Cathedral's History

The Story Continues

Who we are now is a result of our past. Our foundation. Our founding. We continue the tradition that is Cathedral. Learn about our past and know that there is more to come of our story!

The First Cathedral

Bishop O'Gorman did eventually decide on Omaha City and took up residence on the southwest corner of Eighth and Harney streets. The little brick church standing across the street, as yet the only Catholic church in the entire territory of Nebraska, was consequently elevated to the dignity of a cathedral and called Saint Mary's Cathedral.

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The Second Cathedral

A committee, composed of Messrs. James Creighton, F.X. Dellone, and Vincent Burkley was appointed by Bishop O'Gorman to assist him in selecting a suitable location for the new structure. The location, however, was readily decided upon when Edward Creighton purchased two lots next to the Bishop's residence and donated them to the Church. Ninth and Harney streets would be the location of the new Saint Philomena Cathedral.

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The Third Cathedral

The year 1903 was a momentous one in the history of the parish of Saint Cecilia as well as for the people of the diocese. First of all the ten-year lease for Saint Cecilia's church on Hamilton street had expired in 1898, and now there was only a verbal agreement extending the lease. The property, sold by the Taggarts in 1896 to William Stein, put the rights of the parish on shakey grounds. When difficulty arose between the Church authorities and Mr. Stein, it was decided, by mutual agreement, to move the structure to church property on fortieth street.

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The Cornerstone Ceremony

Two years after the ground had been broken, the foundation was completed. The walls were brought up to the level for the main floor and it was time to lay the cornerstone. Sunday, October 6, 1907, was the day set aside for the occasion and no detail was left undone to make the event the most memorable, the most outstanding, and the most unique in the history of the Church in Nebraska.

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The Consecration of the Cathedral

"The ceremony opened at 8:00 am as the Archbishop led the platoon of priests in a procession three times around the outside of the building, sprinkling the walls with holy water. Each time he passed the main doors, Archbishop Bergan knocked as if seeking admittance. The third time, the procession entered chanting the Litany of the Saints, and circled the interior three times, the leader sprinkling holy water on each section of the wall. Following this ceremony, the twelve crosses along the walls were anointed with oil. Each anointing was accompanied by a Latin chant, meaning 'Let this temple be sanctified and consecrated.'"

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The First Mass

The walls were draped with long streamers. Flags and palms hid the rough brick walls and bunting was placed over the cement floor. A temporary altar and pulpit were installed for the occasion. Twenty-five hundred people participated in the celebration.

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The Pastors

The first (1899 - 1919) Reverend Daniel Harrington: Born December 21, 1872 in Eyeries, Ireland. Ordained a priest June 24, 1896. After assignments at Jackson (September), Saint Agnes, Omaha (October) and Kearney, Nebraska (November) in 1898, Fr. Hartington was assigned to Saint Cecilia (not yet the cathedral church) in October, 1899. He died in office on February 4, 1919.

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The Original Donors

While thousands of men, women, and children donated to the construction of the cathedral, it was through the generosity of several persons who donated very large sums that the final completion of the cathedral was made possible. In recognition of their generosity, this list of "known" donors has been compiled.

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Omaha's Landmark

The majesty of Saint Cecilia Cathedral has been appreciated for many decades. Firmly crowning a high ridge west of downtown Omaha, the monumental structure catches the first light of sunrise; its facade and west towers reflect the gorgeous sunset. From miles away, in all directions, its silhouette catches the eye and its towers pierce the vast prairie sky. For many years, many people, whatever their religion, have acknowledged this as Omaha's uniquely noble landmark.

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Dominican Tradition

Some 30,000 people watched the dedication and laying of the cornerstone for Saint Cecilia Cathedral on October 6, 1907. The very next day Saint Cecilia Grade School opened for the first time! Five determined Sinsinawa Dominicans nuns from Wisconsin made up the first faculty. The sisters lay the foundation for what would become a century of excellence, equipping Saint Cecilia children with an education at once rooted in the Catholic faith and competitive in the wider world. This fits the Dominican motto: To contemplate, and give to others the fruit of your contemplation.

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Restoration and Renovation

Archbishop Elden Francis Curtiss loved Omaha's Cathedral, and major events in the life of the archdiocese returned to Saint Cecilia. Participants in Masses in the largest church in the are sensed the liturgical and civic implications of the structure as the seat of a bishop as high priest. The fullest expression of community in religion would take place at the Cathedral. All of its ministries would be models for daughter churches. From its hilltop location, Saint Cecilia would be a beacon for the Faith. It would impart to the Catholics of Omaha a renewed sense of their being part in a deeply symbolic sense of a "City set on a Hill." All this set the stage in the late 1990s for a dramatic physical restoration and renovation program. Things that had been lost would have to be put back. A heritage had to be reclaimed--and proclaimed.

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Timeline

The True Voice on May 12, 1905, recorded the ground breaking for Saint Cecilia's Cathedral thus -- "The work of excavating for the new cathedral at Fortieth and Burt streets began this week. A large force of men are employed on the work which will require some time yet." Little did anyone dream in 1905 that "the work which will require some time yet" would actually take over fifty years. Little did anyone dream in 1905 that seventy-five years later, Saint Cecilia's Cathedral would become a national landmark and become one of the most outstanding cathedrals in the United States. We, who enjoy the beauty, the grandeur, and religious experiences in the cathedral today, can only stand in silent tribute to those who struggled for its completion. Saint Cecilia's Cathedral stands as a mighty symbol of the living faith of all people of the midwest. Its towers stretch high to the heavens in praise of God. A century of progress is written on its stones. We are truly grateful for our heritage.

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