St. Michael's Cathedral (Springfield, Massachusetts)

St. Michael's Cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts, United States, established in 1847. In 1974 the church and rectory were included as contributing properties in the Quadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[2]

St. Michael's Cathedral
St. Michael's Cathedral (Springfield, Massachusetts) is located in Massachusetts
St. Michael's Cathedral (Springfield, Massachusetts)
42°6′15.1″N 72°35′4.1″W
Location254 State Street
Springfield, Massachusetts
CountryUnited States
DenominationRoman Catholic
Websitestmichaelscathedralspfld.org
History
StatusCathedral
Founded1847
DedicationSaint Michael the Archangel
Architecture
Architect(s)Patrick Keely
StyleItalianate, Federal
Groundbreaking1860
Completed1861
Specifications
MaterialsBrick
Administration
DioceseSpringfield
Clergy
Bishop(s)Most Rev. William Draper Byrne
RectorMsgr. Christopher Connelly
Part ofQuadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District (ID74000371[1])
Added to NRHPMay 8, 1974

History
St. Michaels Cathedral in 1908

The parish was established in 1847 as the church of St. Benedict after years of local Catholics fighting Protestant opposition to establish a parish.[3] The congregation purchased a former Baptist church which served as its first home. For the first five years, it had no pastor when the Rev. Michael P. Gallagher was assigned to serve the parish. Gallagher began construction of the current sanctuary on State Street in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1860, and completed in 1861, based on plans from noted Brooklyn architect Patrick Keely.[4] In recognition of Fr. Gallagher's work, the parish changed its name to St. Michael at this time. Fr. Gallagher died in 1869 and is buried at the church entrance. When Pope Pius IX established the present Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts in 1870, St. Michael's church became its cathedral.[3]

The structure was expanded in 1996, with the addition of the Bishop Marshall Center at the rear of the church. The center includes a chapel that seats 60 people, a TV studio for the daily broadcast of the Mass, a parish hall that can seat 120 people and kitchen, and it is handicap accessible.

From the year 2000, the cathedral has been home to The Cathedral Choir of Boys and Adults, whose purpose is to serve the bishop, sing at ordinations and other high masses, and perform the annual festival of Lessons and Carols and Tenebrae service during Advent and Lent, respectively. Along with their normal duties, the choir offers basic music theory training to the boys of the choir.

  • Nave looking toward the sanctuary
    Nave looking toward the sanctuary
  • Nave looking toward the gallery
    Nave looking toward the gallery
  • Stained glass window
    Stained glass window
  • Bishop Marshall Center
    Bishop Marshall Center
  • Rectory
    Rectory

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
  2. Arbo, Mindy; Amadon, Elizabeth. "NRHP Nomination Form:Quadrangle–Mattoon Street Historic District" (PDF). National Archives and Records Administration. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  3. Gagnon, Frances M. (September 25, 2010). "St. Michael's Church in Springfield to celebrate laying of its cornerstone in 1860". The Republican. Springfield. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  4. "St. Michael's Cathedral, Springfield (1860)". Historic Buildings of Massachusetts. Retrieved March 3, 2016.

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