Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (Peoria, Illinois)
| Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception | |
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| 40°41′54.9″N 89°35′6.1″W / 40.698583°N 89.585028°WCoordinates: 40°41′54.9″N 89°35′6.1″W / 40.698583°N 89.585028°W | |
| Location | 607 NE Madison Ave. Peoria, Illinois |
| Country | United States |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Website | http://www.cdop.org/Cathedral |
| History | |
| Founded | 1846 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Cathedral |
| Functional status | Active |
| Architect(s) | Casper Mehler |
| Style | Gothic Revival |
| Groundbreaking | 1885 |
| Completed | 1889 |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 170 feet (52 m) |
| Width | 80 feet (24 m) |
| Number of spires | Two |
| Spire height | 230 feet (70 m) |
| Materials | Anamosa Limestone |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Peoria |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Most Rev. Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C. |
| Rector | Msgr. Stanley L. Deptula |
| Part of | North Side Historic District (#83003588) |
| Added to NRHP | November 21, 1983 |
The Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception (commonly known as St. Mary's Cathedral) is a cathedral of the Catholic Church located in Peoria, Illinois, United States. It is the seat of the Diocese of Peoria, where the renowned Catholic televangelist and sainthood candidate, Archbishop Fulton Sheen, was born and raised. The cathedral is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property in the North Side Historic District.
The first Mass in the vicinity of Peoria was celebrated at Fort Crevecoeur, across the Illinois River from the present city. The Récollets stationed at the fort included the Revs. Gabriel Ribourde, Zenobius Membre and Louis Hennepin. Father Reho celebrated Mass in the city of Peoria in 1839 and the Rev. John A. Drew founded St. Mary's Church in 1846 and the church that would become the first St. Mary's Cathedral was built in 1851.
Chicago architect Casper Mehler designed the present cathedral to reflect the style of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. The cornerstone was laid on June 28, 1885 by Bishop John Lancaster Spalding. Construction on the cathedral was completed in 1889. The exterior is composed of Anamosa Limestone and the twin spires on the main façade rise to a height of 230 feet (70 m). The painting of the Crucifix on the reredos behind the altar was painted in 1873 by the Spanish artist Yzquierda. It was purchased by Bishop Spalding and originally hung in the old cathedral. It and a bell in the south tower are all that remain of Old St. Mary's, which was taken down in 1898. The present pipe organ, Wicks Organ Company, opus 1503, was installed in 1936. It features 3,329 pipes.
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