Welcome to the Cathedral
The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour is a very special place in the United States. The Cathedral is the first church in America to become a Cathedral. The cornerstone is dated 1862 and the Cathedral was finished under the leadership of our first Bishop, Henry Benjamin Whipple in 1869. Bishop Whipple served Minnesota for a long Episcopate of 42 years. The bishop is buried in the Cathedral Crypt next to the Cathedral Columbarium.
The Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour is one of two Cathedrals that serve the Diocese of Minnesota. The First Cathedral is a connection of three buildings 1) The Cathedral (1862) the Cathedral porch (1903) 2) The Cathedral Cloister (2005) 3)The Guild House (1894). The Cathedral buildings are more than historical landmarks. The Cathedral is a vital living, Christ-filled group of people, who love to welcome guest to our community. Our advertising slogan is: “Come and make lifelong friends at the Cathedral”.
September 2006 was the dedication of the new Cathedral Cloister that connects the Romanesque style Guild House with the neo-Gothic Cathedral. This space is more than a passage way between buildings. The Cathedral Cloister is a beautiful gathering space with new bathrooms and historical displays. Its doors are the new main entrance to the First Cathedral. We have hosted many regional, ecumenical and city events in the Cathedral Cloister the last four months. We will continue the process of hosting a variety of groups and events to get people in the Cathedral. We hope to promote congregational growth by making our Cathedral a public gathering venue for the greater Faribault area.
We are proud to announce our new outreach project at the Cathedral which started in December 2009. This new exciting ministry is called The Community Cathedral Café. The Cathedral has remodeled the kitchen and dining room in the Guild House to host a free Tuesday evening dinner from 5 pm – 6:30 pm serving all people all year long. Ten different churches and over 100 volunteers have begun this ministry to feed the poor, provide companionship, network those who are in need and work together in a ecumenical spirit of love. Please come and join us any Tuesday evening!
If you’re looking for a church home – please give us a try! We welcome everyone at the Cathedral and follow the National Episcopal slogan: “There are no outcasts in the Episcopal church.” We hope to see you soon!
Yours in Christ,
The Very Rev. James C. Zotalis
20th Dean of the First Cathedral
