| St. Matthew’s Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Basic information | |
| Location | South Bend, Indiana United States |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic Church |
| Rite | Roman Rite |
| Province | Archdiocese of Indianapolis |
| Leadership | Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Bishop: Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades Rector: Msgr. Michael Heintz |
| Website | www.strmatthewcathedral.org |
| Architectural description | |
| Architectural style | Modern |
| Completed | 1960 |
| Specifications | |
| Materials | Brick |
St. Matthew’s Cathedral is a Catholic cathedral in South Bend, Indiana, United States. Along with Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Fort Wayne it is the seat of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.
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The Rev. John DeGroote bought 14 lots in the Oak Park addition in South Bend in 1921. Initial plans called for a building to house a combined church and school, but because the estimated cost of $35,000 was considered too expensive, Bishop Herman Alerding suggested a more modest wooden structure to serve temporarily as a church.[1] The Rev. Theodore Hammes was appointed as the parish’s first pastor and he initially lived at St. Monica’s in Mishawaka. Twenty-two men volunteered to help build the church, which was built in May 1922 for $10,000.[1] The church was dedicated on August 13, 1922. The basement served as a parish hall. The parish grew rapidly and the new church’s capacity of 240 was too small. A new addition was dedicated in October 1923 and increased the seating capacity to 600. Six more lots were added to the parish property in 1924.
The Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Victory arrived at St. Matthew’s in 1942 and stayed until 1958. They taught religious education to the children who did not attend the parish school and other parochial responsibilities. The present rectory was built in 1954. Ground was broken for the current church in 1959. The old church was torn down and the bells were placed in the tower of the new church.
In 1960 Blessed John XXIII changed the name of the Diocese of Fort Wayne to the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.[2] St. Matthew’s Church, which was still under construction, was named the Co-cathedral for the diocese.
Msgr. Joseph R. Crowley was assigned to St. Matthew's in 1969. On August 24, 1971 he was named auxiliary bishop for the diocese. After his ordination he was named as the diocesan director of religious education. Two years later he returned to St. Matthews as pastor. He was to be the first of three auxiliary bishops to serve the parish consecutively as its pastor.
In 1989 the parish choir, under the direction of Dr. Edward Kline, was invited to sing at the Vatican. Additions were made to the parish in 1992. The Cathedral Center opened and the convent was converted into a day care center. A commercial building was purchased in 1994 to expand the day care program. Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., who became pastor in 1997, left the parish in 2002 to become Bishop of Peoria.[3]
Construction of St. Matthew’s School was begun on May 15, 1929. It was dedicated by Bishop John F. Noll on October 13, 1929. The building cost the parish $167,000 to build.[1] Enrollment the first year was 150 students in five grades and a new grade was added every year until 1932. The Sisters of St. Joseph formed the faculty.
In 1934 the Brothers of the Holy Cross opened Central Catholic High School on the second floor of the school building. The enrollment that year was 18 students with two brothers as teachers. As the enrollment increased additional classrooms and athletic programs were added. Tuition in the early years was $40.[1] The number of brothers on the faculty increased, a lay person was added who taught biology and coach the athletic teams and professors from the University of Notre Dame taught at the school as well. The schools highest enrollment was 237 boys. The school was discontinued in 1951 when three Catholic schools merged to create St. Joseph High School.
After Central Catholic left St. Matthew’s School expanded into the space. A new gymnasium was constructed in 1955. The school was significantly renovated during the pastorate of Bishop Jenky.
The following priests have served as pastors of St. Matthew’s parish and after 1960 as the cathedral rector:[1]