Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes (Spokane, Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
 Location in Spokane riverfront area
|
|
| 47°39′29″N 117°25′43″W / 47.6580°N 117.4285°W | |
| Location | 1115 W. Riverside Ave. Spokane, Washington |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Website | http://spokanecathedral.com |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Julian and Williams |
| Style | Romanesque Revival |
| Completed | 1908 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Spire height | 164 ft (50 m) |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Spokane |
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes is an important Catholic church located in Spokane, Washington, United States. It serves as the main church for the Diocese of Spokane, which is like a special area managed by a bishop. This beautiful building is also recognized as a historic place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
A Look Back: History of the Cathedral
How the Church Began in Spokane
The story of Our Lady of Lourdes started a long time ago. The very first Catholic Mass in Spokane was held in August 1881. It was led by Father Joseph Cataldo in a carpenter's shop. He called this shop "St. Joseph."
Five years later, a new church made of brick was built. It was named Our Lady of Lourdes. Around this time, the Sisters of the Holy Names also opened a school for the church.
Building the Current Cathedral
The foundation stone for the church building you see today was placed in 1903. A new school building was finished three years later. On December 17, 1913, Pope St. Pius X created the Diocese of Spokane. Our Lady of Lourdes was then chosen to be the main church, or cathedral, for this new diocese.
Design and Features of the Cathedral
Architectural Style
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes is built in an Italian Romanesque Revival style. This means it looks like old Roman buildings. The outside of the church is covered with red brick. It also has special granite details.
Towers and Interior
The front of the cathedral has two tall, square towers. These towers reach a height of 164 ft (50 m). The inside of the church was updated in 2019. During this renovation, the main area, called the sanctuary, was covered in beautiful marble. New marble altars and pews (church benches) were also put in.
The old main altar, which has a scene of Calvary on top, is still in the back of the church. The bishop's special chair, called a cathedra, is a mix of old and new parts. It includes pieces from 1913 and the 1930s, with new additions from 2018. The restored marble pulpit, where sermons are given, was also made possible by generous donations.
Special Details
The cathedral has a large pipe organ in the loft. This organ was made by W. W. Kimball. The beautiful stained glass windows in the church came all the way from Bavaria, a region in Germany.
More to Explore
External Links
- Official Cathedral Site: https://spokanecathedral.com/
- Diocese of Spokane Official Site: https://www.dioceseofspokane.org/
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Lourdes (Spokane) para niños
