About Cathedral of the Holy Spirit · Bismarck, North Dakota
The Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is the mother church of the Diocese of Bismarck and the seat (cathedra) of its bishop, currently Most Rev. David Kagan. Built of monolithic concrete in the Art Deco style between 1941 and 1945, it is widely regarded as the only Art Deco cathedral in the United States. The cathedral, its bell tower, the adjacent grade school, convent, rectory, and Bishop's Residence together form the core of the Bismarck Cathedral Area Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. It serves as both the diocesan cathedral and an active parish — with a school (K–8), seven-day Mass schedule, perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, daily confessions, and an extensive lay ministry network including a St. Vincent de Paul conference, Knights of Columbus council, Catholic Daughters, OCIA (formerly RCIA), and parish school.
- Established
- 1945
- Patron
- Holy Spirit
- Rector
- Fr. Nicholas Vetter (Rector)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Bismarck (Latin: Dioecesis Bismarckiensis), a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, erected December 31, 1909 by Pope Pius X.
Why belong here
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit combines the breadth of a diocesan cathedral — seven-day Mass schedule, daily confessions, perpetual Adoration four days a week, a K–8 parish school, livestreamed Mass, and OCIA formation — with the warmth of a downtown Bismarck parish that meets people where they are. Its ministries reach both inside and outside the parish walls: a St. Vincent de Paul conference provides prescription help, utility deposits, eviction prevention, and emergency shelter; Meals on Wheels delivers meals to the homebound; the Prayer Blanket Ministry brings a hand-made blanket and prayers to the sick and grieving; and The Branches young-adult group hosts quarterly Holy Mass and social for the Bismarck-Mandan area. Add in a cathedral choir and instrumental music program, Bible studies, a book club, mothers' and men's groups, Knights of Columbus and Catholic Daughters courts, and a historic Art Deco sanctuary listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you have a parish that worships the Holy Spirit in a building that is itself a shrine to Him.
Mass times at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Monday 7:15–7:50 AM
- Tuesday 7:15–7:50 AM
- Wednesday 7:15–7:50 AM
- Thursday 7:15–7:50 AM
- Friday 7:15–7:50 AM
- Saturday 7:15–7:50 AM
- Saturday 4:00–4:50 PM
- Saturday 7:30–9:00 PM
Adoration times
- Sunday 1:00–9:00 PM
- Monday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Tuesday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Wednesday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
- Thursday 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
History of the Cathedral
The cathedral was the dream of Bismarck's first bishop, Most Reverend Vincent Wehrle, O.S.B., who purchased the hilltop site in 1917 and hired architect Anton Dohman of Milwaukee in 1921. The Great Depression forced the project to be shelved year after year. After Wehrle's retirement in 1939, Pope Pius XII appointed Bishop Vincent J. Ryan as the second bishop of Bismarck. Ryan hired William F. Kurke of Fargo (architect of the North Dakota State Capitol) to prepare an Art Deco design, broke ground in September 1941, and dedicated the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit on August 30, 1945. Interior decoration and furnishings were added in subsequent years; a major 1992–1993 renovation added a stylistically correct gathering space on the east side; and in 2024 a new pipe organ was installed in the choir loft.
- 1917 — Bishop Wehrle purchases the west-end Bismarck cathedral site
- 1921 — Wehrle hires architect Anton Dohman (Milwaukee); two plans drawn
- 1940 — Bishop Vincent J. Ryan restarts the cathedral project
- 1941 (September) — Ground broken on the Art Deco cathedral designed by William F. Kurke
- 1945 (Aug 30) — Cathedral of the Holy Spirit dedicated by Bishop Ryan
- 1946 — Cathedral School begins educating children on parish grounds
- 1951 — Cathedral Grade School building completed
- 1955 — Convent completed
- 1969 — Rectory completed
- 1980 (May 8) — Cathedral and Bishop's Residence listed on the NRHP (Bismarck Cathedral Area Historic District)
- 1992–1993 — Major renovation and addition of narthex/gathering space (AIA ND 1993, IFRA 1994, AIA ND Test of Time 2023)
- 2024 — New pipe organ installed in choir loft; historic bronze doors refurbished and returned
Architecture and the Cathedral Bell Tower
The cathedral is built of monolithic concrete in the Art Deco style — and is believed to be the only Art Deco cathedral in the United States. Fargo architect William F. Kurke, who also designed the North Dakota State Capitol, gave the cathedral and the adjacent Bishop's Residence a unified two-story concrete Art Deco vocabulary with vertical, geometric massing. The freestanding bell tower of the cathedral is a local landmark, visible from the surrounding hills and from across the Missouri River. The interior is enriched by stained-glass windows whose symbols, scriptural passages, and color patterns depict the working of the Holy Spirit throughout salvation history, and the choir loft holds a pipe organ newly installed in 2024.
- Art Deco style, monolithic concrete construction
- Architect: William F. Kurke of Fargo (also designer of the North Dakota State Capitol)
- Stained-glass windows depicting the Holy Spirit's work in salvation history
- New pipe organ in the choir loft (2024)
- Renovated 1992–1993 — added narthex/gathering space while preserving Art Deco vocabulary
- Bell tower is a Bismarck landmark; cathedral and Bishop's Residence are NRHP-listed
Bismarck Cathedral Area Historic District
The cathedral and the adjacent Bishop's Residence are the contributing properties that give the Bismarck Cathedral Area Historic District — also known locally as 'The Hill' — its name. The original 27.3-acre district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 8, 1980, and contains 47 contributing buildings; it was expanded by 15 acres (40 additional contributing buildings and one site) in 1997 and changed again in 2010. The district is roughly bounded by Hannifan and N. 1st Streets and Avenues C and A West, with the cathedral complex at 520 North Raymond Street and the residence at 420 North Raymond. The neighborhood sits on a hilltop four city blocks north of Bismarck's Central Business District, sheltered by another rise to the north and historically known for its panoramic Missouri River valley views — largely closed in now by Siberian elm street trees planted as curbside ornamentals.
- NRHP reference #80002908
- Listed May 8, 1980 (original); expanded Oct. 24, 1997; revised Mar. 31, 2010
- Includes the Cathedral and adjacent Bishop's Residence as contributing properties
- Local nickname: 'The Hill'
Clergy, Staff and Parish Office
The parish is served by two priests — Fr. Nicholas Vetter as Rector and Fr. Steven Vetter as Parochial Vicar (Fr. Steven also serves the diocese as Director of Vocations) — along with four permanent deacons: Tony Ternes, Brent Naslund, Les Noehre, and Randy Schmidt. Lay staff includes Dianna Trnka (Business Manager), Joni Obrigewitch (Director of Communications), Brian Wild (Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds), with Luke Jones and Zachary King assisting; Steve Sletteland serves as Music, Ministry, Baptism, and Funeral Coordinator; Barbara Jackson as Wedding Coordinator; and Shelly Preszler in additional parish support. The parish office sits directly across Raymond Street from the main (east) entrance of the cathedral at 519 Raymond Street, and is open Monday–Thursday 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Friday 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (closed on holidays and Holy Days of Obligation).
- Rector: Fr. Nicholas Vetter
- Parochial Vicar: Fr. Steven Vetter
- Deacons: Tony Ternes, Brent Naslund, Les Noehre, Randy Schmidt
- Lay staff: Dianna Trnka (Business Manager), Joni Obrigewitch (Director of Communications), Brian Wild (Superintendent of Buildings & Grounds), Steve Sletteland (Music/Ministry/Baptism/Funeral Coordinator), Barbara Jackson (Wedding Coordinator), Shelly Preszler, Luke Jones, Zachary King
- Parish office: 519 Raymond Street — open Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Fri 8:30 AM–12:30 PM
- General email: [email protected]; Faith Formation: [email protected]
Cathedral School (K–8)
Cathedral School, owned by Cathedral of the Holy Spirit Parish and serving families across the Bismarck area, began educating children in 1946 and has produced more than 2,000 graduates. It is a fully approved, accredited parish elementary and junior-high school (PreK–8), offering a Christian atmosphere of learning that develops students intellectually, spiritually, socially, and physically. Daily prayer, school liturgies, religion classes, and sacramental preparation are central to the curriculum. Programs for the reception of the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation take place in 2nd grade; the Confirmation program spans 7th and 8th grade, with the Sacrament of Confirmation received in the spring of 8th grade.
- Founded 1946
- Grades PreK–8 (approx. 321 students)
- Sacramental preparation: First Eucharist and First Reconciliation (grade 2); Confirmation (7th–8th grade, received in spring of 8th grade)
- Address (school): 508 Raymond Street, Bismarck, ND 58501
Becoming Catholic — OCIA
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit offers the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) — the process by which adults enter the Catholic Church — running classes not only for those discerning entry but also for anyone who wants to learn more about Catholic beliefs, traditions, and spiritual life. The curriculum reviews the basic Gospel message, the Trinity, the existence of God, reading the Bible, the Sacraments, and more complex topics including life and sexuality issues and Catholic social teaching. Catechumens (unbaptized) are fully initiated at the Easter Vigil; Candidates (already baptized) are received at a time discerned with the Director of OCIA and the Rector. OCIA at the cathedral is coordinated by Deacon Les Noehre.
- Year-round inquiry; OCIA catechumens fully initiated at the Easter Vigil
- Open to inquirers, baptized Catholics seeking Confirmation, and anyone learning about the faith
- Coordinated by Deacon Les Noehre ([email protected])
Faith Formation, Children's RE, and Adult Education
Faith Formation at the cathedral supports children, youth, and adults in ongoing Catholic formation. Cathedral School students receive daily religion instruction and sacramental preparation (First Eucharist/Reconciliation in 2nd grade; Confirmation in 7th–8th grade). Young-adult, adult, and Bible-study groups round out the formation calendar. A dedicated Faith Formation email ([email protected]) is available for inquiries, and Deacon Les Noehre coordinates the OCIA process (formerly RCIA) for adult inquirers.
- Children's Religious Education
- Adult Religious Education and Bible Study
- Young Adult Religious Education and The Branches fellowship
- Confirmation preparation spans 7th and 8th grade (school) or OCIA (adult)
- Contact: [email protected]
Music and Liturgy
Music at the cathedral is coordinated by Steve Sletteland (Music, Ministry, Baptism, & Funeral Coordinator) and supported by both vocal (Cathedral Choir) and instrumental ministry for weekend liturgies, funerals, holy days, and other celebrations. A new pipe organ was installed in the choir loft of the cathedral in 2024 by the Diocese of Bismarck, providing a renewed foundation for choral and congregational worship.
- Cathedral Choir
- Instrumental Music ministry
- New pipe organ installed in the choir loft (2024)
- Music coordinator: Steve Sletteland
Outreach, Charity, and Parish Service
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit has a robust outreach network anchored by its St. Vincent de Paul Conference, Knights of Columbus council, Catholic Daughters of the Americas court, Prayer Blanket Ministry, and Meals on Wheels participation. The SVdP conference provides help with prescription/medical copays, vehicle registration, work clothing, prepaid cell service, sacrament preparation, utility shutoff prevention, deposit assistance, eviction prevention, an emergency pantry, accompaniment to medical appointments, transportation, applications for other services, emergency shelter, simple vehicle repairs, license reinstatement, and obtaining eye exams and glasses.
- St. Vincent de Paul Society conference
- Knights of Columbus
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas
- Prayer Blanket Ministry (Deacon Tony Ternes / Susan, 701-222-2320)
- Meals on Wheels (parish delivers for one month per year)
- Transportation to Mass and parish events
- Visit Homebound and Visitation to Sick & Shut-ins
- Eucharist brought to Home/Hospital
- Material Aid: food pantry, clothing, emergency basic needs
- Financial Assistance and Eviction Prevention Services
Prayer, Devotions, and Small Groups
The cathedral cultivates a rich devotional life grounded in the seven-day Mass schedule, daily confessions, and four days a week of Eucharistic Adoration. Beyond the liturgies, the parish hosts Healing Prayer, Intercessory Prayer, Contemplative Prayer, and a Prayer Group, alongside the Prayer Blanket Ministry. Lay social groups (Mothers', Women's, Men's, Children's, and Youth groups) provide spiritual fellowship and accompaniment for parish members in every season of life.
- Eucharistic Adoration (Sun 1–9 PM, Mon–Thu 9 AM–9 PM)
- Healing Prayer, Intercessory Prayer, Contemplative Prayer, Prayer Group
- Prayer Blanket Ministry
- Social groups: Mothers', Women's, Men's, Children's, Youth
Young Adults — 'The Branches'
The Branches is a Catholic young-adult group for the Bismarck/Mandan area that focuses on building faith-centered community and fellowship. It provides a place for young adults to find Bible-study groups, men's and women's groups, ways to get involved in parish ministries, and other formation opportunities. The group gathers quarterly to celebrate Holy Mass together (followed by a social, with food, drinks, and childcare provided) — a way for Catholics in their twenties and thirties to plug into parish and peer life.
- Quarterly Holy Mass + social
- Bible-study groups and men's/women's groups
- Service involvement through Cathedral ministries
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
The Cathedral celebrates and prepares the seven sacraments on a regular schedule. Baptisms are prepared through Deacon Tony Ternes and Deacon Les Noehre; First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are typically received by school children in 2nd grade through Cathedral School; Confirmation is prepared in 7th–8th grade (received in spring of 8th grade) or through OCIA for adults; Marriages are coordinated through Barbara Jackson (Wedding Coordinator); the Anointing of the Sick is offered to the homebound, hospitalized, or those preparing for surgery; and Funerals are coordinated by Steve Sletteland.
- Baptism (Deacon Tony Ternes; Deacon Les Noehre — preparation instructor)
- First Reconciliation and First Eucharist (2nd grade, school program)
- Confirmation (7th–8th grade; OCIA for adults)
- Marriage (Wedding Coordinator: Barbara Jackson)
- Anointing of the Sick
- Funerals (Steve Sletteland); funeral announcements also published on the myParish app
Communications, App, and Online Giving
Cathedral of the Holy Spirit maintains an active digital presence through its website (cathedralparish.com), the myParish App, the Cathedral parish podcast (with homilies by Fr. Steven Vetter available), local TV broadcast of Sunday Mass, and a secure online giving platform. The cathedral notes that the myParish App also publishes funeral announcements so that parishioners can be informed of recent deaths quickly.
- Official website: cathedralparish.com
- myParish App (search 'Cathedral of the Holy Spirit')
- Cathedral podcast (e.g., cathedraloftheholyspirit.podbean.com)
- Sunday 8:00 AM Mass broadcast on local TV in Bismarck
- Online giving via cathedralparish.com
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Bishop Vincent Wehrle, O.S.B.1910–1939
First Bishop of Bismarck; conceived the cathedral as a shrine to the Holy Spirit, purchased the site (1917), hired architect Anton Dohman (1921); project postponed by the Great Depression.
- Bishop Vincent J. Ryan1940–1951
Second Bishop of Bismarck; restarted the cathedral project in 1940, hired William F. Kurke of Fargo, broke ground September 1941, and dedicated the cathedral on August 30, 1945.
 "Cathedral of the Holy Spirit")