About the Firm

Founded by Ralph Adams Cram and Charles Francis Wentworth in 1889, Cram & Ferguson continues the traditions of over 120 years of classical American architecture. Cram, Wentworth and, later, Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue developed Christian religious architecture to a high art form in America. Their churches and collegiate buildings continue to be celebrated today for their timeless quality and good design.

Under the leadership of firm Principal, Ethan Anthony, Cram and Ferguson Architects designs in the traditional forms and methods pioneered by the founders. We continue to refer to the archives of the firm, which extends to over 100,000 drawings and photographs. This extraordinary body of work provides a “knowledge base” for the proper design of new work in Gothic and Romanesque styles as well as accurate additions and preservation of buildings in those styles across the country.

Beginning in 1995, we have been at work on a modern wave of preservation, additions, and new construction, from the East coast to Colorado, Oklahoma and the south. We have developed a palette of new materials and methods for building in traditional styles and a group of arts and crafts masters who provide the artisan work necessary to achieve Gothic and Romanesque styles in modern materials in an efficient and cost effective way.

Based on our experience restoring and repairing century-old historic buildings, many originally designed by the firm, Cram & Ferguson has developed its own system for performing historic maintenance and restoration audits on historical buildings and efficiently applying modern materials and methods to traditional styles. The primary purpose of these audits has been to galvanize support for restoration and proper maintenance of fine older buildings. Our work has often been carried out by parish groups that overcome limited financial means to achieve the restoration of their beloved buildings to full functionality and their original beauty. Often, this also means assisting the parish with the fund raising effort through the development of effective communication materials to make the needs clear to the parish and to potential donors.

Cram and Ferguson Architects have deep experience working with clergy and parish committees in many locations to achieve agreement on goals and the means to reach them. We pride ourselves on helping the parish to avoid problems and pitfalls during design and construction, achieving high quality results while carefully controlling costs and helping parishes to raise money and to keep their congregations informed and on board.

Firm Achievements

Cram and Ferguson have designed over two hundred major church projects in 44 states and three foreign countries. In our 128 year history we have been responsible for some of the most important Gothic, Romanesque and Classical church designs in the nation as well as many important academic projects for leading colleges and Universities including the University of Richmond, Sweet Briar College, and the Blue Ridge School in Virginia. Cram and Ferguson have received the 2015 AIACM Honor Award for Excellence in Design for the Restoration and Additions to the Casady School (Episcopal) in Oklahoma City, IFRAA Award, and 2 Harleston Parker Awards. In 2007 Ethan Anthony received the Architect Prize from the Spanish Macael Awards.