St. Mary's Cathedral

St. Mary's Cathedral is the mother church of Roman Catholicism in the Pikes Peak region. It is significant architecturally as the only Neo-Gothic Catholic Church in the area and is a striking feature of the downtown skyline. St. Mary's was added to the national register of historic places in 1982.

Religious services have been held at St. Mary's continuously for nearly 130 years. The present site on Kiowa Street was purchased in 1888 for $3,100. By 1891, the basement of the present structure was completed. The superstructure was completed in 1898 and dedication ceremonies were held December 19, 1898. The bell towers were installed in 1902. A substantial interior remodeling project was conducted from 1902-04, in which the Gothic arched plaster ceilings, the six side-aisle windows and electric lighting were added. The two towers were extended and steeples added in 1907. The original pipe organ was replaced in 1916 and replaced again in 2002 by a digital organ.

Another redecoration project took place from 1923-24. The stained glass windows of the clerestory were installed and the stained glass windows on the east and west walls of the apse were added. In 1930, limestone facings were added to the three main entrances and adjacent windows. The rose window over the choir loft was changed to its current configuration. The exterior of the church underwent a major renovation in 1961, resulting in the main entrance steps and ramp that were in place prior to 2003. The interior was modernized in 1963, featuring new interior lighting, decoration, and pews. A new sacristy was also constructed.

In the 1980’s another modernization of the Church took place under the leadership of the pastor, Father Ted Haas. In January of 1984 Bishop Richard C. Hanifen was installed as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Colorado Springs, and St. Mary's Church was elevated to become the Cathedral of the new diocese.

The most recent renovation and construction project reinvisioned the interior of the Cathedral, a new entrance on the southwest corner, a gathering space, a plaza on the east and north sides of the church, 15 new meeting and classrooms, new sacristies, a hospitality room and catechumen room. The dedication of the newly renovated Cathedral took place on May 31, 2003.

St. Mary's Cathedral looks forward to another century of worship and service in downtown Colorado Springs.