Church of the Immaculate Conception (Rapid City, South Dakota) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Church of the Immaculate Conception
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The church in 2017
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 Location in South Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 918 5th St. Rapid City, South Dakota |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1902 |
| Architectural style | Romanesque |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001721 |
| Added to NRHP | June 5, 1975 |
The Church of the Immaculate Conception (also known as the Old Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception) is a historic building in Rapid City, South Dakota, United States. It was first built as a parish church (a church for a local community). Later, it became the main church, or cathedral, for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rapid City when the diocese moved its main office to Rapid City. Today, it is called the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception.
History of the Church
St. Mary's Church began in 1881. The first stone for its sandstone church building was laid in 1909. This building was designed in the Romanesque Revival style. It was officially opened in 1911.
In 1930, the Catholic Diocese of Lead moved to Rapid City. At this time, St. Mary's Church was renamed the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. In 1948, Cardinal Francis Spellman visited the cathedral. He came to install William Tibertus McCarty, C.Ss.R, as the new bishop (leader) of the diocese.
The church soon became too small for its growing community. A new, larger church, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, replaced it in 1962. The original church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Over time, the Immaculate Conception building became a chapel. Since 1992, it has been a place where Mass is celebrated in Latin.
Building Design and Style
The church building has a mostly rectangular shape. It features a cross-gabled section in the middle. Both side gables have chimneys and are topped with a cross. The stone used for the outside walls was taken from local quarries.
A square tower stands in the center of the main front of the church. It has a pyramid-shaped spire (a tall, pointed roof) covered with metal. The main entrance is in this tower. Above the three-panel doors is a round-arch stained glass window. The bell chamber (where the bells are) has round-arch openings with a decorative railing called a balustrade.
Round-arch windows filled with stained glass are along the sides of the church. The three windows in the cross-gabled section are taller than the four windows next to them. Most windows have geometric patterns. The two largest windows show scenes from the Biblical stories. All window openings have radiating voussoirs (wedge-shaped stones) above them. The apse (a rounded part at the back of the church) was added later. It is made of vertical wooden boards.
The Immaculate Conception church is important because it is a great example of the Romanesque Revival style in Rapid City. It is one of the few buildings of this style still standing there. It is also the last known building in the city made from cut stone. It is one of only two buildings left with a rock-faced outside.
More to Explore
- Website of Immaculate Conception Church, Rapid City, SD
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
