Cathedral of Living Trees

Item Information

Title:
Cathedral of Living Trees
Description:
This black-and-white photograph shows a group of people at the Cathedral of Living Trees, located in Springfield College’s East Campus. At the center of the cathedral is a large cross. Two men are standing near the cross and facing the crowd.
Creator:
Springfield College
Date:
[1940?–1980?]
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Series:
East Campus Records
Subjects:
Springfield College
East Campus
Springfield College--Campus
Springfield (Mass.)
Forests
Crosses
Trails & paths
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/6812
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Notes:
The Cathedral of Living Trees was donated to the school by Minnie Taylor Mallory in memory of her parents. It was erected under the guidance of Edgar W. Robinson on November 17, 1935. According to an Olean Times-Herald article published on July 20, 1938, “It will be ten years before the Minnie Taylor Mallory Cathedral of Living Trees at Springfield College freshman camp attains its full stature, [and] more than 50,000 persons from all parts of the country already have visited the outdoor sanctuary. The Gothic arches of the cathedral, its tall, rugged pillars, will be live trees. Sixty elms will form the pillars, and the natural curve of the branches will form the ‘interior’ arches and dome. Cathedral wall will consist of 123 bush plants, spruce, hemlock and pine. A huge natural stone alter eventually will be erected, and cedar-wood pews will be placed in the interior. Electric candles will furnish the lighting. Three large Gothic arches, of elms, will comprise the front exterior. The cathedral is in the shape of a cruciform. College students are making a 12-foot clearing round the exterior of the natural cathedral. The first tree, the chancel tree, was planted Nov. 17, 1935. At the time it was estimated that lights, alter and pews could not be placed for 10 years.” An article published in the December 2, 1963 issue of Sports Illustrated claims that “the college did away with worship in the Cathedral of Living Trees, which is located in an 86-acre campsite adjacent to the campus, because there were murmurings about paganism.” The Cathedral of Living Trees can still be visited today on East Campus.
Identifier:
rg121-01-01-12-004