N, L--

Form 10-300 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE: I
(July 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Virginia I
NATIONAL REGEST E R O F HISTORIC P L A C E S
COUNTY. 1
-lNY E N T O R Y NOMINATION F O R M
FOR NPS U S E ONLY I

-( T y p c all entries complete applirahle sections) E N T R Y NUMBER

11;. NAME ::",- - ' " " ' .. .: < . :. . .. . - .. ," . . ,'.:;I..P. . > . . . .,.,.0 ...I-. .. ..... . . . ..:I '<<, .. I
. ., .,, .
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!.c OMMON:

I-St, Andrew's Roman Catholic Church
AND'OR HlSTORiC:

1 631 N, Jefferson Street

1 t l f Y t R TOWN:

Roanoke (Richard H, P o f f , -S i x t h District Con~ressmaa)
ICOUN-Y. 1 CbnF
STATE

Virginia .' . , . .. ... ' 3 . ,.,. 770

L--3. CLASSIFICA-TION OWNERSHIP I.,
Pubiic Acquisition: '
I CATEGORY
(Check One) a In Procass
-- a gullding a Being Considered

C District aC]I Strbctws Public Decupisd ' Ysr:

a .Site Pr1~atc 0 Unoccupied 13 Restrictad

n Obiact Both Prmc,rveti,n wark Unrestricted
In progress
0 No

P R E S E N T U S E (Check One or More a s Approprlatw)

n Agricultural . G~vmrnmen* 0 Pork fran?portotiom 0 Comments
.
0 CommersioI a l!ndustrirrl Q PrFvota Residents 01hsr (spaclw)

'a: PPGPERTYEducational Mi titory Religious
Q Enttrtuinment Q Sc;-mtifi=
OWNER OF 0 Museum
I %.;
.++ A. .-I * a . ,'I, k''2.. .*.

, ,<*,

lc)wb4ER'S NAME, 0

(Bishop oE the Diocese Most Rev. Bhn T. Russell! '

.S T R E E T A N D NUMBER.

.,. . . . . . ., I.

C O U R T H O U S E . R E G I S T R Y O F DEEDS. E T C l

Clerk's O f f i c e , Roanoke Costnty Court House

STREET A N D NUMBER:

none 0 Federal n $tots ,O County Local
.~
D A T E OF SURVEY:
DEPOSlTORY F O R S U R V E Y RECORDS:

c !T Y OR TOWN: * CODE 0
5:
I . STATE: r<

D

*b

m

CONDITION $3 Good Fmir Daterioroted Ruins Unexpolad
-- Unaltered
I n Moved (Check One)
(Check One)

Orisinol Site

D E S C R I B E T H E P R E S E N T A N D O R I G I N A L (11 knew") P H Y S I C A L A P P E A R A N C E

EXTERIOR -

St. Andrew's Catholic Church is a High Victorian Gothic building.
Its design and decoration a r e taken primarily from French Gothic sources
of the flamboyant mode. The plan of the church, t y p i c a l of t h e Gothic,
is cruciform, w i t h a n a r t h i x in f r o n t , , a n a i s l e l e s s nave, a transept. a

seven-sided apse, and, (a modern v a r i a t i o n ) , an< area surrounding t h e apse
used f o r t h e s a c r i s t y . Two i d e n t i c a l versions of French Gothic s p i r e s
flank the front (Western) facade.

S t . Andrew's was constructed of buff-colored pressed b r i c k which
was chosen because of its d u r a b i l i t y and r e s i s t a n c e t o d i r t . The foun-
dation is of l a r g e rectangular rough-hewn stones, which a r e topped by a
watertable of smooth beveled stone. Unadorned b u t t r e s s e s give support
t o t h e walls of b r i c k , l a i d i n i n v i s i b l e bond. The s l a t e covered roof is
supported by a system of ribbed vaulting. A band of copper roof c r e s t i n g
accents the l i n e of t h e roof, and a fleche marks t h e crossing. Five
small t r i a n g u l a r dormer windous p r o j e c t from both s i d e s of the roof over

the nave. The b r i c k cornices running beneath the eaves of the roof on
a l l sides are corbeled.

The main entrance t o St. Andrew's, a s t r a d i t i o n requires, is on
the western facade. A f l i g h t of fourteen stone s t e p s leads t o t h e main
entrance, which i s composed of t h r e e i d e n t i c a l doorways. The shape of
each p o r t a l is a pointed arch with the jambs being formed by f i v e con-
tinuous recessed arches. Above each p o r t a l is a flower-like atone
medallion. A band of stone moulding accents t h e angle of the gable above

each of t h e arches. A f u r t h e r decorative touch is a band of acanthus

leaves carved i n stone. running across t h e jambes. Each of the t h r e e

doors a r e rectangular four-paneled double doors, painted dark green.
bottom panels a r e square moulded panels with four q u a t r e f o i l s carved i n the

center. The t o p panels a r e carved a s columns supporting an arch. Above

each door, in t h e point of t h e arch, is a s t a i n e d g l a s s transom. I n t h e
c e n t e r of t h e Western facade over t h e p o r t a l s is a l a r g e stained-glasa
rose window. Above t h i s window is a platform and niche w i t h . a s t a t u e of

a saint.

The two t a l l Gothic towers which f l a n k t h e main entrance a r e
square i n p l a n . A number of bands of stone run horizontally across each

tower. The brick portion of each tower is pierced by two small l a n c e t
windows, two l a r g e pointed-arch stained-glass t r a c e r y windows, and s e t s

of double pointed-arch openings a t the b e l f r y . Above t h i s , the pointed

s p i r e s a r e covered with s l a t e t i l e s and accented with copper.

On the north and south facades t h e nave wall f s pierced by four

t a l l l a n c e t windows, each f i l l e d with simple wooden t r a c e r y and stained-

glass. The f r o n t walls of t h e t r a n s e p t s a r e f i l l e d mainly by very l a r g e
pointed-arch stained-glass windaws with more elaborate t r a c e r y designs.

There is a p o r t a l on t h e north t r a n s e p t only. A moulding of bricks

surround8 t h e door, and a atone l a b e l moulding is over it.

Form 10.3000 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE
(July 19691 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
VIXGINIA
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
ROANOKE ( i n c i t y )
-INVENTORY NOMINATION FORM
FOR NPS USE ONLY

(Continuation Sheet) ENTRYNUMBER DATE

(Number all entrlsa) - I

#7 Description i

I EXTERIOR (Cont inued)

On the e a s t end, t h e upper p a r t of t h e walls and roof of t h e seven-

sided apse can be seen. Four l a n c e t windows pierce t h e f o u r westernmost

sides. A.simple rectangular wooden door on t h e e a s t s i d e l e a d s i n t o t h e
s a c r i s t y rooms which surround t h e base of t h e apse. Six sets (two on each

facade) of small double lancet windows pierce t h e low w a l l s of t h i e r e a r area.

A few f e e t t o t h e e a s t of the r e a r door s t a n d s a small wooden b e l l I

I towsr from t h e o r i g i n a l church.
INTERIOR

Canpared t o the r e l a t i v e s i m p l i c i t y of the e x t e r i o r , t h e i n t e r i o r
of St. Andrew's appears very elaborate. Surfaces a r e r i c h l y decorated and
l i g h t f i l t e r i n g i n from t h e numerous atsined-glass windows adds t o t h e
c o l o r f u l i n t e r i o r . The design and decoration of t h e i n t e r i o r a r e likewise
drawn from Gothic sources, but a r e more f r e e l y adapted than t h a t of t h e
exterior.

Passing through the p o r t a l s on t h e western facade, one e n t e r s t h e
narthex. This long, narrow ante-roan has a low c e i l i n g with ribbed vaults.
The f l o o r is covered with a mosaic p a t t e r n of small multi-colored round
t i l e s . Opposite t h e t h r e e main entrance doors a r e t h r e e s e t s of carved
wooden double doors leading i n t o t h e nave. These doors have f i v e moulded
panels of q u a t r e f o i l design topped by two panels of f r o s t e d glazing with

simple tracery. The door p l a t e s on these and t h e western p o r t a l s a r e of
very o r n a t e b r a s s w i t h Gothic designs. Two small square rooms f l a n k t h e

narthex. These a r e entered by s i n g l e wooden doors with moulded q u a t r e f o i l
panels. In t h e room on t h e south end of t h e narthex, a stairway leads t o
t h e balcony above the narthex. This is a closed s t r i n g s t a i r with moulded
panels and o r n a t e l y turned b a l u s t e r s and newel post. The room on the n o r t h

side of the narthex is used t o store religious articles.

The main sanctuary has s e a t i n g f o r 800 on long simple wooden pews.
The f l o o r is of long narrow wooden boards which a r e covered by black and

white t i l e s on t h e a i s l e s . In t h e apse ie an orhate a l t a r w i t h Gothic
motifs. The white marble f o r t h e a l t a r and t h e a l t a r r a i l i n g s was imported
from I t a l y . The c e i l i n g is supported by an e l a b o r a t e system of ribbed
vaults. The r i b s do not terminate i n columns o r p i e r s a s i n most Gothic
cathedrals but end r a t h e r with ornately carved and gilded pendants.

Almost a l l l i g h t e n t e r s t h e sanctuary through t h e b r i g h t l y t i n t e d
stained-glass windows. There a r e f o u r t a l l , narrow pointed-arch t r a c e r y

windows on both s i d e s of t h e nave. These windows d e p i c t scenes such a s t h e
Annunciation and t h e Last Supper and p a i r s of e a i n t s . A t t h e t o p of each
of theae windows is a c i r c u l a r pane of g l a s s with t h e Cross and Crown, t h e

Form 10.5000 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR STATE 1
(duly 1969) NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
I c o " " ~ YVIRGI-NI-A-
NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES
FOR NPS USE ONLY
-INVENTORY NOMINATION FORM
E N T R Y NUMBER
(Continuation Sheet)
-I I
(Nvmber all snblsa)

I #7 Description
INTERIOR (Cont h u e d )

symbol of C h r i s t the King. A t the ends of t h e t r a n s e p t are l a r g e pointed-
arch t r a c e r y windows. The c e n t r a l f i g u r e in t h e north t r a n s e p t window is
S t . Patrick; t h e c e n t r a l figure in t h e south t r a n s e p t window is St. Andrew.
Four small stained-glass windowe i n t h e apse illuminate the choir area. I n
t h e upper western wall of the chu'rch is a large rose window. A medallion
of St. C e c i l i a , patron s a i n t of Musicians, forms t h e c e n t e r of t h e window.

In the surrounding c i r c u l a r medallions a r e f i g u r e s of angels and f l o r a l

designs.

A good d e a l of t h e wall s u r f a c e of St. Andrew's has been highly
decorated with polychrome paint. Artists from outside t h e Roanoke a r e a were
secured i n t h e 1940's t o do t h e i n t e r i o r decorating. The w a l l s a r e covered
with p l a s t e r and painted a pale grayish-tan above a level four f e e t from the

floor. Below t h i s t h e walls a r e faced with smooth rectangular stones
topped by a cyma r e c t a stone moulding. Above t h i s moulding is a band of
gold l e a f with a red, blue, and green running vine and rose motif. A

p a t t e r n of a l t e r n a t i n g flowers and crosses runs around the edge of the nave
wall windows. A b r i g h t vine-like p a t t e r n i n red, blue and gold runs along
the edge of the r i b s of the vaulting. Running around the nave walls
beginning on the e a s t s i d e of the north t r a n s e p t a r e a s e r i e s of ceramic
tableaus depicting t h e twelve s t a t i o n s of t h e cross. The wall aurfaces of
the c h o i r area p a r t i c u l a r l y a r e highly decorated. To each s i d e of the
a l t a r a r e niches containing polychrome s t a t u e s , Mary on t h e north and

Joseph on t h e south. Behind these s t a t u e s a r e blue backgrounds bordered
by an e l a b o r a t e vine and rose design. In t h e points of t h e arches above
them a r e c o l o r f u l angels holding banners reading "Ave Maria" and " I t e Ad
Joseph". On the lower portion of the apse wall is a b r i l l i a n t and i n t r i c a t e
carpet of reds and blues on a gold background. In the c e n t r a l niche formed
by the r i b s of t h e vaulting above t h i s is a c r u c i f i x with two adoring s a i n t s
on a gold leaf and f l o r a l background. I n t h e two niches t o e i t h e r s i d e of
t h i s a r e oval medallions with s a i n t s . Above these niches. the space betveen
the r i b s is painted deep blue with s t a r s t o resemble t h e heavens. The

e f f e c t of a l l these b r i g h t l y colored f i g u r e s and designs and t h e use of
gold l e a f on t h e drop pendants and column c a p i t a l s is en almost gaudy rich-

ness and elegance. One e n t e r s the r e a r s e c t i o n of the church by walking
through a s h o r t ambulatory on e i t h e r s i d e of t h e choir. This leads t o a
wooden rectangular moulded panel door with a pointed arch t r a n s o m l i g h t .
The r e a r rooms of t h e building a r e used f o r t h e s a c r i s t y and storage. The
walls of these rooms a r e plastered and painted cream color. There is l i t t l e
other decoration. The rooms a r e l i g h t e d by s e t s of small double l a n c e t
windows. A p l a i n r e a r door leada outside t o t h e belltower and rectory.

. SIGNIFICANCE

P E R I O D ( c h e c k O n o or More ma Applollrlula) ae a r l y
20th Century
Pro-Coiurnbionl 16th Century 18th Century
&jUrban Planning
15th Century 17th Contvry . '19th Century
Other (Specify)
S P E C I F I C D A T E I B I ( I f Applicable s n d K n o w n )

A R E A S O F S I G N I F I C A N C E fC)Ieck O n e or More .a A p ~ l o p d a l s )

Abor iginai Education Political
Rsligion/Phi.
Prehistoric Engineerins

Historic industry c losophy

Agriculture Invention Science

Architecture Londscope Sculpturs
Art Architecture
Comme,ce a Soc~ol/Humon-
Communications Litoratura
Conservation Military 8t.ri.n
Music
Thsoter

0 Tronsportotion

STATEMENT O F SIGNIFICANCE

Catholics were l a t e in e s t a b l i s h i n g themselves a s congregations
in t h e western v a l l e y s of Virginia. I n 1879. Father John W. Lynch, who

had in t h a t year been assigned t o t h e church a t Lexington and t h e adja-

cent counties of Rockbridge, Allegheny, Craig, Bath. Botetourt, and
Roanoke, v i s i t e d Big Lick i n Roanoke County and found only one Catholic
family residing there. With t h e advent of t h e r a i l r o a d terminus.
Big Lick became Roanoke, and a number of Catholic f a m i l i e s moved i n t o
the r a p i d l y growing town. On November 19, 1882, Father Lynch s a i d tho

f i r s t Mass in Passenger Cmch No, 6, which had been o f f e r e d by t h e
Shenandoah Valley Railroad.

The Catholic population of Roanoke continued t o grow, making
a church building a necessity. J. B. Austin, a land developer, offered

a s a g i f t t o Father Lynch any unselected site in h i s company's holdings.
Lynch chose two a c r e s a t o p what is now St. Andrew's H i l l . The o r i g i n a l
deed was l a t e r supplemented by s e v e r a l adjoining l o t s . Within a year,
a small b r i c k church was completed a t t h e s u m i t of the h i l l . In 1887,

a permanent r e c t o r y was b u i l t behind t h e chqrch, some of the materials

having been salvaged from the old McClanahnn M i l l a t t h e f o o t of M i l l

Mountain. Two years l a t e r . Lynch was o f f i c i a l l y appointed a s resident

pastor.

The congregation of S t . Andrew's continued t o expand and t h e
l i t t l e b r i c k church soon became t o t a l l y inadequate. A c o n t r a c t f o r t h e

present St. Andrew's was l e t a t a t o t a l c o s t of more than $100,000.
A 1 1 but 20% of t h i s sum was paid by t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n s of t h e congre-
gation by t h e dedication oP the new building on November 25.1902.
Ground-breaking had been l e s s than two years before, on December 2,

1900. W i l l i a m P. Ginther of Akron, Ohio, was t h e a r c h i t e c t . The new

church was completed around t h e old one, thus t h e materials of t h e old
brick s t r u c t u r e had t o be thrown out of the windows of t h e new church
before it could be completed.

Father Lynch, who had been s i n g u l a r l y h p o r t a n t in t h e

church's foundation and expansion. l e f t Roanoke i n 1910, f o r a pastorate
in Greensborough. N. C.. When he died, h i s remains were returned and

i n t e r r e d on t h e grounds of St. Andrew's, d i r e c t l y in front of the

church. A l a r g e plaque t o t h e l e f t of t h e main entrance commemorates
h i s service t o t h e coo~munity. A boy's home and a high echo01 ncu shara

Form 10.3000 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
(J.uly 19691 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

-N A T I O N A L R E G I S T E R O F H I S T O R I C P L A C E S ROANOKE (in c i t y )
INVENTORY NOMINATION FORM
FOR NPS USE ONLY

(Continuation Sheet) I B N T R V NUMBER DATE

1 #8 Sign i E icanca - I

1 t h e top of t h e h i l l with the church. I
A r c h i t e c t u r a l l y St. Andrew's ranks a s one of t h e l a r g e s t and
f i n e s t examples of t h e High Victorfan Gothic s t y l e in t h e Commonwealth.

Tho c h a r a c t e r of t h e b u i l d i n g i s d e f i n i t e l y French, r a t h e r than being t h e

more usual odd mixture of n a t i o n a l s t y l e s . The s c h o l a r l y design and
e x q u i s i t e craftsmanship a r e a d i r e c t outgrowth of t h e a r c h i t e c t u a l move-

ment f o s t e r e d by t h e w r i t i n g s and teachings of A. W. N. Pugin and John
Ruskin. In i t s conananding p o s i t i o n dominating t h e s k y l i n e of downtown

Roanoke, S t . Andsew's s t a n d s as t h e c i t y ' s r i c h e s t and most conspicuous

a r c h i t e c t u r a l landmark.

9. htAJOR BlBLlOGRAPHlCAL REFERENCES 1
I
-9,Writer8 Program of t h e W. P. A., Roanoke, Story of County and
Roanoke: Stone P r i n t i n g and Manufacturing Co., 1942.

1 - - -Pamphlet: l i i s t o r i c a l Sketch of St. Andrew*. Pariah. Roanoke, Virginia. I
Catalogue : Roanoke Architecture, Catalogue of e x h i b i t of photography
a t R o l l i n s College, Virginia, May. 1969.

I.

STATE:

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;.:.. . : :
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$1. FORM PREPARE0 BY..' . . . ...... ... . C

. . .N A M E A N D T I T L E : n

. : Gregorv We idman DATE ---I

QRGANIZATION. May 3. 1972 0

student. ~ o l l i n s~ o l i e g e .Virginia z

STREET A N D NUMBER: V)

P. 0. Box 10358

CITY O R TOWN: . STATE

I Hollins C-ollene I NATIONAL REGISTER VERIFICATION
12. STATE LIAISON OFFICER C E R T I F i C A l I O N

As the deiignated State Liaison Officer for the Na- isI hereby certify that t h i s pro&rty included i n the

tional Historic Preservetion Act of 1966 (Public Law Nations1 Register.

894655. I h e k b y nominate this property for inclusion Chief, Office ?I Archbo.logy.~and. Historic P t e s e r v a t i M
....
in the National Register and cerlify that it ha? been

evaluated acc6rding to the crlteria and procehres set,

forth by the National Perk Service. The recom' mended

level of significance of this nomination is:

National State [XI Local

J. R. Fishburna, Director , ....
r i t l e V i r g i n i a H b t o r i c Landmark8 C o m i
Keeper of The Natlonal R e e l s t e r
Date bate
GPO 001.0*7
- - ~~ ~~
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