Католический собор Святого Стефана в Оуэнсборо отметил столетие со дня освящения

Owensboro's St. Stephen Cathedral, located at 610 Locust St., celebrated 100 years in its current location on Sunday with a day of special services and celebrations. The first two St. Stephen church buildings were located on Second and Cedar Streets, but the Catholic church's current location was dedicated in 1926, where it "has now stood for a century as a place of worship, prayer, celebration and service for generations of Catholics in Owensboro," said the church's 100th Anniversary of Dedication bulletin from Sunday's Mass services presided upon by Rev. William Francis Medley, the fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Owensboro. Though the church was dedicated in 1926, it didn't become a cathedral until 1937, when Pope Pius XI established the Diocese of Owensboro, transitioning the church into cathedral status. The location has served as the "Mother Church" of the diocese. "We honor with gratitude all those who came before us and faithfully built, supported and cared for this beautiful place of worship," wrote Fr. John Thomas, current pastor of the church, in Sunday's program. "We stand today on their shoulders, and today we remember the sacrifices that had to be made in their time. Today, we are entrusted with passing this gift to those who will come after us." He continued, "an anniversary is not simply about looking back. It is also an invitation to look forward with faith and hope." Thomas detailed plans to "renovate and preserve our beautiful windows, to renovate and expand our pipe organ, to update the rectory and to build our new parish offices and parish hall, which will be connected to the church building," describing them as, not only investments into the church buildings, but "in the mission of our parish and the Church at large." "We are preparing Saint Stephen Cathedral not only for today, but literally for the next hundred years — for our families, for our children and for our children's children," he said. "As we celebrate 100 years in this sacred building, may we remember that the Church is not merely a building. The Church is the people of God, Us...These renovations are about strengthening the home where our parish family gathers to worship." Medley welcomed the congregation to Mass as the church building celebrated 100 years in Owensboro. "This venerable brick and mortar building begins a new century," he said. "We celebrate those who have gone before us who made this church possible. Those who have served here, and those who have built up the Kingdom of God here. Those who have passed on their faith here, and those who have been baptized here..." He also took the time to reflect on the role that St. Stephen has played in the community for more than 100 years as a fixture of the Catholic church. The church also hosted a reception following the Mass at the Owensboro Convention Center.