Cathedral-Blessed Sacrament

Story

The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament is a Roman Catholic cathedral located at One Cathedral Square in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It is within the boundaries of the Downtown Altoona Historic District, and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. It is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown and is the seat of its prelate bishop, Most Reverend Mark Leonard Bartchak. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament Pastoral staff is Rev. Monsignor Robert C. Mazur, rector, and Rev. Father Dennis Kurdziel, parochial vicar.HistoryThe cathedral was built between September 17, 1924 and November 13, 1960. The Cathedral's architecture is Romanesque Baroque in style and capped with a Neoclassic dome. The architect was George I. Lovatt, Sr. of Philadelphia, who also designed the cathedral for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg Pennsylvania.History of the cathedral's construction September 17, 1924 – Ground is broken. May 30, 1926 – The cornerstone laid (25th anniversary of erection of diocese). 1929 – Construction comes to a halt due to the Stock Market Crash. September 7, 1931 – The unfinished Cathedral opens for public worship. Over next 28 years, Bishop Guilfoyle (the third bishop) accumulates the funds for the cathedral's completion. Bishop Guilfoyle dies before work can begin. Bishop Carroll (fourth bishop) begins the work but dies within a year. Work had progressed so fast, however, that his funeral was celebrated in March, 1960 in the nearly completed Cathedral. November 13, 1960 – Bishop McCormick formally opens the cathedral. Located on the left and right of the cathedral's main entrance are statues of two key figures in the development of Roman Catholicism in the area: