Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (Crookston, Minnesota)
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is an historic building located in Crookston, Minnesota
listed on the National Register of Historic Places
. It is the former cathedral church
of the Catholic Diocese of Crookston
.
The building is unusual for having three spire
s on its Neo-Gothic facade, whereas most Neo-Gothic churches have two spires. Architect Bert Keck designed this church, along with one in Duluth, Minnesota
and another in Terrebonne, Minnesota
which also have three spires. These buildings are no longer in service as churches. Keck's design included two balconies, on the north and the south side of the church, for antiphon
al choir performances. It also has a large balcony in the back for the choir and the organ, giving the church a capacity of over 1000, which made it one of the largest cathedrals in the United States. Bishop Timothy J. Corbett
organized the construction of the cathedral.
The cathedral moved to a new building
at 702 Summit Avenue in 1990. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston
transferred ownership of the structure to a homeless shelter which used the rectory for more space. The stained glass
windows were removed and either given to parish families, or sold to support the homeless shelter. In 2001, a windstorm caused severe damage to the remaining storm glass, causing air and rain to leak into the building. The north sacristy
became home to a flock of pigeons, which covered the floor in droppings so badly that it had to be boarded up. The Prairie Skyline Foundation has drafted plans to restore the cathedral and turn it into a performing arts space.
Crookston, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,192 people, 3,078 households, and 1,819 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,658.8 people per square mile . There were 3,382 housing units at an average density of 684.8 per square mile...
listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. It is the former cathedral church
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of the Catholic Diocese of Crookston
Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. It was founded on December 31, 1909. It covers the northwest section of Minnesota.The bishops of the diocese are:*Timothy J...
.
The building is unusual for having three spire
Spire
A spire is a tapering conical or pyramidal structure on the top of a building, particularly a church tower. Etymologically, the word is derived from the Old English word spir, meaning a sprout, shoot, or stalk of grass....
s on its Neo-Gothic facade, whereas most Neo-Gothic churches have two spires. Architect Bert Keck designed this church, along with one in Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Duluth is a port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Saint Louis County. The fourth largest city in Minnesota, Duluth had a total population of 86,265 in the 2010 census. Duluth is also the second largest city that is located on Lake Superior after Thunder Bay, Ontario,...
and another in Terrebonne, Minnesota
Terrebonne, Minnesota
Terrebonne is a former townsite on the Clearwater River in Terrebonne Township, Red Lake County, Minnesota, United States. In 1901, the village of Terrebonne was the site of a thriving flour mill, a cheese factory, a blacksmith shop, a general store and an "eating place", the latter operated by...
which also have three spires. These buildings are no longer in service as churches. Keck's design included two balconies, on the north and the south side of the church, for antiphon
Antiphon
An antiphon in Christian music and ritual, is a "responsory" by a choir or congregation, usually in Gregorian chant, to a psalm or other text in a religious service or musical work....
al choir performances. It also has a large balcony in the back for the choir and the organ, giving the church a capacity of over 1000, which made it one of the largest cathedrals in the United States. Bishop Timothy J. Corbett
Timothy J. Corbett
Timothy J. Corbett was an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He served as Bishop of Crookston from 1910 to 1938.-Biography:...
organized the construction of the cathedral.
The cathedral moved to a new building
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Crookston
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception is a Catholic cathedral in Crookston, Minnesota, United States. It is the seat of the Diocese of Crookston. This church replaced the previous Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, which had been built in 1912. The present Cathedral was completed in...
at 702 Summit Avenue in 1990. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston
Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Crookston is a Roman Catholic diocese in Minnesota. It was founded on December 31, 1909. It covers the northwest section of Minnesota.The bishops of the diocese are:*Timothy J...
transferred ownership of the structure to a homeless shelter which used the rectory for more space. The stained glass
Stained glass
The term stained glass can refer to coloured glass as a material or to works produced from it. Throughout its thousand-year history, the term has been applied almost exclusively to the windows of churches and other significant buildings...
windows were removed and either given to parish families, or sold to support the homeless shelter. In 2001, a windstorm caused severe damage to the remaining storm glass, causing air and rain to leak into the building. The north sacristy
Sacristy
A sacristy is a room for keeping vestments and other church furnishings, sacred vessels, and parish records.The sacristy is usually located inside the church, but in some cases it is an annex or separate building...
became home to a flock of pigeons, which covered the floor in droppings so badly that it had to be boarded up. The Prairie Skyline Foundation has drafted plans to restore the cathedral and turn it into a performing arts space.