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 called St. Augustine Cathedral, is a Catholic cathedral in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A cathedral is the main church for a large area called a diocese, and it's where the bishop has his official seat.

This church serves as the head of the Diocese of Kalamazoo. The community, or parish, started in 1856. The beautiful building you see today was finished in 1951. It officially became a cathedral in 1970.

The Cathedral's Long History

A wide view of the cathedral and its surrounding buildings.

The story of St. Augustine's begins with the first Catholic person to live in the area, Dennis Talbot. In 1832, the first Catholic service, called a Mass, was held in his home. By 1843, a mission was started in Kalamazoo. A mission is a small church community, often cared for by visiting priests.

Building the First Churches

In 1844, the community tried to build a church, but a strong windstorm knocked it down before it was finished. They didn't give up! In 1852, they built a small mission church that was about 30 feet by 60 feet.

The parish of St. Augustine was officially created on January 22, 1856. At that time, it served 47 families across several counties. The first permanent priest, called a pastor, was Father Anthony Isidoro Label. By 1869, the small church was too old and crowded. The community needed a new, larger church.

The parish didn't have enough money for a new building. A farmer named Patrick Bunbury helped by using his farm to get a loan. He paid for a new brick church with two tall spires. However, a disagreement arose about the payment, and Mr. Bunbury was not paid back for his generous help.

Growth and New Buildings

A look inside the cathedral from the choir loft.

In 1883, a new pastor named Father Francis O'Brien arrived. He was very active in the community. He built a home for nuns (a convent), a school, and a house for the priests (a rectory). He also helped the Sisters of St. Joseph start Borgess Hospital in 1889.

Father O'Brien also helped start other Catholic schools and homes for people in need. He was a very important leader who helped the Catholic community in Kalamazoo grow.

A New Era for the Parish

In 1923, a new pastor named Father John Hackett took over. He ended up staying for 30 years! He built St. Augustine High School in 1926. The church and school moved to their current location on West Michigan Avenue.

In 1937, the parish became part of the new Diocese of Lansing. A grade school was added in 1939. The current church building that stands today was started in 1950. It was officially blessed and opened on December 4, 1951.

Becoming a Cathedral

The church was damaged by a tornado in 1980.

On December 19, 1970, Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Kalamazoo. He chose St. Augustine Church to be the cathedral for this new diocese. A diocese is a large church district led by a bishop. The first bishop, Paul Donovan, was officially installed on June 15, 1971.

In 1980, a powerful tornado hit Kalamazoo and caused major damage to the cathedral and school. The community worked hard to rebuild, and the cathedral was rededicated in 1989.

The beautiful organ inside the cathedral was updated in 2002. It uses parts from the original organ from 1951 and has 34 different sounds, called stops.

Today, the St. Augustine campus includes the cathedral church, a school, and an activity center. It remains an important center for the Catholic community in Kalamazoo.

See also

In Spanish: Catedral de San Agustín (Kalamazoo) para niños

• List of churches in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo
• List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
• List of cathedrals in the United States