This beautiful piece of architecture was erected in the early 1900's downtown Salt Lake. The outside of the cathedral is Romanesque style with tympanums, gargoyles and towering spires, and the interior is Gothic full of stained glass windows, rib-crossed vaulting and a long, echoing nave. The Madeleine's choir puts on a number of concerts throughout the year and sings every Sunday at Mass. Visitors can tour the cathedral and enjoy its quiet solitude and majestic beauty. Hint: See comment on this site for a self-guided tour to use while touring the Cathedral .
Investigating the rich symbolism of Christian Art and Architecture can really be a fun and educational part of experiencing the Cathedral. Bring your scriptures and see if you can identify biblical figures. Most prophets are portrayed by a token or symbol of their story. Ex. Peter holds keys, because Christ gave him the "Keys of the Kingdom". Paul holds a sword because he calls himself "the good soldier for Christ". For more information please see: http://wegast.home.att.net/symbols/
Investigating the rich symbolism of Christian Art and Architecture can really be a fun and educational part of experiencing the Cathedral. Bring your scriptures and see if you can identify biblical figures. Most prophets are portrayed by a token or symbol of their story. Ex. Peter holds keys, because Christ gave him the "Keys of the Kingdom". Paul holds a sword because he calls himself "the good soldier for Christ". For more information please see: http://wegast.home.att.net/symbols/
331 E. South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1226
Phone: (801) 328-8941
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Make sure to bring your scriptures with you and use this self-guided tour to tour the Cathedral...
Originally designed by F. X. Zettler of the House of Littler, Royal Bavarian Institute in Munich, Germany, and installed in 1908, the windows in the body of the Cathedral were completely rebuilt in 1992 by Rohlf Studios of New York. The windows on the west side (from back to front) portray the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary (The Annunciation, The Visitation, The Nativity, The Presentation of Jesus, and the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple). The last of these is portrayed in the large west transept window, at the top of which is a scene of the woman, reputed to be St. Mary Magdalen, washing the feet of Jesus. Represented around this scene are (clockwise form the top) St. Gregory, St. Matthew, St. Jerome, St. Mark, St. Augustine, St. Luke, St. Ambrose, and St. John.
The windows on the east side (from front to back), beginning with the large east transept window, depict the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary (The Resurrection, The Ascension, The Descent of the Holy Spirit, The Assumption of Mary, and The Crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven). The Resurrection window also contains a medallion of Christ appearing to St. Mary Magdalen. Around this scene are (clockwise from the top) St. Farancis de Sales, St. Agnes, St. Stephen, St, Ignatius, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Bernard, St. Vincent de Paul, and St. Monica.
The two windows in the Blessed Sacrament chapel were designed by George W. Sotter of Pittsburgh in 1918 and display images of the twelve apostles. These windows exhibit a distinctly different style of stained glass from that in the body of the church. At the rear of the Cathedral above the organ is the great Rose Window depicting St. Cecilia, patroness of music, surrounded by angels with musical instruments.
The result of seven years of labor, the tympanum above the main doors is the work of Francis Aretz of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shipped in several pieces to Salt Lake City in 1917, the tympanum features the figure of Christ as High Priest, flanked by an angel on each side; and the Twelve Apostles, six standing and six kneeling, each with his appropriate symbol. The four great Doctors of the Church, Saints Jerome, Ambrose, Gregory and Augustine, appear in the upper half of the work. The four Evangelists, Saints Matthew, Mark, Luke and John appear surrounding the arms of the central cross.
The murals at the front of the Cathedral were designed and painted by Felix Lieftuchter in 1918. They represent a combination of Byzantine, Spanish Gothic, and modern styles. At the center is the figure of Christ on the Cross, with God the Father and the Holy Spirit above. At the bottom of the Cross are a pelican and her children, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice since the pelican feeds its young with its own blood.
The left mural depicts prominent Christian figures (St. Joan of Arc, St. Venatius, St. John the Baptist, St. Gregory, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Agnes, St. Pascal Baylon, St. Jerome. St. Helena, St. Stephen), and the right mural depicts Old Testament figures (Adam and Eve, Isaiah, Ester, Ruth, Melchizedek, Moses, David, St. Anne, Judith).
The mural in the west transept is of the woman (traditionally identified as Mary Magdalene) washing the feet of Jesus. In the east transept there is portrayed the appearance of Jesus to Mary Magdalene following the Resurrection.
The crossing over the altar contains panels of angels, as do the upper regions of the vaulting throughout the Cathedral. The coats of arms of the eight bishops of the diocese are also found in the walls of the transepts.
The Striking blue and starred ceiling over the Blessed Sacrament chapel signifies the vault of heaven. Also painted by Felix Lieftuchter, it represents the influence of modern art on the artist's work.
I have been the the Cathedral of the Madeleine and it really is one of the most beautiful buildings in Utah! The stain glassed windows are absolutely gorgeous and are really fun to look at to try and figure out what bible story is being told. It is an interesting experience that is definitely worth it! I really enjoy visiting historical buildings within the area I live and suggest that others take advantage of these wonderful opportunities.
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