The First Cathedral

Infobox church
name = The First Cathedral
fullname = The First Cathedral- A Church for all people
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denomination = Non-Denominational
diocese =
parish =
division =
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founded_date = April 12th 1968
founder = Rev. Edward R. King
architect = TMA Architects/Russell & Dawson Architecture and Engineering of East Hartford, Connecticut
style = Post-Modern Cathedral
constructed_date = 1997-1999
dedicated_date = September 4th 1999
closed_date =
demolished_date =
bishop =
priest =
archdeacon =
dean =
provost =
rector =
canon =
prebendary =
curate =
chaplain =
vicar =
deacon = Over 200 ordained and recognized deacons
abbot =
minister = Over 100 ordained and recognized ministers
seniorpastor = Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
pastor =
address = 1151 Blue Hills Avenue, Bloomfield, Connecticut
country = United States
phone = 1 860 243-6520
website = [http://www.firstcathedral.org The First Cathedral]

The First Cathedral exists both as a Christian ministry based in Bloomfield, Connecticut as well as the edifice in which the ministry is held . Originally known as "The 1st Baptist Church", it was founded in 1968 in Hartford, Connecticut. [The First Cathedral. The First Cathedral--Visitors’ Handbook. Bloomfield: TFC, 1999.] .The Pastor is Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.

The First Cathedral: The Ministry

Milestones in development

* 1968, The Church is founded with Rev. Edward R. King as founding pastor.
* 1970, Rev. Dr. LeRoy Bailey Jr. Begins tenure as second pastor. wikiquote|Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
* 1977, The Church moves to a larger facility
* 1979, The church becomes known as "The First Baptist Church of Hartford"
* 1982, The School of Ministry was founded.
* 1989, Two apartment buildings for the elderly, managed by the First Baptist Housing Development Corporation were constructed. (First and Second Villages)
* 1989, The church bookstore (First Cathedral Bookstore) was founded.
* 1993, Mission in Kenya started.
* 1995, A kindergarten through 8th grade school was founded (First Academy).
* 1997, The Praises of Zion, one of The First Cathedrals Choirs releases their first Album
* 1997, Church Begins Construction on Cathedral Edifice
* 1999, Church moves to Cathedral Edifice
* 2001, Rev. Dr. LeRoy Bailey was consecrated into the Bishopric, Becoming known as Bishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
* 2003, Bishop Bailey Authors, A Solid Foundation: Building Your Life from the Ground Up [http://www.amazon.com/Solid-Foundation-Building-Your-Ground/dp/0883687771"Purchase a copy of A Solid Foundation"]
* 2004, All Purpose Playfields built (First Cathedral Playfields).
* 2004, The Church adopted 16 churches in Bangladesh.
* 2006, Bishop Leroy Bailey Jr. is appointed Archbishop, Becoming known as Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.
* 2006, The Church adopted the Thurman Milner School in Hartford, Connecticut
* 2007, The Church has began a stewardship campaign to fund a future "Family Life Center".
* 2007, The Church embarks to and completes building 3 churches in Peru and one church in Bangladesh.In addition to the Church edifice in Bangledesh, the church built several wells in the country serving several thousand residents.
* 2007, The Church begins an inter-mural program with The Greater Hartford Chapter of The Boys and Girls Clubs of America.
* 2008, The Church embarks to and completes building a 40,000 dollar orphanage in the country of Uganda
* 2008, The Church Begins The First Music Conservatory, with the intention of bringing a Christian Alternative to Learning Music

Goals for Future

* Build Family Life Center
* Expand Ministry into 83 Countries across the World including The United States

Changes brought by LeRoy Bailey

In 1971, [The First Cathedral. The First Cathedral--Visitors’ Handbook. Bloomfield: TFC, 1999.] Leroy Bailey was called to be the second pastor of the "1st Baptist Church", which at the time was located in Hartford, Connecticut. At the time of his arrival there were approxiamately 60 members.

LeRoys' arrival brought new revolutionary teaching to the members of "1st Baptist Church" . In fact, his first sermon preached was entitled "What in the world are you waiting for?", It was a sermon that began his push for growth in the church.

LeRoy established in his primary years at the church, his goals and objectives through sermons. One of these sermons, preached in 1974, was entitled "Going First Class", which was centered on the biblical passage Jeremiah 29:11:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
*Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)

LeRoy shared with the people in this sermon that was more to life then what they had experienced in the past and that he was determined to lead them into that lifestyle. The ministry grew tremendously. In 1970, LeRoy led the church into a larger facility.

In 1989, LeRoy led the church, now known as "The First Baptist Church of Hartford", into a series of stewardship campaigns based on sermons with the themes of faith, equality, obedience and the hope for the future. For example, The third campaign entitled "Rise Up and Build" which raised funds for the construction of the The First Cathedral Edifice was based on; Joshua 22:26-27:

"That is why we said, 'Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.' On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, 'You have no share in the LORD.'
*Joshua 22:26-27

LeRoy allowed the people to contribute to his vision, by hold what he called " dream nights". An opportunity for members to communicate their hopes and aspirations in relation to the future of the ministry

Under LeRoy's Leadership, the church's membership has grown tremendously. As of 2005, the membership numbered over 11,000 [The First Cathedral. The First Cathedral--Visitors’ Handbook. Bloomfield: TFC, 1999.] makking the cathedral the largest church in the New England Region. [(except from Archbishop Leroy Bailey]

Ministries

* 2002, Began an organization that is a forum for churches of diverse denominations, ethnicities and geographic locations. Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant.
* 2004, Began a physical and spiritual health ministry. (The Good Life Wellness Center)
* 2006, Began a Christian Catering Service. (First Harvest)
* Multilingual/Translation Ministry Sign Language Ministry. [ [http://www.deaftoday.com/news/archives/004197.html DeafToday website] ]
* Annual Multicultural month
* Praises Of Zion, an award-winning Gospel Music choir.

Annual Events

* Covanant Conference
* Churches Covered and Connected in Covanent Conference held every other year (2001)
* Gospel Explosion (2007)
* Pastoral Anniversary Celebration, March of every year
* Annual Christmas Production (Late 1980s)

Controversial use of facility

The First Cathedral, as a means of paying off its debt has been renting the facility to several local high schools including Windsor High School In Windsor, Connecticut, South Windsor High School [ News story. http://www.swindsor.k12.ct.us/Highschool/activities/classes/senioract-grad06.html ] in South Windsor, Connecticut, Enfield High School and Enrico Fermi High School in Enfield, Connecticut. [ The Hartford Courant Online. http://blogs.courant.com/nightbeat/2007/01/first_cathedral.html] .The Cathedral actions have raised concerns about Separation of Church and State.

Ministry affiliations

The First Cathedral is affiliated with several Ministries:
* "Churches United in Global Mission" [ [http://www.cugm.com/ Churches United in Global Mission Website] ] - A ministry of Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.
* "Connecticut Coalition of Churches"
* "Pastors in Covenant"
* "Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant" [ [http://www.firstcathedral.org/pages.asp?pageid=20864 "Churches Covered and Connected in Covenant official website] ]
* "The Capital Region Conference of Churches" [ [http://www.conferenceofchurches.org/matriarch/splash.asp The Capital Region Conference of Churches official website] ]
* "Dr. Myles Munroe- Bahamas Faith Ministries International"

The First Cathedral: The Edifice

In 1998, the ministry at the time known as The First Baptist Church of Hartford broke ground on its first custom house of worship, on a 40 acre plot in Bloomfield, Connecticut. Funding for the construction was raised via stewardship campaigns over twelve years. After two years of construction the convert|120000|sqft|m2|abbr=on. facility was completed. [ [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F60816FF385E0C708DDDAB0994D0494D81 A Megachurch Takes Shape in Bloomfield - New York Times] . In the planning phases of the building, church officials planned to remain called The First Baptist Church of Hartford while occuping the edifice called The First Cathedral. The Ministry became known as The First Cathedral as individuals within the community who were unfamilar with these plans began confusing the two. Architectural Styles used in the contruction of most New England Churches.

The First cathedral was intented of being the final Building of The First Baptist Church, The First Cathedral is full of symbolism. Church officals worked with architects and engineers to create an environment that is full of theological and biblical symbolism.

Overall Structure

The First Cathedral edifice is built in the shape of a dove, a reference to the Baptism of Jesus which is recorded in every canonized Gospel.

External Symbolism

The FoundationThe Doves' Feet are represented by the foundation of the Cathedral. The foundation of the Cathedral, being quite large and being located on former swampland, is a network of grade beams that equally disburse the weight of the building.

The Structure

The structure of The Cathedral is divided into 3 levels:• The First Level is the two commerical floors, the primary representing earth, the second representing Heaven
• The Second Level is located within the second of the commerical floors, The Two Balconies representing Heaven.
• The Third Level is Represented in the Cupola, 8 sided, ordained with stained glass windows, symbolic of the throne room of Heaven where God is

Exterior Walls

The Immeadiate external wall of the Cathedral are covers with Dryvit, the dyvit wall installed in stages reminisent of the extensive project, under taken by Nehemiah, in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehemiah#Rebuilding_of_Jerusalem| rebuilting of the city walls of Israel] . Additionally the Sandstone Color of the building is a reminder of the Wilderness Experience of the Ancient Israelites before reaching their promised land.

Interior Elements

Within the Dove shaped edifice, are three major components, The Grand Lobby, The Grand Concourse and The Sanctuary, modeled after Solomon's Temple.

The Grand Lobby

The Grand Lobby, is the 'facsade' of The First Cathedral, the lobby contains several symbolic elements:

•The Entrance way is a set of double doors, creating an energy saving lock. The double set of double doors are reminicent of the main entry way into an ancient city, the doors were part of the cities defense system.

•Stained Glass Mosaic-depicts people of all races and every ethnicity from all directions with their hand lifted in praise.

•Fountain'- the fountain is in the shape of a tomb, the water shooting out of the fount comes in the form of cross representing life out of death.

See also

* Archbishop LeRoy Bailey Jr.

References