St. Peter's Cathedral, Scranton
Encyclopedia
St. Peter's Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral at 315 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton, Pennsylvania
, and is the mother church
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
. The entire St. Peter's Cathedral Complex is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
.
The church was built in 1867, as the parish church of St. Vincent de Paul
. In 1883-4, a project was undertaken to remodel and embellish the church, which by now was the central church of the diocese
, and on September 28, 1884, the new mother church of the diocese was consecrated by Archbishop P.J. Ryan of Philadelphia, and its name changed to the Cathedral of St. Peter, marking its new role in the still-young diocese.
The original windows of the church contained simple red and white diamond shaped panes. The beautiful stained glass windows now found in the cathedral date from the alterations begun in 1883. Much of this work can be attributed to the French architect Durang and later to the German designer Frank Mayer. In addition to the use of stained glass in the clerestory and over the entrances, there are 15 grandiose windows focusing on the Life of Christ and highlighting the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints. Of special note are the windows depicting the Annunciation
, the Visitation, the Nativity
and the Last Supper
.
The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1976.
The present organ was built in 1979 by Casavant Frères
of Quebec
, Canada
.
In February 2008, the Cathedral was chosen by EWTN's
"Cathedrals Across America" series to host the globally televised Mass for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Scranton is a city in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, United States. It is the county seat of Lackawanna County and the largest principal city in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area. Scranton had a population of 76,089 in 2010, according to the U.S...
, and is the mother church
Mother Church
In Christianity, the term mother church or Mother Church may have one of the following meanings:# The first mission church in an area, or a pioneer cathedral# A basilica or cathedral# The main chapel of a province of a religious order...
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton, of which St. Peter's Cathedral in Scranton, Pennsylvania, is the mother church, consists of 11 counties in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States....
. The entire St. Peter's Cathedral Complex is listed on the U.S. 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...
.
The church was built in 1867, as the parish church of St. Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul was a priest of the Catholic Church who became dedicated to serving the poor. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. He was canonized in 1737....
. In 1883-4, a project was undertaken to remodel and embellish the church, which by now was the central church of the diocese
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
, and on September 28, 1884, the new mother church of the diocese was consecrated by Archbishop P.J. Ryan of Philadelphia, and its name changed to the Cathedral of St. Peter, marking its new role in the still-young diocese.
The original windows of the church contained simple red and white diamond shaped panes. The beautiful stained glass windows now found in the cathedral date from the alterations begun in 1883. Much of this work can be attributed to the French architect Durang and later to the German designer Frank Mayer. In addition to the use of stained glass in the clerestory and over the entrances, there are 15 grandiose windows focusing on the Life of Christ and highlighting the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints. Of special note are the windows depicting the Annunciation
Annunciation
The Annunciation, also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary or Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. Gabriel told Mary to name her...
, the Visitation, the Nativity
Nativity of Jesus
The Nativity of Jesus, or simply The Nativity, refers to the accounts of the birth of Jesus in two of the Canonical gospels and in various apocryphal texts....
and the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
.
The complex was 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...
in 1976.
The present organ was built in 1979 by Casavant Frères
Casavant Frères
Casavant Frères is a prominent Canadian company in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, which has been building fine pipe organs since 1879. As of 2008, they have produced over 3800 organs.- Company history :...
of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
In February 2008, the Cathedral was chosen by EWTN's
Eternal Word Television Network
The Eternal Word Television Network is an American cable television network which presents Catholic-themed programming. It was founded in 1980 by Mother Mary Angelica of the Annunciation, PCPA...
"Cathedrals Across America" series to host the globally televised Mass for the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter.
Cathedral Staff
- The Most ReverendMost ReverendThe Most Reverend is a style applied to certain religious figures.*In the Roman Catholic Church , all bishops are styled "The Most Reverend", as well as monsignors of the rank of protonotary apostolic de numero.*In the Roman Catholic Church , archbishops are styled "The...
Joseph C. BamberaJoseph BamberaJoseph Charles Bambera is an American clergyman of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the tenth and current Bishop of Scranton, serving since April 26, 2010.-Early life and education:...
, Bishop of Scranton - Reverend Philip Altivila, Rector
- The Most ReverendMost ReverendThe Most Reverend is a style applied to certain religious figures.*In the Roman Catholic Church , all bishops are styled "The Most Reverend", as well as monsignors of the rank of protonotary apostolic de numero.*In the Roman Catholic Church , archbishops are styled "The...
John M. DoughertyJohn M. DoughertyJohn Martin Dougherty is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He is currently the Former Auxiliary Bishop of Scranton when his resignation was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI on August 31, 2009.-Early life:...
, In Residence / Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus - Reverend Brian J.T. Clarke, In Residence
- Reverend Thomas M. Muldowney, In Residence
- Marilouise Ruane, Administrative Assistant
- Cynthia Gilroy Aukscunas, Parish Secretary
- Daniel J. Marx, Director of Liturgical Music and Cathedral Organist
- John J. Bochak, Cathedral Sacristan