About Cathedral of St. Mary · Cheyenne, Wyoming
The Cathedral of St. Mary is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne and the cathedral church of the Bishop of Cheyenne, located in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming. The Gothic Revival sandstone cathedral was constructed between 1906 and 1909 from Wyoming grey sandstone quarried at Iron Mountain, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. It serves as the seat of the Diocese of Cheyenne (erected 1887) and operates the parish alongside St. Mary's Catholic School, Olivet Cemetery, the Cathedral Columbaria, and the Ave Maria Thrift Store as a major center of Catholic life in southeast Wyoming.
- Established
- 1867 (as St. John the Baptist; rededicated to St. Mary 1887)
- Patron
- The Blessed Virgin Mary
- Rector
- Rev. Thomas E. (Tom) Cronkleton, Jr., JCD
- Diocese
- Diocese of Cheyenne (Roman Catholic)
Why belong here
The Cathedral of St. Mary is the spiritual heart of Catholicism in Cheyenne, offering a wide range of Mass times (six weekend Masses plus daily Mass), a robust schedule of Confessions (five days a week), and weekly Thursday Eucharistic Adoration that is staffed by sentinel adorers. Parishioners can join a true family of ministries — the Cathedral Guild with its St. Rose Circle and Funeral Ministry, the Knights of Columbus, the Ave Maria Thrift Store, OCIA (formerly RCIA), Youth Faith Formation, Confirmation, Adult Faith Enrichment, liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, ushers), and outreach programs such as the Right to Life Holy Hour, the Pastoral Care Ministry to the homebound, and the Unbound child/elder sponsorship program. As the seat of the Diocese of Cheyenne, it connects local parish life to the wider Wyoming Church and offers the rare privilege of praying in a 1909 Gothic Revival cathedral built from native Wyoming sandstone, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Mary
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday – Friday: 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 7:15 PM – 8:00 PM
Adoration times
- Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Eucharistic Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, with sign-up for sentinel adorers)
History of the Cathedral of St. Mary
Catholic life in Cheyenne began with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1867, when Bishop O'Gorman of Omaha sent Father William Kelly to found a parish and build a frame church dedicated to St. John the Baptist in 1868. As the railroad town grew into a permanent settlement, Father John McGoldrich oversaw the construction of a larger brick church dedicated to St. John the Baptist in May 1879. When Pope Leo XIII erected the Diocese of Cheyenne on August 2, 1887, the brick church was elevated to cathedral status and rededicated to St. Mary. By the early 1900s the congregation had outgrown the brick building, and Bishop James J. Keane, third bishop of Cheyenne, together with his rector Father James A. Duffy, purchased a new site at Capitol Avenue and 21st Street in November 1904.
- 1867 — Father William Kelly founds the parish as St. John the Baptist
- 1879 — Brick St. John the Baptist church dedicated on Carey Avenue
- 1887 — Diocese of Cheyenne erected; parish rededicated to St. Mary
- 1904 — Diocese purchases the 21st & Capitol block for the new cathedral
- 1906 — Construction begins; architects Fisher & Lowery of Omaha; builder Moses Patrick Keefe
- July 7, 1907 — Cornerstone laid by Bishop Richard Scannell of Omaha; ~5,000 people attend
- January 31, 1909 — Cathedral consecrated by Bishop Maurice F. Burke; sermon by Bishop John P. Carroll
- 1913–1915 — Bishop Patrick McGovern administers the parish between Father Duffy's departure and Father Hartmann's arrival
- 1915–c. 1959 — Monsignor James A. Hartmann's 44-year pastorate
- 1923 — Cathedral Hall built on the block west of the church
- 1952 — Msgr. Hartmann installed as Domestic Prelate by Bishop Hubert M. Newell
- 1962 — East-side activity building added ($200,000)
- 1974 — Listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- 1991 — Visser-Rowland Opus 92 tracker organ built; dedicated March 1992
- 2012 — Columbaria installed on the south side of the Cathedral
- 2016 — Designated a Jubilee Church for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy
Architecture and Sacred Art
The Cathedral is an English Gothic Revival church designed by the Omaha firm of Fisher and Lowery and built by Wyoming contractor Moses Patrick Keefe. It measures 135 feet in length by 70 feet at the transept, with two side galleries, a rear organ loft, and a prominent tower on the southwest corner. The exterior is built entirely of Wyoming grey sandstone from Iron Mountain; the ceiling rests on steel-and-concrete arches faced with oak. Stained glass windows were imported from Europe and donated as memorials; the large Madonna window in the choir loft is a gift of the Knights of Columbus. The original Latin High Altar (with its Last Supper scene) is preserved in a side chapel. The 1991 Visser-Rowland Opus 92 tracker organ anchors the rear gallery.
- Architects: Fisher and Lowery, Omaha, Nebraska
- Builder: Moses Patrick Keefe (prominent Wyoming builder)
- Material: Wyoming grey sandstone from Iron Mountain
- Dimensions: 135 ft long × 70 ft at the transept
- Style: English Gothic Revival with steel/concrete arches faced in oak
- Stained glass: European imports, donated as memorials; Madonna window a Knights of Columbus gift
- Organ: Visser-Rowland Opus 92 tracker pipe organ (38 stops, 53 ranks, 36,000 lb), dedicated March 1992
- Original Latin High Altar: preserved in a side chapel
Mass and the Sacraments
The Cathedral offers one of the most generous Mass schedules in the Diocese of Cheyenne, with two Saturday Vigil Masses, four Sunday Masses, and a daily 6:45 AM and 5:15 PM Mass Monday through Friday. Confessions are heard five days a week: Monday through Friday 4:30–5:00 PM and on Saturdays 2:00–4:00 PM and 7:15–8:00 PM. The Cathedral also maintains weekly Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with parishioners signing up to serve as 'adoration sentinels' for each hour.
- Saturday Vigil: 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM (English)
- Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM (English)
- Weekday Mass: Mon–Fri 6:45 AM and 5:15 PM (English)
- Confession: Mon–Fri 4:30–5:00 PM; Sat 2:00–4:00 PM and 7:15–8:00 PM
- Eucharistic Adoration: Thursday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Live-streamed Mass: Mondays and Wednesdays at 7:30 AM (stmarycathedral.com/livestream)
Faith Formation and the School
Faith formation at the Cathedral spans cradle to grave. The OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) process begins each fall and culminates at the Easter Vigil, with an inquiry phase for those exploring Catholicism. Adult Faith Enrichment meets Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM at St. Mary's Catholic School, with a current 2025/26 class schedule posted online. Youth Faith Formation (Karen Stolz) and Youth Ministry & Confirmation (Jacob Roth) form the parish's school-age and teen catechetical programs. St. Mary's Catholic School (2200 O'Neil Avenue) is the parish's PreK-8 elementary school, with Christina Williamson as principal; the parish supports the school through the St. Mary's School Foundation (established by Fr. Tom Cronkleton) and the Fr. Beavers Fund (created by Fr. Carl Beavers).
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults) — fall inquiry through Easter Vigil
- Adult Faith Enrichment — Wednesday evenings, 6:30 PM at St. Mary's Catholic School
- Youth Faith Formation (Karen Stolz, Director)
- Youth Ministry & Confirmation (Jacob Roth, Director)
- St. Mary's Catholic School, 2200 O'Neil Avenue, 307-638-9268, www.stmaryswyo.org
- St. Mary's School Foundation (established by Fr. Tom Cronkleton)
- Fr. Beavers Fund (created by Fr. Carl Beavers) for tuition assistance and scholarships
Parish Community and Service Organizations
The Cathedral's lay community is organized through a number of long-standing groups. The Cathedral Guild (also known as the Council of Catholic Women) is open to all women 18 and older, with internal 'Circles' that meet specific needs — including the St. Rose Circle (which maintains altar linens and the worship area) and the Funeral Ministry Circle (which provides luncheons and receptions in Hartmann Hall). The Knights of Columbus serve as a fraternal service organization for Catholic men, and the parish also operates the Ave Maria Thrift Store at 2112 Snyder Avenue (Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; donations 11:00 AM–4:00 PM). Other parish outreach includes sponsorship of children and elders through Unbound, regular blood drives in Hartmann Hall, and a PTSD/Moral Injury support group for military, law-enforcement, and first-responder families that meets Thursdays in the Hartmann Hall basement.
- Cathedral Guild / Council of Catholic Women (open to women 18+)
- St. Rose Circle (altar linens and worship-area care)
- Funeral Ministry Circle (receptions in Hartmann Hall)
- Knights of Columbus (Cathedral Council)
- Ave Maria Thrift Store, 2112 Snyder Avenue — Tue–Sat 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
- Unbound child and elder sponsorship (43 sponsorships obtained during the November 23–24 visit by Rev. Vittorio Boria, O.F.M. Cap)
- PTSD / Moral Injury support group — Thursdays 5:00–6:30 PM, Hartmann Hall basement
- Pastoral Care Ministry (visits to the homebound, nursing homes, assisted living, retirement facilities)
Pastoral Leadership and Staff
The Cathedral is currently led by Father Thomas E. Cronkleton, Jr., JCD, who serves as both Pastor and Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Cheyenne. He is assisted by Father August Koeune (Parochial Vicar) and Associate Pastors Father Lee Noel and Father Daniel Kostelc, along with Deacons Vernon Dobelmann, Carroll Schell, and Stan Piasecki. The parish office staff includes Maria Henschel (Director of Baptism, Marriage and Funerals; Director of Funeral and Cemetery Ministry), Pam Watkins and Lauren Johnson (Office Administrative Assistants), Connie Janney (Finance Officer), Lorraine Quarberg (Accountant), Patrick Stolz (Director of Music Ministry), Steve Cox and Neill O'Donnell (Director of Operations and staff), and Stan Piasecki, Frank Szott, and Tim Fagnant (Custodians). Josephine Santos manages the Ave Maria Thrift Store. The Parish Finance Council and Parish Pastoral Council (which meets the last Monday of the month at 6:00 PM) provide lay governance.
- Pastor: Fr. Tom Cronkleton (also Judicial Vicar of the Diocese)
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. August Koeune
- Associate Pastors: Fr. Lee Noel, Fr. Dan Kostelc
- Deacons: Vernon Dobelmann, Carroll Schell, Stan Piasecki
- Parish Finance Council (last Wednesday, 7:30 AM)
- Parish Pastoral Council (last Monday, 6:00 PM)
Olivet Cemetery and the Cathedral Columbaria
The Cathedral oversees two sacred-resting properties. The Cathedral Columbaria, installed on the south side of the Cathedral in 2012 in compliance with Canon Law, holds the cremated remains of Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Cheyenne; its wrought-iron fencing was repurposed from the old St. Mary's Convent, and its three columns honor the Holy Trinity and the scene at Calvary. The Columbaria is open daily from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM; niches are not currently available for purchase. Olivet Cemetery, located at 800 East Pershing Blvd, is also open daily 5:00 AM–9:00 PM and offers adult spaces (4'×8' for $1,200) and baby spaces (2'×3' for $600), with each space including a $400 perpetual-care fee. Veterans interred in a Cathedral/Olivet columbarium may receive special recognition — contact the parish office for details.
- Cathedral Columbaria — 2107 Capitol Ave., open daily 5:00 AM–9:00 PM; niches not currently available
- Olivet Cemetery — 800 E Pershing Blvd, open daily 5:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Adult space (4'×8'): $1,200; Baby space (2'×3'): $600; $400 perpetual-care fee per first burial
- Up to four burials per adult space; $200 additional perpetual-care fee for 2nd–4th burials
- Veterans' recognition available for columbarium interments
Funerals and Bereavement
The Cathedral's Funeral Ministry walks families through the full Catholic funeral rite, including the Funeral Mass in the Cathedral, an optional prayer service (vigil or rosary) the evening before, and a graveside committal. Cremated remains may be brought into the church for a Funeral Mass, and families are encouraged to take active roles as lectors and gift-bearers. Following the service, families are invited back to Hartmann Hall for a reception/luncheon provided by Cathedral Guild volunteers, with donations appreciated to sustain the ministry. Payment for an organist or cantor is arranged through the funeral home.
- Funeral Mass in the Cathedral strongly encouraged for baptized Christians
- Optional vigil or rosary service the evening before burial
- Cremated remains may be brought into the church for the Funeral Mass
- Reception/luncheon in Hartmann Hall provided by Cathedral Guild volunteers
Getting Involved and Contact
Parishioners and visitors are encouraged to register with the parish office and to consider joining one of the liturgical ministries (altar servers, lectors, extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, or ushers), the Cathedral Guild, the Knights of Columbus, OCIA as sponsors or team members, or the Pastoral Care Ministry that brings the Eucharist to the homebound. The Cathedral also publishes a bulletin (available through stmarycathedral.com and Parishes Online) and operates a parish app (MyParish App) for ongoing engagement. The parish office is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM, and Friday 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–3:00 PM, at 100 W 21st Street (mail: PO Box 1268, Cheyenne, WY 82003).
- Parish Office: 100 W 21st Street, Cheyenne, WY 82001
- Phone: 307-635-9261
- Email: [email protected]
- Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–5:00 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–12:00 PM and 1:00–3:00 PM
- Parish app: MyParish App
- Online giving: wesharegiving.org link from the home page
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. William Kelly1867–c. 1873
Sent by Bishop O'Gorman of Omaha; founded the first Catholic parish in Cheyenne and built the first frame church dedicated to St. John the Baptist (1868).
- Rev. John McGoldrichc. 1873–1879+
Recognized the first church could not hold the growing congregation; purchased lots at Carey Ave. and 19th St. where the brick St. John the Baptist church was dedicated in May 1879.
- Rev. James A. Duffyc. 1904–1913
Rector during planning and construction of the present Cathedral; worked with Bishop Keane to acquire the site and funds. Served 9 years before being named Bishop of Kearney.
- Bishop Patrick McGovern (as administrator)1913–1915
Fourth Bishop of Cheyenne administered the parish for two years between Father Duffy's departure and Father Hartmann's arrival.
- Rev. Msgr. James A. HartmannMay 1, 1915 – c. 1959
44-year pastorate; also administrator of St. Mary's School, where he taught German and religion. Installed as Domestic Prelate by Bishop Hubert M. Newell on February 16, 1952. Built Cathedral Hall (1923), the modern high school, the new grade school, the connecting addition, and a larger convent; appointed Chancellor of the Diocese.