Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Tyler, Texas) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Location in Texas Show map of Texas Location in the United States Show map of the United States
32°20′47″N 95°18′04″W / 32.34636°N 95.30109°W / 32.34636; -95.30109
Location	423 S. Broadway Tyler, Texas
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic Church
Membership	2,600 families
Website	www.thecathedral.info
History
Founded	1878
Dedication	Immaculate Conception
Dedicated	March 17, 1935
Architecture
Style	Mission Revival Spanish Colonial Revival
Completed	1935
Specifications
Number of spires	One
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Tyler

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a large Roman Catholic church in Tyler, Texas, United States. It is called a cathedral because it is the main church for the Diocese of Tyler. This means it is where the bishop of the area has his special chair.

History of the Cathedral
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History of the Cathedral

Early Days in Tyler

Tyler began to grow quickly when the railroad arrived in the 1870s. Priests from nearby towns like Nacogdoches and Palestine would visit Tyler. They came to hold Mass and help the Catholic people living there.

The Immaculate Conception Church was officially started in 1878. Two years later, a church made of wood was built. It stood at the corner of West Locust Street and North College Avenue.

Building a New Church

By the 1910s, it was clear that the church needed to be much bigger. However, the current church building was not constructed until later. This happened after Father Sebastian A. Samperi became the pastor in 1927.

The church bought new land at Front Street and South Broadway. The new building was finished and dedicated on March 17, 1935. The church was updated and redecorated in 1949 and again in 1978.

Growth and Expansion

In 1984, the church added new offices, a library, and a large meeting room. Two years later, the church basement was named after Father Samperi.

Pope John Paul II created the Diocese of Tyler on December 12, 1986. This new diocese was made from parts of other dioceses. At this time, Immaculate Conception became the Cathedral.

As Tyler and Smith County grew, the Cathedral parish also got bigger. In the early 1990s, the church added the Cathedral Center. This center has rooms for meetings and banquets for church activities.

New Chapels and Schools

By 1994, thousands of people were attending Mass every weekend. There was a need for more space. The church created St. Paul’s Chapel as a temporary place. This was while they planned a permanent location.

Parishioners waited patiently for the new space. On December 8, 2011, Bishop Alvaro Corrada dedicated the Chapel of Sts. Peter & Paul. This chapel can seat 700 people. It is located on the campus of Bishop Gorman Regional Catholic High School.

The parish also includes St. Gregory Cathedral School. This school opened in 1946. It has been named a U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School twice. This award recognizes excellent schools.