Local
mining magnate Thomas
Cruse (1836 - 1914) provided much of the funding to build
the magnificent Cathedral. Construction began in 1908. It was
dedicated in 1914, and consecrated in 1924.
Souvenir
of the Cathedral Cornerstone Laying, October 4 1908
The
Cathedral of St. Helena under construction, ca. 1911
COURTESY
OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON
1973 Video Clip About the Cathedral
COURTESY
OF KITTY ANN QUIGLEY TAALER
A short
video clip about the Cathedral, from the 1973 promotional film,
"Helena-City of Gold". produced by the Chamber of
Commerce. Contrary to what the narrator says, the Cathedral
was patterned after the Votivekirche in Vienna, Austria, not
the "Cathedral of Cologne, Germany".
Postcard
image featuring the original architect's drawing
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
An early
postcard image of the Cathedral, looking north. Like many
other postcards of the 1915 era, this one is a collage of
manipulated stock and real images; the broad avenue seen here
doesn't actually exist. Joe Munzenrider, Professor of Fine
Arts and Music at Carroll College in Helena, shares some interesting
information about this image...
"This
image was the original architect's drawing of the Cathedral
(the
original drawing is framed and hanging on the wall in the reception
area
of the Cathedral Office).
Architect
A. O. Von Herbulis originally proposed a Byzantine/Romanesque
architecture for the building, but it was rejected (the drawing
has never been found). The original Gothic drawing was submitted.
It was based on the mid-19th century Votivekirche
in Vienna (under construction when Von Herbulis was a
student in Vienna). The Votivekirche is still in existence.
VOTIVEKIRCHE, VIENNA
Bishop
Carroll then decided that he wanted also to build a school,
so the
size of the Cathedral was reduced by 1/3 and redesigned, so
that there
would be funds to construct the Grade School.
The
source of this information is "The Cathedral of Saint
Helena" by
Rt. Rev. Victor Day, V.G. The Standard Publishing Company,
Helena, MT 1938. Long out of print, this book is held in the
Carroll Library. One
of the docent guides at the Cathedral is in the process of
scanning a copy of the book to place online."
Many thanks
to Professor Munzenrider for this information.
A
St. Helena Cathedral postcard which actually shows the Votivekirche
in Vienna
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
Postcard publishers
sometimes played fast and loose with images.
A
1909 souvenir plate manufactured by New York's Buffalo Pottery
•
• • V I D E O • • •
On November
2, 1925, Bishop John Patrick Carroll, the second Bishop of
Helena, and founder of Mount St. Charles College (later Carroll
College), died in Switzerland. His body was returned to the
United States, where a mass was said for him at St. Patrick's
Cathedral in New York City before continuing on to Helena
for burial.
Click the Pathe News title above to watch a video of Carroll's
funeral processions in both cities.
The original
interior was stark compared to today's rich and colorful decoration.
The
Original Altar
COURTESY
OF TOM MULVANEY • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR
A BIG VERSION IN A NEW WINDOW
Marble Crucifix Toppled by 1935 Quake
Repairing
Earthquake Damage, October 2 1936
COURTESY
OF KATHRYN
FEHLIG • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR BIG VIEW
IN A NEW WINDOW
1940s
Aerial View Postcard
A 1940s
aerial view of the Cathedral grounds. On the left is the St.
Helena Grade School, also designed by Von
Herbulis.
At the upper-right
is Synagogue Emanu El.
Renovation & Decoration of 1956-59
After
the 1956-59 Renovation and Decoration
COURTESY
OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON • CLICK ON IMAGE
FOR A BIG VIEW IN A NEW WINDOW
Floodlights
Were Added to the Cathedral in the 1970s
Repairing
the Cathedral bells, 2007
Clicking
on the image above will link to a short video produced by the
HelenaIndependent Record, showing some of the
2007 repair work done on the bells and their timber supports.
Repairing
the St. Helena Cathedral Organ
Courtesy
of the Independent Record
Old
Tunnel Under Ninth Avenue
Courtesy
of the Independent Record
Casino-Style
Electronic Sign Added in 2010
PHOTO
BY KENNON BAIRD
In 2010,
the Diocese erected this flashing Yesco electronic sign near the
northwest corner of the Cathedral. Judging from numerous opinions
expressed in online discussions about the sign, many Helenans
think it is in poor taste.
