The Cathedral of St Joseph towers skyward as a testament to the growth and magnificence of the Queen City. Constructed in 1869, St. Joseph Catholic Church was initially founded to serve Irish immigrants in the area. Following Manchester’s rapid growth in population, the town was incorporated into the newly established Diocese of Manchester, and St Joseph’s was named the cathedral of the diocese. The first bishop to call the Cathedral of St Joseph home was Father Denis M. Bradley, who oversaw the conversion of a run-of-the-mill church into one of the most influential establishments in the Northeast.
Today, tours are available on the first Sunday of every month. Visitors can experience the awe-inspiring beauty of St. Joseph’s gothic architecture, gazing upward as hundreds of arches tower to the heavens. The altar, centerpiece of the sanctuary, boasts a throng of angels joining the congregation in praiseful song. The Blessed Sacrament chapel is decorated with numerous stained glass windows, all depicting the eucharistic sacrament. And the crypt below, where the first 5 bishops of the diocese were laid to rest, continues to be a draw to faithful Catholics and architectural enthusiasts alike.
The Cathedral of St. Joseph is a breathtaking historical monument and inspiring place of worship. For those visiting Manchester, no better call exists than the Cathedral’s motto, Ite Ad Joseph, or, “Go to Joseph.”
