Stories from the First Cathedral 20: The Cathedral is Built and Consecrated

I want to dwell on the First Cathedral's structure for future stories through the Advent season. The construction of the Cathedral started in 1862 and it was consecrated in 1869. Because of the custom of the church, the building could not be consecrated until everything had been paid for. (Ironically, the Cathedral Cloister, built in 2005 to 2006 was paid for at its completion.) The cost of the Cathedral's building was under $100,000, with gifts coming from many people around the country. The first service was held on May 16, 1869 and Bishop Whipple baptized 15 people. The building of the First Cathedral was a great undertaking of faith by many led by our first bishop Henry Whipple. 

"At 11 o'clock on June 24, 1869, St John the Baptist's Day, the Cathedral was consecrated. The venerable, old Jackson Kemper had come by train from the Diocese of Wisconsin with Bishop Armitage, the coadjutor. Bishop Kemper had opened Minnesota to the mission of the Episcopal Church, presided over the election of its first bishop, and would now set apart the Bishop's church. The procession formed at Bishop Whipple's residence nearby. The students from Seabury Hall and Shattuck Grammar School led, followed by the clergy of the diocese. At the door of the Cathedral, Bishop Kemper entered first. As they continued down the center aisle, Psalm XXIV was recited alternately between the Bishop and others. The preacher, Bishop Whitehouse of Illinois, followed Kemper, who was followed by Whipple. The diocesan clergy were led by Minnesota's first priest, Ezekiel Gear. A total of 1000 persons were reported to have attended the consecration" (The First Cathedral, by the Venerable Ben Scott and Mr Robert Neslund).

My imagination runs wild thinking about so many people in the building, what the procession looked like, and the content of the sermons given by famous church men of the 19th century.