Country United States Founded 1830 Status Cathedral Architectural style Modern architecture Architect Edward Larrabee Barnes | Denomination Roman Catholic Dedication Immaculate Conception Opened 1977 Phone +1 802-658-4333 | |
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Location 20 Pine Street
Burlington, Vermont Address 20 Pine St, Burlington, VT 05401, USA Similar Co‑Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Saint Monica's Church - B, St Francis Xavier Church, Saint Augustine Church, St Thomas Church | ||
The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, located at 20 Pine Street in Burlington, Vermont, United States, with grounds bounded by Pearl, St. Paul and Cherry Streets, is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Burlington.
History
The parish was founded as St. Mary's in 1830. The parish church that was built in 1841 became the pro-cathedral when the diocese was established in 1852. Construction of the first Immaculate Conception Cathedral began in 1862 and continued until 1867. Progress was slowed because of the American Civil War. This church served as the diocesan cathedral until it was destroyed by arson on March 13, 1972. Timothy Austin confessed to the police that he set the fire. He later plead innocent by reason of insanity and was sent for treatment at the state hospital.
In 1974 New York City architect Edward Larrabee Barnes was chosen to design a new cathedral on the same property. Vermont landscape architect Dan Kiley was commissioned to plan the park-like setting, which included a free-standing bell tower near the corner of Cherry and St. Paul Streets. The project was completed in 1977.
In 2001 Saint Joseph Church in Burlington was named the Co-Cathedral for the diocese. Because of low attendance and finances, the two Burlington Catholic cathedrals are in the process of merging. Sunday Masses will be celebrated at St.Joseph, while Immaculate Conception will have a weekday Mass at Noon and a monthly Mass in Vietnamese. Parishioners can also request to have their baptisms, weddings and funerals held there. Officials at the Vatican will have the final say on the merger.