Highlights Archives
Madison's Oldest Catholic Church Burns
This morning's fire appears to have gutted St. Raphael Cathedral in downtown Madison, a prominent feature of the city's skyline for more than century. The congregation was formed in 1842, and former governor James Doty donated land for a cathedral the same year. In 1853, work was begun on the building that burned today. The church was completed in 1862, and in 1885 a dramatic spire was added that dominated the Madison skyline for decades.
These pictures show the church in its downtown setting between 1868 and 1955, when renovations were completed. The 1955 interior view gives a particularly clear idea of what was lost today. This short history of St. Raphael's was published in the Wisconsin State Journal in 1909. We join all who love Madison's historic landscape in sadness at this loss of an important landmark in our capital city, and extend our condolences to the entire St. Raphael community as they attempt to cope with this catastrophe.
More details on the fire itself can be found on Channel3000's Web site.
:: Posted March 14, 2005
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