Cathedral of Saint Peter (Rockford, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of Saint Peter |
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Cathedral of St. Peter in 2023
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| 42°17′06″N 89°04′58″W / 42.2851°N 89.0828°W | |
| Location | 1243 N. Church Street Rockford, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish church |
| Founded | 1922 |
| Dedication | St. Peter the Apostle |
| Dedicated | May 15, 1960 |
| Consecrated | October 11, 1978 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Italianate |
| Groundbreaking | 1958 |
| Completed | 1960 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 676-834 |
| Number of spires | One |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Rockford |
The Cathedral of Saint Peter is a very important church in Rockford, Illinois. It's like the main church for all the Catholic churches in the Rockford area. It's called a "cathedral" because it's where the Bishop of Rockford has his special chair, called a cathedra. This church is the second one to serve as the main cathedral for the diocese.
Contents
History of the Cathedral
How the Church Started
The story of St. Peter's began in 1915 with a small place of worship called St. William's chapel. It was a "mission" church, meaning it was a smaller church connected to a larger one, St. Mary's parish downtown. In 1920, land was bought on a hill known as Council Hill for a new church. A building that was both a church and a school was built there in 1921.
Building the New Cathedral
The first stone for the current church building was blessed in August 1958. This special stone is called a cornerstone. The church was officially opened on May 15, 1960.
Later, on October 11, 1970, Bishop Arthur O'Neill made St. Peter's the official cathedral for the diocese. Before this, another church, St. James, had been the temporary cathedral since 1908.
Plans for a Grand Cathedral
Bishop Loras Lane had big plans to build a huge, pyramid-shaped cathedral. However, he passed away, and the building costs were too high. So, his grand plan for a new cathedral was never finished. The parish he started for this new cathedral was later renamed Holy Family Parish.
Official Consecration
Bishop O'Neill officially "consecrated" St. Peter's on October 11, 1978. To "consecrate" a church means to make it sacred and set it apart for religious use. The main altar inside the church was consecrated by Cardinal Francis George in 1998.
The Pipe Organ
What is a Pipe Organ?
The Cathedral of Saint Peter has a large and beautiful pipe organ. A pipe organ is a musical instrument that makes sound by sending air through many pipes. It's much bigger and more complex than a regular piano.
Features of the Organ
This specific organ was built in 1978 by the Wicks Organ Company. It is located in the back of the cathedral, high up in a special area called the "rear gallery." Some of its pipes are visible and frame a beautiful round window called a rose window. The organ has 5 main sections, 45 "stops" (which control different sounds), and 47 "ranks" (sets of pipes). In total, it has 2,707 pipes! The keyboard part has 61 notes, and the foot pedals have 32 notes.
Images for kids
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The former school building and first church.
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Inside the Cathedral of St. Peter.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Pedro (Rockford) para niños
