Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Springfield, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cathedral of theImmaculate Conception |
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 Location in Illinois
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| 39°47′36″N 89°38′55″W / 39.7934°N 89.6487°W | |
| Location | 524 E. Lawrence Avenue Springfield, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | cathedral.dio.org |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Dedication | October 14, 1928 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Joseph William McCarthy |
| Style | Greek Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1927 |
| Completed | 1928 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Spire height | 135 feet (41 m) |
| Materials | Mankato Kasota stone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Springfield in Illinois |
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a very important church in Springfield, Illinois. It is the main church for the Catholic community in that area. The first stone for the cathedral was placed on August 14, 1927. The church was officially opened on October 14, 1928. This beautiful building is designed in a style called Greek Revival.
About the Cathedral Building
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was built under the guidance of James Aloysius Griffin. He was the fourth bishop of the diocese. Bishop Griffin was the first bishop to live in Springfield. Before him, the diocese's main office was in Quincy, Illinois, and then Alton, Illinois.
Building Materials and Design
The outside of the cathedral complex is covered with a special golden stone. This stone is called Kasota limestone, or "Mankato Kasota stone." It comes from quarries in Mankato, Minnesota. Like many large church complexes, this one also has offices. These offices are for the bishop and the church staff.
A building for an elementary school is also part of the complex. It is located on the south side. The cathedral itself is named after the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. This means it is dedicated to the Blessed Mother Mary.
History of the Site
This cathedral is the second church in Springfield named after the Immaculate Conception. The first Catholic church with this name was used from 1858 until 1928. When the main office of the diocese moved to Springfield in 1923, a bigger church was needed. The new cathedral was built to serve this purpose. After the new cathedral was finished, the older church was taken down. That old church had been used since the time of Abraham Lincoln.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de la Inmaculada Concepción (Springfield) para niños
