St. Benedict Cathedral (Evansville, Indiana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Benedict Cathedral |
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| Location | 1320 Lincoln Ave. Evansville, Indiana |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral/Parish |
| Founded | 1912 (parish) |
| Dedication | Benedict of Nursia |
| Dedicated | March 18, 1928 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Edward J. Thole (Cathedral) |
| Style | Lombard-Basilica |
| Completed | 1928 |
| Construction cost | $230,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 1,000 |
| Number of spires | One |
| Spire height | 130 feet (40 m) |
| Materials | Brick |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Evansville |
St. Benedict Cathedral is a large and important Catholic church in Evansville, Indiana, United States. It is the main church for the Diocese of Evansville. The cathedral, along with its rectory (where priests live) and the first school building, are special historical places. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Lincolnshire Historic District.
Contents
History of St. Benedict Cathedral
St. Benedict Parish Begins
St. Benedict Parish started in 1912. It was created for Catholic families living in the eastern part of Evansville. Benedictine Monks from St. Meinrad Abbey were in charge of the parish.
A two-story brick building was built to be both a church and a school. Frank J. Schlotter, a local architect, designed it in the Neoclassical style. Michael J. Hoffman, a local builder and parish member, constructed it.
The basement of this first building had an assembly hall. Classrooms were on the first floor. The church area was on the second floor. After the current church was finished in 1928, the second floor became more classrooms. A new addition was built in 1953.
In 1913, a two-story brick building was built for the sisters who taught at the school. A rectory, where the priests lived, was finished in 1921. This two-story brick building was designed by August Gehlhausen. It has a large front porch that covers both stories.
Building the Cathedral
The current church building was completed in 1928. It was designed in the Lombard-Basilica style by Edward J. Thole. Michael Hoffman, the same builder, worked on this church too.
The church has very high ceilings, about 65 feet (20 m) tall. It can seat over 1,000 people. Beautiful stained glass windows were made by Zettler Art Glass Company in Germany. The altars are made of Italian marble. The bell tower, called a campanile, stands 130 feet (40 m) high. The church was officially opened on March 18, 1928.
The inside of the church was updated after the Second Vatican Council. The baldachin (a canopy over the altar) was moved forward. A new altar was created from the old one. Two of Evansville's bishops were ordained here before it became a cathedral.
Becoming a Cathedral
On October 21, 1944, Pope Pius XII created the Diocese of Evansville. Assumption Church was chosen as the first cathedral. However, that church was later sold and torn down in 1965.
Holy Trinity, another old church, served as the main church from 1965 until April 11, 1999. On that date, St. Benedict's was officially made the third cathedral for the Evansville Diocese.
Pastors and Rectors
The following priests have led St. Benedict Parish. Since 1999, they have also been the rector (head priest) of the cathedral:
- Rev. Martin Hoppenjans, OSB (1912-1936)
- Rev. Lambert Enslinger, OSB (1936-1939)
- Rev. Thomas Schaefers, OSB (1939-1942)
- Rev. Gilbert Hess, OSB (1942-1943)
- Rev. Gabriel Verkamp, OSB (1943-1963)
- Rev. Father Alban Berling, OSB (1963-1973)
- Revs. Lambert Reilly, OSB and Lawrence Ward, OSB (co-pastors, 1973-1974)
- Rev. Cyril Vrablic, OSB (1974-1977)
- Rev. Camillus Elsperman, OSB (1977-1991)
- Very Rev. Gregory Chamberlin, OSB (1991–2013)
- Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB (2013–Present)
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de San Benito (Evansville) para niños
- List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States
- List of cathedrals in the United States
- St. Francis Xavier Cathedral and Library in Vincennes, Indiana. This church was once a cathedral for a different diocese, which is now part of the Diocese of Evansville.
