Country United States Founded 1856 Completed 1951 Phone +1 269-345-5147 | Denomination Roman Catholic Church Consecrated 1951 Opened 1951 Material Brick | |
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Location 542 W. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, Michigan Address 542 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007, USA Architectural style Gothic Revival architecture Diocese Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalamazoo Similar St Mary Cathedral, Cathedral of the Most Blessed, Fort Custer National Cemetery, Sacred Heart Major Se | ||
St. Augustine Cathedral is the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the seat of the Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo.
History
The local residents constructed a church in 1852 as a mission used by traveling priests. Detroit bishop Peter Paul Lefevère established the parish of St. Augustine and appointed a permanent pastor in a letter from dated January 22, 1856. However, by 1869, the structure was no longer safe and inadequate for the growing congregation. It was replaced by a new church on the same site.
In 1883, Father Francis O'Brien became pastor and oversaw construction of a convent, school and rectory. He invited the Sisters of St. Joseph to Kalamazoo and aided them in establishing Borgess Hospital in 1889.
In 1937, the parish became part of the newly created Diocese of Lansing. Construction of the current church began in 1950 and Lansing Bishop Joseph H. Albers consecrated it December 4, 1951.
Pope Paul VI created the Diocese of Kalamazoo December 19, 1970, from portions of the Diocese of Lansing and the Diocese of Grand Rapids. He selected St. Augustine as the cathedral and the Most Rev. Paul Donovan was installed as the first bishop on June 15, 1971.
The entire St. Augustine campus includes an activities center, named the Fr. Crowley Cathedral Center, the St. Augustine Cathedral School, and the Cathedral itself.
The church and school were severely damaged in 1980 when a tornado struck the area. It was rebuilt and rededicated in 1989.
The current organ was renovated in 2002 by the Nichols & Simpson, Inc., Organbuilders and incorporated parts of the Casavant organ installed when the church opened in 1951. It has 34 stops and 42 ranks of pipes.