St. Mary's Cathedral

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

1. St. Mary's Cathedral Marker

Touch for directions.

Range

Region.

West.

America,

Mountains,

Hemisphere,

World,

Click or scan to see
this page online

Anglosphere.

Comanchería.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Thomas H. Block, 5/29/1980:
St. Mary's Church is significant to Colorado's Pikes Peak Region both for its architecture and its history. To Catholic and non-Catholic alike, St. Mary's Church is a distinctive part of the Colorado Springs landscape. Located on the western edge of the downtown promontory, only one block north and west of the

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

2. St. Mary's Cathedral (south elevation)

Looking north across West Kiowa Street. The marker is visible just above the balcony railing, on the west/left side of the balcony doorway.

point where the first stake was driven for the town in 1871, the church is visible from most of the city.
Historically, the building is important as the mother church of Roman Catholicism in the Pikes Peak Region. The congregation had its origins when the pioneer priest, Father Joseph P. Machebeuf, celebrated the first mass in 1860. Since there were few Catholics among the early gold seekers, Catholic worship was held in private homes. The earliest recorded public mass in Colorado Springs proper was celebrated by Father Machebeuf in May 1873 when the city was only two years old. The congregation worshipped in public buildings and in several temporary chapels until 1888 when the present Kiowa Street property was purchased. By 1891, the basement of the present structure was completed. The cornerstone of the upper structure was laid on November 22, 1897. In December of 1898 the church was dedicated, although work continued until 1902 when the bell towers were completed.
The congregation employed the important Colorado Springs architectural firm of Pease and Barker to design their church. Neo-Gothic was the natural choice of styles. The

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

3. St. Mary's Cathedral (southwest elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  The exterior of St. Mary’s Catholic Church is made of buttered joint red brick accented with cut limestone. The style is a modified Gothic design using a traditional cruciform plan. There are two bell towers adjoining the front facade, one approximately 148 feet high and the other approximately 80 feet high, both crowned by a spire. The taller of the towers is pierced by narrow arches at the third story. It has a belfry which is still in use. There is an opening with a compound Gothic arch in each tower. The entrance in the narthex has a larger compound Gothic arch with pillars and gablets. There is a large rose window above the entrance. The side wings each have large pointed arched tracery windows with leaded stained glass. There are three-pointed arched stained-glass windows on the side aisles and at the clerestory level. Each corner of the building is emphasized by a buttress with gablet. The roof is steeply pitched and shingled.

architects very ably combined the traditional elements of Gothic architecture with modern materials and contemporary needs. Later architects were able to update the building without changing the satisfying qualities of the original structure.
For almost a century, religious services have been held in the sanctuary. Over the years the church edifice has been used as a meeting place for cultural, social and humanitarian events for the community at large as well. Because of its seating capacity and fine acoustical qualities, St. Mary's has frequently been used for concerts and choral presentations open to the public. Community ecumenical services have also been held in St. Mary's sanctuary. St. Mary's pastors have been dedicated churchmen and many have been active participants in the community affairs of Colorado Springs, as have the many prominent members of the congregation.

Excerpt:  Catholics gathered in a variety of locations until the property on which St. Mary's sits was purchased for $3,100 in 1888. A major redecorating project took place from 1902 to 1904 when

Paid Advertisement

the Gothic arched ceilings, six side-aisle windows and electric lights were added. A new pipe organ was placed in the church in 1916. The clerestory and apse windows were added during a renovation project from 1923 to 1924. The rose window on the main façade was given its current configuration in 1930.
Pope John Paul II established the Diocese of Colorado Springs on November 10, 1983. St. Mary's was chosen to be the cathedral of the new diocese. Bishop Richard Hanifen was installed as the diocese's first bishop on January 30, 1984.
The 1916 Hinners pipe organ was replaced in 2002 and another major renovation of St. Mary's was completed in 2003. The interior was renewed and a new entrance was built on the southwest corner of the church, a gathering space, plaza and meeting rooms were added. The St. Mary's Cathedral Columbarium was opened in 2005.