CHEYENNE CATHEDRAL 1968

CHEYENNE CATHEDRAL
1968
CENTENNIAL PROGRAM

1968 Cathedral CENTENNIAL PROGRAM- Undoubtedly the most significant event in the ten-year history of St. Mary's parish from 1960 to 1969 was the celebration by members of the parish, clergy and public of the 100 year anniversary of St. Mary's Cathedral parish.

October 2, 1968 - The centenary anniversary of the dedication of Cheyenne's first Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist Church, the predecessor of St. Mary's Cathedral, which was located at the northeast corner of 21st and O'Neill streets, a modest frame building first served by Father William Kelly and dedicated in 1869.

Cheyenne's first St. Mary's was erected in 1879 on the northeast corner of 21st and O'Neill and the name was changed at that time from St. John the Baptist to St. Mary's.

A centennial committee, with the assistance of Bishop Hubert M. Newell and Rev. James O'Neill was formed to plan activities for the celebration of this historic event.

September 27, 1968 - The Wyoming Catholic Register published a special 24-page color Centennial edition in honor of the founding of the Catholic Church in Cheyenne.

Priests serving the parish at the time of the Centenary celebration were Rev. James O'Neill, pastor, assisted by Rev. John Wright and Rev. Patrick Trujillo.

A concelebrated Pontifical Mass was offered in St. Mary's Cathedral by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr of Denver; Archbishop James V. Casey, Denver; Bishop Joseph L. Federal, Salt Lake; Bishop Charles A. Buswell, Pueblo; Bishop David M. Maloney, Wichita; Bishop Hubert M. Newell; Monsignor James A. Hartmann, Monsignor Frederick J. Kimmett; and Rev. James O’Neill. The homily was delivered by Archbishop Casey.

Guests of honor and special guests, including representatives of each of the non-Catholic churches in Cheyenne were present for the concelebrated Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving offered in the Cathedral by the six neighboring Bishops.

Federal Judge Joseph J. Hickey was the principal speaker at the Centenary dinner held at the Hitching Post Inn following the Mass, and Archbishop Urban J. Vehr of Denver (retired) spoke of the history of the Cheyenne diocese, in honor of this historic centennial observance.

The Cathedral itself was erected under the authority of Bishop Keane and the Rev. James A. Duffy, pastor. The erection of the Church involved an original expenditure of more than $100,000, is constructed of Wyoming grey sandstone, and is an outstanding example of English Gothic architecture.

The Cathedral is 135 feet long by 70 feet wide and has a seating capacity of 650 persons, and includes a Bishop's Chapel, a large sacristy, a baptistery and an ample vestibule, in addition to galleries and confessionals, with three sets of double doors giving entry and exit to the worshippers.

Today St. Mary's Cathedral parish with its grade school, high school, convent and gymnasium complex represents an investment of over $3,000,000.00.

Back to INDEX		CHEYENNE CATHEDRAL 1968 CENTENNIAL PROGRAM 1968 Cathedral CENTENNIAL PROGRAM- Undoubtedly the most significant event in the ten-year history of St. Mary's parish from 1960 to 1969 was the celebration by members of the parish, clergy and public of the 100 year anniversary of St. Mary's Cathedral parish. October 2, 1968 - The centenary anniversary of the dedication of Cheyenne's first Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist Church, the predecessor of St. Mary's Cathedral, which was located at the northeast corner of 21st and O'Neill streets, a modest frame building first served by Father William Kelly and dedicated in 1869. Cheyenne's first St. Mary's was erected in 1879 on the northeast corner of 21st and O'Neill and the name was changed at that time from St. John the Baptist to St. Mary's. A centennial committee, with the assistance of Bishop Hubert M. Newell and Rev. James O'Neill was formed to plan activities for the celebration of this historic event. September 27, 1968 - The Wyoming Catholic Register published a special 24-page color Centennial edition in honor of the founding of the Catholic Church in Cheyenne. Priests serving the parish at the time of the Centenary celebration were Rev. James O'Neill, pastor, assisted by Rev. John Wright and Rev. Patrick Trujillo. A concelebrated Pontifical Mass was offered in St. Mary's Cathedral by Archbishop Urban J. Vehr of Denver; Archbishop James V. Casey, Denver; Bishop Joseph L. Federal, Salt Lake; Bishop Charles A. Buswell, Pueblo; Bishop David M. Maloney, Wichita; Bishop Hubert M. Newell; Monsignor James A. Hartmann, Monsignor Frederick J. Kimmett; and Rev. James O’Neill. The homily was delivered by Archbishop Casey. Guests of honor and special guests, including representatives of each of the non-Catholic churches in Cheyenne were present for the concelebrated Pontifical Mass of Thanksgiving offered in the Cathedral by the six neighboring Bishops. Federal Judge Joseph J. Hickey was the principal speaker at the Centenary dinner held at the Hitching Post Inn following the Mass, and Archbishop Urban J. Vehr of Denver (retired) spoke of the history of the Cheyenne diocese, in honor of this historic centennial observance. The Cathedral itself was erected under the authority of Bishop Keane and the Rev. James A. Duffy, pastor. The erection of the Church involved an original expenditure of more than $100,000, is constructed of Wyoming grey sandstone, and is an outstanding example of English Gothic architecture. The Cathedral is 135 feet long by 70 feet wide and has a seating capacity of 650 persons, and includes a Bishop's Chapel, a large sacristy, a baptistery and an ample vestibule, in addition to galleries and confessionals, with three sets of double doors giving entry and exit to the worshippers. Today St. Mary's Cathedral parish with its grade school, high school, convent and gymnasium complex represents an investment of over $3,000,000.00. Back to Top