Great Falls in Cascade County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)

St. Ann's Cathedral

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2019

1. St. Ann's Cathedral Marker

Inscription. Shortly after Pope Pius X established the Diocese of Great Falls in 1904, Great Falls’ first bishop, Matthias Lenihan, hired Montana architect John Hackett Kent to design a cathedral equal to those in Europe. Kent, who helped design the Montana state capitol, looked to thirteenth-century England for inspiration. St. Ann’s shares all the features of the Gothic Revival style: an “exaggerated verticality” that makes the building itself look as if it were reaching toward heaven, a cruciform plan, pointed arches, window tracery, and a ribbed interior vault. According to the Great Falls Tribune, its red and cream sandstone was quarried locally, with “each block ... cut for a particular place in the structure and ... marked [to] ... designate it for that one particular place.” Bitterroot Valley sculptor W. R. Gifford carved the two-ton exterior figure of Christ, which graces the top of the gable end arch. Construction of the cathedral, which seats five hundred people, cost approximately $100,000. Money for the project came from the four hundred parishioners living in Great Falls in 1906.

Erected by Montana Historical Society; Department of the Interior, National Register of Historic Places.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion

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. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 47° 30.52′ N, 111° 17.749′ W. Marker is in Great Falls, Montana, in Cascade County. Marker is at the intersection of 3rd Avenue North and 7th Street North on 3rd Avenue North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 715 3rd Avenue North, Great Falls MT 59401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A.W. Kingsbury House (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abe and Carrie Kaufman Residence (about 400 feet away); Quigley House (about 500 feet away); First Methodist Church (about 600 feet away); Toole Residence (about 600 feet away); First United Methodist Church Parsonage (about 700 feet away); Methodist Parsonage (about 700 feet away); C.E. Davis Residence (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Great Falls.

St. Ann's Cathedral and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2019

2. St. Ann's Cathedral and Marker

The marker is to the right of the stairs,

St. Ann's Cathedral image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2019

3. St. Ann's Cathedral

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2019

4. St. Ann's Cathedral

The Saint Ann's Cathedral Ceremonial Doors image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2019

5. The Saint Ann's Cathedral Ceremonial Doors

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, August 13, 2019

6. The Saint Ann's Cathedral Ceremonial Doors

In Memory of
Dr. John F. McGregor
by his wife Sally and their children
The left panel depicts Saint Ann teaching her daughter the prayers of her Jewish faith. The menorah places the scene in the Jewish tradition. Essential to this faith is the belief in a messiah, one promised by God, who would save people. Mary's growth in her understanding of this promise led her to exclaim when told that she would be the mother of the promised messiah, "My heart praises the lord, my soul is glad because of God my savior, for he has remembered me his lowly servant!" Luke 1:46-48.
The right panel recalls the miracle of the wedding feast at Cana as recorded in chapter 3 of John's gospel. This event marks the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. The large jar of water in the forefront of the panel is symbolic of how faith transforms our lives. It is also a reminder of our baptismal faith, which allows us to participate in the celebration of the Eucharistic feast.
Tradition, prayer, openness to God's prompting, faith in Jesus, Mary, the mother of God, the Eucharist, renewal and commitment to our baptismal calling are beautifully expressed in this work of profound artistic expression.
Artist: Dorothy Fowler

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.