Help Restore and Preserve our National Treasure
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| $6 Million remains of a $35 Million dollar effort on the emergency restoration of the Cathedral’s copper dome and roof in 2000-02. The work was necessary to preserve this Beaux Arts landmark which is still the highest point in Saint Paul in more ways than one! |
$500,000 remains of a $3.4 million urgent organ restoration project for the Cathedral’s two historic pipe organs. Thanks to a major corporate sponsorship, this project has been able to get underway. Please help us reach our goal of raising an additional $500,000.
Learn more about the renovation project by clicking on the organs tab. |
$14 Million is needed to repair the interior damage caused by leaks in the dome and roof before the exterior restoration. Not simply aesthetic, the damage affects the stone as well as the ornamental plasterwork of the interior. The mechanical infrastructure of the Cathedral is also overdue for improvement/replacement. |
“There should be no one who, entering the Cathedral is not able to say…‘it is mine.’”
~ Archbishop John Ireland 1838-1918
Please be generous in helping to preserve the Cathedral of Saint Paul for centuries to come.
Thank you to all who have contributed to our much needed restoration projects at the Cathedral. We are making progress thanks to you!
April 2013 - Mary Millette - Why I sponsored a pipe
April 2013 - Retired organist "Sounds Off!" about the Cathedral organs
First Sounding of Cathedral Gallery Organ postponed
(Saint Paul, MN) The first sounding of the Cathedral's restored and enhanced 1963 Æolian-Skinner gallery organ anticipated to be heard at the Easter Vigil, Saturday, March 30th at 8 p.m., has been postponed. The final phase of the comprehensive restoration work on the Cathedral’s gallery organ is still in process. After consulting with Quimby Pipe Organs, the organ builders guiding this restoration, the planned Easter debut of the gallery organ has been delayed until the restored instrument can be experienced in its full glory. The date of the first sounding of the restored Gallery organ will be announced at a later time. “While I understand the disappointment,” said Reverend John Ubel, Rector of the Cathedral of Saint Paul, “believe me, it will all be well worth the wait.”
Click here for the full press release
Video: Cathedral organ restoration nearing completion - Catholic Spirit
Deposit spare change here! These “Pennies for Pipes” collectors will make their debut in the Cathedral this weekend. A big “thank you” goes out to David Cooper, Pipefitting instructor at Saint Paul college, for fashioning these from our old organ pipes. All donations go to the organ project.
Last weekend, the Saint Paul Athletic Club hosted a fundraiser for the Cathedral restoration effort before the Red Bull Crashed Ice event. They raised $2400 from donations made at the outdoor patio event at WA Frost. Thank you SPAC President Stephanie Laitala and staff! Enjoy these event photos.
Rebuilding the Great Cathedral Pipe Organs began today.
Quimby Pipe Organs returned from Warrensburg, Missouri, with two new consoles and the components to build a new wind chest.
Sound Off and sponsor a piece of the organ
Click here for full slide show.
Photo: (Pioneer Press: John Doman)
Cathedral back in the spotlight
One of our Great Cathedral Pipe Organs (filmed last year) plays a supporting role in this promotional video for Red Bull Crashed ice. Enjoy! And watch for fundraising details to finish restoring our historic pipe organs.
Cathedral Restoration Benefit: Before you head to RBCI, stop at Frosty’s Wintergarten on W.A. Frost’s patio at Western & Selby Ave. $30 ticket ($50 for couples) includes a toasty bonfire, themed drinks and appetizers. Sponsored by the Saint Paul Athletic Club.
Cathedral Organ Returns
Street blocked as new consoles unloaded
SOUND OFF! Campaign builds to raise remaining funds
(Saint Paul, Minn) Quimby Pipe Organs, Inc. of Warrensburg, Missouri, will have Selby Avenue blocked alongside the Cathedral of Saint Paul, at the corners of Summit Avenue and John Ireland Boulevard, starting at 9 a.m. Monday, January 14, 2013 as workers unload the two new organ consoles and mechanical components to install the Cathedral’s fully restored historic E.M. Skinner and Æolian-Skinner pipe organs located in the Cathedral Sanctuary and the choir gallery.
The installation will take nearly three months to complete and will include the Great Organ casework of walnut and gilt, designed by Duncan G. Stroik, a renowned Professor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, and crafted by Agrell Architectural Carving of San Rafael, California. Agrell’s carvers, under supervision of Master Carver Ian Agrell, have completed other high-profile projects including carving projects at the California State Capitol Building and Governor’s Mansion in Utah, as well as at the House of Commons in London. The first sounding of the Æolian-Skinner Great Pipe Organ will be heard at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, March 30th at 8 p.m.
Click here to SOUND OFF! and give to the organ restoration project.
Thank you to all our wonderful donors yesterday who gave on GiveMN Day. We raised an additional $2885 for the organ restoration project.
Cathedral Heritage Foundation hosts “Lessons of Love” from
Dr. Robert Fisch Survivor of Nazi concentration camps
Dr. Robert Fisch stands with members of the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra during a reception honoring the retired University of Minnesota pediatrician. From left to right: Tamas Strasser, Brenda Mickens, Dr. Robert Fisch, Michal Sobieski. On Sunday, Oct. 21st, Dr. Fisch gave presented “A Lesson of Love and Humanity,” which told the story of his life of having survived time in a Nazi concentration camp, supporting the rebels of the Hungarian revolution and immigration to the United States where he became an internationally renowned pediatrician. His presentation was supported by his own art work and music performed by the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra.
Cathedral noted in Saint Paul’s ranking as #10 in America's Best Cities
By Alex Konrad | Business Week – Tue, Oct 2, 2012 2:50 PM EDT
St. Paul, Minnesota
Rank: 10
Population: 288,263
St. Paul may be the smaller of the Twin Cities, but the state capital is also cleaner and safer, if slightly behind Minneapolis in median household income. St. Paul, which houses parts of the University of Minnesota campus, is known for its examples of Victorian architecture, such as the Alexander Ramsey House, and for its distinctive Cathedral of Saint Paul.
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May 4, 2012
Best Of Award
Best Building - 2012
Cathedral of St. Paul
You don't have to be Catholic, or even religious, to appreciate the Cathedral of St. Paul. The magnificent stone edifice, with its great copper-clad dome, overlooks the city of St. Paul from its perch on Summit Hill with an angelic grace, a testament to, at the very least, human engineering and perseverance. Modeled after the great cathedrals of Europe, it was begun in 1907 but wasn't completed for another 50 years. The true grandeur of the church, however, lies inside its doors. Stepping into the great echoing vault of the main sanctuary, bathed in an ethereal natural light from the vast dome (which rises spectacularly 300 feet overhead), and by the warmth of its remarkable stained glass windows, can be a breathtaking experience. Within this ornate, sacred space, one can sense an unmistakable spiritual presence. Maybe it's God, or maybe just our human yearning for transcendence, but it's a presence worth getting in touch with now and again.
Curators for the Cathedral Heritage Foundation host the American Association of Museums
The AAM gathered in the Twin Cities for their annual meeting in early May. Curators at the Cathedral of Saint Paul gave tours and sponsored a special workshop on “Historical Preservation with Larry Sommers.” This annual meeting is the largest cultural gathering of its kind attracting approximately 5,000 museum professionals from every state and approximately 44 countries. The local host committee used this opportunity to showcase the preeminence, diversity and abundance of Twin Cities’ area cultural organizations.
Float away on sublime orchestral music
during our spring evening
concert….
Cathedral Chamber Orchestra
Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Ave., Saint Paul
Sunday, April 22, 2012 7 p.m.
Join the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra in its inaugural concert with Michal and Elizabeth Sobieski and Dr. James Callahan. They will present works by Scarlatti, Corelli, Mozart, Sibelius and Handel’s Concerto Grosso Op. 6, No. 2. The concert will be held at the Cathedral of Saint Paul, 239 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul, at the corner of Summit Avenue and John Ireland Boulevard.
This concert is a Cathedral Heritage Foundation benefit with a beautiful candle-lit reception following. Enjoy spring and invite your friends and neighbors to attend this evening of amazing orchestral music. Suggested donation: $15
Free parking is available in the Selby parking lot in addition to ample street parking. The venue is also handicapped accessible.
Questions: Call the Welcome Center in the Cathedral at 651-228-1766.
Spring Heritage Series Concerts
To benefit the Cathedral Heritage Foundation
Strings, Pipes, and a Glorious Tenor II Sunday, March 11 2:30 p.m.
Cantor Nicholas Chalmers joins members of the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra and organist Lawrence Lawyer in an afternoon of sublime music featuring the 2007 Bennett & Giuttari portative organ.
Lamentations of Jeremiah Sunday, March 18 2:30 p.m.
The Cathedral Schola Cantorum sings one of the most heart-rending choral music works ever written. The Cathedral Choir and Saint Cecilia Choristers will also perform.
Music in a Grand Space Sunday, March 25 2:30 p.m.
The Choirs of the University of Minnesota present “Music in a Grand Space” featuring choral music especially suited for one of the largest cathedrals in the United States.
Cathedral Chamber Orchestra Sunday, April 22 7:00 p.m.
The inaugural concert of the Cathedral Chamber Orchestra features music of Scarlatti, Corelli, and Handel’s Organ Concerto No. 10, Op. 7, No. 4.
A suggested donation of $15 for each concert will support the Cathedral Heritage Foundation: Inspiring commitment to the Cathedral as a world-class treasure.
Why wait for the reviews? Following the concerts, please join us in the vestibule for conversation and a wine & cheese reception. RSVP by calling 651-357-1325 or RectorRSVP@cathedralsaintpaul.org.
Click here to view the PDF invite.
Thank you to all our volunteers who once again made Cathedral Community & Family Day a great success!
Watch the highlights reel from this year's event.
Thank you Cadiz Studios for this production.
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Fifth Annual Cathedral Community & Family Day
Celebrates art, history & music
The Fifth Annual Cathedral Community & Family Day will host activities throughout this expansive landmark on the hill. The festive free community open house will be Sunday, March 4 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Cathedral of Saint Paul is located at 239 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul, at the corners of Summit Avenue and John Ireland Boulevard.
A huge thank you to all the donors who gave so generously on Give to the Max Day and helped the Cathedral Heritage Foundation raise $7,700 dollars on Nov. 16th. The donations will go to support the CHF’s mission to support music, arts & culture as well as the preservation and restoration of this historic landmark.
On the evening of September 23, the Rose Window over the front doors was lit for the first time. The “Festival of Lights” was the CHF’s inaugural fundraising event to help restore and preserve this world-class treasure in our community. Read more about the project by clicking here.
Cathedral Treasures Moved to U of M for Safe Keeping
The Cathedral Heritage Foundation received a Cultural Arts & Heritage Grant from the Minnesota Historical Society. It will be used to make the archives more accessible to the public. The original sketches of the Cathedral’s design by architect Emmanuel Masqueray were picked up earlier this spring from the Cathedral Archives and taken to the University of Minnesota archives for safe, climate-controlled storage. The public can view the originals at the U and digital copies of the sketches may be viewed at the Cathedral.
Fourth Annual Cathedral Family Day highlights art and music
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Fourth Annual Cathedral Family Day on Sunday, March 6, 2011
Costumed tour guides | Pipe Organ demonstrations | MN Children’s Museum Art Projects | Science Experiments
Thank you to all our volunteers and community partners in helping make our 4th Annual Family & Community Day a success:
- Minnesota Children’s Museum in helping 350 children create framed art pieces
- Minnesota Science Museum for bringing their exhibit on mummification and ancient rituals of burying the dead
- St. Joseph’s School of Music students and faculty for their performances on violin, guitar and piano
- University of St. Thomas retired professor James Callahan for conducting live organ demonstrations
- College of Visual Arts students for exhibiting their line perspective drawings of the Cathedral’s interior
- Northern Star Boy Scouts for serving as ushers and greeters
- And to the many tour guides who delighted visitors with stories about the Cathedral and its history.
"For believers, the Cathedral of St. Paul is a direct link to the origins of Christianity and a reminder of what people of faith can accomplish. For the historical-minded, the Cathedral is a link to the city's pioneer past and to the expansive vision of those first settlers."
Saint Paul Pioneer Press editorial, June 18, 2009