Mother Church
MOTHER CHURCH
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, a grand English gothic style structure, serves as the Mother Church of the Diocese of Greensburg. The cathedral towers on the hilltop of North Main Street in downtown Greensburg and continues to provide a home for both worship and faith formation to Catholics who live in the city of Greensburg and beyond.
The history of the cathedral stretches back more than two centuries. The parish dates back to March 10, 1789, when a group of laymen representing about 25 area families paid five shillings, the equivalent of less $1 today, for the 1.5 acres that comprise the current site.
In 2010-11 as part of the Today’s Challenge ~ Tomorrow’s Hope Capital Campaign, a restoration project at the cathedral commenced and much-needed repairs and improvements to the 82-year-old building began. The project included repairs to the stained glass windows; improvements to the interior and exterior lighting; an upgrade of the electrical system; painting and plaster repair; and work on the pews, kneelers and floor. Further components of the project included restorations in the apse, the part of the church where the altar is located.
A cathedral gets its name because it is the church where the cathedra (Greek and Latin for “chair,”) or bishop’s chair, is placed. In ancient times, the chair was seen as the sign of authority to teach, and early bishops usually preached while seated. When the pope teaches formally, authoritatively and infallibly, he is said to be speaking “ex cathedra,” or from the chair.
A Holy Dwelling Place
This book, A Holy Dwelling Place, written by Joseph F. Rishel, Ph.D., and Helen K. Rishel, is dedicated to the past and present parishioners of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral and to all those who attend the Mother Church of the Diocese of Greensburg. It is likewise dedicated to the honor of the Carl Myers family of Greensburg, originally parishioners in 1857 at the second church, and to the honor of their descendants and spouses, spanning five generations of parishioners.
This book was made possible by the exemplary generosity of Mr. and Mrs. L. Richard and Christine Zappone. Images © Christopher Galgon, Diocese of Greensburg, The Catholic Accent and Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish. Front and back cover photos by Mary Seamans. Book design by Shauna McDonough. Printing by Gazette Printers, Indiana.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, scanning or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Diocese of Greensburg. © 2014 Diocese of Greensburg
The book is available for $33.39 with sales tax, or $42.39 with sales tax and shipping.
Payment by cash, check or money order is accepted. Checks should be made payable to the Diocese of Greensburg. Net proceeds from sales of the cathedral book go to an endowment for Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
Please email or call us at 724-834-3710 if you would like to make a purchase.
Cathedral Resin
The cathedral resin figure is 3 1/4” wide by 4 5/8” long at base and 3 5/8” high. Production coordinated by Devon Trading Corp. of North Caldwell, N.J., which coordinates production of replicas of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C.
The resin figure, on a wooden base, is available at the locations listed below for $20 plus sales tax.
- Blessed Sacrament Cathedral
- Christ Our Shepherd Center
- Diocesan Pastoral Center (725 East Pittsburgh Street, Greensburg)
Payment by cash, check or money order is accepted. Checks should be made payable to the Diocese of Greensburg. Net proceeds from sales go to an endowment for Blessed Sacrament Cathedral.
