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Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, UT

Spotlight On...
Cathedral of the Madeleine
Salt Lake City, UT

The Cathedral of the Madeleine was completed in 1909 after nine years of construction. The massive structure has a Romanesque exterior composed of Utah sandstone and is characterized by semi-circular arches and large towers. There are eight gargoyles perched on the towers. These gargoyles, now weighing 1,200 lbs each, were replaced during the five-year renovation ending in 1980 due to erosion. Included in the renovation was the restoration of the sandstone, a new copper roof, replacement of the stained glass windows in the sanctuary and the addition of a tympanum over the main doors.

The cathedral has a Gothic interior characterized by the pointed arches and ribbed vaults. Many stained glass windows created by various designers grace the walls. The rose window in particular is set above the organ and includes St. Cecilia, patroness of music, surrounded by angels with musical instruments. In 1992, a new organ designed by Kenneth Jones and Associates of Bray, Ireland was installed. The organ, which has 4,066 pipes serves both liturgical and concert purposes.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine is the only cathedral named for Mary Magdalene. The cathedral's name was changed to the French spelling of her name in 1916 by Bishop Joseph Glass. Her image appears several times throughout the cathedral. In stained glass, she encounters the resurrected Christ. In paintings, Mary Magdalen is shown anointing Christ’s feet and also looking upwards at Christ on the Cross.

The cathedral is listed on both the Utah and National Register of Historic Places and celebrated its centennial year on August 15, 2009. Please be sure to view the panorama of the beautiful cathedral interior.

To read more about the Cathedral of the St. Madeleine and the Diocese of Salt Lake City, please visit saltlakecathedral.org/ or www.dioslc.org/.

Spotlight on the Hierarchy of the Church

Photo courtesy of the Intermountain Catholic Newspaper

Most Rev. John Charles Wester
Bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City in Utah
See full bio

View previous spotlights here.

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A look at books and other media about our church, our faith, and our people.

Evangelization and Religious Freedom: Ad Gentes, Dignitatis Humanae
By Stephen B. Bevans, SVD, and Jeffrey Gros, FSC

This volume summarizes Catholic approaches to mission, evangelization, and religious freedom in light of the text and debates of Vatican II’s documents on the subjects (Ad Gentes and Dignitatis Humanae), traces the documents’ reception in the forty years since their publication and reflects on their significance for today.