Cathedral of Saint Andrew

History & Significance

Cathedral · Est. Church completed 1876; became cathedral in 1882-1883; rededicated July 4, 1903 after fire

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was built between 1875 and 1876 as a parish church. When Pope Leo XIII established the Diocese of Grand Rapids on May 19, 1882, the first bishop, Henry J. Richter, chose Saint Andrew as his cathedral, and he was consecrated in it on April 22, 1883. A lightning-sparked fire destroyed part of the building in 1901; it was rebuilt and expanded, then rededicated on July 4, 1903. Today it remains the seat of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.

Gothic Revival, limestone construction

• •Seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids, Michigan
• •Original church built 1875-1876; became the cathedral when the diocese was established in 1882
• •First bishop Henry J. Richter was consecrated there on April 22, 1883
• •Damaged by a lightning fire in 1901, then rebuilt, expanded, and rededicated July 4, 1903 (a feast day for the diocese)
• •Built of limestone in the Gothic Revival style, standing about 192 feet tall