Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude (Phoenix, Arizona) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral

Location in Arizona Show map of Arizona Location in the United States Show map of the United States
33°31′47″N 112°06′58″W / 33.5298°N 112.1162°W / 33.5298; -112.1162
Location	6351 North 27th Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85017
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
History
Founded	May 15, 1953
Dedication	Saint Simon the Zealot Saint Jude Thaddeus
Dedicated	December 11, 1966
Architecture
Style	Modern
Completed	1966
Specifications
Number of spires	One
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Phoenix

The Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude is a very important church in Phoenix, Arizona. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. This means it's where the bishop of the diocese has his special chair, called a cathedra.

History of the Cathedral
Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School
Famous Visitors
Images for kids
See also

History of the Cathedral

The church began as a local community, or parish, on May 15, 1953. At that time, it was part of the Diocese of Tucson. The first leader, called a pastor, was Reverend Paul Smith from Ireland. He brought the Sisters of Loreto to help.

Father Smith held church services in the Maryland School at first. Soon, a temporary church building was put up. It was officially opened on October 17, 1954.

The building you see today was finished and dedicated on December 11, 1966. It became a cathedral in 1969. This happened when the Diocese of Phoenix was created. Pope Paul VI gave it the special title of cathedral.

Today, the main leader of the cathedral is the Very Reverend Matthew Henry. He is called the rector. The cathedral is also guided by Bishop John P. Dolan, who is the head of the Diocese of Phoenix.

In 2016, a brand new pipe organ was added to the Cathedral. It has 51 ranks, which means it has many different sets of pipes to make various sounds. This was the first pipe organ ever installed at the Cathedral.

Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School

Right next to the cathedral is the Saints Simon and Jude Catholic School. This school teaches students from pre-kindergarten all the way through eighth grade. The Sisters of Loreto also work at the school.

The school was started in 1954 by Bishop Daniel J. Gerke and Reverend Paul P. Smith. On August 20, 1954, four Sisters of Loreto came from Ireland to help teach at the new school.

Famous Visitors

The Cathedral of Saints Simon and Jude has welcomed some very famous people:

Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral on September 14, 1987. A large cross stands outside the cathedral today. It is over a dome-like structure. This structure was part of the temporary altar where the Pope celebrated Mass during his visit.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta also visited the cathedral in May 1989. She was a very kind nun known for helping the poor.