About Cathedral of St. Raphael · Dubuque, Iowa
The Cathedral of St. Raphael is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Dubuque, located at 231 Bluff Street on the bluffs overlooking downtown Dubuque, Iowa. Founded in 1833, it is the oldest Catholic congregation in the state of Iowa and the seat from which every bishop of the Dubuque diocese has ministered since 1837. The present Gothic Revival cathedral, designed by architect John Mullany and dedicated on July 7, 1861, houses the first-class relics of the early Roman martyr St. Cessianus beneath its main altar and was extensively renovated in a nearly $10 million project completed in April 2025.
- Established
- 1833
- Patron
- Saint Raphael the Archangel
- Rector
- Rev. Dennis Quint (Very Rev.)
- Diocese
- Archdiocese of Dubuque
Why belong here
Worshipping at the Cathedral of St. Raphael means joining the historic mother church of northeast Iowa — the same sanctuary where every Dubuque bishop has been installed, where priests and deacons are ordained, and where the relics of the early Roman martyr St. Cessianus lie beneath the high altar. The linked Cathedral–St. Patrick community ministers actively to downtown Dubuque through a long-running Wednesday-night community meal, a local conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Faith Formation for children and youth, the Seven Sisters Apostolate of prayer for priests, and a strong Music and Liturgy program — all rooted in a parish tradition that has welcomed Catholics since 1833.
Mass times at Cathedral of St. Raphael
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Thursday 11:30 AM – 11:50 AM (St. Patrick Church)
- Friday 6:45 AM – 7:25 AM on the First Friday of the Month (Cathedral of St. Raphael)
- Saturday 3:30 PM (St. Patrick Church)
- Sunday 8:15 AM – 8:45 AM (Cathedral of St. Raphael)
- Sunday 10:30 AM – 10:50 AM (St. Patrick Church)
- Sunday 4:15 PM – 4:40 PM (Cathedral of St. Raphael)
- Also available by appointment
Adoration times
- First Thursday of the Month 11:15 AM at St. Patrick Church (followed by Adoration)
History of the Cathedral Campus
St. Raphael Parish traces its origins to 1833, when Jesuit Father Charles Felix van Quickenborne organized Catholic worship among the lead miners of Dubuque. After Father Fitzmaurice died of cholera in 1835, Dominican Father Samuel Mazzuchelli drew the plans and laid the cornerstone for the original stone church on August 15, 1835. When Pope Gregory XVI erected the Diocese of Dubuque in 1837, St. Raphael's was named its cathedral, and Bishop Mathias Loras brought with him from Rome the relics of the boy-martyr St. Cessianus.
- 1833 – Parish organized by Father van Quickenborne, S.J.
- 1835 – Original stone church designed by Father Mazzuchelli, O.P.; cornerstone laid August 15
- 1837 – Diocese of Dubuque erected; St. Raphael's named cathedral
- 1857 – Cornerstone of present cathedral laid July 5
- 1861 – Cathedral formally dedicated and blessed July 7
- 1865 – Cathedral School built (closed 1976)
- 1870 – Rectory opened (Italianate style)
- 1876 – Tower and spire completed
- 1882 – Winter Chapel completed
- 1884 – Convent opened (later sold for apartments)
- 1886 – Stained-glass windows added
- 1902 – Mortuary Chapel completed under Archbishop Hennessy
- 1964 – Vestibule added
- 1983 – Winter Chapel converted to Cathedral Center
- 1985 – Cathedral Historic District added to the National Register of Historic Places (Sept. 25)
- 1986 – Major interior renovation completed; St. Cessianus's relics enshrined in main altar (Nov. 23)
- 2005 – Immersion pool added to baptismal font
- 2010 – St. Patrick Parish linked to the Cathedral under one pastor by Archbishop Hanus, O.S.B.
- 2021–2025 – Nearly $10 million three-phase restoration; cathedral reopened April 2025
Architecture and Campus
The present cathedral is a Gothic Revival brick-and-limestone church designed by John Mullany, measuring 160 feet long by 83 feet wide, with an 85-foot nave and a 130-foot tower and spire. Stained glass was added in 1886, and the underground Mortuary Chapel beneath the sanctuary holds the tombs of six former bishops. The surrounding campus includes an 1870 Italianate rectory, an 1880s Second Empire convent, and a 1904 Neoclassical former school — together forming the Cathedral Historic District on the National Register.
- Architect: John Mullany
- Style: Gothic Revival
- Materials: Brick and limestone
- Dimensions: 160 ft × 83 ft; 85 ft nave; 130 ft tower
- Rectory: 1870, Italianate
- Convent: 1880s, Second Empire
- School: 1904, Neoclassical
- Mortuary Chapel: 1902, beneath the church
- Stained glass: installed 1886
- NRHP listing: September 25, 1985 (Cathedral Historic District, #85002501)
Sacred Art and Relics of St. Cessianus
The cathedral's most treasured possession is the reliquary beneath the main altar containing the bones of St. Cessianus, a young Roman martyr of the early fourth century. The relics were a personal gift of Pope Gregory XVI to Bishop Mathias Loras in 1838; Loras credited the saint's intercession with saving his ship during the Atlantic crossing. They were installed in the renovated altar on November 23, 1986 by Archbishop Daniel Kucera, reviving the early Christian practice of celebrating Mass over the tomb of a martyr. During the 2021–2025 restoration, the reliquary was opened, professionally cleaned and inventoried (in cooperation with the conservation group Sacra), and returned to the altar.
- Relic: first-class relics of St. Cessianus, boy-martyr of the early 4th century
- Donor: Pope Gregory XVI, 1838
- Brought to Iowa: Bishop Mathias Loras (arrived 1839)
- Installed in main altar: November 23, 1986 by Archbishop Daniel Kucera
- Feast day: October 25 (one day after St. Raphael's traditional feast)
- St. Cessianus is honored as a patron of Iowa and Minnesota
Faith Formation and Religious Education
Faith Formation is directed by Jan Thyne ([email protected]) and Ann Seamer, and serves the linked Cathedral, Holy Spirit, and St. Patrick parishes. Wednesday-evening classes for grades 1–8 meet from 6:30 to 7:45 PM in the Cathedral Center (entered from the parking lot behind the church). A homeschool option supplements monthly Sunday-morning family gatherings. Sacramental preparation for First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, and Confirmation includes parent sessions, retreats, and family formation.
- Wednesday Evening Program for grades 1–8, 6:30–7:45 PM, Cathedral Center
- Home Formation & Monthly Sunday Mornings ($75/student)
- First Reconciliation preparation with fall parent session and retreat
- First Eucharist preparation with spring parent session and retreat
- Confirmation preparation
- Youth Ministry for high school students (contact Jan Thyne)
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at 9:00 AM Sunday Mass (ages 4–10)
Music and Liturgy Ministry
The Music and Liturgy office supports the celebration of Mass at both the Cathedral and St. Patrick through choirs, cantors, and liturgical volunteers. The office regularly invites parishioners to help decorate the churches for Christmas and Easter, prepare worship aids, and assist with other seasonal projects. Students in the Holy Family School system can earn service hours through this office.
- Parish choirs and cantors at weekend and holy-day liturgies
- Liturgical decoration for Christmas and Easter
- Worship aid preparation and office support
- Service-hour opportunities for Holy Family School students
Prayer and Devotions
Beyond the Mass and confession schedule, the parishes foster a strong devotional life through several prayer initiatives. The Seven Sisters Apostolate assigns one woman to pray a weekly Holy Hour for the parish priest; a complementary men's fasting group offers weekly sacrifices in union with each sister. Children's Liturgy of the Word is offered during the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass for ages 4 to 10.
- Seven Sisters Apostolate — weekly Holy Hour for priests (contact Nan Peck, 563-580-2737)
- Men's fasting companion group for the Seven Sisters Apostolate
- Children's Liturgy of the Word at the 9:00 AM Sunday Mass
- First Friday and First Thursday devotions
Outreach and Charity
The Cathedral–St. Patrick community has a long tradition of serving those in need in downtown Dubuque. The Wednesday-night community meal in Foley Hall has run nearly continuously since 1986, including as a to-go meal through the COVID-19 shutdown, supported by dozens of parish volunteers and partners such as the Sisters of Charity of the BVM. The parishes also belong to the Dubuque District Council of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, whose Cathedral–St. Patrick conference aids neighbors through food, clothing, furniture, and household-goods vouchers.
- Wednesday-night community meal at St. Patrick's Foley Hall (since 1986)
- St. Vincent de Paul Society — Cathedral & St. Patrick conference (David Becker, president)
- Two SVdP thrift stores: 1351 Iowa St. and 4990 Radford Road (Dubuque)
- Partnership with BVM Sisters and other Dubuque agencies
- Outreach to the downtown Dubuque community through the linked parishes
Clergy, Staff, and Leadership
The Very Rev. Dennis Quint serves as pastor of both the Cathedral of St. Raphael and St. Patrick parishes and as Pastoral Coordinator of Holy Family Catholic Schools. He was reassigned to the Cathedral by the Archdiocese of Dubuque effective July 12, 2022, having previously pastored the Spires of Faith Cluster in Dyersville and served as Dean of the Dyersville Deanery. The parish Faith Formation team is led by Jan Thyne and Ann Seamer; Sr. Sharon Rezmer is listed in the archdiocesan directory as parish staff; and Dave Becker serves as president of the parishes' parish council and of the local St. Vincent de Paul conference. The 11th and current Archbishop of Dubuque is Most Rev. Thomas R. Zinkula, installed October 18, 2023.
- Pastor / Rector: Very Rev. Dennis Quint
- Archbishop of Dubuque: Most Rev. Thomas R. Zinkula (11th, installed 2023)
- Faith Formation Director: Jan Thyne ([email protected])
- Faith Formation Team: Ann Seamer
- Parish staff contact: Sr. Sharon Rezmer ([email protected])
- Parish Council President: Dave Becker
- Music & Liturgy: parish office, 563-582-7646
Visiting the Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Raphael reopened in April 2025 after a six-month interior restoration that was the final phase of a nearly $10 million, three-year project. Pilgrims and visitors are welcomed at all scheduled Masses and during opening hours. The cathedral sits within the Cathedral Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places and offers views across downtown Dubuque and the Mississippi River from its bluff-top location. Group tours may be arranged through the parish office.
- Reopened April 2025 after $10 million restoration
- Cathedral Historic District, NRHP #85002501 (added 1985)
- Located at 231 Bluff Street, Dubuque
- Tours by appointment via the parish office (563-582-7646)
- Sacred art and the St. Cessianus reliquary on view beneath the main altar
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Rev. Charles Felix van Quickenborne, S.J.1833
Founded the parish upon his arrival in Dubuque in July 1833; left before a church could be built.
- Rev. Charles F. Fitzmaurice1834–1835
Irish priest educated in Paris; appointed pastor in May 1834; died of cholera in the spring of 1835 before construction began.
- Rev. Samuel Mazzuchelli, O.P.1835
Dominican missionary who reorganized the parish and personally designed the original stone church, dedicating it to St. Raphael the Archangel; cornerstone laid August 15, 1835.
- Most Rev. Mathias Loras (as first bishop)1837–1858
First Bishop of Dubuque; St. Raphael's was designated his cathedral in 1837; planned the present cathedral and celebrated its first Mass on Christmas 1857; died Feb. 19, 1858.
- Most Rev. Clement Smyth, O.C.S.O.1858–1865
Second Bishop of Dubuque; cathedral was dedicated under his episcopate on July 7, 1861.
- Msgr. Norbert C. Barrett1975
Pastor in the mid-1970s; partnered with sculptor Wayne Andrew Norman, Sr. on the Five Figures for Five Flags plaza in front of the cathedral.
- Msgr. John Dalton1980s
Rector who convened an advisory committee for the cathedral's renovation; oversaw the 1983 Winter Chapel conversion and the 1986 interior renovation.
- Msgr. Tom Toalebefore 2022
Immediate predecessor of Fr. Quint; initiated planning for the multi-million-dollar restoration.
- Rev. Dennis Quint2022–present
Assigned July 12, 2022 by the Archdiocese; previously pastor of the Spires of Faith Cluster in Dyersville and Dean of the Dyersville Deanery; oversaw completion of the $10 million cathedral restoration in 2025.
