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Home > About Us > History
Cathedral History
The history of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish stretches back more than
two centuries. From a hilltop on North Main Street, the grand
English Gothic style structure handsomely towers above the city of Greensburg.
The parish dates from March 10, 1789, when a group of laymen representing
about 25 area families paid five shillings, the equivalent of less than
$1 today, for the 1.5 acres that comprise the current site. Their
intent was to build a Roman Catholic Church and public burial ground.
Construction of a log church was started, then called to a halt because
of a lack of funding. The space was never completed, never used, and
the townspeople worshipped for the next 50 years at sites in Latrobe and Crabtree.
The second church of the parish was built in 1846, a collaboration of
Redemptorist Father John Henry Neumann (later named bishop of Philadelphia
and canonized a saint by Pope Paul VI in 1977) and the priests and monks
of the Order of St. Benedict, who established Saint Vincent Monastery
in Latrobe that same year. The brick structure was built on the
site of the present rectory, facing south toward the Westmoreland County
Courthouse, and measured 30 feet by 70 feet. A small rectory was
built in 1850 to accommodate Fr. William Pollard, a priest of the Diocese
of Pittsburgh, who served as pastor for 3 years.
The Benedictine priests from Saint Vincent Monastery
assumed responsibility in 1853, a service they held for nearly 100 years.
Benedictine Father Agatho Stuebinger took his place as pastor, erected
a new rectory in 1885 and a new church building in 1887. This, the third
church, was built of brick with natural stone trim. With dimensions
of 45 feet by 100 feet, it held 400 people. Through the turn of
the century, as the area continually prospered and grew, and so did
Most Holy Sacrament Parish, necessitating the establishment of six additional
parishes in outlying areas: St. Bruno in South Greensburg; Holy Cross,
Youngwood; St. Bede, Bovard; St. Gilbert, Hunker; St. Paul, Southwest
Greensburg; and Our Lady of Grace, Greensburg.
The need for an even larger structure was realized in the early 1920s. A
building fund campaign was organized in 1923. The architectural firm
of Comes, Perry and McMullen in Pittsburgh handled the design of the
present English Gothic style. Built of sandstone with Indiana limestone
trim, it was dedicated in May 1928. Until the establishment of
the Diocese of Greensburg on March 10, 1951, Most Holy Sacrament Parish
prospered under the leadership of several priests of the Benedictine
community. Most Holy Sacrament was designated Blessed Sacrament
Cathedral in May of that year with the Benedictines relinquishing pastoral
responsibility. A cathedral gets its name because it is the church where
the cathedra (Greek and Latin for “chair”), or bishop's chair, is placed.
In ancient times, the chair was seen as the sign of authority to teach,
and early bishops usually preached while seated. When the pope teaches
formally, authoritatively and infallibly, he is said to be speaking
“ex cathedra," - from the chair.
The Most Rev. Hugh L. Lamb
of Philadelphia was named the diocese's first bishop. After his death on December 8, 1959, the Most Rev. William G. Connare was ordained
and installed as the second bishop in ceremonies at the Cathedral on May 4, 1960. Additionally, the Most Rev. Norbert F. Gaughan, the lone
Auxiliary Bishop in the diocese's history, was ordained at the Cathedral on June 26, 1975. After the retirement of Bishop Connare
in December 1986, the Most Rev. Anthony
G. Bosco was installed as the third bishop in ceremonies at the Cathedral on June 30, 1987. Our current bishop, the
Most Rev. Lawrence E. Brandt, was ordained and installed as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Greensburg in ceremonies at the Cathedral on March 4, 2004.
Blessed Sacrament Cathedral was renovated by
the architectural firm of Celli-Flynn & Associates, using the guidelines
of the Second Vatican Council for liturgical renewal as a basis
for the new layout and design. The main altar was relocated from
its previous position in the apse; its new position in the sanctuary
emphasizes the communal aspect of worship by bringing the congregation
as near as possible to the altar. Existing marble from the original
baldacchino (seen on photo below was reused in several ways: the
new main altar is fashioned from the top and sides of the previous
altar, marble columns salvaged from the baldacchino were cut into
thin discs to pave the major portion of the new sanctuary floor,
and a marble column capital was hollowed out to form the new baptismal font.
In 1983, after years of physical deterioration
and limited availability of space in the present rectory, discussion
regarding the need for an expanded facility began. After many investigations
and much discussion with Diocesan officials and parish council members,
it was voted to erect a new Parish Administration Center. Under
the direction of Rev. (now Msgr.). Donald J. Mondello, Rector, and
the architectural firm of Celli & Flynn Associates, the design of
the building was established. It was to be practical, suitable
to the needs of the parish, and also allow for additional parking.
An extensive campaign was begun and together, the people of the
Cathedral Parish, along with assistance from the Diocese, pledged
funds to complete the project. In June of 1987, the facility
was completed and an open house was held for the parish two months
later. The Center continues to serve not only as housing for our
priests, but also as office space, archives, and a hub for a multitude
of meetings, both on the diocesan and parish levels. Truly, the
Center has extended the charm and beauty of the Cathedral building
as well as affording many diocesan leaders and local parishioners
a place to carry on the continuing mission of the church.
The most recent additions and renovations to
the Cathedral parish was the purchase and renovation of the former
grounds of the Sisters of Charity convent to create a new Formation
Center. Dedicated on October 7, 2003, the center increased
the space available for religious formation and catechesis at the
Cathedral. The building has three stories with each one bearing
its own special name: the Sower and the Seed (top floor), the story
of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (street level), and the story of the
Good Shepherd (lower level).
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