HOUSE OF GOD IS UNUSUAL RELIGIOUS EDIFICE
The House of God, believed to be the only cathedral in the world built primarily
for the use of children, is the place of worship of roughly 250 youngsters and their
caregivers residing at Mooseheart, the famed Child City owned and operated by the
Loyal Order of Moose, near Aurora, Ill.
This unusual "Children's Cathedral," built of Lannon and Bedford stone, was
dedicated on August 20, 1950, as a church to serve all faiths.
The House of God was the result of a 31-year fundraising drive by the Moose
fraternity (interrupted both by the Great Depression and World War II). Total cost was
slightly more than $2 million.
Passing through the doors of the main entrance, one enters the narthex. On the
right is the War Memorial Room, and on the left is the James J. Davis Memorial Room.
Passing through the next set of doors, one enters the nave of the church. It has a seating
capacity of more than 700 persons, and is used by all faiths for their respective services
of worship.
On the north of the nave is the Catholic Chapel with several stained-glass
windows, each depicting one the seven sacraments. On the south of the nave is the
Protestant Chapel with eight stained-glass windows, each portraying one of the eight
Beatitudes. Windows in the nave tell the story of the Creation and other Biblical tales.
The stained glass windows were created by the Rambusch Decorating Co., and
are considered to be of the finest quality. Cooperating in the creation of the windows
were three artists: Joep Nichols, celebrated Dutch master; Olaf Olsen, and Stephen Bridges.
The Tower of Tolerance rises 110 feet into the sky and houses the carillons.
These can be heard playing "Call to Worship" every Sunday morning.