History & Significance
Cathedral · Est. Ground broken 1924; opened (unfinished) 1931; formally dedicated November 13, 1960
The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona, Pennsylvania serves as the cathedral and mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown. Designed by Philadelphia architect George I. Lovatt, Sr., ground was broken in 1924 and the cornerstone laid in 1926, but the Great Depression halted work; the unfinished church opened for services in 1931. It was formally dedicated on November 13, 1960, by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992 as part of the Downtown Altoona Historic District.
Renaissance Revival, evoking early Italian Renaissance cathedrals
- •Seat and mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown (founded as the Diocese of Altoona in 1901; renamed 1957)
- •Designed by Philadelphia architect George I. Lovatt, Sr.; cornerstone laid May 30, 1926
- •Formally dedicated November 13, 1960 by Bishop J. Carroll McCormick
- •Added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 24, 1992 as a contributing property in the Downtown Altoona Historic District
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