Victoria in Ellis County, Kansas — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cathedral of the Plains
St. Fidelis Church
— Capuchin-Franciscan Friars —
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
1. Cathedral of the Plains Marker
Erected between 1908 and 1911 by German and German Russian Catholics, this native limestone edifice is one of the largest buildings on the Great Plains. Its twin towers soar 141 feet above its 220 feet by 79 feet foundation.
Placing of the 100-pound blocks was by hand, assisted only by block and tackle. Besides collectively contributing $192,000 for the project, each parishioner was required to haul six wagon loads of stone from the quarries in southern Ellis County.
Moving spirit of the erection of Victoria's fourth Catholic church building was Father Jerome Mueller, a Capuchin-Franciscan.
Called the "Cathedral of the Plains" by William Jennings Bryan, the church was approved by the National Park Service on May 14, 1971 for entry in the National Register of Historic Places as a building of architectural significance.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Churches & Religion. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.
Location. 38° 51.393′ N, 99° 9.069′ W. Marker is in Victoria, Kansas, in Ellis County. Marker is at the intersection of Cathedral
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Capuchin - Franciscan Friars (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Family (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); In Memory of the SETH Siblings (approx. 0.7 miles away); Union Pacific Employees Killed In Cheyenne Indian Raid (approx. 0.7 miles away); Victoria (approx. ¾ mile away); Merci Train Boxcar (approx. 8.1 miles away); Avenue of Flags (approx. 9.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.
Also see . . .
1. The Basilica of Saint Fidelis. BHasilica website homepage (Submitted on September 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. St. Fidelis Catholic Church National Register Nomination. Kansas Historical Society website entry (Submitted on September 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
2. Cathedral of the Plains and Marker
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
3. St. Fidelis Church - Cathedral of the Plains
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
4. St. Fidelis Catholic Church Altar
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
5. St. Fidelis Catholic Church Interior
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
6. St. Fidelis Catholic Church Interior
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
7. St. Fidelis Catholic Church Stained Glass Detail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
8. St. Fidelis Catholic Church Stained Glass Detail
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., February 20, 2012
9. St. Fidelis Catholic Church Rose Window
Credits. This page was last revised on January 10, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 86 times this year. Last updated on January 10, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on September 27, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
