St. Michael's Cathedral (Springfield, Massachusetts) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids St. Michael's Cathedral

Location in Massachusetts
42°6′15.1″N 72°35′4.1″W / 42.104194°N 72.584472°W / 42.104194; -72.584472
Location	254 State Street Springfield, Massachusetts
Country	United States
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral
Founded	1847
Dedication	Saint Michael the Archangel
Architecture
Architect(s)	Patrick Keely
Style	Italianate, Federal
Groundbreaking	1860
Completed	1861
Specifications
Materials	Brick
Administration
Diocese	Springfield

St. Michael's Cathedral is a very important church for the Roman Catholic community in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. It is the main church for the Diocese of Springfield. The church was started in 1847. In 1974, the church building and the nearby rectory (where the priests live) became part of the Quadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a special historical site.

The Cathedral's Story
Modern Updates and Community Life
Images for kids
More to Explore
See also

The Cathedral's Story

St. Michael's Cathedral in 1908

The church community began in 1847. At first, it was called the church of St. Benedict. Local Catholics worked hard for years to create their own church. They bought an old Baptist church to use as their first home.

For the first five years, the church did not have a regular pastor. Then, Reverend Michael P. Gallagher was assigned to lead the community. Father Gallagher started building the church you see today on State Street in Springfield, Massachusetts. Construction began in 1860 and finished in 1861. The famous architect Patrick Keely from Brooklyn designed the building.

To honor Father Gallagher's hard work, the church changed its name to St. Michael's. Father Gallagher passed away in 1869 and is buried near the church entrance. In 1870, Pope Pius IX created the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts. St. Michael's church then became its main church, known as a cathedral.

Modern Updates and Community Life

In 1996, the cathedral building was made larger. The Bishop Marshall Center was added to the back of the church. This new center has a small chapel that can seat 60 people. It also includes a TV studio, which is used to broadcast the weekly Mass.

The center also features a parish hall that can hold 120 people. There is a kitchen, and the entire center is easy for people with disabilities to access.

Since the year 2000, St. Michael's Cathedral has been home to The St. Michael's Cathedral Choir. This choir sings for the bishop and performs at special church services. They also put on an annual festival called "Lessons and Carols" during Advent. Another special service they perform is the Tenebrae service during Lent. Besides their singing duties, the choir also teaches basic music theory to the children who are part of the choir.