St. Agnes Cathedral (Springfield, Missouri) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Agnes Cathedral |
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East façade
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 Location in Missouri
Location in the United States
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| 37°12′15″N 93°17′25″W / 37.2041°N 93.2902°W | |
| Location | 533 S. Jefferson Ave. Springfield, Missouri |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Website | saintagnescathedral.org |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish |
| Founded | 1908 |
| Dedication | November 24, 1910 |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Neoclassical |
| Completed | 1910 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Springfield-Cape Girardeau |
St. Agnes Cathedral is a beautiful Catholic church. It is located in Springfield, Missouri, in the United States. This special church is a cathedral. This means it is the main church for the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. Another important church, the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, also serves as a main church for the diocese.
Contents
History of St. Agnes
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Starting the Catholic Community
Catholicism first came to Springfield in 1866. Archbishop Peter Richard Kenrick from St. Louis sent Father Graham to the area. He held the first Mass in the city on March 6. This Mass took place in the home of William Dailey. After this, Father Graham helped start the Immaculate Conception Parish.
Growth of St. Agnes Parish
In 1870, the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad came through Springfield. This brought more Irish and German immigrants, which meant more Catholics. The railroad tracks also split the city. Crossing them was seen as dangerous, especially for children going to school.
So, H.A. and L.S. Meyer bought a house south of the tracks. This house became St. Agnes Elementary School. It opened with 35 students. The Sisters of Loretto taught at the school. As more Catholics moved to the south side, people asked Bishop John Joseph Hogan to create a new parish for them.
St. Agnes Parish officially started in 1908. Father Dennis J. O’Driscoll arrived on September 18. For the first year, the parish used a vacant church building.
Building the First Church
A new church building was dedicated on November 24, 1910. Bishop Thomas Francis Lillis led the dedication. The school also moved to the new church property that same year.
St. Agnes High School opened in 1916. Today, it is known as Springfield Catholic High School. In 1921, beautiful stained glass windows were added. These windows showed Our Lady of the Lillies and Saint Agnes. Stanley Uthwatt and Bernard Schahuber created them.
In 1935, a fire in the church basement damaged the wooden floor. A new concrete floor was then put in. A new high school building was built in 1938. During World War II, the old high school building was used as a U.S.O. Center for soldiers. After the war, it became a recreation center for the parish before it was taken down. In 1954, the Christmas Mass from St. Agnes was special. It was the first religious service from a church in Springfield to be shown on television.
Becoming a Cathedral
In 1956, Pope Pius XII created the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. St. Agnes was chosen to be the new main church, or cathedral, for this diocese. St. Mary of the Annunciation in Cape Girardeau was chosen to be a co-cathedral.
St. Louis Auxiliary Bishop Charles Herman Helmsing became the first bishop of the new diocese. He was officially welcomed at St. Agnes Cathedral on November 28, 1956.
The current elementary school building was built in 1958. In 1986, St. Agnes Chapel was added to the cathedral. This happened during a big renovation of the church building. That same year, the old elementary building was taken down.
Leaders of St. Agnes
Many priests have served St. Agnes Parish. After 1956, they also served as the Cathedral Rector. Here is a list of some of them:
- Rev. Dennis J. O’Driscoll (1908)
- Rev. John M. Sheridan (1908–1921)
- Rev. Patrick J. Downey (1921–1922)
- Rev. L. Curtis Tiernan (1922—1928)
- Rev. Robert F. Hayes (1928)
- Rev. Frank D. McCardle (1928–1931)
- Rev. Charles A. Dibbins (1931–1935)
- Rev. James J. Hally (1935–1937)
- Rev. Paul D. Dunn (1937–1944)
- Msgr. Valentine A. Schroeger (1944–1966)
- Msgr. John H. Westhues (1966–1978)
- Msgr. Sylvester H. Bauer (1978–1981)
- Msgr. Thomas E. Reidy (1981–1992)
- Rev. Thomas P. Kiefer (1992–2003)
- Rev. Mike McDevitt (2003-2014)
- Rev. Lewis Hejna (2014-present)
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