Holy Name of Mary Pro-Cathedral (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) facts for kids
|
Holy Name of Mary Proto-Cathedral
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Michigan
|
|
| Location | 320 East Portage Avenue Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan |
|---|---|
| Built | 1881 |
| Architect | Joseph Connolly |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84000540 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1984 |
The Holy Name of Mary Proto-Cathedral, also called St. Mary Proto-Cathedral, is a very old Catholic church. It is located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in the United States. This church was once a cathedral. It was the very first cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette. That is why it is called a "proto-cathedral."
This church is the oldest Catholic parish in Michigan. It is also the oldest cathedral parish in the state. In fact, it is the third oldest parish in the entire United States. Only parishes in St. Augustine, Florida and Santa Fe, New Mexico are older. The current church building was built in 1881. However, the church community started much earlier, in 1668. It began as a mission by the Jesuits. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984. It became a State of Michigan historic site in 1989.
History of the Church
The Holy Name of Mary church was started by Jesuit missionaries in 1668. On January 9, 1857, Pope Pius IX created the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie. This church was chosen to be the cathedral for the new diocese. It was the first cathedral in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Frederic Baraga became its first bishop.
In 1865, the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie changed its name. It became the Diocese of Marquette. The main cathedral then moved to St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.
Building the Church
The church building you see today is the fifth one for this parish. It was built in 1881. A Canadian architect named Joseph Connolly designed it. He used the Gothic Revival style, which looks like old European cathedrals.
The church has been updated many times. It was greatly remodeled in three stages. These updates happened from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. The building where the priests live, called the rectory, was added in 1922.
The Tower of History
In 1968, the church built the Tower of History. This tower was meant to honor the Catholic missionaries. These missionaries had served the community for many years. The tower was planned to be part of a bigger project. This project would include a community center and a new church.
However, the church's plans changed. In 1980, the Tower of History was sold to Sault Historic Sites. This group still operates the tower today. Money earned from the Tower of History still helps the church.
Catholic Schools
St. Mary's School first opened its doors in 1885. Later, in 1896, the Sisters of Loretto started Loretto Academy. This academy taught girls from elementary school through high school. In 1945, it became a high school for both boys and girls.
The current school building was built in 1937. It held classes up to eighth grade. Both St. Mary's School and Loretto Academy closed in 1971. They closed because of money problems. The academy building was sold to the local school district. St. Mary's School re-opened in 1993. Today, it teaches students from preschool up to eighth grade.
See also
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- List of Jesuit sites
