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The Cathedral of
Saint Andrew is the Mother Church of the Diocese of Grand Rapids,
Michigan.
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| The
Beginnings
Father Frederic Baraga established the beginnings of
Saint Andrew Church when he built the first church, St.
Mary’s Mission, in 1833 amid Indian cornfields on
the west bank of the Grand River.
Two years later, when Father Andreas Viszoczky became
the pastor, he found a small church, rectory, and school
building that Father Baraga had built. After the Indian
population dispersed, Father Viszockzky built a new church
on Monroe Avenue, naming the parish for St. Andrew, his
patron saint. The church, built from Grand River limestone,
was completed in 1850 and was the largest building in
town. |
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This church was soon too small for its growing population and,
in 1875, a new church was built at its present location on Sheldon
Boulevard. The Diocese of Grand Rapids was formed seven years
later on May 19,1882. The first bishop, Henry Joseph Richter,
chose Saint Andrew as his new cathedral. He was consecrated and
installed bishop of Grand Rapids on April 22, 1883.
Today the Cathedral of Saint Andrew proudly stands in the central
city as a place of acceptance and hospitality to its neighbors
and to the community at large.
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