Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (New Ulm, Minnesota)
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is a Roman Catholic cathedral in New Ulm, Minnesota
, United States
and is the seat of the Diocese of New Ulm
.
in the middle 19th century. The first church was a wood structure built in 1858. Construction of the church proved to be slow and it was destroyed by the defenders of New Ulm before it was completed so that members of the Dakota tribe could not use it as a barricade in the Dakota War of 1862
.
After the conflict was resolved Michael Lauterbach gave Bishop Thomas Grace two lots for the construction of a church. The cornerstone
for the new church was laid on September 1, 1866. The Rev. Alexander Berghold was assigned as the first resident priest at New Ulm in 1868. The new church, which measured 36 x 97 feet, was dedicated by Bishop Grace on December 11, 1870. The structure was destroyed by a tornado on July 15, 1881. Fundraising for a new church was completed by September 1888.
The cornerstone for the present church was laid on May 4, 1890. The steeple was completed in 1893 and the interior decorations were finished in 1903. The wall decorations of the Baroque
style building are of numerous saints, angels and the life of Christ painted in dark colors and accented in gold leaf. A apse features an image of the Holy Trinity with the Twelve Apostles. Alexander Schwendinger was commissioned to decorate the interior and he was assisted by Christ Heller and Anton Gag. The two side entrances to the church were added in 1940 as was the terrazzo
floor.
The Diocese of New Ulm was established by Pope Pius XII
on November 18, 1957. Holy Trinity was named as the diocese’s new cathedral. The Msgr. Alphonse Schladweiler
of St. Paul was named the first Bishop of New Ulm and was consecrated in Holy Trinity.
Another renovation of the cathedral was completed in 1987. The lower level of the church was renovated into a community hall and named in honor of a former pastor, Msgr. Antony Leifeld.
New Ulm, Minnesota
New Ulm is a city in Brown County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 13,522 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Brown County....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and is the seat of the Diocese of New Ulm
Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm
The Roman Catholic Diocese of New Ulm is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. It was founded on November 18, 1957, by Pope Pius XII. On July 14, 2008, John M. LeVoir was appointed as Bishop of New Ulm.The past bishops of the diocese are:...
.
History
The Catholic presence in New Ulm can trace its beginnings to the missionary work of the Rev. Franz Weninger, SJSociety of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
in the middle 19th century. The first church was a wood structure built in 1858. Construction of the church proved to be slow and it was destroyed by the defenders of New Ulm before it was completed so that members of the Dakota tribe could not use it as a barricade in the Dakota War of 1862
Dakota War of 1862
The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, was an armed conflict between the United States and several bands of the eastern Sioux. It began on August 17, 1862, along the Minnesota River in southwest Minnesota...
.
After the conflict was resolved Michael Lauterbach gave Bishop Thomas Grace two lots for the construction of a church. The cornerstone
Cornerstone
The cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
for the new church was laid on September 1, 1866. The Rev. Alexander Berghold was assigned as the first resident priest at New Ulm in 1868. The new church, which measured 36 x 97 feet, was dedicated by Bishop Grace on December 11, 1870. The structure was destroyed by a tornado on July 15, 1881. Fundraising for a new church was completed by September 1888.
The cornerstone for the present church was laid on May 4, 1890. The steeple was completed in 1893 and the interior decorations were finished in 1903. The wall decorations of the Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
style building are of numerous saints, angels and the life of Christ painted in dark colors and accented in gold leaf. A apse features an image of the Holy Trinity with the Twelve Apostles. Alexander Schwendinger was commissioned to decorate the interior and he was assisted by Christ Heller and Anton Gag. The two side entrances to the church were added in 1940 as was the terrazzo
Terrazzo
Terrazzo is a composite material poured in place or precast, which is used for floor and wall treatments. It consists of marble, quartz, granite, glass or other suitable chips, sprinkled or unsprinkled, and poured with a binder that is cementitious, chemical or a combination of both...
floor.
The Diocese of New Ulm was established by Pope Pius XII
Pope Pius XII
The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....
on November 18, 1957. Holy Trinity was named as the diocese’s new cathedral. The Msgr. Alphonse Schladweiler
Alphonse James Schladweiler
Alphonse James Schladweiler was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of New Ulm from 1958 to 1975.-Early life and education:...
of St. Paul was named the first Bishop of New Ulm and was consecrated in Holy Trinity.
Another renovation of the cathedral was completed in 1987. The lower level of the church was renovated into a community hall and named in honor of a former pastor, Msgr. Antony Leifeld.