St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral (Cheyenne, Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2107 Capitol Avenue Cheyenne, Wyoming |
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| Built | 1906-1909 |
| Built by | Moses Patrick Keefe |
| Architect | Fisher and Lowery |
| Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74002026 |
| Added to NRHP | November 20, 1974 |
St. Mary's Cathedral is a very important church in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is the main church, called a cathedral, for the Catholic community in that area. This beautiful building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974, which means it's a special historical site.
Contents
The Story of St. Mary's Cathedral
How the Church Began
The church started in 1867. A priest named Reverend William Kelly created the first church, calling it St. John the Baptist. It was a simple wooden building. Ten years later, in 1877, a stronger brick church was built in its place.
In 1887, a new Catholic area, called the Diocese of Cheyenne, was created. The church was then given a new name: St. Mary. Over time, more and more people joined the church. The brick building became too small for everyone.
Building a New Cathedral
Bishop James J. Keane, who was the third bishop of Cheyenne, decided it was time to build a much bigger and grander church. This new church would be the main cathedral. Construction started in 1906.
The design for the cathedral came from an architecture company called Fisher and Lowery, from Omaha. Bishop Keane and Reverend James A. Duffy worked hard to raise money and find the perfect spot for the new building.
Laying the Cornerstone
On Sunday, July 7, 1907, a special event took place. About 5,000 people gathered to watch the laying of the cornerstone. This is a ceremony where the first stone of a new building is officially placed. A well-known builder from Wyoming, Moses Patrick Keefe, was in charge of constructing the cathedral. The stone used for the outside of the building came from a quarry at Iron Mountain, just north of Cheyenne.
Opening the Cathedral
The cathedral was finished in 1909. On January 31, 1909, Bishop Maurice Burke from St. Joseph, Missouri, who had been the first bishop of Cheyenne, officially dedicated the cathedral. Bishop John Carroll from Helena, Montana gave an important speech during the ceremony.
Cathedral Design and Features
Building Style and Size
St. Mary's Cathedral is built in the Gothic Revival style. This style often features tall spires, pointed arches, and large windows, similar to grand European cathedrals. The building is about 135 feet long and 70 feet wide. Inside, it has two side areas for people to sit and a special loft at the back for the organ. The ceiling is held up by strong steel and concrete arches, which are covered with beautiful oak wood.
Costs and Special Gifts
Building the cathedral cost about $125,000. It was completely paid for when it was finished, which was a big accomplishment! The stunning stained glass windows you see inside were all gifts from different people. They were made in Europe and are very special. The large window in the organ loft, which shows the Madonna (Mary), was a gift from the Knights of Columbus. We don't know exactly who made these windows or when they were put in.
In 1962, another building was added next to the cathedral on the east side. This new part cost $200,000 and has rooms for meetings and other church activities.
The Grand Organ
The cathedral has a magnificent organ. It was built in 1991 by the Visser-Rowland Organ Company. This organ is known as their "Opus 92." It has 38 stops and 53 ranks, which means it can make many different sounds and has a lot of pipes! The organ was officially dedicated in March 1992.
See also
In Spanish: Catedral de Santa María (Cheyenne) para niños
