pro-car'
s dral OF the diocese
Reasons for the Action.
My reason for tais are two:
E ]. The first is that do not thr
q it we'll thai the bishop, AMI the II
T. cese through him, should' be respon'
, bic, or be held responsible, for til
which neither ne nor the dioce
;. controls
d %. The second needs long
/ statement
9 The former bishop of the dioce
@ had always a desire that the tlioce
should have a Cathedral church
every way worthy of the name. wi
other associated buildings His (
Y Sire vas not realized in his life tin
d and so far no steps have been TAX
for it's realization.
Yet there arc those who thi
IN there should be central church.
bishops church where his chair
that is, Cathedral church.
"A cathedral corporation Is in
istence, but at the present holds
70 property nor does it discharge {
's duty,
70 1T is more than possible that tn
}" are members Of the church in the
cese VINO would be willing to m'
W gifts for the erection of a Cathed
~ or to provide for such gifts by
no in the disposal Of their estates If &
VI saw any hope or likelihood OF
ps realization Of such an undertaking.
Stands in Way of Cathedral P'ar
~ "ln my judgment the existence
pro-cathedral stands in the way
ol any plan for cathedral proper.
tS' There are those who. having
7'c knowledge of what Sathcdrals are
an may be, sometimes give the name
anu cathedral to the present cnt
vi which is not in any way suited
!" the purpose Others may feel the
- sujtableness of the present en-
"a and yet feel that so long as J
80 the pro-cathedral nothing further
IN, be done.
w. at was at one time thought