Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Fairbanks
Encyclopedia
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart (often referred to in shorthand as Sacred Heart Cathedral) is a cathedral
of the Roman Catholic Church
in the United States
. It is the motherchurch of the Diocese of Fairbanks
and is the seat of the bishop
of the diocese. It is located in the City of Fairbanks
in the state
of Alaska
and sits close to the geographic center of the city.
and Peger Roads. Just a few years before, this area was largely wilderness, until the development of residential subdivisions and the A-67 site to the north of the cathedral. The Rev. James Spils, S.J.
served as construction superintendent. He was responsible for other construction projects in Alaska as well. The project proceeded slowly and work was done as money became available. The first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1966 and the cathedral was consecrated by Bishop Francis Doyle Gleeson
, S.J. on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, June 17, 1966. Jesuit priests served the parish until 1982, when priests from the Diocese of Fairbanks took over. Bishop Donald Joseph Kettler
has served as the parish's pastor since 2007.
The expansion of Airport Road into the Airport Way expressway
during the 1970s placed the cathedral's north wall very close to the road, which increased its architectural prominence to passing traffic. Peger Road, which originally led from Airport Road two miles south to a homestead along a section line, has also been expanded steadily over the years. Peger Road is farther away from the structure, and therefore it is not as prominent to traffic along that road.
The tract of land upon which the cathedral sits is also home to the diocesan offices, a rectory
, a Knights of Columbus
hall and maintenance buildings, as well as additional residences for priests, nuns and others.
Cathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the motherchurch of the Diocese of Fairbanks
Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks is an ecclesiastical territory or diocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the northwestern United States, comprising the northern regions of the state of Alaska. It is led by a prelate bishop which serves as pastor of the mother church, Cathedral of the...
and is the seat of the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of the diocese. It is located in the City of Fairbanks
Fairbanks
Fairbanks may refer to:Places in the United States*Fairbanks, Alaska, city*Fairbanks, California, unincorporated community in El Dorado County*Fairbanks, Mendocino County, California, former settlement*Fairbanks, Indiana, unincorporated community...
in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and sits close to the geographic center of the city.
History
Prior to the construction of Sacred Heart, Immaculate Conception Church in downtown Fairbanks served as the city's cathedral. Ground was broken for Sacred Heart Cathedral in 1962 on a large tract of land at the intersection of AirportFairbanks International Airport
Fairbanks International Airport is a state-owned public-use airport located three miles southwest of the central business district of Fairbanks, a city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska....
and Peger Roads. Just a few years before, this area was largely wilderness, until the development of residential subdivisions and the A-67 site to the north of the cathedral. The Rev. James Spils, S.J.
Society 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...
served as construction superintendent. He was responsible for other construction projects in Alaska as well. The project proceeded slowly and work was done as money became available. The first Mass was celebrated on Palm Sunday, April 3, 1966 and the cathedral was consecrated by Bishop Francis Doyle Gleeson
Francis Doyle Gleeson
Francis Doyle Gleeson, S.J. was an American prelate of the Catholic Church. He was the first Bishop of Fairbanks from 1962 to 1968, previously serving as Vicar Apostolic of Alaska .-Biography:...
, S.J. on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, June 17, 1966. Jesuit priests served the parish until 1982, when priests from the Diocese of Fairbanks took over. Bishop Donald Joseph Kettler
Donald Joseph Kettler
Donald Joseph Kettler is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the eighth and current Bishop of Fairbanks, and the fourth since the creation of the Fairbanks diocese in 1962.-Biography:...
has served as the parish's pastor since 2007.
The expansion of Airport Road into the Airport Way expressway
Expressway
Expressway may refer to:*Controlled-access highway, the highest-grade type of highway with access ramps, lane dividers, etc., for high-speed traffic*Limited-access road, a lower grade of highway or arterial road...
during the 1970s placed the cathedral's north wall very close to the road, which increased its architectural prominence to passing traffic. Peger Road, which originally led from Airport Road two miles south to a homestead along a section line, has also been expanded steadily over the years. Peger Road is farther away from the structure, and therefore it is not as prominent to traffic along that road.
The tract of land upon which the cathedral sits is also home to the diocesan offices, a rectory
Rectory
A rectory is the residence, or former residence, of a rector, most often a Christian cleric, but in some cases an academic rector or other person with that title...
, a Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
hall and maintenance buildings, as well as additional residences for priests, nuns and others.