Ceremony for 175-seat Interfaith Peace Chapel coincides
with reception honoring cathedral’s dean for 20 years service
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| Cynthia Clawson |
Gospel singer Cynthia Clawson will be the special guest performer when the Cathedral of Hope and Hope for Peace & Justice break ground on the Interfaith Peace Chapel in a special service on Sunday, Nov. 11, at 3 p.m.
The ground-breaking ceremonies will be followed by a reception honoring the Rev. Michael Piazza, dean of the cathedral and the church’s national pastor, who this week marks the 20th anniversary of his installation as senior pastor of what was, in 1987, the Metropolitan Community Church of Dallas.
Piazza, who is also now president of Hope for Peace and Justice, was senior pastor of the church for 17 years, until he resigned in 2003. He also will be honored during the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services Sunday at the Cathedral of Hope.
The 175-seat Interfaith Peace Chapel, designed by renowned architect Philip Johnson, will be “a bold statement of both organizations’ commitment to peace and interfaith cooperation and dialogue,” according to Piazza and the Rev. Jo Hudson, rector and senior pastor of the Cathedral.
The building will house worshiping congregations of various faiths, will be available for use by people of all faiths, and will welcome seekers of peace who claim no faith, church leaders said.
Clawson will perform during the groundbreaking, and during both morning services. She has been called “the most awesome voice in gospel music” by Billboard magazine, and has won a Grammy and five Dove Awards.
Clawson also faced criticism from some religious conservatives because of her appearances at and support for Cathedral of Hope, which has a congregation consisting primarily of gay and lesbian people.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition November 9, 2007