"On this rock I shall build my Church" (Matthew 16:18). Today is a great day of celebration for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul-Minneapolis and the entire metropolitan district.
It was 02 June 1907 - one hundred one years ago today - when the cornerstone for the Cathedral of Saint Paul was laid during a ceremony conducted by Archbishop John Ireland. By most accounts, over sixty thousand people gathered for the ceremony that 
began the building of what is often now called the "great temple on the prairie."
Today the architecture is famous for its detail, magnificence, and splendor. The Cathedral of Saint Paul is seated on the highest point in downtown Saint Paul - thus dominating the skyline and cityscape. In 1974 the Cathedral of Saint Paul was listed on the United States' National Registry of Historical Buildings.
Perhaps most impressively, it is the largest dome in Minnesota. At a height of over three hundred feet, it is even larger than the the dome of the state capitol building - 
no doubt, a capital achievement.
Every diocese has a cathedral which is both the spiritual home of the diocese as well as the building that houses the cathedra (chair or throne) of the local bishop. The cathedral of an archdiocese has a special significance in that it is also the spiritual headquarters for not only the people of the archdiocese but also the metropolitan region; in the case of the 
Cathedral of Saint Paul, this includes all people in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Today is a great day for Archbishop Nienstedt, the people of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul-Minneapolis, the people of the Metropolitan district headed by Archbishop Nienstedt, and all who helped create, build, maintain, and worship in the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
If you're in the Saint Paul area, a stop at the Cathedral of Saint Paul is a must!
Take care, -Jeremy
2 comments:
A few more details on the history:
Although the cathedral held its first liturgy on 28 March 1915 - Palm Sunday - it was not yet finished. According to the website for the Cathedral of Saint Paul, "work continued on the interior for decades." It was consecrated by Archbishop William O'Brady on 14 October 1958.
Recently, a leaking roof was fixed. Currently, the Cathedral is raising funds to fix the damage to the Cathedral ceiling resulting from the (formerly) leaking roof.
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Thanks, Jeremy for the reminder and the press about home!
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