Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Crookston, Minnesota)

Cathedral of the
Immaculate Conception

The former Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
47°46′30″N 96°35′24.72″W / 47.77500°N 96.5902000°W / 47.77500; -96.5902000
Location 702 Summit Avenue
Crookston, Minnesota
Country United States
Denomination Roman Catholic
Website crookstoncathedral.com
History
Founded 1830
Dedication Immaculate Conception
Consecrated 1990
Architecture
Status Cathedral
Style Modern
Completed 1990
Specifications
Capacity 1000
Materials Brick
Administration
Diocese Diocese of Crookston
Province Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Clergy
Bishop(s) Most Rev. Michael J. Hoeppner
Rector

Very Rev. Vincent Miller

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Former cathedral)
Location N. Ash St. at 2nd Ave.
Coordinates 47°46′27″N 96°36′15″W / 47.77417°N 96.60417°W / 47.77417; -96.60417Coordinates: 47°46′27″N 96°36′15″W / 47.77417°N 96.60417°W / 47.77417; -96.60417
Built 1912
Architect Bert Keck
Architectural style Late Gothic Revival
NRHP Reference # 98001219
Added to NRHP October 1, 1998[1]

The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic cathedral in Crookston, Minnesota, United States. It is the seat of the Diocese of Crookston. The present Cathedral was dedicated September 25, 1990[2] and is designed in the modern style. Prominent within the cathedral is the magnificent organ which is Opus 2132 of the Reuter Organ Company of Lawrence, Kansas. It is a two-manual, 31-rank instrument that contains approximately 1789 pipes.[3] The cathedral's west bell tower features a shrine to the Holy Family. The Blessed Sacrament Chapel located in the southwest corner of the church, houses the cathedral's Tabernacle, as well as the cathedral's reliquary, and shrine to Our Lady of Guadeloupe.[2]

It replaced the previous cathedral of the same name which had been built in 1912 at the intersection of North Ash Street and Second Avenue.[4]

The earlier Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is unusual for having three spires on its Neo-Gothic facade, whereas most Neo-Gothic churches have two. Architect Bert Keck designed this church, along with the former Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Duluth, Minnesota. None of these buildings serve as churches any longer.[5] Keck's design included two balconies, on the north and the south side of the church, for antiphonal choir responses. It also has a large choir balcony in the rear of the church for the choir and organ. Bishop Timothy J. Corbett, the first bishop of the newly formed Diocese of Crookston, organized the construction of the cathedral.[4] The structure was added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 1, 1989.[1]

After the Diocese dedicated the new cathedral, it transferred ownership of the former structure to a homeless shelter which used the rectory for additional space. The shelter removed the stained glass windows from the sanctuary and gave some to parish members, with the rest sold to provide funding for its programs. In 2001, a windstorm caused severe damage to the remaining stained glass, causing air and rain to leak into the building. The north sacristy became home to a flock of pigeons, which covered the floor in droppings before their access points were closed. The Prairie Skyline Foundation has drafted plans to restore the cathedral and turn it into a performing arts space.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  2. 1 2 "Tour the 1990 Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception" (PDF). Retrieved 2013-10-28.
  3. "Reuter Organ Opus List, by State" (PDF). Reuter Organ. p. 19. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  4. 1 2 3 "The Gothic Cathedral". Prairie Skyline Foundation. Retrieved 2013-10-28.
  5. Wiering, Maria (8 February 2010). "Your Great Catholic Minnesota Road Trip". The Catholic Spirit. Retrieved 2013-10-28.

External links

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