St. Peter's Cathedral (Helena, Montana) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids St. Peter’s Cathedral |
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| The Cathedral Church of Saint Peter | |
St. Peter's Episcopal Cathedral in Helena, Montana
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| 46°35′33.03″N 112°02′23.23″W / 46.5925083°N 112.0397861°W | |
| Location | 511 N. Park Ave. Helena, Montana |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Episcopal Church |
| History | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Founded | March 28, 1869 |
| Dedication | St Peter |
| Dedicated | March 27, 1932 |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Harold Whitehouse |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | September 10, 1931 |
| Completed | 1932 |
| Construction cost | $90,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Stone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Montana |
| Province | Province 6 |
St. Peter's Cathedral is a beautiful church located in Helena, Montana, United States. It is the main church for the Episcopal Diocese of Montana. In 1990, the cathedral became part of the Helena Historic District. This means it is recognized as an important historical building. In 2020, about 499 people were members, and around 133 attended services regularly.
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History of St. Peter's Cathedral
The first Episcopal church services in Helena took place on August 11, 1867. Bishop Daniel Sylvester Tuttle and Rev. E. N. Goddard led these early gatherings. On March 28, 1869, Bishop Tuttle started a committee to create an Episcopal church in Helena. He held a special service called Holy Eucharist in the courthouse.
Building the First Church
Bishop Tuttle bought land on Warren and Grand Streets for $1,200. This was where the first St. Peter's Church would be built. A stone church with a bell tower was finished for $12,000. The first Holy Eucharist service in this new building was on October 19, 1879. The church was officially dedicated on November 11, 1881.
Designing the New Cathedral
By 1920, Rev. Sidney Douglass Hooker was leading St. Peter's. He helped plan the new, bigger cathedral. People started raising money for the new building in 1927. An architect named Harold Whitehouse from Spokane, Washington designed it. He used a style called English country Gothic. He even made a special cross for the church from myrtlewood.
Construction and Dedication
The first stone for the new cathedral was laid by Bishop William F. Faber on September 10, 1931. The stones used for the building came from quarries right in the Helena area. The new St. Peter's Church cost $90,000 to build. Bishop Faber dedicated it on Easter Sunday, March 27, 1932. The bell and the brass altar from the first church were moved to the new one.
The church was then named the pro-cathedral for the diocese. This means it was a main church, but not yet a full cathedral. In 1941, a house for the dean (a church leader) was built next to the cathedral. This house is now the Diocesan Offices and is also a historic building. St. Peter's stopped being a cathedral in the mid-1990s, but it became a cathedral again in 2004.
St. Peter's Today
St. Peter's was a pro-cathedral until the mid-1990s. Then, it was called a parish church for a while. In 2004, it was officially named a cathedral again. Other buildings on the church property include the deanery, built in 1941, which is now the Bishop's Office. There is also Wilson Hall, an education building finished in 1959.
Native American Ministry
St. Peter's hosts a special group called the Togendowagon Society. This is a Native American ministry. Togendowagon means 'awakening'. Father Ray Brown leads services with drums, and people offer sweet grass and sage. These services happen on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, except in July and August. Those months are when many powwows take place.
The cathedral stands across the street from the Olsen House.
See also
