History Overview
St. Mary Catholic Church has a confusing history, in the sense that the building has existed under several different names. The church building was initially built in 1888 as the First Christian Church. The building was then bought by the first bishop of Lincoln (Bishop Bonacum) in March 1904 to become the Cathedral for the Diocese of Lincoln. Once the purchase of the building was settled, remodeling began in August 1906. A week later, the building was severely damaged by a fire, and most of the building had to be rebuilt. The building was finally dedicated as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 1911. Our church served as the Cathedral for the Diocese of Lincoln until 1965. Afterwards, the church became known as St. Mary Catholic Church.
St. Theresa Pro-Cathedral on 13 and M Street
St. Theresa Pro-Cathedral and School, circa 1890. Photo from a Lincoln, Nebraska postcard.
St. Theresa Pro-Cathedral was built in 1868, and even though it was expanded in 1879, it could not keep up with the growing Diocese of Lincoln. So, Bishop Bonacum was desiring to construct a bigger church to serve as the Cathedral.
1867 – The first Catholic Church is established in Lincoln at 13th and M. It is simply called “The Catholic Church in Lincoln.”
1877 – “The Catholic Church in Lincoln” is now referred to as “Saint Theresa Catholic Church.”
August 3, 1879 – Saint Theresa’s wooden frame is expanded and replaced with brick.
December 21, 1887 – Bishop Bonacum is installed as the first Bishop of the newly established Dioceses of Lincoln. St. Theresa is now the pro-cathedral for the diocese.
September 7, 1890 – Built next to the Pro-Cathedral, St. Theresa School is dedicated. The school opens on September 15th, 1890 with 209 students.
The First Christian Church on 14 and K Street becomes the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception
The First Christian Church on 14 and K Church (1888 – 1904). Picture Source unknown.
The Diocese of Lincoln bought this building in 1904 to rennovate it as the Cathedral.
St. Mary Cathedral in 1911, after it had been rebuilt from the fire. Picture Source uknown.
Note how the direction of the building was changed.
St. Mary Cathedral in 1924. Picture Source uknown.
March 29, 1904 – First Christian Church building at 14th and K is purchased by the Diocese to be renovated as the Cathedral.
August 8, 1906 – Renovations begin on the church.
August 28, 1906 – The church burns down in a fire; rebuilding starts immediately.
December 8, 1911 – The new Cathedral is dedicated by Bishop J. Henry Tihen. The Cathedral is named Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
Serving as the Cathedral for the Diocese of Lincoln from 1911 until 1965
1917 – Name of St. Theresa School changes to Cathedral School. The class of 1917 received the first diplomas from “Cathedral High School.”
July 15, 1919 – Sacred Heart parish is established, taking all parishioners east of 20th and north of O Streets.
January 22, 1921 – Blessed Sacrament parish is broken off from St. Mary Cathedral, taking all the households south of A Street.
February 23, 1926 – St. Mary Cathedral parish is divided again with the establishment of another St. Teresa parish to the east.
March 13, 1949 – The new Cathedral School building opens to the east of the Cathedral on 14th Street. Saint Mary Cathedral is the only parish in Lincoln to offer all the grades through high school.
March 19, 1949 – The old school building at 13th and M Streets burns down.
May 27, 1956 – Cathedral High School graduates its last class. Pius X High School opens on A St. the following fall.
November 1956 – Current rectory is built to the east of the Cathedral.
1963 – The church’s red brick exterior is painted over in an off-white.
June 30, 1963 – The interior of the Cathedral was re-dedicated. The baldacchino took the place of the old high altars.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is renamed to St. Mary Catholic Church in 1965
Sanctuary from 1911 until 1963.
Sanctuary from 1963 until 1993.
Sanctuary from 1993 to present day.
August 18, 1965 – The Cathedral of the Risen Christ is dedicated as the new cathedral for the Diocese of Lincoln. St. Mary Catholic Church is henceforth referred to as “The Old Cathedral.”
June 15, 1993 – Saint Mary, with 1200 families, is split in half when North American Martyrs Parish is established in the Highlands.
1993 – The baldacchino comes down; the current crucifix and tabernacle go up.
May 27, 2019 – St. Mary School closes Permanently. The school building is henceforth used for different ministries, such as the Women’s Ministry and CCD program.
As of 2021, St. Mary Catholic Church has been undergoing restoration work. This has included successfully replacing the HVAC and electrical systems, and planning to restore the interior and exterior of the church building. If you would like to learn about our restoration efforts and plans, please visit our Restoration page: www.stmarylincoln.org/restore
Previous Pastors and Mass Schedules
Pastors
2021 – Present Fr. Joseph Walsh
2005 – 2021 Fr. Douglas Dietrich
1985 – 2005 Monsignor Paul Witt
1983 – 1985 Fr. Peter Gadient
1980 – 1983 Monsignor James Dawson
1955 – 1980 Monsignor John Flynn
1937 – 1955 Monsignor Clarence J. Riorden
Past Mass Schedules
2006 – Present Saturday 4 pm; Sunday 8 am, 10 am, 12:30 pm, 5 pm
1997 – 2005 Saturday 4 pm; Sunday 8 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm
1982 – 1997 Saturday 4 pm & 6 pm; Sunday 8 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
1976 – 1982 Saturday 6 pm; Sunday 8 am, 9:30 am, 11:00 am, 12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
1969 – 1976 Saturday 6 pm; Sunday 7:30 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
1966 – 1969 Sunday 6 am, 7:30 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm, 5:30 pm
1943 – 1966 Sunday 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 12:30 pm
1933 – 1943 Sunday 6 am, 7 am, 8 am, 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 12 Noon