Stories from the First Cathedral 1

Starting next week, I will be submitting a weekly story about the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour for the ECMN news. I have gotten permission from the ECMN office and the Chapter of the Cathedral to share these weekly stories about the place, the people, and the events from the past and present. The Cathedral is truly a treasure of the ECMN.

Let me take a minute to introduce myself to those who don't know me. I am the priest-in-charge at St Peter's Episcopal Church in Kasson. I am also the archivist at the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour where I was the Dean from 2001 - 2013. My ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Anderson took place at this cathedral in 1988. The Cathedral is a significant place for me because my children were married there, my grandchildren were baptized there and my wife Paula's funeral was held there in 2012.

And now a little background on the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour. It was our First Bishop Henry B Whipple who had the idea to start the building of the Cathedral in 1862 and it was finished in 1869. This is the first church built as a Cathedral of any denomination in the United States. A book titled The First Cathedral was written in 1987 and revised in 2003 by the Venerable Ben Scott and Robert Neslund. A copy of the revision was sent to every faith community in Minnesota. Check your library for a copy of The First Cathedral.

I believe it is time to share stories and history about this treasure called The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour as we begin a new Episcopate with Bishop Craig Loya. Hopefully you will find my weekly stories enjoyable and informative.