FIRST - Roman Catholic Church in Springfield, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 06.246 W 072° 35.042
18T E 699764 N 4664159
Saint Michael's Cathedral built in 1860 is the first Catholic church in Springfield, MA. It is located at 254 State Street.
Waymark Code: WMHJ5T
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 07/15/2013
Views: 1
Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church was the first Catholic Church constructed in the City of Springfield. Construction of this combination of Gothic Revival and Italian Renaissance structure began in 1860 and was completed the following year. It was designed by architect Patrick Charles Keeley. In 1871, when the Diocese of Springfield was established, St. Michael's became the seat of the diocese and the church became a cathedral.
The cathedral features a ridged roof, a tower topped with a steeple, a pair of wings, three sets of double doors on the front and round headed stained glass windows.
As part of the City of Springfield's 350th anniversary in 1986 plaques have been installed on many historic building. The plaque on this building reads:
ST. MICHAEL'S
CATHEDRAL AND
RECTORY
254 and 260 State Street
Built 1860 and 1871
*||||||||||||||||||||
This church was the first in the City to be built for Roman
Catholic use. Prior to construction, Catholics had wor-
shipped in St. benedict's, a former Baptist church at the cor-
ner of Union and Willow Streets. The edifice was designed
by Patrick C. Keely, the most prominent mid-nineteenth cen-
tury architect for Catholic churches in America. In 1870,
when the Diocese of Springfield was created, St. Michael's
became its cathedral. The next year the Second French Em-
pire style rectory was built by Michael Curtis of Springfield
and James Carroll of Worcester.
==============350th
1636 -1986 Springfield, Ma.
These properties are listed on the National register of Historic
Places as part of the Quadrangle/Mattoon Street Historic District.
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