St. James Cathedral is the mother church of the archdiocese of the city and the seat of the archbishop. The Catholic Cathedral is listed as a historic landmark in Seattle. Masses are held several times a day, and the doors of the religious building are open to all.
History of creation
In 1903, Bishop Edward O'Dea announced the decision to move the episcopal see to Seattle from Vancouver. St. James Cathedral was named after the archdiocese's patron saint, construction began in 1905, and by 1907 the building was ready. The cathedral was consecrated in the winter of the same year. It was built on a hill so that people could see it from afar, just as Bishop O'Dea had said. This would serve as a guideline for their faith.
When it was snowing heavily outside, the dome collapsed, and major repairs began in 1916. The building was closed, but the dome could not be restored, St. James Cathedral reopened in 1917 with an updated interior. In 1950, reconstruction works were carried out here, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the diocese. In 1994, another large-scale restoration took place. The press wrote that the goal was to make the changes that the Second Vatican Council had made. Then they moved the altar from its original place to the eastern part, installed an eyepiece and a skylight above the altar, where the dome used to be.
Short description
St. James Cathedral was built in the Italian Renaissance architecture style of the 14th century. The height of the 2 towers is 167 feet or 50.9 meters, the cathedral has a cruciform shape with wide and deep transepts. The steps that lead to the western facade are similar to the steps of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). Ulrich Henn, an artist from Germany, created the front bronze doors with biblical scenes. Statues of the Virgin Mary and other saints are installed inside the cathedral, as well as antique stained glass windows by muralist Charles Connick. In the 1990s, stained glass windows by the modern German artist Hans Gottfried von Stockhausen appeared.
Here are the relics of Blessed Francisca Xaveria Cabrini, the patroness of all emigrants, and a tomb in honor of St. John XXIII. The religious building also has 2 organs from 1907 and 1994. The "Virgin with Child and six Saints" by the Italian painter Neri di Bicci is called an artistic treasure of the Catholic cathedral. The painting was on display at the Seattle Art Museum until 2005, but then it was returned to the cathedral chapel. During the week, Masses are held several times a day. There is a library at St. James's Cathedral where you can buy Christmas, Easter and other goods.
How to get
St. James Cathedral is located in the First Hill area, also known as the first Hill. You can get here by bus No90. An alternative option is to take a taxi or a rented car.
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