![]() The Cathedral of St. Raphael |
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Our Church, Our Heritage
“I always tried to emphasize when giving tours that this is their church – this is the people’s church. This is a part of their heritage, part of who they are as Catholics.”
- Mary Rae Bragg, Cathedral of St. Raphael parishioner and volunteer tour leader
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Our Heritage
Thinking back to the first Catholics who celebrated in the Cathedral highlights the significance that it had to the community of Catholics back then, just as it holds significance as our mother church in the archdiocese today.
The first Mass held at the Cathedral as we know it today was on Christmas Day, 1857. Even though construction had not been completed – there was no heat, and even the roof had not yet been finished – parishioners were so eager to celebrate Mass in the new space that they did not mind that it was not fully completed. Many of the Cathedral’s first parishioners were very poor, but still gave what they could to help construct a building in which they could celebrate their faith together – it was so important to them spiritually that they gave sacrificial gifts to aid in its construction.
A recent participant in the Rite of Election commented, "The Cathedral is a beautiful place to spend time in God's presence. The stained glass windows, the Stations of the Cross, and the many paintings all provide a great atmosphere for prayer and reflection."
Over 165 years later, and the Cathedral remains an important part of not only our heritage, but our faith today as members of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and it is our privilege to maintain it for generations of Catholics to follow.
“We have a responsibility to maintain it and come and share it with others,” Bragg said.
Thanks to the generosity of so many in the archdiocese and contributions to the ArchdioceseOne special appeal, repairs to the roof and windows are scheduled to take place yet in 2023.
Interested in making a visit or pilgrimage?
Visitors are welcome and encouraged to schedule a date and time to visit the Cathedral. Groups are asked to schedule a tour at least a month in advance so that staff and volunteers are able to prepare properly to provide the best experience possible. There is a registration form that can be filled out on the Cathedral’s website to begin the scheduling process. Self-guided tours are also possible, with a brochure and audio tour available.
Mass is celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Raphael at 9am and 5pm on Sundays, Mondays at 7:30am, Wednesdays at 5:15pm, and Fridays at 7:30am.
How many individuals annually visit the Cathedral of St. Raphael?
Hundreds of visitors each year make a trip to the Cathedral of St. Raphael.