Cathedral of Saint Peter (Rockford, Illinois)

Cathedral of Saint Peter
42°17′6.36″N 89°4′58.08″W / 42.2851000°N 89.0828000°W / 42.2851000; -89.0828000
Location 1243 N. Church Street
Rockford, Illinois
Country United States
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website www.cathedralofstpeter.org
History
Founded 1922
Dedication May 15, 1960 (church)
October 11, 1978 (cathedral)
Architecture
Status Cathedral
Style Italianate
Groundbreaking 1958
Completed 1960
Specifications
Capacity 676-834[1]
Number of spires One
Administration
Diocese Rockford
Clergy
Bishop(s) Most Rev. David J. Malloy
Rector Very Rev. Stephen St. Jules

The Cathedral of Saint Peter is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford.[2] It is the third church to serve the diocese as its cathedral.

History

Interior of the Cathedral of St. Peter

The parish had its beginnings with the establishment of St. William's chapel in 1915.[1] It was established as a mission of St. Mary's parish downtown. Property on the summit of Council Hill, also known as Piety Hill, was purchased in 1920 for a new parish. A combination church and school was built on Court Street beginning in 1921.

The cornerstone for the present church was blessed by Bishop Loras Lane in August 1958 and it was dedicated on May 15, 1960. Bishop Arthur O'Neill designated St. Peter's as the diocesan cathedral on October 11, 1970. St. James on North Second Street in Rockford had been the pro-cathedral from the foundation of the diocese in 1908 until 1963.[3] Holy Family then served as the cathedral until St. Peter's replaced it.[4] O'Neill formally consecrated St. Peter's on October 11, 1978. The present altar was consecrated by Cardinal Francis George of Chicago on September 29, 1998.

Pipe organ

St. Peter's houses a 1978 Wicks Organ Company pipe organ, Opus 5706. It is located in the rear gallery of the cathedral. Some of the pipes are exposed in the large case that frames a rose window. The organ features 5 divisions, 45 stops, 55 ranks and 2,707 pipes. The manual compass is 61 notes and the pedal compass is 32 notes.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Cathedral of St. Peter, Rockford". Diocese of Rockford. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  2. ↑ "St. Peter Cathedral". Giga Catholic. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  3. ↑ "History". St. James Church. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  4. ↑ "Holy Family Parish". Giga Catholic. Retrieved 2013-09-25.
  5. ↑ "Wicks Organ Co., Opus 5706, 1978". Organ Historical Society. Retrieved 2014-04-16.

External links

Coordinates: 42°17′06″N 89°04′58″W / 42.2851°N 89.0828°W / 42.2851; -89.0828

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