Sacred Heart Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Dodge City, United States
Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Spanish Colonial Revival structure built from cream-colored stucco with red clay tiles and a tall bell tower crowned by a silver dome. The interior contains an entry vestibule, main sanctuary space, and an upper gallery that provides additional seating.
The cathedral was completed in 1916, replacing a wooden church from 1882 and marking the growth of Catholic presence in western Kansas. This transition from simple to more substantial construction reflects the community's development over time.
Sacred Heart Cathedral was the cathedral of the Diocese of Dodge City from 1951 until 2001, when it merged with Our Lady of Guadalupe parish. The building was then retained and used as part of the Sacred Heart School facility. The school, opened in the former 1882 church in September 1916, expanded with additions in 1929, 1949 and 1954.
The former cathedral now forms part of the Sacred Heart School complex, so it is not open as a parish church; the building is best seen from the street. The main facade faces the entrance, with the Renaissance-style bell tower on the northwest corner. The church measures 110 by 50 feet, and the interior is reached through a vestibule under three lunettes.
The mural on the back wall was painted by Topeka artist George Melville Stone; it depicts the crucifixion with desert plants of the American Southwest, Native Americans and a pinto pony. The stained glass windows were made by Emil Frei Studios of St. Louis and installed in 1948, not the 1940s generally.
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