"In October 1860, Fr. Projectus Machebeuf, and Fr. J.B. Raverdy began the 300-mile journey from Santa Fe, New Mexico, north into Colorado Territory. Months later they arrived at the Arkansas River, at the present site of the city of Pueblo. Initially the priests celebrated mass in the homes of local Catholics, then they began to hold public services in the old Courthouse on 3rd and Santa Fe Avenue, until finally a proper church was established on 13th and West Streets. In 1873 it was the first parish in Pueblo, and it was called St. Ignatius.
A fire destroyed St. Ignatius and its rectory in 1882. Under the direction of the Jesuit priests assigned to serve it, money was raised and second church was built. This time St. Ignatius was situated near the heart of the city, on Grand between 10th and 11th Streets.
Eventually it served as the parish hall when the present church was built under the pastorate of Msgr. Thomas Wolohan. In 1910, Msgr. Wolohan began planning for a new church to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. On May 5, 1912, the church cornerstone was laid, and within a year, Sacred Heart was dedicated by the Most Reverend Nicholas Matz, Archbishop of Denver.
The construction costs of the church was $48,000, and was realized with the help of the congregation of 190 families. Msgr. Wolohan served as pastor of Sacred Heart for thirty-six years. He is buried in a crypt in the cathedral.
On November 15, 1941, Sacred Heart was elevated to the status of a Cathedral with the establishment of the new Diocese of Pueblo. Since the establishment of Sacred Heart as a Cathedral, it has been served by eight rectors and administrators. In the past few years, the parish has grown from 930 families to well over 1,200. It truly has become a model of good liturgy and ministry for other parishes to emulate as the parish church of the Bishop.
In 1997, the Cathedral celebrated its 125th anniversary with a year long series of events. It adopted as its motto that year, Strong at Heart after 125 years.
In 1989, the Cathedral was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In 2008, the steeple of the cathedral was stuck by lightning and was engulfed by flames and was damaged. Work has been completed to replace the steeple and install a lightning rod. Work was done by HW Houston Construction and Vision Mechanical and the new cross was dedicated. The Current Bishop of Pueblo is Stephen Berg." (from (
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"The recorded history of the Cathedral starts on October 20, 1872 when Rev. Carlos Pinto, SJ, baptized Anastacia Aragon. The church began as St. Ignatius; staffed by Jesuit Fathers and the first parish church was built in 1873 at 13th and West Streets. The church was destroyed by fire in 1882 and a second church was built on Grand Avenue between 10th and 11th Streets. Joseph Machebeuf, first Bishop of Colorado, appointed Father Bender as the first diocesan priest in 1887. On February 6, 1910 Rev. Thomas Wolohan was appointed pastor and under his direction, the present church was built at a cost of $48,000 and renamed Sacred Heart.
Sacred Heart became the Cathedral of the new Pueblo Diocese on November 15, 1941. The church was renovated in 1988 to repair structural damage, update the heating/cooling system, provide a restroom and a handicap entrance. The restoration revived treasures of stained glass and Gothic architecture. The U.S Dept. of Interior placed the Cathedral on the National Register of Historic Places on February 6, 1989. A hail storm damaged the stained glass windows and were restored in 2007. In 2009, lightning struck the steeple and the upper half of the steeple was replaced. The Rectory was refurbished in 2011. Also in 2011, "The Friends of the Cathedral" provided updated lighting and additions to the sound system in the church.
The Patroness of the Diocese of Pueblo is Saint Therese of Lisieux and bronze sculpture by artist Huberto Maestas of San Luis, Colorado was commissioned by Anthony Capps-Capozzolo." (from (
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