Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena (Allentown, Pennsylvania) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena
Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena
Location in Pennsylvania
40°35′55.89″N 75°29′46.56″W / 40.5988583°N 75.4962667°W / 40.5988583; -75.4962667
Location	1825 Turner St. Allentown, Pennsylvania
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	www.cathedral-church.org
History
Status	Cathedral/Parish
Founded	1919
Dedication	Catharine of Siena
Architecture
Style	Colonial Revival
Groundbreaking	June 9, 1952
Completed	1953
Specifications
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Allentown

The Cathedral Church of St. Catharine of Siena is a very important church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It's the main church for the Diocese of Allentown, which is like a special church district. You can find it at 1825 Turner Street.

Discovering the Cathedral's Past
- Building the New Church
- Special Features of the Design
Becoming a Cathedral
Gallery
See also

Discovering the Cathedral's Past

St. Catharine of Siena Parish School. Bishop Joseph McShea Building

The Saint Catharine of Siena Parish started on October 8, 1919. At that time, Archbishop Dennis Cardinal Dougherty from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia chose Reverend John C. Phelan to be the first leader, or pastor, of a new church in Allentown.

By 1952, the church area had grown a lot. It now included a school and a convent, which is a home for nuns. Because the community was growing, they needed a bigger church building.

Building the New Church

On June 9, 1952, Msgr. Leo Fink started the building process by "breaking ground." This means he officially began the construction. Later, on April 26, 1953, Bishop Joseph M. McShea laid the first stone, called the cornerstone, for the new church.

The church was designed in a style called Colonial Revival. This style looks back to old American colonial buildings. The outside of the church is made of a mix of salmon-colored bricks. It also has special light-colored stone, called Salem limestone, as trim.

Special Features of the Design

Where the main part of the church meets the side sections, called the transept, there is a tall spire. This spire goes up high and has a cross on top. The windows are made of "colonial glazed antique glass," which means they have a classic, old-fashioned look.

Becoming a Cathedral

In 1961, a new church district was created. This new district was called the Diocese of Allentown. The St. Catharine of Siena church was chosen to be the main church for this new diocese. This meant it would become a "Cathedral."

On April 11, 1961, Bishop Joseph McShea became the first Bishop of Allentown. When he was officially "installed," it made St. Catharine of Siena Church a true Cathedral. This means it's the most important church in the diocese and where the Bishop has his special chair.