Cathedral of Saint Augustine in Kalamazoo
Encyclopedia
St. Augustine Cathedral is the cathedral
of the Roman Catholic Church
in Kalamazoo, Michigan
, and the seat of the Bishop
of the Diocese of Kalamazoo
.
The local residents constructed a church in 1852 as a mission used by traveling priests. Detroit bishop Peter Lefevère established the parish of St. Augustine and appointed a permanent pastor in a letter from dated January 22, 1856. However, by 1869, the structure was no longer safe and inadequate for the growing congregation. It was replaced by a new church on the same site.
In 1883, Father Francis O'Brien became pastor and oversaw construction of a convent, school and rectory. He invited the Sisters of St. Joseph
to Kalamazoo and aided them in establishing Borgess Hospital in 1889.
In 1937, the parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Lansing
. Construction of the current church began in 1950 and it was consecrated December 4, 1951 by Lansing Bishop
Joseph H. Albers
.
Pope Paul VI
created the Diocese of Kalamazoo December 19, 1970, from portions of the Diocese of Lansing and the Diocese of Lansing
. St. Augustine was selected as the cathedral and the Most Rev. Paul Donovan
was installed as the first bishop on June 15, 1971.
The entire St. Augustine campus includes an activities center, named the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center, the St. Augustine Cathedral School, and the Cathedral itself.
The church and school were severely damaged in 1980 when a tornado struck the area. It was rebuilt in a simpler style and rededicated in 1989.
The current organ was renovated in 2002 by the Nicholas & Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders and incorporated parts of the Casavant
organ installed when the church opened in 1951. It has 34 stops and 42 ranks of pipes.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in Kalamazoo, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
The area on which the modern city stands was once home to Native Americans of the Hopewell culture, who migrated into the area sometime before the first millennium. Evidence of their early residency remains in the form of a small mound in downtown's Bronson Park. The Hopewell civilization began to...
, and the seat of the Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the Diocese of Kalamazoo
Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo is a Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the southwestern portion of the State of Michigan that encompasses Allegan, Van Buren, Berrien, Cass, Saint Joseph, Kalamazoo, Branch, Calhoun, and Barry Counties. The Diocese consists of 46 parishes 13 missions,...
.
The local residents constructed a church in 1852 as a mission used by traveling priests. Detroit bishop Peter Lefevère established the parish of St. Augustine and appointed a permanent pastor in a letter from dated January 22, 1856. However, by 1869, the structure was no longer safe and inadequate for the growing congregation. It was replaced by a new church on the same site.
In 1883, Father Francis O'Brien became pastor and oversaw construction of a convent, school and rectory. He invited the Sisters of St. Joseph
Sisters of St. Joseph
The title Sisters of St. Joseph applies to several Roman Catholic religious congregations of women. The largest and oldest of these was founded in Le Puy-en-Velay, France...
to Kalamazoo and aided them in establishing Borgess Hospital in 1889.
In 1937, the parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Lansing
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing
The Catholic Diocese of Lansing is located in Lansing, Michigan. It encompasses an area of 6,218 square miles including the counties of Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw...
. Construction of the current church began in 1950 and it was consecrated December 4, 1951 by Lansing Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Joseph H. Albers
Joseph H. Albers
Joseph H. Albers D.D. was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1929 at the age of 38, he was consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, making him one of the youngest Roman Catholic bishops in the country. He continued in this role until he was assigned to establish the new Diocese of Lansing, Michigan...
.
Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
created the Diocese of Kalamazoo December 19, 1970, from portions of the Diocese of Lansing and the Diocese of Lansing
Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids is a diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in western Michigan, in the United States. It comprises 102 churches in Ottawa, Kent, Ionia, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Montcalm, Mecosta, Lake, Mason, and Osceola counties in Michigan. The diocese was created on...
. St. Augustine was selected as the cathedral and the Most Rev. Paul Donovan
Paul Vincent Donovan
Paul Vincent Donovan was a bishop of the Catholic Church in the United States. He served as the first bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo in the state of Michigan from 1971-1994.-Biography:...
was installed as the first bishop on June 15, 1971.
The entire St. Augustine campus includes an activities center, named the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center, the St. Augustine Cathedral School, and the Cathedral itself.
The church and school were severely damaged in 1980 when a tornado struck the area. It was rebuilt in a simpler style and rededicated in 1989.
The current organ was renovated in 2002 by the Nicholas & Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders and incorporated parts of the Casavant
Casavant Frères
Casavant Frères is a prominent Canadian company in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, which has been building fine pipe organs since 1879. As of 2008, they have produced over 3800 organs.- Company history :...
organ installed when the church opened in 1951. It has 34 stops and 42 ranks of pipes.