Saints Peter and Paul Parish History

This Gothic Church, constructed of native limestone, was built in 1855. The Cathedral is 125 feet long and 60 feet wide and has three large bells in the spire.

The Rt. Rev. Henry D. Juncker, D.D. became the first bishop when the city of Alton was made the See of the second Illinois diocese in 1857. The Rt. Rev. Juncker (1857-1868) and the second Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Peter J. Baltes, D.D. (1870-1886) are buried beneath the main altar. A third Bishop, Rt. Rev. James Ryan, D.D. (1888-1923) is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery. The Church has been called the "Old Cathedral" since 1923 when the See was changed to Springfield, Illinois and a new Cathedral was built there.

In July 1949 a terrific lightning bolt struck our church. It shattered the organ and set fire to the steeple. (See front cover) The steeples were totally destroyed and were replaced as you see them today.

In May of 1965 the rectory of the Old Cathedral was razed. The new rectory was completed on May 1st, 1966 and was ready for occupancy by May 15th of that year.