William Croswell Doane - Work As Bishop

Work As Bishop

Doane had a large diocese, and spent many years in visitation, establishing churches, and confirming persons.

Doane's biggest project, for many years, was the building of the Cathedral of All Saints, his major legacy. He got the land donated by the wealthy Erastus Corning, and set about building the edifice starting with its incorporation in 1873, and the laying of its cornerstone, on June 3, 1884, "with impressive ceremony." The Cathedral of All Saints was dedicated in 1888. Like, his father, Doane liked Gothic architecture for Episcopal churches. However, until that time, smaller Episcopal churches served as seats of the bishop, and the "cathedral idea" -- the concept that a bishops' main church is more than merely a parish church, but the "Mother church" -- had not yet taken hold in the United States. Much of the building was paid for a gift by his unlikely friend, J. Pierpont Morgan.

He died in New York City while travelling in 1913, at the age of 81. He was replaced by his Coadjutor, Richard Henry Nelson.