About Saint Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa:
St. Ambrose Cathedral (also known as Saint Ambrose Cathedral) is the historic seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines in Iowa.
In the 1830s and 1840s, more and more Catholics came to live in what is now Iowa and the number of Catholic dioceses increased as their borders changed. In 1837 the Diocese of Dubuque was created from what had been the Diocese of St. Louis. At that time, the Dubuque Diocese included all of Iowa, Minnesota, and part of the Dakotas. Later it was reduced to what is now Iowa.
In 1856, the parish of St. Ambrose was created – serving all of Southwest Iowa. The first St. Ambrose church was a 40 by 24 foot wooden structure; by 1865 the wooden church was replaced by a larger stone structure at that site. As the city and congregation grew, the current structure was constructed between 1890 and 1891. It was designed by Chicago architect James J. Egan and officially opened on October 11, 1891, by Bishop Henry Cosgrove. An adjacent rectory was added in 1927.
The cathedral is a striking example of Romanesque Revival style, inspired by historic churches in southern France. Key features include Rusticated limestone walls (a masonry technique featuring stone blocks with rough, textured, or heavily projecting faces, often with deeply recessed joints to create a rugged, monumental appearance), a prominent corner tower (about 120 feet tall) with a conical roof topped by a cross, arched windows and doorways. and
The interior is particularly notable for its a barrel-vaulted ceiling with elaborate painted decoration aND vibrant colors, including a stunning domed sanctuary ceiling with red, blue, and gold motifs, stained glass windows, statues, and ornate details around the altar and episcopal throne. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is a beautiful landmark in Des Moines.
Traveling to Saint Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa:
Saint Ambrose Cathedral is located in downtown Des Moines and is one of its most notable landmarks.
Address: 607 High Street, Des Moines, IA 50309.
Phone: +1 (515) 288-7411.
Click here for the official website of Saint Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa.