The Cathedral of Learning at the University of Pittsburgh stands as a testament to vision and perseverance, largely thanks to John Gabbert Bowman, who served as the university’s chancellor from 1921 to 1945. Bowman envisioned this Oakland skyscraper not just as a building, but as a beacon of enlightenment. He eloquently stated that within its walls, individuals would discover “wisdom and faith—in steel and stone, in character and thought—they shall find beauty, adventure, and moments of high victory.”
Designed by Philadelphia architect Charles Zeller Klauder, the Cathedral of Learning was groundbreaking in its time, holding the title of the world’s tallest educational building upon its completion. Today, it remains second only to the main tower of Moscow State University in Russia. Klauder’s initial designs considered a 52-story structure, but after numerous iterations, he and Bowman settled on the impressive 40-story design that we see today.
The land on which the Cathedral stands, a 14-acre plot known as Frick Acres, was generously donated to the University of Pittsburgh by philanthropists Andrew W. Mellon and his brother, Richard B. B. Mellon. This site was once home to the mansion of James K. Moorhead, a U.S. Congressman and president of the Atlantic & Ohio Telegraph Co., a precursor to the modern Western Union Telegraph Co., adding another layer of historical significance to the location of this iconic university landmark.
According to Robert C. Alberts in his comprehensive history, Pitt: The Story of the University of Pittsburgh, 1787-1987, the name “Cathedral of Learning” is believed to have originated with Bowman during a dinner announcement on November 6, 1924. Despite reportedly disliking the name personally, Bowman recognized its powerful public appeal, especially as the University embarked on a substantial $10 million public fundraising campaign to finance this ambitious construction project.
This fundraising endeavor is now recognized as one of the earliest examples of modern fundraising campaigns. It successfully engaged Pittsburgh businesses, philanthropic organizations, and individual donors. Remarkably, over 97,000 schoolchildren participated by contributing a dime each, receiving a certificate that acknowledged them as “Builders of the Cathedral of Learning.” These young contributors, now adults, often retain a strong sense of connection and loyalty to the University of Pittsburgh.
Alice Sapienza Donnelly, one of these “builders,” recalls being around 7 or 8 years old when her father gave her a dime for the cause. She remembers the internal debate between buying candy and contributing to Pitt, ultimately choosing the latter. Later, her father took her on a bus to Oakland to see “her” brick. Speaking in Italian, she asked him to identify her brick, to which he replied, “The one at the very top,” a heartwarming anecdote that illustrates the far-reaching impact of the fundraising campaign. Donnelly herself later earned two degrees from Pitt and taught at the university for 28 years, further cementing her connection.
Robert Lavelle, a prominent figure in Pittsburgh’s Dwelling House Savings and Loan, also contributed as a student at Lincoln Elementary School. He remembers being shown a picture of the “beautiful edifice” planned for the campus. The name “Cathedral of Learning” was gaining traction, but young Lavelle, whose father was a preacher, questioned the term. He wondered, “If it’s a cathedral, why doesn’t it have a steeple?” His teachers explained that “there is no peak to learning…it’s a lifelong process, and that’s why the architects had to leave the top open,” a profound explanation that resonated with the building’s purpose. Lavelle also became a Pitt alumnus, with the University later establishing the Robert R. Lavelle Business Scholarship in his honor.
The Cathedral of Learning’s significance extends beyond education. It was officially designated a National Landmark by the National Park Service on November 3, 1975, and further recognized as a Historic Structure by the Pittsburgh City Council on February 22, 1977, solidifying its place in American architectural and cultural history.
Cathedral Timeline: Key Moments in the Tower’s History
March 1921: Just two months into his chancellorship, John G. Bowman articulates his vision for a “high building, a tower—a tower singing upward that would tell the epic story of Pittsburgh,” laying the conceptual groundwork for the Cathedral of Learning.
Nov. 6, 1924: At a formal dinner announcing plans for a new academic building on Frick Acres, Chancellor Bowman publicly refers to the structure as “a cathedral of learning” for the first time, giving the iconic building its enduring name.
1925: Bowman spearheads fundraising efforts for the ambitious building project. Over time, more than 20,000 individuals contribute financially. The innovative “Buy a Brick” campaign encourages schoolchildren to participate, resulting in 97,000 certificates of membership in a “fellowship of builders.”
July 25, 1926: After extensive deliberations, the University of Pittsburgh’s Board of Trustees officially approves the Cathedral design submitted by Philadelphia-based architect Charles Z. Klauder, moving the project into the construction phase.
1926: The Nationality Rooms Program is initiated under the direction of Ruth Crawford Mitchell, adding a unique cultural and international dimension to the Cathedral’s purpose.
Sept. 27, 1926: Groundbreaking ceremonies are held at the Cathedral site, and excavation work begins, marking the physical commencement of the monumental construction.
Oct. 21, 1929: Just days before the Wall Street stock market crash of 1929, the final steel girder of the Cathedral is riveted into place, a symbolic moment in the building’s structural completion.
Feb. 28, 1931: The first classes are held within the Cathedral, with an engineering drafting class marking the inaugural academic activity in the partially completed building.
Dec. 19, 1932: A fire breaks out within the Cathedral, affecting seven interior stories and causing approximately $5,000 in damages, a minor setback during the ongoing construction phase.
October 1934: The last exterior stones are meticulously put into place, signifying the completion of the Cathedral’s exterior facade and its iconic silhouette on the Pittsburgh skyline.
May 1, 1936: The University of Pittsburgh School of Law officially relocates its offices to the Cathedral of Learning, marking the building’s increasing functionality and integration into university life.
June 4, 1937: Chancellor Bowman presides over the cornerstone laying ceremony in the Commons Room. The inscribed cornerstone, a gift from the Class of 1937, contains documents and artifacts representing the era, including signatures, yearbooks, and construction photographs.
March-April 1938: Dr. Auleen M. Jamison, director of the Pitt Women’s Student Health Service, conducts a large-scale tuberculin test of students from her 8th-floor offices within the Cathedral.
July 8, 1938: The first Nationality Rooms – German, Russian, Scottish, and Swedish – are officially presented to the University, along with the Early American Room, beginning the ongoing international cultural exchange program.
March 7, 1939: Jan Masaryk, son of Czech President Thomas Masaryk, speaks at the dedication of the Czechoslovak Room, highlighting the global significance of the Nationality Rooms project.
1940: The impressive 18-foot ornamental gates, designed by master artist-blacksmith Samuel Yellin, are installed in the Commons Room, adding to the Cathedral’s artistic and architectural grandeur. Yellin’s craftsmanship is evident in various locations throughout the building.
Nov. 7, 1941: Queen Frederika of Greece visits the University and attends the dedication ceremony of the Greek Nationality Room, further emphasizing the international recognition of the Nationality Rooms.
March 16, 1943: Metropolitan Opera soprano Stella Roman performs Romanian folk songs at the dedication of the Romanian Room, showcasing the diverse cultural representation within the Cathedral.
1943-1944: During World War II, the Cathedral of Learning serves as headquarters for the Air Cadet Training Program and other military training initiatives, contributing to the war effort.
1945: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of women at the University of Pittsburgh, students and alumnae raise funds to complete the 12th floor of the Cathedral, including the Braun Room, designated for the Dean of Women.
1955: Two rooms – the Ballroom and the Oval Room – originating from the 1830s Croghan Mansion in Stanton Heights are carefully installed within the Cathedral, preserving historical architectural elements.
March 8, 1956: On the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking, the Cathedral is formally dedicated to Chancellor Emeritus John G. Bowman, honoring his pivotal role in its creation.
February 1957: The Commons Room becomes a mass vaccination center, hosting 30 teams administering the Salk polio vaccine developed at Pitt, contributing to the eradication of polio in Pittsburgh by 1961.
Sept. 24, 1959: Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and diplomat Andrei Gromyko tour the Nationality Rooms, following a luncheon with then-Pitt Chancellor Edward Litchfield, marking a significant Cold War era visit.
November 1975: Author Alex Haley speaks at a fundraising event for the African Heritage Room sponsoring committee, supporting the ongoing expansion of the Nationality Rooms program.
Nov. 3, 1975: The National Park Service officially designates the Cathedral of Learning, including the Commons Room and the Nationality Rooms, as National Landmarks, recognizing their national historical significance.
Feb. 22, 1977: The Cathedral is officially designated a Historic Structure by the Pittsburgh City Council, further protecting and acknowledging its local historical and architectural importance.
November 1991: In a sign of modern convenience, an ATM (MAC) machine is installed within the Cathedral, reflecting the evolving needs of the university community.
September 1993: The movie Roommates, starring Peter Falk and Ellen Burstyn, utilizes the Cathedral of Learning as a filming location, bringing the iconic building to the silver screen.
Jan. 9, 2000: The Indian Nationality Classroom is dedicated, bringing the total number of Nationality Rooms to 26, representing a diverse array of cultures and nations.
2002: A pair of peregrine falcons, named Erie and Dorothy, establishes a nesting site on a ledge outside the 40th floor, and successfully hatch young, marking the return of this endangered species to an urban environment. They have nested there annually since.
2002: Wireless communications service is installed in the Cathedral’s offices, modernizing the infrastructure within the historic building.
Oct. 24, 2003: Prince Andrew, The Duke of York, tours the English Nationality Room during a campus visit, recognizing the University of Pittsburgh as a Marshall Center of Excellence.
April 10, 2005: The University commemorates the 50th anniversary of the announcement of the Salk polio vaccine’s efficacy with a tribute in the Commons Room, featuring notable figures including Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, Peter L. Salk, and Mickey Rooney.
Feb. 28, 2007: The University of Pittsburgh announces a comprehensive preservation plan for the exterior of the Cathedral of Learning, ensuring the long-term maintenance of this architectural masterpiece.
