Historical Images of Porter County

St. Paul Cathedral
Valparaiso, Indiana

Date: 1898
Source Type: Photograph
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Headlight Engraving Company
Postmark: Not applicable
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Remark: Published in "Headlight: Sights and Scenes Along the Grand Trunk Railway," Volume 3, Number 6. Located on the corner of Chicago Street and Campbell Street, the cornerstone of St. Paul's Catholic Church was laid on Sunday, October 7, 1883, by Bishop Dwenger of Fort Wayne, and dedicated for use on October 17, 1886. More than 8,000 people witnessed the laying of the church cornerstone. The church seen here was the first permanent home for Roman Catholics in the Valparaiso area. Built under the direction of Father Michael O'Reilly, the church cost $40,000 to build and was one of the largest churches in Indiana upon its completion. The church was 153 in length, with a transept of 95 feet, a 65 foot nave, and a spire nearly 200 feet in height. Money was raised for church construction by parishioners donating 25 cents a week to a building fund. This structure no longer exists. Prior to the construction of this church, the congregation met in the second story of Hughart's Hall, which was rented for $2 per Sunday. Hughart's Hall later became Wilson's Hardware.

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Image and related text prepared by Steven R. Shook