St. Joseph Cathedral (Columbus, Ohio)

Church in Ohio, United States

St. Joseph Cathedral

39°57′48″N 82°59′41″W﻿ / ﻿39.96333°N 82.99472°W﻿ / 39.96333; -82.99472
Location| 212 E. Broad St.,
Columbus, Ohio
Country| United States
Denomination| Roman Catholic Church
Website| www.saintjosephcathedral.org
History
Founded| 1866
Architecture
Architect(s)| Michael Harding
Robert T. Brookes
Style| Gothic Revival
Completed| 1878
Specifications
Capacity| 700[1]
Length| 185 ft (56 m)
Width| 92 ft (28 m)
Materials| Ashlar
Administration
Diocese| Diocese of Columbus
Clergy
Bishop(s)| Most Rev. Earl K. Fernandes
Rector| Rev. Jan Sullivan [2]

Historic site

Columbus Register of Historic Properties

Designated| June 14, 1982
Reference no.| CR-7

St. Joseph Cathedral  is a Catholic cathedral located in Columbus, Ohio, United States which serves as the seat of the Diocese of Columbus.[3] The church building, completed in 1878, is located on Broad Street in Downtown Columbus.

## History

[edit]

The cathedral c. 1900-10

### St. Joseph Parish

[edit]

St. Joseph Parish, named after Saint Joseph, was founded by members of the nearby churches of St. Patrick and Holy Cross Church in 1866 to alleviate overcrowding in both congregations. Its pastor, the Rev. Edward M. Fitzgerald, began to plan for the church, raised money, formed a building committee and secured property at the corner of Broad and Fifth streets for $13,500.[1] The committee chose name St. Joseph for the new church, and selected Michael Harding as architect. Contractor John McCabe began construction June 6, 1866 with John Stoddard engaged as mason.[4] Auxiliary Bishop Sylvester H. Rosecrans of Cincinnati laid the cornerstone of what was then a brick structure on November 11, 1866.[5]

### St. Joseph Cathedral

[edit]

In 1867, Father Fitzgerald was appointed Bishop of Little Rock and Rosecrans succeeded him as pastor of St. Patrick's. On March 3, 1868, Pope Pius IX established the Diocese of Columbus and named Rosecrans as its first bishop.[6] The still under-construction St. Joseph was named its cathedral, and constuction of what had initially been proposed as a brick building was temporarily halted, modifications to the existing foundations made, and plans for the present stone structure were introduced.[4][5]

Rosecrans named Robert T. Brookes to succeed Harding as architect and altered the original design of a brick structure to stone, specifically boasted ashlar quarried from Licking and Fairfield counties to befit its elevated status as a cathedral.[4] The new plans also called for a 312-foot-tall belltower with three clock faces and chimes.[5] Retired General William Rosecrans, older brother of the bishop, came to Columbus to assist with some of the design plans in the summer of 1870.[1]

### Consecration

[edit]

Rosecrans celebrated the first Mass in the unfinished cathedral on Christmas 1872. Soon after, Cardinal John McCloskey of New York donated marble, from the same quarry used in the construction of St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, to construct a high altar and side altars.[1] In 1873, parish purchased the home of Joseph Gundersheimer, across Broad Street between Sixth and Seventh Streets, to house the clergy. It served until the diocese could construct a rectory attached to the cathedral.[4]

In February of that same year, John Mangan and Annie Clifford were married in the Cathedral. Their wedding was the first to take place in the church.[7]

Interior of the cathedral following its completion in 1878 and before the renovation of 1914.

Even though interior decoration of the building was incomplete, Rosecrans consecrated it on October 20, 1878. The final cost was $218,000. Rosecrans died the following day. He was interred directly beneath the main altar.[1]

### Renovations

[edit]

In 1887, John Ambrose Watterson purchased the former home of William G. Deshler, built in 1848, to serve as a rectory for the cathedral.[8]

Bishop James Hartley oversaw the addition of a copper roof in addition to new pews, sanctuary furniture, and pillars in 1913, at a cost of around $100,000.[4] A decade later, a new E.M. Skinner organ replaced the original 1888 organ.[5]

In 1949, Bishop Michael Ready remodeled the sanctuary and installed the present baldachin, along with a new altar of botticino marble with onyx pillars. These renovations also added a Blessed Sacrament chapel, Marian chapel, and Terce chapel dedicated to St. Joseph. These changes to the Cathedral building were completed in 1953.[9] He also razed the Deshler home and constructed the current bishop's residence and diocesan chancery building where it stood.[5][8]

John Carberry re-positioned the altar to allow for versus populum celebration of the Mass in 1965, and two years later the undercroft was excavated to create a parish hall with a kitchen, meeting rooms, and space for a bookstore. More extensive remodeling of the sanctuary began in 1978.[5]

In 1992, the exterior of the Cathedral was cleaned and restored, returning the sandstone to its original color. In 2000, the baldachino and Marian shrine were restored and re-plated. Polish artist Grzegorz Kucharski painted the depictions of the Holy Family that were hung in the apse in 2002, the same year the current organ was installed.[5]

The Cathedral interior before the renovations of 1978.

The cathedral held a Respect Life Mass on January 22, 2021, to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, and the liturgy was disrupted by about 8 pro-abortion protestors. Some held signs calling for the repeal of the Hyde Amendment. Representatives from the police and the church escorted the protestors outside. Robert J. Brennan issued a statement, thanking law enforcement and church officials, and the faithful who were present in prayer, saying they reflect "joy, hope, and mercy that marks our pro-life witness."[10]

In 2023, State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company donated its life-size Nativity scene to the Museum of Catholic Art and History, which has hosted the display in the following years. [11][12][13] That same year, the parish territory of Holy Cross Church was merged into that of the Cathedral, with Holy Cross remaining open as a worship site.[14][15]

## Saint Joseph Cathedral School

[edit]

The Kelley house, built in 1839, housed the Cathedral School from 1907 to 1968.

Following the instructions of the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore, the parishoners of the territory of the Cathedral parish began to work to found a parochial school in 1907. They acquired the Alfred Kelley mansion, remodelling it in 1907. The modified building had 12 classrooms and opened in September of 1907. The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who also operated nearby Saint Joseph Academy, taught in the school. Enrollment never substantially increased, despite the opening of a Latin School for young boys hoping to enter Saint Charles Seminary from 1941 to 1944. In May of 1958, Clarence Issenmann annouced the consolidation of the Cathedral school and its merger into nearby Holy Cross.[16] Diocesan officials stated that the combination of the two institutions was due to the redevelopment of Downtown Columbus along with population shifts to the suburbs.[17] The Kelley Mansion was removed from the site in 1961 and replaced by the Christopher Inn.[18] The Christoper Inn, in turn, was demolished in 1988, and the site is now a parking lot.[19]

## Architecture

[edit]

St. Joseph Cathedral was designed in the Gothic Revival style and built of ashlar stone quarried in Licking and Fairfield counties. The exterior dimensions of the building are 185 by 92 feet (56 m × 28 m) with walls 3 feet (0.91 m) thick. The Broad Street (south) façade of the cathedral houses three entrances and was to be framed by two towers. The southwest tower was to rise to a height of 312 feet (95 m) and contain three clock faces and a chime of ten bells. while the southeast tower was to reach a height of 200 feet (61 m).[1]

* Gallery
* Interior

* Pipe organ

* Cathedra displaying the arms of Earl K. Fernandes

## See also

[edit]

* Catholic Church portal

* List of cathedrals in the United States
* List of Catholic cathedrals in the United States

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d e f Gorski, Deacon James. "Parish History". Saint Joseph Cathedral. Archived from the original on 2016-03-09. Retrieved 2016-03-08.
2. ^ St. Joseph Cathedral (16 July 2023). "The Roman Catholic Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral and Holy Cross Church, Bulletin" (PDF). The Roman Catholic Parish of Saint Joseph Cathedral and Holy Cross Church. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 July 2023. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
3. ^ "St. Joseph Cathedral". GCatholic. Archived from the original on 2014-01-12. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
4. ^ a b c d e Hartley, Joseph (1918). Diocese of Columbus : the history of fifty years, 1868-1918. Catholic Diocese of Columbus. pp. 144–158.
5. ^ a b c d e f g "125th Anniversary of the Dedication of Saint Joseph Cathedral". digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
6. ^ "Diocese of Columbus". Catholic-Hierarchy. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
7. ^ Mattingly, Herman (November 1978). "Cathedral's First Nuptial Mass" (PDF). Barquilla de Santa Maria.
8. ^ a b "Bishop's Residence at St. Joseph's Cathedral / 579H3321919". digital-collections.columbuslibrary.org. Retrieved 2025-03-25.
9. ^ "Will Consecrate Four Cathedral Altars With Solemn Rites, Apr. 22". The Catholic Times of Columbus. 17 April 1953.
10. ^ Jones, Kevin. "Pro-abortion protestors disrupt pro-life Mass at Ohio cathedral". Catholic News Agency. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-01-24.
11. ^ Bean, Doug (20 December 2020). "Christmas display a touchstone in uncertain times". Catholic Times of Columbus. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
12. ^ The Catholic Times (1 August 2023). "State Auto donates historic Nativity to diocese's Catholic museum for display at Cathedral". The Catholic Times of Columbus. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
13. ^ WSYX Staff (2023-08-01). "Christmas Corner Nativity display is on the move". WSYX. Retrieved 2023-08-01.
14. ^ "Diocese announces suppression of St. Ladislas, Corpus Christi, Holy Cross parishes". Catholic Times of Columbus. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
15. ^ "March 26 2023 Bulletin Holy Cross Church" (PDF). Holy Cross Catholic Church, Columbus. 26 March 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
16. ^ Mattingly, Herman (April 1986). "Saint Joseph Cathedral School" (PDF). Barquilla de Santa Maria.
17. ^ "Shift to Suburbs Shrinks Student Body Merge Two Downtown Schools". The Catholic Times of Columbus. 9 May 1958. p. 1.
18. ^ Finneran, Dennis (21 April 1961). "Build Auto Hotel on Cathedral School Location". The Catholic Times of Columbus. p. 1.
19. ^ Perenic, Barbara J. ""Mad Men" style Christopher Inn hotel in Columbus embodied the optimism of the 1960s". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2025-03-27.

## External links

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to St. Joseph Cathedral (Columbus, Ohio).

* Official website
* Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus
* St. Joseph Cathedral and the American Gothic

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Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus

Bishops|

Ordinaries
Sylvester Horton Rosecrans
John Ambrose Watterson
Henry K. Moeller
James Joseph Hartley
Michael Joseph Ready
Clarence George Issenmann
John Carberry
Clarence Edward Elwell
Edward John Herrmann
James Anthony Griffin
Frederick F. Campbell
Robert J. Brennan
Earl K. Fernandes

Auxiliaries
Edward Gerard Hettinger
George Avis Fulcher

Churches|

Cathedral
St. Joseph Cathedral

Basilica
Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption, Lancaster

Parishes
St. Mary's Church, Delaware
St. John the Evangelist Church, Logan
St. Mary's Church, Portsmouth
St. Joseph's Church, Somerset
St. Nicholas Church, Zanesville
St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Zanesville
St. Patrick Church, Columbus
Holy Cross Church, Columbus
Sacred Heart Church, Columbus
Holy Family Church, Columbus

Oratory
St. Leo Oratory, Columbus

Education|

Higher education
Ohio Dominican University

Seminary
Pontifical College Josephinum

High schools
Bishop Hartley High School, Columbus
Bishop Ready High School, Columbus
Bishop Rosecrans High School, Zanesville
Bishop Watterson High School, Columbus
Cristo Rey Columbus High School, Columbus
Newark Catholic High School, Newark
Notre Dame High School, Portsmouth
Saint Charles Preparatory School, Columbus
St. Francis DeSales High School, Columbus
Saints Peter and Paul Seminary, Heath
Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School, New Philadelphia
William V. Fisher Catholic High School, Lancaster

Priests|

Nicolaus Aloysius Gallagher
Francis William Howard
Leonard J. Fick

Museums|

Museum of Catholic Art and History

Shrines|

St. Therese Retreat Center
Holy Name Church, Columbus

* Catholicism portal

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Columbus Register of Historic Properties

Co-listed on the
National Register of Historic Places|

* 18th & E. Broad Historic District
* 21st & E. Broad Historic Group
* Bryden Road District
* 120 S. Central Avenue
* Broad Street United Methodist Church (Columbus, Ohio)
* Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker House
* Central High School (Columbus, Ohio)
* Central Ohio Fire Museum
* Charles S. Barrett Building
* Columbia Larrimer Building
* Cristo Rey Columbus High School
* Cultural Arts Center
* East Town Street Historic District
* Felton School
* First Congregational Church (Columbus, Ohio)
* Franklinton Post Office
* Gen. William Henry Harrison Headquarters
* Gilbert H. Hamilton House
* Great Southern Hotel & Theatre
* Greater Columbus Arts Council
* H.A. Higgins Building
* Hamilton Park Historic District (Columbus, Ohio)
* Indianola Junior High School
* Iuka Ravine Historic District
* Jefferson Avenue Historic District (Columbus, Ohio)
* Jeffrey Manufacturing Company Office Building
* King Arts Complex
* Krumm House
* LeVeque Tower
* Lubal Manufacturing & Distributing Company
* Market-Mohawk Center
* New Indianola Historic District
* North High School
* North Market Historic District
* Ohio Baptist General Association Headquarters
* Ohio Moline Plow Building
* Ohio Statehouse
* Old Beechwold Historic District
* Old Port Columbus Terminal
* Orton Memorial Laboratory
* Richard Berry Jr. House (Columbus, Ohio)
* Schlee-Kemmler Building
* Second Presbyterian Church (Columbus, Ohio)
* Seneca Hotel
* South High Commercial Historic District
* Standard Building (Columbus, Ohio)
* Sullivant Land Office
* The Hamlet (Columbus, Ohio)
* Thurber House
* Trinity Episcopal Church (Columbus, Ohio)
* United States Carriage Company
* United States Post Office and Courthouse (Columbus, Ohio)
* Valley Dale Ballroom
* W.H. Jones Mansion

Columbus Register
historic district contributing properties|

* Broad Street Apartments
* Broad Street Christian Church
* C. E. Morris House
* Cambridge Arms
* Charles Frederick Myers house
* Columbus Landmarks Foundation
* Erwin W. Schueller House
* Hanna House
* Heyne-Zimmerman House
* Joseph Warren Yost House
* Kelton House Museum and Garden
* Lazarus House
* Linus B. Kauffman House
* North Market
* Scofield-Sanor House
* Sharp-Page House
* Shedd-Dunn House
* Soloman Levy House

Solely Columbus Register-listed|

* 1379 N. High Street Apartment Building
* Avery Pontiac Building
* Broad-Brunson Place Condominiums
* Citizens Building (Columbus, Ohio)
* The Clifton
* Columbus Dispatch Building
* Dan's Drive-In
* Dr. Lewis M. Early Residence
* E.O. Snyder Grocer
* Engine House No. 7 (Columbus, Ohio)
* First Avenue School (Columbus, Ohio)
* Gale House Condominiums
* Graham Elementary and Middle School
* Indianola Forest Historic District
* Joseph Henderson House
* Macon Hotel
* McClure-Nesbitt Motor Company
* Nagy Brothers Shoe Repair
* Northmoor Engine House
* Northwood Park (Columbus, Ohio)
* Old Oaks Historic District
* Reeb Avenue Center
* Scioto River Bridge Group
* Southwood Elementary School
* St. Joseph Cathedral (Columbus, Ohio)
* St. Mark's Masonic Temple No. 7 of the Prince Hall Free & Accepted Masons
* Weisheimer House
* White Castle Restaurant

see also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Columbus, Ohio
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