Sacred Heart Cathedral (Salina, Kansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sacred Heart Cathedral |
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| 38°50′28″N 97°36′43″W / 38.841°N 97.612°W | |
| Location | 118 N 9th St. Salina, Kansas |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Dedication | Sacred Heart of Jesus |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Edward J. Schulte |
| Style | Modern |
| Completed | 1953 |
| Specifications | |
| Number of spires | One |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Salina |
The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a special church in Salina, Kansas, United States. It is the main church, called a cathedral, for the Catholic Diocese of Salina. It also serves as a regular parish church for local people. This cathedral is the second one for the diocese. The first one was in Concordia, Kansas, before the main church office, called the See, moved to Salina.
Contents
History of Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Catholic Diocese of Concordia was started by Pope Leo XIII on August 2, 1887. Later, on December 23, 1944, Pope Pius XII moved the main church office to Salina. Because of this, Sacred Heart Church became the new cathedral.
A new cathedral building was needed. Edward J. Schulte, an architect from Cincinnati, was chosen to design it. The first stone of the new building was placed on June 4, 1951. Bishop Francis Thill officially opened the church on June 6, 1953.
The inside of the cathedral was updated in 1998. In 2000, a bigger gathering area and a church hall were added.
Architecture and Design
The design of Sacred Heart Cathedral is special. It looks like the countryside of Northwestern Kansas. It also connects to the idea of the Eucharist in the Catholic Church.
Outdoor Design and Symbols
Many concrete grain elevators are seen across the Kansas landscape. These tall buildings hold wheat, which is a main crop there. The sides of the cathedral are rounded, just like these grain elevators. This design shows that the Church is like God's "granary." It is where people get spiritual food from the Eucharist.
The bell tower of the cathedral is also round. It looks like a farm silo. Just as farm animals gather at a silo for food, people gather at the church. They come for spiritual nourishment from Christ, who is seen as the Good Shepherd.
At the main entrance, there is a bas relief sculpture. It shows people walking in a procession. These figures include a farm family, priests, and religious people. They are helping the bishop carry the cross. A Capuchin friar is also shown kneeling in prayer. The sculpture has a Bible quote: "He who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me."
Inside the Cathedral
Inside, there is a large baptismal font shaped like a cross. It is in the gathering area. Nearby, you can see a triptych, which is a set of three pictures. These pictures show the cathedral's patron, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. They also show the diocese's main patron, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and its second patron, St. Francis of Assisi.
The main part of the cathedral, called the nave, has huge pillars. These pillars are about 30 feet (9.1 m) around. At the bottom of the bell tower, there is a room. It used to be a place for baptisms. Now, it holds a shrine to Our Lady of Guadalupe. The statue in this chapel came from a small church that closed in 1965.
On the back wall of the cathedral, there is another bas relief of the Sacred Heart. Below it, a Latin phrase says: Cor Jesu, inflama cor nostrum amore tui. This means "Heart of Jesus, inflame our hearts with your love."
Twelve crosses with candles are placed along the walls. These represent the Twelve Apostles. These spots are where the walls were blessed with Sacred Chrism when the cathedral was dedicated. The fourteen Stations of the Cross are carved into the east wall.
The Sanctuary Area
A 20-foot (6.1 m) tall crucifix is the main feature in the sanctuary area. A round canopy is above the crucifix. It has three Latin phrases written on it:
- Cor Jesu, spes in te morientium (Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in you)
- Domus Dei et porta coeli (House of God and gate of heaven)
- Cor Jesu, omni laude dignissimum, salve in te sperantium (Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, salvation of those who hope in you)
The marble legs of the Altar came from the old communion rail. Inside the altar are special items called relics. These are from St. Boniface and St. Clement. The Blessed Sacrament is kept in the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Stained Glass Windows
The beautiful stained glass windows in the cathedral were designed by Anton Wendling from Aachen, Germany. They were put together by Erhardt Stettner in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These windows are 25-foot (7.6 m) high and show different saints. Each large window cost $2,240.00. There are also five smaller windows above the confessionals, each costing $1,000.
Pipe Organ
The organ in the cathedral has a long history. It was first built in 1926 by George Kilgen and Son for the old Sacred Heart Church. When the new cathedral was being built in 1952, the organ was moved and rebuilt there. Some new parts were added at that time, including a new three-manual console.
In 1987, Larson Organ Co. updated the organ. The original pipes were taken out and stored. Then, in 2003, Coombs Organ Specialists restored the organ. They put the original pipes back and made it sound like it did before. They also added a new three-manual Rodgers console with digital sounds.
The pipe organ is located near the altar at the front of the cathedral. Its pipes are hidden in a special room on the side wall. You cannot see the pipes from the main church area. The organ has a traditional console with three keyboards, called manuals. It has 15 registers and 17 ranks of pipes.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral del Sagrado Corazón (Salina) para niños
