Cathedral of St. Mary (Fargo, North Dakota) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral of St. Mary

46°52′57″N 96°47′19″W / 46.8824°N 96.7887°W / 46.8824; -96.7887
Location	604 Broadway Fargo, North Dakota
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
History
Status	Cathedral/Parish church
Founded	1880
Dedication	Blessed Virgin Mary
Dedicated	May 30, 1899
Architecture
Architect(s)	Edward P. Bassford
Style	Romanesque Revival
Completed	1899
Specifications
Number of spires	Two
Spire height	172 feet (52 m)
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Fargo

The Cathedral of St. Mary is a large Catholic church located in Fargo, North Dakota, United States. It serves as a local church for its community. It is also the main church for the Diocese of Fargo, which is like a church district led by a bishop.

History of St. Mary's Cathedral
- Starting the Parish
- A New Home in Fargo
Architecture and Design
Images for kids
See also

History of St. Mary's Cathedral

Starting the Parish

The St. Mary's church community began in 1880. Nine years later, the area became a church district. It was first called the Diocese of Jamestown. This district covered all of North Dakota. The St. James Church in Jamestown was the first main church, or cathedral.

A New Home in Fargo

In 1891, the first bishop of the diocese, Bishop John Shanley, moved to Fargo. The Holy See (the main leadership of the Catholic Church) changed the name of the diocese to Fargo in 1897.

Bishop Shanley bought land in Fargo for a new main church. The church's basement was finished when a big fire happened in 1893. This fire destroyed much of downtown Fargo. Bishop Shanley used a lot of the money he had saved for the new church to help rebuild the city. Because of this, building the new cathedral was delayed. The Cathedral of St. Mary was finally finished and opened on May 30, 1899.

Architecture and Design

Building Style

The Cathedral of St. Mary was designed by Edward P. Bassford, an architect from St. Paul, Minnesota. He designed the church in the Romanesque Revival style. This style uses ideas from old Roman buildings. The church is made of brick. It has a shape like a modified basilica, which is a long building with a rounded end called an apse at the west side.

Outside Features

The church has six sections, separated by strong supports called buttresses. The front of the church, called the main facade, has two towers that are different heights. The taller tower is about 172 feet (52 m) high. It holds one bell. On the smaller tower, there is a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Next to the large arched window on the front, there are statues of St. Peter and St. Paul.

Inside the Church

Inside, the main part of the church, called the nave, is divided into three walkways. The ceiling is shaped like a half-circle, known as a barrel vault. Where the church crosses, there is a cross vault ceiling.

In 2011, the entrance area on the south side was made larger. This was done to make the church easier for everyone to enter, following rules for people with disabilities.