THE
RAY AND PHIL JEZICK COLLECTION, COURTESY OF CHUCK JEZICK
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The
beautiful Cathedral of St. Helena was begun in 1908, and consecrated
in 1924.
Cathedral
Funded by Mining Magnate Thomas Cruse
Local
mining magnate Thomas
Cruse (1836 - 1914) provided much of the funding to
build the magnificent Cathedral. He did
not live to see its completion; his funeral was held
in the unfinished building.
In April
of 1908 bids were let, and the Columbia Construction Company
of New York was awarded the contract for both the Cathedral
and the adjacent St.
Helena School.
Some
published accounts say that the Cathedral is modeled after
the Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, but actually architect
A. O. Von Herbulis modeled the Cathedral of St. Helena after
the Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria, which was under construction
when he was a student in that city...
Circa 1915 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. 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 Votivkirche 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.
An
early St. Helena Cathedral postcard which actually shows the Votivkirche
in Vienna
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OF KENNON BAIRD
Postcard publishers
sometimes played fast and loose with images.
Bishop
John P. Carroll Laying the Cornerstone, October 4 1908
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OF KENNON BAIRD
Souvenir
Badge
Cathedral
of St. Helena under construction, ca. 1911
COURTESY
OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON
Cathedral
of St. Helena under construction, ca. 1912
COLLECTION
OF KENNON BAIRD
By July
of 1913, the exterior of the building was completed, the spires
had been erected and only the tuck-and-pointing of the walls
remained to be done.
An "interior
club" was formed, and plans included the plastering,
a central heating plant, a lighting system, floor, pews, altars
and doors. The main organ, the 15 chimes in the north tower,
and the stained glass windows completed the works done in
the Cathedral in the early years.
The first
mass was celebrated in the Cathedral on Christmas Day, 1914.
The Cathedral was formally consecrated on June 24, 1924.
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 Votivkirche in Vienna, Austria, not
the "Cathedral of Cologne, Germany".
A
1909 souvenir plate manufactured by New York's Buffalo Pottery
An Early Sterling Silver Souvenir Spoon
by Joseph Mayer & Bros., Seattle
COLLECTION
OF KATHLEEN DANIUSIS
•
• • 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.
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The original
interior was stark compared to today's rich and colorful decoration.
The original
interior was stark compared to today's rich and colorful decoration.
The woodwork was originally strained dark brown; during the
extensive 1956-59 renovation and redecoration, it was bleached
and stained a light "driftwood" color.
The
Original Altar
COURTESY
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Earthquake Damage, 1935
Marble Crucifix Toppled and Shattered by the Quakes
Repairing
Earthquake Damage, October 2 1936
COURTESY
OF KATHRYN
FEHLIG • CLICK ON IMAGE FOR BIG VIEW
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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.
View from Lawrence St. at Logan St., circa 1950
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Major Renovation & Decoration, 1956-59
COURTESY
OF WENDI KOTTAS PETERSON
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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.
Comprehensive Repair Project Begun, 2023
PHOTO
BY JEFF SHERLOCKK
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Severe winds in November of 2021 displaced and loosened many tiles on the Cathedral's south steeple, Summer of 2023 saw the beginning of a multi-year repair project for both steeples, the west front, and the great stairs. Completion is expected in 2024.
PHOTO
BY TOM KILMER
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