A Romanesque Revival church that served as pro-cathedral of the former Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem. The present building is the parish’s fifth, designed by Philadelphia architect Charles M. Burns.
At a glance
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral is an Episcopal church in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Built between the parish’s founding in 1817 and its consecration in 1899, it stands as the fifth church building raised by this congregation. The pro-cathedral role meant it functioned as a secondary seat for the Diocese of Bethlehem, whose primary cathedral was the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
History
The parish of St. Stephen’s began in 1817. Four earlier buildings preceded the current church. This fifth church was completed in 1897 and consecrated in 1899. It served as pro-cathedral of the former Diocese of Bethlehem, a role that linked Wilkes-Barre to the larger Episcopal administration of the region.
What you see
Philadelphia architect Charles M. Burns designed the church in the Romanesque Revival style. The 1897 building reflects the heavy masonry and rounded arches characteristic of that movement. As the parish’s fifth church, it represents a century of architectural evolution for a congregation that began meeting in 1817.
Cultural significance
St. Stephen’s held a distinctive position within the former Diocese of Bethlehem as pro-cathedral, a status that elevated it above an ordinary parish church while the Cathedral Church of the Nativity remained the bishop’s primary seat. The congregation continues as an active Episcopal community.
Key facts
- Country: United States
- City: Wilkes-Barre
- Coordinates: 41.24653, -75.88439
- Denomination: Episcopal
- Style: Romanesque Revival
- Architect: Charles M. Burns
Practical information & getting there
The church is located in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. No visitor hours or admission details are provided in the source material.
Sources & resources
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