Teacher s Guide and Lesson Plan Visiting the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and Museum Exhibits Compatible with 11th Grade U.S. History Curriculum (Fulfills the Visit a Historical Site Requirement) Objectives Students will: Research the historical significance of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart to Virginia s Catholic community and to the city of Richmond. Research the events leading to the Cathedral s construction, placing it within a broader historical context. Conduct field research of the site to better understand the importance of the Cathedral, and the time period in which it was built. Present facts about the Cathedral s history and significant people and events that impacted this site to their classmates. Write a poem journal entry from the perspective of a historical figure who attended the Cathedral s Consecration Day Mass to gain a better understanding of the time period. Materials Needed Students will need: Internet access Ability to view the Cathedral s website: www.richmondcathedral.org and the website for the Museum of Virginia Catholic History and Archives: www.richmonddiocese.org/archives Cathedral s Self-Guided tour brochure: www.richmondcathedral.org/selfguidedtour.pdf PowerPoint software History Detectives Worksheets Lesson Plan Based on the Visit a Historical Site lesson plan outlined in the Consensus Curriculum, this is a three- conducted by lesson unit that will provide students with an appreciation of the level of research historians when examining historic sites.
In Lesson One, students will divide up into three groups of History Detectives : Architectural Historians, Art Historians and Social Historians. As history-mystery detectives, they will find answers to the questions provided in the worksheets (see worksheets on pages 3-5). Within their small groups, students can further divide up their research responsibilities if they choose. The groups will then create a PowerPoint presentation about their research findings. In Lesson Two, students will meet again with their group members to create four (4) scavenger hunt questions or trivia questions based on the research that they compiled. These questions will be typed up and submitted to their teacher. Following their guided tour of the Cathedral, students will go on a hunt, answering all of the questions created by the other two role groups. In Lesson Three, students choose (or are assigned) the name of a person who would have been present at the Cathedral s Consecration Day Mass. (A list of possible names will be provided). Each student will write either a 10 to 15 line poem or journal entry from that person s perspective about the first Mass ever celebrated at the new Cathedral. Students will peer edit their poems or journal entries and share them with the class. These lessons should take approximately six class periods to complete: 2-3 periods for the research and PowerPoint presentation: 1 period for the field trip; and 2 periods to write and present the poems/journal entries.
History Detectives Worksheet: The Architectural Historians Did you know that the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is actually Richmond s second cathedral? Or that its cornerstone is actually a piece of stone from the Garden of Gethsemane? And that when it was built, it was celebrated as being one of the largest Cathedrals in the South? Your job is to investigate the architectural design and history of the building and report the interesting facts that you uncover! Your research questions: What does the term cathedral mean in Latin? What was the name of Richmond s first Cathedral? When was it built? Who was the architect for the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart? What is the architectural style of the building? Can you describe this style? The church is constructed with a variety of building materials. What are the following components made of: floors, roof, exterior walls, and foundation? What is the shape of the floorplan? What are the size dimensions of the building (length, height, etc.)? How many people can the Cathedral seat? How many pipes are in the organ loft? What is a Carillon and who donated it to the Cathedral? In more recent years, the main altar was reconstructed and some of the marble was removed. What was built from this reused marble? The original confessional booths were repurposed. What are they used for now? Where does Reconciliation now take place? The architect for the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart also designed Holy Trinity Catholic Church in New York City. Can you find any similarities in the design of the two buildings? Here are helpful resources: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/taylor3.html and http://www.nycago.org/organs/nyc/html/holytrinityrc.html
History Detectives Worksheet: The Art Historians Did you know that the Cathedral has a unique stained glass window of St. Vincent de Paul, Patron Saint of the Diocese? And when the Cathedral first opened, it wasn t yet painted on the inside? Or that the Paschal candle stand was made from the old baptismal font? Your job is to investigate the decorative elements of the building and report the interesting facts that you uncover! Your research questions: What is the motto that is found on the exterior of the building, above the main entrance? Why do you think this motto was chosen for this particular building? What is the theme of the stained windows that line the aisles? For which occasion were these windows installed? Which saint is found in the picture above the baptistery? And above the Auxiliary Sacristy? On the ceiling of the nave, panels with the Coat of Arms of four different popes can be found. Which four popes are represented and why? What artistic detail can be found at the apex of the dome? What does it symbolize? In addition to the main altar, there are four more altars in the Cathedral. To which saints are these four altars dedicated? When the Cathedral was consecrated in 1906, Archbishop Diomede Falconio anointed the interior walls with chrism in twelve places. These places were marked with brass crosses which originally held lit candles. What could the number 12 symbolize? In what year was the Cathedral s interior finally painted and decorated? What was the occasion? What important artifact, dating to 1906, was recently restored and placed on display in the Baptistery? The cornerstone, which came from a significant place, is also located in the Baptistery. Where did the cornerstone come from and which bishop acquired it?
History Detectives Worksheet: The Social Historians Did you know that in order to attend the Cathedral s first Mass in 1906, people had to buy tickets? Or that the architect was brought to Richmond from New York City? And that the donor who supplied the money to build the Cathedral was once the nation s 10 th richest man? Your job is to investigate the key individuals who contributed to the building of the Cathedral and witnessed its first Mass, as well as research what life was like in 1906. Afterwards, report the interesting facts that you uncover! This group has fewer questions because they might take a little more research; all answers should be easy to find online! Who were the Cathedral s donor couple and how much did they donate for the building s construction? How did the donor make his fortune? What was like life in 1906, the year the Cathedral first opened its doors? (For example, who was the president? What were some recent inventions? What did people wear? What did they do for entertainment? Can you find any interesting photos online from this time period?) An Apostolic Delegate was invited to consecrate the Cathedral when its construction was complete. What does this title mean and who was the delegate? What does it mean to consecrate a building? The Cathedral s Dedication Mass, held on Thanksgiving Day in 1906, was a very big event. In fact, the governor of Virginia and the mayor of Richmond were in attendance; they sat in a front pew which was specially reserved for them. What were their names? When the Cathedral celebrated its Centennial Mass in 2006, the governor and mayor (at the time) were present, also seated in a front pew. What are their names? Who was the Bishop of Richmond when the Cathedral was consecrated? From which country did he originate? An American Cardinal was present at the Cathedral s consecration. He had a special connection to the Diocese of Richmond. Who was he?
Description of the Mass: After the rite of consecration was completed, ticket-holders for the Cathedral s Consecration Day Mass quickly filled the building. Nearly 3,000 people were in attendance. At 11 o clock in the morning, the procession began to enter the Cathedral through the main entrance in this order: cross-bearer and altar boys, priests, archbishops and bishops with their chaplains in order by seniority and rank, His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore (formerly the Bishop of Richmond) and, lastly, the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Diomede Falconio. According to the Richmond Times- and fifty Dispatch, nearly three-hundred people participated in the procession, twolocal altar hundred of whom were boys. Photograph taken by Edyth Carter Beveridge November 29, 1906. Seated in the front pews to witness this historic event were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ryan, sole benefactors for the Cathedral, Joseph H. McGuire, architect of the Cathedral, Claude Swanson, governor of Virginia, and Carlton McCarthy, mayor of Richmond. Imagine if you had attended the very first Mass held in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. What would you see, hear and feel as part of this incredible experience? Pretend to be one of the participants listed below and write your thoughts down in a 10-15 line poem or journal entry. Important People Who Attended the Cathedral s First Mass: Joseph H. McGuire (architect) and wife Harriet McGuire Thomas Fortune Ryan and wife Ida Barry Ryan (donors) Bishop Augustine van de Vyver His Eminence James Cardinal Gibbons His Excellency Archbishop Diomede Falconio Governor Claude Swanson and wife Elizabeth Lyons Swanson Mayor Carlton McCarthy and wife Susan Apperson McCarthy