Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Kalamazoo, Michigan) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Saint Augustine

Location in Michigan
42°17′31″N 85°35′31″W / 42.2919°N 85.5919°W / 42.2919; -85.5919
Location	542 W. Michigan Ave. Kalamazoo, Michigan
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
History
Founded	1856
Consecrated	1951
Architecture
Style	Gothic Revival
Completed	1951
Specifications
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Kalamazoo

The Cathedral of Saint Augustine, also known as St. Augustine Cathedral, is a large Catholic church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. It's a special church because it's the main church for the Diocese of Kalamazoo. This means it's where the Bishop of the area has his official chair. The church community started in 1856. The building you see today was finished in 1951. It became a cathedral in 1970.

History of St. Augustine Cathedral
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History of St. Augustine Cathedral

Panorama of the church campus.

Dennis Talbot was the first Catholic to live in this area. At that time, it wasn't always easy for Catholics here. The first Catholic Mass in Kalamazoo happened in his home in 1832. Father De Seille led this service.

Early Beginnings of the Parish

A Catholic mission was set up in Kalamazoo in 1843. It was looked after by Father Edward Sorin from Notre Dame. A frame for a church was put up the next year. However, a strong windstorm knocked it down. So, the building was never finished.

Local people built a church in 1852. It was a mission church used by priests who traveled through. This building was about 30 by 60 feet (9 by 18 meters). It was located on West Kalamazoo Avenue.

Founding the Parish and New Churches

Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere of Detroit officially started the parish of St. Augustine. He appointed Father Anthony Isidoro Label as the first permanent pastor. This happened on January 22, 1856. The parish was quite large. It covered all of Kalamazoo County, Van Buren County, and Allegan County. Later, it also included St. Joseph County and Barry County. For a short time, it included Berrien County too.

Father Label had a rectory (a house for the priest) built. By 1869, the first church building was old and too small. A new church was built in its place. The parish didn't have enough money for the new church. So, Father Label relied on a wealthy farmer named Patrick Bunbury. Bunbury took out a loan on his farm to pay for the new brick church. It had two tall spires. Bunbury expected to be paid back. However, all church properties belonged to the bishop. The bishop refused to pay him. Bunbury sued the bishop, Borgess, in court. But he dropped the lawsuit when he was told he might be removed from the church.

Growth and New Buildings

Cathedral Interior

In 1883, Father Francis O'Brien became the pastor. He oversaw the building of a convent, a school, and a new rectory. He invited the Sisters of St. Joseph to Kalamazoo. He also helped them start Borgess Hospital in 1889. The Sisters also opened two Catholic high schools. These were Nazareth Academy for girls and Barbour Hall for boys.

Father O'Brien also helped start other churches and homes. These included St. Joseph Parish and St. Michael's Polish Parish. St. Michael's later became St. Mary's Parish. He also helped with St. Agnes Foundling Home and St. Anthony's Home for the Feeble Minded.

Moving and Building the Current Church

Father John Hackett became pastor in 1923. He stayed for 30 years. He had St. Augustine High School built in 1926. The church campus moved from West Kalamazoo Avenue to West Michigan Avenue. In 1937, the parish became part of the new Diocese of Lansing. Father Hackett was named the Vicar General for the diocese. This means he was a chief assistant to the bishop.

A grade school building was added to the high school in 1939. Construction of the current church building began in 1950. The first stone was laid on August 13. Bishop Joseph H. Albers of Lansing dedicated the church on December 4, 1951.

Becoming a Cathedral and Later Events

Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Kalamazoo on December 19, 1970. It was formed from parts of the Diocese of Lansing and the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He chose St. Augustine to be the cathedral. Bishop Paul Donovan became the first bishop on June 15, 1971.

In 1975, the old rectory was taken down. It had been built in 1882 for a lumber businessman. A new rectory was built next to the cathedral.

Tornado damage in 1980

The church and school were badly damaged in 1980. A tornado hit the area. The cathedral was repaired and rededicated in 1989.

The church's organ was updated in 2002. It used parts from the original Casavant organ from 1951. The organ now has 34 stops and 42 ranks of pipes.

The entire St. Augustine campus is quite large. It includes the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center, which is an activities center. It also has the St. Augustine Cathedral School. And, of course, the beautiful cathedral church itself.

Cathedral of Saint Augustine (Kalamazoo, Michigan) facts for kids

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