History of Cathedral of Christ the King

- Office of the Bishop

Introduction

In 1900 the city of Superior was the second largest city in the state of Wisconsin with a population of 31,091. It was the 129th city in rank in the United States. The city, however, was far removed from other population centers in the state. It had always been hard to administer from either the Archdiocese of Milwaukee or from the Diocese of La Crosse.

On April19, 1905, the Superior Evening Telegram reported a rumor of the establishment of a new diocese in northern Wisconsin. Upon the formal creation of the Superior diocese in May of 1905, Augustine F. Schinner, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, was designated as the first bishop of Superior. The new bishop selected St. Augustine of Hippo for the patron saint of the diocese.
Sacred Heart Church - "pro-Cathedral"

During Bishop Schinner’s tenure the relatively small, frame-built Sacred Heart church served as the “pro-Cathedral” for the new diocese. His successor, Bishop Joseph Koudelka (1913-1921) hoped to build a Cathedral for the diocese but was prevented from doing so by the First World War. Although some planning for the cathedral had taken place beginning in 1914 no substantial progress had been made before Bishop Koudelka’s death.
An undecorated new Cathedral

Bishop Joseph Pinten (1922-1926) announced on March 24, 1923, that a new cathedral would be built on the block bounded by Belknap and Fourteenth Streets, Grand and Baxter Avenues. The groundbreaking for the new cathedral, estimated to cost approximately $300,000, took place on June 24, 1926. It was the last public act by Bishop Pinten who left immediately for his new assignment in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The first Mass in the new cathedral was held December 25, 1927. The cathedral remained undecorated. The lower church was a wilderness of red clay. The windows were clear amber glass and the interior was unpainted white plaster.

Because of difficult economic times, the Cathedral remained in this state until 1937.
Significant additions to the Cathedral

In 1937, the parish was able to raise $25,000. With this money concrete was poured for the plaza and the steps in front of the building. Pews and confessionals made of white oak were purchased. New lights were installed. The walls and ceiling were decorated.
In 1938, 95 stained glass windows were put into place. On the east side of the nave, the clerestory windows (in the upper portion of the walls of the nave) depicted mostly Old Testament figures on the east side of the nave. The windows on the west side depicted important figures from the history of the Catholic Church. The south clerestory windows were of Christ the King, Mary the Mother of God, and St. Augustine. In the priest’s sacristy the seven steps to priesthood are represented. Images of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are in the server’s sacristy. The ambulatory windows depict the seven sacraments. Coats of arms of the bishops, along with the names of significant saints, are represented in the lower windows of the nave.

New altar rails were ordered from Italy, in September, 1939. Because of the British blockade of the Mediterranean Sea at the beginning of World War II, the full shipment did not arrive until February of 1940.

The Parish Hall was constructed in the lower church in 1946. The kneelers were padded in 1947.

A new altar and new episcopal throne (the cathedra) were installed in 1954. The altar contained relics of St. Basil of Ancrya (martyred in 362 A.D.), St. Benedict, a missionary to Poland (martyred in 1003 A.D.), St. Maris Goretti and Pope Pius X. The altar and episcopal throne continued to be used after the Vatican II renovation.
2004-05 preservation & enhancement project

October 2003 marked the begining of 'The Cathedral Preservation & Ehancement Project' that was competed in January 2005.