St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral-History

History

St. Patrick’s Heritage Notes
Feb. 3, 1925

The St. Patrick’s Church debt was paid off on Feb. 3, 1925, four years before its 1929 due date. It was paid by means of a third collection of $1 a month from each parishioner over a two year period. The rules of the church require that an edifice must be free from debt before it can be consecrated. The church was built in 1906 at a cost of $65,000 with great faith and sacrifice from the Catholic community.

The 1900s

The history of the Co-Cathedral is closely linked to the growth and development of the city of Billings. The first Catholic church in Billings, Saint Joachim's, was built in 1887, five years after the founding of the city. Thirteen years later, the rapidly growing Billings community needed a much larger church. Saint Patrick's Church was completed in 1904 at a cost of $64,300. Since then, it has served as home to an ever growing parish family and has remained a distinctive landmark in downtown Billings.

Saint Joachim's

Saint Patrick's Original Interior

The 1950s

In 1954 the first extensive renovations of the building were undertaken. Bishop William J. Condon requested an interior renovation in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Diocese. Among the changes made to the church interior were the installation of a new communion rail, new altars, removal of two doors leading into the sacristies, new Stations of the Cross, three new statues carved of linden wood, wrought iron lanterns in the nave, and a new rose window for the choir loft. Additionally, the interior dome and arches were redone in a decorative style of painting that was much in vogue during the fifties. This style has its roots in Byzantine art, which places high emphasis on the "other" world. Changes were also made to the exterior of the church including: the addition of the north entryway into the main body of the church, construction of the north stairwell into the church hall, new front steps, and a new roof.

1954 Interior

"St. Patrick's, as the mother church of the other churches in the city, has reason to rejoice and be proud. The pioneer priests and people of St. Patrick's, as well as those of the present generation, have played a mighty part in this development."
-- Bishop William J. Condon, February 25, 1956

The 1960s and 1970s

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, modifications were made to the sanctuary to accommodate the changes of Vatican II. The present portable altar and pulpit were added so that the priest could face the people during the Liturgy. The side altars were removed when the ancient custom of con-celebration was reintroduced. As lay people became more involved in the celebration of the Liturgy, the railing separating the sanctuary from the main body of the Church was removed. In the mid to late 1970s, the present paneling in the sanctuary was installed and a pew was removed from each side of the main aisle to facilitate the communion procession.

"Saint Patrick's stands at the center of a growing city with its tower piercing the sky, expressing the human desire of all people to be in touch with their God."
-- Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy, March 1, 1981

The 1990s

Physical and decorative improvements were made to the parish hall and kitchen in 1992. An elevator was installed to make all levels of the building accessible to the handicapped. A special bus was purchased to make it easier for the elderly to attend church. The adult choir was brought to the front of the church so they could better fulfill their ministry of leadership in sacred music.

In 1997, a new copper roof was installed, renovations were done on the towers, and the brick exterior was washed and remortared. In 1999, interior renovations were done, including construction of the new sacristy and the gathering space out front.

Today's Interior